Dining Plan: I have to vent.

[lyncruiser]

One thing's for sure -- if it is an unintentional "loophole", with all the talk on these boards about it, Disney will probably close it fairly soon!

It would be better if people didn't feel compelled to talk about it on here, condemn those who use it, etc., but that doesn't seem to be human nature!

By the way, companies (including Disney, no doubt) pay tax attorneys and accountants hundreds of millions of dollars to review the tax code and find each and every loophole that can be exploited. And, courts have held that exploiting tax loopholes is perfectly legal. The view seems to be that if the IRS wants to close a loophole, it can. Until then, it's fair game.

 

[t&csmom]

You're wrong, you're not exchanging it for a more expensive option because there is no such thing as a more expensive option. Disney has a TS credit. There is no such thing as an adult TS credit and a child TS credit. Disney charges children a lower price for park admission but, subject to height restrictions, they get to ride the same attractions as adults.

Common sense does tell me this is a "loophole" that Disney has designed in the program and that Disney may decide to close it if too many guests take advantage of it.

You said you don't care what the brochure says then what you're saying is you don't care what the rule is.

Their is adult and child ts and cs chidl are suppose to order off the child menu and adults the main menu. People who use loopholes think they are smart but eventually disney will take off the high price menu items which they have already done and you guys still complain.

 

[Lewisc]

There is no such thing as an adult TS credit or a child TS credit. Children are required to order of the children's menu, if available but there is nothing to prevent the parents from doing something like putting the kids in one of the kids clubs and using all of the TS meals for signature meals for the parents.

I do agree if too many guests over use the plan Disney will change it. This includes guests picking the most expensive entrées in the most expensive restaurants.

Their is adult and child ts and cs chidl are suppose to order off the child menu and adults the main menu. People who use loopholes think they are smart but eventually disney will take off the high price menu items which they have already done and you guys still complain.

 

[disneyjunkie]

If all credits are "pooled", there aren’t child credits or adult credits, and it doesn't matter who uses which credit, why are they charging one price for adults and one price for children?

Why not have everyone on the plan pay the same price?

 

[Lewisc]

If all credits are "pooled", there aren’t child credits or adult credits, and it doesn't matter who uses which credit, why are they charging one price for adults and one price for children?

Why not have everyone on the plan pay the same price?

Children pay less and are required to order off the children's menu. I suspect if the number of guests who bank credits paid at the child rate for adults to use, for meals to be consumed by an adult, is greater than the numbers Disney projected the plan will change.

Disney traded off simplicity and flexibility in exchange for a "loophole" that some guests may take advantage of.

 

[jann1033]

huh?? i feel like i'm at a train wreck...just ...can't...stay....away....
( got it really, just some totally unconstructive smart alecness if that is areal word)

 

[Anjelica]

For what is worth just a couple of thoughts:

1 - I think you will come to see Disney, if not doing so right this moment, will indeed differentiate between Child Credits and Adult Credits very soon.

2 - For those that give Disney credit for catching every loophole and "knowing" what they are getting into - I find that hard to believe. I don't care how many lawyers, accountants, pencil pushers, etc. you have looking at you items - we are all human and we are bound to miss stuff. I work for a MAJOR corporation and sometimes things are missed. You have to remember that we think corporations think out their decisions preciously and are meticulous in their process - when I have found that to be quite the opposite if they think it will bring the outcome they want. And these quick directional changes are usually not well thoughtout items. Hence - the need to go back and "fix" any loopholes, etc. that were missed.

3 - I can see the OPS position in terms of feeling like she is going to have to pay for what other people did or didn't do. This type of mindset is usually brought on by bullet #2 (quick directional changes). So I don't want to flame her or anyone else on here.

4 - Finally, I was one of the few who did not do the "FREE" plan and am indeed paying for mine for our February trip. However, at first glance at the dining plan over a month ago I did "assume" that when I paid for an Adult package I got "adult" food and when I paid for a Child package my child got "child" food. Again - that's just my impression when I read it and not saying that either way is wrong. But my common sense told me you pay for what you get - thats a basic fundamental in our society.

In any event - you all are really great on here and I appreciate each and everyone of you taking time out to write your thoughts, opinions, tips, etc. It helps folks out like me who don't have a whole lot of time to get the inside scoop on the best locations, restaurants, etc.

Thanks,
Anjelica

 

[huskies90]

I just think that Disney is well aware of the ins and outs of their programs, maybe even put the loopholes in intentionally, and until they decide to close loopholes we should continue to take full advantage of them.

I dare anyone on these boards to find a loophole in MYW tickets. Go ahead...try...give up? guess what, you can't. You all realize that all Disney has to do separate the credits to the different passes like they do with the tix. It is that easy. These guys are marketing machines. They know exactly what they are doing. And I bet they specifically designed it to allow guests to use it however they want. Most families will use the kids credits for their kids and for those who pay oop for kids' meals, guess what, you are paying even MORE than the $115 per day you are already paying so you can, hmmm, get even more food?? I bet alot of those CS and snack credits go unused...

The flexibility of the plan is what sold me. I am getting the meal plan but really, I can easily eat for less than $115 a day if I wanted to. So I pay a bunch more and get a few "higher priced" items. Do you think Disney would rather me pay $20 for some burgers or $115 for surf and turf?? Think about the margins in both scenarios and then tell me if it is a good marketing ploy.

I truly believe they know what they are doing and what is going on. If they decide they want to tweak the plan believe me they will. In the meantime, enjoy the dining plan or don't enjoy it however you want!!

 

[glass-slipper]

"I think a bigger issue is the number of guests who chose the most expensive items in the most expensive restaurants. You can also make a case Canada didn't expect their restaurant to be filled with MYW Dining guests ordering surf and turf and CRT didn't expect all the guests to be ordering the slipper dessert."



That's probably a bit of an exaggeration, especially if you are solely basing this on the people from the dis, which by the way, other people who don't belong to the dis, go to WDW!

 

[Cookie Princess]

I talked to each CM BEFORE we ordered, told them what I wanted to do, and they were fine with it. Several even suggested ways to maximize the plan even more, told us we could include extras, etc.

DISNEY chose to NOT differentiate between Adult and Child credits...GET A CLUE...THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CHILD CREDIT.

I have to agree. Many posters have come out and asked the CMs if this was permissable and were told it was. You can't be much more honest than that. Another thread about this same topic was recently locked. I think people just need to mind their own business. If Disney thinks people shouldn't be doing this, they would certainly change the plan. In the future, the may, but until then I think people should do whatever WDW allows and what they feel comfortable with.

 

[sherry8253]

I wish I had some popcorn. This is as good as the pool hopping and mug police shows!!

 

[DreaminDisney]

I wish I had some popcorn. This is as good as the pool hopping and mug police shows!!

 

[Hannahsmom]

For the love of Pete already!!! When we checked in last week we were given our KTTK cards and the CM explained how they were also for the Dining plan. He said, and I quote " You have 24 table credits, 24 counter credits, and 24 snack credits". This is agrees with what the Dining Plan brochure states also.

I can't believe this is still being debated. I have no doubt at all that Disney is well aware of how the plan can be used. By making it very flexible, they are keeping you on property, therefore absorbing 100% of your vacation dollar. By offering the free-dining plan and the free magical express, disney has you right where they want you, a hostage in their parks. We were there last week for 9 days, and we did not leave the property once. Normally we drive, and stay onsite, but leave the property for a handful of meals and shopping.

And finally, I am sure some people will think I will burn in the eternal flames of hell, but we did stretch the plan last week by sharing meals, and paying for some meals OOp for our daughter. But guess what, we actually had credits left at the end of the week that we did not use. I even tried to give them away, but everyone I approached were also on the dining plan.

 

[Amyg]

If I'm not mistaken...hasn't the dining plan been around for years? When I went to DL about three years ago, they had a dining plan just like this except it had a different name.

If it is a "mistake", I'm sure they'd know by now, after all, word gets around.

 

[DISLOVE]

Your post makes me feel like you are one of the kids who woke up Christmas morning and counted the gifts to make sure you didn't get shafted!

Seriously, the credits are credits. It doesn't matter whether it is adult or children, even CMs agree.

Should I even mention that CMs encouraged my DH and I to share meals because there is so much food? Would you consider that stealing too?

 

[buddy&wooz]

I think the story you quoted HAD 4 adults at the table (the other adult from the other room). So they DID want to pay out of pocket for their child, and use the child credit for the other adult.

I think, lol.
Beth

No, we ordered 4 adult meals and 1 child meal. We had plenty of adult credits on the one card to cover all 4 adults, and most restaurants let us do just that- take 4 adult credits and one child credit off the card. But a couple places did not, and insisted on using the other card for the 4th adult meal.

Yeah, it's confusing, I know (that's the whole problem!) But I just wanted to clarify, I wasn't trying to get an adult meal for a child's price.

 

[huskies90]

No, we ordered 4 adult meals and 1 child meal. We had plenty of adult credits on the one card to cover all 4 adults, and most restaurants let us do just that- take 4 adult credits and one child credit off the card. But a couple places did not, and insisted on using the other card for the 4th adult meal.

Yeah, it's confusing, I know (that's the whole problem!) But I just wanted to clarify, I wasn't trying to get an adult meal for a child's price.

I still think this is a little different. Your card had 3A 1C and you were trying to pay for four adults with the card. While the CM can't tell whose credit is whose, they can at least see that 4 adults does not equal 3A 1C. In all the other cases, it is 3 adults using credits and 1 paying out of pocket. Who knows, perhaps junior used his credit for the day earlier when he had breakfast with his grandparents who also happen to be onsite as part of the grand gatherings program. The CM has no way to know that because of the pooling and shouldn't object to paying OOP for junior's meal.

 

[Pedler]

I think there are several possible scenarios for the future of this diing plan.


1) A seperate "diing plan" limited menu will be used at restaurants -or-
2) The plan will increase in price to cover those that "work the system" - or-
3) The plan will change and have actual Child vs Adult credits -or-
4) Specific higher end menu items will just be discontinued, in effect, punishing those not on the plan and willing to pay OOP for the "goodies", for the abuses of those on the plan...we already see this happening.

wow.. I think we went almost 2 months without a adult / child credit debate.

OK.. My .02.

Now as much as we like to think everyone does internet research on thier trips and lives on web sites trying to maximize everything I have a message for all us DISers living in Fantasyland.

The vast majority of people going to WDW view reading Birnbaum as all the research they need to do. I know you are shocked but it is true!

So... The potential number of people using this loophole, heck those that even know about it, are relatively small. And I would guess that for everyone that does pay for a child meal to bank the credit thier is someone that didn't use all thier TS credits. People on this very board have posted that this has happened.

Second. Forget the whole idea of the dinning plan being free as somehow costing Disney dinning money. The free dinning plan came from the resort division as a way to sell rooms. I am sure that they are internally compensating the dinning division for the plan they are giving people to sell rooms. I don't think that it would fly all that well if the resort division said:

"You know, that whole discount off of the room thing isn't working for us. Lets give away the dinning plan and have it come of of dinnings budget. That way we sell rooms and dinning takes in on the chin for us."

I don't think so. Its just another promotional cost that the resort folk have to pony up for to sell rooms. Since I think the dinning division is compensated for the plan I would believe that they don't view it as free. The resort divsion is just an internal customer.

(For those of you that doubt this ask anyone that has worked in large company what it is like to get something from another division without providing them with a cost center to charge it to. That is the way it works in large companies.)

As for the items the poster mentioned. Items 1 & 4 are logistically too difficult to implement. You would have way too many people complaining, loudly, in restaurants due to miss understandings about different menu items or exclusions. The last thing Disney wants to do is increase the potential for melt downs and confrontations in restauarants. Heck almost nothing is excluded now and being have gone to Disney ready for confrontation. I don't think they want to have people having meltdowns on a regular basis in the restaurants.

Item 2, a price increase is a real option if they feel they are not getting what they want from the plan. Keep in mind the plan is more than just getting enough money to cover the cost at the restaurants. The plan also forces you to stay at thier hotels. So far it appears that it is working. Remember each day that goes by with empty rooms is a day you can never sell again.

Item 3, Child / Adult credits would also be logistically complex to do. It does appear that they are doing some things with not allowing you to use more adult credits at one time than your card says. That makes sense. But starting to allocate a specific credit type to a specific menu item or have the server handle it would open them up to potential issue and once again customer complaints. Disney does appear to try to minimize that potential when they can.

And as other posters have mentioned previous plans have had pooled credits. So far their has been no factual evidence of a change in the plan. Just rumors started by some folk here that really want it to change becuase it bothers them that some people are paying for childrens meals and banking the credits.

 

[Meezers]

I agree that a loophole was left in the dining plan. Not something I have to worry about as we are 3 adults and not planning on using the dining plan.

What does worry me is that is already seems as if certain items are being taken off of menu's...whether you are on a dining plan or not. Eating in the various resturants is a big part of our vacation and I would not like to see the variety decrease.

Now....off to watch my new Cinderella DVD.

 

[Pedler]

I agree that a loophole was left in the dining plan. Not something I have to worry about as we are 3 adults and not planning on using the dining plan.

What does worry me is that is already seems as if certain items are being taken off of menu's...whether you are on a dining plan or not. Eating in the various resturants is a big part of our vacation and I would not like to see the variety decrease.

Now....off to watch my new Cinderella DVD.

We need to be carefull about what reasons we attach to why menu's change. I just read the entire CRT slipper thread, and aside from the 5 pages of typical not based in fact DIS speculation there was actually one post where the poster asked why the slipper was taken off the menu and was told that they had a new chef and he tweaked the menu. It appears to still be available for special order. There is no factual basis on this change being due to the dinning plan.

This is the one point I would really like people to get. Almost everything posted on this board about restrictions, changes, adult / child credits ect is speculation based in almost no fact whatsoever. A while ago, in August, I started two threads asking for actual first hand accounts of limitations on the plan and the whole child / adult credit thing. There were no posts about child / adult credits being differentiated. Just posts about there being just credits. And the posts on limitations where pretty much in line with what is on Disneys brochure. For example some places will not let you get a smoothie for a drink. That's OK. It is in line with the brochure. Some places wouldn't let you order a side skewer of shrimp with a steak dinner. Once again, makes sense as that could be considered a second dinner. Other than commone sense limitations there appears to be no other documented limitiatons. Yet at the same time there was a thread going where people were appearing to speak with authority about all sorts of limitations and people were getting up in arms about it. In the real world, something far removed for some, there wasn't any real limitations there were inconsistent with what the brochure said.

Yet people here on this thread, some that have never used the dinning plan, will post speculation after speculation feeding rumors based on absolutely no facts at all. This is what causes all of the confusion on the plan. As I mentioned someone in this thread said the slipper desert was removed because of the plan and yet there is no factual evidence to suggest that was the case. The above poster said that some things have been taken off the menu due to the dinning plan. I have yet to see any factual evidence of that. Menus change all the times at restaurants. Heck the ones we printed off from allearsnet.com were not always the same as when we got to a place. It happens.