Why I Hate the DDP

[Disney8704]

Heres an idea. Everyone is sick of having to much food or over flowing TS places. How about Disney stopped doing the DDP and offered some sort of a discount card. Sorta like the DDE card but not the same. Supposdly the DDP is supposed to save you 40%. Well have it to where the discount card saves you 40% either at CS and TS places. This way if people dont wanna eat TS everyday, they dont have to. They wont have to worry about ordering everything that comes with the DDP or worry about if sharing is allowed or whatever. This would cut back on how booked the TS places are and will have a better chance making a last min ADR or have room for walkups. Everyone complains about how its to much food. This would eliminate that, because you wont be stressed to make sure you use all your credits or using the DDP to its full advantage by ordering an appitizer, entree and desert. I read on here all the time people having credits left over when they go home. Guess what? They just lost money for not using those credits. Another idea is let the person who is booking the trip, let them customize the DDP. If they wanna have all CS meals, they should be able to do that. Right now u get 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 snack. Say you dont want snack's included, let them leave that out. The DDP should be and needs to be customized to your liking. If you arent used to ordering appitzers, dont include that in the DDP. If you get to the place and realize you do want an appitizer just pay OOP for it.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Heres an idea. Everyone is sick of having to much food or over flowing TS places. How about Disney stopped doing the DDP and offered some sort of a discount card. Sorta like the DDE card but not the same. Supposdly the DDP is supposed to save you 40%. Well have it to where the discount card saves you 40% either at CS and TS places.

A better idea would be to just have lower prices in general. That way everyone wins.

I'm going to be doing some serious calculations if/when AP discounts for December are announced to determine if I should forgo the AP room discount and get the DDP, or get the DDE card for the discounts, or do something else...it's a pain!

 

[Laren]

Originally Posted by 7/24soccer
Since I agree that eating an appetizer, entree, dessert at one sitting is a lot - does anybody spilt that with say, a spouse, thus only using 1 TS credit one evening and then using 2 the nest evening for a siganature TS meal?

I think that would be against the rules and I don't know how a server could allow it without getting in trouble? Like I said this is my first time on the plan and I don't know all the ins and outs yet but this to me seems like it wouldn't be tolerated at a TS restaurant.

Sharing a CS meal, I can see, after you sit down at say, Cosmic Rays with a tray they won't stop you from sharing it. But TS? I don't think they would let you.

We're saving TS credits for 2 signature dining experiences by skipping TS the day we arrive and the day we leave. We'll do CS those days, or if my men (DF and DH) are that set on TS the first day, we'll *gasp* pay for it *lol*

Cracked me up today when I told my DF that he could use his CS credit at the bakery in France at EPCOT he said "Or I could even give them money if I have to, to get what I want!" *LOL*

Laren

 

[Tinkerbell24]

I think that would be against the rules and I don't know how a server could allow it without getting in trouble? Like I said this is my first time on the plan and I don't know all the ins and outs yet but this to me seems like it wouldn't be tolerated at a TS restaurant.

Sharing a CS meal, I can see, after you sit down at say, Cosmic Rays with a tray they won't stop you from sharing it. But TS? I don't think they would let you.


Laren

With all of the food that there is, at some places, it may be too much food for one person. For instance, at the ESPN club, there was too much food so we just split an appetizer, entree, and desert and paid for an extra drink. It really isn't that big of a deal, just tell you waiter before hand.

 

[apostolic4life]

Heres an idea. Everyone is sick of having to much food or over flowing TS places. How about Disney stopped doing the DDP and offered some sort of a discount card. Sorta like the DDE card but not the same. Supposdly the DDP is supposed to save you 40%. Well have it to where the discount card saves you 40% either at CS and TS places. This way if people dont wanna eat TS everyday, they dont have to. They wont have to worry about ordering everything that comes with the DDP or worry about if sharing is allowed or whatever. This would cut back on how booked the TS places are and will have a better chance making a last min ADR or have room for walkups. Everyone complains about how its to much food. This would eliminate that, because you wont be stressed to make sure you use all your credits or using the DDP to its full advantage by ordering an appitizer, entree and desert. I read on here all the time people having credits left over when they go home. Guess what? They just lost money for not using those credits. Another idea is let the person who is booking the trip, let them customize the DDP. If they wanna have all CS meals, they should be able to do that. Right now u get 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 snack. Say you dont want snack's included, let them leave that out. The DDP should be and needs to be customized to your liking. If you arent used to ordering appitzers, dont include that in the DDP. If you get to the place and realize you do want an appitizer just pay OOP for it.

....or logistical and clerical nightmare? The things you suggest sound wonderful..........except for the fact that millions of people would be attempting to set up these highly complex customized dining plans. Boy, I can see the new threads about DDP already: "Why I hate the DDP....it clogs all the WDW customer service phone lines and I can't get through!!!". I think the key to the DDP is the ease of use (once people get used to what the rules are at least). Just think of the pricing nightmare it would cause too.

The DDP is what it is because it works for the guest and it works for WDW. They may tweak it a little here and there, but they will never give it the type of "customized" overhaul you are suggesting. The idea of a card with a better discount than DDE would be nice, but how would they price it??? I have a feeling it would have a pretty steep price when compared to both the current DDE and DDP; the cost prohibitiveness (made up word) and loss of convenience with this kind of offering would probably not make it as popular like the DDP. This could open up space at restaurants in WDW and I guess that would make some happy!!

 

[gokenin]

I read these complaints about the DDP thats its dumbing down the menus everytime anyone brings the issue up but I have to ask something. Whats the proof of this were the filet mignon serving sizes larger? was saffron in everything? were black truffles used all the time? were the meals served on china with gold utensils? I dont rememeber the times I went before DDP as the food being sooo much more in volume or such exotic choices I could be wrong but all I ask is lets hear examples of how things were soo much better before. The DDP haters rant how its ruining disney dining i challenge them to show me how it was soo much better before. hang on while i get my flame suit on please

 

[apostolic4life]

I read these complaints about the DDP thats its dumbing down the menus everytime anyone brings the issue up but I have to ask something. Whats the proof of this were the filet mignon serving sizes larger? was saffron in everything? were black truffles used all the time? were the meals served on china with gold utensils? I dont rememeber the times I went before DDP as the food being sooo much more in volume or such exotic choices I could be wrong but all I ask is lets hear examples of how things were soo much better before. The DDP haters rant how its ruining disney dining i challenge them to show me how it was soo much better before. hang on while i get my flame suit on please

Great points!!!! Yea, give us some proof!!!! Give us some specifics!!!!


Seriously, I do like what you have said.....I too have eaten before and after DDP was instituted and the quality seems not to have changed, but I do think menus have become homoginized venue to venue though.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

We gratefully know what is in the report and happy about earnings....
Most agree that if you are new to Disney you wouldn't recognize the difference in TS dining. Also, I think where you are from strongly effects what you consider good, excellent food (no that isn't a knock all looking to flame just a fact that some/many parts of the country do not have fine, high quality, diversified dining readily available).

Anyone that disagrees with this hasn't lived in Upstate (Near Ft. Drum) NY Ok, but seriously, I don't think they even know what a Ruth's Chris is up there. They just got a Target in 2007. When we lived there, an Applebee's was built and I think that was their first big chain restaurant.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I read these complaints about the DDP thats its dumbing down the menus everytime anyone brings the issue up but I have to ask something. Whats the proof of this were the filet mignon serving sizes larger? was saffron in everything? were black truffles used all the time? were the meals served on china with gold utensils? I dont rememeber the times I went before DDP as the food being sooo much more in volume or such exotic choices I could be wrong but all I ask is lets hear examples of how things were soo much better before. The DDP haters rant how its ruining disney dining i challenge them to show me how it was soo much better before. hang on while i get my flame suit on please

One example I remember from 2005 is the Cinderella's sliper dessert at the castle. I would see pictures on here of a fancy presentation, and then when we got there, nearly every person in the restaurant ordered that same dessert. The slipper and the mousse were the same, but the platescape wasn't as fancy. I'm sure you can find pictures in the food porn thread that show the difference of that and possibly others. BTW, I'm not a DDP hater- I'm thrilled to be trying it for the first time this year. I see the negatives, but we are saving a tremendous amount on our trip, so no complaints from me. I am amazed/frustrated at how hard ADR's are to get though!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

One example I remember from 2005 is the Cinderella's sliper dessert at the castle. I would see pictures on here of a fancy presentation, and then when we got there, nearly every person in the restaurant ordered that same dessert. The slipper and the mousse were the same, but the platescape wasn't as fancy. I'm sure you can find pictures in the food porn thread that show the difference of that and possibly others. BTW, I'm not a DDP hater- I'm thrilled to be trying it for the first time this year. I see the negatives, but we are saving a tremendous amount on our trip, so no complaints from me. I am amazed/frustrated at how hard ADR's are to get though!

So... less raspberry sauce on the plate? Fewer curly-qs? Lazy pastry chef that day?

It's important to remember that a lot of fancy dessert pictures posted online were taken when the dessert was special ordered for a birthday, anniversary or other celebration. Not saying this is true with every photo online, just that people take pictures so that other Disers can see what they'll get when they call ahead to reserve or order something for a special meal. I could be wrong, though. There may have been a memo about plate sauce rationing when DDP began...

 

[Tramp&TheLady]

OP you must be out of your mind!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

OP you must be out of your mind!

If the OP feels this way about the DDP, they are allowed the express their feelings. There are no rules on this board that all posts about the DDP have to be 100% positive, because there are others who don't like it for whatever their reasons are.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

So... less raspberry sauce on the plate? Fewer curly-qs? Lazy pastry chef that day?

It's important to remember that a lot of fancy dessert pictures posted online were taken when the dessert was special ordered for a birthday, anniversary or other celebration. Not saying this is true with every photo online, just that people take pictures so that other Disers can see what they'll get when they call ahead to reserve or order something for a special meal. I could be wrong, though. There may have been a memo about plate sauce rationing when DDP began...

I don't think it had anything to do with the rationing, moreso the fact that they went from serving a few at dinner to 100+ an hour. It's just not special anymore. You have to dumb it down to get out that many fast enough. I'm sure somebody else can come up with something else that's been "dumbed down."

Do those die hard proponents of the DDP that like to dispute everything really honestly think that no changes have occured? Even the mainstreaming of the menus is a "dumbing down" of sorts. The kids desserts have certainly been decreased!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Even though this has not been proven and I am sure some of you will flame me over this, I have felt when having lunch at the table service locations that the kitchen staff are sending the food out way to fast, so this way the servers can turn over more tables at a faster rate. My family and I did not rush to eat when we got our food and we did not order any appetizers, however I thought wow that was way to fast for our food to be ready. In my opinion because of how popular the DDP is and because more people are purchasing it, they need to speed up the service to keep getting guests in and out of the restaurants as fast as they can.

 

[drakethib]

I hate the DDP because I eat too much when using it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Even though this has not been proven and I am sure some of you will flame me over this, I have felt when having lunch at the table service locations that the kitchen staff are sending the food out way to fast, so this way the servers can turn over more tables at a faster rate.

Do you find the same thing at dinner? Isn't it more likely that service is faster at lunch because Guests are anxious to get back to park touring?

 

[francie]

hi, has anyone who is opposed to the dining plan written/emailed disney with their thoughts? anyone have the address? thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do you find the same thing at dinner? Isn't it more likely that service is faster at lunch because Guests are anxious to get back to park touring?

My family and I have never had dinner at any of the theme park restaurants, so I can't answer your question.

I agree that some guests do want to get back tour the parks. I just wish they could not bring out the foods so fast, because I also do like to enjoy a relaxing meal after being in the parks since they opened that morning.

 

[want2bamommy]

Anyone that disagrees with this hasn't lived in Upstate (Near Ft. Drum) NY Ok, but seriously, I don't think they even know what a Ruth's Chris is up there. They just got a Target in 2007. When we lived there, an Applebee's was built and I think that was their first big chain restaurant.

LOL. I've been at Drum for 6 years and I HEAR YA!!! The Target opening was a big hit as were all of the new restaurants lol!!!

Missie

 

[drakethib]

My family and I have never had dinner at any of the theme park restaurants, so I can't answer your question.

I agree that some guests do want to get back tour the parks. I just wish they could not bring out the foods so fast, because I also do like to enjoy a relaxing meal after being in the parks since they opened that morning.

I agree about the relaxing meal but "food for thought"

I like the food coming out fast. I am usually pretty hungry when I order.

However, I am not required to eat it as fast as they bring it out.

No one has ever asked us to leave our table until we were done eating.