Unhappy with DDP policy

[Disneyhappy]

We don't do the DDP anymore (exception is TG trip at request of my parents). However, the last time we did the DDP, my niece was joining up from Tampa for our last two nights. Whether or not I was given the correct advice by MS, I was told to wait to add her to our reservation until she showed up. When she arrived, the front desk issued her a key card and we paid OOP for her meals. This was summer 2007. For us, it worked out great. If that would not have been an option, we would not have purchased the DDP, especially with the watered down version that started in 2008. I only agreed to do the DDP at TG because of the "holiday pricing" and my parents are elderly so I prefer not to go offsite for dining as has been our recent practice.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

The DDP & DDXP has been onmy mind for some time since next year willbe our first trip and w/ a 7 member family it seems we would benefit from it
I am curious though- AND mind you I am not trying to "get over" this was just a thought I had...
How would they know how many are in your party that would require you to carry DDP's for every person for every stay- If I am in a 2BR villa which sleeps 8-9- I don't necessarily have 8 or 9 people w/ us- & we could possibly have 4 w/ us- If I do DDp for 4 how would they know that the other 3 who we would pay OOP for should have the DDP- they could be staying elsewhere- again, not trying to get over the rules but wondering how they know when you buy the plan you should be buying for "7" versus "4" and ressies can be made w/ 7 but could be a family of 5 w/ 2 parents who came to eat w/ you - 5 on DDp and the 2 parents staying across town at the hilton i.e.-
Blahnde, I like your plan- hadn't thought to do it that way but I have been going through menus and having kids look to see what do they think they'd like to try when we are there- Gives me an idea of how much we may spend OOP versus if we did DDP- The reason I have been contemplating is because our 2 youngest would be on kids dining but even when we eat out here at home they eat from the regular menu 99% of the time! Haven't ordered the Happy Meal or even Big Kids meal at fast food in about the last 2 years- (& they are 7 & 9) I just don't see having them on the DDp being beneficial if they are going to want the same food we have- So, again I have been showing them menus from the various restraunts I'd like to try, they'd like to try, & DH would like to try so I can see what OOP we may have versus would they choose kids meals- andmy older ones, would they choose X or Y - If they would share an entree and be okay (we could have the kids meal put in a to go and have for a fast break snack if hunger strikes before next meal or take back to resort for evening snack) or would they want their own... My kids eat big- Can finish a 12 oz Ribeye w/ baked potato & veggies after devouring a large portion of appetizer and still want desert- I thought DDP would work to cut costs of Character meals and show meals but now not sure- Thx for explaining anything nmore to me- PS I was told I can not purchase DDP adult plan for them either- Is that true? OR is it because the server at the restraunts would not believe the DDP adult plan belongs to them?

 

[natnelliesmom]

The DDP always works for us. While we are on vacation we like to eat well! At home we never have dessert or appetizers- so vacation is the time to splurge!
At just one sit-down dinner a day- the DDP has already paid for itself. I pay just under $40.00 per adult per day and at some of the TS places we eat, the main entree alone is more than that.
We also enjoy character dining with the kids- which is pricey.
We have found that the DDP saves us quite a bit!
We have done the parks enough now that part of the vacation is the dining experience and not just the rides. I can have chicken tenders and fries at home! I want to eat better than that on vacation!
-Sarah

 

[Blahnde]

How would they know how many are in your party

You are supposed to list everyone in the room on your reservation. If you do not, they will not receive a room key. Many people do "cheat" the system by not listing everyone. It is more difficult to do if you buy park tickets (not annual passes) and have them attached to your room keys. But since many DVC owners use annual passes, it is easier to just not list everyone on the reservation so that you do not have to pay for the dining plan for them all.

... our 2 youngest would be on kids dining but even when we eat out here at home they eat from the regular menu 99% of the time! ... they are 7 & 9 ... I just don't see having them on the DDp being beneficial if they are going to want the same food we have ....

My understanding is that 9 is the adult pricing cut-off. Therefore, only your 7 year old will be usuing child pricing/credits. And when they are on child pricing/credits they must use the children's menu.

I thought DDP would work to cut costs of Character meals and show meals but now not sure ... I was told I can not purchase DDP adult plan for them either- Is that true?

I also believe that Character Meals and shows take 2 TS credits. It doesn't seem to be a cost savings from my number crunching, especially since it would mean paying out of pocket to eat one day so you can use 2 credits the next.

As for buying an adult plan for a child under 9, I am not sure that it can be done, but I do know that you may buy a child's plan for a child under 3. You do not have to, but they will let you. I cannot see if this is the case why they would not let you buy the adult plan for a child.

Blahnde

 

[CraftyMouse]

The DDP always works for us. While we are on vacation we like to eat well! At home we never have dessert or appetizers- so vacation is the time to splurge!

I'm not sure when you last used the DDP but appetizers are no longer included. Now it is an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuities are also no longer included in the price.

 

[TDERadulski]

We used the DDP for our past two trip to WDW, and will most likely add it on for our upcoming trip at the end of September.
On our last trip, we had extra CS meals (3 adults and 1 child). While we were waiting on line at Buzz Lightyear, there was a young family behind who was talking about stopping for lunch after they got thru Buzz. I gave them my card (as we were leaving WDW soon) and told them they were more than welcome to use up my left over CS meals. I doubt what I did was "legal" per Disney's rules, and I have no idea if the famliy used it or not, but I felt good knowing that I may have helped out another young family and spread some pixie dust of my own.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

My understanding is that 9 is the adult pricing cut-off. Therefore, only your 7 year old will be usuing child pricing/credits. And when they are on child pricing/credits they must use the children's menu.

The 7 & 9 year old would both be children. At age 10 they turn into an "adult".

I like your plan, Blahnde! I think I am going to do something like that for our next trip. The DDP is nice but I think we can do better your way.

 

[CarolMN]

You are supposed to list everyone in the room on your reservation. If you do not, they will not receive a room key. Many people do "cheat" the system by not listing everyone. It is more difficult to do if you buy park tickets (not annual passes) and have them attached to your room keys. But since many DVC owners use annual passes, it is easier to just not list everyone on the reservation so that you do not have to pay for the dining plan for them all.

Also, without a room key, guests cannot go to any park EMH or utilize Magical Express.

At the BCV, some have reported that everyone in their party had to show a room key to gain access to SAB, although that is not always the case. Seems to depend on how busty they are and perhaps the whim of the CMs.

 

[dvc_john]

I also believe that Character Meals and shows take 2 TS credits.

Not quite correct.

I believe that the only Character Meal that requires 2 TS credits is Cinderella's Royal Table. The other's (including Liberty Tree, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Cape May, Hollywood & Vine, etc.) take 1 TS credit.

The shows Hoop-de-doo, Spirit of Aloha, and Mickey's Backyard Bar-b-que do require 2 TS credits.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

...At the BCV, some have reported that everyone in their party had to show a room key to gain access to SAB, although that is not always the case. Seems to depend on how busty they are and perhaps the whim of the CMs.

So if you have a good figure, you can get into SAB without a room key?!?!

 

[eliza61]

Tell me if this sounds fair. I think not. My wife and 2 sons are arriving BCV on a Sat for 4 nights. Me and DS 11 are arriving Mon for 2 nights (All in same 2BR). DDP is charging me and DS 11 for 4 days of DDP even though we are only staying 2. There policy is that all members of the party must have the same DDP. I thought I would beat the system by letting my DS 11 use my 2 extra days of DDP, but I was told that all members staying in the room had to be on the DDP. I think you should be able to pick how many days of your stay you desire to be on the DDP and not be required to use it your entire stay. JMHO

Disney has always had some type of food plan, unfotunately no plan has been great for every one. We tried the ddp once and did not particularly care for it (actually, we hated it). I never thought about "fair", just simply did not work for me.

So if you have a good figure, you can get into SAB without a room key?!?!

Round is a good figure!

 

[locodemickey]

As for buying an adult plan for a child under 9, I am not sure that it can be done, but I do know that you may buy a child's plan for a child under 3. You do not have to, but they will let you. I cannot see if this is the case why they would not let you buy the adult plan for a child.

Blahnde[/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

They would NOT let me buy DDP for my 2 YO this summer. It would have saved us $$ as it is EASY to spend $10 in one day - even on a 2 YO.

 

[Blahnde]

They would NOT let me buy DDP for my 2 YO this summer. It would have saved us $$ as it is EASY to spend $10 in one day.

Was your reservation with DVC points or cash? The reason I ask is because I know people have had this problem if they are on the cash (Magic Your Way) plan. But I know 3 DVC Members (one being my sister for my 2 year old nephew!) that have done this successfully on point reservations as DVC Members in the past 6 months. The difference is tickets. Those under 3 do not need tickets, but the Magic Your Way plan requires BOTH tickets and dining; therefore you cannot have the dining plan and not have a ticket with Magic Your Way.

Blahnde

 

[CarolA]

Also, without a room key, guests cannot go to any park EMH or utilize Magical Express.

At the BCV, some have reported that everyone in their party had to show a room key to gain access to SAB, although that is not always the case. Seems to depend on how busty they are and perhaps the whim of the CMs.

Well the last time I was there the female CM at the entrance near where I sat didn 't seem to care about "busty". Maybe if Michael Phelps had arrived in the Speedo he could have gotten in, but EVERYONE I saw was required to have a room card.

It was actually quite enteratining watching the "stories" being told and the very nice response of the CM ..."If you go to the front desk I am SURE they will give you a new key" L

 

[locodemickey]

Was your reservation with DVC points or cash? The reason I ask is because I know people have had this problem if they are on the cash (Magic Your Way) plan. But I know 3 DVC Members (one being my sister for my 2 year old nephew!) that have done this successfully on point reservations as DVC Members in the past 6 months. The difference is tickets. Those under 3 do not need tickets, but the Magic Your Way plan requires BOTH tickets and dining; therefore you cannot have the dining plan and not have a ticket with Magic Your Way.

Blahnde

We were on points and had annual passes. She obviously didn't have one because she was 2. It doesn't matter anymore - she turns 3 on Tuesday - but it would have been nice to buy the plan for her since it would have been cheaper. They have made some of the kids meals 7 or 8 dollars now!

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Thanks for the response Blahnde- Again, as I said, I am not trying to get over - it was an observation and curiosity, as I have read all of the many posts about the DDP- & although I didn't know we had to list each person on our ressie- I am not sure I am comfortable w/ my young kids having a "key"- what if they lose it? Or would I carry it? Or is it a virtual key of some sort andnot an actual physical item? - I think we may bebetter off doing a plan your way- I have been adding up what we'd be spending on the days of TS and yes, quite a bit but then on other meals, I just don't see it as much- plus we will be doing 2 show meals and at least one character meal and at least one or two signature experiences- I just see my younger ones as not having as great a time during most meals if they are limited to burgers, chicken fingers and pizza- especially if we are having steak and such- Oh! They would hate it- and even though I have thought of the "package theirs forlater and share mine & DH's- I am not sure that would work either- So... I am still crunching numbers and planning meals-

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am not sure I am comfortable w/ my young kids having a "key"- what if they lose it? Or would I carry it? Or is it a virtual key of some sort andnot an actual physical item?

When we had the grandkids with us last fall, we carried their keys/park passes, and handed them over to get the EMH wrist bands, etc, etc. We also kept a tally of the DDP points, and no one went over their alotment.

 

[Lynn5700]

Sorry that it doesn't work for you!

We always get it...I love the DP..it works for us and saves us money. I could never get the deluxe plan though lol...I could never eat that much.

 

[Dean]

I am not sure I am comfortable w/ my young kids having a "key"- what if they lose it? Or would I carry it?

You should be able to get the kids key without charging privileges so that if they lost it, it would not be a problem. And as noted, you could carry it for them. The credits are pooled so you could access them all from your KTTW card.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I am not sure I am comfortable w/ my young kids having a "key"- what if they lose it? Or would I carry it?

Up until the time my kids were 10ish, either DH or I carried their room key & ticket for them. We started giving them charging privileges at 10 (they are both uber responsible and we never had an issue with them charging things they shouldn't) and at that point they carried their own card.