DDP HELP / clarification, PLEASE!!!!!

[MarkinNM]

Ok, I posted a thread on the resort board maybe should have started it here……..

I was contemplating changing our Disney reservations from June to mid September so we can take advantage of the FD, this will cost me $300 more then the 4/3, which I turned into a 5/3. If I were to add the DDP on my current vacation, just how much would it cost?

My concern is what is the catch of the DDP?? As I understand it that only Victoria and Albert's is the ONLY restaurant NOT on the DDP, ok with that said, is there a catch on the menu, meaning can one order ANYTHING on ANY menu or is there a “special DDP menu”?? I am trying to find a catch on this and am wondering if I am not reading something?


PLEASE HELP me understand this part of Disney, why do they even offer this, I mean how much money can they make off of DDP?

Do I indeed change our reservations???

 

[Stephanie VanMeter]

We have purchased the dining plan the last 4 years, this year will be year 5. We are never able to get it free because we can't go in the fall, DH coaches football. We go in June. This year we first decided to not get the dining plan to save money. Well after about a month we called our TA and added it on. We like to idea of having it all paid in advance and getting to go to the resturant and order anything on the menu without looking at the price. The kids (DS17 and DD 10) love getting to order the steak. Personally, even paying for it and not getting it free, I think it is a great deal. But it is up to you. If you go to allears site you can view many of the menus and see what foods you like. Remember the appitizer is no longer included but with a TS meal you get one entree, drink and dessert. On the counter service meal you get one meal, drink and dessert. Also a snack a day! Which ever you decided you will enjoy the dining plan.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Benefits of changing from June to mid September: crowd levels lower.
With free dining the restaurants are far more packed and getting ADR's very difficult.

DDP has a lot more restaurants not on the plan than just Vistoria and Alberts. See a full list of what restaurants are on the plan here: http://allears.net/pl/packages09a.htm#rest

You can save money on the DDP, they say up to 30% but that is if you call first thing on your 90 day mark and get all the best/most expensive restaurants. There are things you cannot order on DDP. Here's that list:
Limitations/Exclusions/Observations
• Tangierine Cafe - limits your dessert to Baklava only.
• The Lunching Pad - no dessert
• Teppan Edo - The salad isn't included as part of the entree - can be ordered as an appetizer on DxDDP.
• Yakitori House - Only certain combinations permitted. For example, Tonosama Combination is not included.
• Pepper Market - Dessert options with CS only allowed from Tier 1. (NOTE: In 2009 there have been a couple of reports that any dessert is included, but not enough reports to remove this from the list yet.)
• Spoodles - A Dessert "Sampler" can be ordered, but only by two Dining Plan guests.
• Raglan Road - Dessert "Sampler" is excluded. Appetizers “for two” can be ordered by two (deluxe) dining plan guests.
• Planet Hollywood - Aubriee reports that surf and turf is excluded.
• Wolfgang Puck Cafe - Sushi is considered an entree, not an appetizer.
• California Grill - Yoshi's Deluxe Sushi Platter and Snake in the Grass are considered entrees.

I'd probably go with September just due to crowds but since it's MORE expensive I don't know. The cost of the dining plans are:
Cost
Quick Service Dining Plan:
$29.99 per guest 10 and older
$8.99 per child 3-9 years old

Cost
Regular dining plan:
$39.99 per guest 10 and older and
$10.99 per child 3-9 years old

Cost
Deluxe dining plan:
$71.99 per guest 10 and older and
$20.99 per child 3-9 years old

See here for more info: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2054845

 

[MarkinNM]

WOW, thats ALOT of info there GraceLuvsWDW, thanks thats what I was asking for!!! Let me ask you this as far as the weather, is it a bit cooler, less humid then June? When you go and order a itme that NOT on the DDP, does the wait staff let you know and help you along?? Going in Sept would save me $$$$$ as I was planning on paying OOP for our food in June, only downside is the kids would miss 7 days of school in a very early school year.....So if I am reading it right, the free DP is the regular dining plan, NOT the QSDP right??

 

[MarkinNM]

We have purchased the dining plan the last 4 years, this year will be year 5. We are never able to get it free because we can't go in the fall, DH coaches football. We go in June. This year we first decided to not get the dining plan to save money. Well after about a month we called our TA and added it on. We like to idea of having it all paid in advance and getting to go to the resturant and order anything on the menu without looking at the price. The kids (DS17 and DD 10) love getting to order the steak. Personally, even paying for it and not getting it free, I think it is a great deal. But it is up to you. If you go to allears site you can view many of the menus and see what foods you like. Remember the appitizer is no longer included but with a TS meal you get one entree, drink and dessert. On the counter service meal you get one meal, drink and dessert. Also a snack a day! Which ever you decided you will enjoy the dining plan.

THANKS thats was I was thinking as I have a skinny 12YO who eats like food will run out!!! I was looking at the allears menu and saw some of the prices and was of them......If we go in Sept the $$ have saved already would be just simple spending $$ this seems like a deal too good to be true.....

 

[Colleen27]

Ok, I posted a thread on the resort board maybe should have started it here……..

I was contemplating changing our Disney reservations from June to mid September so we can take advantage of the FD, this will cost me $300 more then the 4/3, which I turned into a 5/3. If I were to add the DDP on my current vacation, just how much would it cost?

My concern is what is the catch of the DDP?? As I understand it that only Victoria and Albert's is the ONLY restaurant NOT on the DDP, ok with that said, is there a catch on the menu, meaning can one order ANYTHING on ANY menu or is there a “special DDP menu”?? I am trying to find a catch on this and am wondering if I am not reading something?


PLEASE HELP me understand this part of Disney, why do they even offer this, I mean how much money can they make off of DDP?

Do I indeed change our reservations???

If I'm reading this correctly, Sept with dining would be $300 more than June without? Then by all means, change it! The savings on food will make Sept the better deal by far.

There are a few restaurants not on the plan, mostly at Downtown Disney. At Downtown Disney, the dining plan options are limited to Wolfgang Puck Express & Cafe (but not Upstairs), Earl of Sandwich, Planet Hollywood, Capt Jacks, Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road.

In the parks, Bistro de France at EPCOT and Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom are the only restaurants not on the plan. At the resorts, the only ones I can think of that don't accept the plan are the Kona sushi bar and V&A.

There are a very few menu restrictions on the dining plan, but for the most part you can order any entree and dessert (and appetizer if you upgrade to the deluxe plan) on the menu.

As far as why Disney offers it, that is simple. You have to stay onsite to get the plan. The plan may not be a moneymaker when you compare the plan cost to the menu prices of the included food, but it means people are staying in Disney resorts and eating in Disney restaurants (and while the food is covered by the plan, alcohol - a BIG moneymaker - isn't). Combine the dining plan with Magical Express and Disney has essentially created a captive audience that will most likely never go offsite for anything.

 

[Colleen27]

WOW, thats ALOT of info there GraceLuvsWDW, thanks thats what I was asking for!!! Let me ask you this as far as the weather, is it a bit cooler, less humid then June? When you go and order a itme that NOT on the DDP, does the wait staff let you know and help you along?? Going in Sept would save me $$$$$ as I was planning on paying OOP for our food in June, only downside is the kids would miss 7 days of school in a very early school year.....So if I am reading it right, the free DP is the regular dining plan, NOT the QSDP right??

Sept is still very hot and humid in FL.

The waitstaff at Disney is very used to helping people navigate the dining plan.

The free dining plan is the basic plan, which includes 1 sitdown meal, 1 quick service meal, and 1 snack per person, per night.

 

[MarkinNM]

If I'm reading this correctly, Sept with dining would be $300 more than June without? Then by all means, change it! The savings on food will make Sept the better deal by far.

There are a few restaurants not on the plan, mostly at Downtown Disney. At Downtown Disney, the dining plan options are limited to Wolfgang Puck Express & Cafe (but not Upstairs), Earl of Sandwich, Planet Hollywood, Capt Jacks, Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road.

In the parks, Bistro de France at EPCOT and Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom are the only restaurants not on the plan. At the resorts, the only ones I can think of that don't accept the plan are the Kona sushi bar and V&A.

There are a very few menu restrictions on the dining plan, but for the most part you can order any entree and dessert (and appetizer if you upgrade to the deluxe plan) on the menu.

As far as why Disney offers it, that is simple. You have to stay onsite to get the plan. The plan may not be a moneymaker when you compare the plan cost to the menu prices of the included food, but it means people are staying in Disney resorts and eating in Disney restaurants (and while the food is covered by the plan, alcohol - a BIG moneymaker - isn't). Combine the dining plan with Magical Express and Disney has essentially created a captive audience that will most likely never go offsite for anything.

Yes thats it, I called yesterday had the CM quote me a price and I did go on the web and priced it myself, if I have the CM change my res all $$$ would be applied to the Sept vacation...... I am trying to find a catch, as the FDD included the room, park tickets AND now free food!!! Man this is a HECK OF A DEAL!!!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Yes thats it, I called yesterday had the CM quote me a price and I did go on the web and priced it myself, if I have the CM change my res all $$$ would be applied to the Sept vacation...... I am trying to find a catch, as the FDD included the room, park tickets AND now free food!!! Man this is a HECK OF A DEAL!!!

It can be a deal, but there are better deals out there too. People hear FREE dining and they think that's the best it gets but I had a Free Dining bounceback booked and rebooked it using a 40% off code and saved A LOT of money. Keep your eyes open, run all the numbers. Sept is a little hotter than June but way less crowded. Taking kids out of school is something to consider.

Lots of refurbs happen in Sept, be aware of that too.

 

[MarkinNM]

Sept is still very hot and humid in FL.

Kind of figured that will be the case no matter when we go!!!

The waitstaff at Disney is very used to helping people navigate the dining plan.

The free dining plan is the basic plan, which includes 1 sitdown meal, 1 quick service meal, and 1 snack per person, per night.

Awesome to know the help will be there so that we dont end up with $$$ to pay OOP in addition to the DDP.....


THANKS ALL for your HELP!!!!

Now off to work to see if the vacation cal is avail......

 

[MarkinNM]

It can be a deal, but there are better deals out there too. People hear FREE dining and they think that's the best it gets but I had a Free Dining bounceback booked and rebooked it using a 40% off code and saved A LOT of money. Keep your eyes open, run all the numbers. Sept is a little hotter than June but way less crowded. Taking kids out of school is something to consider.

Lots of refurbs happen in Sept, be aware of that too.

Yuppers the kids would miss 7 days in a early school year, refurbs NP as I have NEVER been to Disney w/o a refurb going on. I am NEVER lucky enough to get pin codesvto take advantage of this stuff

 

[KKB]

It can be a deal, but there are better deals out there too. People hear FREE dining and they think that's the best it gets but I had a Free Dining bounceback booked and rebooked it using a 40% off code and saved A LOT of money. Keep your eyes open, run all the numbers. Sept is a little hotter than June but way less crowded. Taking kids out of school is something to consider.

Lots of refurbs happen in Sept, be aware of that too.

The larger the party/value resorts get better deals w/ free dining. Deluxe resorts/smaller groups will find a better deal w/ % off savings.

7 of us at POP (only one under 10)--free DDP saves us $2000 over 8 days! About 40%--so very similar to your savings.

 

[TDC Nala]

As I understand it that only Victoria and Albert's is the ONLY restaurant NOT on the DDP

There are several restaurants, mostly at Downtown Disney and resorts that are not owned by Disney, that don't accept the dining plan. Read the official brochure, a link to which is posted on this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2054845

You may also want to look through the FAQ on the thread.

 

[Colleen27]

Yes thats it, I called yesterday had the CM quote me a price and I did go on the web and priced it myself, if I have the CM change my res all $$$ would be applied to the Sept vacation...... I am trying to find a catch, as the FDD included the room, park tickets AND now free food!!! Man this is a HECK OF A DEAL!!!

It really is, if you're staying at a value or moderate resort or have a lot of Disney adults in your group. There are sometimes better deals to be had on the deluxe resorts, and of course free dining means going at a less than ideal time of year weather-wise, but all in all it is one of Disney's better discount offers.

We were originally planning on a May trip, but some personal business got in the way and we had to postpone. We switched from May with the 4/3 (as a 5/3) to Sept with free dining, added a night, and are still saving $600. Even the CM who made the changes for me was surprised!

 

[Sammie]

As Colleen said it can be a bargain for the moderate and value resorts, as you have to pay full rack rate on the room, to get the Dining plan. No discount on the room, that is how Disney is able to offer it.

Also they offer it during a time when most travelers avoid. Middle August and September is very hot and humid and peak hurricane season and school is in session.

Be aware though that free dining will make restaurants very, very crowded and will make a time usually less crowded, more crowded. Rehabs are usually scheduled in the off times and hours and parades etc can be scaled back.

It has is pros but there are cons too.

 

[KKB]

We were originally planning on a May trip, but some personal business got in the way and we had to postpone. We switched from May with the 4/3 (as a 5/3) to Sept with free dining, added a night, and are still saving $600. Even the CM who made the changes for me was surprised!

When I was booking, the CM suddenly popped "WOW" and I thought, oh, no, something is wrong w/ the booking...
He just said, "OMG, that is an INCREDIBLE deal!"
We paid for DDP for our last trip, and loved the convenience of it, as well as the ability to NOT look at prices on a menu
I really wish we could order appetizer or dessert at TS...just NOT a big dessert person here. But that's OK...it was WAY too much food...and I like being able to tip as I see fit (although we really had very good to great service everywhere)

 

[Colleen27]

When I was booking, the CM suddenly popped "WOW" and I thought, oh, no, something is wrong w/ the booking...
He just said, "OMG, that is an INCREDIBLE deal!"
We paid for DDP for our last trip, and loved the convenience of it, as well as the ability to NOT look at prices on a menu
I really wish we could order appetizer or dessert at TS...just NOT a big dessert person here. But that's OK...it was WAY too much food...and I like being able to tip as I see fit (although we really had very good to great service everywhere)

We upgraded to the deluxe plan after trying it in Jan '08 and loving it. Appetizers and signature restaurants every night, without looking at a single price... Heaven!

 

[MarkinNM]

...and I like being able to tip as I see fit (although we really had very good to great service everywhere)

I really, REALLY dont like auto tipping!! I feel that it should be up to the diner NOT the server aas to the tip....Most of the time I would have given a bigger tip anyway, just when its forced on me, the tip is whats on the bill.....



I just want to say thanks for ALL who have cleared up the DDP which was a new addition to me as far as Disney, it still seems too good to be true, meaning I switch my current 4/3 deal for the free dining in Sept, which is going to cost me $300 more and we now get free food, if I buy the DDP now for our booking in June it would cost me $1280................

THATS a GREAT deal.............

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

WOW, thats ALOT of info there GraceLuvsWDW, thanks thats what I was asking for!!! Let me ask you this as far as the weather, is it a bit cooler, less humid then June? When you go and order a itme that NOT on the DDP, does the wait staff let you know and help you along?? Going in Sept would save me $$$$$ as I was planning on paying OOP for our food in June, only downside is the kids would miss 7 days of school in a very early school year.....So if I am reading it right, the free DP is the regular dining plan, NOT the QSDP right??

Sept is much hotter than June. Degrees wise, on average it's about 2-5 hotter but the humidity is much more. Good thing I enjoy the hot weather.

Another thing about the weather that seems to make it ok for me is that by September, I am used to it being hot as it's after the summer. In June, not so much, I am still used to cooler, rainier temperatures so it's much more of a rude awakening.

Something else to consider is that you are already past your 90 day ADR mark or any dining you may do while in June. Idk if you were going to eat at any TS in June though...

 

[MarkinNM]

Sept is much hotter than June. Degrees wise, on average it's about 2-5 hotter but the humidity is much more. Good thing I enjoy the hot weather.

Another thing about the weather that seems to make it ok for me is that by September, I am used to it being hot as it's after the summer. In June, not so much, I am still used to cooler, rainier temperatures so it's much more of a rude awakening.

Something else to consider is that you are already past your 90 day ADR mark or any dining you may do while in June. Idk if you were going to eat at any TS in June though...

I really dont mind the heat, I know the humid air is a killer but we can deal with it, as here in the summer its a dry 100+ in the day with the humidity about 16%......

I dropped the ball in the 90 day ADR for June, so making this plan in Sept will give me time to plan...........