Disney Dining Plan - Gratuities Not Included?

[disney0210]

We went to WDW on Feb 2007 when we weren't DVC members yet. Stayed at Pop and included the dining plan on our package. I checked my receipts from the restaurants (still have them) and they all say "gratuities included". I checked the disney website now though and it says they are not included in the dining plan. Does anyone know if this change was just recently? I have 3 studios booked for october and the entire family is going to be on the DDP. I heard too that Disney will add an automatic 18% on the bill for parties of 6 or more...

Thanks in advance!

 

[LIFERBABE]

The DDP changed on Jan 1 2008.

The regular plan price decreased $1 but they took away the gratuity and the appetizer.

They added a Deluxe Dining Plan for $68A that includes up to 3 Table Service meals a day a refillable mug and 2 snacks . Gratuity is not included.

The restaurant board has lots of details.

 

[Chuck S]

This change took effect January 1, 2008. Gratuities as well as appetizers are no longer included on the DDP, and for parties of 6 or more an 18% gratuity will be added. Also, for those using Disney Dining Experience Card, the 18% is now added, no matter the size of the party.

 

[n2mm]

This is correct. Effective 2008 tips are NO LONGER included in the DDP. Also appetizers are also no longer included. You now have to pay your tips at the end of your meal. And with a party of 6 or more, your tip will be automatically added and you will be presented with a bill at the end of your meal. Your auto tip will be 18%, but you are given the opportunity to change it to 20% if you want. If you buy an appetizer you will be charged extra for that too. You can pay your new tip bill by cash, or you can charge it to your room. Also, you might want to check out the new snack credit rules too. No longer can you just get anything under $4.00, it must now be a single serving item (like small bag of chips -- no more boxes of donuts, bags of candy from the candy store). There is a thread on the dining section of the disboards that may have a list now. BTW, the ddp is now $1 less!! yipee. We did the DDP for our last 10 trips, but starting in 2008, we see no value for our family, so now use only our DDE discount card. It was strange not using the ddp during our January/February 2008 trip, but we really didn't miss it, and actually we ate less and spent less with our DDE card. We actually had 2 TS meals a day with our DDE discount for less than the cost of the DDP per day.

 

[TDC Nala]

Another confirmation. As of January 1, 2008, gratuities are not included in the dining plan. TS appetizers for adults are also not included in the basic plan. Appetizers ARE included in the deluxe plan (but not gratuities).

 

[disney0210]

We actually had 2 TS meals a day with our DDE discount for less than the cost of the DDP per day.

Do you mind if I asked you how many people were in your party? I want to make sure that it is still cost-effective for us to get the DDP.

You said there was a DDE discount?

Thanks!

 

[mickey2000]

 

[Chuck S]

Do you mind if I asked you how many people were in your party? I want to make sure that it is still cost-effective for us to get the DDP.

You said there was a DDE discount?

Thanks!

OK, the DDE is available to Annual Passholders and Florida Residents. If you have a annual pass, the cost is $60 for one years use of the DDE.

The DDE gives you 20% off at virtually all table service locations, plus some counter service locatin at value resorts (like POP) and Animal Kingdom. It is good for up to 10 people in your party, but you must be dining together, and be on one bill. It also applies to alcoholic beverages. Gratuity is automatically added.

So, if your menu price is $100+ 6.50 tax + 18 tip ($124.50) for your party, then with discount it would be $80, plus tax of 6.5% = $85.20 + gratuity of $18 = $103.20


The only way to know for sure if the DDE would be an advatage to you is to go through the menus that are available online and pick some sample meals for your party, based on what they would normally eat, then do the math.

For instance, as two adults we rarely eat desserts, but do enjoy an occasional mixed drink and appetizer. Some days we spend more with DDE than we would with DDP, some days not. However, over the course of our typical 9 to 10 day trip, we save about $120 using the DDE instead of the DDP.

That is not true of everyone, it just depends upon your normal dining habits.

 

[n2mm]

Do you mind if I asked you how many people were in your party? I want to make sure that it is still cost-effective for us to get the DDP.

You said there was a DDE discount?

Thanks!

There were only the 2 of us. Since we decided to see which plan worked better we kept track of our meals. What we decided to do was a rough list of our meals. We figured that we spent $74 a day for the DDP so we figured lets keep track. Almost always the daily expense was cheaper. However, we sometimes had snacks and sometimes didn't--these prices are after the DDE discount, but does not include the tip. Since the tip is not included in the DDP, seemed to be the best comparison:

For 2 ADULTS

Day 1: CS/Pop-L $12; TS/WCC-D $29; 2 snacks $5 Total= $46
Day 2: CS/Pop-B$10; TS/Cap.Grill $23; TS/B&C-desert $15 Total= $48
Day 3: CS/harborhouse $17; Concourse-Din $41 Total = $58
Day 4: TS/50s PT-lunch $29; TS/Kona Cafe-Din $44/2 snacks $5 = $78
Day 5: TS/Plaza-lunch $30; TS/Olivias-Din = $38 Total = $68

All most all meals included at least one desert. We would certainly rather spend our $74 daily expense on 2 TS meals (breakfast & dinner OR lunch & dinner) than a CS and TS. Since the DDP only covers 2 meals a day, we kept track and try to always list the 2 most expensive meals each day as a comparison. This comparison was for our own curiousity. Mostly we started out to see how long it would take to "pay" for the $65 DDE fee. (BTW: it didn't take long and the card is now paid for, so for our April 08, Aug 08, Oct 08, Jan 09 trips will be all discounted). In no way am I trashing the DDP, we have used it for our last 10 trips. We always ate too much, but felt it was a great value. Now with the new 2008 plan we no longer feel it fits our needs anymore. Without the tip or appetizer, there is no value for us. Since we are also DVC members, we don't need to buy alot of snacks as we have them in our rooms. In the past we always found us using all of the snack credits on the last day to bring home.