DVC members..Will you be using the 2008 DDP

[LSchrow]

yup
as others have noted, not the value as it was before, but with 2 adults, staying at BWV (we eat most of our dinners in WS & never cook ), it is still a good deal (DDP cost is still a bit less than what we would paid OOP for TS; the CS & snack are a "bonus"). btw, we always have a rental car (just enjoy eating at a WS restaurants & watching Illuminations afterwards), and an AP (did the math of DDE vs DDP, & for us ~ very light drinkers, none with meals ~ DDP still came out significantly less expensive).

personally, i appreciate that there are so many options.....different ppl & diff vacationing styles now have more choices (DDE & DDP for on-site, "cooking in", off-site). remember the , pre-DVC days with the only choices being full price on-site (the "vouchers" were a small savings, but limited) or the same off-site restaurants (diverse & still a great option) & only FW on-site if you wanted a kitchen.

interesting poll....proving that there truly is no "one size fits all" when eating at WDW

 

[ScottOKW2K]

For our family the DDP was never a viable option - we simply do not eat that much ! For a typical evening TS meal we might share an app and have our individual meals, but most often we were too full to even want desert. Even the CS lunches we had were often shared, and we never ordered desert with lunch. Again, too much food for us.

For example, we returned last night from a 12 night trip in the World. We ate everywhere we wanted to , had a TS meal about every other night, did the Candlelight Processional. Our dining includes Le Celllier (3X) , Jiko, Prime Time, and Boma, and a few trips to Beaches and Cream. We felt like we ate like kings. We had the DDE card , but had several meal it did not apply to because of blackout dates. Even with all this we still spent hundreds less than the DDP would have cost us for that time period.

What I wish Disney would offer is an every-other-day type of DDP. Pay half as much per day, get half as many credits per the lenght of your stay as compared to the "full" plan. I might try this if such a plan were offered. I just do not want to feel like I have to eat out each night to get the most benefit from the plan. Until then, I'll do DDE and Out of Pocket.

 

[starbox]

What I liked about the plan was just what I like about DVC. Vacations are just more enjoyable when you have the illusion of not watching what you spend. Although I spent plenty of $$ on DVC - it's just more enjoyable to not actually lay that money down at the front desk.

Let's be honest - dining at Disney is a huge rip-off. The food and service are fine - but most TS is in line with Ruby Tuesday-type generic dining - nowhere near the type of dining experiences you could get for the money elsewhere. I do like the experience of the themed restaurants, and I like having a long break each day to do a TS meal - but I don't like getting the check.

The old DDP gave a way out - for about the same amount of $$ your meals could be pre-paid and there was no sticker shock. The new plan is just way more expensive - some of my favorite menu items are appetizer salads, and they would not be covered w/ the plan. There are very few desserts that I liked enough to pay for, and with mostly summer visits - we prefer ice water (and lots of it) to sodas. In order for the plan to break-even, you really have to do the desserts and sodas/teas - so that runs up your bill (and tip). On the old plan, we skipped dessert/drinks much of the time and still came out even with salads and tips factored in.

 

[TDC Nala]

I used it a couple of times last year (through DVC and through a free dining package). If I were using it to get a deal on TS dining, it isn't good for that anymore. Removing the tip took it right out of the "value" category. I used it for the last time in December for a two night trip: one dinner at Artist Point, two counter service, two snacks (went for bottles of Diet Coke). The cost of the Artist Point dinner alone, including the tip, was as much as my entire payment for the plan for two nights. If I could still get that much out of it, I'd use it more often.

I imagine it might still be a deal for people who have a large family. But for me, I am better off with DDE. That way I can do things like eat in the Territory Lounge if I wish (their BLT flatbread is awesome)

I am thinking about a New Years trip in 2009. I may use DDP then, because DDE would be blacked out for 2 nights of that trip, and it would avoid any "holiday" pricing.

 

[Pig Pen]

I said NO but not because of the changes in 2008. DH and I felt that we spent too much time worrying about our food credits and we ended up over-eating a lot! We usually eat only one meal per day (either TS or CS). The rest of the time we snack or graze.

Luckily we had a split stay so were able to drop the DDP during our last 4 days.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We're going to try DDP for the first time on our next trip. We have used the DDE for a couple of trips and it worked great for our family. Unfortunately we won't have AP's next trip so that particular discount won't be an option for us. (how I wish they would make it a DVC perk). What I'm wondering though is since our adult children and their families travel with us, if each family pays with separate checks will we still have that automatic 18% gratuity added since we'll be seated together or will each check be responsible for its own tip? When using the DDE we always had one check and they added the required 18% tip to our bill and then we would leave an extra tip as well. How will that be handled with the DDP since the tip isn't included?

 

[DaveH]

I voted yes. I went and checked what I spend on over the counter for me. 2 of these would add up to or almost the cost of the old program. The prices I used was from 2 years ago. I doubt the prices went down. I get sit down meals besides over the counter meals, means it is still a good deal. I thought the price before was low for what you could get. I think it hurt the over all meals selection and quality at WDW in general. Cutting corners because they were making less if not losing some. The answer is different for each type of eaters and situations out there. I suspect it is better for at least half if not more. DVC is not for everyone, but it is sure nice for us.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[alldiz]

Doing a split stay in april......BWV and OKW....

We are trying the deluxe plan for half the trip....we will do an early
lunch TS and a signature dinner at night.

Always wanted to try that.....Only Disney would figure out a way for
me to spend more money than I normally would....and be excited
about it
Kerri

 

[graygables]

It's not that great a deal anymore, so no. We used the old DDP several times as it did work for us. We like a CS and a TS per day, hubby eats for 3 and 11yo has $$$ item radar (she likes her filet mignon rare, please...) We shared some appetizers/desserts, then boxed the rest for breakfast/lunch the next day, so we stretched our 2 meals into 3.

I just did the math and with the new plan, if we ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, it would only be about $10/day savings. If we didn't order, the savings would be less. I also calculated in a dessert at the CS that we wouldn't usually order, so that's even less savings. If someone ordered the least expensive thing, we'd actually be losing money.

For people who like the paid-and-done aspect, then it's OK, but not a money-saver. I'll just stick with OOP for now.

 

[ro80]

If I go with just my husband, it might possibly be a good deal for us. If I go with my kids, absolutely not. When we go in March, we'll be paying out of pocket. We'll see how it goes......

 

[KevGuy]

Yup, still using it!! Love the DDP!! I just wish they would go back to including tips, it made it so much easier.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If it's still good for Candlelight Processional/Fantasmic package, then yes, we will use it for those purposes when we do our holiday vacation. DDE doesn't participate in those programs.

Bobbi

 

[jx3smom]

DH and I are trying the deluxe plan next week.

 

[tomandrobin]

DH and I are trying the deluxe plan next week.

Definately give us an update how the Deluxe Dining Plan worked out for you.

 

[JVL1018]

We've used the dining plan the last few trips and loved it for the most part, but with having to tip yourself, it takes away the convenience factor and we realized last time we really missed just grazing, especially in Epcot.I think we'd still come out ahead if we used it, but I'm looking forward to being able to pick during the day instead of making sure we get out counter and table services each day.

Especially since we'll be there for F&WF.
If we were going during a different time of the year, I may have been swayed, but we'll probably eat dinner by snacking at the different booths a few times during the trip. I know we could use snack credits, but we would need more than we have alloted per day, and we wouldn;t need our table service credit.

 

[JimMIA]

Especially since we'll be there for F&WF.
If we were going during a different time of the year, I may have been swayed, but we'll probably eat dinner by snacking at the different booths a few times during the trip. I know we could use snack credits, but we would need more than we have alloted per day, and we wouldn;t need our table service credit.

You'd better wait a few months before making a decision to use DDP for F&W.

From the early reports coming back this week, snacks on DDP 2008 are hardly recognizable. Little bags of potato chips, no donuts (NO DONUTS!!! ), basically nothing valued over $2 is allowed as a snack any more.

I'm just waiting for the explosion on the DDP board if someone reports Dole Whips are no longer allowed!

Doesn't seem likely that the tapas at F&W would be a snack credit this year...maybe 2 for a CS credit?

 

[bluslag]

voted yes but not really sure. Going with another couple and their son so we all have to agree on it together. I think we will because we usually always eat out at TS every night. I'm sure Disney gave this a lot of thought but it seems to me they forgot the main purpose of the DDP. I always thought they brought it out to compete with the all enclusive vacations being offered at so many other places. Most of our friends go to these places where everything is paid for in advance and they love it especially with the kids. We have only used the DDP one year and we loved it. We did use all our credits but we also had 2 teenage boys with us. We never abused the plan by getting boxes of donuts, milk, chips, or stocking up to go home. We played by all the rules and did not complain. I guess we knew this year it would increase in price because it always does. The tip is the hardest thing to swallow mostly because we don't want to worry about it. It was great just to sign and leave. We had things to do. Even if they turn more tables by getting rid of the apps I think it will take longer waiting for the waiter to come back to finish getting everything signed.

 

[graygables]

You'd better wait a few months before making a decision to use DDP for F&W.

Doesn't seem likely that the tapas at F&W would be a snack credit this year...maybe 2 for a CS credit?

Exactly what I was wondering, I sorta doubt they'll do anything with credits for F&WF this year (it was a MESS last year trying to deal with credits for us)

 

[LSchrow]

You'd better wait a few months before making a decision to use DDP for F&W.

From the early reports coming back this week, snacks on DDP 2008 are hardly recognizable. Little bags of potato chips, no donuts (NO DONUTS!!! ), basically nothing valued over $2 is allowed as a snack any more.

I'm just waiting for the explosion on the DDP board if someone reports Dole Whips are no longer allowed!

Doesn't seem likely that the tapas at F&W would be a snack credit this year...maybe 2 for a CS credit?

uh-oh........
no mochacino's & no F&WF goodies will prob mean the end of DDP for us (2 2008 trips planned). funny, i could handle the additional $20 tip & no appy (which we actually enjoyed), but take away my caffeine & the DDP is ruined for us (i know we can pay.....but i prob wouldn't get at least 1 a day without snack credits, purely psychological)
i hope it's not true.........