DDP 2008...The Positive Side?

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

My family and I will be using DDP again on our next vacation in 2 weeks. We have used it the past 4 years and have had no issues with it. I realize there are issues with the plan this year, do to the changes, which I actually don't mind. Gratuity will be paid accordingly as it should be and there is so much food on the DDP, we will not miss the appys.
I think some people, including servers, tend to forget that just because we are on the DDP, doesn't mean we haven't paid anything. We simply prepaid for our meals, and we use it for our convenience, not to inconvenience anyone else.
With that said, is there any positive stories out there for the 2008 DDP yet? I realize it's early, but maybe we can start hearing the good side of the plan?

 

[TLSnell1981]

 

[Native NYer]

We're going 1/16-1/20 on deluxe dining and hope to report only good things!

 

[beroh2253]

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

Nothing huh? Lol
It's ok, I'll be an optimist and assume people are still on vacation...

 

[Belle1962]

I hadn't used the previous plan so I am posting what I experienced becuse I know people have been asking.

That being said, I "think" I broke even or came out a little ahead (I won't know until I run the numbers) even "losing" 9 counter service credits. Why did I lose so many? Some days my grandson and I shared. Some days we had two table service and didn't eat in between.

Pepper Market was the best counter service credit--worth the trip to Coronado Springs. I got Prime Rib--the special of the day. My grandson actually had two counter service hot dogs (all he ate was the hot dogs--not the chips).

Tepan Edo was on the plan and worth it. Our chef wasn't as "magical" as others I swa but that's just the luck of the draw. My grandson loved it so that's all I care about.

We thoroughly enjoyed the plan--we never were "hungry", I didn't feel the need to watch every thing we ate. I wasn't stressing by the end of the week about how much money we had been spending, and it was very convenient. I am not "happy" with the dessert option--but simply paid for my appetizer on the two occasions I wanted one.

As far as the single serving size snack rules--they didn't really bother me as you can never have enough water. We kept some in the room in a fridge, and always had some on hand. That being said, if we do the plan again I would eat more snacks in the parks.

 

[VacationDad]

Well, I'm looking forward to it so that I can make little snide comments to all the supposedly outraged patrons who thought the gratuity and appetizer were included and are taking it out on the waitstaff.

 

[angelmav]

Well, I'm looking forward to it so that I can make little snide comments to all the supposedly outraged patrons who thought the gratuity and appetizer were included and are taking it out on the waitstaff.

Thats not really called for.

I still dont get the, 'Im glad they took off the gratuity and app so now I can pay even more mentality though.' I can see where it is still a good plan, but its pretty unusual to hear Yippee I get less for more!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Thats not really called for.

I still dont get the, 'Im glad they took off the gratuity and app so now I can pay even more mentality though.' I can see where it is still a good plan, but its pretty unusual to hear Yippee I get less for more!

I think they must not like their customers. I am assuming this is a disgruntled CM.

 

[byoung]

The plan was a great deal, now it's only a good deal. Any other changes it will be a bad deal.

 

[n2mm]

It's a prepaid partial meal plan.

 

[llmurphy17]

 

[Micca]

We just tried the DDP for two days for the first time time this week. We didn't understand it, neither did the CMs we spoke with. It was not a good deal/bargain for us. No more DDP for us, good luck to all my fellow Dis-ers.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

The dining plan works for us, and works if you know how to use it efficiently. (Not every family will benefit from it though). I agree that it was a great deal before, and now it's just a good deal. If my children were older, I would say it's not worth it.

 

[My2Angels]

I think the fact that we have 3 children under age 9 makes it a great deal for us! One character meal alone would be at least $12.99-$16.99 OOP for each child. With the basic dining plan, at $9.99 per day, they get that character meal plus a counter service and a snack! I could not do all of the character dining we would want to do and fill in with other meals for $10 per child. We tried it on our first trip and spent about $400.00 more than we spent the next year purchasing the dining plan!

 

[LSchrow]

The dining plan works for us, and works if you know how to use it efficiently. (Not every family will benefit from it though). I agree that it was a great deal before, and now it's just a good deal. If my children were older, I would say it's not worth it.

i agree with you goofy
DH & i will prob use it both on our may & oct trips.
we have DVC so it is simply a matter of pay the $38, no tix or room restrictions . we had considered the DDE (20% off selected restaurants, including alcohol), but it still would have cost us more than the DDP, based on our vacationing style: daytime we may sit by the quiet pool, go to DTD, or check out the outlets. a very few days we might actually go to a park for an hour or 2.
at night, we enjoy walking to EPCOT & having dinner in WS, followed by Illuminations & a quiet stroll back to the BW.

simply, DDP is not for everyone (same as DVC, refillable mugs, value resorts, heck ~ even WDW isn't for everyone!! ). we have never, & doubt we will ever, stay in a value resort ~ that is our decision, & what "fits" for us........DDP is the same: it is still an option, not a requirement (same as the types of passes, resorts, etc ~ all of which have caused the same type of furor every time a change was announced ).
sounds like you checked into it & found DDP "fits" you & your family ~ enjoy your vacation the way you want it to be

 

[skater]

I personally think the new DDP is not even a good deal, however since you have such a positive outlook, it will probably still be a good experience for you - and that's all you really need to worry about. Ultimately its attitude that makes or breaks it for all of us.

 

[YesMickey]

The dining plan is a deal for our family (Me, DW, DD7, DS4) I mean, my kids eat for 10bucks a day. That in itself makes it a deal for us. My wife and I make out because we like the good stuff, ie. grilled fish, steaks etc. Those average $26-$30 a plate where we eat. Our CS meals average about $8-$10 so there is even and that does not count the desserts for dinner and snack per day. I agree a family of 4 with the kids age 10 and 12 would not be a deal as the kids get charge full price. Of course the deluxe plan makes no sense to me because for it to be cost effective you would spend half your day waiting for your table and eating. I mean my family enjoys the variety of food we eat the week we are in DW, but we are not the Clumps and go on vacation to gorge ourselfs. I could see getting the Deluxe plan to eat the signature places and high end character stuff, but you would have to do that every day for it to be worthwhile and besides it may be cheaper to pay out of pocket. I know on about day 3-4 we are all full and the kids start complaining about having to eat again.

 

[robemcdo]

I look at the new DDP a couple of ways.
If you tally up the bills you have incurred and compare it to the amount you paid out of pocket, you are likely ahead...you used to be way ahead...now you are just plain ahead.

I figured our family of 4 paid $160 a day for $260 of value.
Now we will likey be paying 190 for 230 of value.

However, I also think $190 a day for the quality of food you actually get is too much. some meals are excellent, but I've found that many are so-so. They are charging premium prices for average food on many occasions. Plus, I don't really need to eat like that all week. I will likely go off the plan next time, pick a few sit downs, eat reasonably (maybe no dessert or appetizer), and maybe ask my good friend Papa John to provide me a few meals. The DDP does confine you to a park sometimes that you don't normally want to be at. Getting to Epcot and back can take 2 hours out of your day.

You want a good meal at counter service price..go visit Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown disney...Excellent fare.

As for the thread title , I can never think of anything good about a change that gives you less and charges you more. The only good thing is that I might not eat as much next time I visit.

 

[beroh2253]

I have hoppers for Universal that I have not been able to use due to being tied to the great deal in the past that the DDP provided. In 2008 Disney may be saving on not paying the tips, not providing an App. and not allowing a snack that can be shared. But now they are letting people see that this is not a great deal anymore and now we can do what we did in years past (visit Universal, Sea World, and Bush Gardens). I am signed up this June on the DDP (well for now anyway looking to see what is happening the next few months down there I will be keeping on the DIS every day for others opinions ) but after this I don't see me getting it and finally getting back to seeing some of the parks outside the Magic Kingdom that I haven't seen for a few years.
Maybe I should thank the Disney Higher Ups for screwing up a good thing for us and it use to be a good thing for Disney also but they got greedy.
Thank you Disney Beam Counters for giving use our life back and now we can again go outside the Disney Parks and enjoy that also with out worrying we are going to miss a TS,CS or a SC. Thanks again no longer feel like doing this to you for providing a great deal.