Feelings as DVC Member on DDP?

[BCV23]

The Dad's Smores at 50s Prime Time. Removed specifically because of the DDP. It was originally a dessert for 2 and apparantly too many DPers were each getting their own and wasting it. So they halved the thing and charge the same price. The folks at Kona's don't care for the DDP either. I know a couple of servers there and they despise the DDP. I won't tell you what they call folks on that plan. The childrens menus are bad. The regular menus have all been dumbed down because of the DDP. Wonder why all the better cuts of meat are gone along with all the lobster? DDP.

Specifically because of the DDP according to whom? CMs who are servers probably don't get to make much input on menu changes nor necessarily have any actual knowlerdge of why things change.

And why would DDPers be anymore to "waste" a smore than anyone else? Perhaps it was changed because it was too large of a portion to begin with and WDW is obviously encouraging healthier choices. Or maybe folks who weren't on the DDP were splitting the dessert among more than two thus cutting into revenue? Other restaurants insist rightly that those on the DDP share items intended and priced for two. There is no reason why Primetime couldn't as well. Actually, I would guess they did.

 

[honeymo78]

BCV - pretty much everything you have said could have been written by me. We've been on disney's version of the plat or premium plan for the past 15 years and only recently have started using ddp for shorter trips. I know that throughout the 90's and early 2000 lobster was hit or miss, depending on restaurant or season. As for YSH, a trip in the early 00's found a significant change in the cuts of meat on the menu - well before DDP - however we still find something to our liking on the menu. Yes most restaurants have a similar menu if you mean there is a beef dish, pork dish, chicken dish and fish dish. I don't know what my family would do if this wasn't the case - we'd never eat together lol. Perhaps our tastes aren't as gourmand as others but we do enjoy a fine meal and honestly haven't been disappointed since the introduction of the DDP. Our "favorite" items are still around, and we have discovered new favorites in recent years as well.

We still aren't DVC owners yet. The only thing holding us back is no premium or platinum plan availabilty for owners. Hopefully the addition of DDP for DVC is a step in that direction. I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

 

[TDC Nala]

Oh, yeah, the Ohana's menu was really changed too. Took away the expensive shrimp....gee, wonder why?

I don't buy this one. You still get shrimp, they're just not grilled. Or are they a different type of shrimp? they tasted good, anyway.

Don't like the sausage they replaced it with on the skewers but I just don't eat it and ask for more shrimp.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We have DDP ressies strictly for convenience and advance budgeting. My DH and I used some vouchers for meals that we bought for our 2004 vacation. It was so nice to be able to eat wherever we wanted without worrying about our budget. We realized that our previous vacation habits included trying to find a way to eat according to price, rather than what we really wanted, or taking time away from the parks to find a cheaper place to eat. This added stress to our vacation which we are hoping to avoid. While I don't expect everything to be perfect, I am looking forward to the choices we have without worrying about our budget. I don't think with our eating habits that it is a great bargain - we are not big eaters, but we look forward to relaxing about our meals and knowing we will have a variety of experiences. If we find out that we hate it, we won't do it the next time

 

[BCV23]

BCV - pretty much everything you have said could have been written by me. We've been on disney's version of the plat or premium plan for the past 15 years and only recently have started using ddp for shorter trips. I know that throughout the 90's and early 2000 lobster was hit or miss, depending on restaurant or season. As for YSH, a trip in the early 00's found a significant change in the cuts of meat on the menu - well before DDP - however we still find something to our liking on the menu. Yes most restaurants have a similar menu if you mean there is a beef dish, pork dish, chicken dish and fish dish. I don't know what my family would do if this wasn't the case - we'd never eat together lol. Perhaps our tastes aren't as gourmand as others but we do enjoy a fine meal and honestly haven't been disappointed since the introduction of the DDP. Our "favorite" items are still around, and we have discovered new favorites in recent years as well.

We still aren't DVC owners yet. The only thing holding us back is no premium or platinum plan availabilty for owners. Hopefully the addition of DDP for DVC is a step in that direction. I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

That's funny. We first did the "Plan and the plane" as my oldest dubbed it in 1983. In that day it was the Gold Key and the name changed but the plan was great. We never did do the Platinum though. But we did the plan for years.

Do you remember when you could order lobster at lunch at Narcoossee's? And yes, lobster has been much rare on the menus for years now.

Although the premium dining plan was not a major factor in why it took us so long to join, we sure did think we would miss the premium plan. But the wonderful DVC units more than make up for it and with DDE and APs (and twice the DDP with DE), we really do the same things we always did....well maybe take out boats less frequently.

 

[patsal]

Oh, yeah, the Ohana's menu was really changed too. Took away the expensive shrimp....gee, wonder why?

By my standards the missing shrimp from 'Ohana was far from "expensive shrimp" it was replaced with shrimp and sausage by a new chef, Citrico's and many other signature menus have always been rather limited as well.


of servers there and they despise the DDP. I won't tell you what they call folks on that plan. The childrens menus are bad

I think the children's menu's are bad some places becuse of experimenting with what healty things they can offer kids without it going into the trash.

I'm not sure why servers would despise the plan, the tip is guaranteed and for many, more than would have been left. If people come in with an entitlement attitude, I doubt the DDP has anything to do with that just the people's personalities--they'd be jerks on or off the plan.

 

[DaisyD]

Specifically because of the DDP according to whom? CMs who are servers probably don't get to make much input on menu changes nor necessarily have any actual knowlerdge of why things change.

And why would DDPers be anymore to "waste" a smore than anyone else? Perhaps it was changed because it was too large of a portion to begin with and WDW is obviously encouraging healthier choices. Or maybe folks who weren't on the DDP were splitting the dessert among more than two thus cutting into revenue? Other restaurants insist rightly that those on the DDP share items intended and priced for two. There is no reason why Primetime couldn't as well. Actually, I would guess they did.

The manager at 50s Prime Time told me it had been cut because of the DDP. It seems that instead of just getting what they could actually eat they would all each order the biggest thing they could get. So it was cut in half and now has no appeal to the DDP. Actually it isn't the manager of 50s isn't the first manager I've spoke with at WDW that thought the DDP was a bad idea.

 

[DaisyD]

I don't buy this one. You still get shrimp, they're just not grilled. Or are they a different type of shrimp? they tasted good, anyway.

Don't like the sausage they replaced it with on the skewers but I just don't eat it and ask for more shrimp.

The shrimp are half the size they used to be.

 

[BCV23]

The manager at 50s Prime Time told me it had been cut because of the DDP. It seems that instead of just getting what they could actually eat they would all each order the biggest thing they could get. So it was cut in half and now has no appeal to the DDP. Actually it isn't the manager of 50s isn't the first manager I've spoke with at WDW that thought the DDP was a bad idea.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make sense. Could a manager have been trying to placate you? Why would anyone order the biggest thing they could get instead of what appealed to them. And the same with any other manager you spoke to....could you have been complaining and they just said something to appear to agree with you. The DDP appears to be a great success which would make most managers happy I would think.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am sure the DDP has had impact on restaurants and how they serve. Now they have more guests than before and probably do factor in faster turn around.
That being said I know several people who have been dining at WDW for years. They all seem to remember the good ol' days when so and so restaurant had this, or served that, did this etc. (One exampe is Cape May Clam Bake. I have heard from multiple people how small the clams are compared to what they were many years ago. And who has not heard of long time guests missing Mickey butter?)
Sadly, I think that is just times changing through the years to cheaper and more efficient.

 

[TDC Nala]

The shrimp are half the size they used to be.

Does that really matter when it's all you can eat? Unless of course you don't LIKE the shrimp in its new form. I've had them and I thought they were pretty tasty.

I can't say I have ever cared what the butter looked like, either.

 

[Chuck S]

Why would anyone order the biggest thing they could get instead of what appealed to them.

I'm sorry to say, I've known people like that. If someone else is paying, or if it is a prepaid meal plan, they would always order the most expensive items, whether is was something they would normally eat or not, just because it was the most expensive item.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm sorry but that doesn't make sense. Could a manager have been trying to placate you? Why would anyone order the biggest thing they could get instead of what appealed to them. And the same with any other manager you spoke to....could you have been complaining and they just said something to appear to agree with you. The DDP appears to be a great success which would make most managers happy I would think.

I didn't complain at all. I simply asked where the Dad's smores was and was told first by the server why they were taken away. I was kind of incredulous about it but left it at that. A little while later the manager came out to talk to another table who was complaining of the overall kids menu. After he finished he turned and recognized me from a previous trip. He is a very nice guy who we had talked to quite a bit on a trip before about kids and allergies. Anyway we got to discussing the new menu and I asked him if it were true about the Smores and the reason behind it. He said yes and told me all about how he disliked the DDP and that there were more things going to the wayside soon because of it. Personally the Smores was enough for me that trip but usually my older DD splits it with me so we would have had to get two if she were. So there was no placating anyone. Just talking.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm sorry but that doesn't make sense. Could a manager have been trying to placate you? Why would anyone order the biggest thing they could get instead of what appealed to them.

Have you ever seen some of the DDPs order everything they can and then take one bite? I've seen it and so have many of the servers. Once at Kona's I watched a family next to us order dessert. The kids just wanted to split the Kona cone, which has been taken off the child menu now due to the DDP, and their mother said no. We all get dessert and you are going to get what is coming to you! So the mother, who was very loud, said she wanted the banana creme brulee and ordered that. When the server left, her husband said she doesn't like bananas so why did she order that. She said for the whipped cream. So when they got what was coming to them, she proceeded to eat the tiny dollop of whipped cream off the top and didn't touch the brulee. The server, whom we know from going there so much just kind of rolled her eyes when she came to our table next. She wasn't too happy with the DDP either. Doesn't matter though. Disney will keep whatever puts money in their pocket. They have just dumbed down the menus so that more money gets in their pocket.

 

[DaisyD]

Does that really matter when it's all you can eat? Unless of course you don't LIKE the shrimp in its new form. I've had them and I thought they were pretty tasty.

I can't say I have ever cared what the butter looked like, either.

Well I prefer quality more then quantity. The shrimp now used are not nearly as good as the old type.

 

[DaisyD]

I'm sorry to say, I've known people like that. If someone else is paying, or if it is a prepaid meal plan, they would always order the most expensive items, whether is was something they would normally eat or not, just because it was the most expensive item.

ITA. I read about it all the time on the DDP. Always asking where to get their moneys worth, where is the most expensive place to eat and so on.

 

[patsal]

ITA. I read about it all the time on the DDP. Always asking where to get their moneys worth, where is the most expensive place to eat and so on.

But not all the people using DDP are like this. I would be surprised if this happened more than 10% of the time. I would expect one in ten to try to max out the plan, get all that is coming to them, get quantity over quality; it is just a perceived value thing for anyone like that. With or without the DDP these people would act that way. Of course they would be eating at the buffets more so places like Kona and 50's Prime Time wouldn't see so much of them.
We must be the extreme exception then, because when I tell the kids to get what they want I mean it. Don't want an app. don't get one, don't want a dessert, don't get one, want to share dessert go ahead. There really isn't a way not to break even unless you do not eat the way the plan is designed--1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack (easily used if for nothing more than bottled water)

 

[Disneyhappy]

I did not read this whole thread so I apologize if my thoughts are repetitive to other posts.

As a DVC member, I am glad the DDP is available. We have been able to try it and now make it part of some of our trips (2 out of 4 trips in 2007). It is a great deal if it works with your eating habits/plans for a particular trip. I must say that I don't like having to make our ADRs so far in advance as well as losing the flexibility as we get closer to our trips to easily change our ADRs. Restaurants definitely book up fast and early with DDP.

My biggest observation is that the menus are not what they used to be. Over the 15 years we have been regular guests of WDW, we have seen changes to the menus which were the normal course of business/change. Since the DDP has become so popular, I have seen menu changes for the worse. As a regular guest, it appears to me they are cutting back on items to accomodate the DDP. Food offerings are becoming generic. For most people that are not regular WDW guests, it will go unnoticed and they will have a wonderful dining experience duriing their WDW vacation. It is just my personal observation. I have also noticed a slight decline in service. Two of the last three times we ate at Ohanas and three out of the last three times we ate at 50's Prime Time (both were must do on kid's list -ugh!) we were disappointed in the service. There was no interaction at 50's PT and at Ohana's, the food dishes were literally thrown on the table and the courses brought to us out of order. We felt completely rushed. I think the poor servers must be exhausted and trying to push guests through.

DS no longer likes 50's PT because of our last three experiences but he won't give up on his favorite - Ohana's! We will still patronize WDW restaurants. DH & and still enjoy the signature restaurants.

 

[Sammie]

The Dad's Smores at 50s Prime Time. Removed specifically because of the DDP. It was originally a dessert for 2 and apparantly too many DPers were each getting their own and wasting it. So they halved the thing and charge the same price. The folks at Kona's don't care for the DDP either. I know a couple of servers there and they despise the DDP. I won't tell you what they call folks on that plan. The childrens menus are bad. The regular menus have all been dumbed down because of the DDP. Wonder why all the better cuts of meat are gone along with all the lobster? DDP.

So do they still have smores or not? If they offered a dessert for 2 then it should not have been available for one person. That is a management problem there instead of a DDP problem. Many places have desserts for two and they did not remove them from the DDP. If they simply took a dessert for two and made it a dessert for one, I am sorry but I can not see a problem with that.

I have eaten at the same places you and Jodifla have mentioned and never has anyone on the staff told us they don't like it. So as someone said I think they agree with those against and those for it. Which is the usual Disney way, tell the guest what they want to hear.

As to Yachtsman we have eaten there every trip since it opened. We ate their again this trip. We go for the Chateaubriand and the filet and they were as delicious as they have been in the past.

We left an additional $20 tip above the $40 made from the DDP, so I know our server was pleased. After we left the table he followed us to the door and asked us did we intend to leave the $20 as tip was included and when we said yes, he said I love the DDP. So not everyone is unhappy with the plan.

It truly is all about personal preferences and I can understand if a favorite has been removed, being disappointed. But I am not sure one can blame the DDP for it. I personally despise coconut, but it would be very shallow of me to expect them to remove it due to my personal dislike.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I have to believe like any other company, WDW is always looking for ways to increase shareholder return. Therefore, they introduce a plan which provides 'free' dining to guests. A large percentage of the visitors see this as a good deal and therefore sign on the dotted line. I would assume it is likely that first time or infrequent visitors make up the majority. Therefore, why would WDW not attempt to capitalize on the return of the DDP by limiting the menu to those items most cost effective while providing a quality meal? Most visitors would never notice and would be happy in their choice of dining. Therefore, for the most part, Disney has a win-win situation. For those purists who have the experience and expectations of Disney Dining in general, there remains the option to order a la carte at signature restaurants and for signature dishes. I don't believe you can have your cake and eat it too. I would far rather Disney be a successful company through effective cost management than a struggling company with facilities to match - I can forego a lobster or two to enjoy the overall Disney magic only possible through a strong and intelligent company. IMHO, of course