All of this DDP stuff is making me nervous ...

[twinnersmama]

We are going to WDW for the first time in April. There will be 2 families - 8 total (4 AD/4 CH). Everyone recommended the DDP ... so I was sure that was the way to go. I am glad to see that some people's calculations made the DDP worth the money. For us, if we weren't on the DDP, we would probably eat mostly CS and miss out on some of the entertainment of the TS / character meals.

Anyway ...

--Do you think it works out "easier" to pay cash for the tip?

--Although we are a party of 8, we couldn't get seated together for some of our TS -- we had to take 2 tables. Do you think they will charge us as two separate tables (of 4 each) or will we get the automatic 18% gratuity charge?

--Many of you who are disappointed with the 2008 DDP have used the previous DDp ... what about someone like me who is a first timer? I have nothing else to compare it to? If you had nothing else to compare it to, would you maybe think it was still a good plan/value (a first timer isn't missing the appetizer)?

And just an observation ... My kids (both 4) are NOT picky eaters and they are not used to eating "kids food" type meals ... What I mean is, they don't eat nuggets, mac&cheese, hotdogs, etc regularly. They eat what we eat -- steak, spaghetti, BBQ chicken, ribs, etc. ... after looking at the kids menu choices, I am a little disappointed with the children's choices -- I assumed it would be a smaller version of the adult menu. I tried to make ADR for some buffets so they can eat a variety of things instead of the usual kids fare.

My kids have food allergies, and we don't eat out much because of it, so maybe I am just not used to looking at children's menus. But Disney is being so helpful I have a great feeling about my kids being able to safely eat there.

I guess I'd love to hear from some more people getting back with positive things to say about the 2008 DDP.

And another thing to add ... you guys are GREAT on this board!!! I have learned sooo many things that I would have had no clue about. Thanks to you all I think my trip will be a success!! (and I am already hoping to plan another trip for 2010)

 

[Tricia1972]

--Do you think it works out "easier" to pay cash for the tip?

Cash, room charge or credit card. Whichever feels easiest for you personally will work out the best.

--Although we are a party of 8, we couldn't get seated together for some of our TS -- we had to take 2 tables. Do you think they will charge us as two separate tables (of 4 each) or will we get the automatic 18% gratuity charge?

If you are listed on one ADR - Yes you will. If you have two ADR's under two different names and are sitting at two different tables, probably not. Technically they could still charge you because you're together, but I doubt they would.

--Many of you who are disappointed with the 2008 DDP have used the previous DDp ... what about someone like me who is a first timer? I have nothing else to compare it to? If you had nothing else to compare it to, would you maybe think it was still a good plan/value (a first timer isn't missing the appetizer)?

We don't like the DDP in general in October of 2007. Too much food and didn't work for our eating schedule. I think it's a good way to take a first vacation and see how it works. It'll work very well if you are doing lots of character meals, etc. For kids it's a deal that's hard to beat. Give it a shot, you may well love it!

And just an observation ... My kids (both 4) are NOT picky eaters and they are not used to eating "kids food" type meals ... What I mean is, they don't eat nuggets, mac&cheese, hotdogs, etc regularly. They eat what we eat -- steak, spaghetti, BBQ chicken, ribs, etc. ... after looking at the kids menu choices, I am a little disappointed with the children's choices -- I assumed it would be a smaller version of the adult menu. I tried to make ADR for some buffets so they can eat a variety of things instead of the usual kids fare.

That's probably the best answer in your case. That way the kids will have the choice to eat whatever they want!

My kids have food allergies, and we don't eat out much because of it, so maybe I am just not used to looking at children's menus. But Disney is being so helpful I have a great feeling about my kids being able to safely eat there.

I had food allergies when we went in October 2007 (because I am pregnant I have a long list of 'forbidden' foods) They were WONDERFUL!!!


... (and I am already hoping to plan another trip for 2010)

That's when we're next going back after our trip this March!

 

[jm-mom]

Pay your tip anyway you like. We found cash worked fine because we could leave it on the table as we left. You have to sign for your meal anyway so it would have been just as easy to write the amount on the receipt and have it billed to our room.

I can't help you on the party of 8 or 2 parties of 4 question. Just guessing if you had two separate tables, not pushed together in any way, you'd be treated as two different parties. Just a guess.

I have used the original dining plan and the new version and honestly, it's still a lot of food even without the appetizer. We did eat a lot of buffet meals so that our picky kids could have more variety than is offered on the kids menu. At every buffet they did have a kid's station but we served them food from the rest of the buffet with no problem. I will say that the kids menu choices in most cases are pretty simple and not always kid friendly. My kids don't like the Disney mac and cheese which is offered everywhere. The chicken nuggets were edible but barely. You might consider trying to do some buffet meals so that your kids can try some more adult type foods if the usual kid stuff isn't for them. At counter service places you are pretty much stuck with whatever their kids offerings are. Before you go you might spend some time looking at the menus online and plan out some counter places that will offer more of what your kids like. Whichever place you eat, you will have plenty to fill up with. If you have to order from the kids menu you might consider choosing something you like and then swapping or sharing an adult meal with your child.

Have a great trip. Despite it's criticisms, the dining plan still is worth the money to me. I like having food paid for up front.

Garland

 

[Tricia1972]

Here's the official word from Disney on party size and auto gratuity. This is taken from the Disney Contract, which is available online.

1.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]If a party of six (6) or more, regardless of reservation size, arrives and is seated at the same table and receives separate checks, the automatic service charge shall apply.
2.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]If a party of six (6) or more arrives and, for whatever reason, is split and seated at separate tables, with the same server regardless of the number of checks, the automatic service charge shall apply.
3. If the party of six (6)or more arrives and, for whatever reason, is split, seated at separate tables with different servers, receives separate checks, and these checks are paid for by separate individuals, the automatic service charge does not apply

So I guess I was mistaken, so long as you are at different tables with different servers, then you will not be charged an auto gratuity.

 

[LSchrow]

first, you should only be nervous with excitement

the 2008 DDP isn't as complicated as it may appear here. the best (really, the only) way to find out if it would suit your party is to look at the menus, compare what your party would normally eat in a day, themn see if it is less or more than the cost of the DDP.
i did the "calculations" for both our trips this year, & the 2008 DDP will still save us an average of $40-$50 a night vs OOP (2 adults). this is also based on our eating habits: we only eat breakfast or lunch so 1 CS is more than enough, we enjoy "dining" in the evening when we're on vacation (rather than grabbing a pizza or hot dog). the old plan really was too much food, but there a few restaurants with desserts we enjoy (& can always bring back to the room if we're not hungry for it). the snacks are "fun" for us: mostly iced mochaccinos or sampling at the F&WF during our Oct trip.
most of all, we find the DDP a great way to bring our fun, relaxing vacations "up a notch" ~ no looking at prices, less stressful, etc.
btw, i'm putting money on a disney GC to use for tips (& you can charge the gratuities back to the room, & use the GC to pay off the room charges ~ no extra bills to come home to ).
IMHO, it's still a wonderful enhancement to an already great time ~ enjoy

 

[irene_dsc]

Well, another side benefit to buffets is you also don't have to worry about the whole appetizer issue.

Another thing to keep in mind is that officially, they don't track CS by adult vs child. So, presumably, you could order adult CS meals for your kids. I don't know if anyone would give you a hard time about it or not, tbh. I stressed about that too much, actually - since my kids wanted to order pizza at Pizzafari, which, for whatever reason, is not available as a child's meal!!! (I ended up ordering the kid spaghetti & meatballs for myself, to try and even it out, since I hadn't realized they counted the same until later in the trip, when I tried to check our credits with the resort concierge.)

There were a few oddball things that were stressful, to try and figure out what counted and what didn't. But, I think we did save - and it evened out the stress of having to pay multiple large bills throughout the trip! I also was afraid without the DDP, we'd end up eating junk the entire time, lol.

Oh, and cash was simpler for tips, imo, but we did a couple on our room key to conserve our cash. (We didn't hit an ATM the entire time.)

I am curious about the food allergy aspect, however. Would they need special food? I just don't know how that would work with a buffet - did you get an explanation about that?

 

[twinnersmama]

With regards to the food allergy and the buffets, here is what I am told will happen... We have noted the food allergy when we made the ADR. We will tell the host/hostess about the food allergy. They will contact the chef, who will come out and talk to me, take me through the whole buffet and tell me what my kids can/can not eat. Then, if necessary, the chef will prepare that specific food for my kids himself to avoid any cross contamination at the buffet. And this will go the same for any other TS too.

And thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. I am in awe of how much everyone knows about Disney here !!

 

[tink fan]

It is true that they do not track CS by children or adult, but my experience on the last trip is that almost all the CMs would check how many adults were listed on your card and only let you order that many CS per transaction.

If you wanted all adult meals, you and another adult would both have to wait in line and place half the order on one transaction and the other half on another. Understand though that this goes against the rules of the dining plan which states that children should order children's meals. The other options are to eat at CS places which do not have child menus, or order adult food for your child and child food for yourself.

What we found ourselves doing alot was split the CS meals. At some places, like the combo ribs and chicken at Cosmic Rays or meals at Flame tree BBQ, the CS meals were huge. I ordered two adults meals, and me, DS10, DS7 and DS5 had plenty of food. My boys are big eaters, too.