2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[CatStarr]

Just wondering, but did you include the sales tax in your figures?

 

[bless7ings]

Just wondering, but did you include the sales tax in your figures?

Yes I did!

"OK I have the tallys. Keep in mind things always vary when you are there, because you feel like eating different things. I can also not tell how hungry we will or will not be. So here is the OOP plan: (all include 6.5% tax, but no gratuity - trying to compare to DDP which does not include gratuity)"

 

[Tricia1972]

Blessings - With the new tally, I even further stand behind my original thought for you guys. You'll have more fun doing it OOP.

I think the snacks, for you, may be where things really start to sway towards your favor, even though you're already saving money by not doing it.

As you know, sometimes you're hungry for them and sometimes your not. Also consider what snacks are now. You may want to get a bucket of popcorn because it's easier to carry around. A bucket of popcorn (cost wise) would be less than $4, but is not a snack on the DDP. So you settle for the box that is included.

You want a bag of candy from Main St Confectionery as your snack, it's under $4, but because it's family size it's not a snack. You spend the $ out of pocket for the candy. Or you just settle for something that you may not really want because it's in the plan.

Some will say, but you get more with the DDP. This is true, but why pay more for stuff you don't want, when you can get what you want for less money.

Again, the DDP works well for some, and I even ran figures today for someone that I think will be better off with it. I just think you'll be happier without it.

 

[starwarsdisney]

I just wanted to add my opinion. My wife and I are going in May for 9 nights. We love to eat (who doesn't right) and decided to go with the DDP. We have never used a DDP before, mainly because it did not exsist when we went in 2003. We have nothing to compare this years plan to, so we have a different perspective than a lot of you. We've been told by others we know that have used it that it is a lot of food, but worth it.

For our money it is worth it. We have different tastes and spliting entrees for us would not work in most cases. Also, we prefer desert over appys so again we win there. The big winner of the plan for us is that we are going to eat at places we would never eat at if paying OOP. When we go out $30-40 tops is about what we spend for a meal here at home. Plain and simple we are cheap! So we would never eat at Le Cellier or CRT or some of the other places we have booked. Yes, I suppose we could budget for them, but the truth is for us it's just better to pay up front and be done with it. That way our spending money goes to shopping not food. We also don't mind paying for tips. We are good tippers, if your a good server, if not then we adjust accordingly. So what we may spend $100-150 in tips (from what I've been told we don't have to tip at CRT) that sure beats having to bring a bunch of extra money to eat. The other thing the plan allows us to do is to try new things. If we were paying OOP we would "play it safe" when dining. I would not be up for trying "new" things if paying OOP. So for us even if we lose a little on the plan, which I doubt with the places we have booked to eat and the fact that we love food, we still feel like it's worth it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Are you saying you have done it at the Disney sit downs? Just the two of you? How do they react? Do you feel funny? Have you been to fancier restaurants?

We have done this at nicer WDW & Universal restaurants, including Emeril's Tchoup Chop, as well as other nice locations. (Noone wants to share at Emeril's @ CityWalk. ) Food is a top priority on our vacations. Therefore, most of our dinners are at fine dining restaurants. We order what we want, depending on how hungry we are. At times, we order 2 appys & desserts & one entree. Other times, we share all courses. Sometimes, we both order all 3 courses. (You get the idea.) Keep in mind that fine dining establishments usually serve smaller portions that you'll receive at most casual restaurants. We do have a teenage boy, who doesn't understand the term "shared food". The only time he shares is when he likes our choice better than his. My DH & I would order the same, if he weren't with us though. We've never been treated badly. We do tip as if we hadn't shared, but I suppose that's personal preference. I do want to add that our experiences have all been from paying OOP.

 

[UAB master]

I have not read all 87 pages of DDP 2008 but I have a question. If it has been answered on one of the previous pages- sorry. I called to make my reservations last night for Sept. 2008 and was told I have a 30% discount on basic or 40% on deluxe dining plan- in addition to my room discount. For a group with 4 adults and a 4 yr. old, which would be better? and is there a list somewhere that shows the participating restaurants and the qualified snacks? I appreciate all the help.

 

[apostolic4life]

Some will say, but you get more with the DDP. This is true, but why pay more for stuff you don't want, when you can get what you want for less money.

Again, the DDP works well for some, and I even ran figures today for someone that I think will be better off with it. I just think you'll be happier without it.

I couldn't agree more. If you usually eat chicken breast because you like it better than other meats don't get the Filet Mignon just because it makes the DDP seem like a better value. I think many people have been convinced (based on the pricing of expensive menu items) to go with the DDP to save money, and in the long run lost money because when they sat down for their meal they ordered the chicken. On the flip side, if you get the expensive entree just to maximize the DDP, you may risk having a bad time because you would have rather had the chicken.

I love the DDP and have used it faithfully, but it does not make sense for everyone. You should choose your method of dining based on your typical eating habits, likes & dislikes; you should not eat based on the potential savings you can formulate.

 

[CatStarr]

I have not read all 87 pages of DDP 2008 but I have a question. If it has been answered on one of the previous pages- sorry. I called to make my reservations last night for Sept. 2008 and was told I have a 30% discount on basic or 40% on deluxe dining plan- in addition to my room discount. For a group with 4 adults and a 4 yr. old, which would be better? and is there a list somewhere that shows the participating restaurants and the qualified snacks? I appreciate all the help.

In previous years the DDP has been free during this time. I guess that they are not going to do that this year, but instead offer you this discount. I would think that either would be a good deal depending on how you want to eat.

 

[bless7ings]

I just wanted to add my opinion. My wife and I are going in May for 9 nights. We love to eat (who doesn't right) and decided to go with the DDP. We have never used a DDP before, mainly because it did not exsist when we went in 2003. We have nothing to compare this years plan to, so we have a different perspective than a lot of you. We've been told by others we know that have used it that it is a lot of food, but worth it.

For our money it is worth it. We have different tastes and spliting entrees for us would not work in most cases. Also, we prefer desert over appys so again we win there. The big winner of the plan for us is that we are going to eat at places we would never eat at if paying OOP. When we go out $30-40 tops is about what we spend for a meal here at home. Plain and simple we are cheap! So we would never eat at Le Cellier or CRT or some of the other places we have booked. Yes, I suppose we could budget for them, but the truth is for us it's just better to pay up front and be done with it. That way our spending money goes to shopping not food. We also don't mind paying for tips. We are good tippers, if your a good server, if not then we adjust accordingly. So what we may spend $100-150 in tips (from what I've been told we don't have to tip at CRT) that sure beats having to bring a bunch of extra money to eat. The other thing the plan allows us to do is to try new things. If we were paying OOP we would "play it safe" when dining. I would not be up for trying "new" things if paying OOP. So for us even if we lose a little on the plan, which I doubt with the places we have booked to eat and the fact that we love food, we still feel like it's worth it.

All that you said sounds true to me. We have used it, it was awesome!!!! That was with the family and free dining. When I got adding things up for just the two of us and realizing I couldn't have the appetizer(which I would prefer because I am not a big chocolate fan and you know I am out of the ordinary and the restaurants must sell to the population of chocoholics. btw my husband does love chocolate and my daughter loves chocolate and my mom loves chocolate and many friends all do too, just not me!) But there were other things I would rather have, but with the constant change of the policy and everyone enforcing things differantly, I am betting the snack and desserts I want are one of a kind and not on the policy. Like I said before we through most CS desserts away with maybe one bite. They were cheap yucks! I want the pastries in France or Norway. I like the pretzles. I would like to be enticed by some different delicacies that just might not be on the plan. We are going by ourselves, strolling around and might find the perfect seducer for the moment. I don't want to be stuffed from eating too much at each meal.(hence sharing meals) I have been on the plan, we loved it, I think I wouldn't do without it with our family. Less headaches and gives them choices and I pay a set amount. I don't have to be watching my wallet, saying no, I think we've already spent too much. Or, didn't you just have a snack. I agree you should do it and experience it. I just see for us, since we have experienced it and it is just the two of us- I don't eat much. The food was big portions. When I did the tallys and realized I could get appetizers and my own entree's when I preferred and share when I wanted and come out less- it's making me rethink.

I haven't talked to my husband yet. He'll say just get the plan and pay out of pocket for what you want!

 

[starwarsdisney]

I keep seeing all this about free dining. How do you swing that?

 

[hansel1]

My wife and I just returned from a 10 day trip with the DDP. We ate at coral reef and le cellier twice, garden grill, mama melrose, crt, liberty tavern and san angel inn.

We used ddp in both 2006 and 2007 (paying for it both times).

The lack of apps included in the plan was very disappointing as I prefer apps over sweets.

Our first night we ate at the garden grill and we handed our server cards to have the ddp credits pay for our meal. The waiter asked what I wanted to do about the balance. Balance?!?!? I told him to run our credits and let me know what the "Balance" was. He came back and told us a figure that was 20% of our total bill. So, as we had not ordered anything not included on the plan i asked if this figure was a tip. He told me it was.

I knew tips were not included, but this server wanted to make sure he recieved 20%. I left him 15% in cash for the way he handled himself.

I've run the numbers on what we ate and the DDP came out ahead of paying cash by a little over six dollars. Not much savings.

I am undecided if we will use this next year.

 

[Tricia1972]

I keep seeing all this about free dining. How do you swing that?

Free dining is offered in late August through September to the general public. It's announced in early to mid April. You buy a room at rack rate with a MYW package, and they toss in the dining for "free".

 

[starwarsdisney]

Rack rate?

 

[Tricia1972]

Rack rate?

Full price on the room, no discounts.

 

[JediTim]

Free dining is offered in late August through September to the general public. It's announced in early to mid April. You buy a room at rack rate with a MYW package, and they toss in the dining for "free".

Tricia,
I already booked my vacation for August 16th through August 26th, three in my room - self, DW and DS3. We are travelling with fourteen people (some arriving earlier and some leaviving earlier.)

All of us have booked at CSR and nine (three of the four rooms) have the DDP. My Sis-In-Law has three really young kids that wouldn't last through a TS.

My question...since I booked already at a time when they may have the free dinning plan will I be able to take advantacge of the plan if it is offered to the general public? I am pretty sure that I booked at the Rack Rates.

I imagine that my dates are late enough as the just published Extra Magic hours declided during this week as well as the park appears to close one to two hours earlier.

Thanks for your insight,
Tim

 

[starwarsdisney]

I love the name JediTim.

Does it help to book using our Disney Visa? We payed our deposit of 200 with another card, but plan to pay the whole thing off with the Disney Visa. Would they then offer us something???

 

[Dizneyholic]

Tricia,

You are saying no sit downs allow you to order only 4 TS meals for what they would consider 6 TS people? I thought you could still use your credits any way you saw fit. Except when you picked buffets you used one TS for each person.

Hi there,
We just got back on Friday from 10 days on the dining plan and there was no problem splitting a meal at Chefs De France, Raglan Road and Yak & Yeti.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are we losing some of the value of the DDP by doing primarily breakfasts?

Value is more than just monetary. Could you get a higher percentage saving comparing the cost of the DDP to the price of dinners vs. breakfasts? Probably. BUT! You know your group will greatly enjoy the character breakfasts, so there's value in THAT which can't be measured by dollars. Have a GREAT time!

The tip is ONLY included on the deluxe plan, not basic. If you booked the basic dining plan, you will STILL pay gratuity.

The tip is not included in EITHER the Basic or the Deluxe Dining Plans, except where the tip is included in the price of the meal for any Guest, i.e. the dinner shows and Cinderella's Royal Table.

called to make my reservations last night for Sept. 2008 and was told I have a 30% discount on basic or 40% on deluxe dining plan- in addition to my room discount. For a group with 4 adults and a 4 yr. old, which would be better? and is there a list somewhere that shows the participating restaurants and the qualified snacks? I appreciate all the help

Restaurant menus http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm
Participating restaurants http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm#rest
Unofficial but VERY well-maintained (by DISer jjohnson) list of snacks, based on reports from DISers who've used the Dining Plan in 2008 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1683477

I knew tips were not included, but this server wanted to make sure he recieved 20%. I left him 15% in cash for the way he handled himself

And I mean that with COMPLETE sincerity!!!!!

My question...since I booked already at a time when they may have the free dinning plan will I be able to take advantacge of the plan if it is offered to the general public? I am pretty sure that I booked at the Rack Rates.

You would be able to convert your reservation if there are rooms available at your resort of choice EXCEPT that it's extremely likely the promotion, if available, wouldn't start until August 30 (based on the Future Stay Package dates those of us who were there in September 2007 were able to book for 2008.

 

[hotcarib]

Sadly we decided against the DDP on this visit.
We have always really loved the DDP benefits but now sans gratuity and appetizers it makes far less sense for us. DH also has always felt that the DP sort of forces us to eat (keeping ADRs and the like) when we aren't really hungry. I'm going to miss the freedom of not paying any attention to menu prices, but still champing at the bit for the next 13 days to pass;-)!!!!!

 

[sandym718]

I couldn't agree more. If you usually eat chicken breast because you like it better than other meats don't get the Filet Mignon just because it makes the DDP seem like a better value. I think many people have been convinced (based on the pricing of expensive menu items) to go with the DDP to save money, and in the long run lost money because when they sat down for their meal they ordered the chicken. On the flip side, if you get the expensive entree just to maximize the DDP, you may risk having a bad time because you would have rather had the chicken.

I love the DDP and have used it faithfully, but it does not make sense for everyone. You should choose your method of dining based on your typical eating habits, likes & dislikes; you should not eat based on the potential savings you can formulate.

I totally agree with this!! One reason the DDP works so well for us(even under the new formula) is that I Looooove Filet Mignon!! At home, I don't order it every time we go out - I'll get a sandwich or pasta or whatever, to avoid the cost, and once in awhile I'll splurge. On vacation - I want to splurge whenever I want (same with dessert every night) and the DDP allows me to do that!!!