Things not going well with the DDP changes

[LSchrow]

well, they're aware of the problem now, & they need to address immediately.
a mass mailing for all those who have booked DDP would be in order, very short & sweet on brigly colored paper (so it, hopefully, get's noticed instead of tossed ~ maybe put "you may have already won a prize" on the envelope, just to make sure ). keep the same flyer at the front desk, and instruct the CMs to give it to the DDP guests to read........something simple, as: "we would like to reiterate that there have been changes to the DDP for 2008. the current DDP includes <filll in the blank>. please note that this year's plan does not include gratuities or appy, but is priced lower still presenting a great value" (c'mon, you know that'll be in it ).
"we want everyone to have as magical experience as possible.."yada-yada
& just include an offer to refund monies paid if the guest is not interested.
end of story...IF they do it soon. (of course, all TA's & any CM booking the DDP, as well as ADR's, would be required to inform their guests).

btw, i very recently overheard someone i know, who is an AAA TA specializing in WDW, telling 2 people about what a great deal the DDP is, & all that it covers, including appy & tip she got very upset when i told her of the change, & insisted i was wrong (even worse, she also told them to use all but a few days on their passes, so they could upgrade to a hopper or non-expiring for much less ~ b/c "it's cheaper just to upgrade a few days" ). so even when told, there will still be some people who just don't listen

should be interesting....

 

[disneyfav4ever]

well, they're aware of the problem now, & they need to address immediately.
a mass mailing for all those who have booked DDP would be in order, very short & sweet on brigly colored paper (so it, hopefully, get's noticed instead of tossed ~ maybe put "you may have already won a prize" on the envelope, just to make sure ). keep the same flyer at the front desk, and instruct the CMs to give it to the DDP guests to read........something simple, as: "we would like to reiterate that there have been changes to the DDP for 2008. the current DDP includes <filll in the blank>. please note that this year's plan does not include gratuities or appy, but is priced lower still presenting a great value" (c'mon, you know that'll be in it ).
"we want everyone to have as magical experience as possible.."yada-yada
& just include an offer to refund monies paid if the guest is not interested.
end of story...IF they do it soon. (of course, all TA's & any CM booking the DDP, as well as ADR's, would be required to inform their guests).

btw, i very recently overheard someone i know, who is an AAA TA specializing in WDW, telling 2 people about what a great deal the DDP is, & all that it covers, including appy & tip she got very upset when i told her of the change, & insisted i was wrong (even worse, she also told them to use all but a few days on their passes, so they could upgrade to a hopper or non-expiring for much less ~ b/c "it's cheaper just to upgrade a few days" ). so even when told, there will still be some people who just don't listen

should be interesting....

They sent me a packet with information on the deluxe plan for my Sep trip, so Disney is sending stuff.

 

[rosiep]

They sent me a packet with information on the deluxe plan for my Sep trip, so Disney is sending stuff.

Did you book thru Disney or a TA?

 

[starbox]

I don't think a letter from Disney will help because I don't think most families are used to going out to eat at a restaurant where entrees cost 25-30$, and then ordering drinks, appetizers, and desserts for the whole family - and THEN paying a 20% tip on the 150$-200$ +++ bill.

I can imagine that a family that saved and paid in advance for a 7 night MYW package would be very stressed to get a bill for a 30-40$ gratuity that first night - multiply that by 7 and you just added 200-300$ onto your OOP expenses. Nobody wants an unexpected expense to hit them on vacation.

 

[onelugnut]

while i feel bad for the servers and doubt very much that they asked for this.
I am glad there is a stink being made by the January people and hope the
February people continue it.
After that I and many others will show our displeasure with it by not buying the DDP.
I will be the one in front of you in the bag check with bottles of water and sandwiches falling from my back pack. (just kiddin, but not really)

i doubt the servers asked for this change, as a former food server (not w/ disney) I would have been very happy to receive guaranteed 18% tip from all my customers, as they did with DDP especially customers who ordered appetizers and desserts. And at Disney prices? I would have been rich.

oh yeah,
viva la revolution!!!
throw the tea into harbor!!
up with people!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

They sent me a packet with information on the deluxe plan for my Sep trip, so Disney is sending stuff.

I have DVC. We can not pay for the DDP until check-in. I haven't received anything. Thank heavens for the DISboards!!

 

[Colleen27]

They sent me a packet with information on the deluxe plan for my Sep trip, so Disney is sending stuff.

I got deluxe dining plan info for our trip too, and it did specify that tips are not included.

 

[ElizabethB]

I, too, feel sorry for the waiters. Yes, food management wanted this change. Why? So they could cut their losses. Who suffers? The waiters -- who now have to deal with angry customers who feel like they are not getting what they purchased. In this situation, are people really going to tip 20%?? Somehow I doubt it.

The union may have negotiated this, but they must have traded it for something that benefited other union members, because it sure doesn't benefit waiters. And, if that's the case, the waiters certainly ought to take it up with the union as well as management.

I said all along that the result of all of this will be a flat 18% mandatory tip, which will be charged each time you use one or more TS credits. I still think that will be the ultimate outcome.

Time will tell . . .

 

[TLSnell1981]

I, too, feel sorry for the waiters. Yes, food management wanted this change. Why? So they could cut their losses. Who suffers? The waiters -- who now have to deal with angry customers who feel like they are not getting what they purchased. In this situation, are people really going to tip 20%?? Somehow I doubt it.

The union may have negotiated this, but they must have traded it for something that benefited other union members, because it sure doesn't benefit waiters. And, if that's the case, the waiters certainly ought to take it up with the union as well as management.

I said all along that the result of all of this will be a flat 18% mandatory tip, which will be charged each time you use one or more TS credits. I still think that will be the ultimate outcome.

Time will tell . . .

Servers on this board have stated they average $150-$250 per shift, in tips at WDW. This is more than just a little above minimum wage.

The employees need to pay attention what THEIR union is doing for them. Evidently, only a small percentage even showed up to vote.

If the quality of service and food continues to decrease, at WDW, I will severely reduce my number of ADRs. A tip is a gratuity and a gratuity isn't mandatory.....

 

[LexPlayer]

A tip is a gratuity and a gratuity isn't mandatory.....

... unless it's called a "service charge" and you dine at Disney.

 

[robemcdo]

My brother did not find about the change until he was at his first sit down meal. The waiter informed him that his appetizer was not included and the tip was not either.

We booked the trip online and he did what he thought was due diligence by printing out the documentation from the disneyworld.com website, the day before he left which was Dec 31st. no mention of the change anywhere, neither was anything mentioned when he checked in.

He basically got screwed...Had he known that the changes were made, he never would have got it. He came to disney on a tight budget and this caused him much hardship on a once in a lifetime trip. We took our complaints to the resort managers but did not get very far. i have contacted disney guest services and am awaiting an answer.

It is nice that there are forums like this to find out info, but I would think that disney has some responsibility to inform their clients.

"The year of a million schemes"..

 

[Finally08]

Can anybody answer my question--do you actually receive information about the 2008 DDP after you buy it??
What I'm trying to establish is if all of those complaining were actually given wrong or erroneous information, or were simply lazy and didn't check what WAS given to them. Or worse, well knew the new policy and simply decided to save even MORE $$$ by not tipping. And cover that up by displays of mock outrage over the new policy.

We booked a land/sea package for Feb and have only gotten cruise info sent to us so far. Nothing about the DDP (which we have).

 

[angelmav]

Well even though this is what I predicted would happen, its still sad to see it finally play out. To all the 'well you should have known what you were getting in advance crowd' while that is, of course true, 8 days ago the old rules and old plan were still in effect. Can you really not see how people are getting there uninformed? Also, I can really see how this is playing out, family thinking they are about to order yummy included Apps 'What do you mean there not included?' Wait, now your telling me the tip isnt included either? Sticker shock sets in on whats sure to be a magical vacation.

 

[Melissa_E]

There are a few things in the article that I don't understand. First, they say that the dining plan was introduced in 1995 which is just not true. My family was on the "Gold Key" plan back in the late 80's and we had all of our meals pre-paid.

I can absolutely understand how many people can be caught off-guard. While I did receive documentation soon after I paid in full, people may not have read all the way through it. I received Disney Mail that had a bunch of small maps, a card saying, "you are on the deluxe dining plan, this is what it includes." It does state that tips are not included.

I'm not sure what Disney will do with all of these complaints.

 

[angelmav]

There are a few things in the article that I don't understand. First, they say that the dining plan was introduced in 1995 which is just not true. My family was on the "Gold Key" plan back in the late 80's and we had all of our meals pre-paid.

I can absolutely understand how many people can be caught off-guard. While I did receive documentation soon after I paid in full, people may not have read all the way through it. I received Disney Mail that had a bunch of small maps, a card saying, "you are on the deluxe dining plan, this is what it includes." It does state that tips are not included.

I'm not sure what Disney will do with all of these complaints.

But did you book through disney directly? It seems that those who booked through other sources have not gotten that same information. Also, given that such a dramatic change just took place, its really understandable how a previous user or someone that got info about the 07' plan is caught off-guard. I believe the article said 05' not 95'.

 

[Melissa_E]

But did you book through disney directly? It seems that those who beeked through other sources have not gotten that same information. Also, given that such a dramatic change just took place, its really understandable how a previous user or someone that got info about the 07' plan is caught off-guard. I believe the article said 05' not 95'.

Sorry you are right about the '05/95 part.

I did book through Disney directly for my upcoming Feb. trip, could that be why I got documents and others didn't?

But, I do know for sure that when my parents book my family's trip 20 years ago, they did it through Disney as well.

 

[vellamint]

"The year of a million schemes"..

I love this......

and I feel your brother and his family.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My brother did not find about the change until he was at his first sit down meal. The waiter informed him that his appetizer was not included and the tip was not either.

We booked the trip online and he did what he thought was due diligence by printing out the documentation from the disneyworld.com website, the day before he left which was Dec 31st. no mention of the change anywhere, neither was anything mentioned when he checked in.

He basically got screwed...Had he known that the changes were made, he never would have got it. He came to disney on a tight budget and this caused him much hardship on a once in a lifetime trip. We took our complaints to the resort managers but did not get very far. i have contacted disney guest services and am awaiting an answer.

It is nice that there are forums like this to find out info, but I would think that disney has some responsibility to inform their clients.

"The year of a million schemes"..

Did he read the material he was given when he checked into his resort? I find it hard to believe someone would not know what's included before heading to the restaurant.

For all those who didn't know about the changes, how did you know which restaurants were included in the plan? How did you know you needed to make ADRs before your trip?

How did you find out about the park hours, EMHs...

 

[BROWNSPHAN]

We have done the DDP the last 3 years & loved like everyone else. We are going to try it this Summer but are at the concierge @ AKV so not sure it is still as good of a value.

Food For Thought

If they are losing money then why continue to offer the free dining for last couple years ? I could see the first year to get people interested in the plan

If they would of just raised the price & gave the option of app or dessert I think it would of been easier to swallow.

Seems like they are trying to get people to step up to the Deluxe plan.Now I can understand they are in business to make money but this plan could easily include the tip

As far as the tipping ... it was just nice not to have to carry anything but your room key. Also if it not included don't tell me what to tip.You can suggest what a tip would be on the bottom of the bill based on the percentage fyi ...200.00 bill 18%=36.00...20%= 40.00.
I come from a family that has been in fine dining & i always tip well above for great service.

Again these are just my opinions ...

 

[angelmav]

Did he read the material he was given when he checked into his resort? I find it hard to believe someone would not know what's included before heading to the restaurant.

For all those who didn't know about the changes, how did you know which restaurants were included in the plan? How did you know you needed to make ADRs before your trip?

How did you find out about the park hours, EMHs...

I believe the example one poster gave was his brother printed off info on Dec 31 (under old plan) arrived on first (under rules for new plan) completely sideswiped by the changes. I mean, even though its been known about on the Dis, there is hardly a requirement to spend x number of hours on here before a vacation. Considering the old rules were literally 'just in effect' whats so hard to understand about people not knowing until check in. I find that completely reasonable.

Also, as has been noted, some CM's arent mentioning this at check in either (so as not to be the target), so, your telling me that newly arrived vacationers with info in hand (granted printed a few days too early) are going to stop what their doing to read said literature before heading to the parks or that first, long awaited ADR?