Really confused about Meal sharing policy!

[BandBob]

Boy, I hate to bring this up again, (really scared of flames and huge debates) but I'm so confused. When we booked our trip, and yes, we paid for our dining plan, sharing was encouraged. We made our ADRs with that in mind. We don't want to "cheat" Disney out of anything, just want to stretch our TS so we could experience more restaurants! Now, I read that if 5 people (ours will be 3A, 2C - Me, DW, DD-13, DS-9, DS-6) sit down to eat, we must use 5 TS credits, no ifs, ands or buts. Then, I also read Disney's official response in the "Confussing CMs and Visitors" thread and they say that it is perfectly OK to share meals. Our thought was to possibly use 2A, 1C and share meals to save credits (again, using A credits for A meals and C credits for C meals, we also understand that there is no sharing at buffets & all-you-can-eats and you can't order more A meals than is listed on your card, ie: 4A and 1C won't work!) and after doing that a couple of times be able to enjoy another TS later in our trip the same way. Or using the same secenario, but paying OOP for the other two meals again to stretch out our TS and we don't need to eat that much food!!! Now, we are at the point of having to completely rework our ADRs because we have too many and this will also screw up our entire itenerary with less than 2 weeks before we leave. This is probably our 1 and only trip to WDW as a family. We are shelling out over $4000 for this trip and we want it to be a very special trip. We have scrimped and saved our tails off to make this trip happen and are doing our best not to have to sweat about the additional cash needed while there! Sorry, my question turned into a venting session. Anyway, I would like some first hand knowledge from members who have been to WDW since May of what the TS are letting people do in regards to sharing and OOP paying. Thanks for the vent session and the help!

[llqool]

i, too, have been concerned about what i have been reading about possible new policies regarding sharing and paying OOP for some meals. yesterday I called Disney dining and specifically asked them these questions. now, one never knows how knowledgeable any given CM will be, but the CM i talked to (got her name, not that that means anything), told me there were no new memos or policies in effect, that we could share meals if we want (we have an 18 month old and a 4 yr old and lots of times the 18 mo old eats more than her sister) and we *can* pay OOP for some of the meals as long as we tell the server beforehand. (we had been worried about that b/c there is going to be one signature TS meal where it will be just myself and my husband, and i didn't want our 4 yr old's TS credits to "go to waste"; i wanted to be able to use those credits on a meal later in our trip, paying OOP for part of it)

the CM told me "don't worry about it -- please just enjoy yourself. you're going to have a great time. And don't believe everything you read online!"

[bicker]

Don't believe everything the CMs tell you verbally either. If something is very critical to the enjoyment of your vacation, get the CM to send you a written confirmation of it, on Disney letterhead. That's as good of a guarantee as you can get. Barring that, just plan to go with the flow. Maybe you will be allowed to do what you wish; maybe not. As long as you're prepared for it working out either way, you WILL enjoy yourself and have a great time.

[punkin]

As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

[Lewisc]

I can say with close to absolute certainty that sharing is not permitted at buffets, restaurants that serve "all you care to eat" and dinner packages such as the FDP. Basically every dinner show and character meal.

I don't think anyone really knows if Disney is going to ban sharing, allow sharing or just leave it up to the restaurant.

I can't pretend to speak for others but I think Disney would be reasonable in enforcing a no sharing rule BUT I also think Disney would be reasonable in allowing sharing if it doesn't get out of hand. Some people had a moral issue with child/adult credit but I haven't read any poster calling this a "moral" issue. Some CM said sharing won't be permitted and some posters just want guests to understand that a no sharing rule is a possibility and that it can be justified.


As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Now somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only place you might run into trouble over sharing (besides buffets/family styles) would be at a signature restaurant. They require that everyone pays, whether OOP or on DDP. It would be nice to know if at 2TS places if you can do part OOP, part DDP, though.

If I could pay OOP for one adult meal at CRT, I could add another meal, but :confused3

Who knows... :)

[Wazzo]

Now somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only place you might run into trouble over sharing (besides buffets/family styles) would be at a signature restaurant. They require that everyone pays, whether OOP or on DDP. It would be nice to know if at 2TS places if you can do part OOP, part DDP, though.


It would only make sense if you could pay for someone OOP and have someone on the DDP. What if you were dining with someone not on the plan? Or even better, what if you had 2 adults dining at a signature and only had 2 TS credits left? They can't make you leave becasue you don't have enough credits and you're willing to pay!

I have dined at signature restaurants in the past, NOT on DDP, and we only ordered one appetizer and one entree to share, and it comes out split for us on two plates. I don't anticipate a problem, especially with paying OOP.

[punkin]

I can say with close to absolute certainty that sharing is not permitted at buffets, restaurants that serve "all you care to eat" and dinner packages such as the FDP. Basically every dinner show and character meal.


That has always been so, whether on the DDP or not. The only sharing issues discussed here are at the CS places and the TS places which are not buffets and "family style"

[punkin]

Now somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only place you might run into trouble over sharing (besides buffets/family styles) would be at a signature restaurant. They require that everyone pays, whether OOP or on DDP. It would be nice to know if at 2TS places if you can do part OOP, part DDP, though.

If I could pay OOP for one adult meal at CRT, I could add another meal, but :confused3

Who knows... :)

I don't think you are correct and I plan to share when I go to 2TS places. I have seen no indication that sharing would not be allowed. In the past, without DDP, I know from personal experience that they allowed sharing.

[Lewisc]

That has always been so, whether on the DDP or not. The only sharing issues discussed here are at the CS places and the TS places which are not buffets and "family style"

People who don't go to Disney often, or who would skip TS meals if they didn't have dining, might not realize all of the character meals are buffet or all you care to eat. Although most of us know the rules there are people reading these threads who aren't aware of this.

There have been posters who want to know why they can't share a buffet.

The brochure does say 2 credits will be deducted from everyone dining at a Signature meal. That would give Disney the right to require all guests use their dining credits or no guests use their dining credits. I don't think this is being enforced.

I think a lot of these doom and gloom posts are much about nothing. I can't see Disney taking a lot of actions that are going to upset guests. My guess is they're going to be concentrating on actions that might facilitate guests using child credits to purchase adult meals, stopping guests from paying out of pocket for kids at Chef Mickey's would be a good example.

The plan generally works even if a guest only orders an entree and dessert.

[Sammie]

I don't think they would have even addressed this particular issue if guests had not started sharing meals with guests not on the plan and shared within the family to save children's entitlements to purchase adult meals. That is what got it all muddled.

I think Disney has a mindset of how they want the plan to work. It is all involved in the economics and marketing of the plan and probably is beyond the comprehension of most of us, even me. No insult here, it's just unless you build cars, you are not going to know as much about cars as someone that does. Hope that makes sense. I have some inkling of what they hope to accomplish due to friends that work there and have shared those thoughts.

Many times, and Bicker has probably addressed this and possibly LewisC too, if guests would use the plan to feed the members of their family on their reservation and not try to stretch it into something it's not, Disney would let some things slide.

But when you start asking questions, emailing, etc. well they have to then give you an official statement.

Sometimes, it is best to leave well enough alone. :rolleyes:

[disney2d2]

I was just chatting with a CM on disney's site and she told me no TS sharing and no CS sharing, at all. You can read the full transcript here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1168009

[Wazzo]

I think the only person you can believe is your waiter and manager of the restaurant you are sitting in at that time at that exact moment. :rolleyes:


Again, I don't get it... what if you only had 1 TS credit left, and 2 adults were dining? They're not going to NOT let you eat there, are they? Especially if you're getting an extra entree and order OOP? :confused3

[punkin]

I think a lot of these doom and gloom posts are much about nothing. I can't see Disney taking a lot of actions that are going to upset guests.


ITA. It will be impossible to enforce in the CS places and very difficult at TS places as well. Additionally, irate customers will not come back, and Disney has been going all out to get people to stay onsite and not visit other Orlando venues.

[bicker]

I think the only person you can believe is your waiter and manager of the restaurant you are sitting in at that time at that exact moment. :rolleyes: Yes, that's a great point and something folks need to keep in mind. Folks shouldn't rely on anything that isn't explicitly spelled out, and should look to work with their server to understand how they can use their Dining Plan credits at the restaurant.

Additionally, irate customers will not come backI don't think that's a major concern. They only need to make minor changes to achieve their aim, and the vast majority of guests would probably not even notice, or at least not care all that much about those specific changes.

[punkin]

I don't think that's a major concern. They only need to make minor changes to achieve their aim, and the vast majority of guests would probably not even notice, or at least not care all that much about those specific changes.

I'm sure you think you are right, but I disagree.

[bicker]

Yes, we know. You're a "pirate" -- out to steal the treasure. :rolleyes:

[punkin]

No, out to get as much as I can for my money. :thumbsup2

You are the one labling people, I just adopted the label you gave me. pirate:

[bicker]

We're not talking about people. We're talking about behaviors. Poor behavior in particular. Selfish and self-centered behavior. It's really quite disturbing to think that these are the behaviors many of our young children are learning by example. :eek:

[Natalya]

Simple answer is that the Disney execs read this board. They read all of the posts on how to give little Johnnie half of their appetizer as a meal for him to save his credit for mom or dad later. They can see people trying to manipulate the system to get the most food they possibly can out of each point.

So, because of all the posts like this....they pass "rules" that state you can't share...blah, blah, blah.

If people would stop posting about sharing on the DDP...and just ask when they get there....this would have never happened. Jeez. If the plan is going to bankrupt you if you can't share then don't get the plan...it obviously just doesn't work for your family. Otherwise, If you want to occasionally share just ask your server.

[Nancyg56]

Many restaurants have a sharing policy. They charge a plate charge. I don't find this to be unreasonable, and think that if Disney implemented a plate fee the sharing issue would be over.

I believe the entire problem revolves around guests attempting to stretch the child credits in order to feed people not on the plan. Solve this and the rest go away.

[LuvTony0508]

I just have to say, do you think for one minute Disney didn't take sharing into account when they priced this plan??? I don't think that Disney execs are so stupid that they didn't take into account very minor children eating off of mom and dads plate, or people not following the plan exactly. I'm sure the price is reflective of a profit margin. If anyone thinks for one second that Disney isn't making a fortune on the DDP, that's just plain naive!!! My second comment focuses on the people on these boards who are so judgmental, I find that reprehensible and a bad example for our children.

[wdwobsessed]

We're not talking about people. We're talking about behaviors. Poor behavior in particular. Selfish and self-centered behavior. It's really quite disturbing to think that these are the behaviors many of our young children are learning by example. :eek:



It's also quite disturbing to think that many of our children are learning holier than thou attitudes.

WDWO

[LizinSTL]

As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.


Well said.

[LizinSTL]

Simple answer is that the Disney execs read this board. They read all of the posts on how to give little Johnnie half of their appetizer as a meal for him to save his credit for mom or dad later. They can see people trying to manipulate the system to get the most food they possibly can out of each point.

So, because of all the posts like this....they pass "rules" that state you can't share...blah, blah, blah.

If people would stop posting about sharing on the DDP...and just ask when they get there....this would have never happened. Jeez. If the plan is going to bankrupt you if you can't share then don't get the plan...it obviously just doesn't work for your family. Otherwise, If you want to occasionally share just ask your server.

And these anonymous Disney execs are smart enough to know that, in the scheme of things, only a small percentage of Disney guests are reading the Dis, or TGM or guidebooks. They KNOW that a few people stretching their 7 night vacation credits into 3 meals a day isn't going to bankrupt them. They've done their research and know that if people "feel" like they are getting value from something, they are more likely to splurge on other things...be it wine or cocktails with dinner or extra souveniers or booking another trip at a deluxe resort. I agree that people should just stop calling, emailing, chatting and speculating about Disney's intentions regarding the DDP. But I think it's ridiculous to assert that Disney isnt' going to allow sharing! LOL I mean, come on!!! They TELL you to share with your under 3 year olds for crying out loud!

[NMW]

I really doubt Disney would stop allowing all sharing. Lots of restaurants charge plate sharing fees, especially at resort/vacation locations. It wouldn't bother me if a restaurant did this, as they are losing money on that person not ordering food. It's just like a bar having a cover charge because not everyone is going to order a drink once inside.

It does seem like Disney is making some changes, probably as many have surmised, to stop the using child credits for adult thing. I think the best advice is not to count on anything and be prepared for anything! :rotfl:

[Lewisc]

I think you're half right. One of the reasons Disney took more than a year to change the rules separating child and adult entitlements is they thought not that many guests would be taking advantage of this feature/loophole.

Internet boards suggested guests use their kids "as a license to print money". According to Sammie it was becoming evident that families were banking kids credits in order to treat adults that weren't even staying at a WDW resort.

Disney was willing to accept some "abuse" but it got out of hand.

Same with sharing. I can't picture Disney cracking down until/unless it becomes evident that significant number of guests are ordering the menu items with large portion sizes in order to obtain extra family meals. Even then I doubt they will care if the group is ordering adult drinks, kids drinks and extra entrées. Some of the posters make a game out of justifying not even ordering an extra drink for the table.

Many restaurants have a sharing or plate charge. Some restaurants have a no sharing policy if a customer orders a complete meal. A few restaurants go so far as to require everyone at the table, or no one at the table, order a price fixed meal. Disney isn't doing any of this but I guess all are possibilities.

We agree that you can't share at buffets, dinner packages, dinner shows and restaurants that feature all you care to eat. It really wouldn't be hard for Disney to just change a few restaurants. Allow for free seconds or serve appetizers and/or dessert family style for the table.



And these anonymous Disney execs are smart enough to know that, in the scheme of things, only a small percentage of Disney guests are reading the Dis, or TGM or guidebooks. They KNOW that a few people stretching their 7 night vacation credits into 3 meals a day isn't going to bankrupt them. They've done their research and know that if people "feel" like they are getting value from something, they are more likely to splurge on other things...be it wine or cocktails with dinner or extra souveniers or booking another trip at a deluxe resort. I agree that people should just stop calling, emailing, chatting and speculating about Disney's intentions regarding the DDP. But I think it's ridiculous to assert that Disney isnt' going to allow sharing! LOL I mean, come on!!! They TELL you to share with your under 3 year olds for crying out loud!

[Conservative Hippie]

As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.


I agree. We will be four adults, and my mom and I plan on sharing at at least two restaurants. I think paying with the DDP should be the same as if you were paying OOP. Mom and I share sometimes when we go out, so Disney shouldn't be any different. We'll use any credits saved for another TS our last day. But if we can't share, that's fine. We'll just pay OOP for the last day. But my philosophy is, with any retail store or restaurant, if you ask politely, it never hurts to ask!

[minnie61650]

ITA. It will be impossible to enforce in the CS places and very difficult at TS places as well. Additionally, irate customers will not come back, and Disney has been going all out to get people to stay onsite and not visit other Orlando venues.

I would not become irate if I could not share a meal or pay OPP for my meal while DH uses a credit on the Dining plan.

There are times when I cannot eat a meal and would just order soup or something lite. If my waiter said I could pay OOP for the soup I might do that on that occasion. If I need to use a dining credit --no problem.
After all I was able to enjoy the dining experience at the restaurant so I will use my credit to pay it. No reason for me to mad. It is not Disney's fault I have a sensitive stomach.

[kcashner]

There is no way they can enforce a "no sharing" policy on CS meals. You get your meal at a counter and go to another area to eat. THe entire party does not need to be present to order one or more meals.

Example...I am not hungry, my teen daughter is. We go to a CS place. I get in line to order her food, she goes to find and "hold" a table. I order a hamburger with fries (combo), diet coke, and glass of water. When we sit down, I eat a few fries and drink the water...maybe have 1/4 of her burger. Disney can't insist that because I got in line, I will be charged 2 CS meals even though I only ordered (and wanted) one, or if paying OOP that I pay for 2 combos even though I only wanted one. THey could refuse to give me a glass of ice water or charge me for that, but there's no way they can prevent me from eating a few fries (although DD might!).

This isn't limited to WDW and isn't intended to be a way to stretch credits. I don't usually eat fast food, and I do the same thing when she wants to go to McDonald's.

I really don't think the issue is sharing or getting the most out of your credits. I think the issue is that WDW is trying to prevent cheating, particularly by usig credits purchased at a child's rate to order an adult meal. That can easily be stopped by separating child's credits and adult credits on the plan.

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I think Disney probably views the DDP as buying your meals in bulk. For example, if you were paying OOP, you would probably spend less money and do more counter services. If you buy the DDP plan, you do a lot more meals all around, but you get a discounted rate.

When they give it for free, it is promotional to help fill rooms during off season, while still charging rack rates on rooms. They probably see it as win win.

As far as how they like you to use the plan (re sharing and all other issues), it's hard to say since many CMs do things differently.

[kvogel11202]

of people trying to get something for nothing, and they will ruin what for many is a good thing. If you can't afford to pay for your meals OOP, then you can't afford to go to Disney, stay home. Save for another year, then go. Don't like people arguing with your position? Don't post. It's a free country, everyone has their opinions. But this constantly trying to "beat the system" and then complaining indignantly when you aren't allowed to is out of hand.

[LSUDis]

I'll post this here,too, since the sharing thing has come up on this post, too.




I'm no math whiz.....really, I'm not, so all of you take it slowly with me...

Tell me where I'm going wrong....Billy Bob and I are married and go to WDW.

We stay, let's say, 5 nights, so we get 5 TS each= 10 total.

Monday--we go to Rose and Crown the first night...not too hungry-share--use 1 TS.

9 TS left

The next day, Billy Bob is starving, so we eat at Sci-Fi for bfst and share--use 1 (he likes odd bfsts.) We eat lunch at Sci-Fi & share--use 1. We eat at Beaches and Cream for dinner and share--use 1 TS

---6 TS left.

Wednesday--B.B. (we're friends by now) and I eat bfst at Grand Fl. Cafe and share again--use 1 TS; eat lunch at the '50s place and share--1 TS; eat dinner at Raglan Road and share (but drinks lots of Guiness, so who really knows whose dinners we paid for )--uses 1 TS

3 TS left

Thursday--B.B. has hangover, so we share bfst again at Grand Fl. Cafe--uses 1 TS; eat lunch at Tony's and share-use 1 TS; eat dinner at Sci-Fi (Billy Bob likes the sparkly lights) and share-use 1 TS

Now, no TS are left. We used 10. We did not eat any food that we did not pay for, right?

Disney got us to pay OOP for 10 drinks that we would have gotten "free" on the DP.

We tipped more b/c we ate at more places.

Disney washed fewer plates--had to cook less food.

We tried more restaurants than we normally would have, so will visit them in the future now that we are "hooked" on a few favorites.

We waste less food; everyone's happy; Disney makes the money from the DP and from the extra drinks/dessert that we ordered over the allowance of the meal plan.

Now, what's the commotion about? It's a win-win for everyone, right???

Plus, while Billy Bob and I are sharing TS, we are not eating ANY of the counters except the last day, so Disney has charged us for, yet we did not eat, 7 counter meals.

[robinb]

This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

I have to agree with you. It's the same posters (as much as I like them!) posting the same points again and again along with the occasional personal dig at people who don't agree.

I have too big of an appetite to share my meals with my husband, but I will be paying OOP for one at least one of my DD's meals so she can have two credits when she goes to CRT with my sister's family. For instance, she's a vegetarian and the only thing she would eat off of the Teppanyaki children's menu would be the white rice and ice cream. It's better to order the rice and a drink, pay OOP and a have her share my edamame appetizer and my dessert.

If some posters think that's morally corrupt, then so be it. {shrug} It doesn't hurt my feelings. If Teppanyaki insists that we order a children's meal for her then we'll order the expensive shrimp one and my DH and I will have extra shrimp while she has the drink, rice and ice cream. We'll then "punt" and come up with another plan for CRT.

[traviesojmt]

of people trying to get something for nothing, and they will ruin what for many is a good thing. If you can't afford to pay for your meals OOP, then you can't afford to go to Disney, stay home. Save for another year, then go. Don't like people arguing with your position? Don't post. It's a free country, everyone has their opinions. But this constantly trying to "beat the system" and then complaining indignantly when you aren't allowed to is out of hand.


I just don't understand how sharing is trying to "beat the system". Sharing isn't a new concept that someone came up with to just try to beat the Disney Dining plan system. Sure, there are some people whose intentions are to use the child's credit for adult later. That is against the rules listed by Disney. But, just because someone is sharing a meal doesn't mean that they are trying to cheat someone. My DD3 eats very little at dinner. If I chose to share with her, I can assure you that I am not even trying to cheat anyone. I am just choosing not order a meal that she will not eat.
My DH and I often eat a restaurant right there near you in Woburn. We really enjoy a certain appetizer that they have but it is huge. So, we get the appetizer and then share an entree. Who are we cheating? As it turns out, the bill is actually usually larger when we share than when we forgo the appetizer and get our own smaller entree. The restaurant never seems to care.
I do believe that disney does need to individualize the credits instead of the pooling them. This would eliminate a large portion of those trying to "beat the system". But just because someone chooses to share a meal, they are not evil people bent on ruining a great thing for everyone.

[CJK]

This is our plan for our upcoming trip. We are 2 adults, no kids.

We don't plan on sharing any TS meals. We're each ordering our own meals and are opting to go to 2 Signature restaurants too.

On most of the days, we plan on getting our own CS meals too. However, on a couple of the days of our big TS dinners, we're planning on sharing a CS meal for lunch. We don't want to be too full for our dinner, plus, in the heat, I don't tend to want to eat too much anyway. In addition, on days where we have NO TS meals plans, we'll have a couple extra CS meals to use up.

I never thought there was anything wrong with our plan to share a couple CS meals. I figured we were using the plan wisely, while saving our waistlines a little bit. Am I doing something wrong? :confused3

[bertalander]

CJK, according to some on the board your above situation will cause you lose any and happiness in your life ever.
You will go to a very hot place (even hotter than Florida in August!) in your after life.
Oh! And by sharing your meal you also ruin the good deal for everyone else.

:lmao:

But I'll be down below to keep you company!!

I'll share my meal with one of my kids at least one meal I'm sure. My dd likes salad more than chicken fingers by day 3 usually. But she's only allowed a kids meal, so we'll split and save a kid creit for a two credit meal for her. If the moral police come drag me out of the establishment I'll be kicking and screaming :D It'll be fun. Who's going to bail me out?!

[english rose 47]

How in the world (excuse the pun) are they going to not allow sharing at c.s.. We have 2 rooms hence as I understand will have 2 cards. So I get in line andget 1 adult ichild meal and DD gets in line and gets 1 adult meal then we sit down all 5 of us and eat from 3 meals. How is this not going to work. We plan on all using a T.S. each time as everyone should have the choice of what they want and I could just hear the kids at dessrt time!! Maybe we'd share 1 meal if it was allowedand kids or us weeren't to hungry but sharing at lunch making it a light meal is our plan.

[traviesojmt]

CJK, according to some on the board your above situation will cause you lose any and happiness in your life ever.
You will go to a very hot place (even hotter than Florida in August!) in your after life.
Oh! And by sharing your meal you also ruin the good deal for everyone else.

:lmao:

But I'll be down below to keep you company!!

I'll share my meal with one of my kids at least one meal I'm sure. My dd likes salad more than chicken fingers by day 3 usually. But she's only allowed a kids meal, so we'll split and save a kid creit for a two credit meal for her. If the moral police come drag me out of the establishment I'll be kicking and screaming :D It'll be fun. Who's going to bail me out?!

:rotfl: Darn it. I started counting my change to bail you out of Disney jail, but then I noticed your counter. I will be leaving right before you get there. Wait, do you think that I could convince my DH that I just HAVE to stay at Disney an extra week or two to help out an imprisoned fellow sharer? I mean, after all, there are times in life to make a stand. I will make that sacrifice. I will bail you out when the times comes. Sharers will not be DENIED. :)

[Lisa_Belle]

Here's my whole take on the dining plan ...

What does it matter if people share? It's not like Disney is taking a loss on the meal and passing those losses onto other customers. You order one meal, you eat one meal. :confused3

And if you think you didn't get your ADR at LeCellier because a family shared a meal with their 8-year-old, guess what? There were probably 100 folks ahead of you in the call-in line trying to get the spot and you wouldn't have gotten it anyway. You're not as important as you think you are. And if you were, Disney would let you dine at LeCellier even without at ADR. Think about it. I'll bet they could be booked solid and still find a place for Johnny Depp and his family. :rotfl:

[punkin]

I'd bail you out of jail, but I think I'm likely to be in the cell next to yours. :guilty:

[Amyg]

Now somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only place you might run into trouble over sharing (besides buffets/family styles) would be at a signature restaurant. They require that everyone pays, whether OOP or on DDP. It would be nice to know if at 2TS places if you can do part OOP, part DDP, though.

If I could pay OOP for one adult meal at CRT, I could add another meal, but :confused3

Who knows... :)

We just returned last week my son (9) and I shared at California Grill which I think is 2 credits. I just informed the CM when I ordered that we would be sharing, he said fine and brought out the one order on two separate plates. I can't imagine why this would be a problem for those of us with smaller appetites as this is not an "abnormal" thing for anyone to do dining plan or otherwise. We're not "cheating", we would do this in our own home town restaurant so why should we waste food on vacation?

[fAnnF]

I talked to a CM today, and she said that if one of us wanted to just order soup or salad, and the other use the TS on the dining plan. so we would be able to spread out our TS over more meals.

[marathonmommy]

I'd bail you out of jail, but I think I'm likely to be in the cell next to yours. :guilty:

And I guess I'd be next to you . . .


And even the Adult meal in place of a Child meal thing (which has received public outrage on the boards) is not a concept unique to the DisBoards. On pages 182 and 183 of "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - 2006", this "exploitation" is exactly mentioned as a strategy of sorts (under the heading How To Get the Most Out of the Plan).

I guess I never viewed this as morally reprehensible - I didn't even give it much thought. Anyway, the Disboards is not the place that's "ruining it for everyone". It is in a popular published Disney Guide! (Oh, and before I get flames, I never said I was actually going to do this - I just read about it!)

I am always amazed how some people who love the "happiest place on earth", choose to attack one another on a message board that discusses a common passion.
People should save their anger for things that really matter - like grown-ups who bodycheck toddlers on their way to let Tinkerbelle out of her box! :rotfl:

[wdwobsessed]

We just returned last week my son (9) and I shared at California Grill which I think is 2 credits. I just informed the CM when I ordered that we would be sharing, he said fine and brought out the one order on two separate plates. I can't imagine why this would be a problem for those of us with smaller appetites as this is not an "abnormal" thing for anyone to do dining plan or otherwise. We're not "cheating", we would do this in our own home town restaurant so why should we waste food on vacation?


Well I'll be!! A REAL LIFE example of sharing and just last week! Amazing ain't it?? At a signature restaurant to boot! Oh ... and with a child not using his credit! She was not even accused of banking her child credit for unsavory use later!

WOW!

Hmmmmmm .....

WDWO :rotfl:

[Kid in Me]

i cannot imagine Disney giving you a difficult time. For instance, last Fall we traveled to Disney with our in-laws. We had lots of dining reservations together. We were on the meal plan and they weren't. Disney allowed us to eat together and they were able to pay out of pocket for their meals. There were two night in particular that we sat our nephew and niece and brought them to dinner with us while their parents snuck out for a dinner alone. We were able to pay for them even though they weren't on our dining plan. I wouldn't stress about it.

[bicker]

It's also quite disturbing to think that many of our children are learning holier than thou attitudes.That's nothing more than a rationalization for bad behavior. There is nothing "holier than thou" about honesty and integrity. It's pretty sad that anyone has a "holier than thou" knee-jerk reaction to doing the right thing, living up to your obligations as an adult, complying with the terms and conditions of agreements you enter into, etc.

[groover]

That's nothing more than a rationalization for bad behavior. There is nothing "holier than thou" about honesty and integrity. It's pretty sad that anyone has a "holier than thou" knee-jerk reaction to doing the right thing, living up to your obligations as an adult, complying with the terms and conditions of agreements you enter into, etc.


Ah, 'tis true...but grace covers a multitude of sins. That's the message I'm trying to teach my girls. ;)

Or is it love that covers a multitude of sins. Or maybe it's that ignorance is bliss. Whatever.

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

we did a lot of sharing a few weeks ago...for my sharing review look here:
(not a food review, just a "how we used our credits and shared" review.)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1170759

[punkin]

we did a lot of sharing a few weeks ago...for my sharing review look here:
(not a food review, just a "how we used our credits and shared" review.)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1170759

There have been other reports of sharing being allowed as well. I guess Disney permits "cheating" and only the people on this board are morally upright.

[bstnsprts]

There have been other reports of sharing being allowed as well. I guess Disney permits "cheating" and only the people on this board are morally upright.

You wouldn't happen to be travelling to The Holy Land the end of September? Our families could get together and swap some pooled credits, share a meal or two, or we could start a "Pirate" meet at POC.

[Meezers]

Okay...I don't want to use child credits for adult meals.

All I want to do is share an appetizer, entree and dessert with my 65 yoa mother....just like we do at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steahouse...etc...etc...etc...

Yes...we are paying for our dining plan....

This is stressing me out so much I can't pay attention to the Tom Cruise is in the closet South Park episode!

[Sammie]

Okay...I don't want to use child credits for adult meals.

All I want to do is share an appetizer, entree and dessert with my 65 yoa mother....just like we do at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steahouse...etc...etc...etc...

Yes...we are paying for our dining plan....

This is stressing me out so much I can't pay attention to the Tom Cruise is in the closet South Park episode!

Do not worry about it. If you can't they will let you know and you can change your plans.

[punkin]

You wouldn't happen to be travelling to The Holy Land the end of September? Our families could get together and swap some pooled credits, share a meal or two, or we could start a "Pirate" meet at POC.

Sorry. I'm going August 20-27, but it's a great idea.

[siestakeys04]

The only sharing i want to do is with dd who is considered an adult. She is 10 sometimes she eats alot sometimes she doesn't i want to share my meal with her and use her credit for her at a place where we maybe paying out of pocket. My ds is 6 and would only use his credits for his meal only he is NOT into sharing huge appetite. I'll see what happens when we get there :confused3

[bicker]

I'll see what happens when we get thereThat is all we can do for now, at least until they change the computer system (if they ever do) to separate adult and child credits. Before that, regular, honest sharing is held hostage by the broader stroke of child credit/adult credit enforcement. :(

[JimMIA]

That is all we can do for now, at least until they change the computer system (if they ever do) to separate adult and child credits. Before that, regular, honest sharing is held hostage by the broader stroke of child credit/adult credit enforcement. :(
I'm not sure they need to change the computer system. They've already put the change in the brochure -- seems to me all they have to do is enforce a simple formula on the front line, in the restaurants: you can only use child credits for children's meals, and only for children under 10 who are present and eating.

If a little kid and a big kid want to swap plates, that's their business, but Disney is getting the right number and category of credits for the meals they're serving. I don't see it as a difficult issue if they have the backbone to enforce anything.

[bicker]

Jim: The problem with that is without a change to the computer system, CMs cannot tell the difference between child credits and adult credits.

[JimMIA]

Jim: The problem with that is without a change to the computer system, CMs cannot tell the difference between child credits and adult credits.
Ooops! I stand corrected. I was thinking they could just read the room key (which many of them can, no doubt), but you're right -- they'd know how many people were on the plan but would have no record of the useage.

I think I rode the bike too hard in that heat and wind today! :crazy: