2008 room rates and packages now available

[AuntDJ]

Nanc-

What a long day you have had!!! Thanks so much for all the info you have posted!

I use MJ's and this is the perfect example of how efficient you all are!!!!!

THANKS!

DJ

[threeh]

Thanks as always to Magical Journeys!! You guys rock!!!

[carley]

a great big thank you to magical journeys for all the great info

[Seasonscraps]

Thank you so much for all this info!!!!!

[Donalds Duckie]

I seriously doubt we will do the dining plan (any of them) during our January 2008 trip.

I don't get the deluxe plan. I mean, I understand the idea just don't get why you would want it. It seems to me that eating 3 meals at a table service a day (why would you want to "waste" a meal and essentially $ on a counter service) would be way too much food. I only eat two meals most days of my life. Granted I am on vacation so I want to eat well, but getting reservations and planing meal times to eat 3 table services would be more of a chore than anything. The whole trip would be about dining and not enjoying any other aspect of the resort.

I suppose it can depend on personal preference and style of "doing" Disney World. Using myself as an example, I don't eat 3 TS meals a day but I do eat 2 TS meals a day . One meal at California Grill, Citricos, Coral Reef, etc. can total more than $70 for one person without using 2 TS coupons for it. Room service is also included on Deluxe Plan (and that does include the gratuity). Room service is always nice on vacation and it can be pricey. I am a very early riser, 4 a.m., even on vacation and I eat something every 3-4 hours evey day of my life because it keeps me going better than even 2-3 meals a day. I enjoy an early TS or room service breakfast, a TS or CS lunch, and a CS or TS dinner with light snacks between meals.

However, I always travel solo or with other adults without children. I enjoy the resort, pool, and spa treatments spending only portions of my days in the parks. If I were going to DisneyWorld with children or when I do make trips with friends going commando style in the parks, I wouldn't buy any dining plan and I stay in moderate rather than deluxe resorts for those kinds of trips.

This is just one reason someone, like me, might purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan and come out ahead even without eating 3 TS meals a day.

Like everything else in life, it all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.

[disneyfan369]

Thanks for the information, Nancy and MJ!!! Your heads must all be spinning.

[Sunshine1010]

Is tax included in any of the plans?

[Tink1]

tax is included in all plans. Tip is not.

Nanc

[tinksmom02]

Thanks so much for getting all that info to us, Nanci!

As for the changes to the DDP, I'm not too happy. Losing the app AND the gratuity seems to be worth more than $1, I would think. I don't know about the rest of you, but I like to budget for my trip. With the changes, I would have to figure out approximately how much each meal would cost so I can save that additional amount of money to leave for a tip.

I don't know...prior to these changes, the DDP was a no brainer for us. Now, I would really have to sit down and figure out if it would be worth it.


The Deluxe plan sounds good, but I think it would involve a LOT of advance planning to make sure you got your $70 worth (and I don't know that I could eat that much food, anyway).

And, did I read this right? For an additional $39.99 per room, per night, you get one bottle of wine a night? I don't drink wine, but that sounds like an awful lot of money for one bottle of wine. I know that you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for under $20.

[Crow]

thanks for all the breakdowns...
i just have to remember IF i go in 2008 to go during value season.
dont think i would get the dining though....no way the deluxe i dont eat 3 meals a day like that.
i would get just the wine plan alonelol
well lets hope they have some discounts on these prices

[Sunshine1010]

First of all...Nanci, THANK YOU for all the hard work. Magical Journeys has a very good reputation and you have...once again....proven that MJ is THE place to go to.

Second of all, I had a few questions:

1.Can you still use the credits anyway you want to? For example....if I want to use 5 TS credits (going to 5 TS restaurants), can I do that? Or is it a 'day-by-day' thing. (please note I would NOT eat that much....he he...it's just an example)

2. In 2005, adults were 'allowed' to use children's TS credits. That changed in 2007 and it's all separated. What is the 2008 rule?......

3. I saw that on the Deluxe Dining Plan, part of the offer is that you get a refillable mug ---
* Is that if you buy a package only or can DVCers get one if they get the dining plan?
* Is it a mug per person, or per dining plan?

4. What are the prices for the Premium and Platinum Dining Plans?

5. Does the Deluxe include ALL character meals?

6. Do DVCers get the dining plan still? And would these changes go with them also?

Just a comment also: The Deluxe seems as though it would be worth it if you like to do the shows.

And to respond to the person who stated that the $1.00 'discount' doesn't seem as though it's the same as an appetizer and gratuity ---- I agree.

Also - I feel as though I'm being punished. Did WE cause this?

[Tink1]

1. as we understand they are still pooled for teh stay, so yuo can eat all your meals in one day if you desire.

2. You cannot use the child credits for adult meals. They closed that loophole.

3. Mug per person. You need to talk to Member Svc for DVC rules. We do not get Member info.

4. Depends on resort, datesm party size.

5. Some are 2 credits.Check the brochure.

6. You need to talk to Member Svc for DVC rules. We do not get Member info.

Did we cause this? I think the fact that abuse of the system was occuring, even if it was viewed by some as "loopholes" (kids credits fo adults for example) had some bearing on all of this.

Nanci

[Sunshine1010]

I will call Member Services in the morning for the answers to those 2 questions. - Thanks

Nanci - do you think Disney will ever offer the Dining Plan without the required package? (I know DVCers can get it by choice...)

[Tink1]

I do not see any good reasons why they would offer it without the package requirement. My answer would be no.

Nanci

[BelleBeauty]

And, did I read this right? For an additional $39.99 per room, per night, you get one bottle of wine a night? I don't drink wine, but that sounds like an awful lot of money for one bottle of wine. I know that you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for under $20.

Can someone clarify this. I read this initially as instead of $37.99 per day, you can pay $39.99 per day per person and have the option of getting a bottle of wine with a TS meal or purchasing a bottle at a WDW store. ???

[Tink1]

NO, in addition to purchasing the dining plan at $37.99 per adult, you can pay an additional $39.99 per room per night to get the Wine and Dine plan

Nanc

[TennesseeBear]

I have been a fan of this web site since early 2004 when I planned our first trip but this is my first posting. I now enjoy the planning as much as the actual trip itself. I have planned several trips for friends and always recommend intercot. Disney is magical but if the pencil-pushers keep making these "adjustments" I believe the magic will fade somewhat; especially for those who have vacationed here much longer than I have. The dining changes for 2008 prompted me to post. I don't know how much gratuity the servers received when it was included in the dining plan but I feel these changes are not in anyone's best interest except Disney's. I seem to read more reviews stating disappointment with service than praising it (human nature: easier to complain than praise). I am a generous tipper when the service is exceptional. Even if problems occur with food quality or timeliness; the server can make all the difference. Also, I rather enjoyed the appetizer option. We never tried to out-wit the system by using children option for adults or even sharing meals (which I guess is ok in some venues). How unfortunate if these actions had some part in the changes. Does anyone else feel the same? Am I taking this too hard?

[BigRedDad]

To the MJ Team:

This makes planning for 2008 easier now that we have pricing. The rates did not go up drastically.

[January-2007]

Wow, I am really glad we are getting the Free Dining Plan in September, I don't think we would ever pay for it, especially with the changes. It was a bubble just waiting to burst and now everybody's scrambling with what to do. As is life, everything changes. Thanks Nanci for all the info!!

[Jenemmy]

WOW -- what a day all of our friends at MAGICAL JOURNEYS had yesterday!!! I big round of thanks is in order