****2008 Ddp FAQ****

[Disneydreamer5]

Free DDP in 2008

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Hi all, some of you may remember me and I was suppose to be heading to Disney last year in Sept for Free Dinning until my hubby was hurt on the job.
Anyway he has had surgery and with a lot of hope and many prayers we are hopeful that he will be back on track and to work in May.
I am trying to plan a trip for sometime in August so as not to have the kids miss any school, our oldest will be starting college this Sept.
I was just curious if anyone has heard any news either way as to if Disney will be offering the free dinning again this year.
This as you can imagine will be a major deciding factor as to when we go, if we go and where we will stay.
Any news would be helpful.
Thanks all
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[LizinSTL]

The price per person for the meal plan in the current 2008 DDP brochure does not include tax; I don't know what the Florida meal tax is, but that percentage is added to the total cost per person and is charged as part of your package.
I know it's a struggle to decide if it's worth it.
Our family really saving a lot of money, and went to some great restaurants (LeCellier, Boma, 'Ohana), and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. But, we were willing to take that time away from the park each day to relax at dinner.
Some people might want to keep on touring the parks - especially if it's during a busy season - and only eat semi-quick counter service meals.
It's really something you just need to think about , but don't over stress, you don't want to burn out before you get to disney! Have fun on your trip

I believe you are mistaken. The price for adults on the regular DDP in 2008 is 37.99 and for kids 3-9 is 9.99. There is no additional tax charged on that. It does, however, include the tax on your food when you order it.

If a family of 4 (2 A, 2 C ) is staying at WDW for 7 days/6 nights. Their total additional cost to add the DDP to their package will be 575.76. As a comparison, their OOP cost for ONE dinner at Chef Mickeys would be $87.29 or 6 such meals would be $523.72. (tax included) On top of that, they'd still have their 24 CS meals and 24 snacks to use over the course of their 7 day vacation.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Hello. My dad has asked me a question that I cannot seem to find an answer on, although I may have missed it as I read through this thread. If I did, I apologize for asking again. My mom and dad are thinking of trying the DDP (they are DVC Members), but they very much enjoy appetizers, salads, and wine or after dinner drink with their meals. They are AP holders with DDE. My dad wants to know if they can use their DDE card/discount for the items that are not covered under the DDP. I hope that makes sense. Again, I apologize if this has been answered previously. Thank you.

 

[bicker]

That has been the case in the past.

 

[ckotcamp]

I'm planning a vacation to Disney and I did the dining plan last year for my July trip and it was amazing and it really helped on costs. My mom pays for me and my girlfriend to go to Disney on the dining plan but I'm worried that since I need to leave tips that I won't be able to afford it since let's face it, TS dinners usually cost a lot. Is the whole dining plan still worth the value?

 

[bicker]

The Dining Plan is now best viewed as a dining pre-payment plan. It is no longer a discount plan.

 

[s&k'smom]

Forgive me if any of this is repeated, DD had me up at 3am! But with Mr. Bush's rebate coming (hopefully) I'm thinking will put a big fat deposit on a plan so anyhow here are my simple questions.

So I get the dining plan for me, DH, DS (12) DD (7). From what it sounds like it's more like prepaying for dining instead actually saving anything?

You get one TS, one CS, and snack? And if you say go to the Poly show it's two table credit's or something show like that?

What else might be included in that one day, the reason I ask is we tend to it breakfast in the room, CS lunch and TS dinner.

Again I'm really sorry if this is redundant but I got to wait till the kids go to school before I can catch up on sleep!!

 

[Elvis33]

Subbing. Still trying to get a handle on 2008. We loved it in 2006.

 

[irene_dsc]

Forgive me if any of this is repeated, DD had me up at 3am! But with Mr. Bush's rebate coming (hopefully) I'm thinking will put a big fat deposit on a plan so anyhow here are my simple questions.

So I get the dining plan for me, DH, DS (12) DD (7). From what it sounds like it's more like prepaying for dining instead actually saving anything?

You get one TS, one CS, and snack? And if you say go to the Poly show it's two table credit's or something show like that?

What else might be included in that one day, the reason I ask is we tend to it breakfast in the room, CS lunch and TS dinner.

Again I'm really sorry if this is redundant but I got to wait till the kids go to school before I can catch up on sleep!!

How much you save depends on how you use it, and you have to consider also whether you would've ordered the same things if you didn't have it, and whether you would've, say, skipped a couple of TS meals. Certain things work out very well, like kid buffets - they pay for the entire day by themselves.

We tended to do the same thing as you - ordered groceries for breakfast in the room (plus used a few snack credits in the parks), CS lunch, and TS dinner. Most of our snacks were used for ice cream, and we had some left over, tho partly because at first, we weren't using them for cheap stuff, like an extra milk for dd.

We didn't do any 2 TS meals, partly because none really seemed that appealing to me with our group, and partly to keep that one TS per day. If we had done a 2 TS meal/show, we would've probably ended up paying OOP for CS, tho we did somehow end up with a couple extra CS credits anyhow, due to a couple times of shared meals.

Also, remember that (assuming you tip appropriately), you WILL spend more in tips if you order the most expensive item available via the DDP. (You should be tipping on what you would have paid if you had paid individually, just like if you had a coupon.)

Clear as mud now??

 

[s&k'smom]

Oh Lord it is confusing isn't it? If only we could tip ourselves I think it would be worth it, frankly if it's bad service you should be able to tip appropriately but in the same frame if their is exceptional service I like to give a great tip.

 

[alindsaym]

My travel agent told me 18% was automatic and I thought I read on Disney's website that it was only charged for parties of 6 or more. I don't want to be cheap but don't know if I want it automatically charged either!

 

[mcmeekin]

My travel agent told me 18% was automatic and I thought I read on Disney's website that it was only charged for parties of 6 or more. I don't want to be cheap but don't know if I want it automatically charged either!

I'm curious if the tip is automatic even without a DDP or DDE? We have 4 kids and will always be a party of at least 6.

 

[bicker]

Yes, the gratuity for parties of six or more is automatic regardless of how you are paying for your meal.

 

[bltz]

... at least we should have the choice! I'm shocked by this considering everything in the media about how obese America is and our children... and the skyrocketing rates of Type 2 Diabetes.

I feel very strongly that the person should get to choose whether they want an appetizer OR a dessert. Would anyone else agree???

I completely agree. More because i adore the aps, but i'm not big on the desserts.

 

[bicker]

Of course, if fighting obesity is the priority, the best choice is to forgo both extra courses.

 

[Tricia1972]

My travel agent told me 18% was automatic and I thought I read on Disney's website that it was only charged for parties of 6 or more. I don't want to be cheap but don't know if I want it automatically charged either!

Automatic gratuity does not apply for parties of 5 or less unless you are using the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) Discount card. Otherwise parties of 5 or less who are on the DDP or paying OOP may tip at their discretion.

 

[roryc]

I'm wondering if it's possible to have basic dining packages for my 2 children and Nanny, but Deluxe Dining for my husband and myself?

 

[jjohnson]

I'm wondering if it's possible to have basic dining packages for my 2 children and Nanny, but Deluxe Dining for my husband and myself?

The only way I can think of doing this would be 2 rooms with seperate reservations.

 

[tinkz18]

I had heard that you were no longer allowed to box of donuts & 1/2 gallons of milk on the DDP as a snack. Is this true? Sorry if I missed this somewhere it is alot of info to go through. Has anyone been there this year & tried to get any of those?

 

[jjohnson]

It's true. Check the snack sticky at the top of this board for updates.