A week of DDP sharing (long)

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

If you're looking to flame someone use your "<-Back" button now....we did not ever use a "child credit" to get an adult meal....(not that "child credits" exist yet anyway)....and now back to your regularly scheduled thread...

Travel dates: July 2-9, 2006
Cast:
Me- 34
DH-37
DS-12
DS-11
DS-6
and DD - 1
on their own card but often dining with us were:
Dmom- 56...who you will notice only drinks water, and skips all desserts
Ddad- 57

Why am I writing this? People are asking a lot about DDP and sharing. We experienced it and thought it might help some people to know what we found. We know things can and do change daily but this is about our 7 days and 9 waitpersons.
Why did we share? The boys that disney considers "adults" DS-11 and DS-12 do not eat as much food as the plan gives them. It is a true waste of credits to have them order more food than they can eat. We still left food on the plates at every meal.
What did we do with the "saved credits"? DH and I used them. Once when Dmom and Ddad took all the DS's to Midevil Times and again when Dmom and Ddad took all the kids so DH and I could go out without kids to LeCellier.
What did we "save" or "spend" by sharing? We spent $30 in cash leaving extra tips to a few great waitstaff. We saved $160 by using the saved credits later. Net Savings of $130 that was then spent of souveniers and adult beverages. (Plus another $800ish in souveniers but who's counting?)
Child Credits? We were asked at 1/2 the places if DS-6 was getting a meal. He was, so no further conversation ensued. I had the feeling that If he was the one not ordering a meal (in essence "saving a child credit") there might have been a problem. Concourse, Sci-Fi and Coral Reef come to mind here.

Liberty Tree Tavern. Family style meal, served on a platter, passed around....everyone had to use a credit here because there is no sharing at a buffet nor family style meal. DD-1 did not pay becuase she is under 3, we did not order a drink for her so we do not know if they would have charged for her. We were able to use a credit to treat a friend using DH's credit from missing chef mickey.
Cerdits used: 5A, 1C (Dmom and Ddad did not attend this meal)

Concourse Steak House. Ordered 6 meals. DS-12 and DS-11 shared both the appetizer and entree. Waitress split the meal behind the scenes. Dmom did not want her drink nor dessert so they went to one of the boys. She had water. DD-1 shared with me. DS-6 had a childs meal with child appetizer and dessert. Credits used 3A, 1C plus 2A from Dmom
Additional tip left because the waitress was wonderful (Dmom left some too). We even stopped to tell Manager how wonderful this waitress was. Truly a gift to Concourse and Disney.

Chef Mickey Breakfast. Buffet. No Sharing. DD-1 was offered a drink free of charge, had her own plate- also free of charge. DH missed this meal so:
Credits used: 3A, 1C plus 2A from Dmom

Kona Cafe. Ordered 6 meals. DS-12 and DS-11 shared both the appetizer and entree. Waitress did not split the meal behind the scenes but provided an extra plate happliy. Dmom did not want her drink nor dessert so they went to one of the boys. She had water. DD-1 shared with me. DS-6 had a childs meal with appie of chix.noodle soup from adult menu and dessert from adult menu (kiddie cone)
Credits used 3A, 1C plus 2A from Dmom
Adult drinks oop. (alcohol)
Additional tip left because the waitress was wonderful.

Coral Reef. Ordered 6 meals. DS-12 and DS-11 shared entree, I gave one of them my appetizer. Waiter did not split the meal behind the scenes but provided an extra plate. Dmom did not want her drink nor dessert so they went to one of the boys. She had water. DD-1 shared with me. DS-6 had a childs meal and child dessert, plus shrimp coctail from the adult appetizer menu as there were none on the child menu (server offered, we did not ask.)
Credits used 3A, 1C plus 2A from Dmom
Of note: DD cried when my soup was gone and waiter brought her a bowl of her own....i fully expected to pay for it and when he did not give me a bill I gave him the $10 as a tip. He said the plan tipped him and he wanted to return the $ to me. I insisted and he did take it... with about 6 "thank you's"

Sci-Fi Dine-In.Ordered 6 meals. DS-12 and DS-11 shared entree, I gave one of them my appetizer. Waiter split the meal behind the scenes. Dmom did not want her drink nor dessert so they went to one of the boys. She had water. DD-1 shared with me. DS-6 had a childs meal, childs appie and childs dessert.
Credits used 3A, 1C plus 2A from Dmom
No extra tip here. This guy was not "into" his job, even before he asked if we were on the DDP he was grumpy and should have taken a sick day. He was not rude about the sharing, just not friendly about anything.

1900 Park Fair. Only Me, DH and DD-1 for this meal. Buffet. No sharing. DD-1 did not order a drink but did have her own plate from the buffet.
Credits used 2A (saved from Concourse and Kona by "Adult" boys sharing)

Le Cellier. Only Me and DH. No sharing (didn't try) Paid oop for 2 adult (alcohol) drinks and a cheese soup (in addition to included appetisers) and 2 Coffee's (already had soda)
Credits used 2A (saved from Coral Reef and Sci-Fi by "Adult" boys sharing)
Additional tip left because the waitress was wonderful.

 

[Shell0616]

Thank you, I enjoyed reading your review. Even though we will be on the dining plan I also plan to tip if the service is really good.

for me the plan will be free and I have a hard time not tipping. In England ( they don't tip) I had to beg them to take the tips. They would laugh or smile and look at me like I was a goofy American but I feel like I just have to do it.

 

[The Sweetness]

Fabulous report! Thank you for being so generous with you time taken to write it. I hope I do as well with my report in 11 months

 

[punkin]

Thatnk you so much for taking the time to write all that up for us. It sure makes me feel better about my plans.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Thanks for the great report! It is great to hear that sharing is not a "no no" yet

 

[4mcbjCtr]

As all the others already stated, thanks so much for posting. I plan on doing something similar as to what you are doing. It is good to hear they are allowing it still.

 

[lyzziesmom]

This is very similar to the way I have used the DDP twice in the past, and I believe this is the spirit in which the plan was designed to be used. Basically you just eat as you normally would; sharing food is part of the dining experience, especially in families. I truly do not understand why all these people get their panties in a wad about sharing. The brochure states that you can't share "entitlements" (read: credits) between an adult and a child. Nowhere does it say that you can't share food. Bravo for sharing your experience and shedding some light on this for others.

 

[bertalander]

Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to type it all out. Loved it.

But you'd better be quick! Go put your flame resistant gear on... I hear sirens screeching up behind me fast.

Gotta run for it they are still hunting for me from 2005 when we split numerous CS meals.



Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Meezers]

Thank you....having planned our trip and paying for dining I am getting so stressed out with rumours about not being able to share...and we will be 2 adults!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

This is what we need more of...first hand reports, rather than speculation and interpretation! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[seven dwarfs]

Great review. I had fun reading this. It also cleared some issues up for me and saved me from being "flamed" for asking certain questions!

Thank you for breaking down each place as you did. It was a pleasure to read. Glad you had good service at most meals.

 

[disneymom06]

Thanks for the first hand report. We also have "adult" children by disney standards and there is no way that they can eat all that food. Nice to know that sharing is not considered a no no on the plan (as in OOP situations.) Looking forward to our trip in a month, hope we have the same positive experiences.

 

[Aimeedyan]

THANK YOU!

There were so many people getting their panties in a wad about no sharing when NO ONE has been told by an actual waiter at an actual restaurant that they can't (unless someone has posted in the last week and I missed it).

I bet the Disney execs that read this board are having a good laugh about those freakin' out about it =)

Sounds like your family ate well and that you had pretty good service! We plan to bring extra cash for tips as well.

 

[angel's momma]

Thank you!

OT: Since your mom only drinks water - did she order bottled water at CS? If so, did she have any problems doing so?

 

[GrumpeyMom]

Great report! My kids are both "adults" by Disney standards but my DS still will order off the kids menus most of the time. I'm glad to know that we can share meals as we see fit (since we're all "adults"). Sounds like you had a great trip!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Thank You all for your positive responses...It makes me feel like it was worth taking the time to write it all up. (I type slow!)

Angels Mom- I don't remember my mother getting bottled water at the CS places, at lunch i think she chose sugar-free lemonade. Sorry I can't offer info on this.

 

[trip]

I'ts great that the sharing worked out so well. I hate to waste food. My only question is "how did you get your sons to agree on what to eat" ?

 

[Meezers]

I'ts great that the sharing worked out so well. I hate to waste food. My only question is "how did you get your sons to agree on what to eat" ?

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I'ts great that the sharing worked out so well. I hate to waste food. My only question is "how did you get your sons to agree on what to eat" ?

Promise them their own dessert...that's the only part of the meal they really care about anyway.

 

[disney2d2]

You know because of people like you Disney loses millions of dollars. And now I am reading that some moral DISers have created an online petition asking Disney to stop "sharers" or forcibly take away their credits. The petitioners are arguing that sharers are preventing Disney from fulfulling it's All American dream, that no matter what size appetite you have, no one should eat less than a three course meal. And also since they don't want to share, no body should be allowed to do so.

See what you did...