Changes to MYW Dining?

[LisaRay]

Any opinions on this:
We are going for 10 nights and my parents who have never been to disney are joining us for 3 nights. We would like to be able to use a couple extra of our credits to take them out to dinner once or twice. We will be 2 adults and 2 kids but on the plan it will actually be 3 adults and 1 child. So if my 14 yr. old DD and I share a couple meals here or there and therefore have a couple of extra credits built up do you think we would be able to use them to take the parents out for dinner with those extra credits?

This would not be scamming disney out of any food for the wrong prices as instead of my DD ordering her own full 3 course meal she may on occasion share with me and so we would then in turn use the unused credit for grandma later that week. What do you think?

 

[lisatradingspaces]

Ok, first of all, when I was sold my package I was told that there were no "child" or "adult" credits. The credits would be pooled together for the "family" to use any way we want and that to buy into the plan it costs $35 for each and $10 for each child on the reservation. Not that there are $35 credits and $10 credits. I was also told that children would be encouraged to order off of the kid's menu but that if there was nothing they liked they could usually get something else from the menu in a smaller portion.

Also, anyone who thinks that Disney is going to lose money by the average family paying CASH for a meal or two for their child and then using the extra credit for a signature meal is silly!

To even get the plan you have to pay rack rate, no discounts and you have to buy full price park tickets for everyone, no AP's or anything else that might save you any money.

With the meal plan they know you will stay on property more than most families would. I know we were originally planning to eat off property a lot as there are several restaurants outside I would have liked to try and while we were outside "the World" I also planned to do some shopping.

Now Disney has convinced me to stay on property to eat 100% of my meals and spend 100% of my time and money there. Wow, pretty smart on their part.

They wouldn't be losing anything on me if I took a "$10 credit" and used it on a $25 meal. Are you kidding me?

And Bete, yes I am a Christian too and I am offended that you would judge people you do not even know. I'm somehow not a good Christian because I was going to use the dining plan exactly how it was advertised and sold to me? Wow, that's pretty bold of you say. I'll leave it at that.

Lisa

 

[NMW]

I don't think people were trying to "scam" Disney...after all, most pay alot of money just to go! Trust me, Disney makes money no matter how the credits are distributed.

And before the meal plan...the Dreammaker pkg w/ wishes also "pooled" the credits so if Disney changes things, I'll be surprised.

That's true, but the Dreammaker silver plan was very different. It included recreation options (boating, golf, leave a legacy til, etc.) that the wishes could be used for. Plus, you could use the wishes anyway you wanted (like all sit-downs).

The MYW dining is strictly a meal plan that you pay per person for. It's very specific about what you get (1 ts, 1 cs, 1 snack). It's a lot cheaper than the silver plan also. I think Disney probably should give each person on the plan the number of credits they should get and that's it. I know, I know others may disagree with me. But it seems fair to do it this way. Also, no one can complain that they are not getting what they paid for.

 

[freakylick]

Otherwise they would say, sorry but you are on the plan and you child needs to use their credits to cover their meal.

And it is being rumored that this is in fact what Disney is saying. They have always been a little slow in getting things fixed

 

[lisatradingspaces]

I think Disney probably should give each person on the plan the number of credits they should get and that's it. I know, I know others may disagree with me. But it seems fair to do it this way. Also, no one can complain that they are not getting what they paid for.

And that would be fine if that is the way they advertised it and then stuck to it, but it's not.

They have reservation agents telling us we can use the credits however we want and they have waitresses and waiters suggesting to people that they pay cash and save credits for later.

Then people who take the suggestions are being put down here for doing what DISNEY told them they could do! People are going as far as to say they are ruining the plan for everyone else and that Disney will take away this "benefit" because they did exactly what they were told they could do by cast members!! I think that is sad. But of course only my opinion.

Lisa

 

[freakylick]

Ok, first of all, when I was sold my package I was told that there were no "child" or "adult" credits. The credits would be pooled together for the "family" to use any way we want and that to buy into the plan it costs $35 for each and $10 for each child on the reservation. Not that there are $35 credits and $10 credits. I was also told that children would be encouraged to order off of the kid's menu but that if there was nothing they liked they could usually get something else from the menu in a smaller portion.

Well if your feel that the program was misrepresented to you, then you need to take up issue with Disney. If you feel that it was properly presented to you, only to be changed, then you can cancel your ressie (if you are outside your 45 days), or you can take up the issue with Disney. But the program is presented as "subject to change".(read the fine print on the brochure).

Also, anyone who thinks that Disney is going to lose money by the average family paying CASH for a meal or two for their child and then using the extra credit for a signature meal is silly!

So when someone does this, Disney makes money?? They may still make money on the entire package that they sold, but this specific practice costs them money.

 

[Anewman]

I'm enjoying the free dining plan promotion coming up, but I couldn't believe the amount of scheming that was going on to get extra, non-existant people onto the plan to get more credits. Also, AP holders buying one day of tickets to get free dining for all for the entire length of their stay was dissappointing, too. Technically, you can do it, but it stretches the point of the promotion.

Okay, now you can tell me how wrong I am.......

I agree adding non-existant persons(children) to ones MYW package is fraud.

I do not agree that AP holders that CHOOSE to give up AP room Discounts and buy a MYW package with the min required day(s) of park tickets is some kind of scheme.

If the program was designed to be all adult credits, there would be no necessity to differentiate the two

Well isnt that EXACTLY how the plan was designed? They do not differentiate, they may in the future but they do not yet.

Now I paid $35 per day for my 13 year old($980 family of 4, 7 nights) that will surely not eat $35 worth of food. So I will be feeding him mostly Counter service(he prefers burgers and dogs) and I will eat mostly Table service(I prefer prime rib/eye), They are all adult credits but I am sure you will still feel this is not how the plan was intended to be used.

Okay, now you can tell me how wrong I am.......

You are not wrong, you have your opinions. Others have shared your opinions in this thread, but you are the only one that threw in "church goers" and "high ground" comments(wont mention Parenting remarks).

As someone else stated, nice high road.

 

[Bete]

expect to get a $35 credit , instead and not call it stretching it to the nth degree?

CMs, travel agents, etc. are taught to upsell. We, as individuals, need to distinguish between the spirit of the law and the letter of the law.

Obviously, if Disney taught these practices were alright, they wouldn't be considering the changes.

 

[NMW]

Any opinions on this:
We are going for 10 nights and my parents who have never been to disney are joining us for 3 nights. We would like to be able to use a couple extra of our credits to take them out to dinner once or twice. We will be 2 adults and 2 kids but on the plan it will actually be 3 adults and 1 child. So if my 14 yr. old DD and I share a couple meals here or there and therefore have a couple of extra credits built up do you think we would be able to use them to take the parents out for dinner with those extra credits?

This would not be scamming disney out of any food for the wrong prices as instead of my DD ordering her own full 3 course meal she may on occasion share with me and so we would then in turn use the unused credit for grandma later that week. What do you think?

I don't think you would "officialy" be able to do this. I'm sure this is not what Disney intended with the meal plan. I can understand Disney stopping children's credits being used for adult meals. Especialy for people not even buying the MYW package.

That being said, unless Disney has made the changes to the pooling of credits prior to you trip, I don't see you having too much of a problem. Unless of course the server asks where the 2 extra adults came from. Are you taking your children too? Would the server be able to tell that the meal plan was for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids)? I'm not sure how this works.

I would plan on paying for them just in case, Disney can change ANY policy at ANY time. All their literature says this. Or you may get a CM who is a stickler for the rules. So, you never know what will happen.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Now I paid $35 per day for my 13 year old($980 family of 4, 7 nights) that will surely not eat $35 worth of food. So I will be feeding him mostly Counter service(he prefers burgers and dogs) and I will eat mostly Table service(I prefer prime rib/eye), They are all adult credits but I am sure you will still feel this is not how the plan was intended to be used.

I see nothing wrong with that. After all, its an adult credit, you paid the same $35 for your credits as you paid for your 13yr olds.

 

[pixie08]

I think they would have all the meals on one card, but categorized into adult meals and kids meals for CS and TS meals.

I have to agree...I hope this is what they do.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I can understand that families who PAID for this and were told that they could use their credits anyway they wanted would be upset. If you got the plan for free like we did, too bad, it's free!

I think that the child's credits should only be used for children's meals. You are paying $10 vs. $35, you should get what you pay for.

I hope they will still let you share meals and use your credits for other people. We would like to treat our friend to a meal or two when she joins us. I know that we will not be able to eat all the food we get everyday, I would like to share a few meals.

As for "fraud" - absolutely. You can bet that people are buying the plan for children under 3 and adding fake children to their reservations in order to get extra adult meal credits. Who cares if you have to buy and extra ticket, you don't have to use it.

 

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

All I will say is that I hope when Disney changes the plan (It won't stay this way forever) that they don't go back to the old way and just give you a certain dollar amount of food you can order. This would make people have to order the cheaper items to make their dollars last for the trip. We wouldn't be able to just order anything off the menu no matter how much it cost. Letting everyone order whatever they want makes the trip more relaxing and fun.
I look at it this way. Adults are $35 and Kids are $10. There is no way that I can feed my family 2 meals (1 CS and 1 TS) and a snack for this price. No matter how much food I eat from what I am allowed to order it is still a good deal.
For the people that are fussing about an appetizer, meal, dessert and drinks being too much food....don't order all of it. This is a good problem. I love having the option of ordering a little or a lot. I understand letting someone share your plate because your child won't eat much but for the others that are down talking the plan because of all the food you get is too much...just don't order ALL of it. If you take from it ONLY what you would like to eat it still is a good deal and you will still get your money's worth! The idea is to make vacation more relaxing and stress free.

As far as using child credits for adults...we all know that people will continue to do this as long as they can. No suprise there.

 

[unixadm]

I can understand that families who PAID for this and were told that they could use their credits anyway they wanted would be upset. If you got the plan for free like we did, too bad, it's free!

I don't agree that it is "too bad" for the "free" meal plan for many people.

In my case, I spent over $400 more to get the "free" meal plan. I have AP's and had the AP discount on the room, and didn't need park passes. I had to pay rack rate for the room and buy passes for the park that I didn't need.

I did this under the belief that the meal plan works as advertised. Sure it is "subject to change at any time", but that isn't in the best interest of Guest Service.

I agree that the current plan leaves itself open for some abuse, but when you look at the millions of people using it and the few abusing it, the percentage is very small.

If they want to change it, that is fine....but it should be announced way in advance and and only affect those who are buying after the announcement.

If they just dump this on people that already purchased, already planned around the current configuration, then they are just showing that they are no longer "guest" oriented and more of just a big money making corporation.

 

[lisatradingspaces]

Well if your feel that the program was misrepresented to you, then you need to take up issue with Disney. If you feel that it was properly presented to you, only to be changed, then you can cancel your ressie (if you are outside your 45 days), or you can take up the issue with Disney. But the program is presented as "subject to change".(read the fine print on the brochure).
QUOTE]

No, I don't think it was misrepresented to me. I think that what the agent told me is indeed how it is and that's how people are using it. I was just sad to see people attacked for using the plan the way it was sold to them or how it was suggested by CAST MEMBERS that they use it. If the person/company selling it to you says you can use it a certain way and then you do, that is not stealing, scheming or cheating.

Of course, everything is always subject to change and if it does, so be it. Still just saying that people are only using the plan the way it was sold to them, not condemning themselves to hell and teaching their children to lie and steal.


And no, in the particular situation of using cash for a meal and then using an extra "child's" credit for another meal is probably not usually a gain Disney's part. Although it could be if we use it for an "adult" meal, put the kids in their daycare which we wouldn't normally do for $60 and then buy alcoholoc drinks for cash which we don't do when the kids are with us, then in fact they actually will come out ahead in our particular situation. But usually the gain is the extra $100's I'll spend at Disney because I am on the Dining plan which I bought because of the way it was presented to me. That's business 101. Bring people in with something that they view as a deal and once they are there they will spend more. You low ball the price on something or give an incentive and people will come and buy or spend on other things.

If Disney really wanted it to be a no no the servers would not be telling people to do it. When I worked at Disneyland someone was fired because they took a roll of toilet paper out of the bathroom and tried to leave with it because they had a cold and wanted to use it as tissue. They are very strict when it comes to cast members stealing or costing them money. If it weren't approved by Disney there wouldn't be so many servers advocating the use of the plan that way.

Disney isn't stupid, they know exactly what they are doing. If me using a "child's" credit for one more expensive meal will keep me on property 100% of the time of my 8 day vacation, Disney wins.

Now if Disney decides they don't want people to do it anymore then they will change it and everyone who works there will be notified. But for now it seems it's acceptable and I don't think people on this board should be called names for doing what is allowed.

Lisa

 

[lentesta]

I'm told the "free food" offer for WDW Resort guests will be offered again, starting tomorrow, and running through August 5. Valid dates are supposed to be August 21 - Oct 4.

Len

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

I'm told the "free food" offer for WDW Resort guests will be offered again, starting tomorrow, and running through August 5. Valid dates are supposed to be August 21 - Oct 4.

Len

Oh man! I so wish they would do this for next October Cause I dont think we can make it happen again this year

 

[YayDisney!]

Well if your feel that the program was misrepresented to you, then you need to take up issue with Disney. If you feel that it was properly presented to you, only to be changed, then you can cancel your ressie (if you are outside your 45 days), or you can take up the issue with Disney. But the program is presented as "subject to change".(read the fine print on the brochure).
QUOTE]

No, I don't think it was misrepresented to me. I think that what the agent told me is indeed how it is and that's how people are using it. I was just sad to see people attacked for using the plan the way it was sold to them or how it was suggested by CAST MEMBERS that they use it. If the person/company selling it to you says you can use it a certain way and then you do, that is not stealing, scheming or cheating.

Of course, everything is always subject to change and if it does, so be it. Still just saying that people are only using the plan the way it was sold to them, not condemning themselves to hell and teaching their children to lie and steal.


And no, in the particular situation of using cash for a meal and then using an extra "child's" credit for another meal is probably not usually a gain Disney's part. Although it could be if we use it for an "adult" meal, put the kids in their daycare which we wouldn't normally do for $60 and then buy alcoholoc drinks for cash which we don't do when the kids are with us, then in fact they actually will come out ahead in our particular situation. But usually the gain is the extra $100's I'll spend at Disney because I am on the Dining plan which I bought because of the way it was presented to me. That's business 101. Bring people in with something that they view as a deal and once they are there they will spend more. You low ball the price on something or give an incentive and people will come and buy or spend on other things.

If Disney really wanted it to be a no no the servers would not be telling people to do it. When I worked at Disneyland someone was fired because they took a roll of toilet paper out of the bathroom and tried to leave with it because they had a cold and wanted to use it as tissue. They are very strict when it comes to cast members stealing or costing them money. If it weren't approved by Disney there wouldn't be so many servers advocating the use of the plan that way.

Disney isn't stupid, they know exactly what they are doing. If me using a "child's" credit for one more expensive meal will keep me on property 100% of the time of my 8 day vacation, Disney wins.

Now if Disney decides they don't want people to do it anymore then they will change it and everyone who works there will be notified. But for now it seems it's acceptable and I don't think people on this board should be called names for doing what is allowed.

Lisa

Wow! Really well stated! I completely agree with your statements.

And the for those who are name-calling, it is both childish and immature.

 

[deborah]

Well, as of just a few minutes ago the dining plan brochure on disneyworld.com still has the following info in it:

Number of Meals During Your Package Stay
The Disney Dining Plan includes one (1) Counter Service Meal, one (1) Snack, and one (1) Table Service Meal per person, per night of your package stay for everyone in the party ages 3+. For example, a party of 4 staying for 5 nights would receive 20 Counter Service Meals, 20 Snacks and 20 Table Service meals to use during their package stay. also.....

Using Your Meals
Use your meals and snacks in any order and in any amount throughout your package stay until your total is depleted.
For example, on the day of arrival your party could use four (4) Counter Service meals, and then on day 2 your party could use four (4) Table Service Meals, four (4) Counter Service Meals, and two (2) Snacks. You can continue using meals any way you like for the rest of your package stay until the number of meals/snacks are depleted.

Until we get an official word and this info is changed to reflect the inability to pool credits then we can "assume" it is still being handled this way.....they are still in fact advertising it as such.

 

[wintermom]

I am very sorry to be reading the tone of so many of your "high road"
and "what we are teaching our children" post. If Disney did not allow the
practice and know full well it was going on they could and may put a stop
to it, but for now and in the past I can't see anything wrong with maximizing
the options they offer. Some places are expensive, and people may order
the most expensive items on the menu. Some people choose to eat at
places like prime time cafe or other not so expensive places - cost the same
credits.
I personally would never feel comfortable with splitting meals -
just my thing- but I would never accuse anyone of unchristian behavior or of me taking the high road by never doing that. Disney allows meal splitting so take advantage of it if you wish.

Lets get this board back on the helpful friendly track that I so enjoy!

Wintermom