How would you improve the DDP?

[caroline1851]

Hmmm... That's only a $7 per day increase. That would barely cover adding the tip and adding a snack. I think you're underestimating the cost associated with providing a choice between appetizer and dessert. By the same token, I think you're overestimating how much they'd have to increase the child price...

blah blah blah

I'm just having fun with it! This is MY idea of what would be the perfect dining plan for ME. I'm not that concerened with overestimating/underestimating, etc. IT'S JUST FOR FUN!

 

[caroline1851]

I have a question, that plays into other threads about the DDP. Were there empty tables at the restaurants you walked into, or were walk ups able to fill up the tables?

A family of 4 that i know just came back. They hadn't made any ADR's and were able to get into most of the restaurants they wanted to without a problem. They tended to eat dinner around 4:45-5pm or so-maybe that's why? They weren't able to do any character meals though. (which was fine with them).

 

[bicker]

blah blah blah

Yeah, I think what keeps confusing me is the thread title... "improve" -- what we're really doing is replacing the Dining Plan with wishes and dreams. Pumbaa_ pointed that out earlier.

 

[robsmom]

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.

I would say that they have had this plan for thiry years. It is called a menu. Want an app, order an app. want dessert get one. Want to only eat CS or only eat TS or have drinks - its ok. I 100% agree with you that they can nto have a separate plan for each scenario!!

 

[caroline1851]

Yeah, I think what keeps confusing me is the thread title... "improve" -- what we're really doing is replacing the Dining Plan with wishes and dreams. Pumbaa_ pointed that out earlier.

what i stated above WOULD be an improvement in my opinion. That's what it's about....opinions.

 

[TDC Nala]

I know when I posted I was taking "improvement" literally. Most folks posting here seem to want the tip included. They'd have to give up something already on the plan for that to take place.

Sure, it'd also be an improvement for WDW to offer a dining plan that conforms exactly to what every guest wants in a dining plan. I'd like them to include the booze personally.

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.

 

[Praying Colonel]

There are many who are dissatisfied with the current version of the DDP and think a return to the old DDP would be an improvement. IMHO that's as valid a position as that of folks who posted in the past that they would improve that version of the DDP by removing the tip.

I'd be willing to pay an increased cost for a return to the pre-08 version of the DDP. Alternatively, I'd like to see a DDP that removed the CS dessert, but included the tip and either the app or dessert, and I'd be willing to pay an increased cost for that, too.

(And yes, I've read the 23 different reasons why that wouldn't work or is a bad idea or whatever. I'm just saying what I'd like to see.)

 

[bicker]

There are many who are dissatisfied with the current version of the DDP and think a return to the old DDP would be an improvement. IMHO that's as valid a position as that of folks who posted in the past that they would improve that version of the DDP by removing the tip. I'd be willing to pay an increased cost for a return to the pre-08 version of the DDP. Alternatively, I'd like to see a DDP that removed the CS dessert, but included the tip and either the app or dessert, and I'd be willing to pay an increased cost for that, too. (And yes, I've read the 23 different reasons why that wouldn't work or is a bad idea or whatever. I'm just saying what I'd like to see.)

Okay, so now we're back to reality? Okay...

Valid? Yes, but incomplete. A return to the 2007 Dining Plan rules would necessarily result in a price increase to about $47 per day. That was the point.

I think it is a disservice to casual readers to post only half of a story, so even though you might realize that that price increase would be associated with the change you'd like to see, it is important to make sure that it gets mentioned in the thread.

what i stated above WOULD be an improvement in my opinion. That's what it's about....opinions.

I agree; it would just cost more. That was my point.

 

[Praying Colonel]

^Right on cue...

 

[KNovacovschi]

Okay, so now we're back to reality? Okay...

Valid? Yes, but incomplete. A return to the 2007 Dining Plan rules would necessarily result in a price increase to about $47 per day. That was the point.

I wouldn't mind it going up a whole $2 if it means going back to the way it was in '07.

 

[bicker]

Well, it was $39 in 2007, so the increase would be about $8 per day.

 

[disney queen]

play nice

 

[KNovacovschi]

Well, it was $39 in 2007, so the increase would be about $8 per day.

I am in Canada and the package I had was $45 a day thats why I said an increase of $2...I just don't like to have to worry about the tip as I am not good at calculating just how much to give...

 

[bicker]

Interesting. I didn't realize that Canadians were paying so much more for the Dining Plan than we were (though perhaps it wasn't as much the case a few years ago, when the exchange rate was quite different). So essentially, the Dining Plan has never been a discount plan for Canadians. I did not know that.

 

[KNovacovschi]

It just may have been who we booked the package through...we booked with a company called Nolitours...

 

[fakereadhed]

After doing the math, I think the current DDP can still be cost effective. What I'd like improved is the convenience- but not sure how that would work. Just saying that it has sucked all of the spontaneity out of a trip for me and I'm not using it on my next trip for that reason. I will have to try really hard to keep my costs the same as DDP(even with more CS), but I think it will be worth it because I won't have to stop what I'm doing to be somewhere for dinner at a certain time. I do think if they goal of the DDP was to get guests used to dining a certain way- it worked! I am now wanting more TS- just don't want to have to pre-plan and make time for it while I'm there.

 

[lazydoxy66]

If you want to be real, the bottom line is, Disney wants to make a profit, even on the DDP. You are never going to get what you want for free. Lets remember this is not a boardroom. Just a forum for discussion.
I love all the ideas and comments, no matter how crazy. There have been some great ones. The only bad idea is the one that never gets expressed.
The biggest improvement, would also be the hardest and most expensive to accomplish - CHOICE. I guess if you want to be in total control of your dining you would have to do OOP. Otherwise, you make the best of what Disney has to offer and try to come out of it on top in the money game.
Thanks to all of you for making this an interesting thread.

 

[bicker]

Lets remember this is not a boardroom. Just a forum for discussion.

Yes, but let's be careful. This is not the Community Board. This is a Trip Planning forum, ostensibly primarily intended to provide members with factual information they can use to better enjoy their visits to the theme parks. That's my real concern, as I mentioned before: Being sure to clarify when we're "just having fun" versus providing information that casual readers can use to help foster their expectations, in this case, with regard to what they might encounter with regard to the Dining Plan when visiting WDW in 2009.

 

[Lewisc]

This is a thread discussing suggested improvements to the DDP. The moderators are free to move it to another forum, if appropriate. It's clear, at least to me, that this thread is a "wish list" and shouldn't be interpreted as changes that are likely.

Posters that are suggesting going back to the 2007 plan are basically asking for a price reduction in the 2009 plan. I don't think that's likely but posters don't have to suggest improvements that are revenue neutral. Suggesting that a product is overpriced and he price should be reduced is an improvement.

I think going back to including the tip would be very popular but is very unlikely. The tip represented an expense that Disney can't control. Disney can control the cost of ingredients by adjusting the menu.

The DDP was originally designed to promote rack rate room reservations. As such Disney may have been willing to take a loss on the DDP. DVC members and AP holders can now buy the plan. Disney continues to offer free dining. My guess is the plan must now stand on it's own. I don't think Disney anticipated the number of guests that would "work" the plan. Kids credits buying adult meals. Snacks serving as meal substitutes. Ordering entree sized appetizers to feed extra guests.

I might prefer a straight discount. Previously it didn't matter if I skipped elements of the plan, desserts for example. The plan is much less attractive if I skip desserts but pay for appetizers.

An improvement, that we'll never see, might be to run the plan like a buffet. Everyone eating uses a credit, guests who share still pay.

Yes, but let's be careful. This is not the Community Board. This is a Trip Planning forum, ostensibly primarily intended to provide members with factual information they can use to better enjoy their visits to the theme parks. That's my real concern, as I mentioned before: Being sure to clarify when we're "just having fun" versus providing information that casual readers can use to help foster their expectations, in this case, with regard to what they might encounter with regard to the Dining Plan when visiting WDW in 2009.

 

[jensen]

Bring the old (basic) plan back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We loved it just the way it was... even if we have to pay a little more.