2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[shellynn24]

I might have misread, but do we now have to pay for drinks at CS or are they covered? I loved the DDP in the past and I'm not comfortable with change, but we were kinda glad they cut out the appy even if I will miss the calamari. I'm just worried about the tip, will we be automatically billed 18% if we are a party of 2 adults and 2 children on the plan and 2 children underage? I do not like being told how much to tip and I find it rather difficult to believe that the servers are not making any tips.

 

[O_Jr71]

how much does the platinum dining plan cost??????

 

[sherabby]

I might have misread, but do we now have to pay for drinks at CS or are they covered? I loved the DDP in the past and I'm not comfortable with change, but we were kinda glad they cut out the appy even if I will miss the calamari. I'm just worried about the tip, will we be automatically billed 18% if we are a party of 2 adults and 2 children on the plan and 2 children underage? I do not like being told how much to tip and I find it rather difficult to believe that the servers are not making any tips.

I asked that very question when I called to book a trip for this August. I was told that there was a lot of discussion about how to handle the tipping but it is not billed to you. You leave your own tip based on service.

 

[Tricia1972]

I might have misread, but do we now have to pay for drinks at CS or are they covered? I loved the DDP in the past and I'm not comfortable with change, but we were kinda glad they cut out the appy even if I will miss the calamari. I'm just worried about the tip, will we be automatically billed 18% if we are a party of 2 adults and 2 children on the plan and 2 children underage? I do not like being told how much to tip and I find it rather difficult to believe that the servers are not making any tips.

You do not have to pay for drinks when using credits at CS locations.

Yes, you will be charged the auto gratuity. Any party of 6 and over, regardless of the age of the guests at the table, is charged the 18% auto gratuity.

 

[Tricia1972]

I asked that very question when I called to book a trip for this August. I was told that there was a lot of discussion about how to handle the tipping but it is not billed to you. You leave your own tip based on service.

You were given the wrong information from the CM. Guests who have been there using the plan this year are reporting it's regardless of the age of the guests at the table.

I've also read the Disney Contract (online) about this issue and it's very clear. Any party of 6 or over, regardless.

 

[BKMETV]

Boy there's alot to consider...I'm also doing the DDP vs Deluxe. It will be the family's first trip and it would be nice to not have to worry about food at all. Its Mommy's holiday too after all. Right now I'm looking a were we want to eat TS and figuring out if we can get by with just the reg DDP...do you get the TS, CS & Snack credit on arrival & departure day?

 

[TLSnell1981]

You are given credits. They are determined by the number of nights you are staying. For instance....5 nights = 5 TS , 5 CS, 5 snacks. These credits can be used whenever you choose.....as long as they are used before midnight on you day of departure. Also, it is very important to book advanced dining reservations (ADRs) as soon as possible...up to 180 days from your arrival.

Personally, the deluxe plan works better for us. We like doing a lot of character meals and a few signature meals. I am saving over $500 for a 6 night stay....not bad. Good luck and have fun. These boards can give a wealth of info.

 

[shellynn24]

You do not have to pay for drinks when using credits at CS locations.

Yes, you will be charged the auto gratuity. Any party of 6 and over, regardless of the age of the guests at the table, is charged the 18% auto gratuity.

I'm not sure why we would have to pay if the babies aren't even ordering food. I think that the auto gratuity is a bit over doing it for four meals.

 

[Tricia1972]

I'm not sure why we would have to pay if the babies aren't even ordering food. I think that the auto gratuity is a bit over doing it for four meals.

I don't disagree with you at all. I was just sharing the Disney policy so you wouldn't be surprised when you got there.

Unfortunately I believe it would go so far that if you have an infant, who you hold on your lap, they still count as a member of your party.

 

[mickey2000]

Now I know I will forget DDP !!!!!
Here is a rant that will add $50 to each person on our 10 day trip to WDW............................







Today, US Airways announced a change to our baggage policy. Beginning May 5, 2008, we'll charge $25 for a second checked bag. The new fee applies to travel on or after May 5 for tickets purchased on or after February 26, 2008.

We're making these changes to offset record fuel prices and rising airline related expenses. We simply must make changes to the way we do business to provide all of you with the high level of service that you've come to expect from US Airways. Also, we're doing all we can to keep fares low. With this policy change, we're able to give you the choice to avoid the fee and pack fewer items. With fewer bags to process, we save both money and fuel and can pass that savings on to you.

Dividend Miles Preferred members are exempt from the fee, and we're also waiving the fee for:

Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers
Passengers with Star Alliance Silver or Gold status
Active military personnel in uniform and with ID
Unaccompanied minors
Passengers checking personal assistive devices

 

[Tricia1972]

Now I know I will forget DDP !!!!!
Here is a rant that will add $50 to each person on our 10 day trip to WDW............................







Today, US Airways announced a change to our baggage policy. Beginning May 5, 2008, we'll charge $25 for a second checked bag. The new fee applies to travel on or after May 5 for tickets purchased on or after February 26, 2008.

We're making these changes to offset record fuel prices and rising airline related expenses. We simply must make changes to the way we do business to provide all of you with the high level of service that you've come to expect from US Airways. Also, we're doing all we can to keep fares low. With this policy change, we're able to give you the choice to avoid the fee and pack fewer items. With fewer bags to process, we save both money and fuel and can pass that savings on to you.

Dividend Miles Preferred members are exempt from the fee, and we're also waiving the fee for:

Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers
Passengers with Star Alliance Silver or Gold status
Active military personnel in uniform and with ID
Unaccompanied minors
Passengers checking personal assistive devices

They're just following in United Airlines footsteps. It makes me glad that we fly with a small army (now four paying passengers and in 2 years and 8 weeks FIVE paying passengers in our family)

I don't know how I'd do it flying alone though...

 

[disneychard]

I hope someone can answer this question for me? we are on the dining plan and have a 10 year old. We paid for him as an adult, but can he order off the children menu? I don't mind using an adult credit for me as along he can order off the children menu.

 

[racefanof88]

OK here is my situation.......................DH, DD, DS and DD's BF are picky eaters and my oldest DS and I will eat anything. We have debated several time should we go DDP or not, but the deal we are getting is too good not to go DDP. We will be there May 3 thru May 8. Any ideas about picky eaters? I am the one pushing for the DDP. I love the help I get from fellow Disers. My DH will eat steaks or hamburgers and my DD and her fiance will eat pastas while DS(youngest is 9, the really picky one) will eat grilled cheese and hot dogs, corn dogs, French Fries, pizza, kid stuff. We will be doing a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys so any help with ideas about other buffets or table service would be greatly appreciated ....

Thanks

 

[Shmily1]

We used DDP last summer for me, DH, DS17, DD16, and DD's BFF. All three of the teenagers and DH are very picky!!! They only really like steak, chicken (as long as there's no topping on it), pizza and burgers. I had to really pick the restaurants carefully to be sure there were items they would eat. I wanted the DDP because it would all be paid for and I wouldn't have to think about it once my ADRs were arranged.

It all turned out awesome!! DS found new foods he liked (especially at Coral Reef!--"can we go there again tonight"). DD ate pizza at every one of our CS meals!!! I made sure there was a steak without toppings or any "strange" marinade at every TS restaurant. We had a great time at Crystal Palace, but it was hard to find stuff they really like there. 50's Prime Time was the worst meal we had. That food was awful!!! Our best meals were Coral Reef and Cape May Cafe character breakfast. DD loved it so much we made reservations for the next morning!!

I'm still deciding if we want to do the DDP in April when we go. We didn't have it in December or January but I love not having to think about paying for the food! Unless our appetites double, DDP is the largest plan we need. When we came home, we were stuffed and still had a bag of snacks we had from DDP at the BC Marketplace!!!

 

[englishrose47]

OK here is my situation.......................DH, DD, DS and DD's BF are picky eaters and my oldest DS and I will eat anything. We have debated several time should we go DDP or not, but the deal we are getting is too good not to go DDP. We will be there May 3 thru May 8. Any ideas about picky eaters? I am the one pushing for the DDP. I love the help I get from fellow Disers. My DH will eat steaks or hamburgers and my DD and her fiance will eat pastas while DS(youngest is 9, the really picky one) will eat grilled cheese and hot dogs, corn dogs, French Fries, pizza, kid stuff. We will be doing a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys so any help with ideas about other buffets or table service would be greatly appreciated ....

Thanks

Planet Hollywood has steaks and pastas ,their LA Lasagna is awesome. Kids picks include spaghetti & meatballs. Sci Fi also has very good hamburgers, and steaks I believe they had mac & cheese for the kids but can't remember and their milkshakes are YUMMY!! Mama Melrosas obviusly has pasta and steaks but the staek came with polenta which I liked not sure if you could substitute but would imagine so.I haven't tried Cape May but the menu sounds awesome, not sure about the pasta. Check out allears menus they should help a lot!!

 

[workinmom]

I was considering the DDP for our upcoming trip in August, but now that the tip is not included, I'm not sure it is as good a deal as I had originally thought. I do have a question about how the tip is figured. Do they basically add all the food you order to get a total for your meal? If so, the tips would definitely be more than if we paid OOP. I know all 4 of us wouldn't order dessert each night & probably would order some of the cheaper items on the menu.
Thanks in advance...

 

[kaytieeldr]

If there are four of you, you are not subject to the automatic service charge and can determine your own tip. Your receipt will display what 18% of your total check is, and what 20% is, but you are not obligated to tip either of those percentages - it's done for convenience for Guests who don't care to calculate it on their own.

Do they basically add all the food you order to get a total for your meal? If so, the tips would definitely be more than if we paid OOP

I don't see how. Calculating the tip on all the food you order (the normal standard for calculating the tip) can't make the tip higher than if you paid out of pocket UNLESS you order more/more expensive food using the DDP than you would have OOP. In that case, yes, the amount you tip would legitimately be expected to be higher.

Restaurant tips are calculated on the menu price of the food ordered.

 

[scamp]

Does anyone know if you can share your table service meals on the deluxe plan? I have an 11 year old, and with an appetizer and dessert, we can easily share 1 ts meal. We were hoping to use the extra credits for signature dining. Thanks!

 

[racefanof88]

We used DDP last summer for me, DH, DS17, DD16, and DD's BFF. All three of the teenagers and DH are very picky!!! They only really like steak, chicken (as long as there's no topping on it), pizza and burgers. I had to really pick the restaurants carefully to be sure there were items they would eat. I wanted the DDP because it would all be paid for and I wouldn't have to think about it once my ADRs were arranged.

It all turned out awesome!! DS found new foods he liked (especially at Coral Reef!--"can we go there again tonight"). DD ate pizza at every one of our CS meals!!! I made sure there was a steak without toppings or any "strange" marinade at every TS restaurant. We had a great time at Crystal Palace, but it was hard to find stuff they really like there. 50's Prime Time was the worst meal we had. That food was awful!!! Our best meals were Coral Reef and Cape May Cafe character breakfast. DD loved it so much we made reservations for the next morning!!

I'm still deciding if we want to do the DDP in April when we go. We didn't have it in December or January but I love not having to think about paying for the food! Unless our appetites double, DDP is the largest plan we need. When we came home, we were stuffed and still had a bag of snacks we had from DDP at the BC Marketplace!!!

Thank you so much. I am glad I am not the only one who has to struggle to find a restaurant where all of us can be happy..........lol. Pizza is always welcomed so that helps. We usually don't do the DDP(this will be our first time)we would eat alot off property.

DH, youngest DS and I ate at Sci-Fi last year and loved it so that is a definate must.

Thanks to my fellow DISers I think I can make the ressies with confidence that everybody will find something on the menus. I am writing all the suggestions in my "Disney planner notebook" and will compare and get the family responses.

 

[racefanof88]

Planet Hollywood has steaks and pastas ,their LA Lasagna is awesome. Kids picks include spaghetti & meatballs. Sci Fi also has very good hamburgers, and steaks I believe they had mac & cheese for the kids but can't remember and their milkshakes are YUMMY!! Mama Melrosas obviusly has pasta and steaks but the staek came with polenta which I liked not sure if you could substitute but would imagine so.I haven't tried Cape May but the menu sounds awesome, not sure about the pasta. Check out allears menus they should help a lot!!

Thank you. Planet Hollywood is one of the restuarants on my list. Sci Fi was wonderful last year so it is already chosen. I also forgot to mention youngest DS is allergic to peanut butter. He can eat stuff cooked in peanut oil, but the peanut butter causes a really bad allergic reaction, go figure.