Things not going well with the DDP changes

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Thats not true booking from the uk you could book before the changes were anounced.

 

[hipchickie]

I am glad you were informed DCDisney, but I was not - I booked with AAA, she asked me if I wanted the meal plan, told me it was a great deal, I responded that I had used it in the past, she said "so you know what it is all about" and I said I wanted it. No mention of change or any details, I would have never know if I didn't come here. in fact, I am now within weeks of leaving, and at no point was I ever given a DDP brochure that I have always gotten when booking through disney.
How many disney vacations does AAA book and they are not trained to note the differences either?

 

[444turbodiesel]

Ouch, we did it last time (12/22-29/07) but won't do it again.

Having to buy adult plans for two of my three kids (9-11-13) made it not very cost effective (wished I hadn't opted for it on the last trip)

The double point cost of premium dinners doesn't make sense without tips and desert included.

 

[rosiep]

Can anybody answer my question--do you actually receive information about the 2008 DDP after you buy it??
What I'm trying to establish is if all of those complaining were actually given wrong or erroneous information, or were simply lazy and didn't check what WAS given to them. Or worse, well knew the new policy and simply decided to save even MORE $$$ by not tipping. And cover that up by displays of mock outrage over the new policy.

I don't know if this has been answered for you, I haven't read all the posts..but in my case I purchased a package through AAA (knowing about the new rules 'cause I'm a Dis'er!)..but because I am paying for the package in installments my documents in hand simple say "Magic Your Way Package with Dining". I won't get the dining brochure until it is paid in full.

 

[rosiep]

Can anybody answer my question--do you actually receive information about the 2008 DDP after you buy it??
What I'm trying to establish is if all of those complaining were actually given wrong or erroneous information, or were simply lazy and didn't check what WAS given to them. Or worse, well knew the new policy and simply decided to save even MORE $$$ by not tipping. And cover that up by displays of mock outrage over the new policy.

I don't know if this has been answered for you, I haven't read all the posts..but in my case I purchased a package through AAA (knowing about the new rules 'cause I'm a Dis'er!)..but because I am paying for the package in installments my documents in hand simple say "Magic Your Way Package with Dining". I won't get the dining brochure until it is paid in full.

 

[Tiger926]

Just had to comment on AAA/CAA travel agents as many posters on the DIS book their trips through them, and it's come up several times in this thread. We attempted to use a CAA agent for our first Disney trip as our local office has several Disney experts. When it became apparent that I knew more than they did, we quickly ended that relationship; therefore, it doesn't surprise me that AAA/CAA travel agent, or any other agent for that matter wouldn't know all there is to know about Disney. I figure if you're a 'Disney Travel Specialist' you best be updating yourself to new info each day, or at least, once a week - when your clients know more than you by visiting Internet travel boards, then there is a problem. Whether it's a problem that the agents don't have time to stay informed, or, it's because Disney doesn't do a good job of sending out new info, it's a problem all around as people use travel agents with the intent that they know pretty much everything about their product.

Heck, most of us here on the DIS help many people plan Disney trips for free, and we are on the 'net regularly keeping up on Disney info so that we don't give someone the wrong info - if it's my job, as in a paid TA, then the least I can do is keep my clients informed, especially with something like the Dining Plan. The few times we have tried to use TAs in the past, this is what we found, so travel companies like Disney need to provide updated & timely info to TAs, as well as CMs, so that with a few clicks, all new policies, procedures & promos can be accessed and then dispensed to clients/guests on a regular basis.

Tiger

 

[JimMIA]

I'm not on the DDP and never was. But let me ask--when you purchase it (or get it purchased for you from a travel agent, etc) don't they send you SOMETHING explaining the plan??

I can't tell you what regular hotel patrons get when they prepay for DDP, but at DVC we pay on arrival and only get the brochure after we've paid.

I can certainly understand people who don't frequent the DIS (Shame, shame!) not realizing there had been a big change. Especially if they've used DDP for years...especially if their only prior DDP experience was during free dining.

Even when folks do know, a lot of them expect the rules to be different for them. How many of this person will we see?

1. Reads on the DIS that appetizers are no longer included
2. Posts a 'Can I swap my dessert for an appy?" thread
3. Gets told "NO"
4. Goes to WDW and asks every server they meet
5. Gets told "NO"
6. Comes back here and posts a rant about how rotten the servers were for not violating the rules and losing their job for THEM

It's not always about MONEY. Lots of times it's about ME more than money.

 

[CamrynsDisneyMom]

??????????

I agree. What the heck was that about?

 

[Nancyg56]

Give me a break. These idiots purchased the DDP without knowing all the details?

Talk about a bunch of entitled jerks.

The plan changed and if you are not one to spend a lot of time on message boards you may not have been told about the change, you just booked a package because you were happy with the package you had before. A lot of people booked these packages a long time ago before any details were released. These folks are not entitles jerks they were previously satisfied customers.

 

[moparop]

I was told by my CM when I pooked my package in late Sept and made ADRs shortly after that gratuity was not included. But, it was not mentioned on every phone call. I went through the paperwork I received from them in December-- where appetizer is off the list of things included as part of a table service credit... but no where on there does it say anything about gratuity. It seems to me that someone figured we have covered our @^%es if we don't mention, which is true, but it certainly isn't good business. I think it's pretty unfair that the waitstaff is now being put on the firing lines on this issue... as if it was their idea or fault. They are the last people who should be taking the fall for this!

I agree with PPers who said the DDP needs to be reviewed at check-in and if people have objections they should be able to cancel for a full refund. Disney probably wouldn't lose much money on this. Most of those people probably arrived by ME anyhow!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I feel sorry for the servers.

 

[robinb]

I want to make sure I am reading this right. These are DDP averages not the difference between having or not having the dining plan? When I look at these I am not sure.

Are you talking about my spreadsheets?

 

[alldiz]

Unfortunately there are plenty of people who booked their trip
with the DDP who DID NOT KNOW ABOUT CHANGES.....

lets face it folks.....the majority of disney customers....don't read here.....

Disney has FAILED yet again.....not only are the CM's not telling the
guests about the changes of DDP....they are also not telling
them about the smoking policy.....

another new policy.....poorly implemented.....
Kerri

 

[Rylee]

You couldn't book a 2008 package before the DDP changes went into effect. So this could not happen.

I realize the way I worded it implied one thing, while I meant another -

I know you can't book a "package", before package rates are announced (including changes within the packages), but there are many scenarios where it could play out that they might not know... including booking a 2008 package without knowing of the changes, as many others have stated on this thread...

Uninformed travel agents, uniformed CM's, some have said they received the 2007 brochure or DVD, other have said they received nothing at all, etc.

My point is... Sometimes your knowledge of Disney, can only be as good as the CM's you are talking to.

(Examples - One Cm told me I'd be guaranteed rooms with a share door between them, since they were my children, another told me no guarantee if one of those children is an adult.
Last year, our nephew was able to join us for one day at Disney. I had made our ADR's to include him. Over several phone calls to Disney, for various reasons, I asked if I could swipe-off one of our adults credits for his dinner. I didn't want my nephew to feel uncomfortable about us paying for his dinner, and thought it might draw attention if we were "swiping" our dinners and using cash for his portion of the meal and tip. Anyway, I was given different answers, and different reasons for their answers, by 4 different CM's. I was told, "Yes, the credits are yours to use any way you want!" And, told, "No, it will only allow us to swipe-off as many adult credits as are listed on the card.")

Obviously, some current guest at WDW are having issues with the 2008 DP changes. I am not blaming Disney, I'm not blaming anyone, just acknowledging I understand how it is possible that a FEW guest may not have been aware of the changes.

 

[gohogs34]

I booked my Jan. trip at the beginning of December (including the standard DDP). Of course I already knew about these changes from the boards, but I have yet to receive ANY information (verbal or written) regarding the new DDP. When I booked my trip, via phone, the CM did not mention the DDP policy or changes to it. Nor did I receive any info with my confirmation or travel docs.

If you check out the DDP brochure on Disney's website, it does state that appy and tip are not included. However, I personally have quit using the website because it has been extremely slow with tons of error/server down messages lately. Not to mention, it is not very user friendly if you are looking for specific information.

So, to answer your question, in my experience you do NOT receive any info from Disney regarding the DDP after you purchase it. I can see how people who have used DDP in the past (or knew someone who did) can assume that it works the same and be upset when finding out differently while on vacation. However, I don't think that swearing/yelling at the manager/server is the appropriate way to deal with it.

I feel most sorry for the servers as they will bear the brunt of the general discontent with the new policy. Both in lost tips and having to deal with angry patrons. I think eliminating the tip was a bad move on Disney's part. I agree with some of the previous posters that they would've been better off to just increase the price. Of course, if enough people quit using the DDP, I would have a better chance of getting dinner at LeCellier at the last minute

This is us 100%. Booked Dec. 11th and have heard nothing of changes to the plan. I even called Disney when they released the Appetizer for 3-9 and they knew NOTHING about that. If it wan't for you guys I would have been shocked when I arrived and was short handed.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I feel sorry for the servers.

Why? The restaurant managers are the one that wanted to make these changes. They had big losses...due mostly to the auto grat. This is why ALL parties over 5 and DDE now pay service charges on their dining. It was to make up for the loss of the gratuity on the DDP. The union negotiated this contract for it's members. On other threads, the servers have been gleeful at the addition of the service charge. I don't think things have worked out quite like they thought they would.

 

[VacationDad]

Even when folks do know, a lot of them expect the rules to be different for them. .

Yep. Human nature. Watch as people continue to be outraged by this as the weeks go on, even though it will be common knowledge soon.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

The plan changes are clearly explained in the brochures, which came out when? Sept? I don't remember exactly, but I know it has been a while because the wait on the updated participating restaurant list was excrutiatingly long. I really don't have much sympathy for people who didn't bother to read the brochure and then got upset when the plan they purchased wasn't exactly what they expected.

Jim Hill seemed to imply that these were people who had used the plan in the past. So John and Sally Doe went to Disney in 10/2006, 01/2007, and 07/2007. They had the DDP, figured it all out on those trips, how it was used, etc. So they book a trip for 01/2008. They are not told by CRO that the plan has changed. They arrive, check in, are given an 08 brochure. Sally double checks that the restaurant they want to eat in is on the list, but since they have used the plan before, she assumes she knows how it works.

Then they get the grat bill. I imagine this is part of the issue here. Not everyone reads the DIS.

 

[TheDizMom]

Are you talking about my spreadsheets?

Yes...average prices of what? The meals themselves (without DDP) or the meals that were charged to the DDP's? What I see is that Disney lowered the prices of their meals at the different restaurants, to compensate for the price change.

 

[Colleen27]

Jim Hill seemed to imply that these were people who had used the plan in the past. So John and Sally Doe went to Disney in 10/2006, 01/2007, and 07/2007. They had the DDP, figured it all out on those trips, how it was used, etc. So they book a trip for 01/2008. They are not told by CRO that the plan has changed. They arrive, check in, are given an 08 brochure. Sally double checks that the restaurant they want to eat in is on the list, but since they have used the plan before, she assumes she knows how it works.

Then they get the grat bill. I imagine this is part of the issue here. Not everyone reads the DIS.

Not everyone reads the DIS, but everyone *should* (IMO) take the time to do a little research when spending thousands on anything. The upset over this reminds me of the scathing reviews I've read on other forums when I was planning our last trip to Mexico, from travelers who didn't bother to check on how the major hurricanes of 2005 effected the resort areas and then were disappointed in the beach conditions when they arrived. Nothing is static in life, and it is foolish to assume that because something was one way in the past that it will remain that way forever into the future. Spend the 5 minutes to read the plan brochure, maybe take another 10 minutes to Google for opinions/reviews. 15 minutes is nothing when you're spending that kind of money!

I do think that the quality of information passed on by CRO and Disney Dining is an issue, not because I think they should be responsible for explaining all the details of the plan to everyone who calls, but because the *misinformation* coming from Disney representatives is bound to cause problems. And I think those people - the ones who have spoken with ill-informed CMs and are working on wrong information from what should be a reliable source - do have a legitimate complaint.