2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[englishrose47]

I feel that Disney are making a mistake in offering the dessert instead of a choice of appetizer or dessert also. I know that my dbf and I would, if we had a choice, choose the appetizer but then later in the day purchase our desserts from one of the many delicious choices offered all over the parks. Now if we get a dessert with our meal then we most likely will not buy another ice cream cone or slice of cake and we will never go out of our way to purchase an appetizer type food such as figaro fries or what not.

Meaning we may save the cost of the dessert but we would rather buy something yummy later and have the appetizer instead.

Disney not earn anything extra by offering us a dessert with the plan.

With the CS meals however I think they can just leave it as it is, but with TS I'd like to have a choice and feel that Disney would make more money in the long run by giving me a choice !

Have a great trip DisneyTabby

I sooo agree! They should offer a choice . @ people could each use a TS credit and get 1 appie & 1 dessert to share This would make so much more sense . I understand the abuse of the system before played a large part of this change but this would be fair to all and I think a lot less complaining would be done!!

 

[Creekermom]

Just wondering, How was the system abused? This is our first time going in just 36 more days... I have already told DH that I want to go back next year.. we need the DDP to be able to afford to go..

I think too by offering a choice of appie or dessert would be on the best interest of Disney. Normally when we do go out and get an Appetizer, we get one, after all it isn't a meal... and we often don't get dessert but sometimes we like to try new things... and sometimes share.

Just my 2cents...


So, I am curious what did Disney goers abuse with the DDP that they decided to change it?

 

[Laren]

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.

This isn't the same thing IMO. Disney has had to change the rules several times because people kept finding new ways to cheat. Kids TS credits for adult meals, so on and so forth. People just don't want to admit sometimes that dishonesty costs us all. Like shoplifting- we all end up paying in the end when people find 'creative' ways to get around the system. And believe me when they do they will justify it too twenty ways to sundown to make themselves believe they're not doing anything wrong! LOL

 

[Kristina]

I believe your specific circumstance is less common, i.e., that more people would likely purchase a salad with a meal given that it was not included rather than purchasing a dessert with a meal.

What I meant was that with the plan as it was we were stuffed and almost never had room for say, a Mickey head bar or Dole whip later in the parks. We were always still digesting our last meal, and I think that if with the new plan we had a choice we would choose the salad as you say, but then later treat ourselves to an ice cream sundae or Dole Whip or something like that. Paying for that OOP. Being foodies on vacation, we would pay for our delicious dessert items so Disney would earn that money on top of the dining plan. You see what I mean? However since I want and need to save a buck and now have the tip to pay for, I would probably skip the appetizer, especially if I knew that I'd need room for the dessert which was included and already paid for anyway .

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Well, no more complaining about DDP for me - the tip issue is a non-issue for me. We tip according to service, period. I am anxious to do Deluxe DDP next year, and I will budget accordingly.

It could have been worse, they could have decided not to offer any DDP . I am just glad we have a choice. We eat at places we would not normally eat. If we stayed offsite we would have to spend money for gas and for parking, which balances out for us (tips would probably be less than this amount added together) so the DDP is a no brainer for us!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Just wondering, How was the system abused? This is our first time going in just 36 more days... I have already told DH that I want to go back next year.. we need the DDP to be able to afford to go..

I think too by offering a choice of appie or dessert would be on the best interest of Disney. Normally when we do go out and get an Appetizer, we get one, after all it isn't a meal... and we often don't get dessert but sometimes we like to try new things... and sometimes share.

Just my 2cents...


So, I am curious what did Disney goers abuse with the DDP that they decided to change it?

Probably the biggest abuse was using child credits for adult meals, that loophole was narrowed last year but for those who know how you can or at least could do that at CS places. Combine this with the fact that people complained about too much food. They say the servers wanted the tips removed though I think they will be very soory!!

 

[trivial]

Just wondering, How was the system abused?

So, I am curious what did Disney goers abuse with the DDP that they decided to change it?

The only abuse I'm aware of is that, at one point at least (maybe still, I don't know), adults were able to use child credits. But some on this board seem to think that merely utilizing the plan that they paid for, well within the bounds of Disney's guidelines, is abuse -- pay them no heed.

 

[Angela Bricker]

OK, for three days now I've tried to take the high road while being accused of abusing Disney, basically being a cheat and a fraud because I did what I needed to get my money's worth out of the DDP. I think it's time to back up the bus.

Let me start by stating the obvious: Disney is VERY good at spelling out exactly what is not "legal" in WDW. If you don't believe me, check out the DVC discussion board. If they don't want something to take place, they say so. Nowhere did they say that it was illegal, immoral or fattening to save child dining credits to use for adult meals last year. They only said that if a child used dining credits, she had to order from the kids' menu. I asked repeatedly - at check-in when the CM explained the DDP to me in the first place, and at every subsequent restaurant where we paid for our DD's kid's meal instead of using a credit. Nowhere in WDW was it a problem for anyone. And frankly, what the accountants may or may not have assumed is neither my business nor my concern.

And, by the way, I did not invent this on my own - yes, your fellow DISers came up with it first.

Presumably at some point WDW became aware of this and decided, in Disney fashion, that it was enough of a problem to change their accounting practices. It no longer is possible to use a child credit for adult food. Fine, that's their decision, they've made a rule, I'm good with that.

Finally, let me point out that the cost to Disney Corp. of this "abusive behavior" has to be utterly trivial compared to the cost of them giving away the DDP for however many months since its inception. So please, don't blame me for driving up prices or eliminating appetizers or whatever it is you're blaming me for - it's all just business.

 

[mickey2000]

Its not because of abuse for higher $ for the 2008 meal palns!

IMO its the smart marketing of a
GIANT EMPIRE IN EXPANSION MODE !
I am excited that are able to help

They're on a buying spree


http://amedia.disney.go.com/investorrelations/newsletter_0807.pdf


Go Disney ...........

 

[racefanof88]

This isn't the same thing IMO. Disney has had to change the rules several times because people kept finding new ways to cheat. Kids TS credits for adult meals, so on and so forth. People just don't want to admit sometimes that dishonesty costs us all. Like shoplifting- we all end up paying in the end when people find 'creative' ways to get around the system. And believe me when they do they will justify it too twenty ways to sundown to make themselves believe they're not doing anything wrong! LOL

I agree with you on the point of abuse, but not on the point of getting what I pay for. I was mainly referring to comments that were made about people using "all their credits" i.e. using all their snack credits. I see no abuse in getting 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 snack a day per person on my plan.

I don't believe in trying to "get over" on anything or anyone. In fact, I am probably paying for the ddp for one person in my family that will never use it as she is such a picky eater. She will most likely just order an appy and dessert oop at the TS meals and most likely just fries at the CS meals, and we will just have the extra meals out there. So, that is Disney taking advantage of me as I could not get the ddp without paying for it for everyone in my room. So, as the old saying goes "It all comes out in the wash".

 

[racefanof88]

OK, for three days now I've tried to take the high road while being accused of abusing Disney, basically being a cheat and a fraud because I did what I needed to get my money's worth out of the DDP. I think it's time to back up the bus.

Let me start by stating the obvious: Disney is VERY good at spelling out exactly what is not "legal" in WDW. If you don't believe me, check out the DVC discussion board. If they don't want something to take place, they say so. Nowhere did they say that it was illegal, immoral or fattening to save child dining credits to use for adult meals last year. They only said that if a child used dining credits, she had to order from the kids' menu. I asked repeatedly - at check-in when the CM explained the DDP to me in the first place, and at every subsequent restaurant where we paid for our DD's kid's meal instead of using a credit. Nowhere in WDW was it a problem for anyone. And frankly, what the accountants may or may not have assumed is neither my business nor my concern.

And, by the way, I did not invent this on my own - yes, your fellow DISers came up with it first.

Presumably at some point WDW became aware of this and decided, in Disney fashion, that it was enough of a problem to change their accounting practices. It no longer is possible to use a child credit for adult food. Fine, that's their decision, they've made a rule, I'm good with that.

Finally, let me point out that the cost to Disney Corp. of this "abusive behavior" has to be utterly trivial compared to the cost of them giving away the DDP for however many months since its inception. So please, don't blame me for driving up prices or eliminating appetizers or whatever it is you're blaming me for - it's all just business.

You go girl............lol. Could not have said it better myself. Disney is the rule maker and they are the enforcer. They decided this year to change how the plan can be used and made those rules as they saw fit. I still have a problem with people taking about abuse of the plan because most of us try to get what we have paid for. And alot of these comments are coming from people who are saying they are going with the dddp next year. Well my question is if you are going to a TS and Signature meal everyday on the dddp is that not abusing the new system?

Just an observation on my part...........bare with me here..one day on the dddp

Breakfast at CM
Adult 22.00
Snack 4.00
_____________
$26.00

Hoop dee Doo
Category 2
Adult 54.99
____________
$54.99
Snack 4.00

Total for the day------------------approx $84.99 And only paying 69.99 for the plan.

Now on the base plan.

Breakfast at CM
Adult 22.00
Snack 4.00

________________
$26.00

CS meal at Cosmic Rays

Grilled chicken sandwich 6.99
Carrot cake 2.49
Coke 2.09
____________________________
11.57

My total for the day--- approx. $37.57 plan cost $37.99

So, I am not getting over on Disney in any way. This is my observation and the prices are based on menus on allears. The prices may be slightly different.

 

[bicker]

If you want to know what Disney considered abuse, check out every change they've made to the plan, and every change they've made to its implementation in the field.

 

[pinkerbell]

OK, for three days now I've tried to take the high road while being accused of abusing Disney, basically being a cheat and a fraud because I did what I needed to get my money's worth out of the DDP. I think it's time to back up the bus.

ahhhh. well done...

it cracks me up that people think it's abuse to order all your allowed to on the DDP. I don't like to waste, and am very careful not to 99% of the time, but when going out to a resturant, I have to realize the world does not revolve around my specific needs, some people eat more, some eat less, the rest. tries to gage their portions by the majority, so yes I may order an app, ent, & des. and not finish them all, but yes I wanted to try them, and I don't want the portions made smaller because my 5 ft 105lb body can't eat as much as a 6 ft 200lb body, although I do my best and yes this is probably the case more on vacation for people because this is what the have saved for all year... to spurge a little, isn't is silly to think someones vacations habits are what they do yr round
like we all go to disney every day

and yes the plan changed, but no-one is forced to by it,
It was great while it lasted as it was.. and I'm thankful I had the opp. to enjoy it. It probably won't be as good for us in the future, I'm not a fan of the kids meals, at dis or most places, my kids eat what we eat, just smaller portions (MUCH SMALLER) if we can plate share with them at dis we will or since they hubby is getting tired of all the park resturants, go off property a few days like we used to before the DDP.
IMHO, I think the plan (and MME) were implemented to keep people on property, so for a smaller profit margin in foods they may have gained in retail etc, but visions are sometimes lost and now that is a memory and the DDP needs to be a greater profit margin.. maybe the vision was to implement the plan, hook people and change it in a few yrs anyway and offer the higher priced deluxe, that's probably the real story and hear we all are pointing fingers... silly us..

 

[Lewisc]

I'm sure the dining plan is priced with the assumption a certain number of credits will not be used.

It's not abuse if a guest uses all their credits but it's abuse if a guest uses their credits to treat people not on the plan. Some guests had extra credits and used them to treat strangers, rather then let them go unused. Disney considers that abuse and CM are now enforcing this rule.

 

[mickey2000]

I'm sure the dining plan is priced with the assumption a certain number of credits will not be used.

It's not abuse if a guest uses all their credits but it's abuse if a guest uses their credits to treat people not on the plan. Some guests had extra credits and used them to treat strangers, rather then let them go unused. Disney considers that abuse and CM are now enforcing this rule.

Good point !!

 

[Barbers2005]

I'm sure the dining plan is priced with the assumption a certain number of credits will not be used.

I'm not sure why there would be an assumption of unused credits. The credits on the ddp reflect what most people eat while on vacation (lunch, snack, dinner). Granted, the portions are large, but it's not like you can go to Le Cellier and order half a steak, 2/3 of a bowl of soup and three bites of mousse- since that's what you're really going to eat. Maybe it's just us, but dh, dd and I didn't have any trouble using up all the ddp credits, even without giving stuff away or taking snacks home with us.

 

[Laren]

Disney will keep making the rules more and more specific until people simply can't take advantage anymore. Maybe they'll have to consider a daily expiration on credits- one CS TS and snack per day of your hotel stay and if you don't use it you lose it or something. It wouldn't surprise me if they did.

As far as using the child credit for adult meals goes, at this point it's obvious that even if no one here on the boards (and what do we matter anyway? LOL we don't )had any problem with anyone doing it in the past it's clear that Disney did because now people definitely can't do it.

I think it's sad when people justify their ways of going around the system by saying "I didn't think it up, fellow dis'ers did!" does it matter who thought it up? I guess as long a you're doing what 'works for you' then abusing the rules doesn't matter? I guess too as long as you have CM's who look the other way because they don't want the guest to make a scene, (I can sympathize, I've worked for Disney before) that makes it all okay?

I think it's all been said at this point already so I hope everybody else enjoys their time in this thread. I'm out.

 

[Barbers2005]

IMHO, I think the plan (and MME) were implemented to keep people on property, so for a smaller profit margin in foods they may have gained in retail etc, but visions are sometimes lost and now that is a memory and the DDP needs to be a greater profit margin..

The ddp kind of reminds me of .99 casino buffets. The casino doesn't care if they don't make any money on the food b/c all the meal was designed for was to keep you in the casino. Retail stores do stuff like that all the time too. One item will be sold at (or below) cost b/c you'll probably buy more stuff while you're there- the store wins overall even though they lost money on that one item.

 

[bicker]

Yup, but as soon as the casino detects a separable segment of the customer base that capitalizes on the buffets but doesn't contribute sufficiently to revenues in the casinos, they'll use that separability to exclude that segment from the benefit, as well they should!

 

[Barbers2005]

Yup, but as soon as the casino detects a separable segment of the customer base that capitalizes on the buffets but doesn't contribute sufficiently to revenues in the casinos, they'll use that separability to exclude that segment from the benefit, as well they should!

Sure, a casino can ask someone to leave if they aren't gambling...but WDW isn't going to tell guests they have to go b/c they haven't bought enough Mickey dolls. I know it's not a straight comparison b/c the casino is obviously losing money on their dinner and disney probably isn't (except for free ddp). The point is that disney gets a group of people with a strong incentive to stay on-property their entire stay, giving disney more opportunities to work their marketing mojo (which, let's face it, they're pretty good at).