Disney has updated its official brochure with details on the 2008 Magic Your Way Dining Plan.  When terms of the plan were first announced, negotiations were still in progress with a number of locations owned and operated by outside vendors.  Some of those locations have now been added to the plan.

Click HERE to view the current DDP brochure.

Disney continues to negotiate with a number of unlisted restaurants including Epcot's Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining and Tutto Italia.  These locations remain absent from the brochure.  If agreements are reached between Disney and the restaurant operators, DDP participants will be able to use their credits at the restaurants in 2008.

This weekend the Disney Dining Experience office sent a follow-up email to members which clarified some of the confusion regarding the new mandatory tipping policy effective 1/1/2008.  However, the clarification still leaves one important item unresolved.

Following recent union negotiations, there was a rumor making the rounds that mandatory tips were on the way for certain parties at Walt Disney World restaurants.  Previously an 18% mandatory tip was added for all groups of 8 or more diners.  Rumors indicated that the 18% mandatory tip was being expanded to all guests utilizing the Disney Dining Experience card and groups of 6 or more.  If information recently published is accurate, the mandatory tips may go much further than that.

For years Disney has offered a dining discount program to Florida residents and (more recently) Annual Passholders dubbed the Disney Dining Experience.  However acquiring the DDE card has often been one of the more cumbersome parts of planning a Disney vacation.  That is about to change.

Table service restaurants at theme park and resort (including DVC) hotels have begun to offer free refills on child beverages.  Complimentary refills on sodas have long been offered to all guests.  Now those under age 9 will receive free refills on other beverages including juices, milk and bottled water.  Specialty drinks remain excluded from this perk.