why so many complaints about 2008 ddp

[libinatorsmom]

No compliants from me... we are super excited about the new Dulx Dinning Plan and we have booked it and CANT wait...

 

[TDC Nala]

up until the 2008 dp came out lots of people were complaining that the dp was too much food, and that the average person couldn't eat appetizer, entree, and dessert for dinner. there were also continual complaints about servers getting tips even if they did a crappy job. since disney changed it, now everyone is complaining that the dp is no longer a good deal. you can't have your cake and eat it too. i'm sure disney employees read this board and they changed the dp partly because of the feedback they had received. in the end, in my opinion, the dp is still a great deal, if nothing else, because you can prepay your meals, and not have to carry alot of cash in the parks. even if i have to do a little more exercise when i get home lol

Because the perception among the DIS consumers is that the value for the price has gone down with the removal of the appetizer and prepaid tip.

I used it before and for me, even the 2007 version is not a great deal. I am sticking now with the DDE and just ordering what I can eat.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I read about the complains and if you don’t like don’t buy it.
Nobody puts a gun against your head saying you must take the DDP.

One could say the same thing about those complaining about the complainers:

if you don't like reading them, pick another thread. Nobody puts a gun against your head saying you must like reading their complaints.

But that wouldn't be very nice, would it?

Food at WDW is a big part of the experience to many WDW vacationers. The 08 DDP is a major change from the way things were done. Many aren't going to be happy with those changes. Seeing's how this is a discussion board, the unhappiness is going to be discussed.

That's the answer to OP's question, "Why so many complaints about 2008 ddp." Assuming it was a genuine request for information and not a rhetorical question to bash those who have a problem with the 08 version of the DDP, that answer shouldn't be a problem.

 

[paulh]

no nead for a car to eat of site.plenty of places to eat of site within a $20.00 taxi ride
Paulh

 

[JimMIA]

But you have to factor in the price of having the car, gas, etc. and I doubt many do this. Not renting a car probably pays for 2 adult plan days or more.

Of course you have to factor in ALL costs, including the cost of the rental car. But you should also factor in the higher room rate you'll pay to get DDP in most cases, vs the best discount you are eligible for and could reasonably expect to get. You may have to buy park tickets you don't need, and if so you should factor in that as a DDP cost as well.

Whenever you evaluate the financial aspects of something like this, you have to look as ALL aspects of it -- not the simplistic DDP price vs menu price comparisons most people do. If we are going to justify DDP by monetary comparisons, we really should do accurate monetary comparisons.

DDP is still going to work very well for many families, but it will work best for those who look at all their options and are not misled by the marketing hype.

Also...there are other reasons for using DDP which are non-financial. Some people like to have everything paid in full up front. That's a legitimate reason. Some (including us) enjoy the convenience of DDP. Some like the fact that they get to try restaurants they wouldn't try if they were paying cash. Those are all valid arguments for DDP that have nothing to do with money.

 

[TDC Nala]

no nead for a car to eat of site.plenty of places to eat of site within a $20.00 taxi ride
Paulh

A $20 taxi ride would cancel out the monetary value of eating offsite, I'd guess.

 

[JimMIA]

People wrongly assume that the same people who complained that it was too much food are the same ones complaining about the changes in the 08 DDP. We didn't think it was too much food. And we're not happy because the cost to us to have the same thing we have now will increase significantly.

I agree completely, although the appetizer is really not the issue for us. I always felt that the complaints about too much food and the possibility of poor service because of the included gratuity were smoke-screens anyway.

I think many of the people who were complaining about too much food were really just justifying sharing, treating others who were not on DDP, and using kids credits for adult meals. We've eaten a ton of meals on DDP, and I've never had a server insist that I order all three courses, or that I clean my plate.

To me, the people who objected to the included gratuity either a) don't like others making good manners decisions for them, b) would normally tip 15% or less (or nothing), or c) both a and b.

Again, I've eaten a ton of meals both on and off DDP and I've never experienced any difference in service because of being on DDP or because of the tip being included. I read a lot of speculation that it could happen, but I have never seen it actually happen.

We always tip 20% unless the service is bad enough to call a manager over and complain about, so the included gratuity was great for us. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people who like the new gratuity system will stiff the servers...but that's another thread.

 

[JimMIA]

A $20 taxi ride would cancel out the monetary value of eating offsite, I'd guess.

Maybe. OTOH, it's only one $20 for the whole party, not $20 per person, so depending on the size of the party it might only be $3-4 per person per day. Might be worth it, might not.

You certainly have to factor in ALL of the real costs with any alternative.

 

[melomouse]

Hmmm -

Why all the complaints?

Because humans, creatures of habit, resist change? Any change.

Because food is such a vacation focus and Disney offers an overwhelming number of choices, thus scrambling the brain cells of the average trip planner?

I am thinking, after reading this entire thread, that a better question might be:

"Why do so many DIS'er's seem so angry about the changes brought by the 2008 DDP?"

And that's a question I have LOTS of theories about, but I just ain't goin' there!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Maybe. OTOH, it's only one $20 for the whole party, not $20 per person, so depending on the size of the party it might only be $3-4 per person per day. Might be worth it, might not.

You certainly have to factor in ALL of the real costs with any alternative.

I am only one person, I don't have a party, so I don't see it the same way. YMMV.

Is that 20 dollars one way, or round trip? On Disney property a cab ride is between $10-15 without the tip, one way.

I think they're angry because they feel ripped off. They got so they loved the dining plan and then it was changed to eliminate much of the convenience and most of the savings (as they see it). Although I think Disney vastly underestimated the popularity of the dining plan and was losing money on it, that's why it was changed.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree completely, although the appetizer is really not the issue for us. I always felt that the complaints about too much food and the possibility of poor service because of the included gratuity were smoke-screens anyway.

I think many of the people who were complaining about too much food were really just justifying sharing, treating others who were not on DDP, and using kids credits for adult meals. We've eaten a ton of meals on DDP, and I've never had a server insist that I order all three courses, or that I clean my plate.

EXACTLY!!! My biggest complaint with either the 2007 or 2008 plan is the number of times people have posted the "too much food" complaint. The plan is what it is. Like it or not. The constant "too much food" complaint is what really bugs me. It makes absolutely no sense to complain that they are giving you more food than you want, but you're ordering it anyway. Especially, when you consider the fact that you are coming out ahead, even if you don't order all the courses. How can people not realize how transparent their complaints are. It's pretty obvious what the "real" reason for the "TMF" complaint was. I'm almost glad to see them eliminate the appetizer, so we hopefully won't see that complaint so often. It is too bad that those who liked having the appetizer, & didn't complain no longer have the option.

To me, the people who objected to the included gratuity either a) don't like others making good manners decisions for them, b) would normally tip 15% or less (or nothing), or c) both a and b.

Let's not forget d) those who thought WDW would remove the included gratuity from the 2008 plan, then lower the price of the plan accordingly. That way they would be pocketing the extra money & could decide how much of it they want to leave for the server.

For those who thought they would lower the price substantially, with the removal of appetizer & gratuities. Welcome to the World that is Disney. That was never going to happen. Hopefully, people will learn from this.