DDP info for 2009...anyone hear this one?

[CMedley78]

I changed my ressies today for next April and was told that DDP will be available to members this Monday, Sept. 8. I mentioned how we will still do it because we will save a few dollars, but I liked the old plan where we got an appetizer (we aren't dessert people). MS told me in a way that I thought was insinuation that well I might have that option come next week. Did anyone hear the same thing?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Haven't heard that, but it would be ok for our April trip if it is--as long as the price doesn't get much higher. They said "option" though, maybe the long dreamed-about choice of appetizer or dessert is happening.
Of course I'd choose dessert!
Robin M.

 

[Laneychris]

Is the price different for DVC members verses others?

 

[Dean]

Is the price different for DVC members verses others?

No price difference but no minimum LOS or ticket requirement to get it.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Haven't heard that, but it would be ok for our April trip if it is--as long as the price doesn't get much higher. They said "option" though, maybe the long dreamed-about choice of appetizer or dessert is happening.
Of course I'd choose dessert!
Robin M.

I would love the choice of APP or dessert so that DH and I can split an APP and a dessert. Of course I have a feeling this will not happen as the people at Disney are very smart and probably know that people would do this (share one APP and one dessert if given the choice). They know they stand to make more money by giving the dessert as the only choice, and many people would still pay OOP for an APP to share in addition.

 

[plymouthmom]

Made my ADR's for January today. Was told too that just need to wait a few days to add the plan and things would be "more old than new".

 

[CMedley78]

Made my ADR's for January today. Was told too that just need to wait a few days to add the plan and things would be "more old than new".

Glad I wasn't the only one who was told that...now I really have hope!

 

[TDC Nala]

I changed my ressies today for next April and was told that DDP will be available to members this Monday, Sept. 8. I mentioned how we will still do it because we will save a few dollars, but I liked the old plan where we got an appetizer (we aren't dessert people). MS told me in a way that I thought was insinuation that well I might have that option come next week. Did anyone hear the same thing?

The 2009 dining plans have been released for package bookings. No change to the regular or deluxe plans except for a minor price increase (up $2 for 10 and over and $1 for 3-9). No appetizer (for 10 and over) on the regular plan. Appetizer on deluxe plan only.

The main change is the addition of the counter service only plan.

I don't believe there will be a separate and different plan for DVC members that includes appetizers or an appetizer/dessert choice. But I guess anything is possible.

Le Cellier has been experimenting with something called a "pilot menu" that offers a fixed price option including appetizer, entree and dessert. They are also offering this to regular dining plan customers - if you stick to that menu, you can have an appetizer. The kicker is that the dishes on this menu are among the least expensive offered by the restaurant. It's probably thought that at least some dining plan users would go for prime rib rather than filet mignon if they could also get an appetizer included.

This may be what they're alluding to - if it's popular at Le Cellier I wouldn't be surprised to see it at other restaurants.

 

[n2mm]

Yes, we saw the pilot menu two weeks ago during our visit to LeCellier. I too am wondering if this "old...new" quote has something to do with this type of menu. Maybe the DDP participant will be able to choose a "fixed" option (which includes the appetizer and desert) or choose the standard fare of entree and desert only on a la carte. I guess we'll know soon. We have not used the DDP since the removal of appetizers and tip, but before that change we used it on every trip since it was offered to DVC members (so we used it ALOT prior to 2008).

 

[Dean]

Artist Point has generally allowed one to use the DDP for the price fix. Of course, like the DDP, the price fix at AP has been watered down too. It used to include the soup and salad, now it's either or.

 

[mtmbyck]

We are booked as guests using a DVC friends points. Do I understand that DVC members DO NOT need to take DDP for all nights of the stay. I thought a post said this. In other words, we are there 10 nights - can I just take DDP for 5 nights? Is there somewhere that I can read about this DVC option without bothering the DVC member?

 

[CarolMN]

We are booked as guests using a DVC friends points. Do I understand that DVC members DO NOT need to take DDP for all nights of the stay. I thought a post said this. In other words, we are there 10 nights - can I just take DDP for 5 nights? Is there somewhere that I can read about this DVC option without bothering the DVC member?

That's not true. If DVC members choose to add one of the Dining Plans, they must buy it for every night of the stay for every person in their unit over the age of 3.

There is no requirement to buy a ticket for DVC members, and there is no minimum stay requirement either. Otherwise, the plans work just the same as those added to a CRO/WDWTC room & ticket package.

Maybe the DVC member was talking about a split stay - for example, 5 nights at SSR and 5 nights at VWL. Since those are 2 separate reservations, the member can choose to buy the DP at only one of the resorts. However, the credits can only be used between check in and midnight of the check out day. This would also work if the member stayed at the same resort, but in different unit types (thus two separate reservations).

Since you are staying on points, you can/must follow the DVC rules for adding Dining Plan packages. The DVC member must add the DP to your points reservation (you would not be allowed to do yourself). Also, the member would have to make your arrangements for Magical Express if you are taking advantage of that.

 

[Dean]

We are booked as guests using a DVC friends points. Do I understand that DVC members DO NOT need to take DDP for all nights of the stay. I thought a post said this. In other words, we are there 10 nights - can I just take DDP for 5 nights? Is there somewhere that I can read about this DVC option without bothering the DVC member?

You likely misread my post. There is no minimum LOS with DVC to get the DDP, you could stay for only 1 night and use the DDP, but you must purchase for the entire LOS.

 

[TDC Nala]

Artist Point has generally allowed one to use the DDP for the price fix. Of course, like the DDP, the price fix at AP has been watered down too. It used to include the soup and salad, now it's either or.

When I used the DDP at Artist Point I was told that it was not permitted to order the price fix menu on the dining plan - and this was when the appetizer was included in the dining plan. You could, however, pick the exact same items off the regular menu, so it wasn't relevant.

There have been other reports like this. You are the first I have seen that has been permitted to order the price fix with the appetizer at Artist Point. Was that recent? Did they include the appetizer on the basic plan?

 

[Dean]

When I used the DDP at Artist Point I was told that it was not permitted to order the price fix menu on the dining plan - and this was when the appetizer was included in the dining plan. You could, however, pick the exact same items off the regular menu, so it wasn't relevant.

There have been other reports like this. You are the first I have seen that has been permitted to order the price fix with the appetizer at Artist Point. Was that recent? Did they include the appetizer on the basic plan?

We have on two occasions and at the time it included two appetizers.

 

[Laneychris]

Good to know

 

[ranthony]

I would venture a guess that DVC members use the dining plan less frequently than members staying through CRO. It sure would be a nice incentive to entice DVC members to go for that DP if it included appetizer and desert!

Also, it would be a great marketing tool to entice others to look closer at DVC if our DP was "better".

I felt that eliminating the appetizer was really a way to be able to free up tables quicker, but now that a quick service plan has been introduced that might not be as much of an issue in 09.

If there is a change (added perk for the DVC member) you can be sure the number crunchers have analyzed it fully and it would be beneficial to the overall bottom line.

 

[TDC Nala]

We have on two occasions and at the time it included two appetizers.

Does "at the time" mean you ordered it prior to 2008? After 2008 it's rare to get an appetizer on the basic plan.

I wouldn't want to tell anyone on the restaurant board that they can order this and get an appetizer on the basic plan if they can't.

Unless you're on the basic plan it's totally irrelevant as far as ordering, since all the items on the price-fixed menu are on the regular menu and could be ordered on the dining plan anyway. But on the restaurant board we always get people asking if they can order the price-fixed menu on the basic plan and get the appetizer included. To my knowledge the only way to get an appetizer on the basic (outside of family style meals) is the Fantasmic dinner package or the Le Cellier pilot menu.

 

[Dean]

Does "at the time" mean you ordered it prior to 2008? After 2008 it's rare to get an appetizer on the basic plan.

I wouldn't want to tell anyone on the restaurant board that they can order this and get an appetizer on the basic plan if they can't.

Unless you're on the basic plan it's totally irrelevant as far as ordering, since all the items on the price-fixed menu are on the regular menu and could be ordered on the dining plan anyway. But on the restaurant board we always get people asking if they can order the price-fixed menu on the basic plan and get the appetizer included. To my knowledge the only way to get an appetizer on the basic (outside of family style meals) is the Fantasmic dinner package or the Le Cellier pilot menu.

Yes, we haven't been to Disney this year, both were in 2007.

 

[tink too]

Ooh, I'll be calling MS later today anyway, so I guess I'll ask about the DP. We've never used it before, but would like to on our first trip "home" next April.

To be honest I'm more of a dessert girl, but if I find anything out, I'll post it here.