2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[hematite153]

The Time for calling for ADRs is now 90 days ?????

Not yet, but, they're phasing in a new booking system and they have announced a wishy-washy, "around Aug 1st the ADR window will be decreased to 90 days and then around Jan 15th increased back to 180 days" kind of statement.

In other words, if you're looking to make ADRs in the next 360 days, good luck figuring out the window!

 

[bellenbuzz]

LOVED it in the past !!

I see the appetizer has been taken away AND NOW we have be pay the Gratuity too ??????

I TRULY liked having EVERYTHING PAID for in advance, Now we get Less for More Money !!

Does anyone else feel that way ???
Do you still believe the DDP is the way to go ????
I'm a little bit frustrated at this change

AND how do most of you feel about losing out on the appetizer, It was our way of trying wonderful dishes we would normally never have gotten.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Frustrated!

 

[TDC Nala]

You can get the Deluxe plan and get an appetizer included with that.

And you can always purchase an appetizer if they have one on the menu you must try.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too am bummed about no appeitizer. As well as the tip! Yes, you can get the deluxe but it's more money. If I was paying for DDP, I no longer would. That's just my opinion, others may vary.

And yes, we plan on ordering a few appetizers and paying OOP. Then we'll probably share our entree so we can still eat dessert!

 

[M2DD's]

We just decided to add the DDP and haven't done it since 07.
I know that gratuity is still not included and that you don't get ann appy for TS
but for CS do you still get:
1 combo meal(burger and fries)
1 dessert
1 drink

Is it still most snacks under 4$

 

[Nancyg56]

I TRULY liked having EVERYTHING PAID for in advance, Now we get Less for More Money !!

Does anyone else feel that way ???
Do you still believe the DDP is the way to go ????
I'm a little bit frustrated at this change

I too am bummed about no appeitizer. As well as the tip! Yes, you can get the deluxe but it's more money. If I was paying for DDP, I no longer would. That's just my opinion, others may vary.

I feel like a broken record here, I am sorry. I never understood all of the complaints about the gratuity or that there was too much food. IF there was really a service issue the management could address it and no one was forced to order everything on the plan. When Disney decided to make changes they had a great way out.....just say that they were doing what their clientèle had suggested.

I feel badly but I cannot really complain, as the original plan stood it was a no-brainer bargain. Now it is a discount that may or may not be a benefit Oh well, it was fun then and now it is still fun, just more expensive.

 

[irunnoft]

LOVED it in the past !!

I see the appetizer has been taken away AND NOW we have be pay the Gratuity too ??????

I TRULY liked having EVERYTHING PAID for in advance, Now we get Less for More Money !!

Does anyone else feel that way ???
Do you still believe the DDP is the way to go ????
I'm a little bit frustrated at this change

AND how do most of you feel about losing out on the appetizer, It was our way of trying wonderful dishes we would normally never have gotten.

AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Frustrated!

I tried the Disney Dining Plan for the first time last July and I loved it. My wife and I couldn't believe we hadn't taken advantage of it all along! We used it again on a return trip in December '07 and were thrilled with it.

Initially, I was afraid that the servers might not give us such great service since we were on the dining plan, but those fears were soon put to rest at the Coral Reef in Epcot during our first dining experience. Having been a server before, I talked to the waitress pretty openly about the tip that was included in our plan. I didn't know that it was 18% at the time I first purchased the package. She said that most servers were thrilled when people were on the dining plan because they knew they weren't going to get stiffed or tipped something archaic like 10%. On that ten day trip, we had excellent service from all our TS dining experiences but one. I was well satisfied!

Flash forward to today. I hate the new gutted dining plan. I'm not going to purchase the Deluxe version just so I can have an opportunity to order an appetizer. That's ridiculous. I also don't want to try to sit through, let alone eat, three TS meals in one day! I am insulted that the we have been told that the reason for the change is due to requests from guests. I can't believe any guests actually complained to Disney and said "HEY! I'm fed up with this 'gratuity included' thing, pal. Yeah, yeah, see, and don't gimme no appetizers either, Slappy!" Just can't believe that conversation happened. After I finished chuckling when a CM told me this over the phone, I said, and why would anybody be unhappy with the gratuity actually being included in the price? She said, "Some people felt like 18% was not enough and wanted the opportunity to tip the servers more." I had to quickly end the phone call before I burst into laughter. Sure. Ok. And where's that bridge you promised to sell me?

I also don't like the fact that the new plan is strictly a drink, entree and desert. I'd like to have the option to choose whether I want an appetizer or a desert. I think that choice should have at least been factored into the changes. However, the WORST part is the gratuity NOT being included! This part REALLY stinks! If they only changed it so that an appetizer wasn't included, but a gratuity was - I might be able to feel better about the new plan. However, as it is right now, I think we all need to flood the guest communications email inboxes with complaints until they finally make the changes we "you know. . . the be our guest. . . be our guest. . . put our service to the test people" request.

That being said, I still found the dining plan to be cheaper than just doing the OOP plan - by a long shot. However, I felt a little pang of resentment every time I tipped at a TS meal. I did, however, tip more than the 20% suggested on the new bill every time but twice. Two people only merited an 18% tip or what they normally would've received under the old dining plan. I think I tipped closer to 30% for three servers who were exceptional, but two of those were at signature dining experiences. Even with the 18%-20% tips suggested at the bottom of each bill, though, I was out close to $200 cash just for gratuities. It was much better having it all paid up front. It left me with more cash for the trip and less hassle once the bill arrived. With the old plan, just give the server the card and you were pretty much on the way. Now, I had to wait around for change. Even if you use your Key to the World as a charge, you still have to sign the charge and then they take the key and run it like it was a credit card, so it holds up the once speedy process.

Bottom line - I'm in no way thrilled with the new dining plan, but it still was cheaper than straight OOP.

 

[Becky2005]

I can't believe any guests actually complained to Disney and said "HEY! I'm fed up with this 'gratuity included' thing, pal. Yeah, yeah, see, and don't gimme no appetizers either, Slappy!" Just can't believe that conversation happened. After I finished chuckling when a CM told me this over the phone, I said, and why would anybody be unhappy with the gratuity actually being included in the price? She said, "Some people felt like 18% was not enough and wanted the opportunity to tip the servers more." I had to quickly end the phone call before I burst into laughter. Sure. Ok. And where's that bridge you promised to sell me?

I would actually believe the CM because I remember threads with complaints that the tip was included when the dining plan first rolled out back in 2005. It was the concern of lack of service because if they are guaranteed a tip no matter if they have fantastic service or lousy service, then they don't have to go out of their way.

We went right when everything changed -- new plans (we went on the Premium plan which at the time hardly anyone seemed to know anything about -- it was interesting!), new ticket structure, change of kid's ages to match the new structure, etc...

I don't remember anything about issues with appetizers being included but there WERE posts wanting the tip to be removed from the plan.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would actually believe the CM because I remember threads with complaints that the tip was included when the dining plan first rolled out back in 2005. It was the concern of lack of service because if they are guaranteed a tip no matter if they have fantastic service or lousy service, then they don't have to go out of their way.


I don't remember anything about issues with appetizers being included but there WERE posts wanting the tip to be removed from the plan.

There was plenty of discussion concerning the amount of food and the tip being included. People who wanted to be able to limit the tip complained that the service may be impacted by the included gratuity. There was also a lot of discussion concerning the amount of food on the plan and that it was simply too much for the family. I believe that there was enough for Disney to cut the plan back, drop it $1 and with the explanation that they addressed the concerns of their guests. A classic case of "Be careful what you wish for."

 

[englishrose47]

There was plenty of discussion concerning the amount of food and the tip being included. People who wanted to be able to limit the tip complained that the service may be impacted by the included gratuity. There was also a lot of discussion concerning the amount of food on the plan and that it was simply too much for the family. I believe that there was enough for Disney to cut the plan back, drop it $1 and with the explanation that they addressed the concerns of their guests. A classic case of "Be careful what you wish for."

I do remember the complaints about too much food, but I never undertood why Disney didn't say you had to eat it all!! I also remember people feeling like they got less great service due to tip being included I never found that to be an issue and I tipped extra . When I went this year in tip at all and many said they were getting far less !! I think they may have wanted it as there was no paper trail with it beibg not automatic and I think it backfired on them !!

 

[Poohbear67]

I do remember the complaints about too much food, but I never undertood why Disney didn't say you had to eat it all!! I also remember people feeling like they got less great service due to tip being included I never found that to be an issue and I tipped extra . When I went this year in tip at all and many said they were getting far less !! I think they may have wanted it as there was no paper trail with it beibg not automatic and I think it backfired on them !!

there was to much food but no one had to eat it all but on the other hand Disney could have offered a smaller portion plan to people and like me I am not a huge dessert person so I like apps better so I would like the choice myself. As far as the tip is concerned well lets just say I had some really bad service in some really nice places so no I didn't agree that they should just automatically get a nice tip but I do like the fact that it was already prepaid for so it was a bit of a double edge sword for me on that issue.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do remember the complaints about too much food, but I never undertood why Disney didn't say you had to eat it all!! I also remember people feeling like they got less great service due to tip being included I never found that to be an issue and I tipped extra . When I went this year in tip at all and many said they were getting far less !! I think they may have wanted it as there was no paper trail with it beibg not automatic and I think it backfired on them !!

I don;t think the CM's would have wanted to keep the tips separate. Including gratuities on your income is a good thing for most, if this is their profession they need the paper trail to prove income things like mortgages and loans. I actually think that the CM's are getting less now and that is why this is not a great thing for them. For some folks there is a mentality that no one will know if they tip so they will save the money for something else.

For the original DDP, I never understood why there was so much discussion pertaining to the tip and the amount of food. As in an all-inclusive resort, you eat what you want, and leave the rest. Your tip is included, you do not fret ahead of time about the level of service. Now Disney did not need to give advice, they simply reduced their own cost and "listened" to their guests.

I liked the old DDP but never thought that it would stand as it was forever. It was a great marketing tool to bring people into the resorts. I wonder what perk will be next?

 

[irunnoft]

At first, I was worried about the level of service we would receive on the original DDP since the gratuity was included, bit those fears turned out to be unfounded. We received excellent device from all servers but one. The servers liked the dining plan and actually did much better (according to several I talked to) with their tips on the old DDP.

 

[hematite153]

I am not a huge dessert person so I like apps better so I would like the choice myself.

I agree with this.

I completely understand the arguments that have been made for requiring everyone to order desserts in terms of turnover time for the table. However, I would happily eat a salad after my entree if this is the goal.

In other words, they could keep the must order dessert concept and make sure that every restaurant offered at least one dessert along the lines of cheese plate, salad, etc. for those of us who will want something less sweet. (The common response I hear is that they have sugar-free items, but, those usually contain artificial sweetners and end up with the same issue. I was successful in getting a dish of plain berries in a few restaurants, but, some have refused that.)

 

[racefanof88]

WOW we are still debating the 2008 plan and in a couple of weeks the 2009 plan will be out Along with the new prices. Just keeping my fingers crossed that they don't make too drastic a change in prices

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree with this.

I completely understand the arguments that have been made for requiring everyone to order desserts in terms of turnover time for the table. However, I would happily eat a salad after my entree if this is the goal.

In other words, they could keep the must order dessert concept and make sure that every restaurant offered at least one dessert along the lines of cheese plate, salad, etc. for those of us who will want something less sweet. (The common response I hear is that they have sugar-free items, but, those usually contain artificial sweetners and end up with the same issue. I was successful in getting a dish of plain berries in a few restaurants, but, some have refused that.)

THAT is a fantastic idea! If it is to be served after the meal 100% of the time, it would not affect table turnover at all.

Also, Disney could limit their costs by selecting, as you suggested, one or two desserts that weren't sweet (Salad, fresh fruit, etc)

 

[apostolic4life]

Table turnover is only part of the equation.... I have stated more times than I can remember, on this thread, how food cost is the other factor in eliminating appetizers as an option. Appetizers often cost more to produce per person than the desserts offered.......this is why managers at your local big box style restaurant will offer you free dessert if you have a bad experience, the cost to them is minimal. Same goes for the DDP.....the appetizer/dessert choice will never be an option unless Disney can figure out how to get proteins, produce, and cheeses cheaper then flour, sugar, and milk. The cost to produce the items in question is probably the primary factor and table turnover is secondary.

 

[racefanof88]

Table turnover is only part of the equation.... I have stated more times than I can remember, on this thread, how food cost is the other factor in eliminating appetizers as an option. Appetizers often cost more to produce per person than the desserts offered.......this is why managers at your local big box style restaurant will offer you free dessert if you have a bad experience, the cost to them is minimal. Same goes for the DDP.....the appetizer/dessert choice will never be an option unless Disney can figure out how to get proteins, produce, and cheeses cheaper then flour, sugar, and milk. The cost to produce the items in question is probably the primary factor and table turnover is secondary.

I think compared to a gallon of milk, a head of lettace is a steal .....lol. I hate going to the grocery store now. It takes me as long to eat dessert as it does an appetizer so the time thing has never really made sense to me anyway. I can eat a salad while I am waiting for them to bring me my entree, then the time issue becomes a mute point.

Disney does what Disney does to affect the bottom line and how the guests feel about it will be reflected there. That is what we will be seeing when the new plan comes out in the next few weeks. Either Disney made money with the plan as is or they will change it to try and make the green. I think with the economy being what it is, Disney will be very careful with the changes to make sure the perception is the guests are coming out on top.

 

[bicker]

there was to much food but no one had to eat it all but on the other hand Disney could have offered a smaller portion plan

As has been mentioned often in this thread, that wouldn't work. Besides the logistical issues involved in providing full and half portions of every TS entree, half portions of every TS entree would cost $34 per day instead of $38 per day. Many, many guests would find the $4 difference in price not worth getting half as much food.

 

[Tricia1972]

racefanof88, the reason that table turnover has been cited so much is because if they were to offer a choice of appetizer or dessert, most tables would choose to split an appetizer and then split a dessert. In that instance it would take longer for the table to turn over.

Also, because there is a tendency to skip dessert entirely if you're full, then the tables turn over even faster - now Disney has removed two courses instead of one.

Table turnover is only part of the equation.... I have stated more times than I can remember, on this thread, how food cost is the other factor in eliminating appetizers as an option. Appetizers often cost more to produce per person than the desserts offered.......this is why managers at your local big box style restaurant will offer you free dessert if you have a bad experience, the cost to them is minimal. Same goes for the DDP.....the appetizer/dessert choice will never be an option unless Disney can figure out how to get proteins, produce, and cheeses cheaper then flour, sugar, and milk. The cost to produce the items in question is probably the primary factor and table turnover is secondary.

That's why I think if they control it by not offering ALL appetizers after the meal, but adding a pre-selected salad or fruit to the dessert menu, they would save on cost.

Just to be clear, in case you were thinking of me when you posted, I did mention limiting cost in my reply that I thought this was a fantastic idea. I agree completely, turning tables over is only part of it.