Sharing and Dining Plan for 2009

[gottalovewdw:)]

We have a trip coming up and two of us will be on the DDP and two will not be on the DDP (separate reservations/rooms). The four of us typically like to share meals so everyone can try a little of each dish. Two of us are staying longer and wll visit outside of Dinsey a few times on the trip. The DDP was not a good value due to the time away while on property. If the non-DDP party purchases out of pocket meals and shares items with the two who used the DDP and vice versa, would they try to prevent or frown upon this?

Thanks. Any info is appreciated.

[Tricia1972]

Story 1
Joe, Judy, Jeff and Jane, four adults, sit down at a restaurant and all order meals.

Joe says, oh my goodness this is fantastic, you guys need to try a bite of my steak.

Judy does and says "That's nothing - try this chicken"

In the above scenario I don't think that Disney has a problem with sharing at all.


Story 2
Joe, Judy, Jeff and Jane, four adults, sit down at a restaurant. Joe and Judy are on the DDP and Jeff and Jane aren't. Joe and Judy order entrees. Jeff and Jane order sodas. The meals come and Joe and Judy divvy up their food onto saucers for Jeff and Jane.

This is a story of sharing that Disney would disapprove of.


Sounds like you're planning to share more like the group in Story 1. I doubt that the manager will swoop down on your table and grab the fork from your hand if you offer a bite to your Non DDP companions. :laughing:

[beansmom]

but would they NOT let you do scenario #2? I have had gastric bypass and can't a full meal..EVER...but I do eat more often. We'd like to split one TS meal and then use the other later in the day. CAN we do this???
We are spending the same amount out of pocket as we would on the Plan and would like to try the plan next trip.

[Tricia1972]

but would they NOT let you do scenario #2? I have had gastric bypass and can't a full meal..EVER...but I do eat more often. We'd like to split one TS meal and then use the other later in the day. CAN we do this???
We are spending the same amount out of pocket as we would on the Plan and would like to try the plan next trip.

Because in scenario #2, they are two couples and two have purchased the DDP and two have not.



So long as you are all on the DDP they don't care if you share. If you're using your DDP to cover those not on the DDP they don't care.

[gottalovewdw:)]

You bring up a good point. What if you decide to switch a desert or entree with one of the folks not on the DDP. Would that be an issue? It sounds like the issue is if you are sharing with folks who are not paying for food. I'm guessing if they are purchasing food (which they will be), it won't be a problem. Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Donnainnj]

but would they NOT let you do scenario #2? I have had gastric bypass and can't a full meal..EVER...but I do eat more often. We'd like to split one TS meal and then use the other later in the day. CAN we do this???
We are spending the same amount out of pocket as we would on the Plan and would like to try the plan next trip.

I have read on the boards about how someone with gastric bypass surgery was actually able to pay the kids price at the buffets, I believe they had a doctors note, so I can't see them having a problem with the two of you sharing a DDP meal. You may want to do a search to get all the details.
Donna

[su_A_ve]

interesting point - on a counter service, no problem, but with a TS, can you actually 'share' a meal?

Say, John and Jane are both on DDP, but both are petite and don't eat that much. They figure they would share a dish. Can they and only charge one TS?

If say John and Jane are NOT on DDP, the above scenario would not be a problem. You order one meal, you pay for one meal. Some might charge you a 'share fee', but I don't think so.

Finally, what OP is asking does not apply to any buffet...

[Tricia1972]

Say, John and Jane are both on DDP, but both are petite and don't eat that much. They figure they would share a dish. Can they and only charge one TS?

Yes they can share a meal and be charged one TS

If say John and Jane are NOT on DDP, the above scenario would not be a problem. You order one meal, you pay for one meal. Some might charge you a 'share fee', but I don't think so.

This is totally true too - you are free to share and I haven't ever seen a sharing fee either.


Finally, what OP is asking does not apply to any buffet...

Actually - oddly - it would apply for buffets (not that you'd want/need to share plate to plate there). My understanding (from subsequent post from OP) is that everyone is paying for their meals. Some on DDP and some are not on DDP. They just want to share their paid meals between themselves. I guess if they wanted to share plates at buffets they could. Just everyone there would need to pay for a meal.

[muffyn]

I have read on the boards about how someone with gastric bypass surgery was actually able to pay the kids price at the buffets, I believe they had a doctors note, so I can't see them having a problem with the two of you sharing a DDP meal. You may want to do a search to get all the details.
Donna

we went with a friend who had gastric bypass. she did not need a doctors note & had NO problem talking to the servers into only charging her for a kids pricing on buffets. mickeys & garden grill come to mind. At WCC she just ordered the kids meal skillet. (she was not on DDP, but I thought I'd add this personal comment)
I guess it would depend on server:confused3

[muffyn]

Because in scenario #2, they are two couples and two have purchased the DDP and two have not.



So long as you are all on the DDP they don't care if you share. If you're using your DDP to cover those not on the DDP they don't care.


ummm, if someone was NOT on the DDP how would the server know :confused3 if that person did not order something & just ate off another persons palte?

Story 1


Story 2
Joe, Judy, Jeff and Jane, four adults, sit down at a restaurant. Joe and Judy are on the DDP and Jeff and Jane aren't. Joe and Judy order entrees. Jeff and Jane order sodas. The meals come and Joe and Judy divvy up their food onto saucers for Jeff and Jane.

This is a story of sharing that Disney would disapprove of.



this all has me so confused.
so disney would rather (insist) IF you don't eat all your meal you have to throw out half of it instead of giving it to another person?

I can see the rules on buffets. but sharing others?
you paid for the food, why should they care if someone else eats your carrots, or finishes your dessert?

btw, has anyone ASKED diz dining or even a server what they have in place for rules on this?

we will be doing the dining plan for our 1st time, & also meeting up with family for 2 days of our trip NOT on the plan. I'd hate to think we have to eat-up-our-plates instead of giving already paid for food to someone instead of the garbage can

[muffyn]

Story 1


Story 2
Joe, Judy, Jeff and Jane, four adults, sit down at a restaurant. Joe and Judy are on the DDP and Jeff and Jane aren't. Joe and Judy order entrees. Jeff and Jane order sodas. The meals come and Joe and Judy divvy up their food onto saucers for Jeff and Jane.

This is a story of sharing that Disney would disapprove of.



this all has me so confused.
so disney would rather (insist) IF you don't eat all your meal you have to throw out half of it instead of giving it to another person?

I can see the rules on buffets. but sharing others?
you paid for the food, why should they care if someone else eats your carrots, or finishes your dessert?

btw, has anyone ASKED diz dining or even a server what they have in place for rules on this?

we will be doing the dining plan for our 1st time, & also meeting up with family for 2 days of our trip NOT on the plan. I'd hate to think we have to eat-up-our-plates instead of giving already paid for food to someone instead of the garbage can

[gottalovewdw:)]

this all has me so confused.
so disney would rather (insist) IF you don't eat all your meal you have to throw out half of it instead of giving it to another person?

I can see the rules on buffets. but sharing others?
you paid for the food, why should they care if someone else eats your carrots, or finishes your dessert?

btw, has anyone ASKED diz dining or even a server what they have in place for rules on this?

we will be doing the dining plan for our 1st time, & also meeting up with family for 2 days of our trip NOT on the plan. I'd hate to think we have to eat-up-our-plates instead of giving already paid for food to someone instead of the garbage can


I totally agree with you, why waste the food if it's been paid for. Has anyone tried to share DDP meals with non-DDP friends/family who are paying for their meal and been visited by the Disney Police :) ?

[Tricia1972]

this all has me so confused.
so disney would rather (insist) IF you don't eat all your meal you have to throw out half of it instead of giving it to another person?

I can see the rules on buffets. but sharing others?
you paid for the food, why should they care if someone else eats your carrots, or finishes your dessert?

btw, has anyone ASKED diz dining or even a server what they have in place for rules on this?

we will be doing the dining plan for our 1st time, & also meeting up with family for 2 days of our trip NOT on the plan. I'd hate to think we have to eat-up-our-plates instead of giving already paid for food to someone instead of the garbage can

If the people you're with order their own meals, then certainly you can share with them instead of wasting food. Otherwise another option would be to share with another person who is on the plan in your party and only use one credit.

Another poster put it this way and I thought it was a good way to explain it.

By the terms of the plan, no. You cannot use the plan to purchase food for people not on the plan.

If everyone is getting their own meals, I doubt there will be problems with sampling off each others' plates, as long as its not a blatant attempt to get the other folks benefits of the DP without paying for it.

As far as Disney Policing it, they do as they are very strict about following the policy at Table Services.

[Tricia1972]

ummm, if someone was NOT on the DDP how would the server know :confused3 if that person did not order something & just ate off another persons palte?

Because the servers ask every group who is on the DDP when you are seated at a restaurant.

Don't be angry with the messenger, they're Disney's rules. :goodvibes

[rentayenta]

I totally agree with you, why waste the food if it's been paid for. Has anyone tried to share DDP meals with non-DDP friends/family who are paying for their meal and been visited by the Disney Police :) ?



I can only speak from experience on the DDP. At the Cal Grill our server suggested we share with the kids as they are not big eaters. We had 3 adults and 2 children. We ordered 3 adult meals, the server had the kitchen split two of the meals, and all was well. We also ordered wine so maybe the server knew they make their money.

At Tony's we asked if we could have one of the kids share with me, again not a big eater and really would only eat a few bites of pasta, and the server said she'd rather not but did not come right out and say no. We ended up sharing because I was not going to order food just to have it thrown anyway.


:upsidedow

[Tricia1972]

I can only speak from experience on the DDP. At the Cal Grill our server suggested we share with the kids as they are not big eaters. We had 3 adults and 2 children. We ordered 3 adult meals, the server had the kitchen split two of the meals, and all was well. We also ordered wine so maybe the server knew they make their money.

At Tony's we asked if we could have one of the kids share with me, again not a big eater and really would only eat a few bites of pasta, and the server said she'd rather not but did not come right out and say no. We ended up sharing because I was not going to order food just to have it thrown anyway.


:upsidedow

Just to clarify - In your case weren't you sharing with your kids who were also on the DDP?

[rentayenta]

Just to clarify - In your case weren't you sharing with your kids who were also on the DDP?



::yes:: I was with my children who were also on the DDP.

[MentalVacation]

::yes:: I was with my children who were also on the DDP.

Forgive my blondeness...did the Cali Grill charge you for the children's TS credits or just for the adult ones? (Did that make sense?)

[rentayenta]

Forgive my blondeness...did the Cali Grill charge you for the children's TS credits or just for the adult ones? (Did that make sense?)


They charged for 3 adults. My oldest DD was 10 and therefore counted as an adult. The younger two were 9 and 6 and just shared with myself and DD10. :thumbsup2 With 3 appetizers, 3 main courses, and 3 desserts there was more than enough food for the 5 of us.

[TDC Nala]

You can share meals with others in your party that have paid for the DDP.

A guest who pays OOP for a meal may share the meal with whomever they want.

You are not permitted to share a meal paid for with DDP with someone who did not pay for the DDP.

[Sugardimples]

You can share meals. It's YOUR food, once you order it. What you can't do is use your dining plan credits to pay for meals for someone not on the dining plan.

[BlovesC]

Does anti-sharing also mean you can't use more than one of your credits at any one time?

For example, I'll be on the QSDDP in March, and that allows for 2 snacks a day. Would I not be allowed to get, say, a cookie and a bottle of juice at the same time using 2 credits, because I could possibly be running off and sharing that food? :rotfl:

Or would that only apply to walking up to a CS place and using 2 credits to buy two burgers? Which I suppose would be fishy, but hey, what if you have a HUGE appetite? :rolleyes:

[Luv2Roam]

Basically agreeing with numerous posts here --
I don't see that Disney would care if you shared portions, sampled each others food, etc.
An issue would arise if the OP was trying to use her credits to buy a meal for the non-DDP friends. However I did not get that impression that was what was planned.

For example if a guest KttW card reads 2 adults 1 child, but 4 adults and a child were at the table, the server is not going to allow 4 adults and 1 child to use the DDP credits at one meal, one ticket.

There have been an occasional post about someone stating they were charged an entertainment fee if some in the party were not dining, using credits or sharing a meal. (Such as LTT, which will soon be character-free anyway.)

I don't see any issue with using snack credits in addition to a meal credit at a counter service. Heck, who would want to restand in line after eating their main meal just to use a snack credit or two?

[TDC Nala]

I think the prohibition is against ordering one meal and splitting a plate with someone who isn't on the dining plan. If you were to eat half your meal and then give the rest to someone else at the table, or let someone else sample your food, you would not be challenged. But if you asked for an extra plate, you might be asked if it is for someone else on your plan.

[Coastie]

As a first time user of the DDP, I am still a little confused.

For all the experts who have used the DDP, is there any prohibition using your remaining CS or TS credits to buy friends NOT on the DDP lunch or dinner? On our last day we had 19 CS credits, 2 kids TS, and 3 snacks still remaining. After spending over $1700 on the DDP, I would think I could use the remaining CS any way I choose.

[TDC Nala]

According to Walt Disney World's published rules regarding the dining plan, your dining entitlements are not transferable. You may not use your dining credits to purchase meals for anyone who is not on your package reservation and did not pay for the dining plan.

Discussion of ways to do so will be removed from this board, since the DIS does not advocate violating specific rules of Walt Disney World, including those concerning the dining plan.

[Coastie]

Thanks for the clarification! Even with our unused credits, we were still way ahead of the game in terms of cash versus DDP.

[kitkat72492]

My daughter and I (she is 16) went in Sept. '08. Our last day there we had 4 Quick Serivce meals and 5 snacks left on our plan. We drove, so we had a cooler in our car. We went to the hotel food court and got 4 personal pan pizza meals...4 fruit cups...4 drinks (our 4 counter service meals), 3 juice bottles, 2 cotton candy buckets and a slushy (our 5 snacks) and it was just the two of us. We had no problem checking all of that out at one time. We ended up eating that for our dinner and lunch on the way home. So, I am not sure if every place is the same, but that is our personal experience.

[Coastie]

We used 10 CS credits and remaining snacks as we had a 850 mile trip... made for a nice lunch and dinner on the road. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express provided nice takeout packages. :thumbsup2