Things not going well with the DDP changes

[TLSnell1981]

But don't forget the servers made up only a small portion of the union members who voted on the contract. And it wasn't just servers getting to vote just on the DDP (gratuity) portion of the contract. It was all union members voting on the entire contract package--transportation, housekeeping, etc etc.

...and don't forget that only a small number of employees actually showed up to vote. If the union isn't speaking for the servers ....they need to get rid of it.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I wouldn't be surprised at this. Anyone know when the next contract would come up?

2010.

 

[sandym718]

Thank you - I thought it was more than just a 1 year contract, but wasn't sure.

 

[keishashadow]

But don't forget the servers made up only a small portion of the union members who voted on the contract. And it wasn't just servers getting to vote just on the DDP (gratuity) portion of the contract. It was all union members voting on the entire contract package--transportation, housekeeping, etc etc.

haven't read thru the whole thread, FLA is a right to work state; employees don't have to join the union, however; Disney does negotiate with the union re contracts

i spoke to a server last year whose father was on the bargining committe; this was a "bone" thrown to Disney. The servers are just a small portion of the membership...yet, one of the most desireable positions. They can take it or leave it. As the server stated "...there's 10 people waiting for my job at any time".

He did mention that there was a clause in the contract that would reopen the item for negotiation if the servers were indeed losing money after a few months...guess we'll wait & see.

fyi, i'll be the 1st to complain that the automatic tips on the DP seemed to make service decline during some of our meals. Def. the offerings suffered. However, my grandparents were immigrant coal miners & DH is a steelworker ; unions aren't infallible...just necessary for workers in an age when the bottom line is everything.

 

[robinb]

He did mention that there was a clause in the contract that would reopen the item for negotiation if the servers were indeed losing money after a few months...guess we'll wait & see.

I suspect that Disney will change the plan in the future and increase the cost of the plan by $5-$6 to cover the gratuity on the average TS meal price of $28. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't planned from the beginning. They wouldn't have been able to increase the price and remove the appetizer at the same time without an even bigger uproar.

 

[keishashadow]

I suspect that Disney will change the plan in the future and increase the cost of the plan by $5-$6 to cover the gratuity on the average TS meal price of $28. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't planned from the beginning. They wouldn't have been able to increase the price and remove the appetizer at the same time without an even bigger uproar.

and there u have it...blame it on the "greedy" servers

still don't see why they don't offer choice of either desert or a limited selection of appetizers geared to the DP, anything over X amount of $s would be OOP.

 

[Luv2Roam]

dup

 

[Luv2Roam]

The either or has been rehashed many times. Comes down to table turn over, with guests sharing each. Less revenue and a slower table turn around to boot. Just all of us guessing of course. But stands to reason.

 

[TDC Nala]

The either or has been rehashed many times. Comes down to table turn over, with guests sharing each. Less revenue and a slower table turn around to boot. Just all of us guessing of course. But stands to reason.

Personally I think the existence of the deluxe dining plan points to this. You can get that appetizer in a prepaid meal plan...you just have to pay extra for it. Disney loses the quicker table turnaround, but the guests are paying more.

Of course the deluxe plan does offer more than just appetizers over the basic plan.

 

[robinb]

and there u have it...blame it on the "greedy" servers

Please tell me where I called the servers "greedy".

still don't see why they don't offer choice of either desert or a limited selection of appetizers geared to the DP, anything over X amount of $s would be OOP.

I think the change was two-fold. (1) Cut expenses by eliminating tip and appetizers (about 25-30% of the cost of the 2007 plan) and (2) Move the guests through faster. I would bet money that the 2008 DDP guests are now skipping appetizers instead of paying OOP and cutting the time spent at the table. That means that they can probably seat at least one more family every night and sell more food.

 

[robemcdo]

I had posted earlier in this thread about how my brother ordered the DDP in August, printed out the info on Dec31st, got to Disney, checked in...went out for supper and found out only then that the plan had changed.

This was a big shock to all of us, he hadn't planned for this financially, and would no doubt have NOT got the plan had he known.

Anyway, Disney called both of us tonight...conference call, and have agreed to reimburse him for the 18% that he thought would be covered. No questions asked.

I asked them to mail him the 3 appetizers, but they weren't going to that far.

All in all, he was happy that they anted up.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I had posted earlier in this thread about how my brother ordered the DDP in August, printed out the info on Dec31st, got to Disney, checked in...went out for supper and found out only then that the plan had changed.

This was a big shock to all of us, he hadn't planned for this financially, and would no doubt have NOT got the plan had he known.

Anyway, Disney called both of us tonight...conference call, and have agreed to reimburse him for the 18% that he thought would be covered. No questions asked.

I asked them to mail him the 3 appetizers, but they weren't going to that far.

All in all, he was happy that they anted up.

Thanks for the update! I am not surprised Disney stepped up. I had a small problem on my last visit. I really didn't complain...just asked for additional help with a matter. Disney asked what they could do for me.....I told them I didn't expect anything, but they offered (2) 4 day hopper passes.....which I gladly accepted. With all the Disney bashing, it sure is nice to see a positive post.

 

[MrsMork]

I just don't like the idea of having to carry around extra cash or a credit card to come up with a gratuity.

I want the old plan back, but if they must make changes, get rid of the appetizer or scale them back and scale back some of the desserts, but bring back the gratuity.

You don't have to carry cash or a credit card. You can charge the gratuity to your room with the same room card from which they deduct the meal credit.

 

[DaParkers]

and there u have it...blame it on the "greedy" servers

still don't see why they don't offer choice of either desert or a limited selection of appetizers geared to the DP, anything over X amount of $s would be OOP.

Did that person call the servers greedy?

 

[stemikger]

I think the new plan is not worth it, especially if you did the old plan. The whole purpose of doing the plan is because it is so easy and other then drinks, you don't have to deal with money.

I think Disney dropped the ball big time. They should have just raised the price and kept it the same way. Instead they dropped it $1??? and gave you a lot less. Just on principal alone, I will not buy it. Where is the savings?

However, I feel for the poor servers and restaurant managers. They are the ones on the front lines. I hope that most guests realize that these people are not to blame and don't take it out on them.

 

[tww369]

I just booked for a trip in April on DDP (just 2 of us) but this will but last time on DDP unless its changed to be more of a value. As far as the old DDP goes I think "It was fun while it lasted" but Im a DVC owner and will be back of course. We had fun fun without DDP there before and will again, If Disney wants me use DDP they will make it worth the cost or I'll be eating off property.

Just remember Disney's a bussiness, They started DDP to boost "on property" dining if people take that bussiness elsewhere they will feel it, especially with the money they put into new resturaunts and remodeling old ones. Im hearing these changes were brought on the resturants being "swamped" by DDP dining (a problem they created). Im not saying to boycott the resturants my kids and I enjoy a couple of meals while there, just don't take the DDP anymore till it changes to something more acceptable in price..

 

[Nancyg56]

I had posted earlier in this thread about how my brother ordered the DDP in August, printed out the info on Dec31st, got to Disney, checked in...went out for supper and found out only then that the plan had changed.

This was a big shock to all of us, he hadn't planned for this financially, and would no doubt have NOT got the plan had he known.

Anyway, Disney called both of us tonight...conference call, and have agreed to reimburse him for the 18% that he thought would be covered. No questions asked.

I asked them to mail him the 3 appetizers, but they weren't going to that far.

All in all, he was happy that they anted up.

Thank you for the update. I have wondered how Disney was going to handle consumer backlash, especially in light of the gloom and doom predictions concerning the economy. If customers leave Disney with the impression that there was a little less than truth in advertising a package they may choose to stay closer to home and save some of their Disney allocated dollars.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Its very simple if you don't like the new dining plan don't purchase it and just pay out of pocket. That is what we are doing, its not worth it to us, we rarely purchase apps or deserts and my 10 year old does not eat that much. He will still order off of the kids menu and I would of been charged adult price for him on the dining plan. We are still doing 3 TS plus the rest CS around Disney and we will be well under the dining plan purchase price even with tipping.

 

[TheDizDad]

I'd almost bet that the DDP could go away all together. Maybe then the restaurants won't be as crowded.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Here in the US servers make well below minimum wage and rely on tips to bring their wages up. I think their salary is about $2.15 per hour ... someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I have no clue how much servers make in Canada. Here in the US the standard tip is 15-20%. Not giving the standard tip for good service is not right, IMO. If you need to save money to go to Disney ... that's fine. Just don't do it on the backs of the hard working servers.

I'm sorry, but your misunderstanding is exactly why I think it was better when the gratuity was included. I would rather have had them ADD $5 to the price of the plan and left the gratuity intact. That $5 increase would cover an 18% gratuity on the average TS meal of $28.

Ditto !!!!!