Can't wait for 2008 ddp comments

[bluslag]

We are going the end of March and haven't decided if we will use the DDP. I can't wait for some of the posters to let us know how things go when they use the plan in Jan. I think I will wait and get more information from these people as soon as they get back so please keep it coming. We appreciate all your input.

 

[n2mm]

I agree. We are going the end of January so it should be interesting to see how the gratuity is handled. We are not buying the DDP that trip because it is no longer a value for us. We will be using our DDE discount instead. I'm sure it will be interesting.

 

[phabric]

I will be interested to see how the gratuity is handled, also. I think the dining staff will loose out with the tip not included in the 2008 plan.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I will be interested to see how the gratuity is handled, also. I think the dining staff will loose out with the tip not included in the 2008 plan.

I also think they will be in a lose lose situation. There will be many who don't realize it's no longer included in the DDP. There will be many who normally leave more than 18%, but no longer will because of the service charge being added to DDE and parties over 5. The servers are union members, who had this contracted for them....it's their problem.

Personally, I am more concerned with what snacks we can have and if Tutto Italia will be included on the dining plans. I am also concerned about the meager choices on the children's menus.

 

[Momof2J's]

Well, unfortunately we're going early in January (6-11) so I probably won't hear much about anything before we leave. We are doing the DDP so it will be interesting to see if there are any problems or issues when it changes on Jan 1st.

I will report back our experience when we return.

 

[Colleen27]

I'll definately be reporting back when we get home in late Jan. 11 nights on the DxDDP, I'm sure I'll have *lots* to report!!

 

[bluslag]

Thanks for all the responses. I don't want December to fly but I can't wait for January because I will have more time to spend on the Dis and get all your reports.

 

[tmkdmom]

I have been reading the DIS for two years and NEVER read so many negative comments about "the happiest place on earth!"......makes me regret going with the DDP!!! This is the first trip as a family and I wanted to do it right(staying in the park, MYW, DDP plus Park Hopper). I know I shouldn't be reading the negative, but I can't help it......
I need some positive feedback about my Jan trip!!!!

 

[DisOrBust]

I am secretly hoping that enough people complain LOUDLY about the tip that they add it back in. It worked to bring back Eary entry.

 

[qanita92]

I am secretly hoping that enough people complain LOUDLY about the tip that they add it back in. It worked to bring back Eary entry.

Whats the Eary entry?

 

[rookie2]

I have been reading the DIS for two years and NEVER read so many negative comments about "the happiest place on earth!"......makes me regret going with the DDP!!! This is the first trip as a family and I wanted to do it right(staying in the park, MYW, DDP plus Park Hopper). I know I shouldn't be reading the negative, but I can't help it......
I need some positive feedback about my Jan trip!!!!

Here is some positive feedback . We were on the DDP last Jan. and loved it. Even with the 18% gratuity added it will still be a great deal for my family of five . We did book mostly buffets for TS, only because my children love a variety of food. You have to think of all of the positive reasons you signed up for it.....it's basically paid before you go , you will probably eat at different restaurants than if you were not on the plan, and all of ADR are made before you go. No worries . We will be there the end of Jan when are you going?

 

[tmkdmom]

Thank you, Rookie2, for the positive feedback!!!!
We will be there 1/19-26, staying at POR. All of our ADR's were picked with the kids in mind (except for Le Cellier)...they are;
1/19 Ohana's
1/20 LTT
1/21 HDDR
1/22Coral Reef
1/24 Princess Norway lunch(me and DD only)
1/25 Le Cellier

When will you be there?

 

[rookie2]

Thank you, Rookie2, for the positive feedback!!!!
We will be there 1/19-26, staying at POR. All of our ADR's were picked with the kids in mind (except for Le Cellier)...they are;
1/19 Ohana's
1/20 LTT
1/21 HDDR
1/22Coral Reef
1/24 Princess Norway lunch(me and DD only)
1/25 Le Cellier

When will you be there?

We will be there Jan27th-Feb2nd. Just missing you . Looks like you have some great ADR. We loved loved loved Ohana(we are family of big eaters)everything was delicious. Make sure you ask to be in the main dining area. Last year we were lucky enough to get a view of wishes (it was priceless). Hope you have a wonderful trip .

 

[tmkdmom]

Thank you!, we can't wait!!!
You have a great time too!!!!!!!!!

 

[n2mm]

I have been reading the DIS for two years and NEVER read so many negative comments about "the happiest place on earth!"......makes me regret going with the DDP!!! This is the first trip as a family and I wanted to do it right(staying in the park, MYW, DDP plus Park Hopper). I know I shouldn't be reading the negative, but I can't help it......
I need some positive feedback about my Jan trip!!!!

I don't think it's really negative feedback. I loved the DDP. I used it for my last 10 trips over the past 2 years, but with the new 2008 changes (no appetizer and no gratuity included) there is no real value for us anymore. The only perk we see now is just the convenience of 2 of your daily meals being pre-paid. Now with the price being $76 a day for 2 adults, plus add the tip on which would be around $20 a day, and if we want to share an appetizer that would be another $7-10 a day. We seldom exceed $100 a day for a QS and TS for the 2 of us. Yes somedays our TS would be higher, but some days it won't be. If one of our TS meals is Cape May that is about $50 for us (we have the 20% DDE discount card too), plus about $15-18 for a QS, we would not get close to the price of the daily DDP cost. If the DDP should start including the gratuity, we would most like buy it again, but we do look forward to our January trip and not using it this time. We have returned to some less bang for the buck locations, like the Plaza, Trails End, 50s Prime Time and Cape May. We also look forward to doing more TS lunches as we won't have that urge to get the most value out of our credits. (I know we shouldn't have felt like we had to, but it's hard to overcome that urge when using the DDP). Believe me, skipping a few heavy meals and deserts will be easier on my waist, which I only blame on myself, not the DDP. So don't get me wrong, I love the DDP, I just don't like the new 2008 changes. As someone said in 2007 it was a great deal for all, in 2008 it will be a great deal for some. Lucky for you, you didn't get use to the old way, so you won't miss the great deal we had for the past 3 years. BTW, we'll be there January 26-Feb 4. (but doing a 3 day cruise at the end of the trip--so will get my share of food there too)

 

[septbaby]

Reality is most people don't like change and when that change is seen as a take away you get those "negative" aka fearful comments.

You've planned an awesome trip so go have an awesome time! Wish I was going to be in the FL sunshine and at Disney in January!

 

[LauraVV]

but with the new 2008 changes (no appetizer and no gratuity included) there is no real value for us anymore.

Did the appetizer get removed from quick service only? Appetizer, Entree, Dessert, and Drink are all on the 2008 Deluxe Disney Dining Plan PDF for Table Service.

The last time we went to Disney was in 2004. At that time we had the Silver Add On Plan and really liked it. We were able to purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan (3 meals and 2 snacks) for the same as we could have gotten the basic meal plan (1 meal). We'll be in Disney at the end of January thru early Feb.

 

[Jenniww]

We will be there Jan27th-Feb2nd. Just missing you . Looks like you have some great ADR. We loved loved loved Ohana(we are family of big eaters)everything was delicious. Make sure you ask to be in the main dining area. Last year we were lucky enough to get a view of wishes (it was priceless). Hope you have a wonderful trip .

We will be there the 19-25 of Jan.... We went the same week in Jan 07 and loved it so much we are going back! I don't care that the 18% is no longer included I like having most of the trip paid for Have fun focus on the positive!

 

[Colleen27]

Did the appetizer get removed from quick service only? Appetizer, Entree, Dessert, and Drink are all on the 2008 Deluxe Disney Dining Plan PDF for Table Service.

The appetizer was only removed from the standard dining plan. It is still included on the deluxe plan.

 

[TDC Nala]

Did the appetizer get removed from quick service only? Appetizer, Entree, Dessert, and Drink are all on the 2008 Deluxe Disney Dining Plan PDF for Table Service.

The last time we went to Disney was in 2004. At that time we had the Silver Add On Plan and really liked it. We were able to purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan (3 meals and 2 snacks) for the same as we could have gotten the basic meal plan (1 meal). We'll be in Disney at the end of January thru early Feb.

The appetizers were not included with "quick" or counter service meals. Up to the end of 2007, what will be known in 2008 as the "basic" plan included appetizers with table service meals.

2008 will start 2 tiers of DDP offerings: the basic plan and the deluxe plan. Neither plan includes appetizers with counter service. Only the deluxe plan will include them with table service.

When you state the basic plan only includes one meal per night, this is correct if you are referring to table service meals. Basic includes one counter service meal also, so it actually includes 2 meals. The deluxe plan includes 3 meal credits which can be used for either counter service or table service.