How would you improve the DDP?

[lazydoxy66]

Let's bat around some ideas on how to make the DDP better and easier to use.

I have never used the DDP. I will be using it this fall. All the information I have is from all you intelligent veterans. Based on what I've read, I think it would be worth designing a system that is based on points rather than meals.

For example; $0-$2.99 = 1 pt., $3.00-$5.99 = 2 pts, etc.
Points, in my mind, would cost you $2.50 to purchase ahead of time. You could spend them the way you want. It wouldn't matter if they were used for CS, TS or snacks. All menus would have the point values of the item listed next to the actual price.
You would still have to do some figuring for your unique situation. You'd still want to buy pricier items to stay ahead of the money game. However, versatility and value seem to be common interest points on this theme. That's what you'd get here.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think that you'd lose some of the convenience of the DDP on a point system. I like the idea, but some would hate to figure out how many points they would need before going on vacation. It's a big enough headache to look at menus, figure out what you think you might eat and compare the prices of those items compared to the DDP cost for the day.

I think that the majority of the DDP users prefer it for it's convenience as much as the cost savings. You pay $XX.XX and order whatever you want. With points you'd buy the points and buy what you planned on eating 6+ months ago (when you made your ADR's)

Now I'd kind of like it because it'd fit better with my personal plans. I know that I'm going to spend at least $800 in March. I could buy $800 worth of points and pay OOP for the rest.

(Actually for me the points would have to cost less than $2.39 - which is 20% less than $2.99 and what I get off for the DDE already)

 

[bicker]

Well, the DDE is a discount program so it makes sense that you'd pay more if you went with a points-based Dining Plan instead of using your DDE discount.

Indeed, I'm not even sure that a $3 "point" would only cost $2.50... that is still, ostensibly, a 20% discount, and the Dining Plan is not a discount program any more. The only way that that pricing would make sense is if Disney could rely on people (1) not expecting "change" and (2) end up losing half a point's value, on average, on each purchase. Unfortunately, I suspect a lot of folks would push the system and find purchases that "maximize the value" for each point, getting as close to a multiple of $3 as possible, and thereby invalidate the pricing model.

It simply isn't workable, not to mention being a loss of convenience as Tricia mentioned.

 

[DCLLVR]

Choice of either appetizer or dessert.

 

[teachingmykids]

I would like conversion of TS to CS. We used DDP once, but really didn't need a TS everyday, it's just not our style.
We ate more than we normally would.
Separating dessert would be great ~ we would have liked to eat dessert later or as a snack.

 

[leahjade]

Include The Tip!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Remove the desserts, add an extra snack, and either (a) reduce the price or (b) include the 18% tip for table service.

(For the basic plan only. For the deluxe plan, remove 1 meal credit, don't include a dessert for CS, and make the plan 2 meal credits per night of stay rather than 3. Then include the tip.)

 

[bicker]

Oh, is this one of those, "If I was God..." threads? Sorry, I didn't realize.

 

[Blisskitty]

I think adding a third option, not just the basic or the deluxe. Maybe a Basic Plus plan that you get the option of choosing an appetizer or a dessert, an extra snack credit, and maybe an extra TS or two for your stay so you can go to a Signature Dining without sacrificing a day of Top Service. Or an adult plan that you have the option of using your drink credit for a beer or a glass fo wine for a couple bucks more a day.

 

[patsal]

I liked the all inclusive nature of it before. So I'd raise the price, eliminate the dessert with CS, add a snack and keep all three courses with the TS.

So, my plan would be like $45-50 per person per day, have 1 TS that has appy, entree, dessert and beverage and tip included. 1CS that is combo meal or entree and beverage (no dessert) and 2 snack credits.
I would allow more flexibility with change out as well. It is in WDW's financial best interest to let participants switch a TS for 1 CS and a snack. I would not allow anything else to be switched.

 

[byoung]

Choice of either appetizer or dessert.

I agree here CHOICE.

 

[jade1]

Choice of either appetizer or dessert.

Same here. That way we could share an app and a dessert.

 

[Tricia1972]

Same here. That way we could share an app and a dessert.

This is the reason that I doubt that they'll ever go to choice of the two. Not just because of you, but because I believe that this is what most will do.

Splitting the appetizer and dessert (which is exactly how we order as a family when we pay OOP) means that our table isn't turning over as fast as it could, and Disney isn't making money on us paying for appetizers and desserts for all of us and Disney is turning the table over much slower because we've added an extra course for very little money. More lost revenue for Disney.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Everyone has just about summed it up... Only a couple of things would need to happen to motivate me to get the dining plan. The way it stands now, I will not purchase the dining plan.

 

[clkelley]

For us it would be bring the tip back. Make it appetizer and entree instead of desert and entree.

Even though they now allow AP holders to book the dining plan with AP discount on the room without purchasing a ticket, I'd still only do the dining plan during free dining IF they offered those changes above.

 

[cindermomma]

Bring the tip back!!! I liked the all-inclusive feel.

 

[TDC Nala]

As long as this is just a speculation, it's OK. Realistically you will not see three TS courses plus included tip on the basic plan for that price again. So you'd have to choose. Do you want the appetizer or the tip?

You will also not see a choice of appetizer or dessert. The plans are so popular they now need to turn those tables over for more profit.

If they up the price $20 for three TS courses plus tip, many will be happy. Many will be upset that the basic plan is no longer affordable.

 

[starbox]

You will also not see a choice of appetizer or dessert. The plans are so popular they now need to turn those tables over for more profit.

I'd remove the dessert from CS (what % of those desserts do you bet end up simply thrown away?)

I also think if you offered a choice between an appetizer, dessert, OR a glass of beer or wine that large enough percentage of folks would opt for the alcohol to make up for the folks that would do appetizer and dessert combo in terms of table turnover. There are so many folks that are not dessert people.

Bring back the tip.

 

[TDC Nala]

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.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Oh, is this one of those, "If I was God..." threads? Sorry, I didn't realize.

it is bicker! Up to each person to think about what would make them happy. May not happen, but what the heck, fun to play

I would love to be able to get the DxDP for 4 days out of a 7 day stay. I would love to just splurge, but I can't do it a whole week.

Who else?