2009 Dining Plan

[DVC Sadie]

DVC Sadie,

You will still need your key card as that has the dining plan credits on it.

at myself. I am on painkillers right now and I shouldn't be allowed to post!

 

[DVC Sadie]

Agreed...that would bring the cost up to about 44/pp. If they added in the appy like many want, they could add on maybe another 5 bucks or so. I see 50 as right on.

When are we going to find out the truth???? Did they roll it out the first week of Aug last year?

I agree! I just don't see the regular DP to include appetizers due to both the cost and table turnover.

 

[DVC Sadie]

And it's my opinion - I do this but apparently many people do - that one should carry SOME cash in case of emergencies. If transportation goes down and you can't get back to your resort, and you need a taxi, what are you going to pay them with?

Yeah, that does happen - it happened to me once. I was able to wait until Disney scheduled alternate transportation, but what if you couldn't wait?

I do carry cash with me all of the time, especially since I take a lot of taxis while I'm at WDW.

I think that the DP would be better if they raised the prices to include the tip so no one has to debate the whole tip or only tip for excellent service mantra.

 

[ekatiel]

Just wondering where you guys are seeing the 25 pounds number for the DDP next year. I went to the link the PP posted, and pretended to book an "inclusive flight holiday" and here's what I found:

2008 2009
Adult (12+) Child (3-11) Adult (12+) Child (3-11)
Disney Dining plan £19.99 £5.99 £19.99 £5.99
Disney Deluxe Dining plan £36.99 £10.99 £36.99 £10.99

Anyhow, from where ever their site took me after pretending to book a vacation next May, the DDP price looks the same in 2009.

 

[Mamalisa58]

I found the servers to be extremely pushy and bold about the tip not being included. I found the server at Mama Melrose down right rude about it. The server at ESPN told us about the tip took our order and NEVER checked back with us for refills on our pop. He went so far as to go the long way around behind us to get to the tables beyond our table. I had to wave him down as he passed behind our table to get a refill. Either way he did not deserve a 20% tip. I also resent that they print at the bottom what an 18% 20% etc tip would be on your bill. Do your job and you will get a more than fair tip in return.

 

[TDC Nala]

And if the tip were included, you'd be tipping him 18% no matter what he did... although you prepaid the tip.

 

[Tink3Bell]

Basic Dining Plan

Hopefully:
Choice of either appetizer or dessert and tip included.
Price
$5/person Extra


Actual - No change. $5/person per person

 

[Vility]

As a mother of two small children I want the ddp for the easy of not having to fuss of pulling out money.
If I have to pay tip then what is the point of getting the meal plan?

We would chose the meal plan if it would make our Disney experience an all-exclusive event.
I don't understand why they would have taken the tip out?
Having to pay tip takes away from the magical experience.
I would rather pay in advance and just not have to think anymore about money other then buying my children souvenirs.

 

[Rowaena]

Talking to the servers when I was down there in April. They were not happy at all about this. Everyone of them told us to call and complain about it. Not one was happy with the tip not being included.

Back when the tip was included they were at least guaranteed to get paid, and sometimes got double tipped by people who did not realize the grat was already in there.

Another issue we tend to forget is that although tipping is customary in the US, it is not customary everywhere, and there are some visitors to WDW who just don't pay the server, or who pay them too little. They do not care about nor understand the tax system, or that the server is expected to pay taxes (and in some restaurants, tip out busboys, bartenders, and others) based on the meal price - regardless of whether or not you actually tip the server.

 

[MinnieMom73]

Wow, this whole thread is so interesting! We are booked for October, but I am starting to wonder if we might want to push our trip back to January 2009 now that the reality of our 45 day balance is coming due.. I think the DDP changes might just be the final deciding factor.

 

[englishrose47]

The changes are already posted by the Brits:

This is available to book for any booking departing from 11 January 2009 onwards.

The new Quick Service Dining Plan is in addition to the current Dining Plan and Deluxe Dining Plan.

Please Note:

These prices include 2 Quick Service meals and 2 snacks per person per day.

1 Refillable Resort Cup per person (can only be used in hotel where guests are staying, NOT in any Theme Parks).


So there will be 3 plans:
Quick Service: 2 snack,2CS and a mug. $28.00
"Normal " DDP: CS, Snack, mug ts with appy and tip
DxDDp Same as now with appy and tip

Appy and tip are back but prices are up. 50ish for the DDP and I think 90 for DxDDP>

I knew I had read exactly what you are saying about the basic ddp ! I didnot know a mug was included , but you know it would make sense as I think they are upping it to $50 a day but if I figure correctlyon a buffet dinner alone that is close to $30 with tax and that is prolly one of the cheaper TS meals you would pay roughly $5 in tip making it $35 add in Cs meal and a snax and $50 isn't bad . Now you also get a free mugvalue of which depends on length os stay but I like it !!

 

[LadyOmega]

Purely speculation, of course, but the DDP light (CS ddp) would have an average value of $25 to the customer (2 ave. CS meals and 2 ave. snacks.) Charging much more than $25 would have no value to the customer.

I mean, you could maximize the value with some locations but the most you'll pay at theme park locations for 2 CS meals and 2 snacks in a day would be about $30 or so.

.

Regarding my $28/pp guess you quoted:
I basically made that guess based on the rumour that the counter service DDP will also include one refillable mug per person, as well as the items you mentioned. If it doesn't include the mugs, then no it wouldn't be a good value at $28/pp, but I suspect it will.

Anyway, shouldn't be long now!

 

[yitbos96bb]

Talking to the servers when I was down there in April. They were not happy at all about this. Everyone of them told us to call and complain about it. Not one was happy with the tip not being included.

I'm torn on this... On one hand, eliminating the tipping really hurt the value of this plan... it went from a no brainer for us to a "I think the DDE is a better value" than the Deluxe Plan (the basic was a non-starter) ... on the other hand, while not ALL servers did this, MANY of the servers we encountered really gave us mediocre to bad service. My Artist Point waiter was so god awful, I actually talked to the manager... something I was appalled to see at Artist Point. I did have good service... Our Cali Grill was great, Jiko was wonderful (the wine the waiter/sommelier recommended was amazing and one of the lesser priced ones on the menu) and despite it being Christmas Eve, we had excellent service at Coral Reef (although based on some reviews on here, my expectations were low to begin with... but then again, between working as a Bartender, working at Disney and going to A LOT of restaurants of various calibers from no stars to 5 stars, I know the difference between what SHOULD be done and SHOULDN'T) and of course V and A's (which added 18% automatically due to using the DDE) was absolutely wonderful... I think I gave the two waiters a 30% tip, it was such a fantastic experience.

So that's my biggest issue.... the value of the tip being included is AWESOME, but there are a LOT of bad waiters at Disney who just coast when the tip is added automatically...

 

[ccfmioa]

The automatic gratuity will not be present again until at least 2011, unless the union agrees to allow it. The servers at WDW are represented by Unite here local 737 and are paid a minimum of $3.80/hr. In the previous contract that ended in 2007 the gratuity card that was previously given to you with your bill was removed Jan 1, 2006. Thus giving the dining plan with gratuity included. I have a big feeling that caused an uproar in the union. So.. The union contract for 2008-2010 states that as of Jan 1, 2008.

"Gratuities/Fees

1. Effective January 1, 2008 Gratuities will be paid on food and beverage totals only. Gratuities will not be paid on miscellaneous pricing, including but not limited to merchandise, entertainment, (excluding Spirit of Aloha, Hoop-Dee-Doo, and Character Dining restaurants, where entertainment is included in the price), house charges, imaging, etc. Merchandise will only be included in the total food and beverage price for the purpose of gratuity calculation if the Server is required by the Company to handle and deliver merchandise items to the guest as part of the Guest’s dining experience. Gratuities will not be paid on autograph books, pens and disposable cameras.
2. The eighteen percent (18%) automatic gratuity for all new and existing package plans, to include the Disney Dining Plan, will be eliminated effective January 1, 2008.
3. Should the Company decide to reinstate package plans with automatic gratuity included, the parties agree the terms of the addendum expiring on April, 28, 2007 will remain in effect.
4. An automatic gratuity of eighteen percent (18%) will be added for supplemental food and beverage purchased at prepaid venues (i.e., Spirit of Aloha, Hoop-Dee-Doo, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Princess Tea, Special Pre-paid events such as New Year’s Eve at California Grill).
5. A guaranteed three percent (3%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
6. A guaranteed three percent (3%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
7. A guaranteed two percent (2%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2010 through the end of the 2007 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
8. The Company agrees to negotiate with the Union, the application of the automatic gratuity for any future pre-paid venues, for the life of this agreement.
9. Where there are menu boards available, the verbiage “Gratuity Not Included’ will be added to the menu boards, by September 30, 2007, at outside bar locations in Disney’s MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, the Margarita Bar at Downtown Disney, and pool bars.
10. A three dollar ($3.00) fee will be paid for delivery of Private Dining amenities.
11. An automatic eighteen percent (18%) will be added for food and beverage purchased from the Golf Carts, Pizza Delivery and Private Dining.
12. It is the Company's understanding that when a business requires their guests to pay a Pre-determined charge, which is given to employees of the business, the charges are considered a service charge. Furthermore, service charges are not considered a tip, but rather, are wages paid by the employer. Consequently, the tax code requires the Company to withhold taxes on all service charges. "

So it looks like the union busted the gratuity included, and is actually causing a price increase of the meal to off set those that do not get tipped.

And those that are on the Dining Plan are already being "charged" a service fee for the retail value of the meal. But still understand. That 3% is still less than the minimum wage even with the hourly pay.


Disney will just have to be creative to find new ways to make that last dollar from us. The counter service plan seems to be fitting the gap for those with AP's and those who don't wish to use TS resturants.

As far as price increases... yeah I'm betting even with a recession, we'll see some sort of increase.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Either way he did not deserve a 20% tip. I also resent that they print at the bottom what an 18% 20% etc tip would be on your bill. Do your job and you will get a more than fair tip in return.

First, the best time to address a service problem is while the problem is occurring (vs. when the check comes) so it can be corrected - even if it means getting up and finding a manager on your own. Also, the waiter in question did not GET a 20% tip, he - if the OP did not take reasonable steps to have it adjusted - got 18%.
As for resentment over the pre-calculated tip amounts printed at the bottom of the bill, it is (a) a courtesy to assist diners in determining the actual dollars-and-cents amount to tip; (b) a gentle reminder to diners not accustomed to tipping; and (c) not an option for the servers to print or not. It's on every table/buffet service check, and that decision was made and programmed by Disney management.

We would chose the meal plan if it would make our Disney experience an all-exclusive event.
I don't understand why they would have taken the tip out?
Having to pay tip takes away from the magical experience.

But not getting tipped takes away from the magical experience of working at Walt Disney World in a field customarily considered a tipped position. To understand why Disney placed responsibility for the tip on DDP users, you would need to go back about eleven months on the DISboards and read the threads on this subject, or talk to Disney management.
Also, Disney is not an all-inclusive vacation; it's many different vacations to many people. To the best of my knowledge, there are no all-inclusive resorts anywhere in existence with over twenty thousand rooms.
You want it to be an all-inclusive vacation; that guy over there wants to drive up for the weekend with his wife; this family over here plans to camp out at Fort Wilderness for a month; this other person is spending a week at the Grand Floridian.

So it looks like the union busted the gratuity included,

At the risk of opening an old argument - NOT my intention - Disney presented the change in the DDP tipping as a non-negotiable item in the contract negotiations; the union members (of which food service represents only a small fraction) then voted to accept the contract. Remember, unions don't write contracts; business owners do, and unions negotiate the conditions from the contract's original conditions, and then the union members vote.

 

[yitbos96bb]

The automatic gratuity will not be present again until at least 2011, unless the union agrees to allow it. The servers at WDW are represented by Unite here local 737 and are paid a minimum of $3.80/hr. In the previous contract that ended in 2007 the gratuity card that was previously given to you with your bill was removed Jan 1, 2006. Thus giving the dining plan with gratuity included. I have a big feeling that caused an uproar in the union. So.. The union contract for 2008-2010 states that as of Jan 1, 2008.

"Gratuities/Fees

1. Effective January 1, 2008 Gratuities will be paid on food and beverage totals only. Gratuities will not be paid on miscellaneous pricing, including but not limited to merchandise, entertainment, (excluding Spirit of Aloha, Hoop-Dee-Doo, and Character Dining restaurants, where entertainment is included in the price), house charges, imaging, etc. Merchandise will only be included in the total food and beverage price for the purpose of gratuity calculation if the Server is required by the Company to handle and deliver merchandise items to the guest as part of the Guest’s dining experience. Gratuities will not be paid on autograph books, pens and disposable cameras.
2. The eighteen percent (18%) automatic gratuity for all new and existing package plans, to include the Disney Dining Plan, will be eliminated effective January 1, 2008.
3. Should the Company decide to reinstate package plans with automatic gratuity included, the parties agree the terms of the addendum expiring on April, 28, 2007 will remain in effect.
4. An automatic gratuity of eighteen percent (18%) will be added for supplemental food and beverage purchased at prepaid venues (i.e., Spirit of Aloha, Hoop-Dee-Doo, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Princess Tea, Special Pre-paid events such as New Year’s Eve at California Grill).
5. A guaranteed three percent (3%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
6. A guaranteed three percent (3%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
7. A guaranteed two percent (2%) service charge will be added on the retail value of the meal for all Disney Dining Plan guests for parties of less than six (6), effective January 1, 2010 through the end of the 2007 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
8. The Company agrees to negotiate with the Union, the application of the automatic gratuity for any future pre-paid venues, for the life of this agreement.
9. Where there are menu boards available, the verbiage “Gratuity Not Included’ will be added to the menu boards, by September 30, 2007, at outside bar locations in Disney’s MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, the Margarita Bar at Downtown Disney, and pool bars.
10. A three dollar ($3.00) fee will be paid for delivery of Private Dining amenities.
11. An automatic eighteen percent (18%) will be added for food and beverage purchased from the Golf Carts, Pizza Delivery and Private Dining.
12. It is the Company's understanding that when a business requires their guests to pay a Pre-determined charge, which is given to employees of the business, the charges are considered a service charge. Furthermore, service charges are not considered a tip, but rather, are wages paid by the employer. Consequently, the tax code requires the Company to withhold taxes on all service charges. "

So it looks like the union busted the gratuity included, and is actually causing a price increase of the meal to off set those that do not get tipped.

And those that are on the Dining Plan are already being "charged" a service fee for the retail value of the meal. But still understand. That 3% is still less than the minimum wage even with the hourly pay.


Disney will just have to be creative to find new ways to make that last dollar from us. The counter service plan seems to be fitting the gap for those with AP's and those who don't wish to use TS resturants.

As far as price increases... yeah I'm betting even with a recession, we'll see some sort of increase.

Why would the union want the auto gratuity out of it? Every waiter I talked too, or already knew (I have several who are friends down there) said they made a LOT more off of the DP than before it. I wonder if Disney had some hand in this also.

 

[yitbos96bb]

First, the best time to address a service problem is while the problem is occurring (vs. when the check comes) so it can be corrected - even if it means getting up and finding a manager on your own. Also, the waiter in question did not GET a 20% tip, he - if the OP did not take reasonable steps to have it adjusted - got 18%.
As for resentment over the pre-calculated tip amounts printed at the bottom of the bill, it is (a) a courtesy to assist diners in determining the actual dollars-and-cents amount to tip; (b) a gentle reminder to diners not accustomed to tipping; and (c) not an option for the servers to print or not. It's on every table/buffet service check, and that decision was made and programmed by Disney management.

But not getting tipped takes away from the magical experience of working at Walt Disney World in a field customarily considered a tipped position. To understand why Disney placed responsibility for the tip on DDP users, you would need to go back about eleven months on the DISboards and read the threads on this subject, or talk to Disney management.
Also, Disney is not an all-inclusive vacation; it's many different vacations to many people. To the best of my knowledge, there are no all-inclusive resorts anywhere in existence with over twenty thousand rooms.
You want it to be an all-inclusive vacation; that guy over there wants to drive up for the weekend with his wife; this family over here plans to camp out at Fort Wilderness for a month; this other person is spending a week at the Grand Floridian.

At the risk of opening an old argument - NOT my intention - Disney presented the change in the DDP tipping as a non-negotiable item in the contract negotiations; the union members (of which food service represents only a small fraction) then voted to accept the contract. Remember, unions don't write contracts; business owners do, and unions negotiate the conditions from the contract's original conditions, and then the union members vote.

Ah THAT makes more sense on the Tipping/Union thing...

And I don't know why ANYONE would be so stupidly over sensitive to tipping totals on the bottom of a bill. Its a common practice in many restaurants and personally, I love it.... Although Ironically, the guy who doesn't do add that probably gets more because half the time I do the tip out of the total on the card slip, not the pre-tax total just to be quick about it. However, I'm a good tipper anyway unless the service is just terrible so they get a good amount. I've worked for tips (as a bartender and pizza boy) and have many waiter friends still, so its almost required.

 

[rockonthemoon]

My boyfriend and I plan on about $10-$15 for tipping each night. I'm a server, and we've only had a problem with one waitress our entire trip last time. (She only got the 11%, and she was horrible.)

We add it on as part of our dining plan. My only wish for the dp is that they let you choose between an app or a desert. It would make our meals much nicer.

 

[christa112]

My friend called to book her trip for January with the DDP and the CM kinda made a slip and said that my friend may have to call back because the dining may have some changes and may not include TS meal everyday. I am not sure if this a true or not.

 

[WishesQueen]

Rumor has is August 3rd Dining Plan info will be announced!!!