Connection Vouchers & AKL

[Lewisc]

You should be prepared, Disney has the right to say Kitchen Sink is not a desert intended to be served to one person and exclude it. Previous posters indicated Rain Forest has done that with some items.
These vouchers were intended for packages in which meals were included. They are also a useful way to pre-pay for some of your expenses. They are not really being marketed as a discount program (other than on these boards). It's certainly good if you want to order desert and appetizer (after all I already paid for it). I suspect that if you go to the restaurants you normally go to (don't just select the most expensive restaurants)and order the food you normally would (don't just select by price) you probably won't save any money. It does make it easier to select more expensive restaurants or order more expensive entrees.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I can see both sides to the "are the vouchers worth it" question. At most counter service restaurants the vouchers will save you less than $3 per person. Likewise, breakfast feature vouchers on a character breakfast will save you less than $3 per person. Not that big a savings. However, multiply that by 2 people for 2 meals a day for a week and you save $84. I could think of a few things to do with $84. This alone may not warrant paying the membership fee, but if you are going to make use of other features of the Connections services it is a nice savings.

Then consider the places where you can have a good meal (as opposed to counter service fast food) and save a lot of money. Beaches and Cream and Pepper Market being the best 2 examples. At these places you can get $50 worth of good food for 2 quick and casual vouchers ($22), no waste involved. We actually look forward to going to resorts to walk around and go to restaurants, so it isn't an inconvenience to hit these places for a meal. If you happen to be staying at CSR or you are in Epcot or MGM, these restaurants are very convenient.

It looks like Mara at AKL may be a better value than many counter service places but not as good as Beaches and Cream or Pepper Market value wise, but we always wanted to see what AKL looked like, so we will go there just to eat at Mara.

We also like prepaying for a lot of our meals and controlling our budget a little better.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

You'd be enslaved to eat only at places that save you $2.00 per meal with those vouchers, and forced to order the most expensive items just to save a buck or two. I know I could not eat two huge meals a day to save $84 a week! I too would find it unacceptable to order selections that I can't even finish only to save $2.00!

Regarding the tip, although they say it is included, I know for a fact that I would not have the nerve to be waited on and leave nothing on the table, regardless! So you could end up paying more than you planned.. There goes your $2.00 savings, making the hoopla around Connection's vouchers an oxymoron.


Wanda

 

[buzz5985]

I ordered 10 quick and casual vouchers before I left. We first ate at Beaches and Cream, we had an Illuminations Cruise planned so this was a perfect first night. 4 adults and a child ate. I didn't use a voucher for the child. Childs meal - Hot Dog, French Fries, and Soda, Small Sundae and tip = $14. 1 Adult = $11 voucher. I should have used a voucher for the child. I did not leave any additional tip to the vouchers at Beaches and Cream. We also ate at the Pepper Market. I figured our meal to have cost $54 for 2 adults and all we gave them were the $11 vouchers. I'd like to add Coronado Springs looked really nice. After dinner we walked around the whole lake, saw the pool etc. I don't think I wouldn't have ever gone to this resort if it wasn't for the vouchers. I also had Breakfast vouchers that I used at Cinderella's Castle. Saved a couple of bucks there that's it. I was talking to the CM who seemed to like the vouchers since it guarantee's them a 15% tip. Seems a lot of people don't tip well in Disney. And as for Boma's Breakfast Buffet I am looking at my receipt from 3/3 - 2 adult breakfast = $29.98, 1 Child Breakfast = $7.99 = $37.97 = tax $2.28 = $40.25 plus tip $7.75 = $50. I believe in vouchers this would have been $40.97 The money I saved using vouchers paid for my Illuminations Cruise.

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Sounds like you had a lot of vacation time to spend eating in different resorts.

Unless they're locals, if anyone has free time alloted for resort hopping just to save a few bucks on meals, then all the glory to them. You'd spend A LOT of time using Disney buses to go from your resort to a park to another resort for your meal, and back the same route to your resort. If renting a vehicle, it seems that the $2.00 you save on your meal is spent on gas...

If you keep yourself from opening your wallet to leave a tip, then I see how you could indeed save $2.00 on the meals. It could be a very tough one for me, especially when a lot of those CMs make us smile during our meals and are so funny with the kids. I just could not have the nerve to leave the table empty.

I have read opinions all over the boards, and I have actually sat down to do the numbers and compare rationally. I disagree that those vouchers really make a splendid difference.

 

[loribell]

It wouldn't be hard to NOT leave an additional tip at Pepper Market. They don't actually wait on you but a tip is added to your bill when you leave. That is not a good thing. As for tipping at other places, I will still leave something extra with my breakfast vouchers as well as at Beaches & Cream. I always tip 20% or more unless service is terrible (unless of course they automatically add it to my bill, then they get just what they asked for and no more). Can you tell I don't like to have a tip added to my bill. LOL!

Since we would have to be going somewhere for dinner anyway I don't see this as a waste of time. Beaches & Cream is one of the restuarants I have wanted to try and we really like the food at Pepper Market so we will eat there. Unless you are planning to only eat inside the parks, which by the way can get old fast, you will spend time getting to a place to eat.

Lori

 

[LBYC-19]

You guys all have valid arguments here and it is interesting to read the different viewpoints and opinions on these vouchers.

I just ordered them for different reasons. I was so thrilled at our savings with the hopper plus passes with Connections that I consider these as "freebies". I'm not going to scrutinize whether they are economical or not once we're there, but simply a mere pre-paid convenience. Plus, it will be easier to give them to the teens if we split up (or should I say WHEN we split up, lol) instead of cash for their lunches. They will think they have died and gone to heaven when they can order a frozen drink AND a dessert with their lunch...oh, the joys of feeding teens.
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Joanne

 

[WorknFires]

I consider resort hopping for my meals part of the adventure. Sometimes, if I'm not going to be in the area, I drive. But usually, I plan on resorts near the park I'm in. I usually do at least 2 most times 3 Epcot days. I always do San Angel and Teppanyaki's but it's nothing to take the launch (yes I know I can walk but it's so leisurely) to Boardwalk, Yacht Club or Beach Club for lunch or supper. AK... I usually catch Boma's afterwards (since it closes at 5 anyway) MK, there are so many great restaurants just a monorail or boat ride away. If you do them for dinner after the park closes, what have you lost? MGM is probably the only park that I do my resort hopping 1st for breakfast and then the park. Resort hopping for food is my luxury. I don't consider it a sacrifice of my time.

Cheryl

 

[Babblin'Boo]

Unless you are planning to only eat inside the parks, which by the way can get old fast, you will spend time getting to a place to eat.

Eating in the parks does not get old too fast for many of us, especially when there are so many places left over that we have not yet tried. As for spending time getting to them, let's not be fanatical. Thinking rationally tells you that a few minutes walk saves you much more time than a commute to a different resort to save $2!!

Now, the idea of prepaying a teen's decent meal expense is perhaps the most rational yet, Joanne. I can agree with you on that one. But saves the money intended to save only if you skip the tip. In that case, I'd only get it for the convenience of prepaying a meal.

And again, some of those CMs would make it so hard for me to skip a tip, adding to the the expense I originally intended to pay. To each his own, but if anyone advertises Connections meal vouchers as an awesome, best dining investment ever, don't fall for it.

 

[loribell]

I'm sorry if that came across wrong. I did not intend it that way and I'm not sure how it did. It just seems to me that most of the restuarants inside the parks have the same thing. Unless of course you are going to one of the nicer restuarants, which of course means you will spend quite a bit of time waiting there also. You can get on a bus from the park to go to any resort area and then back to the same park or a different one for that matter. My commutes from the MK to CS last summer took no more than 20 miutes at any time. Even with a PS at dinner time you will probably wait 15-20 minutes for your table. Many people do this, that is why there are Park Hopper tickets!

I thought by listing the 2 restuarants that I planned to use it was clear that I don't think they are a great deal myself, but they are good at the two I mentioned and they are places I planned to go anyway. I will save much more then $2 at Beaches & Cream and Pepper Market.

Using the breakfast voucher will only save me a couple of bucks, but I was going to do them too. Go figure, I'm going to do something I would have anyway and save a couple of bucks doing it! Now why would I want to do that?

The only place I do not like tipping is Pepper Market. They do not wait on you, you do it yourself, but they still add a 10% gratuity to your bill. I know this because I spent 8 days there last summer. We ate there several times. I filled our glasses and I got mine and my childrens food.

Fanatical, not me and I'm not stupid either. I don't understand why some people on these boards need to be mean. There really was no need for that. I did not say anything in the least bit rude to you.

Lori

 

[Coggy]

The best part about the connections vouchers is that you can either buy them and save money or you can not buy them and not save money. It's as simple as that. What a wonderful concept. What's wrong with wanting to save money? If the vouchers did not save money, then I think Connections would be out of business by now. Who would pay Connections more money to eat something worth less? Get where I'm going with this.

By the way! This is a budget board and not a time savings board. If I really wanted to save time and not money, I would go the Commando route and make everyone in my family miserable.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to trimming all the fat from my budget.

 

[Babblin'Boo]

If the vouchers did not save money, then I think Connections would be out of business by now.

Perhaps they'd be out of business if more people used their calculators instead of follow others' words without itemizing expenses. But I made reference only to vouchers, and I do not believe Connections survives on the sale of these alone.

What's wrong with wanting to save money?

Nothing, what is wrong with demanding proof that you actually save money? Should be obvious if the savings are real anyhow.

By the way! This is a budget board and not a time savings board. If I really wanted to save time and not money, I would go the Commando route and make everyone in my family miserable.

Be nicer yet if they added a common sense board, but...

Lori, I accept and return the apology.

Listen you all, there's no reason to go ballistic when I share the fact that if you add it all up together, Connections meal vouchers are NO impressive savings deal! I requested a break down of their value and what everyone wrote did not sound too convincing. If you tell me that park tickets are cheaper somewhere, I want the chance to convince myself, for example. When you told me that Connections vouchers were worth it, I did likewise, I wanted to check it out.

Nobody will stop anyone who wants to buy them, but those who are skeptical and want a reason to invest in them see nothing wrong with scrutinizing every claim before opening the wallet. I honestly see them as nothing over and beyond a prepaid meal. And actually, you may end up spending more than you intended to save in transportation costs and tips.

It just seems that a mere AAA, DC, Entertainment or AMEX discount may give you similar or bigger savings (5%, 10% , 20% or more) at a decent restaurant, but the hoopla around them is real.

 

[buzz5985]

I think everyone is missing the point that the tax and tip are included in the price of the voucher. The CM has you sign the voucher, they fill out your bill and submit it for their tip. The CM's are tipped on the actual meal cost, not the voucher's price. I asked them. They are happy to get them, since few people tip 15%, especially at preplated characher dining like Cinderella's Castle. I was just trying to help people who were trying to decide wether to buy them or not. Sorry I caused such a fuss. Oh, and I always have a car, and always drive to the different resorts and to the parks. Especially with a dog in the kennel we have to get back to her 3 or 4 times a day to walk her.

 

[bobcat]

buzz thanks for making that point. If you use a voucher and don't leave a physical tip after your meal you are not stiffing the wait staff. They will get their tip, probably more than most people leave anyhow, on the total amount of the bill, not the voucher price. I think some people don't realize this.

I don't believe anyone has said that this is the best money saving advice there is. All of the information is helpful and people should not feel attacked for offering their experiences. I haven't used these vouchers but have looked at them very carefully. There are a few places that they offer a good savings and I think this has been demonstrated in this post. Especially if you are feeding a large family over a week long trip, then you may really see savings from these.

Since I am staying at CS next trip I may purchase a few of these for the pepper market because after looking at the menu and knowing what my family eats I think I will save a little bit of money. Will it have a huge impact on my food budget, no but every bit counts. That's why I also use savings on other areas of my trip as well. All of it added together allows me to return to WDW more often.

Lori don't let it get to you. Your information was appreciated. I agree about the tips at Pepper Market. I feel 11% is a bit much for getting me a drink.

 

[hockey mom]

I think some people are also missing the fact that sharing is allowed and encouraged by the wait staff. These vouchers will save me alot of money because of all that is offered with one voucher. My 2 girls will share the side dish, entree, and dessert. I will buy one extra drink. Alone they would never be able to eat all that, but to split it up will be the perfect amount. They are past the kid menu age therefore their own meal, if they had an entree, drink and dessert, would cost me around $12 without tax or tip, and I plan on paying $10.50(the cost of my voucher), plus $2 for another drink, plus an extra tip, so total around $15. So I figure $15 is better than the $30 dollars I would have paid without the vochers. This is only one meal also. With 7 days at Disney we do require 7 lunches, and we are not going out of our way to these places that offer a better savings, because these were all the places we had picked out to try before we had heard of the vouchers.

 

[cottontail]

Hi Hockeymom"

Are the ll.00 vouchers l0.50, I thought they were ll.00.

Also when you have them delivered to canada, do you have to pay anything else at the border. Do they collect gst on these or any duty? Just wondering if I order these if I pay what connections charges for the voucher, and delivery, but nothing extra.

My son got a cd from someone not music, and the mailman asked me for 27.00 more to cover something at the border. So that is why I was asking. My son didn't anticipate this extra charge.

Deb.

 

[hockey mom]

I got my vouchers for $10.50 because that was the price before the increase. Also all of mine were bought from people off this board and were mailed to me like a letter, so no duty was paid. I wondered the same thing myself because if these vouchers work out good for me this year I would like to join and buy some for my next trip.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Humpbacks - you may have missed the point. If you go to run of the mill counter service places and order a run of the mill meal (not some huge, "most expensive" item that you "can't finish") you will save a couple of bucks a person with a voucher. None of the true counter service places even have such menu items. If you plan to eat at counter service places you can go anywhere (not "enslavened" to a few places) and order anything (not the most expensive item) and you will save a couple of bucks. Agreed, it is not a lot, but someone who plans to eat in counter service places can go anywhere and they will save money. My point was that, without doing anything different than they otherwise would have, over time the savings could add up.

Even at places like Beaches and Cream where you can save a lot, it does not require ordering more food than you can eat just to save money. A salad, and entree and dessert - I'll order that at any restaurant. I have always been able to finish whatever we ordered at B&C using a voucher (well, maybe not a few spoonfuls of ice cream - the sundaes are too big ).

To each his/her own. I'll take the $84 (and more) to the bank.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Let's see...

$11 voucher seems to be worth it only if you do order the most expensive meals, at least judging by the pricing of Mara's menu as listed on Deb's website.

Forget a regular breakfast, you'd have to look into a character meal to stretch the vouchers, right? (Well, at least Mousesavers.com states that "they are only a good deal if you use them for a full-service character breakfast" - I have no reason to doubt the honesty of her advice, so I'll start there)

Breakfast voucher... $17.50 adults, $12.00 child, taxes & gratuity included
Altogether= $29.50

Without a voucher it is $15.99 adult, $8.99 child.
12% (could be 11%) tax = $2.99
15% gratuity= $3.45
Altogether = $31.42

A difference of $1.92 That is, assuming you will restrain from paying a tip over and beyond the voucher. Based on what I researched, using Connections breakfasts vouchers every day would only save me under $10 a week. And that is, riding Disney buses and keeping myself from tipping extra! We're staying at AKL this year, so take away any suggestion for us to spend vacation time hopping on to other resorts to save a buck or two.

And likewise, your dinner savings are at the most, pennies over $2.00. In order to save $84 with vouchers you need to save at least $3.00 per meal. Such estimate crosses the boundaries of reality when you figure in your numbers. The previous poster quoted saving $3 per meal, per person, twice a day, right? That is:
$3 X 4 meals per day = $12/day, $12 X 5 days = $ 60 per week! And we're not even finding that you'll save $3 per meal to begin with! So I suggest a more rational backing up of the $84 savings claim or drop it altogether.

And there's more... What I "save" using vouchers I'd spend in shipping, unless I order plenty of them to go over $100, right? You mean I'd have to spend $100 to save around $10 or $20?

Are my numbers wrong? Are the taxes any higher? In all honesty, I am not bashing anyone in a petty power struggle but genuinely looking to convince myself that Connection's claims to "buy more, save big" aren't a hype that some people promoting them have followed like little blind sheep following the leader!


Wanda

 

[disneyjunkie]

We all do what's best for our families. Some of us think the connections vouchers are great because they'll save us some money, even if it's a very small amount. They'll allow us a chance to try places we may not other wise try, and order in ways that we may not order without them.

Some of us see them as a great thing, some see them as pure hype. It's the same way with on site\off site, packages, no packages. I don't think any one view is "right", it's just a matter of what works for you.