How would you improve the DDP?

[Tinkerdreams]

When they came out with the 2008 DDP, I did write to Disney to express my concern about the changes. Many of my family are diabetics and having the only choice of only being able to get dessert means that we're paying for something that they cannot have. My request was for a choice of appetizer OR dessert.

I firmly believe people do not linger in the TS restaurants as they want to get back out into the parks, pools, etc. to have fun. Plus people with children tend not to linger because the kids don't want to be in the sitting for a long time.

I don't mind paying OOP for the tip. If you think about it, the tax is included with the dining plan, whereas, if you pay OOP, you have both the tax and tip. If the dining plan were to increase in cost $8 - $10/person, it would still be a good deal.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned (I didn't read through every post.) I certainly think we should get the appy BACK (not just a choice b/w it & the dessert, but both!!) Yes, I definitely agree that the tip should be included again.

But, something we'll be dealing w/ in a few years is: my DD will be considered an ADULT & will have to pay as an ADULT. That is completely ridiculous!! She will never eat as much as an adult....& probably won't until she IS one! There should be DDP for the "in-betweeners", like 10-14??? (Forgive me, I do believe 10 year olds are considered adults, are they not?) And, not only should the price be "in-between", but the menu options should be also---not just chicken nuggets & hot dogs....maybe smaller portions of adult-type food. This is just my opinion...hopefully someone high up considers all of our concerns!

 

[KNovacovschi]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned (I didn't read through every post.) I certainly think we should get the appy BACK (not just a choice b/w it & the dessert, but both!!) Yes, I definitely agree that the tip should be included again.

But, something we'll be dealing w/ in a few years is: my DD will be considered an ADULT & will have to pay as an ADULT. That is completely ridiculous!! She will never eat as much as an adult....& probably won't until she IS one! There should be DDP for the "in-betweeners", like 10-14??? (Forgive me, I do believe 10 year olds are considered adults, are they not?) And, not only should the price be "in-between", but the menu options should be also---not just chicken nuggets & hot dogs....maybe smaller portions of adult-type food. This is just my opinion...hopefully someone high up considers all of our concerns!

Yes 10 year olds are classified as adults and that to makes me upset...my daughter is like the skinniest 10 year old ever literally and does not like to eat so for us to have to pay adult price for her it is just not fair...I just wonder why disney thinks 10-14 year olds are adults...the last time I checked they were still kids and yet they get to stay for free in the hotel rooms as they are classified as kids until 17...thinking about it just gives me a migraine...

 

[bicker]

This is a very common misconception. To be clear, the Disney Dining Plan doesn't talk about "adults" and "children". They are very explicit:

Guests
ages 10
and over:


Guests
ages 3-9:
(must order
from the
child’s menu
where available)

Disney offers a substantial incentive discount for the Dining Plan as offered to guests under 10 years old, with the proviso they order from the child's menu. Ostensibly, guests older than 10 years old aren't allowed to order from the child's menu, even when paying OOP, and although often nice CMs will allow it, they cannot formally accept that as part of the Dining Plan without being forced to allow everyone to order from the child's menu, as a matter of formal policy, something which would likely hurt Disney's revenues, as many guests would seek to keep their own costs down. Disney very strategically chose the age, 10, to best serve the interests of its owners.

So, again, Disney does not consider anyone "adults". They don't make that value judgment. They traffic only in ages: Ages 0-2, Ages 3-9, and Ages 10+. They see no benefit in separating pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults, and senior citizens apart into separate pricing groups.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

This is a very common misconception. To be clear, the Disney Dining Plan doesn't talk about "adults" and "children". They are very explicit:


Disney offers a substantial incentive discount for the Dining Plan as offered to guests under 10 years old, with the proviso they order from the child's menu. Ostensibly, guests older than 10 years old aren't allowed to order from the child's menu, even when paying OOP, and although often nice CMs will allow it, they cannot formally accept that as part of the Dining Plan without being forced to allow everyone to order from the child's menu, as a matter of formal policy, something which would likely hurt Disney's revenues, as many guests would seek to keep their own costs down. Disney very strategically chose the age, 10, to best serve the interests of its owners.

So, again, Disney does not consider anyone "adults". They don't make that value judgment. They traffic only in ages: Ages 0-2, Ages 3-9, and Ages 10+. They see no benefit in separating pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults, and senior citizens apart into separate pricing groups.

Thanks, Bicker. That explains HOW it works, but I still don't understand WHY?? This is just a way for Disney to stick it to those families who really want the DDP. I'm sure there are 10-14 yr olds out there who can eat quite a bit, but come on! You can't tell me that the average 10, or even 12 yr old can "put away" as much food as your average 25-30 year old!!!

I mean, they already keep up with the 0-2, 3-9, then 10+. What's ONE more category (10-14)???????? Or, it would be nice to be able to only buy DDP for certain guests in room, instead of having to purchase it for all. Of course you're going to have some who manipulate the system, but that's going to happen anywhere, with everything.

After our DD turns 10, the DDP is completely out of the question for our family, unless there are some MAJOR changes in the next couple of years. That really saddens me, because DH & I SOOOoooo like to splurge when we're at the World!


Ahhh, just reminiscing over the 2007 DDP.....<sigh>

 

[Tricia1972]

Personally I see the DDP age classification as a unification between Disney in for pricing. Not that I agree with it, but it's what I think they're trying to do.

Imagine that they create another pricing category for the 10-14 crowd. Now for Dining it's

0-2 - Free 3-9 - $9.99 10-14 - $25.99 15+ - $37.99

The park tickets, that go with these packages are currently priced (1-Day Hoppers)

0-2 - Free 3-9 - $105.00 10+ - $116.00


I am not saying that everyone here would do this, but I would bet that if Disney were to distinguish juniors for eating, there would be many complaints that they do not distinguish juniors for park admissions.



I also believe that this is why, when Victoria & Albert's decided to limit children, that they chose 10 as the magic age to dine at V&A's.


I could be totally off, but I am just making an observation on my perceptions of what I think Disney may be doing.

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

Sorry, on the basic plan you are not going to get the tip AND the appetizer. And the alcohol won't make up for the table turning. The drinks don't cost them all that much, it's the markup that makes money on alcohol.

If Disney did everything we on the board want, they'd now have a Basic Dining Plan, a Deluxe Dining Plan, a One Table Service Only Dining Plan, a Counter Service Only Dining Plan, a Snack Only Plan, an Adult Dining Plan Including Alcohol, a Kids Eating Adult Food Dining Plan, an Adults Who Don't Want to Eat All That Much Dining Plan, a People Who Won't or Can't Eat Dessert Dining Plan, and all of them would include the tip where required. Imagine trying to administer all that.

Too funny!

So personally I'd like them to go back to the 2007 DDP with two changes: an option between TS or CS meals. And drop the dessert. They could even up the price by $20-30 per day for this. The 2007 plan was darn near perfect! There is always someone that wants to fix something that wasn't broken and therefore mucking up the works!

To sum it up:
@$50 per adult
@$12 per child
Two meal credits (TS or CS patrons choice)
Meal to include: appy, entree, non-alcoholic drink and tip at TS
combo meal plus drink or entree, side and drink at CS
One or Two snack credits (either would suffice)


This should be the only DDP offered. With the only add on being a wine package, maybe!

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

Personally I see the DDP age classification as a unification between Disney in for pricing. Not that I agree with it, but it's what I think they're trying to do.

Imagine that they create another pricing category for the 10-14 crowd. Now for Dining it's

0-2 - Free 3-9 - $9.99 10-14 - $25.99 15+ - $37.99

The park tickets, that go with these packages are currently priced (1-Day Hoppers)

0-2 - Free 3-9 - $105.00 10+ - $116.00


I am not saying that everyone here would do this, but I would bet that if Disney were to distinguish juniors for eating, there would be many complaints that they do not distinguish juniors for park admissions.



I also believe that this is why, when Victoria & Albert's decided to limit children, that they chose 10 as the magic age to dine at V&A's.


I could be totally off, but I am just making an observation on my perceptions of what I think Disney may be doing.

Making a "junior" dining plan/price would requie a "junior" menu. Just wouldn't be logical for Disney to do this. Although, my DD5 likes to eat off the adult menu more often than not. She likes seafood, I'm thankful that more restaurants are adding baked/broiled fish to the kids menus! Everything is a trade off.

 

[Tricia1972]

Making a "junior" dining plan/price would requie a "junior" menu. Just wouldn't be logical for Disney to do this. Although, my DD5 likes to eat off the adult menu more often than not. She likes seafood, I'm thankful that more restaurants are adding baked/broiled fish to the kids menus! Everything is a trade off.

Oh I so totally agree with you! I mentioned the need for a junior menu on some prior threads about this and was attacked (so didn't mention it here), but I think that you're 100% right.

That'd be a lot of work and a lot of maintenance (junior menus).

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Making a "junior" dining plan/price would requie a "junior" menu. Just wouldn't be logical for Disney to do this.

Why not? Look at McDonald's (I know, hardly the good analogy.) But they offer a Happy Meal, Big Kid's Meal, and reg menu, right?

I agree w/ Tricia1972, 10 is the magic number because it coincides with the park tickets. But, this is a dream thread, so I'm just doin' a little dreamin'.......

 

[kermer]

I have no idea what Disney was hearing, but on the boards there were a number of complaints about a set tip amount being included - plenty of posters thought they would get or were getting bad service because of that.

I personally want my server to know that the tip depends on MY satisfaction with their service, I do not ever want my server to get the tip no matter their performance.

Now a quick question:

Do you HAVE to make ADR's on the DDP. Can I be a walk up and still use my plan? I have made ADR's for Character Breakfasts but figured we will "wing" it the rest of the meals.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Do you HAVE to make ADR's on the DDP. Can I be a walk up and still use my plan? I have made ADR's for Character Breakfasts but figured we will "wing" it the rest of the meals.

You don't HAVE to make ADR's on the DDP. But, with the 2008 changes to the DDP, you'll need to eat a TS meal each night-or day- to get the best bang for your buck. (If you're not able to use all TS meals you paid for, then I believe you'd be throwing $$ away.)

Are you traveling during peak times? If so, I'd certainly recommend it.

Our first family vacation to WDW (2006), we stayed off site & only had ADR to Cinderella's Royal Table and Crystal Palace. I knew nothing about how hard it was to "get in." The week we were there, we were able to call (the very morning we needed the ADRs) and get ADR for Garden Grill, and even California Grill. But, if I recall correctly, Garden Grill was like our 3rd or 4th choice, and we just had to "settle." (even though it was a great experience!)

Nowadays I'm SUCH a planner, and I have each day planned out to the "t". If you somewhat have an idea of what park you're going to be visiting each day, I would definitely recommend getting ADR's. Hope this helps!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I would like to see a frequent guest card added. That way dining can be like it is at my local subway, I eat 9 meals and get the 10th for free!

This would also be a great idea for drinks around world showcase!

 

[kermer]

Thank you weHeartmickey.

I don't know if our vacation is Peak time or not.

March 20-29, 2008

My family does not want each step of the day planned (i would if they'd let me).

 

[Tricia1972]

Thank you weHeartmickey.

I don't know if our vacation is Peak time or not.

March 20-29, 2008

My family does not want each step of the day planned (i would if they'd let me).

Yes you are traveling at a peak time. I believe it's the second busiest week next to Christmas in fact. (I could be wrong, it may be the third busiest week - but it's busy. I know because we're going March 21-28, and last year we were there the same week - after Easter)

 

[kermer]

We will be there at the same time. We could be eating at the same places and not even know it....hehe

 

[Tricia1972]

You're right, we could be. I'll share, so you can keep an eye out for me. I'll be about two years pregnant with two sons, my husband, my mom, my dad and my sister, we'll be hard to miss :

March 22 - LeCellier Supper (5:40)
March 23 - Vero Beach with Friends
March 24 - Tony's 5:30
March 25 - Beaches & Cream 11 am
March 26 - Nothing planned
March 27 - Jiko 5:30
March 28 - Crystal Palace 11:30 am

 

[kermer]

I have Crystal Palace 3/28 at 10:30

I just noticed you are staying at Saratoga.......So are we.....

 

[Chellymouse]

Here's a novel idea....include the tax and gratuity once again and allow people to decide if they want an appetizer or a dessert if they are only going to allow one!

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

Edit to my earlier post: While I don't think Disney would ever add a "junior" menu, I'd be ecstatic to see one! I can't even imagine having to pay $70 a day for a TEN YEAR OLD. I think I'd just skip adding her to our room reservation, sneak her in! hehe