Bad attitude towards DDPers?

[twanner]

We had a party of seven traveling together in October, all of us on the DDP. We had no problems using the plan, and never experienced any negativity from the servers. I love the DDP!

 

[TDC Nala]

This is the first I've read of people being treated badly because they're using the DDP.

Checked through this thread and I don't see anyone posting here (on this one thread) who has actually reported having a bad experience specifically because they were using the dining plan. The OP referred to seeing other reports about bad treatment of dining plan users, but I don't know where they read those, or how far back those posts go. As mentioned, there was some confusion when the dining plan changed for 2008 and the appetizer and tip were excluded - not everyone got the message.

 

[mykidsand_i]

We've never felt the same way as the OP, I'm really surprized that any server would give anyone crap or "rude remarks" because like others have said here...you still tip them, so of course they'll try to do their best. We've had (mostly) wonderful servers! and we're on DP a lot!

 

[aurorafan]

We've been twice on the basic plan, once on the DDxP and once without and didn't notice any difference between having plan, no plan or the deluxe plan. Everyone was nice, some were exceptional, some were just okay, but none were rude. They explained the plan to us, told us which receipts to sign and which to keep, etc.

We love the DDP and will continue to use it

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We were there 3 weeks ago on the dining plan. We never had any trouble and that included 7 people on 2 rooms including one of our DDs on grandma and grandpa's room. We had great service and were very pleased with everything. It will be fine, better than fine, so go and enjoy!!!

To a PP who said she wanted it to be perfect, my $.02. Don't expect perfection. It may be a magical place but if you expect perfection you may be disapointed. Expect a great, but not flawless trip and you'll probably get it! Have fun!!!

 

[fairestoneofall]

The only time I've ever felt treated poorly by a server because of DDP was last year, when tips were still included. And it was at California Grill. And it was quite obvious that our server was friendlier and more helpful to nearby tables versus ours. But like I said, that was when tips were still included in the plan.

We recently got back from a week's stay with DDP and experienced no poor service. We also did some of our meals with my family, who was staying in a different resort and also had no problem with splitting the tips on our bills and in splitting credits (your room key actually states how many adults and children you have on the plan). We gave one of our KTTW cards and my mom would give hers. No problems anywhere.

 

[mmcxiiad]

Basically, by removing the dessert and the tip, Disney decreased what we get on the plan without changing the cost. It went from being a great deal to being an ok deal.

Obviously, you meant by removing the appetizer and the tip. The dessert is still included (entrée, dessert & fountain drink). But otherwise, you are absolutely correct. This move was a way to increase the profit for Disney (not the restaurants) on the DDP without changing the price for guests.

I realize that by not having to include the appetizer in the meal plan, that is better for the restaurants, but I would believe that Disney is just not giving the money they used to get for that. I am positive that the servers wish that they were still included as this would mean bigger totals - higher tips.

keep in mind that since fuel shot up to nearly $4 nationally, food followed right along with it. There is no reason to believe that it isn't more expensive for disney/the restaurants too. While they could have passed those costs along to people who are getting the DDP, this was a way to keep it at a specific price point (which is something I am sure that they are doing).

It is funny, because the price of park tix goes up basically every year - and everyone basically expects it. Food is different. I am positive that someone did a survey to determine that the were ceilings for the meal plans under $30 for the quick serve, under $40 for the Standard plan and under $70 for the DLX. Again, I am pretty sure that if it was $31, $41 and $71 respectively you would lose a huge number of people signing up for the plans.

So that is my 2¢ as to the reason for the no appetizer and tips in the DDP. I am sure that there are other factors, like the yearly negotiations with the non-disney owned restaurants. But in the end this is a very complex process for disney because it involves so many people and organizations.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've used the DDP since it started the way it is now, and we've never had any attitude. Our most recent experience was a 10-day trip over Thanksgiving. We paid cash for some TS meals and used the DDP for others and there was no difference in the service.

We only had the tip mentioned once, and that was the server at WCC. He wasn't pushy at all about it, DH had signed the slips without putting anything in the tip line, and the server asked if he wanted to charge the tip to the room. DH said no, he was tipping in cash, and the server asked him to put a line through or write cash or something on the slip, and that was it.

 

[parmtoo]

We are leaving in 24 days - my husband and I are taking our grown sons and their wives, along with our grandchildren - we have 3 rooms and I purchased Deluxe Dining Plans for all of us - (except the 1 year old). I know that we have planned several evening meals together - that should be interesting. I hope it isn't too much of a problem. Heaven knows, we paid enough for the dining plans, I hope that we won't regret it. I am too sensitive to being treated badly in a restaurant. I will feel bad if the restaurant doesn't honor the plan politely, even though there will be 7 of us using our meal plans. Now I'm worried. I wanted this trip to be perfect.

We are also taking our kids and grandkids, and have the DDP for the first time, (we usually just pay out of pocket). I'm not worried at all.
I'm very excited, and also want the trip to be as near perfect as possible. Our 2.5 yo grandson is so happy about the trip, he can hardly wait! Just relax and have fun planning!

 

[rangermom]

We use it everytime we go and have never had a bad server due to us using the DDP (or at least as far as I know).