How long has WDW had DDP

[joeathome167]

I've been to Disney a few times since 1994 and I've never heard of the DDP until recently. In 2005, when I was booking PS's, the operator at WDW-DINE asked if we were on the DDP and I had no idea what it was and said no. No explanation was offered and I just brushed it off. Now we are using the plan for our next trip this Dec.

My question is how long has there been this DDP? Just curious.

 

[BCV23]

The current plan that is referred to on the DIS as DDP has been around since 2005.

But there have always been dining plans as long as I can remember. We first used one in 1983. It was called the Gold Key plan and also included unlimited recreation activiites as well as three table service meals/day. There are still more inclusive plans like that available but they don't get as much publicity as they are not as popular.

 

[HopperFan]

Agreed - there has been a plan off and on for many years and with a wide variety of names and formats. I remember in 1994 it was set up as a dollar credit. I seem to remember that your TS meals especially had a maximum amount of credit, so if your bill was $120, but the plan only covered up to $90 you would pay difference out of pocket. It was okay, but alot more work. I like the simplicity now, and it's a better value.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I believe the current DDP started just before January 2005. My DM, DD, and I went at that time and when I was booking our trip, (about 2 weeks before we went) I read about it. It sounded like a good deal, so we did it. The reason I think it was fairly new then was alot of CMs were confused about what was, and what wasn't, included. Several times managers had to be called to the register. We've used it 2 times since (both times free in Sept) and we really like it that way!

 

[BCV23]

Disneydaz, it started that January but info came out in the month(s) before. So you were among the first to use that form of DDP. I can remember thinking what a great plan but it was not an option for us since we have APs. But then right as the new year started, it was announced that DDE would be available to AP holders.

I remember that part vividly because I logged on to the DIS from Maui.

Hopperfan, you're right that there have been a variety of dining plans as well as names. But the one we used to do has never not been an option since 1983. It was Gold Key, Deluxe Magic, Gold plan, etc.. over the years. It is still offered. But not nearly as many guests are interested in 3 table service meals/day, golf, etc. as in the format of DDP.

I do wish a 2 TS/night option was available.

 

[jodifla]

How long: Too long! And it can't go away fast enough!

 

[DisFlan]

... you're right that there have been a variety of dining plans as well as names. But the one we used to do has never not been an option since 1983. It was Gold Key, Deluxe Magic, Gold plan, etc.. over the years. It is still offered. But not nearly as many guests are interested in 3 table service meals/day, golf, etc. as in the format of DDP.

I do wish a 2 TS/night option was available.

We used the "everything" plan many, many times between 1983 and about 2000. And it's still available as a "Premium" option. We loved it - it included room service at the deluxe hotels. And my husband used the golf option (a lot!). It's also become considerably more expensive over the years. As I recall, in the mid 80's it was VERY reasonable.

Then we joined DVC, but we still see the current plan as useful, too.

Yes! I wish we could get a 2 TS/night option, too!

DisFlan

 

[klinlin]

We used the "everything" plan many, many times between 1983 and about 2000. And it's still available as a "Premium" option. We loved it - it included room service at the deluxe hotels. And my husband used the golf option (a lot!). It's also become considerably more expensive over the years. As I recall, in the mid 80's it was VERY reasonable.

Then we joined DVC, but we still see the current plan as useful, too.

Yes! I wish we could get a 2 TS/night option, too!

DisFlan

I used the gold key plan 85-87, and boy did we use the water mice! We had the deluxe magic plan for our honeymoon. That wasn't the top plan available at the time, but we still had 3 TS and we used the boats then as well. A week at CSR (with Magic Kingdom Club discount) on deluxe magic was less then $3000. It seems to have gotten alot more expensive over the years.

 

[tfc3rid]

Ever since it started there has been a dramtic change in the dining staff philosophy at WDW... The menus have been scaled back to be more 'comfort' foods, as opposed to something special, which it used to be... Sadly, it's really made Disney Dining less magical...

 

[joeathome167]

Ever since it started there has been a dramtic change in the dining staff philosophy at WDW... The menus have been scaled back to be more 'comfort' foods, as opposed to something special, which it used to be... Sadly, it's really made Disney Dining less magical...

You know, the people on this website get me sometimes. You talk about the average Disney TS restaurant as if it were fine dining at its best. I've been to disney a few times since 1994 and I find most restaurants to be the equivilant of chain restaurants, like Outback, Applebees, etc. There of course are exceptions, but I'm sure the DDP isn't the end of civilized dining. It does, I assume, make the rest more crowded b/c people who in the past would've eaten at Peco Bills, now eat at say Crystal Palace. Oh well, deal with it and get a reservation. Sorry, had to get this off my chest. Magic is having a good attitude and I sadly find too many with a VERY BAD ATTITUDE, this is supposed to be vacation for some people, not a way of life.

 

[tfc3rid]

For members of the DVC, it is a big deal...

 

[BCV23]

For members of the DVC, it is a big deal...

I am a DVC member and completely disagree with you. We've been dining at WDW TS restaurants since 1983....many on each and every trip. Sure there have been many changes over the years but we have seen no huge changes since the inception of the current DD other than prices. And what many carpers seem to not realize is that there have always been dining plans at WDW...at least there have been since 1983 when we first did the Gold Key plan.

Things have been scaled back for many, many years. There used to be live music at what is now 'Ohana. Linen table cloths everywhere. Mickey Mouse butter. Horseradish if requested. Lobster at lunch at Narcoosee's with three different spreads for the wonderful sour dough bread. A zillion little things that went by the wayside as WDW grew.

And I do enjoy reading posts of people discovering the joy of having a real meal with their family instead of a QS.