A few more dining plan questions

[ryty44]

I guess what I was trying to say with all that, Pedro, is can you show us in writing a verification that "Without question as Disney set up the plan this way and has instructed it's CMs to advise guests to use it this way"?

How about show me in writing that it is not allowed to be used like this. You won't find it. In our society laws are written for things that are not permitted, not those that are. And furthermore not just our society Disney as well. If you go to a pool in Disney, it states what is not permitted, i.e. Diving, running etc. it doesn't state what is permitted. If you go to stand on line on a ride, they tell you what is not permitted i.e. children under a certain height etc.. This is our society. Do you want Disney to change the working of our entire society just because you think people are scamming? That is absurd

 

[jonkatony]

Does anybody really need to be told that using a child credit for an adult meal is not wrong?
Is it o.k to pay childs price at a cinema or at a sporting event?
I really think people are trying to justify this to themselves, go have a good time and if you feel it is Disneys fault for not setting the system up right then make them pay.

 

[pedro2112]

As far as "writing" is concerned, the dining brochure put out by disney that one receives upon check in, specifically stated in writing that you are allowed to use the credits any way you wish, that anyone in your party could use any of the credits as long as credits are left. That means anyone. The information on the website states that you can use your meal credits any way you like for the rest of your stay until the number of meals allotted are completed. If disney wanted restrictions on who can use the credits, they would have said so, but they didn't. Plus, the CMs at WDW have been intstructed to tell the guests to use it that way. This has been confirmed by those coming back from the park in addition to CMs telling us this directly.

To those who suggest that it is wrong to use a "child" credit, must be discussing a plan other than the MYW plus dining plan. That plan does not have child credits.

Disney made a plan and is happy with the way it has been implemented. In fact, they've extended it to DVC members. They had an opportunity to change the plan to differentiate between adult and child credits, but chose not to. They obviously realize that guests enjoy the flexibility of the plan (sharing, paying for kids oop, etc..), and are happy with how it is going.

I once again urge all posters to stop complaining about people using the plan in the manner in which it was intended. If someone has bought the plan, gets printed materiel indicating they can use it that way, and have been told by Disney it is acceptable to use it that way, then why on earth would anyone be upset that they are using the plan this way?

 

[mickman1962]

The information on the website states that you can use your meal credits any way you like for the rest of your stay until the number of meals allotted are completed.

No, actually the website states and I quote again "[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]that children age 3-9 must choose from a children's menu, if one is available[/font]"
So if you pay the price for a child ages 3-9, you order a meal for a 3-9 year old, not an adult meal. When you ask Disney if they pool credits they say yes. Have any of you ever called and asked if I can pay 1/3 the price of an adult ticket for my child and then use it to order off the regular menu? I have, and the answer is NO!. If you aske if they pool credits they say yes. It, once again, does not take a rocket scientist to understand that if you're paying 1/3 the price, then you are not entitled to a full price adult meal. Justify all you want, you're wrong and 99.9% of the people you ask if it is okay to pay a childs price for an adult will tell you that. Again I have a conscience that is worth more than scamming $26 a day.

I will now agree to disagree.

By the way the sky really is blue. (even tough I'm sure a lot of you will argue that one too)

 

[mickman1962]

Does anybody really need to be told that using a child credit for an adult meal is not wrong?
Is it o.k to pay childs price at a cinema or at a sporting event?
I really think people are trying to justify this to themselves, go have a good time and if you feel it is Disneys fault for not setting the system up right then make them pay.

I do not think a logical explanation will get you anywhere here.

 

[neatsie]

After reading your response regarding meals plans. I would have to assume that traveling to Disney with 6 children and 6 adults is costing a pretty penny. So one must assume that your salary must be significant to afford such a lavish vacation. Maybe those few people who "tweek" the system for a meal, or two, to help save money isn't such a crime, especially if their salaries are minimal. And if Disney doesn't care, why should you?



QUOTE=mickman1962]What you can get away with does not equal what is the ethical/moral/right thing to do.

If you use the child’s plan ( I don't care about them being pooled, I've heard all the arguments already ) which is about 1/3 the price of the adults plan, what RATIONAL argument can you give me that makes it OK, in your mind, to use that and eat adult meals?

I'm going in April with 6 kids and 6 adults. I'm staying in the cabins 6/cabin so I'm going to have one adult and 5 kids in one cabin and get the meal plan. I'm now only paying for 5 kid's plans and one adult plan. So according to all the people who like to milk the system for everything it's worth, all 6 adults can now eat all week after only paying for one adult plan and all I have to do is pay OOP for the little kids and I save a bundle. Oh that's right, I have a conscience.[/QUOTE]

 

[pedro2112]

No, actually the website states and I quote again "[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]that children age 3-9 must choose from a children's menu, if one is available[/font]"

Once again, that has nothing to do with our issue. Yes, no one is arguing that if your kid is on the dining plan and you choose to use a TS or CS credit for him/her, then he/she must order from the kids menu. That is not what we are discussing. We are discussing how one can use their credits, not which menu one must choose from when using the credits.

As I stated before, if you actually look at the printed materials from Disney regarding how one can use the credits, it is clear that there is no debate. The dining brochure given to guests upon arrival state that anyone in your party (regardless of age) can use any of the credits at any time as long as you have credits left in your pool. If you also look at the printed statements on the website, this is confirmed. You will see statements such as, "Use your meals and snacks in any order and in any amount throughout your stay until your total is completed," and also, "You can continue using meals any way you like for the rest of your stay until the number of meals allotted are completed."

Once again, there is no reason for anyone to have to "justify" using the plan in a manner in which it is allowed and encouraged by disney.

I'll ask it once again, if the printed materials state that you can use your credits this way and Disney management tells it's guests that they can use the plan this way, why are you so upset when people use the plan this way?

 

[patrizella]

I was in Disney this past August and was lucky enough to have the dining plan free as part of the promotion. I have a 9 year old, who was 8 at the time of travel-and the thought never crossed my mind.

You are right when you say this is not clearly defined in the literature. I guess I just thought "paid $12 for child(well not actually pay-but you get the point), child eats from child's menu where available". Just logic I guess. No CM has to clear my conscious, this isn't that kind of decision.

I am sure Disney is aware of this and most likely is working on a fix right now. Do we think Disney automatically has the best, smartest software? This is a new system for them, they have "kinks" to work out. What if they can't get the system to separate the different plans, so that child credits are used for child meal-will the program end or will we pay $38 dollars a day for a 3 year old to eat. For me, this is my last year of the 3-9 year old price-so I don't care either way. I know what is intended and I am using the plan that way.

I get the points from both sides, really I do, but come on... No large, sucessful corporation intends to throw freebies, not even Disney.

 

[DiszyDean]

Doesn't it seem like a thread of this nature happens once every few months...?

You have two distinct opposing sides...

The "Moral Police" side...where questioning perfect a perfect stranger's moral code is an acceptable action and everyone is out to bust the Disney empire.

vs.

The "Disney Loophole" side...where it is ok to take advantage of an existing "perceived" loophole in the mighty Disney empire...

The real problem is that if this was a heavy hitter on Disney's laundry list of items, the perceived "loophole" would be closed..period...

Is anyone really naive enough to think that Disney has not figured out and did not know when they announced the Dining Plan that this would and could happen with pooled credits?

Of course they knew it....They also knew that the percentage of people using the system in this way was going to be so low, it was not worth putting in what would be perceived as "more restrictions" into a plan that was marketed as giving you the freedom of choice. Magic Your Way..all of that jazz..

And no, sadly, I do not have documented proof that Disney knew about this. I do not have notes from their staff meetings when they were discussing this plan...But, I can also make some logical assumptions based upon a few years of practical business experience.

Bottom line is...people tend to get really upset and uppity about an issue that Disney does not consider to be important enough to enforce.

Is it honest? Probably not...

Is this going to end the dining plan or cause Disney to change it? Probably not...

Have some people put more thought and worry into this than Disney for no reason? Probably....

 

[DiszyDean]

And by the way....the question from the OP was an honest question that many people have had...not everyone is as familiar with the dining plan as some people on this board and have not studied the "moral" implications of their questions before posting...

 

[patrizella]

Doesn't it seem like a thread of this nature happens once every few months...?

You have two distinct opposing sides...

The "Moral Police" side...where questioning perfect a perfect stranger's moral code is an acceptable action and everyone is out to bust the Disney empire.

vs.

The "Disney Loophole" side...where it is ok to take advantage of an existing "perceived" loophole in the mighty Disney empire...

The real problem is that if this was a heavy hitter on Disney's laundry list of items, the perceived "loophole" would be closed..period...

Is anyone really naive enough to think that Disney has not figured out and did not know when they announced the Dining Plan that this would and could happen with pooled credits?

Of course they knew it....They also knew that the percentage of people using the system in this way was going to be so low, it was not worth putting in what would be perceived as "more restrictions" into a plan that was marketed as giving you the freedom of choice. Magic Your Way..all of that jazz..

And no, sadly, I do not have documented proof that Disney knew about this. I do not have notes from their staff meetings when they were discussing this plan...But, I can also make some logical assumptions based upon a few years of practical business experience.

Bottom line is...people tend to get really upset and uppity about an issue that Disney does not consider to be important enough to enforce.

Is it honest? Probably not...

Is this going to end the dining plan or cause Disney to change it? Probably not...

Have some people put more thought and worry into this than Disney for no reason? Probably....

I feel I must reply to you because I question your point that Disney knew this going in and thought -most people will not take advantage of this "loophole" that we can fix. They don't need to put restrictions in writing, if they have the software system to support their intentions. They could have easily designed the system to auto tally child meals from adult meals if they thought this was a probability. I think this is a new program they are trying to make appealing to the masses. I think putting restrictions in writing is not necessary. I think that Disney has trust in their CMs to follow the program. As with all companies, employees will make mistakes, some intentional others not.


Do you work for Disney? Are you a part of the team that makes these types of decisions? I can't imagine any "practical business" person would say this is the way to do business.

This thread is doing what all discussion forums do-provoke conversation.

As you say "Have some people put more thought and worry into this than Disney for no reason? Probably.." but you still felt compelled to join in.

No disrespect-just my opinion.

 

[thelionqueen]

I just had to jump in here.

Why does anyone care what anyone else does? Seriously, it is none of your business.

You use the dining plan how you want, let others use it the way they want. Just because someone uses (not abuses) the system as it is designed, does not mean they are trying to "milk the system for everything it's worth"

 

[DiszyDean]

I feel I must reply to you because I question your point that Disney knew this going in and thought -most people will not take advantage of this "loophole" that we can fix. They don't need to put restrictions in writing, if they have the software system to support their intentions. They could have easily designed the system to auto tally child meals from adult meals if they thought this was a probability. I think this is a new program they are trying to make appealing to the masses. I think putting restrictions in writing is not necessary. I think that Disney has trust in their CMs to follow the program. As with all companies, employees will make mistakes, some intentional others not.


Do you work for Disney? Are you a part of the team that makes these types of decisions? I can't imagine any "practical business" person would say this is the way to do business.

This thread is doing what all discussion forums do-provoke conversation.

As you say "Have some people put more thought and worry into this than Disney for no reason? Probably.." but you still felt compelled to join in.

No disrespect-just my opinion.

I do not work for Disney, don't have any input into their decision-making processes..However, when you are running a multi-billion dollar company, there is an acceptable measure of loss in some areas for means of greater gains in others...That is just common sense.....To put it simply, if Disney was losing money hand-over-foot because of this problem, they would have changed/stopped the program. They had a full year of data to look at and decided not to change it. Truth be told, I am sure they are making out like bandits on the Dining Plan. They create a guaranteed customer base for their resteraunts. The $20 they lose when someone uses this loophole obviously isn't worth changing the plan vs. the money they are bringing in with it.

To end this problem, Disney could have seperated child and adult credits. Period..Would have fixed the problem. They looked at the plan and left it as it is....Maybe they just didn't check the Disboards for all of the sound business advice on how to run their company?

When I was talking about the people who had put a lot of "thought and worry" into this issue, it is mainly for the people who are trying to be Disney's accounting firm and tend to jump on people in threads who even question if this is ok or not..

With all due respect..

 

[jonkatony]

This is a discussion site? we are discussing the dining plan. I think that people are using the plan in way that suits them, so what!
What has made me contribute to the discussion is that people using the plan in this way seem to have the 'moral issues' and appear to be hell bent on justifing their actions.

Go have fun.

 

[DebIreland]

Doesn't it seem like a thread of this nature happens once every few months...?
You have two distinct opposing sides...
The "Moral Police" side...where questioning perfect a perfect stranger's moral code is an acceptable action and everyone is out to bust the Disney empire.
vs.
The "Disney Loophole" side...where it is ok to take advantage of an existing "perceived" loophole in the mighty Disney empire...

Ah! But thats where you're wrong. We're not discussing whether it's right or wrong to use the child credits, we're discussing whether or not it was *intentional* on Disney's part for that to happen. I honestly wouldn't care about posters saying they've made the most of this *glitch* and had a blast - yes I'd be jealous, lol, cause after all I'll be charged 76 dollars for my 11 and soon to be 10 year old to eat while some adults have a free for all for 24 dollars.... ahem, but anyway, bottom line outside of a little bit of (understandable I think) jealousy that they're doing it, that's about it, move along.... BUT it's when people claim that no, they're not making the most of a glitch in the system, no they're not taking advantage, actually Disney TOLD them to do it, Disney ENCOURAGE them to do it, Disney WANTS them to do it, that's what irritates me. I mean, sure yeeeeaaahh, Disney are sitting there hoping all these adult couples eat themselves silly for 24 dollars. Give me a friggin' break.

 

[pedro2112]

BUT it's when people claim that no, they're not making the most of a glitch in the system, no they're not taking advantage, actually Disney TOLD them to do it, Disney ENCOURAGE them to do it, Disney WANTS them to do it, that's what irritates me. I mean, sure yeeeeaaahh, Disney are sitting there hoping all these adult couples eat themselves silly for 24 dollars. Give me a friggin' break.

so you are calling every single poster who has talked with Disney management and CMs who told them this is a perfectly acceptable way to use the plan, liars? What about when Disney employees volunteer this information without asking? What about the CMs who have stated they were instructed by management to tell guests that they were allowed to use their credits this way? Everyone is a liar to you?

One the one side of the argument you have the actual plan writing itself and countless episodes of CMs and management telling people this is acceptable under the plan....

on the other side you have people's own perception of how the plan should work with nothing to back it up either in writing or in how the plan has been implemented at WDW.

 

[DebIreland]

so you are calling every single poster who has talked with Disney management and CMs who told them this is a perfectly acceptable way to use the plan, liars? What about when Disney employees volunteer this information without asking? What about the CMs who have stated they were instructed by management to tell guests that they were allowed to use their credits this way? Everyone is a liar to you?

Nope, haven't called anyone a liar. Wouldn't dream of it. I could easily toss that argument around and say that you're calling me and all those who believe a child's credits are for children liars but I wouldn't accuse you of that cause I don't believe it.

One the one side of the argument you have the actual plan writing itself and countless episodes of CMs and management telling people this is acceptable under the plan....
on the other side you have people's own perception of how the plan should work with nothing to back it up either in writing or in how the plan has been implemented at WDW.

You want proof? The word 'CHILD' - that's all the proof you need. The plan clearly state that it costs 38 for adults and 12 for children - it doesn't say 12 for children and their parents, it just says children i.e. under 10s. That's all the evidence you should need.

But let me ask you this. Clearly you truly believe that Disney wants and encourages parents of under 10s to eat adult meals for 12 dollars a day. As you're so convinced of it, can I ask you why? That's all, a simple 'why?'. It's an honest question that I'm genuinely curious about. Why on earth would Disney grant this amazing perk so arbitrarily to one type of adult i.e. an adult with a child under 10? Encourging those adults to eat expensive 3 course meals for 12 dollars whilst all the while insisting that a young child aged 10 pay 38 dollars? Surely you can see the injustice there? Can you see why it seems like a very unfair perk to those of us not in that category i.e. those of us with older kids?

 

[ryty44]

I was in Disney this past August and was lucky enough to have the dining plan free as part of the promotion. I have a 9 year old, who was 8 at the time of travel-and the thought never crossed my mind.

You are right when you say this is not clearly defined in the literature. I guess I just thought "paid $12 for child(well not actually pay-but you get the point), child eats from child's menu where available". Just logic I guess. No CM has to clear my conscious, this isn't that kind of decision.

I am sure Disney is aware of this and most likely is working on a fix right now. Do we think Disney automatically has the best, smartest software? This is a new system for them, they have "kinks" to work out. What if they can't get the system to separate the different plans, so that child credits are used for child meal-will the program end or will we pay $38 dollars a day for a 3 year old to eat. For me, this is my last year of the 3-9 year old price-so I don't care either way. I know what is intended and I am using the plan that way.

I get the points from both sides, really I do, but come on... No large, sucessful corporation intends to throw freebies, not even Disney.

I am a little confused, your post starts out by saying you were recently there and got the dining plan for free and ends by saying Disney doesn't give freebies, would you mind clarifing?? They do give freebies or they don't?

P.S. Disney is far from giving away free meals by pooling the credits, they actually are ensuring you eat on property--instead of going else where looking to save a buck. Mighty wise but most big corporations are, aren't they?

 

[ryty44]

Ah! But thats where you're wrong. We're not discussing whether it's right or wrong to use the child credits, we're discussing whether or not it was *intentional* on Disney's part for that to happen. I honestly wouldn't care about posters saying they've made the most of this *glitch* and had a blast - yes I'd be jealous, lol, cause after all I'll be charged 76 dollars for my 11 and soon to be 10 year old to eat while some adults have a free for all for 24 dollars.... ahem, but anyway, bottom line outside of a little bit of (understandable I think) jealousy that they're doing it, that's about it, move along.... BUT it's when people claim that no, they're not making the most of a glitch in the system, no they're not taking advantage, actually Disney TOLD them to do it, Disney ENCOURAGE them to do it, Disney WANTS them to do it, that's what irritates me. I mean, sure yeeeeaaahh, Disney are sitting there hoping all these adult couples eat themselves silly for 24 dollars. Give me a friggin' break.

ACtually I am the original poster and you obviously didn't get my question either. I did not ask wether it was right or wrong to use the plan like this---nor did I ask if it was designed to be used like this. I asked how the credits were given to you, was it pooled or individual, because I heard mixed things outside of DIS, so if you want a moral debate or thread on morality I would suggest creating your own thread. And to those who answered my question I truly thank you--it has been so helpful. And to those who are holier than thou and have so much spare time on your hands that you come on to this board to lecture about what is right and wrong in your own minds, may you find peace and the courage to be happy with yourselves. Worry about yourself and judge yourself and the world would be a better place.

 

[DebIreland]

ACtually I am the original poster and you obviously didn't get my question either. I did not ask wether it was right or wrong to use the plan like this---nor did I ask if it was designed to be used like this. I asked how the credits were given to you, was it pooled or individual, because I heard mixed things outside of DIS, so if you want a moral debate or thread on morality I would suggest creating your own thread. And to those who answered my question I truly thank you--it has been so helpful. And to those who are holier than thou and have so much spare time on your hands that you come on to this board to lecture about what is right and wrong in your own minds, may you find peace and the courage to be happy with yourselves. Worry about yourself and judge yourself and the world would be a better place.

I was directly responding to DiszyDean, not to your original post.