Anyone use the 2008 DDP yet

[kamgen]

We are going at the end of the month and would love to hear from anyone who has used the new DDP! Thanks!!!

 

[moparop]

This post has some stuff in it... We're still waiting for more complete info though.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1668288

 

[kamgen]

Thanks! That was helpful so far!
We are planning on doing cash for tips now. It seems that is the easiest way for everyone.

 

[Joie]

we used it jan1-jan 4 just make sure to tell serve that you plan on using cash to tip if you are in a party of 6 or more because only 2 of us in our group had dxddp and the server at mama melrose added 18% gratuity on my card key againif though i gave her her tip in cash so it took another 20 mins or so to straighten it out also with the plan changing in 08 its taking longer for servers to get you the bill after your meal it took about 30-45 mins after we were done eating to get our bill

 

[mommyoeo]

You get a bill for the meal, an extra for the cash only part, another for 18% tip. I hope it's being charged right!

Food has not been as good as usual. Dining plan is avg. I certainly miss the tip being included and the appetizers too. Not that I finished my meals, just that it was nice to get to taste different things.

We won't do DDP next time. Not a value for us.

Maybe since you will be here at a slower time, things will be better. It's packed right now.

 

[My2Angels]

we used it jan1-jan 4 just make sure to tell serve that you plan on using cash to tip if you are in a party of 6 or more because only 2 of us in our group had dxddp and the server at mama melrose added 18% gratuity on my card key againif though i gave her her tip in cash so it took another 20 mins or so to straighten it out also with the plan changing in 08 its taking longer for servers to get you the bill after your meal it took about 30-45 mins after we were done eating to get our bill

Did they charge you the 18% automatically because you were a party over 6? I am just wondering because we are going to be a party of 11, but each of the 3 families are paying on a separate card?

 

[mommyoeo]

Yes, we have 11 people and we are 3 different families. We are charged 18%. Hope that helps your plans. Christy

 

[SplashMountainMama]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter how many cards you use to pay or how you are paying. If you are dining in a group of 6 or more people, regardless of age or even if they're eating (as in a newborn), they will charge you 18% gratuity. At least, that's how I understand it.

 

[happypooh]

Used the DDP and won't be getting it again...definitely not as good value as before...esp the snacks...they've axed alot of them...definitely can't get a loaf of bread or box of donuts only a tiny box of crackers or a small chocolate bar or something that is meant for just one person is how it was described to me....I understand their reasoning but it's hard when we were used to how it used to be last year. Really missed those appetizers too...and don't get me started about the tip thing....took forever and each time the server seemed to feel like they had to explain it to me.

 

[Native NYer]

We are going at the end of the month and would love to hear from anyone who has used the new DDP! Thanks!!!

We'll be at there from 1/16-1/20 on deluxe dining. We didn't want to do cs at all, so this was the best value. I'll post our experience when I return.

When are you going?

 

[rcraw45425]

Jsut back tonight and this was probably our only time with the DDP. The servers in some places are really nice about it (Yachtsman Steakhouse) while others were downright rude (Nine Dragons). 'Ohana, they thought our girls were child rate even though it was on our room card (which we had to show the girl at the beginning so she could do the spiel about the tip not being included). When she brings the check with the part about the tip I write in the amount and give her the room key. She finally comes back and says "this is for four adults" I'm like, yeah, that's what I made the reservation for, since they're adults in Disney's eyes, not mine. She got a little snippy about the bill, comes back with the new bill and pre listed tip amounts, needless to say she received the lesser one after that, whereas before she was receiving the larger one. Our server at Yachtsman was great, he wound up with a $40 tip (yep, our bill was over $200!). IMO, the food prices are drastically over inflated, and even with the lack of appetizers they are forcing you to feel obligated to take the food. We spent the entire trip feeling like dessert was forced down our throats!

And the part about the snacks being cut back, I can attest to this. We went into the pastry shop in France last night with 11 snack credits remaining. After hearing other people being told in shops that they had to get the smaller portions of prepacked chips and stuff I was prepared to only get our sodas on snack. Approached the register with a creme brulee, a chocolate mousse and a chocolate cake slice. Asked for a soda and the strawberry smoothie, to be told that the smoothie would not count, fine, make it two sodas on our snacks, the rest charged to our room. She informs me that I should get another pastry since we have four listed on the DDP. FIne, a cheesecake then. Then she scoldsme, you have no CS left, only snack credits! Like I'm a crook. No way would what we had qualify as a CS meal. I said, just charge them to the room and use the snack credits to pay for the drinks like I said. She gets huffy at the fact that she'll have to void out or some thing, another girl that worked there said something to her and everything miraculously became snacks. I was told in the resort store at YC that a snack now is a Mickey rice krispie treat or a small (tiny) pack of cookies. They retail for less than $3 I think! I did notice that all menu items seemed to have really inflated prices. For instance our meal at the CS place in Disney Quest would have been over $50 for a hot dog with fries, a burger with fries and two wraps, four sodas and four desserts (that we normally would not have bought). Almost $60 at Flame Tree BBQ, and about the same at Cosmic Rays (which was awful, IMO) and at Sunshine Seasons too. Dinners ranged from $210 at Yachtsman to $106 at Nine Dragons (Small portions, rude server and limited selections too, not like a few years back).

 

[Native NYer]

OMG! That's terrible! Shouldn't the dining plan make life easier while you're on vacation? Maybe some of the rude CMs you encountered need to learn patience! I'm sure it's confusing for them, but to be rude to people trying to enjoy their vacation? Totally not acceptable! Besides, it's not like you came up with this dining plan.

If it doesn't work for us this month, we may have to cancel it for August. Hopefully, the CMs will get used to the new program.

 

[biggroofy]

Jsut back tonight and this was probably our only time with the DDP. The servers in some places are really nice about it (Yachtsman Steakhouse) while others were downright rude (Nine Dragons)....

Thank you for the review. We are going in March on Deluxe Dining Plan.

With the new DDP - is it possible to pay gratuity in cash? In other words, just ask the server to deduct TS credits and anything not included I will settle with cash instead of charging to room. I always like to disable the "charge to room" feature on my Resort Key, and pay anything extra by Cash. I am the type of person that would try my best to avoid any troubles I had been tired of waiting in lines in front desk and explain incorrect charges etc to CM.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we definately wont be doing it again altho we loved it for 3 tries in the past, but with no apps and tips extra NO US< NO WAY< NO VALUE

 

[iluvdizknee]

I want to thank all of you for your honesty about the DP. We are going in July and are so confused as to whether we want the DP. After reading all these reviews, tip problems, CS problems and snack change, I feel so much better about chosing not to get the plan.
We will make some ADR at the choice places and leave the rest of the days spontaneous eating. thanks again.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

After reading this thread I think we'll steer clear of the DDP. I can't handle having to gorge myself just to get all the bang for my buck. Right now I am trying to lose weight, not gain it and if I'm eating 2 full meals w/ dessert and a snack every day, I will gain weight not lose it.

I've also heard many stories from those who have used the DDP in the past and says the new DDP starting this year is nothing compared to what it used to be. The old plan was WAY better.

 

[just another guy]

Thanks! That was helpful so far!
We are planning on doing cash for tips now. It seems that is the easiest way for everyone.

If you don't need change back, they yes, cash works great. Otherwise, the easiest is a room charge for the tip.

 

[Native NYer]

Is the price of the dining plan the same this year as it was last year? Did Disney eliminate the appetizer and gratuity in order to bring the price down?

 

[gohogs34]

Is the price of the dining plan the same this year as it was last year? Did Disney eliminate the appetizer and gratuity in order to bring the price down?

For the regular dinner plan, Set down, so you don't fall down. The price was reduced, OK here we go now, from $38.99 to $37.99 and they took away the tip and appetizer

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

For the regular dinner plan, Set down, so you don't fall down. The price was reduced, OK here we go now, from $38.99 to $37.99 and they took away the tip and appetizer

I personally do not care that they took the appetizer away bc that was a lot of food. But when you remove the tip from the picture, that makes a huge impact on the guest. If they dropped the DP by $10 I would say great. but $1. Give me a break!

Disney is priding themselves on dropping the cost of the dining plan since they pulled the tip and app out - WHATEVER!! I will give you your dollar back, you can keep your appetizer, but please include my tip....or give me a bigger break on the amount you removed from the cost of the plan.

I always leave extra for a good waiter, above the dining plan inclusion! (Thank you Patrick at Le Cellier) And honestly, I am 100% okay with paying the tip out of pocket. If I get poor service, the waiter gets a poor tip....if I get great service, the waiter gets his 18% and then some. But I do not feel taking away roughly $15 - $25 and only reducing the price by $1 is a good deal.