Beaches and Cream will not allow sharing

[3boys4me]

Huh. Well, this must be only a DDP plan thing. Just last week my family split a sandwich and an order of onion rings (as a prelude to the kitchen sink, that is why it was such a small order) and it arrived divided neatly onto separate plates which we didn't expect all. We paid OOP for it all though and that must be the difference.

I was wondering about paying oop. Certainly they can't tell you that you can't share if you're paying, can they? To me it shouldn't matter how you are paying for your food. Just because it's free dining doesn't mean you were able to get in on it. I'm sure there are plenty of people there during fd that paid for their plan. I don't know .

 

[wdwluver]

same thing happened to us last year during free dining at California Grill - dd had been ill, and couldnt eat much, waitress said we could take her entree "to go" but she was charging us 6TS credits whether she ordered food or not!! (and we took her meal togo - it was a wonderful lunch btw!! I'm sure it was steak, and I probably heated the potato and veggie item in the food court microwaves)

This year we're going not on Dining plan and hope we dont have to order an entree each - dd wants to eat there for her bday but only likes their flatbread - and the WISHES from the balcony!!

How can a restaurant tell you they are going to charge you for an entree simply because you're taking up a seat? That just seems insane. Whether it is free dining or not, the restaurant is still getting paid for the food, and the waitress is getting a tip based upon the total amount of food ordered.

 

[honeymo78]

Disney could, if they wanted to, require each person dining with the DDP to use credits at each meal and prohibit sharing flat out. The brochure doesn't preclude them from doing so, and previous versions (perhaps even current) seemed to imply that each person at the table would be charged 2 credits at signatures, regardless of what they ordered. Clearly most restaurants don't charge everyone a credit, but they could. To be honest, I'm sure disney expects each person to use a credit. If a family normally eats 2 table service meals a day, disney would rather they use credits for 1 meal and pay OOP for the other, rather than share and pay for those meals with credits alone. I suspect, if too many people "stretch" their credits and it affects disney's profit, you'll find that disney will start charing each diner the applicable number of credits.

 

[lojikal1]

Disney could, if they wanted to, require each person dining with the DDP to use credits at each meal and prohibit sharing flat out. The brochure doesn't preclude them from doing so, and previous versions (perhaps even current) seemed to imply that each person at the table would be charged 2 credits at signatures, regardless of what they ordered. Clearly most restaurants don't charge everyone a credit, but they could. To be honest, I'm sure disney expects each person to use a credit. If a family normally eats 2 table service meals a day, disney would rather they use credits for 1 meal and pay OOP for the other, rather than share and pay for those meals with credits alone. I suspect, if too many people "stretch" their credits and it affects disney's profit, you'll find that disney will start charing each diner the applicable number of credits.

I'm not sure if I understand how it would hurt their profits. Dining credits are non refundable right? So if I have 12 meals to eat and so does everyone else in my family then the only two outcomes are 1.) eating 12 meals each and 2.) not eating twelve meals each. If 1 occurs then Disney makes whatever they were going to make anyway. If 2 occurs then Disney actually gets over because we didn't eat as much as expected... the more often a family shares, the less likely they are to use all of their credits by the end of their trip, right?

I would think that sharing between guests on a dining plan would be highly encouraged!

 

[imthatgirl]

I'm not sure if I understand how it would hurt their profits. Dining credits are non refundable right? So if I have 12 meals to eat and so does everyone else in my family then the only two outcomes are 1.) eating 12 meals each and 2.) not eating twelve meals each. If 1 occurs then Disney makes whatever they were going to make anyway. If 2 occurs then Disney actually gets over because we didn't eat as much as expected... the more often a family shares, the less likely they are to use all of their credits by the end of their trip, right?

I would think that sharing between guests on a dining plan would be highly encouraged!

exactly. it also brings the guests into more restaurants. the more times you enter a restaurant the more you spend. whether it be an extra app or more alcohol, you are adding to the bill. especially if you are sharing, you are more likely to get the app.

 

[honeymo78]

I'm not sure if I understand how it would hurt their profits. Dining credits are non refundable right? So if I have 12 meals to eat and so does everyone else in my family then the only two outcomes are 1.) eating 12 meals each and 2.) not eating twelve meals each. If 1 occurs then Disney makes whatever they were going to make anyway. If 2 occurs then Disney actually gets over because we didn't eat as much as expected... the more often a family shares, the less likely they are to use all of their credits by the end of their trip, right?

I would think that sharing between guests on a dining plan would be highly encouraged!

Yes people can eat 12 meals each or not eat 12 meals each and disney makes money when people don't use all their credits. However, most reports of people sharing are so they can "stretch" their credits so that they don't have to pay for anything OOP. Others are "saving" their credits for a signature meal.

Here's an example. Mom, Dad, Billy and Suzie have DDP. They like to eat 2 TS meals on some days however they only get 1 TS meal per day. Instead of paying OOP for lunch and using the TS credits for dinner, Mom and Dad share a meal at lunch and dinner, and Billy and Suzie also share a meal. Disney makes more money when everyone orders their own meal at dinner using the TS credit and pays OOP for 4 more meals at lunchtime. Even if the family buys an appetizer at lunch and dinner to share with the table, that is much cheaper than paying for the second full meal for 4.

In the case of saving for a signature, again Disney get more money out of it if people use the TS credits for the signature and then pay OOP for the other meal.

 

[tloft]

Disney could, if they wanted to, require each person dining with the DDP to use credits at each meal and prohibit sharing flat out. The brochure doesn't preclude them from doing so, and previous versions (perhaps even current) seemed to imply that each person at the table would be charged 2 credits at signatures, regardless of what they ordered. Clearly most restaurants don't charge everyone a credit, but they could. To be honest, I'm sure disney expects each person to use a credit. If a family normally eats 2 table service meals a day, disney would rather they use credits for 1 meal and pay OOP for the other, rather than share and pay for those meals with credits alone. I suspect, if too many people "stretch" their credits and it affects disney's profit, you'll find that disney will start charing each diner the applicable number of credits.

They could, but it would be a substantial change in the terms of the Dining Plan. While the fine print allows them to make whatever changes they want they would have to publish a change that severe and they have not. The ability to use your credits as you see fit has been unchanged in the terms of the plan. In four dining plan trips I have never had any trouble sharing which we did frequently. In one instance we were charged two credits at the Coral Reef even though we shared a meal. Rather than even waste park touring time messing with it at the restaurant, I simply went to the concierge desk at the hotel, explained the mistake, and was refunded the credit in moments, without any trouble. They can pull up your ticket and see that you had one entree and one dessert. If the restaurant doesn't have a seat charge for non-dining plan guests (which is essentially what the dinner shows have - which is why you can't decline to eat and watch for free) it would be out and out fraud to charge a dining plan guest two credits for a single meal.

In terms of the Beaches & Cream staff I am sure you are simply seeing out and out greed on their part. They have some of the lowest priced entrees available for a TS credit. They know that if the guests are splitting a burger and dessert that is going to be a pretty low total to tip on. If they can get you to order two full meals thats twice the tip for them - assuming you would still tip them the same percentage. If you want to eat at Beaches and Cream I wouldn't worry about this too much. If your waitress gives you trouble just speak to the manager or the concierge at your hotel later.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I just don't understand why they do this. It's your food, you paid for it (whether on DP or not) so I don't get why they wouldn't let you do what you want with it. I'm sorry but if it was me, I would be speaking with the manager.

 

[MsAmerica]

Beaches has a new manager who is implementing rules that were never enforced by previous managers. Unfortunately, it is the staff on the front lines, i.e., the wait staff, that is forced to inform the guests of "new" rules.

I understand when a guest doesn't like what a waiter/waitress tells them but it is usually never the CM deciding on their own to enforce a rule. It is the manager of the restaurant who is telling them they "have" to or risk being terminated or formally reprimanded.

I can guarantee you the waitress was told in a meeting that she had to enforce the rule or risk her job....And in these tough times, I am sure the CM's don't really want to hurt their own families livelihood by allowing a guest to bend a rule that could get them fired.

Also, I would imagine a guest doesn't want to be the reason a CM lost their job because they wanted to stretch a dining credit, right???


MsA

 

[maggiew]

Was this because of the dining plan or a general rule? We won't be on the dining plan and usually share.

Maggie

 

[PammyPoppins]

HoneyMo78,
I see you are from Ridley Park, Pa. Hi! neighbor, we live in Springfield, Pa. (Delaware County), not far from you at all.
PammyPoppins

 

[jcemom]

I'll have to keep an eye on this one. We're staying at BCV in January, planning to get the DDP but would pay OOP at B&C. If we can't share then we're not eating there. We'd be going mainy for desserts anyway and I thought the four of us (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 child) would split two sandwiches and some onion rings to save room for desserts. I'm not ordering two extra meals that we don't want. We'll just get our ice cream elsewhere.

 

[honeymo78]

HoneyMo78,
I see you are from Ridley Park, Pa. Hi! neighbor, we live in Springfield, Pa. (Delaware County), not far from you at all.
PammyPoppins

Hi neighbor

 

[RMulieri]

Hi!
We just got back from Disney World last night. We were there for 12 nights and had Free Dining. It was Great and the only place that gave us trouble with sharing was Beaches and Cream. Our waitress was Darlene and she was nice enough but she said me and my daughter could not share a entree and dessert and that they would charge 3 credits(it was me, my husband and my daughter) now matter if she ordered anything or not.My daughter was not hungry but she ordered anyway. It seemed like a waste of food but the waitress said that is their policy. That is the only lace the whole 12 night stay that gave any trouble at all. Most times my daughter did get her own entree but a few we shared.
I just wanted to post this in case it helps someone.
PammmyPoppins

We only had No way joses, and Darlene was our waitress, and I heard her tell 3 different tables the same thing.So I don't know if this is policy or just her.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

That's strange that they don't allow you to share. I will still continue to go there, because the kitchen sink is sooo good.

 

[jenjersnap]

I'll have to keep an eye on this one. We're staying at BCV in January, planning to get the DDP but would pay OOP at B&C. If we can't share then we're not eating there. We'd be going mainy for desserts anyway and I thought the four of us (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 child) would split two sandwiches and some onion rings to save room for desserts. I'm not ordering two extra meals that we don't want. We'll just get our ice cream elsewhere.

We did this EXACTLY on 9/13. No one batted an eyelash and, as I said earlier, it even came out separated on plates. I explained to her we were there mostly for desserts so she understood that our small dinner order equals big dessert order, lol. This is about DDP credits, not paying OOP.. After all, you can get a seat at B&C and JUST order dessert ... why wouldn't a server want the additional tip coming from serving some real food too (when the customer is paying cash)?

 

[honeymo78]

We did this EXACTLY on 9/13. No one batted an eyelash and, as I said earlier, it even came out separated on plates. I explained to her we were there mostly for desserts so she understood that our small dinner order equals big dessert order, lol. This is about DDP credits, not paying OOP.. After all, you can get a seat at B&C and JUST order dessert ... why wouldn't a server want the additional tip coming from serving some real food too (when the customer is paying cash)?

Right, paying cash you can order or nor order whatever you please. The restaurant either has new rules or is enforcing old unused rules regarding DDP credit use.

 

[Cookie Princess]

Honestly, for the price of the food at Beaches and Cream - we always pay OOP here. It is not the best use of dining credits from purely a financial standpoint. I would think you could share if you pay OOP.

 

[dzorn]

How could they charge you for credits if you did not get anything? Who is to say that the three of you are all on the dining plan. Families do split up and travel with other family members that may not be on the plan. What if only two of you are so how could they force you to use a credit for someone not no the plan after all that is not allowed by dining plan rules. I would just have the third person explain they are not on the plan and order a coke or fries. I would refuse to sign the slip they brought out if it was not correct.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Right, paying cash you can order or nor order whatever you please. The restaurant either has new rules or is enforcing old unused rules regarding DDP credit use.

Yes but it has never been a requirement that all members of your party be on the dining plan.

Denise in MI