DDP substitutions-dessert for app?

[lilyv]

I agree. I can REALLY do fine without dessert. That's where the snack credit comes in handy.

I mean, I'd rather have oh, the heirloom tomato at Artist Point than any one of their excellent desserts. I love the 'real' taste of heirlooms, and without searching hard I can't find them around here. Dessert? Phff. Anywhere. Not to disparage AP - their food is excellent. But dessert in general.

You know, I wonder how many people will pass on dessert even though it's included, because they'll be paying the tip? I mean, if you get a $28 steak at Le Cellier, and the average $12.75 (I think) counter service meal, and figure $3 for a snack, you're already ahead - you only need to tip on the steak and the drink. And a penny saved...

Oh, and if it's not busy? You won't need to be a fly on the wall to hear servers' experiences. Just ask

Skip dessert??? I would be amazed if patrons did that-after all dessert is part of their "free food" menu plan.
I really hope I'm wrong, but I think unfortunately, that a considerable number of folks who are on DDP will "forget" to tip. Don't know why Disney made this change, because it sure leaves the servers in an awkward position.
Will be interesting to see what happens come Jan 08.

--I love heirloom tomatoes too! I need to look at Artists Point menu!! Sounds like a must do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We are going in Jan and I've called Disney Dining a few (ok more than a few ) times to adjust ADRs.

They always ask if we are on the DDP and I quickly respond "no". And there have been a few CM's who have started to go into why we should or that by making two TS ADRs in the same day has already proven it's value during our trip.

I actually started getting tired of emphasizing that I had priced it out and that the 2008 was NOT a good deal for our trip- that we enjoy appetizers more than dessert and since what we normally eat would not be included, there was little reason to purchase the DDP. It is not "all inclusive" if you are excluding what the customer is going to purchase anyway!

There have been a few CMs who I have found to be very pushy for the DDP.

I actually started getting tired of emphasizing that I had priced it out and that

Repeat after me:
"No, thank you"
or
"Thank you, it does not fit with our plans".
That's it. No reason, no explanation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd much rather carefully shop for a fantastic deal on a rental car, and skip DDP.

Well! It's too late now, but after reading this I went to Hotwire, went back and forth a couple of times, and now find I could get a compact car (more car than I actually need for one person and two pieces of luggage) for a GRAND total of $119.20. Now, granted, the DDP is included in my package, but if I were paying for it - and I'm planning to book the DxDDP on BounceBack later this month - lilyv is right. That would cost me $224; the rental car would cost me (in a dream world, I know, prices change all the time, this car dropped from $11.95 a day to $9.95 a day in a couple of minutes) a tad over half that. Yes, food would cost me more but I'd have a MUCH wider range of choices, and could finally make it back to Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

 

[lilyv]

Well! It's too late now, but after reading this I went to Hotwire, went back and forth a couple of times, and now find I could get a compact car (more car than I actually need for one person and two pieces of luggage) for a GRAND total of $119.20. Now, granted, the DDP is included in my package, but if I were paying for it - and I'm planning to book the DxDDP on BounceBack later this month - lilyv is right. That would cost me $224; the rental car would cost me (in a dream world, I know, prices change all the time, this car dropped from $11.95 a day to $9.95 a day in a couple of minutes) a tad over half that. Yes, food would cost me more but I'd have a MUCH wider range of choices, and could finally make it back to Cafe Tu Tu Tango.

There are some great rental car deals. I try to choose the vendors that are onsite at MCO-quicker to pick up. I googled Cafe Tu Tu Tango-looks like a fantastic place. I've added it to my list of restaurants to try!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, PLEASE do! I go alone, so I only order a couple of things, but I try to get something different every time. It's a great place to go with a group - everybody order a dish or two, and you share! OT - there are a couple of tapas places in Las Vegas; my brother's out there, and friends of his will be there the same time I will. I'm hoping we can all coordinate and hit one or the other!

 

[english rose 47]

I think the servers are going to bevery sorry abour the change. I think they will loose big time! I also wouldprefer the choice of appie or dessert.At some restaurants I would love the appies as no dessert really appeals and at others the dessert wins. I really hope some restaurants do let you choose.I will pay oop at LeCellier to try the cheese soup!!

 

[bicker]

First, while yes, there are a lot of repeat visitors, many of whom have used the DDP in the past and will not purchase it again due to the changes, there are also a LOT of first-time Guests, or even repeat Guests, who will just go with “the package” because it’s easy and it includes ‘everything’.

Also, what matters is not whether or not folks patronize the Dining Plan or not, but rather what would they do otherwise. Many of the folks who won't patronize the Dining Plan will instead patronize the restaurants paying OOP and/or using DDE. That's no loss whatsoever for Disney. Even for those who will eat at Disney restaurants less because of the changes to the Dining Plan, their negative impact would have to be greater than the positive impact the changes will have on Disney's bottom-line, and that seems likely. This was really the same scenario as occurred with the Magic Kingdom Club: Disney was basically offering discounts to the people who would visit anyway rather than targeting discounts at those for whom the discounts would make the difference between visiting and not visiting. The MKC is gone, and in its place, for many years now, Disney targets many of its best discounts, not always precisely, but often very adroitly, towards those for whom the discounts will be the factor that seals the purchasing decision.