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