2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[Colleen27]

I was very much under the impression that Yak N Yeti was going to be managed by the same people that manage Fultons?
I would also be very suprised to find Fultons and/or Portobello back in. They have continued to stay out of all Disney Discounts. They don't do DDE either. They do give a lunch discount to DVC members (maybe dinner too, I can't recall)

Yak & Yeti is going to be a Landry restaurant. Do they manage Fultons? I thought the RFC restaurants were the only Landry restaurants on Disney property, with the Yak & Yeti and the T-Rex Cafe coming in the near future.

Fultons is included in the dining options for the premium plan, and offers AP and DVC discounts for both lunch and dinner. I believe the same is true for Portabello, but since their menu doesn't appeal to me, the information about them doesn't 'stick' the way info about Fultons does.

 

[pilferk]

IMO Guess thats all thats left ( alternatives for 2008 ) after seeing that its not as good as 2007 for my budget...

JMO !!!!!

38% increase = SHRINKING

for extras ,,,,

I think the point is: What better options are there in '08? Can you save more OOP or with DDE? If so, use one of those "plans".

But not using the DDP, if it saves you the most money, just because it's not "as good as last year" seems non-sensical. If it's the best option THIS year, even if not as good as last year, it's what you should go with. 38% increase or not.....

 

[firsttimer2007]

I thought folks might get a kick out of reading this old thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1190093

This was funny. Sounds like a repeat of last year.

 

[angelmav]

Only difference is, this year they have confirmed the price increase, hardly the same thing, but it is sort of funny how these discussions run in a circular fashion.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I am taking myself my sister and her triplets with me next year, and I plan on using the delux dining plan. I will of course pay the 18% "tip" but no more mean as it seems if I am told how much tip to pay then I pay that and no more. I want to stay on property so that the kids will be able to go to a park without adults and have a little freedom and so they can buy their food without putting my credit card on their room keys. I wouldn't have brought them before they where 10 anyway as they have never been allowed to eat from children's menus and I wouldnot have had them forced to do it on holidays. My sister doesn't like them eating the usual food that is served to children and their tastes are more sophisticated (why not introduce them to more interesting foods?) As for this year I am doing 3 weeks on the dinging plan for free selfishly using all the credits and eating the most expensive food why not?

 

[Goobergal99]

This is too funny. But the thing I think is the funniest is the posts stating people were abusing the ddp buy getting every pennies worth by using all their credits. I wonder how may of these people go to the gas pumps and pay for $20.00 in gas and only get $15.00 and say "if I got the full 20 that would be abusing the system", or go to the grocery store and pay for $200.00 worth and telling the cashier "I am paying the full 200 but only taking 150.00 worth cause I don't want to abuse the grocery store".

No matter what the system or the plan there are always gonna be people who abuse things and people who complain. Sometimes ya just gotta mind your own and roll with the flow.

LOL I was thinking the same thing, if I have the DDP, then I am getting everything I can out of it, that is not cheating, it's just a good economical decision.

How on earth are you "Cheating" Disney by using all of your ALOTTED snack credits??

 

[kdzgon]

I just got off the phone with customer service, as my reservation is 12/31-1/5. She said that our 2007 Dining plan would be honored for the duration of our stay. There's a code on the information on the key card that the servers will be able to easily recognize how to charge us. So we still get our appetizers and don't have to pay the 18%. WOOHOO!! Good news eh?

Which number did you call? I called to add it to our res (12/30 - 1/4) and was told 2008 plan would apply to 2008 days?

 

[bicker]

IBut not using the DDP, if it saves you the most money, just because it's not "as good as last year" seems non-sensical. If it's the best option THIS year, even if not as good as last year, it's what you should go with. 38% increase or not.....

Indeed. Comparisons to last year are only constructive if they include a mechanism for time travel.

 

[BCV23]

Indeed. Comparisons to last year are only constructive if they include a mechanism for time travel.

Now, that was very, very good, bicker.

 

[kdzgon]

I don't have a problem w/the way the new plan is laid out. Alot of people were complaining about too much food and taking away the appetizer is a good way to cut down on it. Then again our family would rather dessert...LOL but I guess some are right in that it could be changed to a choice between app. or dessert maybe? Regarding the tip...that doesn't bother me as well. While I didn't receive bad service there last time I did receive some shall I say indifferent service. I won't mind leaving my own tip. I guess that maybe when they bring the bill for you to sign the tip would show there??? That way you would know how much and if you feel your service sucked then you would ask for the manager.

We probably won't be back for another 2yrs at least after this trip anyway. But The new 2008 plan I would still purchase it because it is a good value to me to have the meal itself prepaid.

I will NEVER understand the frequent complaint that the DDP is "too much food" so the new DDP w/o appetizers will be better (not saying this is your complaint) - no one has a gun to the head saying "you MUST eat all this food!". The DDP offered other advantages (pre-paid, tip included, etc) and could still be a financial advantage even without ordering every appetizer and every dessert, etc.

As to the desserts, we, too love our desserts but found the options too repetitious after a couple of days, especially for my diabetic DH. I think 18% tip for a buffet meal is generous and more than what the "average" diner would leave.

I also agree with prior posters that mentioned the base bill will be lower (I'd guess many if most will not routinely add appetizers while on the DDP), resulting a smaller tip for the server. I don't object to leaving my own tip as much as I object to the large effective price increase - and we didn't "maximize" our plan. We also bring the some of our grandkids, so we do more buffets, and they are young enough that they don't eat a whole heck of a lot overall. However, the appetizers helped offset some of those awful kids' meals they serve in many locations.

The good is we'll be less tempted to eat as much as we do on the dining plan, but the bad is we'll be less likely to try new dishes. We were more likely to experiment knowing we were paying the same either way.

I do think Disney will lose some business as a result of changes, but I'm also sure they'll replace those lost sales with new attendees. Just look at the changes in cruising for a perfect example of how reduction on food value may cause some grumbling, but people still cruise.

 

[Lewisc]

Indeed. Comparisons to last year are only constructive if they include a mechanism for time travel.

Some posters seem to think they can "turn back time" . They dream if enough guests complain Disney will go back to the 2007 dining plan.

I can see Disney offering PIN codes that discounts dining, if sales are lower then projected, but I don't see Disney bringing back the included gratuity or choice of appetizer.

 

[Pumbaa_]

"turn back time" QUOTE]

Now I have a Cher song stuck in my head! If I could turn baaack time....

 

[pilferk]

Now I have a Cher song stuck in my head! If I could turn baaack time....

You're KILLING me!

I have half a mind to come to Bristol and BLARE the song outside your office window for that. Especially if you're anywhere near Lake compounce (though the weather's a bit dreary for that today).

 

[Hodder]

I will NEVER understand the frequent complaint that the DDP is "too much food" so the new DDP w/o appetizers will be better (not saying this is your complaint) - no one has a gun to the head saying "you MUST eat all this food!". The DDP offered other advantages (pre-paid, tip included, etc) and could still be a financial advantage even without ordering every appetizer and every dessert, etc.

As to the desserts, we, too love our desserts but found the options too repetitious after a couple of days, especially for my diabetic DH. I think 18% tip for a buffet meal is generous and more than what the "average" diner would leave.

I also agree with prior posters that mentioned the base bill will be lower (I'd guess many if most will not routinely add appetizers while on the DDP), resulting a smaller tip for the server. I don't object to leaving my own tip as much as I object to the large effective price increase - and we didn't "maximize" our plan. We also bring the some of our grandkids, so we do more buffets, and they are young enough that they don't eat a whole heck of a lot overall. However, the appetizers helped offset some of those awful kids' meals they serve in many locations.

The good is we'll be less tempted to eat as much as we do on the dining plan, but the bad is we'll be less likely to try new dishes. We were more likely to experiment knowing we were paying the same either way.

I do think Disney will lose some business as a result of changes, but I'm also sure they'll replace those lost sales with new attendees. Just look at the changes in cruising for a perfect example of how reduction on food value may cause some grumbling, but people still cruise.

I never understood either, you were entitled to the appetizer , main course and dessert but you weren't forced to order. For me the value is not in my receipts were $x more than what the plan was type of thing but just knowing that much is paid in advance. In Oct 2005 I kept my receipts and started to add them up (so I would know if it would be worth it to purchase for next time) I stopped that after Day 4 or 5, no need to I knew right away (so did hubby) that we would get it again. As long as I break even then that's good too.

We do alot of buffets as well and like you said w/kids they don't eat that much. This time around one of my dinner ADR is The Plaza. I have read on the Dis how this isn't a good use of my credits....to me it is, it is a lighter supper and something different, don't care about the cost.

I am lucky that I have ended up w/the plan free both times we have been down, but both my trips were booked w/dining before it was announced as free, I would have paid for the plan anyway.

 

[Hodder]

Surely you don't really think Disney's doing this for the benefit of its customers, do you? A better way to deal with complaining about too much food would be to reduce the portion sizes, not to cut out one of the courses altogether.

I see this as a result of a business looking to increase profits as well as cut down on wastage and listening to a lot of people complain about the amount of food. Which ever way they do it doesnt' matter to me, your opinion is to cut down portion sizes, others kill the dessert instead, I see it as a dammed if you do dammed if you don't situation. No matter which way it went people would complain, it's human nature, complain too much food, complain that my 12 year old hardly eats anything, complain that my 6yr old eats like a linebacker. Not judging because these are real situations for people but there has to be a cutoff at some point, a line drawn.

 

[jtnsami]

Well, I just book the deluxe dining plan for our trip in April, and I'm on . I'm just glad I'm able to go to Disney.

 

[jamstew]

Now that the 2008 DDP plan has been officially announced by Disney, this thread will contain all discussions on the DDP 2008 plan.

Please keep all questions, comments rants vents tantrums woohoos and anything else you can think of on this thread.

Here is a link to the DIS 2008 DDP information
Thanks!

I've never used the DDP before, but I plan to for my May trip. I don't have a problem with the price since I always budget $50/day for food, snacks, etc. anyway. My only problem with the new plan is that I guess I'm going to have to carry a good bit of cash in various denominations. I was looking forward to being pretty much cash-free

 

[trivial]

I've never used the DDP before, but I plan to for my May trip. I don't have a problem with the price since I always budget $50/day for food, snacks, etc. anyway. My only problem with the new plan is that I guess I'm going to have to carry a good bit of cash in various denominations. I was looking forward to being pretty much cash-free

You can link a credit card to your WDW key card; you'll simply have all charges charged to your credit card.

 

[pooh2001]

We never ordered appetizeers, so that change does not bother us.

Tips - we normally do 15%.
Why 18 % - if you have to tip and is not on 2008 DDP ?
For buffets we do 10% - we get our own food - only drinks are served.
So for an $80 breakfast CP buffet, our tip would just be $8.

Are we being cheap ?

 

[jamstew]

You can link a credit card to your WDW key card; you'll simply have all charges charged to your credit card.

That's good to know. My only question would be whether the servers would get all of the gratuity if you put the tip on a credit card (assuming no other OOP charges -- just tip only on the card). I know at a place my son used to work, if the customer used a credit card, the employer kept a certain percentage. I think it was whatever the credit card fee was to the employer.