Problems with the DDP

[Olaf]

Just back and used the DDP. When signing in, I informed the CM that we were doing the DDP. She informed me that it wasn't on my reservation. I told her that it should have been, because I requested it. Off she trots to the back for 5 minutes and returns with my DDP cards. OK, all is fine. We used it for two days and everything was hunky dorie. On the third day, I noticed, after dinner that our credit count had gone up rather than down--significantly.

Woke up early the next morning, 6:30 am, and headed to the front desk to figure out what was going on. Nobody there. Stood there for 15 minutes. Finally, someone from housekeeping took pity on me and knocked on the door behind the "forbidden" gate. CM comes rushing out. Explain to her my problem, she prints out all of my DDP credit data, which plainly shows my account having been credited with double credits. I stood there trying to get this woman to understand that something was wrong. This is what she said to me, "What are you worried about? You aren't being short changed". What I was worried about, was being charged twice. Gave up on her.

Came back a few hours later and spoke with another CM. She immediately identified the problem. My main reservation had been married up with another to make an entire week. One of those reservations had the DDP on it, the other did not. When I signed in, they essentially signed me up twice. She said that she would hand my account off to the man in charge of the program and all would be well. Got a call a few hours later informing me of my "new" credit balance--still wasn't right, but not nearly so much as before. I tried to tell her that it still didn't sound right, and she said she was just passing on the info. Fine, I'd done my duty. If Disney can't get their act together, that's their problem.

A few days later, I unexpectedly hit my charging credit limit with the key card. Yep, they double charged me for the DDP. This time DH heads off to the front desk to try and straighten it out. Takes about an hour. Our credits still aren't right, but the double charge has been removed. The CM apologizes and leaves the credits as is and says "enjoy". I'll be happier when I see my credit card bill. Moral of the story? Watch that credit balance.

 

[dianeschlicht]

DEFINITELY watch the balance of the credits. We had one restaurant (Rose and Crown) where everyone in our party was charged double credits instead of one. Took awhile to get it straightened out, but they were able to fix it right there at the restaurant, and everything was fine the rest of the time.

We did feel the plan was a good value for the two of us, but difficult to track with more than one family group involved. We found we did NOT use the counter service enough. We had a total of 8 counter service over the 10 days on the plan go to waste. Well, perhaps that was better than going to "waist"!! Even with that, it was a savings for us.

 

[sean-1966]

During our last visit DW noticed a triple deduction for dinner one night. Good thing she noticed I was completely oblivious. Didn't take long to sort it out though. About 10 minutes on the phone to the front desk.

 

[3DisneyKids]

We've used the DDP three times and never had a problem. However, I always check the balances after each purchase (and I am managing for 5 people, ususally for 5 days, so 25 of each TS, CS and snack). DH says that I am only good at Disney math! (DVC points and tracking DDP credits!)

We haven't ever "wasted" any of our credits, but we've "burned" credits. Meaning, we didn't really want or need anything, but I still had credits left. So we bought a bunch of snacks (like Mickey-shaped rice crispie treats) and packed them in our luggage for treats once we were home.

We have had to really try to use some of those CS credits, though, as Diane said. It is just TONS of food. Still, we love it b/c it allows us to try places we might not otherwise try (due to sticker shock), and although I am a "normal" eater, DH is a HUGE eater (fitness freak, so he can eat all he wants...and DOES!) so for him it is a great value.

Back to the OP: Lesson learned...yes, always track your credits.

 

[dumbo71]

Sorry about your problems.

I will say that I feel it is a little much to complain about ANYTHING to do with DDP. You wanted the discounted grub so now you got it and the problems that go with it.

IMO, a DDP or free dining guest has no right to complain, period. Want to complain, pay full price.

You get what you pay for.

 

[Olaf]

Sorry about your problems.

No, you're not. It's perfectly obvious from the tone of this message that you're not. Why pretend otherwise?

I will say that I feel it is a little much to complain about ANYTHING to do with DDP. You wanted the discounted grub so now you got it and the problems that go with it.

IMO, a DDP or free dining guest has no right to complain, period. Want to complain, pay full price.

You get what you pay for..

No it isn't "a little much" to complain about being charged an extra $570 dollars for a program that I signed off for at $798 dollars.

 

[MommaX03]

I used the DDP twice. The only problem we had was that on the first full day of our first trip our room key demagnetized so the CM had to reenter everything. All our credits were lost. We were fortunate that it was only one day into the trip, and I kept my receipts to show what I had used.

 

[Esmerelda]

Some friends of ours used this a few months back, they also had problems with the 'credit' part of the card. They were short on theirs a couple of times. They both agreed they would not do this again (the DDP).

I personally have only used the DDE card and it worked great for us. We saved 4+ times what we paid for the card. I'm sorry you had so many problems. That can get very frustrating on vacation I know especially when no one seems to be getting it right!

many wishes for a smoother trip next trip down!
Esmerelda

 

[MILLZ]

Sorry about your problems.

I will say that I feel it is a little much to complain about ANYTHING to do with DDP. You wanted the discounted grub so now you got it and the problems that go with it.

IMO, a DDP or free dining guest has no right to complain, period. Want to complain, pay full price.

You get what you pay for.

Always such a pleasant poster man it has to be tough to be perfert how do you do it.

 

[dumbo71]

Always such a pleasant poster man it has to be tough to be perfert how do you do it.

And thank you for the kind words.

It is justifiable to complain about being overcharged. For that I was wrong. Now complaining about quality or a lack of choices, that would be wrong IMO.

DDP and free dining users are responsible for the cuts in the first place so to complain about changes they forced is over board.

OP you weren't doing that so I apologize.

 

[kevw67]

Does anyone else notice the connection between Dumbo's comment and screen name?

 

[Lexxiefern]

I have gotten extra credits before (just 1 credit, but still). And we never eat all the CS meals either. My dad and his girlfriend came up for one trip and we "bought" them their meals for them with our CS credits. We still had some left on checkout day.

OP, sorry for the headaches you got on vacation from this.

 

[rinkwide]

...Moral of the story? Watch that credit balance.

After reading all of the above, I'd say the moral is: Stick with the DDE

 

[pklein09]

DH says that I am only good at Disney math! (DVC points and tracking DDP credits!)

Now that's a "new" math I could understand!!!

 

[bicker]

DDP and free dining users are responsible for the cuts in the first place so to complain about changes they forced is over board.

The Dining Plan isn't "responsible" for the changes we're seeing in restaurants. Rather, the changes we're seeing in restaurants are attributable to the purchasing decisions of all guests. Restaurants serve patrons. If patrons reward restaurants for doing something, then the restaurants will continue to do that. If patrons don't reward restaurants for doing something, then the restaurants will stop doing that.

As a non-Dining Plan patron, you may be frustrated with the fact that the Dining Plan patrons have so much power, because their purchasing decisions drive so much of the restaurants' profit. However, that power is well-placed. When record companies started putting albums out only on CDs instead of LPs, I'm sure that folks with turntables were frustrated, but that doesn't mean that record companies should still be putting out LPs!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow!
What a lot of wasted vacation time for you and your family!

I hope your credit card comes through with what you expect - NOT to be doubly charged.

Good lesson though for all others using the DDP == definitely watch your account and DDP credits. We usually go and get a printout of each every couple of days so I could go through and make sure we weren't charged unnecessarily.

You really do have to keep up with it all.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Always frustrating to have to burn time getting somebody to correct a mistake, although I'm glad they seemed to have gotten it right in the end.

Now, do tell where you ate with the extra credits you had so that we an determine whether the wasted time and aggrevation was well enough compensated .

 

[DISNEYDUET]

I feel your pain! We had the opposite problems. We were charged double points for a 1 point meal and then our room key was charged when it should have been a meal plan point deduction. Always look at your receipt BEFORE you leave the restaurant! Learned the hard way and 2 hours later had it straight. I know managment is stretched thin but what happened to the "Disney" way. Put on your ears and smile- not so much anymore. Maybe they sat on their ears and thats why they don't smile anymore-they have a bum ache!

 

[Olaf]

DDP and free dining users are responsible for the cuts in the first place so to complain about changes they forced is over board.

OP you weren't doing that so I apologize.

Apology accepted.

This was our first time using the DDP, we normally use the DDE. Overall, we were satisfied with the program and considered it an excellent "value". However, it's just way toooo much food. By the end of the week, we were absolutely stuffed, and we weren't even eating everything. I'm not sure we'll use it again.

I spoke at length with a waiter at Wolfgang Pucks about the program. He said that September was their best month ever, because of the dining plan. He thinks Disney is making money on it by sheer volume. I guess it's here to stay.

 

[dumbo71]

The Dining Plan isn't "responsible" for the changes we're seeing in restaurants. Rather, the changes we're seeing in restaurants are attributable to the purchasing decisions of all guests. Restaurants serve patrons. If patrons reward restaurants for doing something, then the restaurants will continue to do that. If patrons don't reward restaurants for doing something, then the restaurants will stop doing that.

As a non-Dining Plan patron, you may be frustrated with the fact that the Dining Plan patrons have so much power, because their purchasing decisions drive so much of the restaurants' profit. However, that power is well-placed. When record companies started putting albums out only on CDs instead of LPs, I'm sure that folks with turntables were frustrated, but that doesn't mean that record companies should still be putting out LPs!

Good post Bicker and you know what you are right. The masses have demanded this and they have received it from WDW.

It is tough being on the other side of the fence with this DDP and free dining.
I won't support it out of principle. Maybe someday I'll be forced to come over to the darkside, I sure hope not.