Changes To Dining Plans May-June 2015

[senadler]

he folks on the phone, online, and even the "Moms Panel" frequently provide inaccurate information. Even if they told you that, you can't really rely on it.

That is why I specifically asked the question in chat. I have a written answer from Disney. If I purchase a dining plan based on this answer and they later don't honor it, I would expect compensation for that.

 

[Woodstock65]

What is the question you were asking? I sent a question through chat specifically on whether we could use dining credits for those not on the dining plan and was told yes we could do that.

I was asking if, in fact, you could substitute the drink from a quick service meal for a side/snack at the resort or park, and I wanted a list of the changes that I could print and take with me (going next week) in case there was any confusion. I didn't get my answer or official confirmation on the changes.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

I am confused. If I went to Disney tomorrow, could I substitute a salad or cup of soup for a dessert at a TS restaurant? Have the changes taken place yet? We are going in Aug., what are the chances that the change will be made before that?

The changes are supposed to be in place now. If going tomorrow, you would ask your server what your options are for substituting and they would explain them. Unfortunately, no way to know for sure in advance yet.

Why would Disney put this information out before it is official?

They seem to be doing a "soft opening" where cast members are being trained on what is allowed and implementing changes, but no official word while they presumably iron out all the details. I rode Star Tours during a soft opening and had a fantastic time, but if it hadn't been running, I wouldn't have complained because it wasn't officially open yet. Likewise, current guests should be able to take advantage of the dining plan changes, but if someone isn't fully trained yet or Disney adjusts things before making it official there should theoretically be less upset.

 

[supersnoop]

That is why I specifically asked the question in chat. I have a written answer from Disney. If I purchase a dining plan based on this answer and they later don't honor it, I would expect compensation for that.

You're going to be held to the terms of the plan that you agreed to when you purchased the plan. The terms say no. You won't get any sort of compensation because someone in chat gave you the wrong answer.

 

[oj01]

Yes, on some UNofficial reports.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/disne...y-dining-plan-aim-to-add-more-flexibility.htm

The link (even unofficially) says Dessert OR Drink can be exchanged for a side. Unclear whether both can be exchanged for 2 sides.

 

[andrewilley]

there are no fundamental changes to the Dining Plan program, just changes in the way that things can be used or what items can be selected.

Talk about an utterly self-contradictory statement! No fundamental changes... oh, except to the way it works and what food you can have!

Have the changes taken place yet?

Yes, the new procedures were officially notified to cast members at the end of last month, and the changes then became live on the systems and available to guests as of 31 May. However, how it now works has not been announced - other than via some leaked documents which were all over the internet very quickly. But all Disney will say officially is that there have been some changes made, but they won't confirm exactly what those changes are and say to ask the cast members when you arrive. This sort of game of Chinese whispers is not really the best way to communicate information to guests some two weeks after the change has already been made...

Andre

 

[jon18uk]

and some of the changes have been reported for years anyway. Lots of resort food court CMs would exchange one counter service meal for three snacks anyway to help people use credits up. So some of the "changes" are just making official things that have always been happening.

 

[Emsody22]

Does anyone know if I can preorder BOG lunch for 4 adults meals even though we are a party if 2 adults and 2 children on the dining plan as of now with the new changes?

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

Does anyone know if I can preorder BOG lunch for 4 adults meals even though we are a party if 2 adults and 2 children on the dining plan as of now with the new changes?

I am sure you can. It's still unofficial that they are ok with or encouraging people to do this, but the system already allowed adult meals for kids at QS. If you had any issue, I would think it would be at time of payment, not when preordering, and I would expect no problems.

 

[Emsody22]

I am sure you can. It's still unofficial that they are ok with or encouraging people to do this, but the system already allowed adult meals for kids at QS. If you had any issue, I would think it would be at time of payment, not when preordering, and I would expect no problems.

Thank you!

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

The link (even unofficially) says Dessert OR Drink can be exchanged for a side. Unclear whether both can be exchanged for 2 sides.

There's no true clarity until an official policy is in place, announced, and seen in practice. Many of the unofficial reports have some conflicting information on whether the drink can be exchanged and where the trade to snack credits is available. I was providing the link simply to show a report that indicated the drink could be substituted out.

Thank you!

You're welcome! However, thought I'd add: if you're interested in swapping a drink or cupcake for soup at BOG, then I would recommend not preordering and asking a cast member if there's no announcement before you go.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disney will not be giving you a list of these changes that you can print and take with you.

 

[newestkg06]

I think the idea here is both correct and frustrating: this is a soft open so that they can properly train in employees. I have heard of some resort gift shops running very low on snack credit items, so maybe that is part of the hold-up prior to an announcement. The frustrating part: the rules are unclear so that you will have to ask every time, slowing everything down, and you may end up with an uncooperative or uninformed cast member. Maybe they will announce these changes on the 22nd when they announce 2016 packages?

 

[aaarcher86]

That is why I specifically asked the question in chat. I have a written answer from Disney. If I purchase a dining plan based on this answer and they later don't honor it, I would expect compensation for that.

They'll just tell you sorry and give you the official documentation of the dining plan availablto everyone.

Having a chat printout won't get you much, aside from a headache trying to argue for compensation.

 

[senadler]

They'll just tell you sorry and give you the official documentation of the dining plan availablto everyone.

Having a chat printout won't get you much, aside from a headache trying to argue for compensation.

I don't really agree with this. If I am calling them for clarification before I purchase a dining plan, I would not accept them just telling me sorry that was wrong information. If I do not have the option of using my credits for others not on the plan, I simply would not be buying the plan. This is a lot more important question than can I get an order of fries instead of a drink. Our trip is not until October, so I am hoping they put something more formal out before then. But either way, I plan to have them clarify this again at the time I contact them to add the dining plan a few days before our trip.

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't really agree with this. If I am calling them for clarification before I purchase a dining plan, I would not accept them just telling me sorry that was wrong information. If I do not have the option of using my credits for others not on the plan, I simply would not be buying the plan. This is a lot more important question than can I get an order of fries instead of a drink. Our trip is not until October, so I am hoping they put something more formal out before then. But either way, I plan to have them clarify this again at the time I contact them to add the dining plan a few days before our trip.

I get where you're coming from. The reality is there is a brochure on the DDP which will hold more weight than a chat CM conversation. It's readily available on the website.

Hopefully they'll be a documented change to the DDP before you leave and it won't be an issue.

 

[supersnoop]

I don't really agree with this. If I am calling them for clarification before I purchase a dining plan, I would not accept them just telling me sorry that was wrong information. If I do not have the option of using my credits for others not on the plan, I simply would not be buying the plan. This is a lot more important question than can I get an order of fries instead of a drink. Our trip is not until October, so I am hoping they put something more formal out before then. But either way, I plan to have them clarify this again at the time I contact them to add the dining plan a few days before our trip.

Like any purchase, it doesn't matter what they tell you, but what they write in the contract. The dining plan brochure still states, very clearly, that you cannot redeem credits for someone not on your plan.

I suppose you could sue them for "detrimental reliance" afterwards, but that won't be much help at the time.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

2016 packages come out on June 22nd. That seems an ideal time for Disney to increase Dining Plan prices (which have stayed the same for over a year as OOP prices have risen) while softening the blow by adding flexibility. If the Deluxe plan is going to officially be this flexible, I expect a significant increase in child prices. This would be necessary. Here's an example:

Family of 5 - mom, dad, 3 Disney children (9 or under) traveling with 2 grandparents
Book 2 rooms: first room has mom and kids on deluxe plan, second room has dad and grandparents with no plan
At current prices Deluxe plan is costing them less than $200 for 12 meal credits and 8 snack credits a day
With the proposed flexibility, the four adults can use these credits for three TS meals or a regular TS + Signature TS each day and let the kids eat off their plates or pay child prices for buffets or kids' meals.

In this scenario the adults are paying less than $50 a day each for a ton of food. They're getting the child price break twice. Either there will be limitations or prices are going to increase significantly for the kids.

 

[12disneybee]

PoohsHunnyBee, this is exactly what we are doing but we area only booking one room. Taking complete advantage before or if there is a change in price. There are 7 of us. It was actually cheaper to book one room at ASsp free dining on DxDP and book 4 people and get 168 DxDP credits for 14 nights. We found a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo at Windsor Hills for $875 for 14 nights....we are also {renting a van, we don't do buses ever} so 2 people in AsSp and the other 5 in the condo. We had this booked before the new changes, worked out saving us a lot of money on food!!

 

[12disneybee]

we don't leave till September, so hopefully this is will be all sorted out