ARDs, why do they ask me...

[Shasta]

When making ARDs, why do they ask me if I am a part of the dinning plan? I can't figure out why it would matter at the time of booking unless it either helped or hurt your ability to get a specific time.

Anyone know why?

Thank you!

 

[foxfire]

I'm glad you asked that. I've been wondering the same thing.

 

[whacked]

I asked and I was told that they want to relay that information to the resturants so they bring you the correct bill at the end of the meal.

Don't know if that's the real reason, but that's what I was told.

 

[crisi]

I'd guess they are doing data collection. They know how many people have dining over a given time, they know how many ARs are made. If they know how many of those ARs are for people with the dining plan, they know how many people are wandering around without ARs and a dining plan.

 

[ScoJo15]

It's because if you are on the dining plan, you are cordoned off into a special area labled "Dining Plan Only" where the service is lousy and the waiters keep mumbling something about "15%...cough...cough...not enough...cough....cough...no free refill....cough....desert choice limited...cough...cough....can't pool kid credits....cough...cough..."

The nice thing is that you are given a free camera and laptop at the table to upload pictures of your food straight to the DISboards!

Seriously, I think it is collected for Disney's research department only. That way they know who makes ADR's. The restaraunt does not know that you are on the dining plan when you arrive, so the information is never passed on.

 

[Shasta]

Since I originaly posted my question I have had another thought. It may also be helpful to ensure that people with dinning plans are choosing a site that accepts them. I can just see dinning at a resturant that dosen't and being hit with a big bill. Anyway, thanks for the opinions!

 

[shellybaxter]

I think it is for research purposes as well. They asked that question long before the current Disney Dining Plan came about. There used to be silver and platnum plans which included meals but didn't seem as popular as the current plans and they asked the same question "Are you on any plan that includes dining?"

 

[Lewisc]

I'd assume guests on the dining plan are more likely to order dessert and appetizers for everyone at the table than cash guests and are likely to take longer to eat since they're eating appetizers and dessert.

Restaurants may want to have extra food on hand and book fewer tables for the evening.

 

[bigbabyblues]

They asked me the same thing, but they always asked AFTER the ADR was made. It couldn't have anything to do with whether or not you get the ADR that way. They asked for our 2004 dining ressies too, I think they put it in on the ressie so the restaurant will know when you get there in case you don't remember to tell the server.

 

[Anewman]

They have also asked me if I am staying on-site or off and where.

Sounds like research to me.

 

[ChrisLei]

The reason they ask is because some restaurants require a credit card deposit. IF you are on the dining plan they will not ask you for your redit card number because they will link it up to your room since you are staying on property.

 

[oogieboogie]

research, research, research.

 

[ducklite]

I'd assume guests on the dining plan are more likely to order dessert and appetizers for everyone at the table than cash guests and are likely to take longer to eat since they're eating appetizers and dessert.

Restaurants may want to have extra food on hand and book fewer tables for the evening.

I disagree. Yes, there are some people who will capitalize on teh dining plan to eat at places and order things their budget wouldn't normally allow, but my guess is that they are greatly in the majority.

Anne

 

[ladyariadne]

I asked about this when I made a reservation. I was told that it was because some of the restaurants have limited menus for the dining plan and the servers need to know about it so that you get the right menu.

If this is the case, I sure hope the menu is not severely limited.

Anyone know?

Elizabeth

 

[oogieboogie]

I haven't seen a restaurant that limited its menu for DDP vs non-DDP. The servers don't know you're on DDP unless you tell them. We've gone to Le Cellier on DDP and non-DDP and the menu is the exact same thing. Same with Kona, CRT, Whispering Canyon, etc.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

The reason they ask is because some restaurants require a credit card deposit. IF you are on the dining plan they will not ask you for your redit card number because they will link it up to your room since you are staying on property.

We're on the dining plan and had to give CC for both HDDR and CRT

 

[daisax]

Each time I was asked I stressed that while I was on the plan I didn't know in advance which meals I would be using it for and might be paying out of pocket.

It was a complete non-issue. I had to announce in each case that I was on the dining plan -- they had no clue. Maybe in one or two places they asked, but that was probably to save time as so many people were.