Things not going well with the DDP changes

[Disney_Angel]

I love the DDP for the simple fact that my meals are paid for ahead of time. No need to carry to much cash on hand.
We received free dining in Sepetmber of 07' We tipped 15-25% depending on the service because as we perceived it we were essentially eating for FREE. The look on the servers spoke volumes and it was appreciated.

When we rebooked while still on vacation for Sept. 2008 we received free dining for 2008. It was explained that the appetizer and tip were no longer included. We decided to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan. We may not be able to consume three TS meals everyday but they will no go wasted because we greatly enjoy the Hoop-De-Doo and the Luau (2 TS each). This will afford us to try some new places like the Flying Fish, California Grill and Tuto Italia along with old favorites; The Coral Reef....LeCellier....Cinderella's Castle.

I took great care in planning our ADR last trip because I wanted to make sure we had a TS meal everynight.....not because I wanted to get the most out of the plan but because We needed that nice meal as a family, a luxury we may not always get at home.

I do wish Disney would charge MORE for the DDP to include the tip. I like the idea of paying ahead and having no worries. If the service was great we would leave a nice little extra. But I know everyone may not feel that way.

IMHO the DDP is STILL worth the cost because the time we will spend with the family around the table with fine food and no dishes is PRICELESS!!!

 

[gail789]

I feel so sad that Disney is becoming like all the other corporations in America, with cutbacks and the attitude of 'who cares what the employees or customers need or want'. We go to WDW to escape this, don't we????
I am really torn about the gratuity, I don't know if we now have to plan it in our budget, or do we boycot the whole thing, and not leave gratuity at all.... I know anybody working in a restaurant will want to really blast me, but if we don't fight back how is this going to change, for us, or the employee's.



gail789

31 days to arrival, hoping the plan changes by then....

 

[TLSnell1981]

I feel so sad that Disney is becoming like all the other corporations in America, with cutbacks and the attitude of 'who cares what the employees or customers need or want'. We go to WDW to escape this, don't we????
I am really torn about the gratuity, I don't know if we now have to plan it in our budget, or do we boycot the whole thing, and not leave gratuity at all.... I know anybody working in a restaurant will want to really blast me, but if we don't fight back how is this going to change, for us, or the employee's.



gail789

31 days to arrival, hoping the plan changes by then....

We can thank Eisner for starting this mess. I really don't think Walt had this in mind.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't know if we now have to plan it in our budget, or do we boycot the whole thing, and not leave gratuity at all.... I know anybody working in a restaurant will want to really blast me, but if we don't fight back how is this going to change, for us, or the employee's.

I do not see this as fair or doing any good, and I suspect very few would agree.
Unless you just have very bad service, I do not agree with this at all.
If MANY guests did this, probably what would happen is a automatic gratuity across the board at sit down meals, and/or eliminating the DDP altogether.

 

[TLSnell1981]

If MANY guests did this, probably what would happen is a automatic gratuity across the board at sit down meals, and/or eliminating the DDP altogether.

I suspect this is coming anyway....at the latest, it will be in the next union contract....and it will be non-negotible.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I suspect all this will just add fuel to that fire.

 

[gail789]

I don't think they would get rid of the dining plan, they still make a lot of money. And I know nobody would agree with boycotting gratuity, but like I said, if we don't boycott somehow, nothing will change. I don't think they can demand a 18% gratuity on all bills. Maybe I am wrong, but I still think as Disney patrons, there has to be something we can do. Something that doesn't hurt the employee.

gail789

 

[TLSnell1981]

I don't think they would get rid of the dining plan, they still make a lot of money. And I know nobody would agree with boycotting gratuity, but like I said, if we don't boycott somehow, nothing will change. I don't think they can demand a 18% gratuity on all bills. Maybe I am wrong, but I still think as Disney patrons, there has to be something we can do. Something that doesn't hurt the employee.

gail789

Disney's restaurant division isn't making a lot of money off the DDP....they are losing money. There are some things Disney really can't change....the service charge being added to DDE and all parties with over 5 guests is mandated by the latest union contract. The gratuity paid on the DDP was figured on the entire bill...not the price paid for the plan. This became very costly for Disney....thus it was removed. Dis employees voted down this contract and only approved one with the above stipulations. The former DDP was abused and was never meant to be a huge savings to customers, but a convenience. Disney has had some form of dining plan for years. It would not surprise me to see the plan not survive in it's current form. I will not get into the "hurting" employees thing. I won't stiff a server who does a good job, but I feel they share some of the responsiblity in the problems we are now experiencing.

 

[HaleyB]

I don't think they would get rid of the dining plan, they still make a lot of money. And I know nobody would agree with boycotting gratuity, but like I said, if we don't boycott somehow, nothing will change. I don't think they can demand a 18% gratuity on all bills. Maybe I am wrong, but I still think as Disney patrons, there has to be something we can do. Something that doesn't hurt the employee.

gail789

There is, stay off-site. At the very least do not purchase the DDP. That is the only boycott that makes sense. If you don't tip you hurt the servers, who did not cause this change and who have no power to change it back.

If a lot of people decide to stay off-site because the draw of the DDP is not so powerful anymore Disney will notice.

 

[hammie59]

I feel so sad that Disney is becoming like all the other corporations in America, with cutbacks and the attitude of 'who cares what the employees or customers need or want'. We go to WDW to escape this, don't we????
I am really torn about the gratuity, I don't know if we now have to plan it in our budget, or do we boycot the whole thing, and not leave gratuity at all.... I know anybody working in a restaurant will want to really blast me, but if we don't fight back how is this going to change, for us, or the employee's.



gail789

31 days to arrival, hoping the plan changes by then....

I'm totally understanding the shock and disappointment with the tip not being included, as I am soon to be one of the DDP '08 guinea pigs, but to decide to not leave a tip to show my rebellion is unheard of. It's not fair to the server and I don't really see how that will get back at Disney. They'll still get their money, but the person busting their hump to get your food will be royally screwed over. I can't imagine they make all that much and are probably pretty dependant on those tips. I doubt the server's complaints of crappy or non existant gratuity will be heard much by the big wigs.
Someone suggested raising the price of the DDP to get it back to the way it was, and I think that's a pretty good idea. JMHO

 

[gail789]

I think Disney would notice if their turn around rate of servers raised drastically. If the server was receiving 18-20% continuasly for several years and now this is changing because thier gratuity is based on the customer, not the company. If servers start looking for employment elsewhere because of this, it does get noticed, and servers have a voice.

gail789

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think Disney would notice if their turn around rate of servers raised drastically. If the server was receiving 18-20% continuasly for several years and now this is changing because thier gratuity is based on the customer, not the company. If servers start looking for employment elsewhere because of this, it does get noticed, and servers have a voice.

gail789

There are plenty of people who would love to work for Disney. They will not have a problem finding servers. The servers have a voice...they voted in the latest union contract mandating these changes. Things just aren't working out like they envisioned.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Okay, let me tell you I am sooooo pissed right now. I am not the worlds most observant person, so I did not even know there had been a change to the dining plan until tonight. I booked a last minute trip last week, and will be heading to WDW from Jan. 27th - Feb. 1st. I purchased the dining plan because I loved the ease last time we were there, and it would be a good value for us. I even purchased one day tickets that I don't need because I have seasonal passes, all so I could get the dining plan. Well, thank the Lord while reading a thread tonight I saw that gratuity was no longer included, and then I saw that the appetizer was no longer included. Now I just want to cancel the dang plan!!!! So, since I already paid with a credit card for the package, can I now cancel it, and just book a room? If so, how will the money be refunded to me, and how long will it take to get it back? It is definitely not a value for me any longer since the appetizer and gratuity is no longer included. Disney will be getting far less of my money this trip due to their dining plan changes.

Also let me add, that not once while booking my package was I told of any changes whatsoever to the dining plan.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Okay, let me tell you I am sooooo pissed right now. I am not the worlds most observant person, so I did not even know there had been a change to the dining plan until tonight. I booked a last minute trip last week, and will be heading to WDW from Jan. 27th - Feb. 1st. I purchased the dining plan because I loved the ease last time we were there, and it would be a good value for us. I even purchased one day tickets that I don't need because I have seasonal passes, all so I could get the dining plan. Well, thank the Lord while reading a thread tonight I saw that gratuity was no longer included, and then I saw that the appetizer was no longer included. Now I just want to cancel the dang plan!!!! So, since I already paid with a credit card for the package, can I now cancel it, and just book a room? If so, how will the money be refunded to me, and how long will it take to get it back? It is definitely not a value for me any longer since the appetizer and gratuity is no longer included. Disney will be getting far less of my money this trip due to their dining plan changes.

Deep breath!! In....out. Now, most of us have experienced (to some extent ) what you are feeling. There have been many heated discussions recently on this matter. I would call Disney first thing to see if cancellation is possible. I don't know at this late date if it can be done without a penalty. I don't know what else to say, but I feel for you. Many people have slipped through the cracks and not found out until after they have either booked ...or even worse.... arrived! There was still an erroneous faq page on the Disney website until recently....stating that the gratuity and appy were still included. I hope either way you won't let this ruin your trip. Good luck!

 

[WDmommyof4]

Deep breath!! In....out. Now, most of us have experienced (to some extent ) what you are feeling. There have been many heated discussions recently on this matter. I would call Disney first thing to see if cancellation is possible. I don't know at this late date if it can be done without a penalty. I don't know what else to say, but I feel for you. Many people have slipped through the cracks and not found out until after they have either booked ...or even worse.... arrived! There was still an erroneous faq page on the Disney website until recently....stating that the gratuity and appy were still included. I hope either way you won't let this ruin your trip. Good luck!

Thank-you for your help. I will not let it ruin my trip, but it will definitely put a crimp in it. I so look forward to doing the DDP, because it is the only way I would treat myself. I am a single mother of four boys, and my yearly trip to Disney is the only thing I splurge on all year. I never go to sit down restaurants at home during the year, and this was my treat. Now, even if I stick with the plan, it will just feel like an overcharged treat. I won't buy any appetizers because frankly I don't have the extra money. It is going to be all I can do to come up with the tip money if I choose to stay on the DDP. I think I will just try and cancel it, cut out desserts at lunch, not buy appetizers at TS restaurants, and not buy snacks. I added it up, and I would actually be paying about $100 + extra for the DDP versus OOP, which would have been okay because I would have treated myself with the appetizers and extras, but not now.

 

[hipchickie]

I think you and I have butted heads so sharply because your idea of the net profitability of restaurants in general is so much higher than mine. At a 25% net profitability I could easily believe that the ddp still made money. But I don't think many restaurants make that kind of profit.

As I have said from the first post, the problem with your computations have been the sole focus on TS restaurant, you are not figuring in the much higher profit segments involved in disney food service and the DDP


WDmommyof 4, I truly wish you the best, and you will need it. At this point in your dates (within 45 days) I think disney policy is a $100 fee...at some point there is absolutely no cxl allowed.
I think the outcry will work in your favor, if you have problems cancelling make sure to mention when you call that you were not informed...if that doesn't work either you can try complaining at the front desk when you check in, it sounds like that works well (a CM told me to do that!)

 

[gail789]

You said it in a nutshell, this is a treat, pre planned and pre paid, now to figure in the extra gratuity and appetizer can be less money spent elsewhere in the park. I, personaly, would much rather have an appetizer than desert for health reasons.
But, if it helps, if your children are on the children's plan, they should be able to receive their complete meal-unchanged. I could be wrong though. I do not know if the children's plan changed at all.
I hope it helps.
gail789

 

[WDmommyof4]

You said it in a nutshell, this is a treat, pre planned and pre paid, now to figure in the extra gratuity and appetizer can be less money spent elsewhere in the park. I, personaly, would much rather have an appetizer than desert for health reasons.
But, if it helps, if your children are on the children's plan, they should be able to receive their complete meal-unchanged. I could be wrong though. I do not know if the children's plan changed at all.
I hope it helps.
gail789

The only problem with taking money from other park spending cash to cover gratuity and appetizer is this. I am only bringing $20 for each of my children to spend and $20 for me to buy something for my mother as a thank-you for taking care of my other 2 children while I am gone. So, there is really nowhere else to take money from.

I do not think I will be able to cancel the package at this point without a penalty, but I do fully intend to lodge a formal complaint. Especially since I was not informed of the changes when booking the package. Seeing as they are only three weeks in to a major change in their plan, I would have thought it would have been standard policy to inform guests of changes when they were booking their package. Thank-you everyone for your help.

 

[TLSnell1981]

The only problem with taking money from other park spending cash to cover gratuity and appetizer is this. I am only bringing $20 for each of my children to spend and $20 for me to buy something for my mother as a thank-you for taking care of my other 2 children while I am gone. So, there is really nowhere else to take money from.

I do not think I will be able to cancel the package at this point without a penalty, but I do fully intend to lodge a formal complaint. Especially since I was not informed of the changes when booking the package. Seeing as they are only three weeks in to a major change in their plan, I would have thought it would have been standard policy to inform guests of changes when they were booking their package. Thank-you everyone for your help.

Let us know how it works out. If the first person can't help...either hang up and call back or ask to speak to a supervisor. Many times different CMs will give different answers. Calmly explain your circumstances and make sure they know you were NOT informed of the changes. REMEMBER...the wise old saying.....You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

 

[gail789]

You are taking your children to the place of dreams, cherish that. Do what you can. Disney will see, (I believe) that situations as you are experiencing and so many millions of others is exactly why their is a flaw in their plan. WDW is a place where so many magical dreams come true.
Believe me, I have been ranting and raving about the new policy, but as soon as we are all there,(32 days for me), and we see those magical moments on our childrens faces, we will do what we can, and that's all we can do, and pray, that whatever we can give as gratuity is ok, and pray that the changes can be reworked so the Disney Dream can still happen for an affordable price.

Have fun, and it is 13 degress in Buffalo now, so Florida, here we come....
gail789