Things not going well with the DDP changes

[stitchlover]

Knowing about the changes we still booked the Dining Plan for '08. I do wish they would give you the option between app or dessert. I would gladly give up the dessert and order an appetizer with my credits for my family of 3. I'm a WW member and don't need dessert everyday!
We have figured what our approximate bill will be at each TS (OCD planner) and put aside enough Disney Dollars to cover up to 20% tip at each TS. This was we don't have to worry about charging back to the room, etc. We can get in and out quickly.
I feel sorry for the wait staff because they are taking all the grief for this. Maybe it will all blow over soon.

 

[My2Angels]

When I booked for our Grand Gathering back in August of 2007, for Thanksgiving week of 2008, I was told several times the new changes for dining, including gratuity exclusions!
Then, I called back to change a couple of details about my room, not dining, and the CM told me again just in general conversation.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

When I booked for our Grand Gathering back in August of 2007, for Thanksgiving week of 2008, I was told several times the new changes for dining, including gratuity exclusions!
Then, I called back to change a couple of details about my room, not dining, and the CM told me again just in general conversation.

Howdy Sis!

 

[paulh]

Though the 18% auto gratuity for all DDP guests didn't come true (I remember your forecast back in Sept, we even had a few good natured PM's about it)

If there was`nt the fuss there is now,they would have introduced it.
One of my main arguments was that there was no room for tipping less for bad service.
I know kow you can call over a manager to reduce the amount,but that seams a bad situation drawing comments from outher dinners ect
Much prefer the one size all fits way like the old ddp,would pay more to have it included
Paulh

 

[kaytieeldr]

How do you explain how my brother printed out the dining plan of THEIR WEBSITE which stated the 2007 plan on Dec 31, 2007. What type of research do you suggest.

This isn't about entitlement...This is about providing what you advertise.

Honestly? I explain it that your brother researched the wrong information. The 2008 Dining Plan information - and the .pdf brochure - has been available at disneyworld.com for some time. I'm not sure I understand why anybody would expect 2007 information on ANYTHING to be accurate in 2008 , especially only mere hours before 2008 began...

 

[bigbabyblues]

I take offense to that. I'm part of a "small town family with a household income of 60K" and that doesn't mean that i am shocked when i get a bill and have to figure out the tip and then leave less than what's deserved. Small town doesn't mean cheap or only used to eating at "mom and pop restaurants".

I believe the majority of people tip what the waitstaff deserves. I'll tip 10% for horrible service and 20% for great service and 15% for basic service.

Me too! Heck, 60K is a HUGE salary around here.......the average here is closer to 35-40K, and a lot don't make that, but that doesn't automatically make them stupid.

 

[momlovesdisney]

I wonder if Disney will consider putting the dp back to the way it was in 2007 after reading all these posts. They say it's the "happiest place on earth" but not in this board it's not! a shame really because I liked the plan and now for my 2008 trip I'm not sure
what were the free dining dates in 2007 anyone know?

 

[hematite153]

Honestly? I explain it that your brother researched the wrong information. The 2008 Dining Plan information - and the .pdf brochure - has been available at disneyworld.com for some time. I'm not sure I understand why anybody would expect 2007 information on ANYTHING to be accurate in 2008 , especially only mere hours before 2008 began...

But how was he supposed to know that the UNDATED package referenced in the FAQs referred to 2007 and that there were changes for 2008?

I mean, normally, when I go to a website and read through an FAQ on a topic, I expect the information there to be correct and inclusive.

Why didn't they add an FAQ question that said: "What are the differences between the 2007 and 2008 packages" and edit the existing questions to have 2007 answers and 2008 answers.

I'm sorry, I understand that many people here--myself included--knew about these changes for a long time. But, I don't understand why people are being so critical of people who did their research but believed the misinformation posted on disney's own website. (Unless there is information that makes it clear that changes occur as of Jan 1st, why would we expect them to know that the FAQ is wrong?)

 

[hematite153]

The 2008 Dining Plan information - and the .pdf brochure - has been available at disneyworld.com for some time.

Yes, but, still not always accurate. I downloaded THREE different versions of it yesterday--all from disneyworld.com.

 

[VacationDad]

Yes, but, still not always accurate. I downloaded THREE different versions of it yesterday--all from disneyworld.com.

Can you provide the three links that you downloaded?

 

[disneyjunkie]

Yes, but, still not always accurate. I downloaded THREE different versions of it yesterday--all from disneyworld.com.

That's because there are three different dining plans.

Basic
Deluxe
Premium

There's also a wine package that can be added onto the plans.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

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.

My answer to that is NO!
We were there in April 2007 and we had the DDP, we booked a trip for April 2008 in 2007 and I told my travel agent just book everything the same so I didn't know the plan changed until I read it here. Even last year when I booked our 2007, I got nothing about the plan until I got to POLY. So this seems a bit unfair!

 

[hipchickie]

NO here as well.

 

[Tiger926]

Just a couple of more thoughts as my hubby and I just discussed the chaos that has been ensuing at the castle this week:

If a guest calls up Disney and asks to add the Dining Plan, then Disney will assume that they know something about it; therefore, I guess they assume no other info is needed. Think about it - if you are calling to add a Dining Plan, then how did you find out about said Dining Plan in the first place? Similarily, if you have your TA add it, then it is up to him/her to advise you of all pertinent info about that plan.

There are several issues here in that Disney didn't seem to update websites, doesn't send out brochures ahead of time (they should be sending with confirmation letters) and didn't train all CMs to warn guests of changes, although as I stated earlier, Member Services (DVC) has been advising us of these changes since the summer.

Tiger

 

[hematite153]

That's because there are three different dining plans.

Basic
Deluxe
Premium

There's also a wine package that can be added onto the plans.

No...I downloaded THREE different brochures for the BASIC plan--the one called the "Dining Plan" hence my use of the term "Dining Plan".

I also downloaded a brochure for deluxe dining (but that was my fourth download so I didn't count it).

 

[LexPlayer]

Can you provide the three links that you downloaded?

What's with the hostility there VD? Surely you don't believe that all the information on Disney's website is 100% accurate? I understand that you believe the patrons are apparently lazy and uninformed, but don't you think Disney is partially to blame?

I don't know what the 3 links are, but there have been posts on this board, as recently as today, showing incorrect information on the Disney website. Do you need a link to that?

 

[angelmav]

What's with the hostility there VD? Surely you don't believe that all the information on Disney's website is 100% accurate? I understand that you believe the patrons are apparently lazy and uninformed, but don't you think Disney is partially to blame?

I don't know what the 3 links are, but there have been posts on this board, as recently as today, showing incorrect information on the Disney website. Do you need a link to that?

Lex I believe the answer is somewhere in the following
1. Disney can do no wrong
2. If it appears that Disney did in fact do something wrong, refer to rule #1
3. No matter what, even if it may appear as a mistake on the part of disney, there will always be a handful of supporters to refer you back to rule #1

 

[trekkie2]

well regardless of what disney has or has not done or posted, I got the plan (months ago) with the understanding that tips were included. unfortunatly I am one of those small town, mom and pop restaurant dinning, single mom travelers who unfortunatly makes half of the 60K mentioned before and am eating at these restaurants because they were included on the plan. I will leave a tip for good service, ( although not 20 to 30 dollars per meal) I don't believe in tipping for bad service ( no one pays me extra for doing a terrible job) and WILL have the time of my life of this much anticipated and saved for vacation. In the future I will understand the system, plan accordingly and save money for tips or I will eat PB&J in my room, whatever I need to do. Perhaps the answer to the problem is in giving servers a real wage instead of asking them to rely on tips to make a living.

 

[disneyjunkie]

well regardless of what disney has or has not done or posted, I got the plan (months ago) with the understanding that tips were included. unfortunatly I am one of those small town, mom and pop restaurant dinning, single mom travelers who unfortunatly makes half of the 60K mentioned before and am eating at these restaurants because they were included on the plan. I will leave a tip for good service, ( although not 20 to 30 dollars per meal) I don't believe in tipping for bad service ( no one pays me extra for doing a terrible job) and WILL have the time of my life of this much anticipated and saved for vacation. In the future I will understand the system, plan accordingly and save money for tips or I will eat PB&J in my room, whatever I need to do. Perhaps the answer to the problem is in giving servers a real wage instead of asking them to rely on tips to make a living.

Maybe I'm not understanding this.

Are you saying you aren't going to leave a $20-$30 tip even if that's the correct tip amount?

I'm also a single mom, who makes less (much less ) than $60,000.00. I can't see how I can use that an excuse for not tipping the correct amount on a meal. If I can't afford the tip, then I can't afford the meal.

I understand that you may not have known about the changes when you booked. However, you're aware of them now. If the changes don't work for you, why not just cancel the dining plan?

 

[kaytieeldr]

But how was he supposed to know that the UNDATED package referenced in the FAQs referred to 2007 and that there were changes for 2008?

Undated? robodemo posted

How do you explain how my brother printed out the dining plan of THEIR WEBSITE which stated the 2007 plan on Dec 31, 2007. What type of research do you suggest.

Based on the information posted, I don't see anything about "undated"

If a guest calls up Disney and asks to add the Dining Plan, then Disney will assume that they know something about it; therefore, I guess they assume no other info is needed. Think about it - if you are calling to add a Dining Plan, then how did you find out about said Dining Plan in the first place?

Ah, right. As opposed to, "Can you tell me about this Dining Plan I've seen advertised?", or, "What's this Dining Plan thing?" or some similar questions

No...I downloaded THREE different brochures for the BASIC plan--the one called the "Dining Plan" hence my use of the term "Dining Plan".

Could you please provide the three links to the three different versions of the 2008 Basic Dining Plan? Thanks!