2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[tjkraz]

Yes, I think that's not a major concern. Indeed, the concern has been that the restaurants are just too crowded as things are now.

That's one reason why I tend to think that Disney feels it can afford to trim back the dining plan. If they are consistently turning away guests at restaurants, they can afford to lose some on the dining plan and still fill most of the tables each night.

The only major impact I see is that Disney will need to find some other type of incentive to fill hotel rooms -- not restaurants. And they have lots of choices. The effect of the (for pay) Dining Plan on hotel room bookings probably isn't as large as the effect of the free Dining Plan anyway, and the free Dining Plan, even with the changes, probably will have pretty-close to the same effect.

From what I've heard about occupancy, they don't necessarily need the DDP to drive up occupancy. The "free dining" may still happen in the Fall during those truly dead periods, but other times I suspect they're betting on maintaining high occupancy without sacrificing profits via the DDP.

Regardless, Disney has nearly a year to gauge the impact of these changes before they make any announcements for '09. If the impact is not as favorable as is currently projected, they can tweak again the following year.

 

[englishrose47]

I can understand why Disney changed the plan! I don't like it but I understand. What I don't understand is why the wait staff thinks they will gain from the tip NOT being included I really think they will get shafted !!

 

[bicker]

Well, as some earlier messages have indicated, there are two perspectives on this. The servers belong to a union, and that might have been their undoing in this. The union believes that they're better off without the gratuity being included, in return for other considerations the union was able to secure in the negotiations with the company. The servers voluntarily joined a union that includes lots of other folks, so they're stuck with the "what's good for most is good for all" approach unions take. You have to take the good with the bad.

 

[Lewisc]

The quotes from a number of servers indicated Disney insisted on removing the included tip. As a result of negotiations the union received considerations. Specifically there will be an automatic tip on all DDE discounted checks and an automatic tip on the checks of parties of 6 or more.

My guess is if the union had a problem with the included DDP they wouldn't have looked for concessions and the certainly wouldn't have wanted an automatic tip extended to other guests.


I agree, the servers will get shafted. If they get shafted too much future dining plans may bill guests a service fee in lieu of tip.

The servers only represent a small part of the collective bargaining unit. The deal may have benefiting the rest of the group.

I can understand why Disney changed the plan! I don't like it but I understand. What I don't understand is why the wait staff thinks they will gain from the tip NOT being included I really think they will get shafted !!

 

[Colleen27]

The quotes from a number of servers indicated Disney insisted on removing the included tip. As a result of negotiations the union received considerations. Specifically there will be an automatic tip on all DDE discounted checks and an automatic tip on the checks of parties of 6 or more.

My guess is if the union had a problem with the included DDP they wouldn't have looked for concessions and the certainly wouldn't have wanted an automatic tip extended to other guests.


I agree, the servers will get shafted. If they get shafted too much future dining plans may bill guests a service fee in lieu of tip.

The servers only represent a small part of the collective bargaining unit. The deal may have benefiting the rest of the group.

I do think servers in Disney owned restaurants may see their income drop with the new plan terms, but the servers in non-Disney owned restaurants that participate with the plan will probably be better off because their tip will not be limited by Disney's cap on reimbursement to the restaurant. Most visitors aren't aware of that policy and don't know to tip extra. So while some servers could lose out because of the changes, others could very easily benefit. And I wonder if that wasn't another factor in the decision to make this change - it very likely makes continued participation in the plan more attractive for non-Disney owned restaurants.

 

[Creekermom]

This is an interesting topic and I need to learn all I can this 2nd time around.
We are planning on returning to WDW next Sept.

 

[firechick139]

Specifically there will be an automatic tip on all DDE discounted checks and an automatic tip on the checks of parties of 6 or more.

Thank you for posting this. Our group will have 8 people and it's nice to know the tips will be included, even though the official plan doesn't include it. The DDP will still be a good convenience for our particular trip, then.

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Thank you for posting this. Our group will have 8 people and it's nice to know the tips will be included, even though the official plan doesn't include it. The DDP will still be a good convenience for our particular trip, then.

I don't think its included, I think it means they will automatically add it on and you still have to pay for it extra.

 

[bicker]

That's correct. The gratuity is not included. It is, however, mandatory, for parties of six and over.

 

[firechick139]

Oh, I understand. Darn!

 

[apirateslife4evr]

This may have been covered already, so forgive me......does anyone know the reason (or theory) over why most of the Epcot WS restaurants are NOT participating for 2008? I know that Nine Dragons will be closed for most of the year, and the Italy restaurant will be in transition for a good part of 2008......but I was shocked that Mexico, Japan, Morocco and France were not included.

 

[antkim]

This may have been covered already, so forgive me......does anyone know the reason (or theory) over why most of the Epcot WS restaurants are NOT participating for 2008? I know that Nine Dragons will be closed for most of the year, and the Italy restaurant will be in transition for a good part of 2008......but I was shocked that Mexico, Japan, Morocco and France were not included.

Not all the restaurants have signed their contracts yet....usually this is all wrapped up by mid November. Don't worry..they will be added shortly!

Kim

 

[bicker]

The list you're looking at now only shows the Disney-owned eateries, I believe. As antkim indicated, the full list, with both Disney-owned and non-Disney-owned eateries should be available in a few weeks.

 

[Lewisc]

Thank you for posting this. Our group will have 8 people and it's nice to know the tips will be included, even though the official plan doesn't include it. The DDP will still be a good convenience for our particular trip, then.

Sorry I didn't word my post better. As others have posted the "automatic tip" will be paid by the customer.

 

[Lewisc]

The terms of the 2008 dining plan are more favorable for the restaurants then the plans of the last few years. I'd be surprised if the (vast) majority of restaurants that participated in 2007 don't also participate in 2008.

Disney will have to decide how to handle the 10% gratuity at the Pepper Market. Guests don't normally tip at a quick service restaurant so the brochure wording will have to make it clear the guest will be paying this charge.

 

[angelmav]

Lewis, do you know if the Pepper Market charges that 10% to non DDP diners as well? If not, then I would say thats a bit of a problem for sure.

 

[Lewisc]

Lewis, do you know if the Pepper Market charges that 10% to non DDP diners as well? If not, then I would say thats a bit of a problem for sure.

Pepper Market charges 10% to all guests, excluding takeout. 2007 (and earlier) DDP paid the tip.

 

[YesMickey]

I received my '08 Disney Brochure yesterday in the mail, and I have been away for a week or so and may not have read a post about AAA's list of restaurants on the plan for next year. The brochure has more restaurants than Disney is telling us. Does AAA know something we do not. For instance, Downtown Disney has Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Raglan Road, and Planet Hollywood included in the Dining Plan and Epcot has San Angel, Restaurant Marrakesh, 9 Dragons, Teppan Edo and Chefs of France included. Do you think AAA started print before the new list came out 2-3 months ago?

 

[GreatLakes5]

I received my '08 Disney Brochure yesterday in the mail, and I have been away for a week or so and may not have read a post about AAA's list of restaurants on the plan for next year. The brochure has more restaurants than Disney is telling us. Does AAA know something we do not. For instance, Downtown Disney has Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Raglan Road, and Planet Hollywood included in the Dining Plan and Epcot has San Angel, Restaurant Marrakesh, 9 Dragons, Teppan Edo and Chefs of France included. Do you think AAA started print before the new list came out 2-3 months ago?

We're not AAA members, but I do know that when we made our ADRS a month ago for February '08 (On the DDP) we made one for Raglan Road & were assured it would be covered by the DDP.

 

[Colleen27]

We're not AAA members, but I do know that when we made our ADRS a month ago for February '08 (On the DDP) we made one for Raglan Road & were assured it would be covered by the DDP.

This was my experience too, with Tutto Italia. It isn't on the original 2008 brochure, but the dining CM told me it is a 1TS restaurant on the plan. I wasn't sure if it was her error or if they're getting updates that haven't gone public yet (which would make sense - Disney will probably only revise the brochure once when everything is finalized), but it was a definate change from when we first made our ADRs and were told explicitly that a few of our choices weren't yet signed on to the plan.