2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[Poohbear67]

I am very sad. I spent about 2 hours on hold this a.m. hoping to swap my bounce-back rate at the AKL for the FREE DDP. It's $100 more expensive to get the FREE DDP... I couldn't even believe it. I guess I'll stick with the bounce-back rate. I was soo looking forward to a better deal... Ay yi yi...

it might be a 100.00 more expensive but with paying $$ for food out of your own pocket might be more expensive. I guess it all depends on how many is in your party, if you just eat at cs, and how long you are staying.

Just a thought, hopefully everything will work out in the end.

 

[DaParkers]

It might be a $100.00 more expensive, but, paying for food out of your own pocket might be more expensive.

I was thinking the same thing. You'll probably spend more than $100 on food if you have to pay.

 

[Poohbear67]

I was thinking the same thing. You'll probably spend more than $100 on food if you have to pay.

how many are in your party?

lets break it down

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

oh shall we not forget snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Let see if you go do one TS meal that would pay for the extra 100.00 you would pay for the whole trip with free dining but this year you do have to pay your tip, now thats a bummer.

Good Luck and which ever way you go and have a wonderful Vacation. OH what are you dates??

I will be there Sept. 6th - 14th at POP

 

[DaParkers]

how many are in your party?

lets break it down

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

oh shall we not forget snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Let see if you go do one TS meal that would pay for the extra 100.00 you would pay for the whole trip with free dining but this year you do have to pay your tip, now thats a bummer.

Good Luck and which ever way you go and have a wonderful Vacation. OH what are you dates??

I will be there Sept. 6th - 14th at POP

You're talking to thomascaldwell1, right?

 

[Poohbear67]

You're talking to thomascaldwell1, right?

OOPs how did that happen. So sorry Yes I was.

 

[perfectparanoia]

I am really anal about these things so I actually went to all ears and looked at what I would eat if I were not on the Dining Plan and added up the parts that would be included in the plan to see if it would save me money or not. It was a lot of work but gave me some peace of mind.

Turns out it does so we got the plan.

Probably wouldn't be the case if I didn't love the sit down restaurants at WDW so much...

 

[Poohbear67]

I am really anal about these things so I actually went to all ears and looked at what I would eat if I were not on the Dining Plan and added up the parts that would be included in the plan to see if it would save me money or not. It was a lot of work but gave me some peace of mind.

Turns out it does so we got the plan.

Probably wouldn't be the case if I didn't love the sit down restaurants at WDW so much...

When are you dates??

 

[Disneydreamer5]

SADLY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOK ANYTHING FOR FREE DINNING FOR A FEW WEEKS, IF AT ALL. MY DH HAS TO WAIT AND SEE IF HE CAN GET THE WEEK OFF THAT WE WANT, LAST WEEK IN AUGUST.
I AM JUST WNDERING, WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT POR BUT HAS ANYONE EVER WAITED ON BOOKING AND THEN NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE RESORT THEY WANTED, AND DISNEY OFFERED YOU A FREE UPGRADE?.
WE HAVE ONLY BEEN TO DISNEY ONCE AND STAYED VALUE AND WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO LAST SEPTEMBER AND WERE SUPPOSE TO STAY CBR BUT HAD TO CANCEL. WE WOULD RATHER NOT STAY VALUE AGAIN BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD DELUX AS WE NEED 2 ROOMS AND WE PREFER RESORTS OVER CONDO.VILLAS, JUST CURIOUS IF DISNEY HAS EVER OFFERED TO UPGRADE FOR ANYONE IN THIS CASE.
THANKS ALL.

 

[DaParkers]

SADLY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOOK ANYTHING FOR FREE DINNING FOR A FEW WEEKS, IF AT ALL. MY DH HAS TO WAIT AND SEE IF HE CAN GET THE WEEK OFF THAT WE WANT, LAST WEEK IN AUGUST.
I AM JUST WNDERING, WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT POR BUT HAS ANYONE EVER WAITED ON BOOKING AND THEN NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE RESORT THEY WANTED, AND DISNEY OFFERED YOU A FREE UPGRADE?.
WE HAVE ONLY BEEN TO DISNEY ONCE AND STAYED VALUE AND WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO LAST SEPTEMBER AND WERE SUPPOSE TO STAY CBR BUT HAD TO CANCEL. WE WOULD RATHER NOT STAY VALUE AGAIN BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD DELUX AS WE NEED 2 ROOMS AND WE PREFER RESORTS OVER CONDO.VILLAS, JUST CURIOUS IF DISNEY HAS EVER OFFERED TO UPGRADE FOR ANYONE IN THIS CASE.
THANKS ALL.

I don't know about upgrades, but I will say this. I use AAA as my travel agency. I am a member, but you don't have to be to use them. You get a lot of perks. Diamond parking and some other stuff. I'm saying this because I have gotten my agent to put a package on hold for me several times. Other TA's probably do the same thing. They book a room for you, but you have 2 weeks to make up your mind. There is no penalty for cancelling and no money needed up front. And if you decide to go, you pay your deposit at that time, not before. I did this last year the day after free dining came out. It guaranteed me a room, just in case we decided to go. When I went back in 2 weeks later to pay my deposit, Pop was sold out for my dates. It was a ood thing that I did that because we really wanted to stay at POP. I'm thinking that about 2 weeks before you'll know if you can go or not, you do this. Then if you can, you already have your room. If not, no big deal, just let them know that you won't be going.

 

[perfectparanoia]

May 1-12. Just hubby and me for ten days.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I don't know about upgrades, but I will say this. I use AAA as my travel agency. I am a member, but you don't have to be to use them. You get a lot of perks. Diamond parking and some other stuff. I'm saying this because I have gotten my agent to put a package on hold for me several times. Other TA's probably do the same thing. They book a room for you, but you have 2 weeks to make up your mind. There is no penalty for cancelling and no money needed up front. And if you decide to go, you pay your deposit at that time, not before. I did this last year the day after free dining came out. It guaranteed me a room, just in case we decided to go. When I went back in 2 weeks later to pay my deposit, Pop was sold out for my dates. It was a ood thing that I did that because we really wanted to stay at POP. I'm thinking that about 2 weeks before you'll know if you can go or not, you do this. Then if you can, you already have your room. If not, no big deal, just let them know that you won't be going.

Do you get any special extras/perks by booking through aaa?

 

[DaParkers]

Do you get any special extras/perks by booking through aaa?

AAA Vacations® Diamond Card
All AAA Vacations® packages to the Walt Disney World® Resort include the exclusive AAA Vacations® Diamond Card that provides special savings at participating locations through the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Disney’s Story Time Experience
When you purchase a Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining, Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining or a Magic Your Way Premium or Platinum package, you can enjoy Disney’s Story Time, an exclusive storytelling experience with a character from a classic Disney animated feature. This intimate story time takes place in the Expo Hall Theater in the Town Square Exposition Hall in the Magic Kingdom® Park. The Disney Character reads a classic tale then takes times to greet each visitor for picture-taking and autographs. (Advance reservations, reservation voucher and valid theme park admission required; seating is limited and subject to availability)

AAA Diamond Parking
Convenient preferred parking spaces within walking distance to the main entrance of all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks (subject to availability, voucher required, block-out dates apply)

AAA Vacations® keepsake luggage tag (one per person)

Must See l Must Do l How to Guide
A 40-page, full color booklet, packed with everything from Theme Park maps and children’s activities, to tours, Disney Character Dining and special tips to make your stay the most magical ever!

Hertz® Rental Car Upgrade
Ask your AAA Travel Professional about an upgrade opportunity on selected Hertz® rentals (restrictions apply)

 

[ilovecountry]

I have a question that I'm confused about (it's actually more of a what do I do?) It's just some friends & me and we getting a package & it just has the basic DDP. We were told we can upgrade for the week to the Delux DP for around 200. It seems like the difference is, an appetizer, an extra snack, and a mug? We weren't on the DDP last trip we made & I'm trying to figure out exactly if it would be worth it to upgrade- 10-1 says we're buying the mug anyway, we'll want another snack, appetizer (we stuck to buffets to cut cost so I'm not sure lol, I'm sure we'd love to try them I guess though) Is that really worth the 200 extra though? I'm trying to calculate everything by looking through prices & I can't really figure out if it's just worth it to spend the extra money for any extras I want. Is the Delux are better deal than the regular DDP?

*One other thing that we we're stressing about is, my father called to help me figure out some of the planning & they told him it'd be a better deal if my friends & I just stayed in seperate rooms. We feel kind of strange being by ourselves in different rooms but all I seem to see is the only difference being the Planet Hollywood certificate. Has anyone heard anything like that?

 

[DaParkers]

It seems like the difference is, an appetizer, an extra snack, and a mug?[/

Basic DDP has 2 meals(1 TS and 1 CS) and 1 snack.Both meals also comes with dessert, but no appetizer..

Deluxe DDP has 3 meals and 2 snacks. Appetizers and dessert are included. And, with the deluxe, you can eat any combination of CS and TS. It can be all TS if you'd like.

 

[ilovecountry]

Basic DDP has 2 meals(1 TS and 1 CS) and 1 snack.Both meals also comes with dessert, but no appetizer..

Deluxe DDP has 3 meals and 2 snacks. Appetizers and dessert are included. And, with the deluxe, you can eat any combination of CS and TS. It can be all TS if you'd like.

Thank you. I didn't know it was 3 meals. I know this sounds so stupid but I how does that work restaurant wise? Can you do 2 table & one counter? Is there a thread that talks about the delux as well, I've tried searching but the thing never works for me. I feel like a dummy asking questions about something so simple lol

 

[DaParkers]

Thank you. I didn't know it was 3 meals. I know this sounds so stupid but how does that work, is it 2 CS & 1 TS? *the delux does sound better now lol

Your choice. It's ANY combination of CS and TS. You eat at your discretion. It just depends on what you want.

 

[Mickey02]

I am sure this has been posted before on this thread but to save time can someone give me a list or direct me to a list of places that requires 2-TS??

 

[kdzgon]

I am sure this has been posted before on this thread but to save time can someone give me a list or direct me to a list of places that requires 2-TS??

www.allearsnet.com Dining Plan Restaurants

 

[Mickey02]

www.allearsnet.com Dining Plan Restaurants

Thank You!

 

[MSUdawg]

Hi, does anyone know if the Disney Dining Plan restaurants are now checking IDs when you use the dining points for the restaurants? They didn't do this in 2007, but I heard it's new for 2008?

Thanks!