DDP rumor OR Facts

[ilovefh]

I cna say for us it won't work. It brings the total price per day to about 50 including tax and tip. There are some places we always get apps, and I'm a waitress part time so if the service is goof I can't tip 15% I feel for the servers because I think the tips will go down. Also will you be bale to room charge or use a card to just leave the tip? I don't think we want to be carrying that much cash.

 

[InstImpres]

I am sure room charges are going to be accepted for tips, there is no reason not to. They always allow room charges at restuarants (for DDP add onlines like wine) so why wouldn't they now. If they didn't allow the charges the servers would surely get the "short stick".

No doubt they will room charge. My guess is you will get a regular charge slip when they run your credits and it will say "charge 0" and have the gratiuity line open for you to fill in

 

[JimMIA]

Yes, I think that statements that this new plan isn't worthwhile to anyone are nothing more than hyperbole.

Sorry about that, Bicker -- I misread your post!

I agree. I think DDP will still make sense for a lot of families, especially families with several small kids...which is a big part of Disney's clientele. Another important factor is whether the family is a "captive audience" without transportation. I think most would agree that you can eat somewhat less expensively offsite, but not everyone has the luxury of that choice.

But everyone's family is different, people vacation in many different styles, and there is no one cookie-cutter answer that will apply to every family.

Previously, there were many families who barely broke even and used the DDP because of the convenience, the ability to have their food cost fixed and prepaid, etc, etc. DDP will no longer make sense for many of those people, unless they feel the convenience is worth paying a premium for over and above their normal dining costs.

We fall into that group, and frankly, we look forward to eating all but character meals offsite in the future. I think we'll get better food, much better variety of food choices, better dining experiences, less required planning, and lower prices. We'll still stay onsite because of DVC, but don't go looking for us in Disney restaurants.

And then, there is an entire universe of other visitors -- those who previously stayed and ate offsite, and who only stayed onsite to get DDP. (Remember that DDP has always been primarily a lodging promotion, designed to lure people into staying onsite.) That's a good number of people. Many of those families will probably say, "Okay, that was fun while it lasted. Now let's go back to staying offsite, spending some time at Universal and other attractions -- getting more variety of experiences, and reducing the costs of our vacations."

 

[KimWDW]

I just don't think it's a good deal with these changes. Not including the appetizer is one thing, but tips are the bigger deal. That's essentially decreasing the value of the dining plan by 20%. I won't be participating in the DDP. Also, I think this is the last year that we're going to do Disney only. We've done Disney only for 4 trips. Next year, my son will be 6 and ready to go to Universal and some other places.

 

[faindrops27]

Okay- I am confused now. All that seems to have changed on the basic ddp is that tips have been dropped. Is that correct? If so, why are people saying that they can't do it this year? I think I am missing something. Also, on the Deluxe-I haven't had a chance to figure it up yet, but getting 3 meals a day for counter or table option-is that not better? We always ship our breakfast stuff ahead and this would eliminate the need for that. As you can see, the math portion of my brain has been tuned out for the weekend What is ya'lls opinion on the Deluxe? By the way, we are a family of 5 and 2 of my guys are growing boys!! So they do eat a lot!

Well for me to spend 3500 just on food and 5 cups. For 10 nights.(For deluxe) Is a problem for me. If I add that with airfare, a moderate, park hoppers. Spending money. We are talking 8k-10k. Will I skip disney next year. I can't, I promised the kids. But, I am seriously thinking to stay at Universal. With maybe a few days at Disney, we will see however. Maybe I can just convince the kids it will be a Universal year. Especially with thier ticket prices.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Saving money seems to be a central theme of the dining plan. I have this "feeling" that when DDP guests start having to tip at meals, they will realize they aren't saving as much as they thought, and many will begin to "stiff" the servers.

 

[EpcotLove]

This is NOT a good deal - unless you plan on not tipping, which is just wrong. Since tip is NOT included in the original plan, it is going to suck.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okay-talked to DH about this after lunch and we were throwing some #s around for the ddp. For us, it is really isn't going to be saving any $. Do any of you know if the tip rate is automatically 18% just because you are on the ddp? If so, then we are definitely not doing it. Also, me and my dd can share more food this way-unless it's a buffet-type place. My oldest son def. eats a lot, but maybe son #2 can just share with my dh at other rest. and we can really come out ahead.(Watch him have a growth spurt and be starving the whole trip)!!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

There is now a sticky thread stuck to the top of the board for all DDP discussions, here is the link to the 2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents.
Thanks,