2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[MBELSANTI]

I am really surprised about the loss of all of the DTD restaurants! I like to spend at least 1 or 2 evenings in DTD shopping, Disney Quest, Cirque etc and now I will only have one restaurant to dine at? Is this because they get many local regulars?

 

[hansel1]

I would like to take this oportunity to say that I was wrong, and that I am sorry! In the last few weeks I had posted comments about the rumored information on the 2008 DDP as very speculative if not down right wrong.

Now that disney has officially released information on the 2008 DDP, I owe many people an apology...specifically DISserver for doubting the information posted as genuine. I'm sorry. DISserver was correct that the ddp will not include tips.

For anyone else that believes I owe them an apology....I'm sorry, you were correct.

Now, I would like to ask a question about the DDP and DVC. Will DVC members still be able to purchase DDP without a package? Anyone?

 

[rogerram]

Now, I would like to ask a question about the DDP and DVC. Will DVC members still be able to purchase DDP without a package? Anyone?

Yes, you can do DDP without a package.

 

[rogerram]

Now, I would like to ask a question about the DDP and DVC. Will DVC members still be able to purchase DDP without a package? Anyone?

Yes, you can do DDP without a package(although I won't do it).

 

[rotlex]

Well, I think I posted on about 7 different threads about how much I love the new deluxe dining plan.

Every time I ever completed a survey for Disney in the past 3 years, I begged for a plan like this. My family WANTS to do a character breakfast and a signature dinner one day, a character breakfast, TS lunch and 1 credit TS dinner the next night. We did this with the regular dining plan and paid A LOT of money OOP. The Deluxe plan is sooo perfect for us and so resonably priced at 69.99, I could almost jump up and down with excitement.

This morning I changed my May 08 Beach Club ressie to a package. The Cm asked me if I heard about the new deluxe plan yet...I said "Yes, I love it." She told me that she had added the deluxe plan to people's ressies all morning. She said the response is really positive because a lot of people didn't like the CS option in the regular DDP, but didn't want to jump up to the premium plan because it included all the activities (tours, water craft) that a lot of people just didn't want.

Also she said not all restaurants have signed contracts with Disney for the dining plan yet, and more will be added. She said Yak and Yeti is supposed to be added as well as some Epcot ones and DTD places.

The wine package is 39.99 a night and gives you the wine in your room at night if you want it. You can add it to any dining plan. I didn't add it.

Tax is inlcuded with the Deluxe plan, but not tip. She sounded like she was reading a printout on that. She also said an automatic gratuity of 18% is added to parties on 6 or more on the dining plan or NOT on the dining plan. So the person who asked about the 18% at buffets with 6 or more, yes the tip is included no matter what.

I could not agree more with this post! I guess I'm one of the few who thinks this is a phenomenal deal! Heck, this is a TON of food at your choice of fantastic places to eat, for LESS than I can spend a day on a "Jersey shore" vacation on boardwalk food, LOL. Seriously, I think these changes are the best thing that could have happened, and I seriously look forward to taking advantage of them!

 

[CarolA]

Not sure if this has been covered or not. When I booked my package with the DDP this morning. The CM told me that at the table service meal you could pick one or the other dessert or appetizer. I thought that was good, because now dh and I can share! Just thought I'd add that tidbit in case it hadn't been brought up yet.

Until you see it in black and white, it's just noise. If I had a dollar for every CM "rumor" or statement that had turned out to be inaccuate I would be RICH!!!! (And the monorail would go to MGM via the hole in the Swan...... )

 

[Disneyof3]

Not sure if this has been covered or not. When I booked my package with the DDP this morning. The CM told me that at the table service meal you could pick one or the other dessert or appetizer. I thought that was good, because now dh and I can share! Just thought I'd add that tidbit in case it hadn't been brought up yet.

Is this for real or is this a rumour???
There is no word from disney on this one written anywhere?
Will some CM's let you and some won't again??

 

[pilferk]

I am really surprised about the loss of all of the DTD restaurants! I like to spend at least 1 or 2 evenings in DTD shopping, Disney Quest, Cirque etc and now I will only have one restaurant to dine at? Is this because they get many local regulars?

I wouldn't worry to much yet. The initial list last year left out lots of places, too. They're the non-Disney owned places and it seems contracts have not been finalized yet (at least, that was the case last year). I suspect you'll see a lot of those places come back on the list (Epcot and DTD places).

 

[kritter]

I sent them a letter complaing and expressing my disappointment in the changes tooo...

 

[rogerram]

I sent them a letter complaing and expressing my disappointment in the changes tooo...

I sent one that makes it very clear how I feel. I will see if they respond to it. I was told by a cm to send your complaints to
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com .
they got the message, because I got an automated response in my email back.

 

[peanmunch]

i just sent a complaint too.

Lori

 

[rogerram]

maybe a grassroots effort from the members at theDIS will stir the pot a bit. If enough people complain, maybe changes will happen. I am not pushing this because I don't like Disney. I love Disney, but am upset with them trying to pry every last nickel from me. Maybe a big effort can do something. please tell them how you feel. it's the only way they will know.

 

[kritter]

I think the more complaints they get they will get the message.

Think we should start a thread with the email address of where to send complaints too????

 

[sallyjane]

I sent one that makes it very clear how I feel. I will see if they respond to it. I was told by a cm to send your complaints to
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com .
they got the message, because I got an automated response in my email back.

Thank you for the information I just sent in my complaint and suggestions.

 

[honeymo78]

I understand that many of you have complaints - basic dining has changed a lot, and you have a right to express your feelings. But those, like me, that love the new deluxe plan, please also write and tell them how happy you are with the new option. Putting on my selfish shoes - I'd hate to see the deluxe disappear and only have the old DDP back.

 

[Sparklin]

I just sent mine too. While yes not buying the DDP will send a message, it never hurts to write. They will see everyones disappointment thru email before they notice the sales being down for next year. And coupled with the down sales, it will hold a much greater impact than just lower sales.

I was really hoping we could work out the deluxe plan cause I do like the idea of 3 meals a day being covered. But we just can't spend $70 per adult and then $20 kids per day just on food. I'd have to seriously downgrade our hotel.(which I might still do but I really have to weight that first)

If you really look at the price difference it is more than most places do price increases. the old package was $39 the new is $38 + $8(ave app cost) + gratutity which is maybe $7-8 per person for a decent meal. That is a $14-15 per day increase if you go by those numbers. That is over 35% increase.(again just off those numbers) We all expect some kind of increase in price since that always seems to happen, but that is a big increase!

 

[Sparklin]

I understand that many of you have complaints - basic dining has changed a lot, and you have a right to express your feelings. But those, like me, that love the new deluxe plan, please also write and tell them how happy you are with the new option. Putting on my selfish shoes - I'd hate to see the deluxe disappear and only have the old DDP back.

I did write in my email that I thought it was a nice idea. I just couldn't afford to pay the $70 per person/day charge. But that I did think it was nice to do a plan with all food included.

I would have done the regular plan only because I just can't spend that kind of money for my whole family. But I can totally see how some would love it. But again, just a bummer about the gratuity not being included.

 

[trivial]

I understand that many of you have complaints - basic dining has changed a lot, and you have a right to express your feelings. But those, like me, that love the new deluxe plan, please also write and tell them how happy you are with the new option. Putting on my selfish shoes - I'd hate to see the deluxe disappear and only have the old DDP back.

I'm not sure there's any point in telling Disney you're happy with the deluxe plan; it's not going anywhere. Most people who don't like the change are referring specifically to the original core dining plan.

 

[sallyjane]

I must be insane and am I the only one who doesn't like the idea of the deluxe plan? When I go to Disney one sit down a day is just perfect but I don't want to spend my whole day eating. I want to spend my day playing at the parks. Three sit down meals a day is a waste of my Disney time. If I was on that plan I would feel like I had to eat all those meal to get the $70 per person per day worth plus you still have to pay gratuity on top of that.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I haven't decided if I like the changes yet. But I will say this; why why WHY can't they make a price for "tweeners" kids 10-15???? My ten year old barely finishes a meal from the child's menu!! That is my number one obsticle to either plan now. Frankly I was on the fence about the 2007 plan now that she's ten. I guess I was holding out hope that when this new plan was officially announced, it would include a better price for 10-15 year olds.

I wouldn't count on that ever happening. We also have a teen. It is hard to imagine that WDW thinks they will eat that much more at 10 than 9. Although, not much more difficult than to think they ride that many more rides at 10 than 9. For the families that go often, that can mean the 10 yo. is just a few months or even days older. Lots of things on WDW vacations change, when your child gets older. It's just something you have to learn to accept. They haven't shown an interest in considering a "tween" rate, when people complained in the past. Their only response was to lower the age a few years ago. I don't expect them to make a distinction between "tweens" & "teens" anytime in the forseeable future. Sorry

Back on topic..... I'm another fan of the new Deluxe Dining Plan. Dining in a Signature Restaurant every evening on a dining plan sounds good to me.