Change to DDP

[familyfunn]

Is any one else upset about the change of having to buy DDP for your ENTIRE stay vs. purchasing only for a few nights of your stay?

I was looking forward to actually USING my kitchen for some simple meals during our stay & then using DDP for the days we were going to the park. I was floored when I called today to find that I have to purchase it for the entire 6 days that I am there or not at all.

I spoke with a manager explaining that we want to USE our kitchen this time (like we are "at home"), but that I don't want to cook for my family of 6 every single night!

As DVC members can we complain enough to make them change it back?
Do you other DVC members even want flexibility with DDP?

 

[Missyrose]

I know this thread will get moved to the Member Services board but I'll respond anyway...

I only became a DVC member after they disallowed the segmented dining, but at some point, isn't easier to just pay OOP for the meals you want rather than keeping track of the credits you'll have for some of your days?

 

[DebbieB]

Is any one else upset about the change of having to buy DDP for your ENTIRE stay vs. purchasing only for a few nights of your stay?

I was looking forward to actually USING my kitchen for some simple meals during our stay & then using DDP for the days we were going to the park. I was floored when I called today to find that I have to purchase it for the entire 6 days that I am there or not at all.

I spoke with a manager explaining that we want to USE our kitchen this time (like we are "at home"), but that I don't want to cook for my family of 6 every single night!

As DVC members can we complain enough to make them change it back?
Do you other DVC members even want flexibility with DDP?

That's how Disney makes money with the dining plan, by requiring it for your whole stay & every person. Pick & choose would lose money. When they allowed it for a short period, I don't think they anticipated the way members would keep changing during their stay. One day, one day off, etc.

I don't know why they would change it back because members complain. What power do members complaining have?

 

[RobDoc]

The DDP is not a DVC program and is not controlled by DVC at all. When the DDP first began, DVC members could choose to add it to reservations based on purchasing the plan for everyone on the reservation for the length of stay.

When the new reservation system went into place, it allowed DVC members to segment reservations and allow for an abuse of the intent of the DDP. Once that was noticed by those in control, the opportunity was removed and everything renturned to the original intent and management of the program.

DVC members still do not need to purchase admission tickets in addition to the plan and still do not have to pay an upgrade for premium dates.

The ability to segment was removed last fall. If you really still want to get the DDP for specific dates, you can do so by changing villa types, views and/or resorts and purchasing the DDP for rhe exact dates you want. In doing so you would need to change rooms for every change in the DDP.

 

[bumbershoot]

Segmenting the stay with DDP, but without changing rooms, was only offered for a brief period of time.

When they allowed it for a short period, I don't think they anticipated the way members would keep changing during their stay. One day, one day off, etc.

Exactly.



I keep saying this...if we want the DDP to be something where we can use it at will, we'll end up with one like Disneyland's dining plan. Vouchers that are worth just about exactly what you paid for them, where you *might* break even, but will likely lose money on it (b/c they don't give change if you use a voucher that's "higher" than what you're buying) or at least have to supplement the vouchers with money. Then again, you can use 3 day's worth of dining plan over as long as you like!

The DDP is a plan, and it has rules. They changed them for a short amount of time, realized it was a mistake, and changed it back.

 

[disneynutz]

Is any one else upset about the change of having to buy DDP for your ENTIRE stay vs. purchasing only for a few nights of your stay?

I was looking forward to actually USING my kitchen for some simple meals during our stay & then using DDP for the days we were going to the park. I was floored when I called today to find that I have to purchase it for the entire 6 days that I am there or not at all.

I spoke with a manager explaining that we want to USE our kitchen this time (like we are "at home"), but that I don't want to cook for my family of 6 every single night!

As DVC members can we complain enough to make them change it back?
Do you other DVC members even want flexibility with DDP?

If you only intended to use the DDP for a couple of days, then pay OOP. The cost savings for the DDP gets less and less every year and now I see it as almost a break even for most guests.

You also need to realize that like most Disney discounts/perks the program is designed to make Disney money while giving you a sense of magic or cost savings. Even with all of the special deals that Disney Parks are doing, they still made a profit of 222 million last quarter and set new park attendance records.

Bill

 

[WsPrincess]

What about getting the TiW card? I think if you are only going to eat a few meals out, that might be a better deal anyways. It always seems to us that the only time the dining plan really worked for us was when we are doing a lot of character meals/buffets, otherwise we really don't save a lot. Or what about putting what you would have spent on the DDP on a gift card and pay for meals with that? You can still treat it like a prepaid plan but you can order what you want for your meals

 

[vicki_c]

Well I'm not sure I would call it abuse as much as taking advantage of a loophole, the DDP for DVC is just back to the way it always was since they allowed DVC members to purchase it. I'm sure they never envisioned the crazy ways DVC members started to use it when they allowed us to segment it. Did you ever see the posts here about what people were doing?

One night deluxe, 2 nights regular, one night deluxe, 3 nights regular, one deluxe - it was crazy! And all involving checking in again, getting new cards, many stories of messed up credits, frustrated DVC members and cast members. There was no way they were going to be able to allow that to continue.

It's a money maker for Disney - and that's the intent of the DDP. And it wasn't such a money maker the way DVC members were trying to use it.

And personally - no, I could not care less. I have never done a dining plan, free dining, nothing. We either just pay OOP or use the TiW card when we have APs (and now will continue to do that since DVC members can buy it).

 

[familyfunn]

Well I'm not sure I would call it abuse as much as taking advantage of a loophole, the DDP for DVC is just back to the way it always was since they allowed DVC members to purchase it. I'm sure they never envisioned the crazy ways DVC members started to use it when they allowed us to segment it. Did you ever see the posts here about what people were doing?

One night deluxe, 2 nights regular, one night deluxe, 3 nights regular, one deluxe - it was crazy! And all involving checking in again, getting new cards, many stories of messed up credits, frustrated DVC members and cast members. There was no way they were going to be able to allow that to continue.

It's a money maker for Disney - and that's the intent of the DDP. And it wasn't such a money maker the way DVC members were trying to use it.

And personally - no, I could not care less. I have never done a dining plan, free dining, nothing. We either just pay OOP or use the TiW card when we have APs (and now will continue to do that since DVC members can buy it).

This is why I love the DisBoards... I learn so much from you guys. Being new to DVC (only vacationed twice with membership May2011,Oct2011) I didn't realize that segmenting the DDP was a new concept. We were able to do it both times. Now I see abuse of the system can happen. Sounds way more complicated than I would have ever made it though.

We are doing character meals & just can't justify paying for them without the DDP. ONE meal OOP for my family of six costs as much as a FULL day of meals on DDP. Like most moms these days, I'm trying to find the most economical way for my family of six to go to Disney. The way I see it we already forked out the money for DVC membership in order for the family to be able to stay in a 2 bedroom villa with kitchen... I want to cook inexpensive meals a couple of days, but then use the DDP while we're in the parks & at character meals.
I guess I just want the best of both worlds. What ever happens, I don't want the DDP abused to the point of being devalued. We wouldn't be able to eat the way we do without it.

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

{FLAME PROOF SUIT IN PLACE}

1) Personally, I have no problem with this.
2) Too many DVC owners think they are "entitled".
3) Let's face it, we are JUST owners of a timeshare.
4) And, a limited-time lease at that.
5) We already get discounts on annual passes and some purchases.
6) We were not promised any more.
7) If it were not for abuse, we would still have segmented DDP.
8) So, we have nothing to blame but our own greed.

{FLAME PROOF SUIT BACK ON HANGER}

 

[Sammie]

No problem at all. Segmenting is too much of hassle. When I go on vacation I want less hassle.

 

[n2mm]

No problem at all. Segmenting is too much of hassle. When I go on vacation I want less hassle.

Agreed! We tried the semented DDP and it was a PITA. We found ourselves spending much too much time at the front desk trying to sort things out. If we want to "segment" we just do a split stay at 2 different resorts.

 

[Chuck S]

I really like the TiW, basically it pays for the tip (20% discount, automatic 18% gratuity added) but it is a savings AND I'm not limited to what is included. As I occasionally like an adult beverage, and prefer salads to desserts, it really works well for me.

 

[permavac]

Agreed! We tried the semented DDP and it was a PITA. We found ourselves spending much too much time at the front desk trying to sort things out. If we want to "segment" we just do a split stay at 2 different resorts.

Agreed x2. We thought segmenting sounded like a good idea when it was first offered and considered doing it (since we don't get the DDP anymore because we definitely don't save money with it). They took it away before we ever had the chance but now that I think about it I have no desire to go to the front desk every few days to get new key cards, etc. So to me, "segmenting" is not exactly a "gift" from DVC since it could involve a bit of hassle.

Now, a real "new" perk (in my eyes) would be for DVC to allow members to buy as many or as few nights of DDP (one type of plan only of course) for their entire stay. That would save us money but, of course and as others have pointed out, there is really no incentive for DVC to do it since they make their money by making you buy it for every night of your stay.

Terri

 

[dianeschlicht]

I really like the TiW, basically it pays for the tip (20% discount, automatic 18% gratuity added) but it is a savings AND I'm not limited to what is included. As I occasionally like an adult beverage, and prefer salads to desserts, it really works well for me.

Same here. We tracked a detailed accounting of 3 trips. One where we had the DDP and two where we used the TIW card and ate what we preferred. We found we saved several hundred dollars using the TIW card over what the DDP cost us. Bear in mind, that we almost never eat desserts but do like appetizers and salads, so we had to pay extra if we wanted those things on DDP.