2009 DDP changes?

[Jrpbabe2003]

I would like to plan a trip for 2009, but really do not like the new dining plan. Does anyone think there will be changes to it for next year?

 

[TDC Nala]

No way to know until an announcement is made by Disney. However, the current dining plan is still quite popular and may not be changed.

 

[asmit4]

I doubt it will be changed to the consumers liking. As it stands, most of us want a choice btwn appie and dessert. However, allowing this means that turnover in the restaurants will be slower, less people = less $$ for DW. I would doubt they would change this.

Also, including the tip back is once again a $$ issue. No way they will change that. Most people are buying the plan anyway so DW has no incentive to change it back.

 

[mdoc]

My guess is that changes, if any, will be of the negative variety. I agree with the prior poster that they're not going to give a choice of appetizer or dessert or include the tip again without a substantial increase in price, and I don't see them doing that.

 

[WishesQueen]

You know what I was hoping????

I was hoping you could purchase the DP more specifically, like the park passes.

I was thinking you could purchase the amount of TSs and CSs you would need. I don't think tip will ever be included again, but at least you could pre pay exactly what you need.

Just a thought!!

 

[PezDSpencer]

Here's my prob. with the current plan involving the tip. I like to pay this in advance so there is nothing to exchange at the meal. I would not even mind paying a bit more up front if Disney would include the Gratuity back in there.

Why not have a DDP+ that includes appetizer, dessert, and tip for an additional fee?

 

[asmit4]

I would really like that option too. If they had to increase the cost by even 10 or 15.00 per adult, I'd still pay it. It's a matter of convenience. Figure an appie is maybe 7, and tip on dinner is perhaps 8 per person (given a $40 meal).

 

[TDC Nala]

I would really like that option too. If they had to increase the cost by even 10 or 15.00 per adult, I'd still pay it. It's a matter of convenience. Figure an appie is maybe 7, and tip on dinner is perhaps 8 per person (given a $40 meal).

The Deluxe Dining plan includes appetizers but not tips and is priced at $69.99 per adult per night.

Exactly how much would you want to pay for appetizers and tips?

 

[asmit4]

The deluxe also includes 3 table service meals, hence the high cost.

I would pay an extra 15.00 per adult. That would include an average of 7 for the appetizer, and 8.00 for the tip for the 1 TS meal allowed on the basic plan. (figuring 40.00 per person dinner)

 

[TDC Nala]

The deluxe also includes 3 table service meals, hence the high cost.

I would pay an extra 15.00 per adult. That would include an average of 7 for the appetizer, and 8.00 for the tip for the 1 TS meal allowed on the basic plan. (figuring 40.00 per person dinner)

It MAY include three table service meals. And if Disney wanted to include tips on anything, it would have been on the deluxe plan. I don't believe Disney is interested in paying the guest's tips for them anymore. They're making plenty of money selling their two plans with the guests paying their own tips. I would not look for the tip being reinstated. If they make any changes because guests requested it, it will be to the courses (the long-demanded choice between appetizer and dessert, which will result in the slower turnaround and in more guests being unable to obtain reservations) or allowing the inclusion of an appetizer instead of the dessert, if they believe that more guests prefer the appetizer. (Personally, I don't believe they will do either of these).

 

[JeffZ]

How does giving a customer choice between Appetizer or Dessert affect "turnaround" or "turnover" in restaurants? What does it matter if I eat something before my main entree or after it? Doesn't that take an equal amount of time? Not being in the restaurant biz --I guess I'm missing the logic.

 

[asmit4]

Jeff, 4 people go to dinner....

2 of them order appies, and 2 order dessert, figure on 15 minutes per course....That's 30 minutes.

4 people go to dinner....
ALL order dessert, NONE order appies....that's 15 minutes. They figure that if they don't allow the choice, people will be less likely to order appies, all get dessert and they can flip tables 15 minutes quicker.

More butts in seats means more $$$ for DW.

 

[dementia412]

Also cakes and such take a lot less time to prepare. Appetizers have to be cooked when ordered while desesrts can be made well in advance. When ordered you just stick it on a plate add some sauce or ice cream, and it is ready to be served. For the most part at least.

I do wish they would let you prepay grts... just make a ddp plus which incudes grats. It would cost between ddp and dx. I hate the idea of prepaying but still having to bring money for grats.... just a pain.

 

[WishesQueen]

I wonder how Disney employees REALLY feel about the tips not being automatic??? I wonder if their lossing out or making out????

 

[TDC Nala]

Some of the effect of the included tip removal may be offset by the automatic gratuity added to the bills of all parties of six or more. (Before 2008, this applied to parties of 8 or more.) It'll depend on how many servers are regularly being stiffed by parties of 5 or less.