URGENT Re: Dining Plan Changes

[jerseyredhead]

Did anyone book their trip for 2008 prior to August 2007 when Disney announced the DDP changes? If so, did Disney notify you of the change and give you the opportunity to cancel? I just came back from our trip and was completely blindsided by the changes and the fact that I spent an extra $180 for a family of 3 on all our table service meals once the appetizers and tips were added in, none of which Disney prepared me for before we went. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and what they are doing about it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's too bad you didn't find or spend any time on these message boards in the six months prior to your trip - but there are numerous threads devoted to this specific situation, both current and historic.

As far as I know, 2008 packages couldn't be booked before the 2008 package prices, including the Dining Plan changes, were officially released.

Aside from those issues, though - was information about the 2008 Dining Plan not provided when you checked in to your resort?

And, prepared or not - it would be reasonable that, upon finding at the first table service meal that appetizers were no longer included and that that the DDP no longer pays the gratuity, that one's dining plans would be adapted to, in this case, not order appetizers, or cut back on appetizers; and that the diner would then be prepared to pay the gratuity for all subsequent table service meals.

Too, it doesn't seem sensible that anybody could 'do' anything about it after using all the dining credits and returning home.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't believe that 2008 packages were available for booking until August 5th, and the new plans were announced the same day, so there was no way to book an '08 package before the plans were announced. At least, that's what MouseSavers and MousePlanet say:
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070806mg

 

[kaytieeldr]

Plus, apparently the OP booked her trip in November - long after all this information was made available.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I am new to this board as of Jan 2008. I just started reading it a couple weeks ago when I booked my latest trip -- two nights at AKL with Dining Plan.

When I booked my trip NO ONE mentioned anything about the details of the Dining Plan. They didn't even tell me there were different tiers "Basic" and "Deluxe". The CM said, "Do you want Dining?" and I said yes, trustingly assuming it would be the same as my last trip in 2006. Why would I question that? That was the end of all discussion on the subject.

Then I start reading on this board and come to learn that they have downgraded basic and created a "deluxe" version. huge bummer for us!!!

Yes, I was an uninformed consumer - but shame on Disney for not offering to explain anything!

So I called Disney to say that no one had informed me of the difference. They didn't even tell me that Jiko was a TWO table-service-point restaurant. (They ho-hummed me and were totally unapologetic.)

I had already given my 70 year old father great expectations based on what the plan used to include. Rather than call him and admit that Disney had rescinded some perks, (if you knew my dad - you'd know that would be a fate worse than death) I just forked over an extra $168 for two days deluxe.

Ouch.

Next year I'm bringing PB&J.

 

[jerseyredhead]

I had no idea about the changes because the person on the phone who booked my package confirmed that the app and tip WERE included. Also, I found out on the 2nd night and did not order any apps after that. But I did pay about $120 in tips. (What else could I do- I was not going to stiff the servers!)
I spoke with 2 managers while I was there and called Disney's Guest Relations. They all told me to go pound sand. I think the problem is that Disney is counting on disgruntled people but believes they will all just go away and forget about this once they come home. So Disney gets to save itself hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result!!
Not everyone who loves Disney even knows that these boards exist or that they should read them. Some of us just book a trip and learn things the hard way!

 

[kaytieeldr]

When I booked my trip NO ONE mentioned anything about the details of the Dining Plan. They didn't even tell me there were different tiers "Basic" and "Deluxe". The CM said, "Do you want Dining?" and I said yes, trustingly assuming it would be the same as my last trip in 2006. Why would I question that? That was the end of all discussion on the subject.

Then I start reading on this board and come to learn that they have downgraded basic and created a "deluxe" version. huge bummer for us!!!

Yes, I was an uninformed consumer - but shame on Disney for not offering to explain anything!

So I called Disney to say that no one had informed me of the difference. They didn't even tell me that Jiko was a TWO table-service-point restaurant. (They ho-hummed me and were totally unapologetic.)

Given that exact scenario, it doesn't seem unreasonable that a Cast Member getting a positive response to "Do you want Dining?" without the Guest asking ANY questions about it - for example, "What is that?" or "What do you mean?" could infer that the Guest KNOWS what 'Dining' is/includes.

Jiko has ALWAYS been a two-Table Service Credit restaurant, since the inception of the Disney Dining Plan in January 2005.

I think the problem is that Disney is counting on disgruntled people but believes they will all just go away and forget about this once they come home.

There's a discount clothing chain whose motto is, "An educated consumer is our best customer". THEY don't educate the consumer, they expect the consumer to know in advance what they're purchasing.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've always been given a brochure on the dining plan when we check in. I know a lot of people don't read those, and we don't either, but you can't say they didn't tell you. It was there.

I do feel bad for the people who find they didn't get what they thought they were getting, but the changes to the plan were made before it was available to be booked. Disney did a lousy job of getting the info to people, but the info was there.

 

[jerseyredhead]

I have every piece of paper given to me at check-in and NO WHERE were the terms of the DDP discussed- only which restaurants I could go to.

 

[tipsytrtle]

i think the op is just in feeling a little annoyed at the changes, I was lucky enough to find this board prior to booking my trips, many arent so lucky.....

and it appears she did "change" her eating plans once the realization happened that the plan wasnt what she expected

i imagine there are many who feel that they got less than what they expected with the DDP changes,

that being said, i do feel bad that you didnt know about the changes, however, i imagine disney cant do anything about it, in every major purchase there is always fine print, if the "buyer" doesnt read everything the company (dinsey in this case) cant be held liable, simple fact of business.

but i do feel bad for you and hope it didnt make too much of a damper on your trip....

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

Jiko has ALWAYS been a two-Table Service Credit restaurant, since the inception of the Disney Dining Plan in January 2005.

And how would I have known that? In fact, that was the only error they did acknowledge.

According to the CM on the Disney dining reservationist phone line, the reservationists are required to ask if you're using DDP when you make your reservation, and they're required to inform you of the point cost at the time of your reservation.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Yesterday, I added an extra day to my trip. I asked the CM to make sure my dining plan was updated to reflect the extra day. They said, yes, I see you have the basic plan. I said, no,....I have the deluxe plan....don't I? The CM then said....oh yeah, you do have the deluxe.Today,I booked additional ADRs for my trip next month. The CM asked if I was on the dining plan....I said, yes. No dialouge whatsoever about the conditions of the plan. With all the controversy over the dining changes....I would think the CMs would be a little more up to speed.

 

[Brian Noble]

CRO? You want to get correct answers from CRO? They can barely tell you which park a particular restaurant is in.

 

[Tricia1972]

CRO? You want to get correct answers from CRO? They can barely tell you which park a particular restaurant is in.

I completely agree with you! I think though you still can't blame an average consumer who calls Disney to ask a question about Disney for believing the answer that Disney gave them.

What CRO needs to do is to stop answering questions they don't know the answer to, and direct the consumer to the proper department.

Any answer that CRO gives should be accurate, and we can't blame a consumer for believing them. (Well we can blame each other if we choose to believe them because we know better , but the average consumer wouldn't know better)

 

[luckytobeme88]

Thank goodness that we are only talking about DDP here. How many of you unknowingly believed everything your doctors has to tell you? lol

 

[Allison]

Did anyone book their trip for 2008 prior to August 2007 when Disney announced the DDP changes? If so, did Disney notify you of the change and give you the opportunity to cancel? I just came back from our trip and was completely blindsided by the changes and the fact that I spent an extra $180 for a family of 3 on all our table service meals once the appetizers and tips were added in, none of which Disney prepared me for before we went. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and what they are doing about it.

You couldn't book a dining package until the details of the package were announced, so no, noone could have done that.

 

[Deppster]

I do not agree with imposing the cost of gratuities onto guests at Disney World. Last itme we went we had the DDP and we tipped based on the service and friendliness of the staff serving, which is how it should be.

Some people have to save for a very long time to go to Disney World and it isn't fair to make us pay 18% tips automatically. Disney should provide the staff with better wages if the amount the staff get is in question. I come from Scotland. It's costing us a lot of money to come to Disney in September. We are hoping to have enough spending money to last us after paying for the holiday and flights. I am furious that Disney can decide how much I should tip someone! Surely that is my choice? I don't mind tipping AN AMOUNT I CHOOSE, based on quality of service and soemtimes even based on my budget! And WHY should I tip somone 18% when I attend a buffet, when I am getting the food myself? The information on all of this is cloudly too. I copied and pasted a reply to a question about DDP this year and according to that, i don't have to pay 18% as We are a party of 5? Does anyone know the real facts?

Is the info I've copied and pasted below correct?
The Disney Dining Experience program will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to all meals, regardless of party size. This is NOT the same as the Disney Dining Plan! The Disney Dining Experience is a dining discount program. The 18% will be calculated on the pre-discounted, pre-tax total of the check, and the guest will pay it along with the rest of the bill.

The Disney Dining Plan is the package that you can reserve as part of the Magic Your Way vacation. It will be subject to an 18% gratuity only for parties of 6 or more. The 18% will be calculated based on the menu price of the food and drinks ordered, and guests will need to pay this out of pocket (cash is fine, or it can be charged to your room). For parties of 5 or fewer there is no automatic gratuity, so guests will need to calculate the tip on your own and tip accordingly.

 

[Tricia1972]

Is the info I've copied and pasted below correct?
The Disney Dining Experience program will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to all meals, regardless of party size. This is NOT the same as the Disney Dining Plan! The Disney Dining Experience is a dining discount program. The 18% will be calculated on the pre-discounted, pre-tax total of the check, and the guest will pay it along with the rest of the bill.

The Disney Dining Plan is the package that you can reserve as part of the Magic Your Way vacation. It will be subject to an 18% gratuity only for parties of 6 or more. The 18% will be calculated based on the menu price of the food and drinks ordered, and guests will need to pay this out of pocket (cash is fine, or it can be charged to your room). For parties of 5 or fewer there is no automatic gratuity, so guests will need to calculate the tip on your own and tip accordingly.

This information is correct. The only thing to add is that the auto gratuity for parties of 6 or more is regardless of the DDP. You'll be charged the same gratuity if you're paying OOP for your meal.

 

[janets]

I do not agree with imposing the cost of gratuities onto guests at Disney World. Last itme we went we had the DDP and we tipped based on the service and friendliness of the staff serving, which is how it should be.

Some people have to save for a very long time to go to Disney World and it isn't fair to make us pay 18% tips automatically. Disney should provide the staff with better wages if the amount the staff get is in question. I come from Scotland. It's costing us a lot of money to come to Disney in September. We are hoping to have enough spending money to last us after paying for the holiday and flights. I am furious that Disney can decide how much I should tip someone! Surely that is my choice? I don't mind tipping AN AMOUNT I CHOOSE, based on quality of service and soemtimes even based on my budget! And WHY should I tip somone 18% when I attend a buffet, when I am getting the food myself? The information on all of this is cloudly too. I copied and pasted a reply to a question about DDP this year and according to that, i don't have to pay 18% as We are a party of 5? Does anyone know the real facts?

Is the info I've copied and pasted below correct?
The Disney Dining Experience program will have an automatic 18% gratuity added to all meals, regardless of party size. This is NOT the same as the Disney Dining Plan! The Disney Dining Experience is a dining discount program. The 18% will be calculated on the pre-discounted, pre-tax total of the check, and the guest will pay it along with the rest of the bill.

The Disney Dining Plan is the package that you can reserve as part of the Magic Your Way vacation. It will be subject to an 18% gratuity only for parties of 6 or more. The 18% will be calculated based on the menu price of the food and drinks ordered, and guests will need to pay this out of pocket (cash is fine, or it can be charged to your room). For parties of 5 or fewer there is no automatic gratuity, so guests will need to calculate the tip on your own and tip accordingly.

If you are a party of 5 (and that means everyone sitting at the table, including any "infant" children), then you will not have an auto gratuity added to your bill if you are on the Dining Plan. However, when the bill comes, I have heard that there will be "suggested" tip amounts based upon 18% and 20%. Now, if you feel that the service warrants it, you pay what you like. If you don't think the service warrants it, you tip accordingly.

I don't usually do 18% at a buffet, simply because I am getting up and getting my food myself. However, if I have a server who is attentive about clearing plates quickly, refilling drinks, etc. then I might think otherwise. I have usually had the experience of sitting with dirty dishes for too long.

On the Disney Dining Experience, you will automatically see an 18% gratuity charge, regardless of the number of people at the table.

Hope this helps.

 

[dismom70]

Did anyone book their trip for 2008 prior to August 2007 when Disney announced the DDP changes? If so, did Disney notify you of the change and give you the opportunity to cancel? I just came back from our trip and was completely blindsided by the changes and the fact that I spent an extra $180 for a family of 3 on all our table service meals once the appetizers and tips were added in, none of which Disney prepared me for before we went. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and what they are doing about it.

Hi, I just booked my trip for May 2008 and they never mentioned the changes not the gratuity or appetizer!! I had to find out on here. But I will say most of us DO NOT have time to be searching these boards Disney should of said something when I was booking my vacation. Like, are you aware of the changes in the dining plan since the last time you were here in 2006!!!!!!
I called that complaint/compliment line and a manager called me back and it was like blah blah blah! He was so uninterested in what I had to say.
I will also say I have noticed everyone I speak to has no information nor is helpful about dining choices etc.... Very dissapointed with Disney services this year but still trying to stay positive for our trip!!! But I would call and complain maybe if they get enough they will communicate better.