New Disney Dining Plan 2008

[dobball23]

Count me in as one who will no longer be purchasing the DDP. I really enjoyed it too, so that stinks. I better enjoy my October trip using the DDP.

I hope they bring the current (2007 version) of the DDP back by the next time my wife and I are hoping to go to WDW (2010!!). A guy can hope, right?

 

[IDoDis]

Without the gratuity being included anymore, the DDP is not a great deal anymore. Having the gratuity included saved us a ton of money! The TS meals for our family were between $85 - $130 dollars, so tips for each of those meals would be between $16 - $26 for gratuity. Well, that's A LOT of money if you are on the DDP for 8 days. That adds a potential $200 that we'd have to pay out in tips that were included before, yet the plan is only $1.00 cheaper!!!

Wow, they must think we are blundering idiots to fall for that. Now, add on top of that no appetizers so you are talking about another $150 loss there. We don't really need the appetizer so I'd rather have them discount their plan significantly more and take out the appetizers, but to only discount it $1.00 and have us pay OOP for the tip, is a huge rip-off!

We could save a lot by just getting CS meals and maybe having a couple of TS meals during the whole trip. That way we wouldn't be paying so much extra on the tips.

No more DDP for us. I guess it gives me a good reason not get it and adds one less stress of "should we or shouldn't we." The answer is more clear now -- NO!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Just a thought...

Allears said the price would drop by $1. however, IIRC people in the UK got offered a very similar plan except the price had dropped $11. Could it be that Deb's source misplaced a "1"? A drop of $11 in price makes a lot more sense, since they took out both the appetizer AND tip.

 

[LoriZH]

If they drop it by 11 bucks then that's not bad, but if it's only 1 dollar then forget it, it's not worth it without the gratuity. Then again, we only use to get the dining plan due to it's great value, if these changes take place it doesn't seem like a "great" value anymore and will probably just skip it.

 

[rkwells]

Just a thought...

Allears said the price would drop by $1. however, IIRC people in the UK got offered a very similar plan except the price had dropped $11. Could it be that Deb's source misplaced a "1"? A drop of $11 in price makes a lot more sense, since they took out both the appetizer AND tip.

Hmmmmmm, WOW...now that's an interesting thought!...I think if that were the case I would go from "No, I'm not going to be purchasing the basic plan because it would be either a financial wash or even cost more then OOP for my family." to "hey, maybe this is still a pretty good deal!"

I could care less about the loss of an appetizer, but feel the loss of the tip really took away the incentive for us.

 

[mom2dea0813]

So when are we suppose to hear about the dinning plan change ?

Sarah

 

[CarolA]

Just a thought...

Allears said the price would drop by $1. however, IIRC people in the UK got offered a very similar plan except the price had dropped $11. Could it be that Deb's source misplaced a "1"? A drop of $11 in price makes a lot more sense, since they took out both the appetizer AND tip.

On one analysis I saw on the Dining Board the plan INCRESED $11......

Most of the UK people were buying "packages" via Virgin. It is "repriced" by Virgin. The UK folks indicated that it has not ever really followed US pricing exactly but for them it's a good deal because it includes the air etc.....


Dining plan changes are out there offically.

Link to Deluxe

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...cific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08deluxedining.pdf


Link to regular

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf


NOW BEFORE YOU PANIC.....

Yes, most of the Epcot Resturants, CSR and others are missing, but they were "missing" last year with the first release and reappeared later. So give it a few weeks.

 

[IDoDis]

Just a thought...

Allears said the price would drop by $1. however, IIRC people in the UK got offered a very similar plan except the price had dropped $11. Could it be that Deb's source misplaced a "1"? A drop of $11 in price makes a lot more sense, since they took out both the appetizer AND tip.

If that were the case, then it would certainly be a fair trade. I'd much rather pay $11 less per day per person w/out the appetizer. That would be $33 less per day for 3 adult plans (not sure how much for the kids plan). That money could go right back into paying for the TS tip. I do understand the the cost of food has gone up a lot with fuel prices and such, but sheesh! To take out tips and appetizers and only discount $1.00 is a slap in the face.

 

[thelionqueen]

It seems as if another change has taken place I haven't seen mentioned yet (haven't read through every single page, so may have been).

The snacks seem to have changed. In the original snacks in 2005 (1st free dining trip) you could only get popcorn, soda, ice cream & rice krispie treats (could be missing an item or 2 here..this is just from memory).

They changed it last year to include "almost" anything under $4 in the parks and resorts, which ROCKS .

On this new brochure it specifically lists like 8 items. Am I missing something here or has this changed as well??

It's early here and I have not had my coffee...basically I'l exactly like
<------------
so someone please clarify for me if you can
Thanks!!

 

[TSM1993]

It seems as if another change has taken place I haven't seen mentioned yet (haven't read through every single page, so may have been).

The snacks seem to have changed. In the original snacks in 2005 (1st free dining trip) you could only get popcorn, soda, ice cream & rice krispie treats (could be missing an item or 2 here..this is just from memory).

They changed it last year to include "almost" anything under $4 in the parks and resorts, which ROCKS .

On this new brochure it specifically lists like 8 items. Am I missing something here or has this changed as well??

It's early here and I have not had my coffee...basically I'l exactly like
<------------
so someone please clarify for me if you can
Thanks!!

Following the link provided above by a previous poster for the non deluxe ddp it says under snacks some examples of eligible snacks include :

Also on the very bottom of it in the FAQ it has a question asking about using your credits to share with your friends or family not on the plan who joins your party and the answer is no. I know that people have done this before in some restaurants and were allowed to it was up to the server but now they cant.

 

[Hannahsmom]

Did anyone notice the DIS UPDATES sticky under the title "Disney Healthy Dining Initiative Expanding". Amid cutting out Trans Fats and hydrogenated oils, they are adjusting serving sizes. Not only are you going to be paying more for your DDP, but you will be getting less food.

 

[lexeka]

we used the dining plan last time we went and our service was always top-notch, except for the Akershus Castle Rest. and that had to do with others in our party who didn't have the DDP and had issues getting correct checks and such.

 

[thelionqueen]

OK, I did follow the link in the previous post, however, my question is this. Last year they changed the snacks and it was not listed on the brochure. SO, my real question is..are the snacks going to be the same as they are now, or include ONLY what is listed?

 

[MrOakie]

I don't like the fact that they removed the tip from the dining plan. We used the dining plan last year on our first trip to WDW. Not sure if we will do it again.

On a side note: has anyone paid attention to the prices you pay in the grocery store every day? Prices have risen an average of 6.4%. I work for a frozen food company and try to keep up with market trends. The average family is paying over $100 more per month in food than they did last year. Food and fuel prices have gone up making it necessary to increase consumer prices. While I don't like the change Disney is making, its a cost saving measure in the long run. My company is regretfully having to raise prices as well. You have to look at the overall picture. Not just what one company is doing.

 

[MrOakie]

I'm not sure if anyone has answered this question yet. So here goes. Last year when we stayed, we did not use all of our table service credits. A CM told us we could exchange a table service meal for a counter service meal and a snak. Will we be able to do this on the new 2008 plan? just curious.

 

[CarolA]

I'm not sure if anyone has answered this question yet. So here goes. Last year when we stayed, we did not use all of our table service credits. A CM told us we could exchange a table service meal for a counter service meal and a snak. Will we be able to do this on the new 2008 plan? just curious.

Looking at your dates I think you were there during Free Dining? That is the ONLY time I have heard of this "exchange" being allowed so I would not count on it being allowed again.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Did anyone notice when looking at the brochure that gratuities are included at a few select places? It doesn't make up for it taking it off everything else, but I was suprised when I was looking at the brochure. Gratuities are included for things like pizza delivery and places like Cinderella's or Hoop De Doo for regular and deluxe plans. Just an FYI.

 

[solferino]

Did anyone notice when looking at the brochure that gratuities are included at a few select places? It doesn't make up for it taking it off everything else, but I was suprised when I was looking at the brochure. Gratuities are included for things like pizza delivery and places like Cinderella's or Hoop De Doo for regular and deluxe plans. Just an FYI.

I wonder if it's a 2 credit/signature restaurant thing? Haven't looked at the brochure because my POS computer locks up when I try to open it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I wonder if it's a 2 credit/signature restaurant thing? Haven't looked at the brochure because my POS computer locks up when I try to open it.

No,gratuities are only included with a few of the 2 credit places.

 

[jamesphilipdean]

Since Disney announced their 2008 room rates today, I decided to see what it would cost for 1 night in January via the Disney website. It let me add the DDP package for a net increase of 38 per person (for the standard plan). It also gives the option to add the wine plan mentioned earlier. Nothing about the deluxe plan.

Disney's brochures were mentioned in an earlier post that show what's incleded.

So there you have it!

Jim