Connections

[asamgp]

Any one out there using this? Any good or is it a scam? I am planning highly budgetted march trip and saw a referrence to this. Has anyone joined to get discount things and just cancelled? Any input would be great!!!!

 

[mad4themouse]

Mary, at MouseSavers has a terrific review of this program. Check ou this link:

http://www.mousesavers.com/connections.html

 

[dcfromva]

I have used the vouchers for trips in August, November and December of 2002.
I still have my membership as I am taking advantage of other discounts which they offer.
I don't know if the search function is working, but there are quite a few detailed posts on these vouchers on the board.

Here is a link to the post I did after my August trip


My assessment of the program is there are good bargins to be had using them--if you are careful and do your research (ie check out menus in advance--figure out what you are going to order).

Good luck!

-DC

 

[TreeOfLife]

Some people defend Connections through their teeth. but after sitting down with a calculator, I did not find it much of an advantage.

You end up saving a buck or two, assuming you won't tip your waiter. In all honesty, I don't have the face to be served and leave only the value of the voucher's worth of a tip! So there goes a couple more bucks...

The best deals seem to be in very few restaurants, and I wonder if I'd even need to order so much to get my money's worth. We get filled up buying far less food, and we wouldn't order such an amount to save a couple of bucks on the total! Seems to me you save more simply ordering what you feel like eating rather than restricting yourself to the most expensive items.

And then there's the resort hoping you'd have to do if you do not stay anywhere near Pepper's or Beaches'! To me it is a waste of vacation time to head to another resort to save a couple of bucks eating excessively...

And then there's the problems canceling during the first month...

So, do all the math, evaluate what you're willing to do and then decide if it is for you.

 

[asamgp]

I appreciate all the input. Last summer we went to WDW with the what is now called the silver plan. Never in my life have I eatten so much. However, I also ate at better places than ever and experienced WDW in a new way. If I were able, I would do it again. This year, however, I do not have that kind of cash. I would like to go on a tight budget and am not taking the kids with me this time. They (DS - 6 & 8) do not want to go. Actually, DH does not want to go either. Maybe I will be going solo. We'll see....

 

[patsal]

"Only the voucher's value of a tip" ?
Your server receives 15% tip based on the cost of your food, not the cost of the voucher. Often times this tip is larger than many people leave--hence the reason the waitstaff upgrades your food purchase with the extra shrimp, etc. In sit down restaurants the savings can be big depending on what you enjoy eating. Check the menus since the value can be a personal thing if you don't like or want certain foods.
Often times the savings is only two or three dollars, but for people staying for several days using several vouchers, etc. the savings can add up (family of four using two connections Q and C at counter service in park saves about $5.00 per meal, staying for 10 days thats $50.00 we can spend somewhere else in the park!)

 

[mad4themouse]

I don't think of using the Connections vouchers as eating "cheaper". I think of them as eating "better" for the same low price.

You can certainly get away with spending less $$ for food at WDW. A Quick and Casual voucher offers more food than I would eat at a normal lunch (one entree, one side dish ..if not included in the entree.., one dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage). The savings would come in by splitting the meal with another member of your group and just ordering another beverage and perhaps another side dish. Using 2 adult vouchers, I could spend less than $25 for a very filling lunch for my family.

Also, it is not necessary to resort hop in order to use the vouchers. Every park has at least one restaurant that honors the vouchers. They may not be the best possible use of your vouchers but they can still be worth it.

As TreeofLife already said, be an informed consumer. Check out what MouseSavers has to say. Check the menus at wdwig.com. Weigh the cost vs. the possible savings and factor in the aggrevation of trying to cancel your Connections membership if you decide not to keep it. The meal vouchers are not for everyone.

 

[dcfromva]

TreeOfLife

You end up saving a buck or two, assuming you won't tip your waiter. In all honesty, I don't have the face to be served and leave only the value of the voucher's worth of a tip!

Just a point of clarification--the 15% tip is based on what the food actually costs. ( The same goes for the 6% tax that is also included. ) I personally feel that 15% is on the low side for a tip, so we generally always add to the tip to bring it up to 20% or more--especially with a really accomodating server.

asamgp,
I just thought of one more thing that I like about this program. On our last visit Dec30-Jan3, we brougtht along our 13yr old nephew. (We also have a 14yr old son). We found they had hefty appetites. We had a couple of package meals (one was a different package--called the Candlelight Processional Dinning package which worked similar to the Connections)--anyway, we had lunch at Brown Derby using Vacation Kingdom Lunch Vouchers and a dinner at Le Cellier using the CP dining package. Do you want to know what one of the highlights of the trip was for DN? Ordering anything he liked on the menu including desserts! (most expensive thing on the menu?--sure, go ahead! ) I was thinking--You know, that is kind of neat! (I'm going to look for my Brown Derby figures and post them, too).

-DC

 

[asamgp]

DCFROMVA-
we ate at the Brown Derby Last year on the silver plan, Same menu options apply, appetiser, main course, desert, beverage. We did this in conjuction with prefered seating at the light show. any way it was awesome. DB-in-L loved getting steaks at every meal!.

 

[TreeOfLife]

What I meant by the voucher's value of a tip is exactly what it is: 15% value for the waiter. I knew what it was...
And what I meant to say was I do not have the face to hand a server a certificate and walk out without leaving some cash as a tip. So if I go through all the hassle of buying certificates to save one or two bucks and leave money for a tip, where's the savings?

It would just not work for us. I find them restrictive and their savings conditioned to ordering teh most expensive meals. If you do nto like red meat, for example, there goes your savings.

Take time to take everything into account before you join the program and decide to cancel in one month....

 

[dcfromva]

(NOTE: If this looks familiar to anyone--I posted this on another board, too. This is from our most recent visit to WDW over New Year's Eve)
Vacation Kingdom Lunch Vouchers at the Brown Derby
(Voucher costs $29.50 includes 1 drink, 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 dessert, tax and 15% tip included)

voucher #1
appetizer: Chicken and Chorizo Quesadilla $6.29
drink: pina colada (no alcohol) $5.00 (?)
entree: filet with cobb salad on Texas toast (don't have exact price) estimating $17.99
add grilled shrimp for $4.00
dessert:Grapefruit Cake $4.79

voucher #2
appetizer: Baby Leaf Greens $4.99
drink: chocolate shake $5.00 (?)
entree: Grilled 10 oz. NY Strip Steak $17.99
add grilled shrimp for $4.00
dessert: fresh berries (yum!) 4.99 (?)

voucher #3
appetizer: Baby Leaf Greens $4.99
drink: chocolate shake $5.00 (?)
entree: Grilled 10 oz. NY Strip Steak $17.99
add grilled shrimp for $4.00
dessert: raspberry mouse 4.99 (?)
coffee: $3.00 (?)
estimated $115.01
+ 6% tax = $6.90
+15% tip= $17.25
total $139.16

vouchers cost $88.50 (plus we left another $10.00tip ) total $98.50
I estimate that we saved about $40.00 on this meal.
We did not get a menu to take home (there are some new items on the menu) and because we used vouchers, we did not receive a bill at the end of the meal with the itemized costs, so I had to guess on some of the prices (marked with a ? ).

 

[dcfromva]

TreeOfLife,

It would just not work for us. I find them restrictive and their savings conditioned to ordering teh most expensive meals. If you do nto like red meat, for example, there goes your savings.

This is absolutely true. If you don't have a big appetite or you don't like red meat, I think it might even be difficult to break even with these vouchers.
We started off with quite a few vouchers-- and to be quite honest, my DH doesn't like the hassle involved with them--in particular the Q &C's where you order a bottle of water and they give you a hassle and you have to ask for the manager in order to get your water (this has happened a couple of times).
We have had a much easier time with the VKL vouchers, except DH doesn't often like to eat a big lunch mid-day (especially when it is hot out)--But, then we share, so it works out pretty well.
DH does like the breakfast vouchers because he likes to eat a big breakfast and the serving staff has been pretty cordial in using the vouchers. (I just eat his toast for breakfast, so it works out ). Even with leaving an additional tip, we generally saved at least $5.00 per breakfast voucher.
I think the Q & C's would have also been a good deal if we had let the two boys go off on their own in the park--that way you know they have to use the vouchers to eat food and not buy mickey bars .
-DC

 

[JOC]

We used two VKL vouchers for three adults at AK's Rain Forest Cafe and really made out (lunch was our big meal of the day anyway):

2 appetizers ($8-$9 each; made a meal out of two different appetizers)
2 Surf and Turfs ($40 each)
2 drinks in tall RFC souvenir cups (about $5 each because of the souvenir cups)
1 Volcano for dessert ($13; counted as two desserts)

We got more than $120 worth of food (plus add tax and tip to that) for $59.

 

[asamgp]

Does anyone sell the vouchers besides Connections123?

 

[gravymom]

Are there connections vouchers for dinner or is it just breakfast and lunch?

 

[DMRick]

Are there connections vouchers for dinner or is it just breakfast and lunch?

You can use the lunch ones ($30.00 ones) at Rainforst Animal KIngdom lunch or dinner time..and that is one of your best deals. We always have to share, since it's so much food. Be sure ot ask about the surf and turf that isn't on the menu, and for a steak upgrade at no extra charge.

You can use the $11.00 ones any time, and for dinner, the best deal (other than ice cream included at Beaches) I think is at Peppermill..another place where we have to share. Be sure to ask your waiter for help..they often include more than you think!

 

[JOC]

DMRick,
What's the "steak upgrade" at RFC? We ordered the surf and turf last December and yes, we also thought it was a good deal.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

steak upgrade ?

 

[DMRick]

The surf and turf can come with several cuts of steak. I think I upgraded to a primal. The lobster surf and turf can be upgraded (not on the menu..but the best deal if you like stuffed lobster and steak), as well as the shrimp surf and turf.