2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[LAS321]

I'm confused...do they add the tip on to your bill now or suggest what you should tip? I can't see how they can just add the tip to the bill. I know when the tip was included they automatically added 18%, but it didn't matter because I didn't have to pay it!!! I wonder now that the tiop isn't included if people are tipping more or less than 18%

 

[william4192]

I am getting the DDDP in Sept for my trip. A "normal" tip is 18% of your bill. Your bill is 64.99 (max) aka the price of the DDDP. My max tip will be ten bucks. I know I'll get flamed, but I'm of the % of people who believe they should get paid more and add it to the price of eating. I hate "surprises". With that said, I'm not tipping based on "Disney prices" either. I realize I'll get flamed for this, but it was a bad move taking tips out of the price of DDP b/c I doubt they are getting tipped 18 bucks on a 100 meal (when the person paid 22 bucks for it on the DDDP (21 bucks per meal or whatever).

I'm a tad off topic, but I believe I'm speaking on the amount of tips which is the topic. Tip what you feel comfortable with. You don't have to be set into 15-18%. To me, that's for good service. Less for bad and more for great.

 

[Poohbear67]

I am getting the DDDP in Sept for my trip. A "normal" tip is 18% of your bill. Your bill is 64.99 (max) aka the price of the DDDP. My max tip will be ten bucks. I know I'll get flamed, but I'm of the % of people who believe they should get paid more and add it to the price of eating. I hate "surprises". With that said, I'm not tipping based on "Disney prices" either. I realize I'll get flamed for this, but it was a bad move taking tips out of the price of DDP b/c I doubt they are getting tipped 18 bucks on a 100 meal (when the person paid 22 bucks for it on the DDDP (21 bucks per meal or whatever).

I'm a tad off topic, but I believe I'm speaking on the amount of tips which is the topic. Tip what you feel comfortable with. You don't have to be set into 15-18%. To me, that's for good service. Less for bad and more for great.

I am with you there!!! Tip for good or Great service and bad service not so much here.

 

[englishrose47]

Thet didn't add the tipto the bill in Feb they just told you what 18% was and what 20% was !! Now on parties of 6 or more they do add 18% !!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Tipping discussion is limited to this Tipping thread

thanks!

 

[racefanof88]

I see what you are doing.........just trying to get a heated debate going aren't you?? If the only reason for eliminating the appetizer was table turnover, your solution would work, but now you are forgetting the main concern for WDW is the cost of making the appetizer vs. the dessert. Nice try, but your attempt to twist my words has failed........remember, the cost to produce the food is their first concern; the table turnover is an additional benefit of eliminating the appetizer course. This has all be discussed over and over, and over, and over............your thoughts are not new to the discussion.



The time of year you went is probably the biggest factor in empty tables being available. If you go during a peak period the elusive empty table will not be found.........their policies are created not for the slow times, but rather to give order to the hurried busy times.



No, but they will get you out as quickly as possible......they have thousands of other people waiting to get a seat as soon as you leave.......sorry if the facts don't give you that Disney magic.....they are running a bussiness and they are gonna turn the table as fast they can. If you spend more money they are willing to let you linger longer without trying to get you out sooner.......every restaurant in the world operates that way, but the secret is not letting you know we are trying to get you out the door ASAP. That is what we call great customer service.......we accomplish our goal of getting you out without making you feel rushed!




Spend more get more.........it is the American way (for products and service).



Your argument only works if one person is buying the DDP for one night, but the fact that thousands (maybe millions) of people prebuy the DDP for multiple nights, which adds up to millions of dollars which would earn them a hefty bit of interest every year......it would amount to more than you and I make in a year combined.




WOW, now you want to go after the kids........lets just keep this between us adults.

I like the way you debate........lol. It is all about the green and I want Disney to keep making money because if they don't then I can't spend my vacation with the Mouse and we wouldn't have anything to talk about on here . That would be a horrilbe thing indeed.
I agree with MOST of what you are saying but, there is a, sad but true, difference made between the DDP folks, the DDDP folks and the oop folks.

And of course, in the true spirit of debate, there is a point and counter point

 

[william4192]

Ehhh...Disney eliminated what people did complain about (tips). Many did ask for it to not be included and people told them if they did the price would not go down.

In addition, some people complained it was too much food (I never once complained about this, but one appy would have been fine to be honest). It was too much. Now it is too little. They won't go back. Move on and stop complaining and let's just enjoy it why we have it. Geez


Not enough tables? Planning in advance? Who cares? Enjoy it! Plan if asked too. Don't go when kids are out of school and Disney is near perfection. Go in summers and you get what you ask for

 

[konoche]

Thank for the information

 

[Mickey02]

So far major differences seem to be:

On the "Basic" plan, there is no more appetizer with your TS.

Some restaurants (Epcot ones, esp.) are not included on the DDP.

And the biggie: The gratuity is no longer included. This is the one that seems to really be getting people.

Apparently, if I understand correctly there is a 'deluxe' plan that is more expensive in which you can still get your appetizer. But no included gatuity with that one either.

We got DDP for the first time with our package this trip (9/07) because it happened to be offered for free (we had already booked our plane tickets for the dates in question) and will likely be having our only experience with it this trip- I don't think it's worth all the bother after that with the new rules.

I am not personally at all surprised by the changes though, and here are my own personal opinions why (you can take em or leave em LOL) I say this as a person with more than 40 WDW trips under her belt in the past 36 years.

1. I personally believe people took advantage. They just had to cash in every single snack credit (even during free dining) instead of just eating what they needed to be full on the trip and letting it go. Think of what would happen with your average buffet place in hometown USA if they let people pack bags of food to take with. They'd be out of business soon.

2. I think that people's remarks about there being 'just too much food' got through to Disney finally.

3. I think that service likely declined (ONLY by some servers) with the gratuity automatically included, and as someone who tips BIG for good service (We plan to tip over and above the added tip on our DDP this fall for great service) I think the servers should have to earn their tips. For most Disney servers who excel, they won't have a problem, except with the people who are so cheap that they only eat TS because it's free (or cheap) with the DDP.

4. all these people sharing meals, ordering free extra buns with their burgers, etc. to save fifty cents are finally adding up and hurting Disney. They have to step in and draw a line somewhere. So many people have been trying to share meals on the plan, etc, they have to set some rules.

Again, these are only my opinions. A lot of people who are used to the plan will be ticked that it's changing. For us, we have found planning the trip a lot more tiresome with it LOL. We figure getting it once for free is a gift; we'll enjoy it, eat what we need to and then next time, likely go back to CS most meals with a few special TS meals on our trip as big occasions.

My next prediction: that free dining won't be offered come fall of 08. I think they did it purely to drive up tourism after 9/11 and the hurricanes; they won't need to again in the future. Wait till the ruckus starts with that! LOL

Laren

 

[kblbdad]

There are way too many posts to go through them all to see if this point was raised, but I wonder why they don't just give you a choice. Something like 38.99 no app with no tip, 42.99 app with no tip (or tip with no app), 45.99 app with tip. That would satisfy what seem to be the biggest complaints from everyone and I don't think it would be too complicated as long as they are clear about which option you signed up for when you check in and allow you to modify it at checkin.

 

[Goobergal99]

So far major differences seem to be:

On the "Basic" plan, there is no more appetizer with your TS.

Some restaurants (Epcot ones, esp.) are not included on the DDP.

And the biggie: The gratuity is no longer included. This is the one that seems to really be getting people.

Apparently, if I understand correctly there is a 'deluxe' plan that is more expensive in which you can still get your appetizer. But no included gatuity with that one either.

We got DDP for the first time with our package this trip (9/07) because it happened to be offered for free (we had already booked our plane tickets for the dates in question) and will likely be having our only experience with it this trip- I don't think it's worth all the bother after that with the new rules.

I am not personally at all surprised by the changes though, and here are my own personal opinions why (you can take em or leave em LOL) I say this as a person with more than 40 WDW trips under her belt in the past 36 years.

1. I personally believe people took advantage. They just had to cash in every single snack credit (even during free dining) instead of just eating what they needed to be full on the trip and letting it go. Think of what would happen with your average buffet place in hometown USA if they let people pack bags of food to take with. They'd be out of business soon.

2. I think that people's remarks about there being 'just too much food' got through to Disney finally.

3. I think that service likely declined (ONLY by some servers) with the gratuity automatically included, and as someone who tips BIG for good service (We plan to tip over and above the added tip on our DDP this fall for great service) I think the servers should have to earn their tips. For most Disney servers who excel, they won't have a problem, except with the people who are so cheap that they only eat TS because it's free (or cheap) with the DDP.

4. all these people sharing meals, ordering free extra buns with their burgers, etc. to save fifty cents are finally adding up and hurting Disney. They have to step in and draw a line somewhere. So many people have been trying to share meals on the plan, etc, they have to set some rules.

Again, these are only my opinions. A lot of people who are used to the plan will be ticked that it's changing. For us, we have found planning the trip a lot more tiresome with it LOL. We figure getting it once for free is a gift; we'll enjoy it, eat what we need to and then next time, likely go back to CS most meals with a few special TS meals on our trip as big occasions.

My next prediction: that free dining won't be offered come fall of 08. I think they did it purely to drive up tourism after 9/11 and the hurricanes; they won't need to again in the future. Wait till the ruckus starts with that! LOL

Laren

But they did offer free dining again... for all us "cheap" ppl who have to cash out our snack credits I paid for the package afterall

 

[bicker]

It wouldn't make any sense to offer the plan sometime with gratuity included and sometimes without. It would accomplish none of the aims of separating the gratuity out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some restaurants (Epcot ones, esp.) are not included on the DDP.

Not true. The only Epcot restaurant not participating in the DDP is the same one that never has - Bistro de Paris.
Admittedly, I could not find the original post and am quoting from one of the quotes above. It's entirely possible the original post was made some time in 2007 - after the changes were announced but before all the 'independents' signed on.

 

[Nancyg56]

It wouldn't make any sense to offer the plan sometime with gratuity included and sometimes without. It would accomplish none of the aims of separating the gratuity out.

ITA. Disney was able to eliminate $8 to $10 per person per day by removing the gratuity and was able to do this to "satisfy" their guests. Win Win for Disney.There is no way that they would add it back onto the plan unless there was a mass revolt by their servers. Raising the price of one of their plans to include the gratuity would enrage some guests and bring Disney back to square one.

 

[JediTim]

ITA. Disney was able to eliminate $8 to $10 per person per day by removing the gratuity and was able to do this to "satisfy" their guests. Win Win for Disney.There is no way that they would add it back onto the plan unless there was a mass revolt by their servers. Raising the price of one of their plans to include the gratuity would enrage some guests and bring Disney back to square one.

Maybe I have been missing this all along but I don't know of any "guest" that would want the tip removed, as you say $8 to $10 per person, along with the removal of the appy for a grand reduction of $1 in the cost of the DDP. I don't see how this benefited ANY GUEST.

While I believe the price of the plan was probably too good for the guest I believe that Disney swung to the other side and now it isn't as cost effective for the guest. I know that I will still use the DDP and anticipate that the cost will still benefit me but that is because I planned out our TS dinners in advance. Anyone that didn't plan this and doesn't get a TS meal WILL LOSE MONEY...it is as simple as that.

I could be wrong and if I am please let me know.
Tim

Going to WDW on 8/16 to 8/26 with the DDP...sadly I missed the free dining plan.

 

[bicker]

The guests who wanted the gratuity removed are those who felt that service is generally sub-standard in contexts where the gratuity is pre-determined.

The current price of the plan reflects its nature as a convenience plan, not as a discount plan. If you don't value the convenience the plan offers, then you won't feel the current pricing is a good value.

 

[englishrose47]

I am basing what I think the plan will be on what is already in print and offered as of Jan 1syt 2009 in the UK and that is appie and dessert and tip possibly a mug (that has not been quoted as much) cost around $50 this is based on currency conversion and the fact that Virgin ups the price in the UK. So not exactly speculation here !! My guess is that Disney knew the old DDp was in need of a hefty raise in price so they did what they did in 2008 knowing it would not be well recieved and then came back with what we had but $10 more! No server I spoke to this year liked the no automatic tip at all !!

 

[kblbdad]

I think the plan meant different things to different people. To me the convenience of the plan was that I knew that all aspects of my meals were paid for - including the tip - so I knew upfront what my meal costs were going to be.

 

[goofyshell]

Okay, is room service included in the deluxe plan? Do they count three meals a day per person and any meal (room service, signature, etc.) all count as one? Like a three night stay is nine credits a piece no matter where you eat? Thanks!

 

[apostolic4life]

Okay, is room service included in the deluxe plan? Do they count three meals a day per person and any meal (room service, signature, etc.) all count as one? Like a three night stay is nine credits a piece no matter where you eat? Thanks!

No, signature are two credits along with private in-room dining or pizza delivery. Plain old room service vs. signature dining......I go for the signature every time!

This means if you use any of the above you will be left with one credit for the rest of the day. We are planning to eat one signature and one single credit TS each day we are there.......for us, three big meals and snacks would be too much, and we also love the signature dining at WDW.