Conversations with two CM's about the Dining Plan

[Pamlur]

I called today to put our final payments on credit cards; we have three rooms booked and one of the caused some kind of problem. The CM who originally started out with me had to put somebody else on the computer because they could see the reservation but couldn't do anything with it. I held for a while, then they told me they would call back as soon as they got it all straight. I got a call back within a little while, and at that point, I asked about the Dining Plan credits; I told the lady that I needed to know how many cards we would need to give the servers (there are ten of us). She said that each person would have only their credits on their card, so we would have to give each server all ten cards. I told her that I had never been told that, and she said that was what she had been told. I thanked her, hung up and called back after a while. That time, I got a CM who I had talked to in the past and asked her. She said that she used it recently, and at that time all the credits for each room were pooled. BUT, she said that she wouldn't be surprised if they do go to individual cards because of people paying for children's meals and using the child credits for adult meals.

So, they are definitely aware that this is happening; I guess we'll just have to wait and see what they might do about it.

 

[Chuck S]

I wouldn't expect changes immediately. However, if your ressie is for after Jan. 1, that seems to be when they usually make changes to packages and plans.

Either way, I'm sure you'll need to give them at least one card from each room, and it would probably be helpful to the server if you said something like "We have two adults and 2 children on this room plan, and 3 adults and 1 child on this room plan" (or whatever your configuration actually is) so they could seperate the meals properly for the receipts.

 

[Pamlur]

Oops! Forgot to say we are going in December. Yes, we are used to carving out each room's occupants; we are parents with grown children and grandchildren, and travel together quite a bit. I just thought it might be overwhelming for the server to receive 10 cards, but if that's what they need, so be it. We only have two "children" so that part will be easy to deal with. But if I'm going to take off with the 3-year-old and maybe need to get her a counter service meal, I'm going to have to remember to get a card with children credits on it. I'm the grandma.

 

[jjplus3]

We are going in early December and were also told that we'd get 7 room keys with our dining plan credits on each. I can already tell what a headache this is going to be because at some point, someone is going to split off with the kids and forget their keys. This is enough of a concern that I think we may regret getting the meal plan (this is our first time there and we were trying to be smart about things - so much for that great idea!). I may call again to see if this is the case. The thing is, I also advocated that we get this plan, and I know it is going to drive my parents (who are paying for this once in a lifetime trip) crazy - and I'm going to get blamed!

 

[jann1033]

We are going in early December and were also told that we'd get 7 room keys with our dining plan credits on each. I can already tell what a headache this is going to be because at some point, someone is going to split off with the kids and forget their keys. This is enough of a concern that I think we may regret getting the meal plan (this is our first time there and we were trying to be smart about things - so much for that great idea!). I may call again to see if this is the case. The thing is, I also advocated that we get this plan, and I know it is going to drive my parents (who are paying for this once in a lifetime trip) crazy - and I'm going to get blamed!

your kids passes wil probably be on their key also so they would have to take it anyway to get in to a park

 

[jann1033]

a good solution imo but a pain for the waitstaff is they have to log in each card

 

[mom2febgirls]

Some restaurants were doing this when we were there last month. At Akershus we were not allowed to pay with our card for our nephew (he came with our family of 4 and we only had our room key and we were not allowed to use 5 credits at that meal) At Le Cellier we had a problem because we had been allowed at most of the restaurants to put all 10 of us on one room, but we had to get seperate tickets to match what was left on our room key since it was our last day. Our key had listed on the front Dining Plan A02C02 (the number of adults/children in the room). This really does take away the flexibility for large groups.

Oops! Forgot to say we are going in December. Yes, we are used to carving out each room's occupants; we are parents with grown children and grandchildren, and travel together quite a bit. I just thought it might be overwhelming for the server to receive 10 cards, but if that's what they need, so be it. We only have two "children" so that part will be easy to deal with. But if I'm going to take off with the 3-year-old and maybe need to get her a counter service meal, I'm going to have to remember to get a card with children credits on it. I'm the grandma.

 

[Pamlur]

your kids passes wil probably be on their key also so they would have to take it anyway to get in to a park

Yes, but I'll be hanging onto my 3-year-old granddaughter quite a bit while her parents and older siblings ride stuff. I'll either have to remember to get her card from them in case I need to get her something to eat, or pay cash and possibly lose out on using credits. Of course, that's not even a good example because I'd have to do that anyway. I won't have any kids' credits on my card, because they have a separate room. But it does make my point, kind of.

 

[dismom03]

I am surprised that Disney is changing the way the DP works this late in the year. This means we'll have to juggle different cards for different people and have to keep track of the meals differently than if they were all lumped together.

I'm also concerned about the huge amounts of food we will have left over at each meal. It's still a money saver if we can get the ADR's we want. Right now these aren't lining up for us yet.

Thanks for the info!

 

[bicker]

I suspect they're changing things to account for the fact that many folks used the plan in a manner other than what they had anticipated when they created the plan. Rather than reflect the different usage in substantially higher prices, it appears that they're keeping the price hike rather modest and just putting limitations and restrictions in place to ensure that the plan is used in a manner commensurate with the pricing.

 

[plutolovr]

We were just there 2 weeks ago. Each member in my family (5) had access to the credits on the dining plan as we were all staying in one room. When cards were used the receipt we received listed the number of credits left in that category (ie snack, ts, cs).

 

[dismom03]

However Disney wants to work it, it's okay with us. DH & I still might split some meals (I'm a very light eater) and we still might split meals with the kids. I doubt we'll have a problem with not enough food. I hate to leave a loaded table!!! Buffets make me crazy with too much food!

We have organized the credits according to the new schedule so I have one with pooled credits and one without pooled credits.

Seriously, this shouldn't impact us that much. Even if I don't order an adult meal (except at buffets) we should get an extra TS meal after a few days....not that we need any more food.

For my family, who just recently found out that we are even GOING to WDW, we feel lucky to even get any ADR's for early Dec.

Thanks for the information everyone! It is helpful to be "in the know".

 

[Bumbles]

I suspect they're changing things to account for the fact that many folks used the plan in a manner other than what they had anticipated when they created the plan. Rather than reflect the different usage in substantially higher prices, it appears that they're keeping the price hike rather modest and just putting limitations and restrictions in place to ensure that the plan is used in a manner commensurate with the pricing.

sounds like a perfect solution to me!

 

[lucincia]

Amazing they have not thought of this when they first implemented the program. Obviously they put money into the theme parks and movies and not into IT and work process project management.

 

[keishashadow]

I suspect they're changing things to account for the fact that many folks used the plan in a manner other than what they had anticipated when they created the plan. Rather than reflect the different usage in substantially higher prices, it appears that they're keeping the price hike rather modest and just putting limitations and restrictions in place to ensure that the plan is used in a manner commensurate with the pricing.

Bravo, for once the majority will not be punished (via a huge price increase) for the "perceived loophole" that's been exploited so brazenly. Evidently, WDW did intend for Adult & Child credits to be accounted for seperately. IMO, it's still a great plan.

 

[ducklite]

WDW isn't changing anything about the dining plan, they are just fixing a glitch in the programming that shouldn't have been there to begin with. They roll out computer updates whenever they are ready, not at any particular time of the year. I think some people who were trying to capitalize on a loophole might be quite surprised when they find out that the loophole no longer exists.

I reported on these boards several months ago that a friend who is in F&B management at WDW had told me that they were aware of the loophople and working on correcting it in the computer system. It really shouldn't be any surprise to anyone once it's implemented.

Anne

 

[antsss]

Yes, but I'll be hanging onto my 3-year-old granddaughter quite a bit while her parents and older siblings ride stuff. I'll either have to remember to get her card from them in case I need to get her something to eat, or pay cash and possibly lose out on using credits. Of course, that's not even a good example because I'd have to do that anyway. I won't have any kids' credits on my card, because they have a separate room. But it does make my point, kind of.

Yes, Yes, Yes...this is one of the details that will drive me crazy on our trip. I'm the Mom and we'll be traveling with my DH, DS6, DS4, DD2, Grandma, Pop and my Aunt (who is like another Grandma to my kids). Very rarely will we travel as a complete pack. I can see us breaking out into all kinds of groups throughout the trip and going on different rides, going back to the room, etc. I can't let the kids carry their own cards. How do you distinguish one from the other? Should I get different cases for each of us??

 

[ducklite]

Each card has the persons name on it. No brainer.

Anne

 

[lucincia]

Bravo, for once the majority will not be punished (via a huge price increase) for the "perceived loophole" that's been exploited so brazenly. Evidently, WDW did intend for Adult & Child credits to be accounted for seperately. IMO, it's still a great plan.

The plan is still good with or without the loophole, for those of us who do a lot of TS and character meals and want to try different eating places. But, if the loophole exists, I will use it.

 

[Goofyta]

But, if the loophole exists, I will use it.

Sorry, but that is pretty crappy.

Why can't people follow the rules and use it like it is intended.