2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[englishrose47]

This may have already been discussed but I am too lazy to read all 94 pages...

We stayed at PORS last week on DDP. Went to the food court for breakfast. We had the breakfast platter and were told by the CM we got 2 beverages. Does that seem right? I ended up with a large chocolate milk and a large bottle of OJ. I drank the milk and took the OJ to the park. Why would we 2 beverages? Is one supposed to be dessert?
Thanks for any clarification.

Yes in a way as you don't get dessert with breakfast you can have an O.J and a drink!

 

[lazydoxy66]

I'm sorry, but I don't tip the same at a buffet as I do a 'full service' meal. I'm not giving 15%-20% just to get a soda or a few dishes removed. Disney should address this issue by paying the buffet servers a higher hourly wage.

 

[bicker]

The way restaurants balance compensation, between buffet versus full-service, is with respect to how many tables the server serves: buffet servers should generally serve 50% more tables than full-service servers, who generally get tipped at a 50% higher rate. That affects the relative service provided (by a factor of 50%, not coincidentally).

There's no reason why Disney should be any different.

 

[JLKennedy]

You're right, I forgot to include the refillable mugs and snacks, so hands down, the deluxe is by far a better value for us.

 

[boardom]

The way restaurants balance compensation, between buffet versus full-service, is with respect to how many tables the server serves: buffet servers should generally serve 50% more tables than full-service servers, who generally get tipped at a 50% higher rate. That affects the relative service provided (by a factor of 50%, not coincidentally).

There's no reason why Disney should be any different.

I was just going to make the same remark, that buffet servers can be assigned many more tables than "full-service" servers, so hopefully they make it up on volume. In the real world, my standard tip is 20% for full service and 10% for buffet service, in both cases working up or down from there depending. I don't really intend to do any differently at Disney. Do most people tip 15% for buffet servers? Maybe I am a cheapo.

 

[acourtwdw]

If the service warrants it, we will tip 15-20% at a buffet. Last week at Crystal Palace, we only tipped 10% due the poor service we received.

 

[Princess Ploppy]

I personally think they hould have left the dining plan as it is but saved money by not offering the free dining anymore.

I really enjoyed the dining plan last September - paid for, not free as am DVC member and even though I don't think it saved us much money I was on holiday with 2 girlfriends so it just made it easier than worrying about splitting the bill every time.

This year though will not be using it because of all the changes - its no longer worth it in my opinion. You don't get enough with the basic plan but you get way too much with the deluxe plan - and i love to eat!! I think they need to introduce a middle of the road plan with 2xTS credits a day so you can have a TS meal for breakfast / lunch and dinner or a signature meal for dinner.

 

[bicker]

I personally think they hould have left the dining plan as it is but saved money by not offering the free dining anymore.

That would not have saved money. Free dining is offered instead of what were traditionally very deep discounts on room rates. The only way they would have "saved money", leaving the dining plan as it was, would have been to increase the price, let's say by 20%-25%. Do you still think they should have left the Dining Plan as it was, except for changing the price to $48 per day for adults?

This year though will not be using it because of all the changes - its no longer worth it in my opinion.

It used to be a discount plan; now it is simply a pre-payment plan.

 

[englishrose47]

I Like Pre Paying!!

 

[alaskanmommy]

I like pre-paying also! That's what Disney is banking on with these 2008 DDP changes. It's so nice to go on vacation and have meals already paid for, but no appetizer and gratuities is such a huge change! We are going DDP again this year but just for the convenience and the aspect of being able to pre-pay meals! I keep hoping enough people will complain and they will change it, but I don't think that will happen! It's too bad, my family really likes appetizers with their meals, not desserts. I wish they allowed one or the other. If they change it for the worse next year we won't be buying the DDP! Too bad!

 

[luvmy3]

Hi everyone. This is a fantastic thread. I have been reading through ot for quite some time.
I will be going to WDW in septemeber 3 adults (including one 10 year old) and 2 children. I have been trying to figue out if I should book room only with AAA discount or book MYW with ddp. I have checked the menus and I am in the process of pricing things out. I have read some posts where it has been said if doing OOP you can share entrees. I was also wondering if my 10 year old dd would be able to order from the childrens menu. She would want to eat more items from the kids menu rather than from the adults.
I know during that time Disney has offered free dining but I know taht my TA will do what she can to get it for me but there is no guarantee.

 

[Tricia1972]

Hi everyone. This is a fantastic thread. I have been reading through ot for quite some time.
I will be going to WDW in septemeber 3 adults (including one 10 year old) and 2 children. I have been trying to figue out if I should book room only with AAA discount or book MYW with ddp. I have checked the menus and I am in the process of pricing things out. I have read some posts where it has been said if doing OOP you can share entrees. I was also wondering if my 10 year old dd would be able to order from the childrens menu. She would want to eat more items from the kids menu rather than from the adults.
I know during that time Disney has offered free dining but I know taht my TA will do what she can to get it for me but there is no guarantee.

When paying OOP your daughter may order off of the children's menu. She may also do so at TS locations, but you will be using your adult TS entitlement to pay for her child's selection.

 

[Tinkster1126]

Can someone explain what "OOP" stands for? I've been raking my brains trying to figure it out.

 

[sandybobandy]

Can someone explain what "OOP" stands for? I've been raking my brains trying to figure it out.

OOP=out of pocket

 

[apostolic4life]

Can someone explain what "OOP" stands for? I've been raking my brains trying to figure it out.

Welcome to the DIS..........the world of seemingly endless acronyms and abbreviations.......you'll get the hang of it eventually!!!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We (I) definitely toyed with the idea of going OOP. I LOVED the DDP in 2005 and 2007. I priced what we would probably order as opposed to what the plan costs and dollar for dollar, it's equal, EXCEPT, we'd get free dessert which we wouldn't order (except for the little ones). (Oh what a shame, I'll HAVE to eat dessert on vacation...poor me). PLUS, I won't stress myself out thinking I should order the cheapest thing on the menu instead of the filet that I would prefer. My DH decided for us that we should get it because we are TERRIBLE budgeters, and with our luck, we'd spend all of our food money in the first few days there and then go hungry. That's no fun!!! So like BICKER says it's more of a prepayment plan than anything. I hate the changes that they've made, but at this point, it still works for us! 69 days and counting...

 

[Surr]

Will there be a mandatory 18% tip added to the bill if on the DDP or can you tip what you deem appropriate for services rendered?

In January we visited Disney with some friends. There were seven of us total, but the bills were split into three and four. We were charged at 18% tip at every table service restaurant whether buffet or not. I would assume that smaller groups are not forced to leave an 18% tip.

On a side note, service was horrible at all the buffet restaurants. We simply could not get drink refills. As the food was on a buffet, I would have preffered for the drinks to be that way as well. 18% tip was a ripoff at the buffets. By far the best service was at Mama Rosas in the Studios. The tip was deserved there. Also, we reserved the dinner and Fantasmic package on the plan, and appetizer was included. They said that was the only way to still get the included appetizer on the plan. Service was also good at Le Cellier and fair at Akershus.

 

[englishrose47]

There will be 7 of us next year and I agree with the Buffet tip but will have no choice!! This is whether on DDp or not right?

 

[apostolic4life]

There will be 7 of us next year and I agree with the Buffet tip but will have no choice!! This is whether on DDp or not right?

Yes, it's for all large parties...... the tip is not just for DDP user........

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

I didn't tip for the first time in my life at a buffet this last trip! We waited about 15 minutes to see our waitress, I had to ask another waitress where ours was at! Then we FINALLY got our drinks and didn't see our waitress again until I LITERALLY chased her down, about 40 minutes later, so we could check out!

First time in my life that I didn't leave a tip. Even with a poor server I've always left something! I don't put this on Disney or any of the dining plans, we just had the misfortune to get the worlds worst server!