Changes to MYW Dining?

[gemjoy]

Sorry, the credits and the program were not designed for families to take advantage of child credits as adult credits. The attitude of this being ok is shocking to me. These same parents are teaching their children not to lie, cheat, steal, etc. I'm taking the high ground on this one! I'm not perfect, but this is blantantly wrong.

If something isn't done about this, the plan will be dropped or go up in cost to the point of not wanting to do it anymore for most people. It's not fair to everyone else to ruin such a nice program.

I'm discouraged to see such practices coming from what should be holsum families, especially church goers. I know you are smart enough to know this is wrong. It's sad that Disney has to control all the loop holes and abuses done by the tourists. If the program was designed to be all adult credits only, there would be no necessity to differentiate the two and obviously Disney did not have that intention when the program was started.

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.

I'm sure, if a change goes through by Disney, there will be a grandfather clause for those who are already in the program before they make this change official.

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

Are you for real?????????? So outspoken and might I say down right NASTY! You should be ashamed of yourself and get off your high horse!!!!! You have NO idea how this plan was presented to every individual that purchased it. I purchased the dining plan for a trip in 06' (three adult and one child) and plan to use it any way I please... and until YOU pay for my meals at disney maybe you should tone it down a bit!!!!!

Oh and by the way........ I come from a wholesome, church-going family!!! Believe me BETE, I'm honest and know right from wrong - you shouldn't be so concerned with how everyone is vacationing in Disney.... didn't anyone ever teach you "to each his own"???

~have a great day

 

[kristen17]

HayGan, I don't see that language in my materials. Can you point me to it? I want it to be there , just can't find it.

 

[PoohHappens]

For those of you who are aruing just because it is offered to you it is not right and you would not do it......are you sure. If you get to the park before official opening but the CM's say that everyone can go in a half hour early are you going to just stand there and not go in because it is not the officially posted opening time. If when you get in and a CM offers you a pile of fast passes to be used as you wish on rides are you not going to take them and use them. If they say hey its your birthday have some dessert on us, are you not going to take it because you did not pay for it. The folks who origionally talked about using their credits for adult meals and paying for their kids only did so because they were told they could. They were not lying or cheating. If this went against the appropriate use of the plan and was a problem the many CM's would have been reprimanded or fired. I am sure if a CM suggested to a patron to jump off the tot that they would have had some kind of consequence. Disney set it up with no distinguishing of points on the card, they are not stupid, I can not imagine this is some huge oversight. If they decide to change it, they can, if they decide it is not cost effective to do it this way, fine they can change the system. But until the system is changed this is how it has been working. If you feel uncomfortable with it fine don't do it. But dont keep saying that the others are doing something horrible and you are so glad they are changing it so they can't. Its not like they are doing the dine and ditch. Most of us are at the mercy of the server to really understand how to use the program, if my server suggested I should just pay the 4.99 for my child and I could use the credit later, I would of said OK just like many here did. Maybe they would preferr to use the kid credit for something that costs more like a character meal.
For those of you using the free dinning (myself included) who cares if you order a kid meal or an adult meal you still paid NOTHING for it. To say that people are scamming by purchasing a one day MYW ticket, Disney offered the package that way. Just remember when you eat your free food, which was offered to you, that paying OOP for the kid meal and getting to use and extra adult credit was offered just the same to the other person who did that. One is not better and one is not worse.

 

[unixadm]

HayGan, I don't see that language in my materials. Can you point me to it? I want it to be there , just can't find it.

Not the exact same terminology as HayGan's but, the current pdf from Disney's site is here:

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...s/MYWDining.pdf

It has the specific terms of

"For example, a party of 4 staying 5 nights would receive 20 counter service meals, 20 snacks and 20 Table Service Meals to use during their package stay"

"Use your meals and snacks in any order in any amount throughout your package stay until your total is depleted"

and

"You can continue using meals any way you like for the rest of your package stay until the number of meals/snacks are depleted"

Of course, it does have the all covering disclaimer that "operating hours, menus, entertainment, Characters, Disney Dining Plan locations, components and terms are subject to change without notice."

The main thing that jumps out at me is "ANY ORDER" and "ANY AMOUNT".

That means that if we get Fairy Godmothers to stay with our kids one night, we should be able to go to a Signature restaurant and use 4 TS meals if we wish that would get taken from the total.

If they split into individual credits, then our kid's would never eat alone, so there would be extra "kids" credits that could never be used unless we paid OOP for adult meals.

It definitely takes the flexibilty out of it.

 

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

I called the PS res. line today (7/20) and spoke with a CM who explained to me that as of now, the credits are assigned to each card (ticket) separately. To clarify, I asked her if my family were to dine at a TS restaurant (2 adults, 2 children), could we present the server with 1 card (say, DH"s), and all 4 credits be deducted off of the card for the meal? She said no, there is no longer a "master card" nor are all the credits tied into all of the cards. She stated we would have to provide the server with all 4 cards, and then the credits would be deducted off of each card accordingly.

Then I asked a similiar question with regard to a CS meal, and again she stated that with each meal ordered, the proper card would have to be provided. So one could not provide 1 adult card and 1 child, and order 2 adults meals...or I suppose they could, but the meals would be deducted from the adult card, and nothing would be deducted off of the childs. She did say that for snacks, it made no difference since a soda from an adult plan is the same as a soda from the childs (or popcorn, whatever). She stated the credits are not "pooled" and are basically assigned to the card that you are given upon check-in ~ the one with the room "key" assigned to it and the park admission (if one pays for that as well). So basically it seems as though there are now "adult credits" and "child credits" and they are tied to each individual card - the CM also stated that the card has the name of the guest imprinted on it, and it either states, "child or adult" right on the card. If what I was told is correct and up to date, I guess it is going to be pretty hard to use a child's credit for an adult meal from now on. But good luck to those who will still try.....

Has anyone else called to confirm this. Just wondering. I have read so many times where one CM tells something different from another one every time. Maybe if Disney trained better this thread would be a lot shorter.
For everyone "taking the High Road" or name calling.... CHILL OUT! Flame me if you want but I am excited about my vacation and don't really care where anyone else is staying, what rides they are on or if they stay in their room the entire time or where or how they eat! Vacations are to fun and exciting and reading about them is suppose to be helpful and boost the excitement! Not make everyone angry at everyone else! Where is everyone that has something positive to say? We need you about now!!

 

[madge]

I called the PS res. line today (7/20) and spoke with a CM who explained to me that as of now, the credits are assigned to each card (ticket) separately. To clarify, I asked her if my family were to dine at a TS restaurant (2 adults, 2 children), could we present the server with 1 card (say, DH"s), and all 4 credits be deducted off of the card for the meal? She said no, there is no longer a "master card" nor are all the credits tied into all of the cards. She stated we would have to provide the server with all 4 cards, and then the credits would be deducted off of each card accordingly.

Then I asked a similiar question with regard to a CS meal, and again she stated that with each meal ordered, the proper card would have to be provided. So one could not provide 1 adult card and 1 child, and order 2 adults meals...or I suppose they could, but the meals would be deducted from the adult card, and nothing would be deducted off of the childs. She did say that for snacks, it made no difference since a soda from an adult plan is the same as a soda from the childs (or popcorn, whatever). She stated the credits are not "pooled" and are basically assigned to the card that you are given upon check-in ~ the one with the room "key" assigned to it and the park admission (if one pays for that as well). So basically it seems as though there are now "adult credits" and "child credits" and they are tied to each individual card - the CM also stated that the card has the name of the guest imprinted on it, and it either states, "child or adult" right on the card. If what I was told is correct and up to date, I guess it is going to be pretty hard to use a child's credit for an adult meal from now on. But good luck to those who will still try.....

so, now I have to have everyone's key card when I order a meal at Pecos Bills, and the dining CM will swipe each card? I have absolutely no issue with desiginating child's and adult's credits, but to have each card at a counter service restaurant sounds like a hassle not only to me, but the CM at the register. Maybe it won't be...I guess that depends on the crowds and how many people actually are on the meal plan.

One of us always orders the food, and the other takes the children to get a table, wash hands, etc.

I guess we just wait and see how this all shakes out.

 

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

For those of you who are aruing just because it is offered to you it is not right and you would not do it......are you sure. If you get to the park before official opening but the CM's say that everyone can go in a half hour early are you going to just stand there and not go in because it is not the officially posted opening time. If when you get in and a CM offers you a pile of fast passes to be used as you wish on rides are you not going to take them and use them. If they say hey its your birthday have some dessert on us, are you not going to take it because you did not pay for it. The folks who origionally talked about using their credits for adult meals and paying for their kids only did so because they were told they could. They were not lying or cheating. If this went against the appropriate use of the plan and was a problem the many CM's would have been reprimanded or fired. I am sure if a CM suggested to a patron to jump off the tot that they would have had some kind of consequence. Disney set it up with no distinguishing of points on the card, they are not stupid, I can not imagine this is some huge oversight. If they decide to change it, they can, if they decide it is not cost effective to do it this way, fine they can change the system. But until the system is changed this is how it has been working. If you feel uncomfortable with it fine don't do it. But dont keep saying that the others are doing something horrible and you are so glad they are changing it so they can't. Its not like they are doing the dine and ditch. Most of us are at the mercy of the server to really understand how to use the program, if my server suggested I should just pay the 4.99 for my child and I could use the credit later, I would of said OK just like many here did. Maybe they would preferr to use the kid credit for something that costs more like a character meal.
For those of you using the free dinning (myself included) who cares if you order a kid meal or an adult meal you still paid NOTHING for it. To say that people are scamming by purchasing a one day MYW ticket, Disney offered the package that way. Just remember when you eat your free food, which was offered to you, that paying OOP for the kid meal and getting to use and extra adult credit was offered just the same to the other person who did that. One is not better and one is not worse.

You go!
I will have to say (as a Christian)
If a CM offers something special to me or my family then I just might take them up on it. BONUS!

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Just for the record, just because I think the credits should be seperate does not make me judgemental. Do what you want. I also havent called anyone any names, or gotten nasty about anything, I just stated my opinion and that is all. I just took the wording differently thats all. Use it how you see fit, and I will do the same.

And Besunnyside up, I wish I could CHILL OUT, cause its freakin hot here today


The more I look at the word judgemental, the funnier it looks. Its the mental part, maybe Im just mental, instead of judgemental

 

[maxaroni]

Perhaps it's me, we are taking the free dining plan (were going to before it became free) and my ds is 12, so we knew he was an adult price, right from the get go. However, I don't see that using any amount in any way one wants to mean that you can use a child credit for an adult meal. Again, perhaps because I'm not in that situation. I take it that, if you choose, you could use 3 adult TS's and 3 child's TS's in one day (whatever). I would have thought that since I bought a $10.00 credit for my 9 & under, that's who it's for. I don't know. On the other hand, if the child's price is $10.00, I am not sure if that means you can't use it for an adult meal, only that Disney is figuring that to be a fair price for a child/day. This is very and finding it typical that it is worded confusing and every CM has a different take on it. I still say that one problem is that each CM gives a different answer and interpretation of most things. What I don't like is someone preaching that by doing something that a CM says is ok to do, is wrong or immoral. The whole thing is confusing and if one asks the CM and that's what they are told, that's what they are told and so be it.

 

[HayGan]

HayGan, I don't see that language in my materials. Can you point me to it? I want it to be there , just can't find it.

It is not in the current version but it was in the version available when I researched and booked my trip. Luckily, I kept the original pdf file. I can send it to anyonw interested

 

[InnerStrength]

so, now I have to have everyone's key card when I order a meal at Pecos Bills, and the dining CM will swipe each card? I have absolutely no issue with desiginating child's and adult's credits, but to have each card at a counter service restaurant sounds like a hassle not only to me, but the CM at the register. One of us always orders the food, and the other takes the children to get a table, wash hands, etc.

Yes Madge, that is how it was explained to me just today. The way I asked was if DH was to stand in line at a counter service restaurant and order food for the 4 of us while I looked for a table with the children, could he provide all of the cards and have each one swiped for each meal, or do we all have to wait in the line and provide our own cards for each meal. The CM stated that it would be no problem for us to find a table rather than stand in line together while DH orders food however he would have to have the cards required so the CS server could swipe each one. I know this sounds like a pain, however it may be being enforced to ensure that the credits are used for the proper person, or rather a child or an adult.

Anyone else may call to confirm this and may or may not get the same answer, however I called just today (the 407-wdw-dine number), and the CM that I spoke with seemed sure of herself. When I questioned her about the "pooling of credits" and whether or not all were placed into a central account, she asked me to hold for a moment and stated she wanted to check with her supervisor to be sure that she was giving me the correct info. According to what she told me, the credits are no longer all linked to one card, but are individualized. She also stated she has been employed by dining relations since March 05.

Perhaps others will try to confirm this.

 

[PoohHappens]

Ok so I just called for kicks, and guess what nobody really knows. I was first told that we will all have our credits on our own cards, like the tickets, then I was asked to hold and was told that all credits would be split between the two adult cards and not any on my three year olds. The bottom line, at this point nobody knows anything just go with the flow and use your credits however offered to you. Just don't fill up your ASM mug at the Poly while you are taking a swim and booked at POR.

 

[Anewman]

Has anyone else called to confirm this. Just wondering. I have read so many times where one CM tells something different from another one every time. Maybe if Disney trained better this thread would be a lot shorter.

That is all so true, it is the Disney way. Ask one CM get answer A, ask another CM get answer Z.

And in case of pooled TS credits, reports of CMs explaining that CHILD meal credits can only be used on kids meals(and not adult 3 course meals) have been coming in since the dining plan started. Me thinks that some cast members just assume that is the way the plan works.

Until trip reports start showing that change has taken effect, I will label this a rumor(that has been speculated about for months).

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

I guess I don't understand the whole dynamics of the cost/savings...SO many people write their reports up and say the food is wasted, they can't eat that much etc...why not get the discounted room instead of rack rate and dining plan.....and if you have AP's get the DDE card as an additional savings? The dining plan savings must be really huge!


hmm....<----needs to search on savings benefit

We did the DDE card last time and it was a joke.
Because of the amount of tax and gratuity, we ended up not really saving much. We'd get the bill, which was a subtotal, and THEN they'd total it with the card and everything and it almost broke even.
Not to say we didn't save *anything* but we definitely ate at more expensive places than we would have assuming we'd be 'saving' so much with the DDE and it just didn't work out well for us.

 

[clombardi]

I'm discouraged to see such practices coming from what should be holsum families, especially church goers. I know you are smart enough to know this is wrong. It's sad that Disney has to control all the loop holes and abuses done by the tourists. If the program was designed to be all adult credits only, there would be no necessity to differentiate the two and obviously Disney did not have that intention when the program was started.


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

I'd be glad to...when we were at disney last week we were absolutely encouraged by CMs to do this. In fact, when I used a credit to pay for my DD7's lunch at a TS, the server thought I was insane.

You have got to be kidding bringing in the "church goers" comment. I am in church every Sunday, teach Sunday School and vacation Bible School, and provide support for the elderly. I am a fifth grade teacher in my community and I am kind and honest to a fault at times. Me using my dining plan credits as they are clearly able to be used is in no way a reflection of my relegious conviction. Lighten up!

 

[LoveWDW]

It looks as if my plan to use four of our TS credits (all adult) at a TS dinner for my husband and myself and two adult guests will still be permissible. Right?

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

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.

This conversation, as I understood, was based on the free dining plan - not the $10/$35 one.

 

[madge]

Yes Madge, that is how it was explained to me just today. The way I asked was if DH was to stand in line at a counter service restaurant and order food for the 4 of us while I looked for a table with the children, could he provide all of the cards and have each one swiped for each meal, or do we all have to wait in the line and provide our own cards for each meal. The CM stated that it would be no problem for us to find a table rather than stand in line together while DH orders food however he would have to have the cards required so the CS server could swipe each one. I know this sounds like a pain, however it may be being enforced to ensure that the credits are used for the proper person, or rather a child or an adult.

Anyone else may call to confirm this and may or may not get the same answer, however I called just today (the 407-wdw-dine number), and the CM that I spoke with seemed sure of herself. When I questioned her about the "pooling of credits" and whether or not all were placed into a central account, she asked me to hold for a moment and stated she wanted to check with her supervisor to be sure that she was giving me the correct info. According to what she told me, the credits are no longer all linked to one card, but are individualized. She also stated she has been employed by dining relations since March 05.

Perhaps others will try to confirm this.

Luckily, I have 10+ weeks until we leave. If there is a new system in place, then I'll have a good idea what to expect when we arrive.

 

[MomofKatie]

AAARGH! Now I am not sure what to do about this fall- DH, DD7, and I are going during the Free Dining period. DD has a pretty sophisticated palate, so we planned on just sharing 2 adult dinners for all of our non-buffet meals. Now, I will have to change our plans if the credit pooling rule has been changed. We weren't going to "cheat" the system by paying OOP for DDs meals, we just weren't going to order kids' meals at all.

My dilemma- we have a AR at Kona Cafe for DH and I while DD is on the Pirate cruise. If we can't pool credits, we won't be able to keep the AR. Should I call and cancel, or wait until we get there to find out what the policy is at that time?

It seems like we went from all 3 of us enjoying our dinners and a couple of b'fasts, to wasting kids' meals on a child who won't enjoy them, and having to cancel some dinners.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

This conversation, as I understood, was based on the free dining plan - not the $10/$35 one.

Ok so now Im confused. Is it not the same plan? Just that some people paid for it(because they werent going at the right time) and some got it for free(since they are going at the right time)??