Burning with Curiousity about DDP 2008

[misricsmith]

sub bump

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We arrive Saturday and have the DDP. I probably won't pay for internet until Sunday night, so I will be sure to update with my findings/reviews for you.
By that point we will have had CS Sat night, CS Sunday Lunch, TS at Liberty Tree and maybe a snack (or 2?).

 

[blondinkaya]

Subscribing to hear all the details!

 

[thesaurinis]

subscribing...trying to decide if we want to go in April and get the plan or not

 

[Rags]

bump

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Subbing- we leave in 2 weeks, so I'm anxious to know about snack options!

 

[just another guy]

Damn you people sure want answers. I just texted a disney server, and told them to call me when they get off tonight. I'll report back. Probably won't be until 12 or so.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

subbing!

 

[RCharnay]

We just got back. I can't write much now but I'll get back later with more details.
Jan 1 was crazy! No one knew how to use the new system so it took about 30 minutes at the end of every meal to figure out the bill. SSR never figured out how to do the snacks. We still got our money's worth. But it was a definite hassle.
I'm sure they'll get it figured out soon. But I expect Disney to train their folks better. But, of course, it was all done with laughs and smiles --the waiterstaff were all doing their best.

 

[becca011906]

gosh... page 4 no updates... LOL the problem is if people checked in on 12/31 they use the old dinning plan till they check out... we need people who checked in after 1/1 to get in and reprot back!!! LOL
Edited... maybe that's not how it is after seeing Rcharnay RE: ??? i'm not sure now! LOL


Just another guy i can't wait to see if you can give us some scoop!!!

 

[moparop]

We just got back. I can't write much now but I'll get back later with more details.
Jan 1 was crazy! No one knew how to use the new system so it took about 30 minutes at the end of every meal to figure out the bill. SSR never figured out how to do the snacks. We still got our money's worth. But it was a definite hassle.
I'm sure they'll get it figured out soon. But I expect Disney to train their folks better. But, of course, it was all done with laughs and smiles --the waiterstaff were all doing their best.

I am waiting for details with baited breath!!

 

[DVCPAM]

subscribing

 

[RCharnay]

More details:
We arrived at SSR noon on 1/1 (room was ready in Congress Park-view of DD) Couldn't have been better.
We had arranged the trip to check out whether to become DVC owners. So we headed over to VWL to view the grounds and had lunch at Whispering Canyon. It was mostly full and properly rowdy. We ordered the appetizers (Chicken Soup and Sausage/Cheese plate) main course (pulled pork and Pan seared Trout) and desserts (apple pie and cinnamon tortilla.) Before we were seated, they asked if we were on the dining plan. We said yes, the Deluxe plan. At the end of the meal, our waitress took the card and disppeared for - I kid you not - 20 minutes. When she finally returned, she apologized that this was the firt time they had dealt with the card and they were trying to figure it out because the computer was not helping them. She gave us a bill stating the orginal total for us to sign and it asked for the 18% or 20% tip or there was another line for an optional tip. I wrote in a tip (somehwere in that vacinity) and she took it away. When she returned, she had another copy for us to sign but said it wouldn't allow her to add the tip. So we said no problem, we would give it to her in cash.
Then we were off to AKV and OKW. We had a great time weighing the properties! We returned to SSR, changed clothes and started to make our way to Narcoossee's for Dinner. (We went by way of the Contemporary and the Polynesian to check out the decorations.) We walked from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian next to the Lagoon. The sun had set and it was cool but gorgeous. We arrived at Narcoossee's and went to the bar for cocktails. We were seated around 8:50. We ordered our appetizers (Pear and endive salad and Buttermilk fried oysters) and they arrived just as the fireworks started over the MK. We went outside to watch and returned to our cool but excellent appetizers. We both had the whole Maine Lobster - loved it- and I had the no-sugar added sorbet selection with fruit while my husband had the sorbet trio. Once again, at the end of the meal, our waitress disappeared and returned about 10 minutes later aplogizing about the delay but this was the first day and no one knew how to work the computer because of the new plan. We ended up with - count em six receipts from Narcoossee's --including the bar tab and a separate receipt for the tip.
The next morning, we went to SSR to get a bowl of cereal as a snack. The counter person told us to grab a milk too because that was included. When she went to total it up, once again, the computer didn't know what to do and everyone had to apologize about the new system. Finally a manager came over and said she did an override on the system and now it was all fixed. Later that day, we realized she had actually charged us one of our TS meals for the cereal instead of a snack. But on closer review, it also appeared the meal at Narcoossee's which should have been a 2 credit meal each was only charged as one credit each. So in the end, we figured we came out ahead.
You can see what I mean about confusing. The next day continued with much the same story. At Marrakash, they had to add the tip and it had to be 18%-no other amount could be entered. Yachtsman Steakhouse took out the right amount but apologized about the new system. Everyone was just so flummoxed by it.
On the third morning we went back to SSR to get the rest of our snacks. We went to the counter and the computer wouldn't allow snacks on the plan. They assured us they should be there but --the computer! So they charged the snacks to our room and then called the front desk and asked them to credit us the charge. It was done and we walked away, if not happy, satisfied.

That's the saga of the new plan. In the end, we got some wonderful meals and we thought it was a good deal. But being the guinea pigs for the plan was a real pain that ended up taking a few hours out of our visit-- And my time is pretty precious when I'm at Disney. But I truly believe everyone did their very best. We had Disney service from beginning to end-just spent a little more time getting that service then we would have preferred.

 

[jedimindtric]

We were on the 2007 plan, but had a lot of snacks to use up on January 1st that were left over from the week. We were told that as of January 1st any snack item (even if it is under $4.00) that was not a single serving was no longer a snack credit. No bags of candy from Goofy's Candy Co. No bags of cotton candy. Anything that could be shared, or was family size was not included. It was really confusing and took almost 45 minutes for them to figure out what we could, or could not have with a snack credit. We ended up with a bunch of bakery items.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

That no sharing rule makes no sense! Popcorn is even listed in the brochure and you can share that! Actually, unless it's one-bite, you can share virtually anything!

 

[ChrisMouse]

Subscribing...

 

[BuffaloGal]

Alright, alright.... I'll help you all out.....

Here's the deal. When you go to a restaurant, it is absolutely IMPERITIVE that you tell the server that you are on the plan and which one you are on. We have 4, plus an add-on now, so it's a bit tricky for us. Your server will help you choose and make sure that you order as allowable (hopefully....). Then, you will recieve your bill which will have lines to add in your tip, but no signature spot. If you are on DDP, you MUST fill these in before giving your server your card. There are print outs that give you computed values of 18% and 20% amounts if you need them. Total the check out. If you plan to tip in cash, write CASH on the line for the tip to be filled in. This will prevent screw ups. Hand your server the receipt that you totalled, your DDP card, and whatever you plan to use to settle the tip (cash, credit card, rewards card, gift certificate, travelers check made out to WDW, disney dollars, or whatever!). When the server comes back, you will need to sign the DDP receipt and the tip receipt.
If you are a party of 6 or more, you will have to pay an 18% gratuity. That can also be done in any of the afformentioned ways. Simply write "Grat" on the totalling line, unless you want to leave extra. Basically, once your server runs the DDP card and it asks her for a tip amount, she HAS to enter something (either a number that you give her or zero). It can't be modified after that without moving heaven and earth and you will have to pay cash for your tip. Writing the amount of the grat or the amount of the cash that you are intending to leave will put you at risk for being double dipped, so only use a number if you are going to leave a charge tip.

Any questions? Fire away!

 

[RCharnay]

If only you could have told the waitstaff at all the restaurants!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

Alright, alright.... I'll help you all out.....

Here's the deal. When you go to a restaurant, it is absolutely IMPERITIVE that you tell the server that you are on the plan and which one you are on. We have 4, plus an add-on now, so it's a bit tricky for us. Your server will help you choose and make sure that you order as allowable (hopefully....). Then, you will recieve your bill which will have lines to add in your tip, but no signature spot. If you are on DDP, you MUST fill these in before giving your server your card. There are print outs that give you computed values of 18% and 20% amounts if you need them. Total the check out. If you plan to tip in cash, write CASH on the line for the tip to be filled in. This will prevent screw ups. Hand your server the receipt that you totalled, your DDP card, and whatever you plan to use to settle the tip (cash, credit card, rewards card, gift certificate, travelers check made out to WDW, disney dollars, or whatever!). When the server comes back, you will need to sign the DDP receipt and the tip receipt.
If you are a party of 6 or more, you will have to pay an 18% gratuity. That can also be done in any of the afformentioned ways. Simply write "Grat" on the totalling line, unless you want to leave extra. Basically, once your server runs the DDP card and it asks her for a tip amount, she HAS to enter something (either a number that you give her or zero). It can't be modified after that without moving heaven and earth and you will have to pay cash for your tip. Writing the amount of the grat or the amount of the cash that you are intending to leave will put you at risk for being double dipped, so only use a number if you are going to leave a charge tip.

Any questions? Fire away!

Thank you so much! We are leaving in a little over 2 weeks on the Deluxe plan and it is helpful to know how to help the servers help us! Two more questions... can you also settle the tip on your room charge? And is it easier to do it that way that with a Disney gift card (which I can apply to my account at the resort if it speeds things up at the restaurants).

 

[Sandy321]

thanks buffaloGal -

Should we all bombard Disney guest service email to complain about the complicated snack list???

Is it possible to get an appetizer instead of a dessert, or is it strictly main course and dessert and non alcoholic drink?