2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[apostolic4life]

I believe it will reinforce the non tippers, not make non tippers out of tippers. I hope there are enough of the tippers to minimize any downside.

Non-tippers are a small percentage of all diners, so I think the servers will do just fine. I know servers will complain if they do not get at least 18% from every patron, but I have faith that most people will tip an amount appropriate to the level of service they have received. Servers always come on the DIS and claim to be under-compensated for their efforts because they are the best server on the face of the Earth. I have never heard one server come on the DIS and admit they have nights where they don't deserve the higher 18-20% tip. They complain when tips are lower instead of asking themselves what they can do next time to improve their tips and the customer's experience.

Boy oh boy I can ramble......hehehehe!

 

[LETSGOFAM]

Ok, my husband and I number crunched just to see exactly what we would be paying and if DxDDP is worth it:

first, found out how much we were paying for DxDDP for 7 nights - 4 adults, 1 kid.
Cost on DxDDP: $2100.00 105 meal credits and 70 snack credits total.
Still would need to pay OOP for 2 meals for everyone, which would be breakfast as that is cheapest. ( since we are doing 1 dinner show and Cinderella Castle lunch while we are there and they require 2 meal tickets per person instead of one meal ticket per person.) But 70 snack credits are fine.
then, checked out updated menus and ordered all our meals and 2 snacks a day per person that we would NORMALLY order at the same restaurants.
Cost OOP: $2124.00 (these are the same places and food choices as if we were also on DxDDP, including 1 dinner show and Cinderella Castle lunch)

info:
-If we do DxDDP, we will need to still pay OOP for 2 meals for each person, which will most likely be some quick breakfasts as they would be cheapest for us to pay for OOP.
-did not include any tips already included or not
-we wouldn't normally order appy's or desserts at the restaurant so did not include that in OOP figuring.
-OOP plan includes 1 time 2 alchohol and 3 crazy kid drinks
-both ways include:
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Princess Storybook Lunch at Epcot
Goofy's Dinner at Liberty Tree
Cinderella Lunch
Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch
Sci Fi Lunch
50's Prime Time
the rest of our meals are quick service

Cost of DxDDP per adult per night is $69.99 x 7 nights x 4 adults=$1960.00
Cost of DxDDP per child (3-9) per night is $19.99 x 7 nights x 1 child=$140.00
Total Cost of DxDDP=$2100.00


I'm sure that there could be other charges both ways that we didn't include or think about when we were doing our figuring but we are going to stay on the DxDDP for the main reason that the cost is so close that convenience of meals paid for in advance is great and we might as well go ahead and try the yummy desserts - what the heck - they're already paid for! I hope this helps anyone out! P.S. Thanks Tricia for your help!

 

[bas71873]

We used the DDP for the first time (our first trip) Feb 2 - 9 and found it to be very convenient. It was so nice having our meals pre-paid and not having to worry about what we were ordering and paying as you go. That alone made the plan great for me (a bit of an obsessive compulsive planner ....I just liked going to Disney and not stressing over what I was spending all the time.

We (2 adults and 1 child) encountered nothing negative while trying to use this plan. CM's seemed knowledgable when I had questions and even when I mistakenly goofed and got a hot dog for my daughter (not a kid option), the cashier (at Pop) let me use a kids QS entitlement without hassle.

For our table services, we ate at Cinderella's Breakfast, Hollywood & Vine (breakfast & dinner), Liberty Tree Tavern character dinner, Coral Reef and Akershus Princess Breakfast. While I think the TS dinners give you more bang for your buck (vs. breakfast), we still came out ahead even though we did 3 breakfasts. Our savings over menu price was around $100 (including out of pocket tips) and next time, I will probably do more expensive dinners so as to take better advantage of the plan, but this time was all about the princesses and character meets for us. And honestly, there is really no way an adult could eat (with at least one nice meal per day), for less than $37.99 and for kids 3-9, $11/day is a steal. The Mickey Waffles alone were almost $5 at Pop.

I agree that it would be nice to be able to choose between an app and a dessert, but, the fresh bread (Liberty Tree and Coral Reef) was a nice alternative.

My one gripe is that I wish Disney offered more variety, healthy variety, for the kids...something other than nuggets, pizza and mac&cheese. I have a 4 year old who is a great eater. She ate off of our meals a lot because she could get grilled chicken, steak, rice, veggies, etc. Don't get me wrong, she likes nuggets & pizza just like most kids, but those are not staples in her life.

I can see how people who have used the DDP in the past feel that they are losing some value with the tip now being eliminated, but I found that I liked being able to tip what I wanted to tip based on service (this coming from someone who waited tables through college). For example, the Hollywood & Vine breakfast buffet...after we got our first coffee & juice, we never saw our waitress again until she brought us the bill. So, I tipped accordingly AND IT WAS A BUFFET...I DID ALL THE WORK. I never stiffed anyone, but I didn't feel that I HAD to tip 18% either (I always do a minimum of 15% and go up from there). For most meals I did give 18% and for several I tipped 20%, but it all depended on service and and attitude.

To make my trip easier and less stressful, I used various websites to figure out approximately what my meals would cost and then I put the cash tip in individual envelopes (one for each TS meal) and just carried that days envelope with me (the others I left in the safe in my room). This way, I didn't have to mess with charging the tip to a credit card or to my room. I just left the appropriate amount of cash.

I would recommend the plan and we will surely use it for our next trip to WDW.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Nicsmom]

He is 100% right 69.99/night for adults and 19.99/night for children.

That seems high?? The deluxe plan include, in addition to the regular dining plan, 1 extra snack, apps, and a refillable mugs. Correct? Thats $4, $10ish, $2 for cup ($15/7 days). All just rough numbers but it doesn't add up to $30 additional $$. Am I missing something? Thanks

 

[LETSGOFAM]

That seems high?? The deluxe plan include, in addition to the regular dining plan, 1 extra snack, apps, and a refillable mugs. Correct? Thats $4, $10ish, $2 for cup ($15/7 days). All just rough numbers but it doesn't add up to $30 additional $$. Am I missing something? Thanks

You get the option of 3 Table service meals, 2 snacks.

Don't forget the luggage tag or do they all get that?

 

[Nicsmom]

You get the option of 3 Table service meals, 2 snacks and as far as I know, only kids get an appy.

Don't forget the luggage tag or do they all get that?

Oh the luggage tag?? Now it makes sense. 3 table service meals. wow that seems like a great deal if you can eat that much. Is there another option? Maybe I'm calling it by the wrong name. 1 TS w/apps, 1 CS , 2 snacks, refillable mug. If so, what is the price? Thanks

 

[Tricia1972]

Oh the luggage tag?? Now it makes sense. 3 table service meals. wow that seems like a great deal if you can eat that much. Is there another option? Maybe I'm calling it by the wrong name. 1 TS w/apps, 1 CS , 2 snacks, refillable mug. If so, what is the price? Thanks

There is no option like that currently.

 

[LETSGOFAM]

Oh the luggage tag?? Now it makes sense. 3 table service meals. wow that seems like a great deal if you can eat that much. Is there another option? Maybe I'm calling it by the wrong name. 1 TS w/apps, 1 CS , 2 snacks, refillable mug. If so, what is the price? Thanks

I believe the basic plan is:

1 QS
1 TS
1 snack

and it is $37.99 for adults per night includes dessert only
and it is $9.99 for ages 3-9 kids per night and includes appy & dessert for kids

check out the thread ****2008 Ddp FAQ**** under Disney Restaurants, Disney Dining Plan
I don't know how to link it sorry!!!

 

[apostolic4life]

Oh the luggage tag?? Now it makes sense. 3 table service meals. wow that seems like a great deal if you can eat that much. Is there another option? Maybe I'm calling it by the wrong name. 1 TS w/apps, 1 CS , 2 snacks, refillable mug. If so, what is the price? Thanks

No, there are only two options

Basic DDP

• 1 Table-Service meal including entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
• 1 Counter Service meal including entrée, dessert (lunch/dinner) and single serving non-alcoholic beverage or 1 complete combo meal, dessert (lunch dinner), 1 juice with breakfast and single serving non-alcoholic beverage
• 1 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice

Deluxe DDP

• 3 Table-Service meal including appetizer, entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
• 1 Refillable mug per person
• 2 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice

The Deluxe DDP does have appetizers and you can use counter service if you want instead of table service, that is your choice. There is no middle plan.....only these two options for dining.

There is the a Premium plan that includes entertainment options and access to some of the recreational activities at WDW, but that package is around $100+ per night per person.

Hope this helps.

 

[LETSGOFAM]

No, there are only two options

Basic DDP

• 1 Table-Service meal including entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
• 1 Counter Service meal including entrée, dessert (lunch/dinner) and single serving non-alcoholic beverage or 1 complete combo meal, dessert (lunch dinner), 1 juice with breakfast and single serving non-alcoholic beverage
• 1 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice

Deluxe DDP

• 3 Table-Service meal including appetizer, entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
• 1 Refillable mug per person
• 2 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice

The Deluxe DDP does have appetizers and you can use counter service if you want instead of table service, that is your choice. There is no middle plan.....only these two options for dining.

There is the a Premium plan that includes entertainment options and access to some of the recreational activities at WDW, but that package is around $100+ per night per person.

Hope this helps.

Where did you see that the DxDDP includes adult appy's? That's the plan we have and I would like to make sure - that would be great if it did. We crunched numbers (you can see in my other post) and compared to OOP and this would make the DxDDP even a better deal.

 

[LETSGOFAM]

ok this is what I found on the Disney Website for the
Deluxe Dining Plan:
* 3 Meals
Choose from select Walt Disney World Resort table-service and quick-service restaurants for all 3 of your meals.

1 adult table-service meal includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée and 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only), 1 juice (breakfast only) and 1 single serving non-alcoholic beverage, or 1 full buffet.

1 child table-service meal includes 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only) and 1 single serving non-alcoholic beverage, or 1 full buffet.

1 quick-service meal includes 1 entrée or 1 complete Combo Meal, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only) or 1 juice (breakfast only) and 1 single serving non-alcoholic beverage.

Children ages 3-9 are limited to the Children's Menu (if one is available).
* 2 Snacks
A snack includes one of the following: frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving grab bag of chips, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, medium fountain soft drink or juice, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea.

1 Resort-refillable drink mug per person
The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan also includes a refillable Resort mug for each Guest. Bring your Resort mug to any quick-service restaurant at your Resort hotel and refill it as often as you like!

Did this change as far as the appy's go since I thought my original dining papers I printed out back in October (?) didn't include that?

But since it does - yay!

 

[apostolic4life]

Did this change as far as the appy's go since I thought my original dining papers I printed out back in October (?) didn't include that?

But since it does - yay!

As far as I am aware, it has always included the appetizer with the Deluxe option. The basic plan had the appetizer removed for this year's DDP, and the Deluxe option was offered for those who want the more inclusive option. This is the first year of the Deluxe option and no appetizer on the Basic plan.

We are going with the Deluxe on our trip in November since we are a family who likes to sit down and have nice meals as a family. We will probably eat an early lunch and late dinner most days, which will include a signature restaurant once a day.

 

[LETSGOFAM]

ahhhh.... I get it now! I bet that at first, back in October, I looked at the basic plan. But yes, we are doing the Deluxe plan when we go.

 

[JLKennedy]

Well, for 2 adults & 2 children, we'll pay $1,259.72 for DxDDP. That being said, in table service meals alone (according to allears) and because we're maximizing character meals w/ 2 kids, our table service portion comes to $1,113.32 (less tax & gratuity)- we plan on doing TS for breakfast & dinner & CS for lunch. Which leaves a difference of $126.40 to use (in order to "break even" so to say) in lunch or counter service. So if you divide that by 4 people, we'd each only need to spend $31.60, which we all know is not a far stretch for counter services (typically at $7.49 per person). Using the $7.49/person for counters, for 4 of us, staying 7 nights, we'd spend on "average" $209.72, which is still saving us, $83.32 (average) by booking the deluxe versus the basic.

 

[apostolic4life]

Well, for 2 adults & 2 children, we'll pay $1,259.72 for DxDDP. That being said, in table service meals alone (according to allears) and because we're maximizing character meals w/ 2 kids, our table service portion comes to $1,113.32 (less tax & gratuity)- we plan on doing TS for breakfast & dinner & CS for lunch. Which leaves a difference of $126.40 to use (in order to "break even" so to say) in lunch or counter service. So if you divide that by 4 people, we'd each only need to spend $31.60, which we all know is not a far stretch for counter services (typically at $7.49 per person). Using the $7.49/person for counters, for 4 of us, staying 7 nights, we'd spend on "average" $209.72, which is still saving us, $83.32 (average) by booking the deluxe versus the basic.

Not to mention your snack credits (2 per person per day) and free refillable mug.......if you really think about it, the Deluxe is a really good deal for families who will normally do two or three TS meals a day. Like I said earlier, we like to go to signature restaurants so this allows us the opportunity to go to one everyday plus another TS too.....we are looking forward to this trip with our DeluxeDDP!!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Non-tippers are a small percentage of all diners, so I think the servers will do just fine.

Boy oh boy I can ramble......hehehehe!

Ramble away, my friend

I actually agree with you. I just think that if the downside occurs Disney will follow the rules in place for other discount plans and add mandatory gratuity to those people on the plan. That would bring back the old arguments about service and add new ones.

 

[FigNewton]

I have nothing new to add. Just need to whine about it a little. Ran the numbers to see if there's much point to doing DDP before booking our december trip this year. The difference is going to be negligible, I think, depending on what we order when. Given that we are always so over stuffed on dinners, I think we're just gonna go OOP this year, and likely from now on. We'll miss the ability to taste a wide variety of different foods at each restaurant, but it would take an extra $300 over the price of the plan to eat the same way and that's not worth it. Ah well, was fun while it lasted!

 

[newfie]

Will there be a mandatory 18% tip added to the bill if on the DDP or can you tip what you deem appropriate for services rendered?

 

[englishrose47]

From what I was told by wait staff this month ,the new DDP is affecting the buffet servers big time at Boma I was told that tips were way down and many were not tipping at all. At Le Cellier I was told that it was getting better but the staff felt uncomfortable having to explain the tipping as many still did not understand. At Mama Melrose's I witnessed a party of 7 get very upset about the tip not being included and insisted that as thay booked in2007 the tip was included. The chef , the manager all got involved and they were mad at their TA!!! I hope Disney re looks at the DDP as Iwould rather pay more and have tip included and a choice of appie or dessert!!

 

[acourtwdw]

This may have already been discussed but I am too lazy to read all 94 pages...

We stayed at PORS last week on DDP. Went to the food court for breakfast. We had the breakfast platter and were told by the CM we got 2 beverages. Does that seem right? I ended up with a large chocolate milk and a large bottle of OJ. I drank the milk and took the OJ to the park. Why would we 2 beverages? Is one supposed to be dessert?
Thanks for any clarification.