Connections

[Susie Dismom]

Thought about looking into Connections. Cannot locate website - anybody able to link me? Thanks.

[patsal]

Try www.connections123.com. You can also link in through MYPoints and get points plus the gas card for joining. Check out Mousesavers.com for complete details. Much of the info. there is better than the info on the Connections website.

[Sheree]

is there an expiration date for the vouchers?

we're going end of August

want to join and cancel but want to make sure the dates work!

[Humpbacks1962]

I hope anyone thinking about buying those vouchers takes the time to look up the restaurant menus, current prices and adds it all up before paying...

Wanda

[BedKnobbery2]

I actually spent an evening (yes, I have no social life) just me, my calculator, and the WDWIG menus section to see whether it was worthwhile to purchase the Q&C vouchers. This is what I found:

Didn't do much research on the Breakfast vouchers, but it seemed to me that most of the buffets were cheaper than the vouchers, making these not a great bargain.

The Quick and Casual vouchers will almost always save you money IF you would have ordered all the things you get with the voucher (an entree, a sidedish--if not included in the entree, a drink, and a dessert). Sometimes, though, that money is merely pennies. In some cases, the deals were outstanding--at those places marked on mousesavers. If you have a big enough appetite, or 2 people with small appetites, you'll do well with them. Normally, I don't get dessert with lunch, and in most cases eliminating that from your cost would make it cheaper to pay cash than to use a voucher.

The Lunch Sit-Down Meal vouchers, I didn't have time to sift through them. The next evening I'm bored and feel like feeding my disney obsession, I'll probably do an analysis for that too. :jester:

I'm kinda playing with the idea of making a Vouchers Info Page that is more thorough than the mousesavers one...maybe including what people who've used them in the past have experienced. I'll need a few bored evenings for that, I think. LOL

BK

[Humpbacks1962]

Breakfast vouchers aren't much of a bargain any way you look at it, but the others trap you into selecting the most expensive items in the menu in order to save a couple of bucks. In my case, I do not eat red meats so if the most expensive item is some steak, there goes my savings. Regardless of your feeding preferences, you have to order only the higher priced items or you end losing money.

True, you have to have a HUGE apetite to eat everything you prepaid but overall, once you figure in the numbers, meal taxes (at 6%, last time I figured in a higher number), gratuities, Connections vouchers aren't a deal to die for. And that is, even if you keep yourself from tipping.

If you want to eat well at a discount, it seems like using AMEX, DC, AAA, Entertainment book or any other give you better deals. At least with those you are free to pick and choose what you like and still save money.


Wanda



PS: The thought of a webpage dedicated to report experiences with Connections vouchers is amusing, especially when they don't do it themselves and the moment you grab a calculator to challenge the savings claims, you wonder if anyone else did!

[patsal]

Quick and Casual's expire May 31, 2003, Breakfast Feature expire May 31, 2003, Feature Lunch are currently expiring on May 31, 2002. I'd wait to order only if you are considerin the full lunch feature meal. Keep in mind that many people have differing opinions on the"'value" of connections. You'll need to do your homework and decide what is best for you and your own family's eating habits.

[iwannago!!]

I guess for us we have figured the value based on sharing meals. For instance.. My friend and I are taking our girls (7). We have purchased some Q&C vouchers for $11 each. Our plan is to only use 1 at a time so not to waste food. We figured our girls can easily share a childs meal (chbrger/chix nuggets - fries, drink) for $5ish. We figured that if we were buying individually, we would probably both be getting our chicken wraps or burgers drink etc.. BUT with the voucher, we will go ahead and get that bacon double cheeseburger or jumbo chicken wrap and split it! We will let our girls split our dessert and we will share our fries/drink. We do realize that it would be about the same cost (not too much savings - generally speaking) to order the big items and share them anyway.. but we probably just wouldn't do it.. and we would end up wasting food.

OR we have figured we could spend 2 vouchers and split something between the girls and us both..

Ya know what.. plain and simple, I got the vouchers to binge out at B&C!! hahaha!
And we will use them at Peco Bills and Tusker house too

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

[disneyfan551]

Does anyone know if you can get the pressed pot of coffee @ Kona's for the breakfast voucher? I've asked on the rest. board, and I haven't received a response yet. The voucher is good for a juice, "entree", hot beverage, and a sweet item.

Help, anyone!?! :D

only 9 days to go.... and still have to order my vouchers! (Yes, I am one that believes they can save you $...but I'm not gooing to start a debate about it!! :bounce: )

[patsal]

I'm with you on both reasons for connections, heck I'm on vacation and I'll eat however I want and since I have paid for the tip in the cost of the voucher I have no problem not leaving more. I bought many for my trip and wil buy more for next spring break. On the pressed pot, I believe you may use it, but since I have never tried it I don't want to commit to that answer. There must be someone out there who knows the answer!:D

[Buckleybunch]

BedKnobbery2
I'm kinda playing with the idea of making a Vouchers Info Page that is more thorough than the mousesavers one...maybe including what people who've used them in the past have experienced. I'll need a few bored evenings for that, I think. LOL


If you need information, I would love to help..


we used the quick and casual vouchers in Jan. We used them for myself and Dh. We had the kids split meals because they aren't big eatters except our oldest. So she shared with the 3 little ones and ate some of mind. We normally got the brownies for desserts and took them to eat while waiting for a parade.
I felt that we got our money out of the vochers. If nothing else I like having some of our meals pre-paid. I have already started to purchase the q & c vouchers for our Oct/November trip.

Linda

[Took]

About the breakfast vouchers, these are a better value when one considers that tax and 15% tip are included with the voucher. Once one includes these "extras," the vouchers become an OK deal for breakfasts at Cindy's and other pricier character meals.

[patsal]

Took you are absolutely right on that. I have found that with a family of four 2 adults,2 children that we save using the breakfast feature.
1900 Park Fare saved about $9
O'hana saved about $13
CRT, Restaurantasaurus and Cape May about the same. It may only be a few dollars, but it really adds up over the course of 7-14 days.
The Full feature Lunch vouchers also save us a bundle if we choose to have our big meal in the late afternoon at
San Angel, Prime Time, Rainforest,Sci Fi, or CRT

I'l know more updated information when I return in July!:D :bounce: :D :Pinkbounc :D :bounce: :Pinkbounc :D :bounce: :Pinkbounc :D

[chris1gill]

Disneyfan551, the press pots are included, but I don't think adding that makes the breakfast a good deal... If I recall, we ate there, with 2 pressed pots & 2 adults breakfasts, 2 kids breakfasts for 39 & change... So, definitely triple check that one, because I recall making the decision to pay cash even with the pressed pots added in.... We love the Kona Cafe by the way, we eat there every trip! (and they are out of pressed pots at least half the time!!!)

[leslieh]

My daughter just used the Q&C lunch vouchers at beaches and cream. Their bill was close to $100.00 for 4 people with everything. I cant imagine the waitress getting a 15% tip on $42.00 worth of vouchers. I told my daughter to leave a tip (since I was a waitress for 10 years) she left $15.00. (I had to claim %7 percent of my sales everyday, no matter how good/bad the tips were) Ill be sure to ask a waitress when we visit in June

[chris1gill]

Hi Leslieh,

The waitress wasn't tipped on the 44.00 you paid for the vouchers, she's tipped 15% on the 100.00 bill... they write the full cost of your meal on the voucher & they get 15% of that... We also used our vouchers at B&C and it was awesome... we bought our neighboring table a kitchen sink with the dessert from the second voucher... We used two vouchers, fed 2 adults & 2 kids off of it & got the kitchen sink... so we paid 22.00 & the bill like yours was well over 100.00 when we left... This is the one restaurant Disney ISN'T making money off of with the vouchers....

[leslieh]

The waitress kept getting them to order more stuff, they thought it must be the total. But how can disney charge 11.00 and give 25.00 worth of food and add 15% to the total. Well we can still leave extra for the super service and stuffing.

[LKS]

I read that one of the reasons the servers encourage you to order the most expensive items when you use the vouchers is that they get tipped on the total bill, not the voucher price. Now that is probably only true for the breakfast and luncheon vouchers which are designed as sit-down meals, because the quick and casual are really supposed to be counter service. That being the case, I would wonder if the Q&C being used at Beaches and Cream really includes the tip? Who would get the tip then, at, say Pecos Bills?

[patsal]

Remember these are the same vouchers they "give" with the pkgs. they are not in business to lose money, but it kind of even's out in the end. There is a reason the vouchers are not a good deal all the time in every place. The waitstaff does get tipped 15% based on the check, not what you pay for the vouchers. Peppermarket also allows the use of the Q&C vouchers and you do get a tip added onto your total there as well.:cool:

[pilgrimage]

I asked a server at Beaches and Cream about tips and he said that he is paid a 15% on whatever we purchased--so he highly encouraged the more expensive items such as the kitchen sink. I still left a couple of extra dollars. For us it was a great value without dessert--and with two people we settled on the banana split.

[Humpbacks1962]

I still find this rather intriguing...

Some people will buy vouchers to split meals, right? But if you can't get seconds for the same price, how is that a deal? How different is it from buying everything in the voucher and splitting? You are only saving a couple of bucks anyway!

Being forced to order only the expensive items to pay for the value of the voucher is very limiting. Regardless of taste preferences, if you want to come out even, you have to get whatever is more costly.

Then many "appreciative customers" leave a tip over and beyond what the waiter will get. Where in the world did you save the money you were bragging about saving?


Wanda

[disneyjunkie]

Humpback1962, I think everyone knows you don't think connections is a great deal. However there are many of us here who think that it is.

We we may not save TONS of money using the vouchers, but that OK with us. Some of us want to have our meals paid for before we get there.

I think connections is awesome, between dining vouchers, $4.50 movie tickets, and the deals with Toys R Us, I will save a pretty good chunk of changes.

Even if a family doesn't come out ahead or end up lossing money on the vouchers, that's their choice. If a family wants to go to BNC and stuff themselves to the gills, that's ok, it's their vacation. :smooth:

[Humpbacks1962]

I know disneyjunkie, but it is still puzzling to me that just about every reason to get those vouchers is weak, and even the greatest advantages that some mention don't make a lot of sense, especially when it comes to sharing meals and savings.

And then they tip...

Wanda

[DMRick]

I understand the sharing meals part. Instead of getting a smaller, inexpensive mean, a bigger meal is ordered (which would cost more) and shared. For instance, for myself, I would order a regular hamburg, fries, small dessert. The cost would be about $20, and I prob wouldn't finish it. I'd order bigger if I was sharing..Here are rough costs from B&C

Burger $6.95
soda $1.95
dessert $7.95
$16.85 total
$2.52 tip
$1.01 tax
$20.38
(still a great savings with my voucher (even if I left a couple of bucks extra, depending on service..sometimes we tip 20%), and prob about what a meal of the same type stuff would cost anywhere in Dis)

Same meal knowing I have a voucher and will be splitting the meal.

double burger $8.95
soda $1.95
Kitchen sink $21.95(we would still share a smaller dessert, and feel we made out OK,but for others)
$32.85
$4.92 tip
$1.97 tax
$39.74 total

Forgive any errors in math..can't find the calculator.

So I see where they can be a good deal. I thought someone said you could also order a side..if this is true, you get an even better value (if you could eat it).
For the breakfasts..we are only saving a couple of bucks each..but with 5 of us, over three days useage, that's $30..nothing to sneeze at.

[chris1gill]

About the Q&C vouchers, go to Pepper Market, they add a tip... the tip gets paid in it's entirety... The value of the meal is written on the bottom left hand side of the voucher... Everyone, PULL OUT YOUR VOUCHERS & LOOK... there is a place to put the meal cost... the servers are given 15% on that amount... Ask any one of them, we certainly made sure at B&C... Now, Wanda who always tips & would feel back about not tipping, she is free to give an additional 15%, if she wants to tip the servers 30% that is certainly her choice... Personally, I tip 20% IF the service is really good & 15% if the service is okay... Personally the waitstaff should be quite happy I'm using a voucher, because if their service stinks I leave 10% or less... I don't tip for bad service... These people are getting 15% of your meal cost whichever voucher you're using....

That's it, we'll continue to use them & save money... Oh, by the way, I'd like to know which food discounts you can get with AAA & American Express.... Last time I checked there were 3 restaurants where you could save with DC & AP.... I know Wanda often mentions them as a vehicle for savings, so I'd like to see those savings explained....

[Dopeygirl]

Just doing a little *bump* because I've been wondering about the discounts using AAA and AmEx also, since I read Wanda mention it a few weeks back--hoping she'll add that information. I'd love more information on those!! Also, what about AP? I know World Showcase lunch but anywhere else? With DC, I was under the impression that it was at a few places in DD only. If there are places within the park, I might consider purchasing it.

Any additional information would be great!

[Humpbacks1962]

LOL.. You know what is most amusing about the boards... People taking everything to heart!


What I meant was, since some people make a rave about Connections letting them go to restaurants they could "not otherwise afford", I am sure they could use AAA, Entertainment, AMEX white glove restaurant discounts in restaurants too. Most of those, last I heard, were in Downtown Disney. Want the whole list? Do your search! It is available for anyone anyhow...

But if the thing is to pig out at discounted prices, for the savings that Connections give you, why not try those instead? At least YOU choose what to eat and save, not them! Vouchers in the parks save you next to nothing anyhow, so you have to go to two resorts. What difference does it make arguing about not using AMEX's, etc., discounts inside the parks anyway?

You know, this reminds me of the crop circles. "Circologists" affirmed they were made by extraterrestrials even after skeptics proved they were made by local residents who even confessed! Some people will always swear by Connections no matter what you say. The reasons for people believing outlandish claims applies even to offers that "save" you money... Pride, defended it too long before why change now, stretch it to make it fit, blah blah blah

Read what you want into it. Arguing about both without solid proof and running around in loops is just as boring and gets the same people angry always for the same reasons anyhow...


Wanda

[DMRick]

But if the thing is to pig out at discounted prices, for the savings that Connections give you, why not try those instead?

I don't understand..why do you have to put it like that? No one was saying they wanted to pig out at disc prices..they were sayign they wanted to eat at discounted prices?

You said:
I know disneyjunkie, but it is still puzzling to me that just about every reason to get those vouchers is weak, and even the greatest advantages that some mention don't make a lot of sense, especially when it comes to sharing meals and savings.

So I showed an example..no reason to comment on "pigging" out. I happen to like the food at Beaches. How many examples would I have to put down? I also did the figgering on the breakfasts for us...and we are saving some on those too. We aren't going to discount places, but Boma's and Chef Mickeys.
If vouchers don't work for you, I would suggest you not use them. But for some, who either do their homework on pricing, or want to prepay their vacation meals, they are perfect.

I am sure they could use AAA, Entertainment, AMEX white glove restaurant discounts in restaurants too. Most of those, last I heard, were in Downtown Disney. Want the whole list? Do your search! It is available for anyone anyhow...

Of course someone took it to heart..you typed it, they assumed you knew of what you spoke. I have DC and Amex, and I do use them to get a little off at a couple of places...but for us, the vouchers are a better deal, for where we go. If it doesn't work out to be a deal for you (or someone else), then go another route. I showed how we are saving money, after you said it didn't make sense..good enough for me :p

[chris1gill]

You know DMRick, I find it very interesting that time and time again we have shown our real life savings, and time and time again Wanda has said that the DC, Entertainment, AAA, AMEX discounts were much better... I'd like to see her real life savings. Last time I checked DC offered discounts at one restaurant PER park & you they weren't the inexpensive ones either.

I think Wanda is just showing her contempt for those of us who do use and like the vouchers.

[HookdonWDW]

FYI: We just got our vouchers, and the Q&C and the Lunch Vouchers both expire 5/31/03

[auntsue]

The idea of the Q & C vouchers intrigues me, but I have a couple of questions. First, can you order the coupons the same day you join? Second, how long does it take to get the vouchers? When we ate at B&C in Nov, the bill came to $74 for four of us, with nothing extravagant, and I don't think that included the tip, so right there, I would save about $40 of the cost, and if I order some breakfast coupons it should work out that I won't be losing money by joining. Thanks for the info.

[BedKnobbery2]

Wow, I go away for a few days, and this topic explodes! LOL

Just wanted to address a few things.

Humpback, when I did my calculations for the Q&C vouchers, I purposely did not include the most expensive items on the menu to see if they would be a good value for the average user. Yes, you can maximize the value by ordering the most expensive item, but maximum value determination wasn't my goal--average user value was. And what I found was that when you calculate all the factors in, the vouchers will usually save you money over the a la carte prices.....remember that factoring in to this is the sales tax, which is covered by the voucher and is often what would bump the total over the $11 mark. Again, this is keeping in mind that the order includes an entree, side dish, drink, and dessert. Just as an example, here's a sample from Pecos Bill Cafe:

Entree/Sidedish: John Henry Cheeseburger w. fries $5.49 (most expensive item is $7.29)
Drink: Bottled Water $2.00 (most expensive drink: $2.79)
Dessert:Chocolate Cream Pie $3.49 (this is the most expensive dessert, but the other is a float)
Tax:5%
Total: $11.52

It's a modest savings, but it is a savings. And again--it is only a savings IF you would have gotten all that food to start with.

Now, regarding splitting the orders to save money; again, using pecos bill as an example. The only kid's meal they offer is a hotdog, which neither of my kids like. They'd both want a burger, fries, and a soda. My younger son is a 'picker'....he'll typically eat about 1/3 of his meal. My Older son is a clean plate club member. :D So, instead of ordering them each a burger meal and a drink (which would be $15.50, with tax), I could order them the double cheeseburger meal with a large drink and a dessert, which would be more than enough food for the 2 of them, and would save us $4.50.

I should also say, that I am at heart a skeptic. I have no ulterior motive in trying to determine the value of the meal vouchers; I'm just interested in whether or not they are a value. I've never used them, and am not even a Connections member yet. I'm fairly certain I would only use them at the 'great value' locations (ie, Pepper Market and Beaches & Cream) and even then, simply because both restaurants are located in the resorts we plan to stay.

Certainly, it is possible to eat more cheaply than the cost of the voucher. I don't think anyone has refuted that. But, for people with specific eating habits and large appetites, the vouchers will probably provide them some savings--some. Not a bundle, but then...money is money!

[MandaMom]

chris1gill and RDMRick,

I just wanted you guys to know that I have been looking at all of the Connections posts because I like to save money and eat well. Largely due to your contributions and Mary's Mousesaver page I am going to order vouchers.

I have been reading all of the Connections posts for information and almost every one of them has a Humpbacks1962 bitter reply. They are very irritating. I wonder why she doesn't slam any other posts. I think she is specifically targeting Connections posts and feels she has to put her 2cents in. I think that she has a major Connections chip on her shoulder and is very negative . She herself has never tried it. How could she possibly speak on the savings or lack thereof? I could understand if she voiced her feelings in 2 or 3 posts, but literally every Connections post I've seen has a Humpbacks post. I mean we are all on these posts to save money, why else would we be on the Budget Board?? She is the self appointed evangelist for other discounts. I too would like to see the savings from Amex, DC and Entertainment she is touting. For outside the parks Entertainment is good but Amex and DC are 10% off at very few restaurants and during only specified times (usually lunch time).

Humpbacks1962 is the one taking things too personally.

I looked seriously looked into Connections (crunched numbers) to see if I could save money all her comments have not detered me from saving money.

Character Breakfast 15.99
Example + beverage (2.00)
+ tax 8.25 (1.48)
+ gratuity (2.70)

Total: 22.17 for a 17.50 Breakfast Voucher that's a total savings of 4.67

That's without making a "pig" of yourself. LOL

Also, I called the 3 restaurants I will be visiting next month. Which are Beaches and Cream Chef Mickey's Buffet and the Pepper Market respectively. I wanted to make sure that the servers get the 15% gratuity with the vouchers. I was assured that they are paid the 15% gratuity on the check.

For those of you who want to pay on top of that if the service is good then do so at your own discretion. I will tip at least 20% if I feel service is excellent. I used to be a server and to answer to questions regarding how Disney makes money off these vouchers is simply because it brings money into the restaurant. Food costs for a company like Disney must run maybe 5% to 10%(this will be higher depending on the quality of the food you are consuming. In my experience ( the Hyatt Food and Beverage division) as a server whenever a voucher came in such as a preset meal voucher for airline people or Bed and Breakfast package (something of this nature) we had a promo code to use and the cash would come out of our daily totals at the end of the day. Basically the Hyatt was tipping us out for something for which they had already received money.

In this case I believe Disney either gets a percentage or pays connections to resale these vouchers which would otherwise be used for the Disney Vacation Packages that include meals.

Hope this answers some questions for people out there.

Humpbacks 1962 chill out. You are not the mother for the board. We are all adults. Leave your remarks and then move on. Let people make their own informed decisions and if you are going to leave disparaging remarks about a certain discount or program please post some proof of nonsavings since so many people have posted their Connections savings on here. Stop lurking in the Connections posts. We have all heard what you have to say. You should not take things to heart so much. It is not a direct insult to you that people are posting their savings. Why are you so negative are you unhappy with yourself??? You're really secretly using them yourself right?? Hee Hee I knew you couldn't be that sensitive about something could you Wanda?

The only thing me and the rest of the voucher people take seriously is savings. You may want to try it sometime.

If people can add they can see the savings in the above example.

[Sheree]

are the character breakfast vouchers good at all of them including crystal palace and cindy's?

we usually do 2-3 char breakfasts and 2-3 character dinners (don't think there's vouchers for that!)

then a few counter service restaurants for lunch.

dinner is the one I wish there were vouchers!

[clhcpaca]

I have a question about the vouchers that cost $29.50. The description says Lunch. Is there a time restriction on them? I am taking a solo trip in September and I like the World Showcase restaurants. The vouchers seem to be a decent deal there, but I was wondering if there were any time limits.

Thanks

[chris1gill]

MandaMom, thanks so much & glad our posts could help you out! Believe me I went over the value of these vouchers with menu's and a calculator before ordering them. That way I was sure to order the correct number according to the restaurants we would be going to... and, we didn't want to spend extra... I agree with all of your conclusions by the way.

Sheree, occasionally a restaurant may not participate, but both Cindy's & Crystal Palace participate in the voucher program... The vouchers do indeed cover drink & 15% tip as well as tax... it's a good deal, maybe not saving a ton, but at least some!


clhcpaca, the lunch vouchers are indeed for lunch... what you can do, is ask what time the last seating for lunch is... I think we ate at LeCellier at 3:45pm, it still worked out great & we weren't hungry til breakfast time the next day after eating such a meal!! Unfortunately I'll always have to use those vouchers, because my DH now wants to visit LeCellier every trip!!! It did save us about 30 or 35.00's (We used 2 vouchers)

Hope this helps & thanks again MandaMom!!

[MandaMom]

Sheree

You can find this information on mousesavers.com. I am sure you can use it a Cindy's and Crystal Palace . If you need any additional information Mary on mousesavers updates her info regularly and this is one of the best resources besides actually having a voucher which will stipulate which restaurants honor them.

I should be receiving mine soon and I will post if any restaurants are different other than those appearing on mousesavers.

clhcpaca, I read a thread on this board that they will still take the lunch vouchers up to 4:30pm. You should call ahead if you have a chance and ask about the policy regarding the lunch voucher for the specific restaurant in which you will be dining.

[Sheree]

thanks everyone! trying to figure where we'll be dining and what vouchers to order!

Sounds like it's not worth it for a child, but definitely worth it for cindy's and CP!

Have to check out the Q&C ones for lunch too!

[Disneymomma]

I have been reading with interest the Connections posts-I have convinced my NON-DH
to go with DD and I this year! :D I would like to know what is the latest times that the restaurants accept the 29.50 liunch vouchers-Does any one know? Could we eat a 3:30 or 4:00 lunch?- I would like to be able to justify the cost to my Disney grump of a husband. Thanks.

[auntsue]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get the vouchers? Also, if I join, can I order enough for my whole group to use, say for example, 11 people at 5 breakfasts each meaning 44 breakfast coupons, etc.

Are they good for the character breakfasts at Hollywood & Vine and Park Fare?

[chris1gill]

DisneyMomma, every restaurant is different, you need to ask Disney Dining when the last seating time is for the restaurant you're looking for... for us @ LeCellier is was 3:30, which was fine for us, we weren't hungry again til morning!!!

Aunt Sue, there is a limit (?) of ten of each type of voucher... but I unwittingly got around this by ordering twice, ten the first time & 5 the next... I had no idea there was any type of limit... I think it would be better if you got another one or two adults to join (even your DH), so that each of you could buy vouchers... for us it was no trouble to cancel before the 30 day window, although we'll be joining again soon & I think this time I will keep it... Between the 20% at the Toys/Kids R Us certificates & the 20% at Olive Garden, it'll be enough for us to recoup the cost of the membership... the vouchers will be a bonus... since we shop at Toys/Kids R Us, it will work out great for us....

Sheree, you're right about the children's vouchers, you have to look at the pretty carefully to be sure you are saving, for us it didn't work out, but for others it just might...

[MrsPete]

I've heard a lot lately about the possibility of Disney changing the format for Cinderella's Castle reservations. I've heard that they're considering 1) requiring a credit card # to "hold" your spot OR 2) requiring that you pay for the meal ahead of time using a credit card. I am not 100% sure that this is accurate info (it is being heavily debated on the AOL Disney boards, and it's hard to tell what's the truth).

Anyway, I'm not sure I"d order the vouchers to pay for the Cinderella's breakfast. If they start requiring that you pay ahead of time, I suspect the vouchers wouldn't be any good. Unless, of course, you'd be interested in having a second character breakfast somewhere else during the week.

[disneyfan551]

Just wanted to let you know that I joined Conn. yesterday, and placed my on-line order, for tickets & vouchers. A representative even called me back this morning to verify my shipping address, because they are sending them today! Here's hoping they will arrive before we leave EARRRRLY Sat. morning! :D

I'll let you know how my experience goes!

[chris1gill]

DisneyFan, YIKES!!! I hope they get there too, if it makes you feel any better, we got ours second day delivery... so if your order goes today, you should get it Thursday, please update when you get them!

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Disney Fan, I ordered my passes and vouchers on thursday afternoon and they arrived today(tuesday) so I think you will be ok.

[ksumn1]

I would like to comment on the "reasons" one buys Connections vouchers. For me, it's a matter of "a voucher in the hand is better that $$ out of the pocket".We're going Aug 25-30th and since my DD birthday is in Nov, and Christmas soon after, we really don't feel comfortable with shelling out $450 in 6 days. Especially knowing that $$ will be tight enough in just a couple of months.So, I have been putting $$ back for this trip since January. The $10 or $20 a paycheck really adds up over time. I will order over 75% of our meals from Connections. I don't eat alot, so my DD and I will share a voucher. (I never eat more than 1 full sit down meal a day) I want to go and have a great time, but I also don't want to broke for a month after our trip. I think Connections is a way to "pre-pay" and to save $$. We will not use the voucher every day, only at locations where we will save some $$. (I have done my homework)I think that the satisfaction of going on a vacation and not having to worry about how I am paying for this later is worth it. Just my .02.
PS Does anyone know if Connections is shipping out the $29.50 lunch vouchers yet with a later expiration date than May 2002?

[patsal]

Here's the scoop! I ordered all three types of vouchers on 3/24 and rec'd them all on 3/28. The Q&C as well as the breakfast feature were all ok up until May 3003. I mailed back the Feature Lunch on 4/2 with a letter explaining my problem (I'm not going until June). Yesterday I received the Lunch Feature Vouchers with an expiration date of May 2003. BTW I joined on 3/20, and had no difficulties ordering, no double billing and a prompt reply for the "unusable" vouchers. My credit card was also credited for the cost of returning the unusable vouchers via certified mail.. Because of the other things that I can use (Kids r us/olive garden,a trip to Disney in April, etc.) I am planning on keeping the membership for this year. If there are any questions about the places they can be used for, I'd be happy to check the back for you later this afternoon!

[chris1gill]

Thanks for the good news! I think it's about time to join for the year as well since all the vouchers have a 2003 expiration date... we're going in November... We will also benefit from the other 20% discounts off Toys/Kids R Us store, so I think it will be worth it... We've had very good luck with the vouchers before, as well as billing & cancelling....

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Does anyone know if the sign-up link through mypoints is still around? I've searched mypoints and cannot find it. Also www.connections123.com doesn't work for me. Anyone have any other ideas for signing up?


Thanks.


Also regarding the breakfast vouchers. Arn't drinks typically included in buffet price? That would make the savings a little smaller.

[chris1gill]

Mypoints is no longer listing Connections on their site... Instead they are listing Essentials which is another service owned by the same company as Connections, but that doesn't help you out.... I don't know who else may be rewarding for joining...

About the breakfasts, some include drink & others don't know, it varies restaurant to restaurant....

Oh, about joining, I would join over the phone....

[disneyfan551]

I ordered my tickets & vouchers Monday, and they arrived today! Talk about starting to sweat! Now, I'll just have to report back our experiences once we use them!

BTW, CoolSavings offers a $25 g/c for joining. And, I joined Monday through Mypoints. I just had to search really hard for the icon to join. So, I joined conn. by the 'net. I called later that day, and they said they don't receive the info. for a few days, but I did place my order for everything on the 'net. And, it worked! So far, so good!

...leaving in 9 1/2 hours... still got toooooo much to do!!


:eek:

[chris1gill]

OMG, that was WAY to close!!! I'll look closer at Mypoints for an icon. Have a ton of fun for me!

Well, I still couldn't find the link through Mypoints, so I joined through www.Coolsavings.com, it's listed under "free stuff" & then just do a list all vendors... You get a 25.00 GC towards Toys R Us, or borders books & a number of other options... We'll go with the Kids R Us option.... The problem with Coolsavings is that you don't get your membership number right away, you have to wait for the stuff to come in the mail... it's no problem for us to wait of course....

[vcasey]

Just wondering I've seen lots of discussion here about the meal voucher but I was wondering what tickets do they sell, all of them or just certain ones? Also do they send actual tickets or vouchers? Thanks!

[disney4us2002]

I have still seen the signup occasionally on mypoints. When you go to the homepage, you get a popup window with various offers, every now and then it's Connections. The Connections website is a bit testy. Sometimes I can log in and sometimes not, so the web addy you list is correct but they might have had a problem. I ended up joining twice accidentally. I joined thru coolsavings for the gift card but Connections had ZERO info on me after 3 wks, so I went right to the Connections123 website and joined directly, ordering right then what I wanted. About 2 weeks later I received BOTH packages from Connections w/different membership numbers. I just called and cancelled the direct one and kept the coolsavings signup so I could get the gift card.

The tickets they sell are the park hopper pluses and it's the actual ticket/pass NOT a voucher.

Carla

[renzdr]

I am thinking of ordering some of the food vouchers for our January 2003 trip. Do you think there is any chance that the vouchers would not be able to be used then. Would I be better off waiting until closer to our trip to make sure the resturaunts are still participating?

[disneyjunkie]

The vouchers that they are mailing now expire May 2003. You shouldn't have a problem using them in January.