2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[boardom]

I dont see the value if I have to fork out 15-18% tip.

Many people don't, and are therefore choosing not to do the dining plan this year. If you DO book the plan, then yes, you should budget for tips based on the menu prices for the items you order. The dining plan does not cover tips, and it's not right to short your server because you're getting a "deal" that makes your meal cheaper.

 

[racefanof88]

It's pre-tax

You can just write Cash on the Tip Line and either leave it on the table or put it in the bill holder.

Thank you so much. That helps us plan on just how much to budget for tips. The Disboards are wonderful

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Is the DDP a good deal? You see the question so many times, but the answer is so personal that it requires a spreadsheet and a guess of what the family will likely order (on and off the plan.) So I ran the numbers and for us it is an ok deal.
We could eat:
LTT 129.95
kona 144.52
chef mickey 104.95
1900 PF 74.97
5 lunches daily 305
snack 2.50 pp/day 88
dinners @ c/s 150

This would be 1144.01 with taxes and the tips at TS

Or on the DDP we could eat:
ltt 129.95
kona 156.5
chef mickey 104.95
1900 pf 74.97
marrakesh 166.8
gfc 121.55
castle 33.99 (1 adult only)
TeppanEdo 87 (3 of us)
cali grill 99 (2 of us)
lunches+ desserts 400
snacks 88

All for 1134.65 + 175 in estimated tips..1209.65. The value of the meals on my list is 1685.16 (that includes the 175 tips too).

So for (DDP cost) 1209.65- 1144.01 (oop estimate) + 175 (tips)
we are spending 246.43 over what we would have done without the DDP


BUT...WE ARE EATING AT
marrakesh
gfc
castle
teppanEdo
cali grill
for those meals instead of c/s places.
I estimate those meals to be worth 508.34

A grand total savings of 261.91.

So...Is spending 246 worth the extra money and planning?

IT IS TO US!!! But it might not be to everyone.

 

[Lehuaann]

Thanks Tinker*Shell*Bell! That really opens my eyes up a lot more! I went last year on the ddp, LOVED IT! This year I was concerned about the value, tips, etc. We have always been big tippers and often gave more last year although it was already included. This years ddp has me thinking a lot more~Thanks!

9/07 Fort Wilderness Resort/Cabin

 

[racefanof88]

I would love opinions on our choice of restaurants. I have such picky eaters that I have changed restaurants so many times. We are on the basic dining plan and this is our first time on the plan and we want to have a good time. Soooooooooooooooo here are our restaurants.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Cheesecake Factory Express
The Plaza Restaurant Dinner
Crystal Palace Character Breakfast (eaten here before)
Kona Cafe lunch
Mama Melrose's lunch
Planet Hollywood Lunch

I would love opinions of what ya'll think of these places.

 

[bicker]

Has anyone heard if Disney plans to make any changes to DDP for 2009, like giving you a choice between appie or dessert????

We won't hear about such changes, assuming there would be any, until mid-summer at the earliest, when the 2009 MYW packages are announced. I wouldn't count of it if I were you.

 

[bicker]

Where's the value?

It is important to keep in mind that the Dining Plan is now a pre-payment plan, not a discount plan. It provides value comparable to paying out-of-pocket, on average, if you utilize all it offers. YMMV.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sales tax is included, but tips are not except when using two credits at Cinderella's royal table.

CRT (2 credits), dinner shows (2 credits) and in-room dining (2 credits) are the only meals that include the tip.

 

[dismiss]

Are the adult credit and child credits listed seperately? for both TS and CS?
Thanks for any info

 

[TDC Nala]

It's against Disney policy to use child credits to order adult meals at either TS or CS.

The TS credits are separated.

 

[Tricia1972]

Are the adult credit and child credits listed seperately? for both TS and CS?
Thanks for any info

TS credits are listed separately and CS credits are not listed separately.

 

[bicker]

To be clear, the number of adults and the number of children is clearly listed separately in a legend on your Keys to the Kingdom passes; they appear like this: 2A2C (for two adults, two children). The TS credits are accounted for separately, in the POS systems, while the separation of CS credits between adults and children in asserted by CMs, by visually comparing the legend (2A2C) to the meals being ordered.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Sales tax is included, but tips are not except when using two credits at Cinderella's royal table.

tips are included?

 

[kaytieeldr]

At CRT and the dinner shows, yes - because the cost of the meal includes both tax and tip for every diner.

 

[appleseed1]

Sorry, new to this ... can someone please advise on what the deluxe package costs?

Thx.

 

[Cherinva]

We have just planning a trip to WDW (2 adults, and our daughter 6) in June 08. We are statying at All Star Movies and have also booked the DDP. Initially I booked the DDP for convenienmce and budget purposes. Having discoverd these discussion boards, and read pages of comments I am now even more confused and worried that we will not get complete value and eat where we want. Therefore is it possible that someone would be kind enough to assist with the following.
a) If I must make reservations at for table service restaurants - where do I get the contact numbers etc.
b) We are staying for a week -Where must we eat to get the best experience.
c) Is it inly single credits that are used for charcater dining
d) is charter dining in different locations to the 'main' retsurants.

Thanks in adavance

We were there last year and stayed at the Movies Resort. It was fabulous. The number for the dinning is WDW-Dine for all. Or, you can call the main number for Disney and they can connect you to the dinning reservations. Be advised to book as early as you can as they only take so many per hour. The character meals, I think are the best, especially if you have children. Crystal Palace is great, as is the Liberty Tree Tavern. You will get plenty of food so don't worry. In fact, none of us were able to finish what we had. Most character meals only require 1 credit per person, unless you eat somewhere like Cinderella's Royal Table (which we are doing this years trip) I hope this helps. Have a wonderful time.

 

[bdiddy]

We are planning our first trip this fall hopefully using the free DDP if offered.

My question is for children under 3 yrs old. Our son will be 2.5 and I'm assuming he will just eat off of our plates, correct? Do they give you any trouble about that or is that the reason guests under 3 don't have to pay?

What about in a buffet situation? Can I actually go up and get a small plate of items for him or do I have to get the plate for my 4 yr old or myself and then pull stuff off of it to feed him?

Thanks!

 

[kurt33]

We went last summer and we just got our daughter (1.5) a plate. Everyone understands the drill and few places make an issue of how the little ones eat.

We are thinking of going again and wondering if the DDP is worth it now that the tip is not included.?

 

[garada3]

Are either of the dining plans worth purchasing for plain-food, picky eaters aged 14, 12 and 10? All are considered adults for dining

They can eat adult portions of food they like but I really don't want to eat burgers or chicken fingers for 10 days. The kids claim that there is nothing that they will eat at places DH and I want to dine at

Anyone with advice or experience with a similar situation?

Thanks so much!

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't say whether the DDP is a good value for you or not.

I can tell you that I sometimes pick restaurants that my kids "hate". When the time comes, I tell them that if they are hungry, they are welcome to order something. If they would rather not eat what is on that menu, they are welcome to wait until the next meal to eat, or use some of their souvenir money on a snack later. Usually, they manage to find something they can choke down.

However, I am known to be the meanest dad on the planet.