Why the Change

[terlane97]

Ok this has probably been answered before but why the change for the DSP? We went this past January and had the plan added on but no one told us of the recent changes when we booked our stay so we were surprised when we hit our first restaurant and were told about the appetizer and tip were no longer included. It's still a good deal I am just wondering why?

 

[mickey2000]

Why???

 

[auntie]

I'm sorry you found out about the change the way your did. .I can imagine that was kind of a shock. I think Disney hasn't done the best job of informing those with prior reserverations about the changes. That being said..how did you find it? We used the plan last year, and really enjoyed it. The biggest assest being that it was very convenient..not having to take out your wallet. Having the gratuity included. (not to mention the appetizers included...that was fun too!). We are considering another trip this year, but don't know about adding the dining. Since now we will be adding the tip and pay for the gratuity...sort of takes the "convenience factor" out of the equation. Personally I wish they had just raised the price and kept the plan the way it was. Even if it was ten dollars more. Just seems to me to present more of an opportunity to have a foul up as far as what might be billed to your room..which is why we'd probably bring cash to cover the tips and appetizers..again negating the convenience factor of the plan for us.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I really wish they would have just increased the price and not changed things. They are not doing a good job at informing people though. I just saw my cousin and she said she booked her trip. I mentioned the changes and she said she was never told of the changes in the plan. If I didnt tell her she would have never known.

 

[TDC Nala]

There is now a Deluxe Dining Plan which does include the TS appetizer, as well as 3 meal credits per night of stay that can, if one wishes, be used entirely for TS meals. The price is higher for that one. But it does not include the gratuity either.

 

[auntie]

There is now a Deluxe Dining Plan which does include the TS appetizer, as well as 3 meal credits per night of stay that can, if one wishes, be used entirely for TS meals. The price is higher for that one. But it does not include the gratuity either.

I can't believe the Deluxe Dining doesn't include the gratuity either..

 

[sl_underwood]

We also booked the ddp just recently and when booking the cm did not share the changes even after I asked him to. I said how much we enjoyed it on our trip in 06 and wanted to know if we should be aware of anything this trip and his response was very round about, explaining we would have # table service, counter service and snacks each day and we would use our room card, etc. He made no mention of the changes even with prompting from me. Thank God I read these boards. I have no doubt that others who are not aware of these boards will be in for a shock.

 

[ENSOCK]

When I called the CM explained it to me. When I asked why did they drop the tip he said it was because so many people complained about the tip being in that Disney removed it to make the customers happy. I told him that it did not make me happy and I wish that it was still included.

 

[TDC Nala]

I can't believe the Deluxe Dining doesn't include the gratuity either..

The fact that it doesn't indicates to me that there is no way that WDW will ever include the gratuity in the dining plan again, even with a price increase.

I think the service complaints were part of the reason, but it may not be because servers were slacking off. The popularity of the plan caused overcrowding in the WDW restaurants and massive complaints about service. How good could the service be with those kinds of crowds every single day?

at any rate, now you only have control over how much you tip if there are fewer than 6 of you at the table, so I don't buy that as the only reason. They had to come up with a way to make DDP still viable, because people loved it, but less popular.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

When I called the CM explained it to me. When I asked why did they drop the tip he said it was because so many people complained about the tip being in that Disney removed it to make the customers happy. I told him that it did not make me happy and I wish that it was still included.

I have often thought that was the reason the gratuity was removed. People complain and then everyone suffers. I wish the whiners and complainers ("too much food" is the biggest one I hear now) would just keep quiet - they make us all vulnerable to the powers that be to make unwanted changes to our beloved Dining Plan!!

 

[miss missy]

I am on here all the time and just found out today... I totally missed it But now that I am planning again, I found it out by talking with someone at work.

I usually tipped on top of the plan anyway, so now those servers loose out since it wont be as much stinks!

 

[bluslag]

I'm a Disney Vacation Club Member and I just called to add on the dining plan for our party of 6. We changed a couple reservations and had a little small talk and finished our phone call. After I was off the phone I mentioned to my husband that I just realized she never mentioned any of the changes of the DDP. I have used the DDP before and I read alot on the Dis so I know all about the changes but I don't think I would be happy going thinking everything is the same as I remembered it.

 

[JimMIA]

When I called the CM explained it to me. When I asked why did they drop the tip he said it was because so many people complained about the tip being in that Disney removed it to make the customers happy.

That's what the CMs are supposed to say.

The truth is, the gratuity was removed to put an additional $9-10 per day, per adult, in Disney's pocket. If you divide that amount by the price of DDP, you'll see that it is an price increase at least 24%...for less food. Depending on what you order, and how you tip, the price increase could be somewhat more.

It was a money grab, pure and simple.

 

[wezee]

I have often thought that was the reason the gratuity was removed. People complain and then everyone suffers. I wish the whiners and complainers ("too much food" is the biggest one I hear now) would just keep quiet - they make us all vulnerable to the powers that be to make unwanted changes to our beloved Dining Plan!!

I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

When I called the CM explained it to me. When I asked why did they drop the tip he said it was because so many people complained about the tip being in that Disney removed it to make the customers happy. I told him that it did not make me happy and I wish that it was still included.

Yes, I read all those threads about service going downhill because the servers were guaranteed an 18% tip and people wanting to be in charge of the tip.

Also the ones about "too much food!"

Be careful what you wish for...your wish might come true!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Oh wow!! I knew about the changes but was just perusing the Disney website and pulled up the 2008 dining plan brochure. It still shows both and appetizer and dessert being included. Shouldn't they make sure their own literature is correct??

(It does say that gratuity is NOT included though????)

 

[MarieA]

That's what the CMs are supposed to say.

The truth is, the gratuity was removed to put an additional $9-10 per day, per adult, in Disney's pocket. If you divide that amount by the price of DDP, you'll see that it is an price increase at least 24%...for less food. Depending on what you order, and how you tip, the price increase could be somewhat more.

It was a money grab, pure and simple.

I agree with you 100% and that is why we will not use the DDP anymore.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Oh wow!! I knew about the changes but was just perusing the Disney website and pulled up the 2008 dining plan brochure. It still shows both and appetizer and dessert being included. Shouldn't they make sure their own literature is correct??

(It does say that gratuity is NOT included though????)

Appetiser and dessert are included on Delux DP, but gratuity is not.

 

[TDC Nala]

Oh wow!! I knew about the changes but was just perusing the Disney website and pulled up the 2008 dining plan brochure. It still shows both and appetizer and dessert being included. Shouldn't they make sure their own literature is correct??

(It does say that gratuity is NOT included though????)

Check the wording, it may say that appetizer is included for ages 3-9 only. Either you are looking at the deluxe plan, or they're talking about children. Adult appetizers are not included in the basic dining plan.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I knew they had taken the appetizer away.....that's why I was bumfuzzled. But obviously my brain was also just plain fuzzy last night....it does say ages 3-9.