Bounceback DDP "bait and switch" - Will complaining work?

[mavdav]

We have a WDW trip coming up that we booked a year ago as a bounceback with free dining. When we booked the trip the only dining plan that was offered was the plan with free appetizer, free entree, free dessert, with gratuity included. So, this has always been our assumption about what we would be receiving for our dining plan on our trip in September 2008.

However, now that we are getting ready to go on our trip we have been very unpleasantly surprised to find out that they made major (and disasterous) changes AFTER we booked our trip. I'm inclined to get screaming mad and complain about Disney's "bait and switch", but I don't want to waste my efforts or get too worked up if there isn't any chance of having my complaints heard.

Has anyone had any success in constructively complaining to Disney and receiving some form of compensation about this? If so, can you please give me some advice on who to contact and what I might expect.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know when you booked this trip - but it's been known since before 2008 started that the 2008 dining plan would not include an appetizer or gratuity.

You will not be able to get the 2007 dining plan in 2008. You're likely to find those five words in your booking somewhere - "subject to change without notice"

 

[ucancallmetink]

I also booked bounceback free dining in September of last year. I was told (in no uncertain terms) about the changes to the dining plan for 08. There was no mistaking the details.

Sorry you feel cheated.

 

[mavdav]

thanks for the reply. we booked in August 2007, which I believe was before any changes were announced. We were definitely not warned about any changes when we made the reservation.

My concern about "subject to change without notice" wording (which we have not seen anywhere) is that this phrase would implies a classic "bait and switch," which seems very un-Disneylike.

 

[mbanks21]

No bait and switch at all. Disney has every right to make changes. Complaining will get you nowhere, I suggest you go and enjoy yourself

 

[TDC Nala]

This is not a bait and switch - that contains an intimation of fraud, which I don't believe this is. Disney would have to have intent to defraud you - of what? A free appetizer?

You are still getting a room package with free dining, although you do have to pay tips.

If you wish to ask for compensation, then you are within your rights to contact Disney and do so. Because there is no such thing as the regular dining plan with appetizers included, I wouldn't count on getting the appetizers, if that is what you are hoping for. However, Disney has done nothing illegal, and although it must be a disappointment I am hard pressed to say that I think they've done anything particularly wrong. Discount offers change quite often.

The 2008 packages were released in August 2007 so it may just be that you were not told of the changes. That should have been done but does not rise to the level of intentional fraud.

 

[mavdav]

Ok. I agree they were not intentionally trying to defraud. However, I'm just very disappointed because this is several hundred dollars that we had not anticipated or budgeted. We signed up for Free Dining with a (reasonable) expectation that would be "free," as it has been for the past several years. But now that we are getting ready to leave on the trip we discover that it's not really "free" this year since we now have to pay for gratuities and appetizers.

 

[mbanks21]

Wait how is it not free? Youre getting the dining plan and not paying for it. And its been out for a year now and youre just learning about the components? So dont tip and dont order an appetizer, noone is forcing you to do either?

 

[squirrel]

I hate to say it but if I was not on the Disboards, I too would not have any clue that the gratuity is not included this year.

The TA that I booked with did not know anything about it, the TA's Disney brochure from their supplier makes it sound like the gratuity is included. I have paid for my vacation package and still have not recieved any information-the TA apparently has some of it, but not the ME tags and info.

 

[Maxamuus]

You can send a email:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

No offense, but I doubt they will compensate you. You made a assumption that was a wrong one. Granted they maybe should have explained what was and wasn't included better.

 

[TDC Nala]

Everyone else who bought the dining plan for 2008 (or got it with the free dining promotion) has to pay for gratuities and appetizers also.

It's not necessary to order the appetizers unless you really want them, but I wouldn't say not to tip unless the service is bad enough to warrant withholding a tip. Taking it out on the server doesn't seem right.

I don't know if it's too late for you to consider upgrading to the deluxe plan (you'd pay the difference) but that would get your appetizers included, if not the gratuities.

You're probably beyond the cancellation deadline as well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

thanks for the reply. we booked in August 2007, which I believe was before any changes were announced. We were definitely not warned about any changes when we made the reservation.

No. The changes to the Dining Plan were released around the end of July - after the latest union contract was ratified - and WELL before the first Bounceback-eligible Guests checked in for their 2007 Free Dining packages.

In addition, "free" = "free".

 

[msmayor]

Ok. I agree they were not intentionally trying to defraud. However, I'm just very disappointed because this is several hundred dollars that we had not anticipated or budgeted. We signed up for Free Dining with a (reasonable) expectation that would be "free," as it has been for the past several years. But now that we are getting ready to leave on the trip we discover that it's not really "free" this year since we now have to pay for gratuities and appetizers.

Even IF the changes were announced after you booked, you really had more than sufficient time to raise this concern with Disney a long time ago and perhaps had a better shot at the argument of "I booked under this assumption, and now you've changed it".

The fact of the matter is that a year or so has passed since you either booked and/or the changes were announced...more than enough time to either save for the additional expense of tips OR cancel outright and get all your money back. I suspect Disney might use the same argument.

 

[angiedora]

When we booked our bounceback from our room in Sept. 07 the CM on the phone repeatedly said "Gratuity is no longer included in the dining plan." And she explained that the TS meal no longer included apps.
No Biggie, it's still better than the CS dining plan or no dp at all!

 

[wezee]

When we booked our bounceback from our room in Sept. 07 the CM on the phone repeatedly said "Gratuity is no longer included in the dining plan." And she explained that the TS meal no longer included apps.
No Biggie, it's still better than the CS dining plan or no dp at all!

I totally agree...we were, not only notified by the reservation CM (when we booked the bounceback), several times....but I have been notified also when I booked my ADRs, when I called to add an extra day to our ressie and also when I called to upgrade to the DxDDP.

As far as uneducated TAs...I don;t feel anyone can hold Disney responsible for that.

The Dis is a great research tool, with many WDW experts...thank goodness.

 

[beroh2253]

Just so you know this year if you sign up (if there is a bounce back) you probably will not even get a TS included for next years free DDP. It will probably be the 2 CS and 2 SC per day, but good news tough- you won't have to pay a tip.
I'm going in Sept and going to enjoy myself, but I knew for a long time now that we had to pay the tips and there was no app. Most places have fresh hot bread and butter or like Le Cellier great breadsticks that are free and take the place of the apps. so you shouldn't walk out hungry, last year I was overstuffed.

 

[Maxamuus]

Just so you know this year if you sign up (if there is a bounce back) you probably will not even get a TS included for next years free DDP. It will probably be the 2 CS and 2 SC per day, but good news tough- you won't have to pay a tip.
I'm going in Sept and going to enjoy myself, but I knew for a long time now that we had to pay the tips and there was no app. Most places have fresh hot bread and butter or like Le Cellier great breadsticks that are free and take the place of the apps. so you shouldn't walk out hungry, last year I was overstuffed.

Just so you know the bounceback is out and it included the plus dining.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We we also told last year when we booked the bounceback about the changes. But even with no appetizer and no tips, this is still a very sweet deal and I am planning on enjoying every minute of it.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

I know this isn't for all but we reserve alot of buffets so we can the soups, salads with an "entree."

 

[Katiebell]

Folks, to be fair, look at the OP's post count. Those of us that hang out on boards like this and obsess about Disney sometimes forget that not everyone else in the world does A huge number of us on the DIS are more "in the know" that many TA's and even CM's that we talk to, so it's not all that surprising if the OP didn't get all the correct details when she booked bounceback.

That said, no, mavdav, complaining won't help...unless they said, "Oh, you don't like the 2008 version of the DDP? We'll remove it from your package then." Might be worth it for you if you paid OOP and could get your money back, but since it was free...I think you'd miss it

We liked the old DDP too -- and like most others, we'd rather have our appetizers and tips included too, but they aren't anymore. Oh well -- we'll pay for appetizers if we want one, and pay for our tips OOP.