"Disney doesn't know if it's child or adult credit"

[mickman1962]

jumping in here to say that last year, we were not allowed to pay OOP for dd4's chef mickey's meal and my sis who went the same week different time was told the same thing. All or nothing... This was last year in late Sept so I am not sure if it has changed....

there was no where else this was a problem....

You must be mistaken, because the majority of the people here state that Disney encourages you to pay OOP to maximize the plan.

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

You must be mistaken, because the majority of the people here state that Disney encourages you to pay OOP to maximize the plan.

Can you use 1 TS at CRT and Pay OOP also

 

[5DisneyNuts]

During our stay last year at the tail end of free dining, we went to Chef Mickey's twice. Both times we split the bill between using the DDP and paying OOP. The CM said it was fine and just added the folks we were paying cash for to the rest of the bill (adult beverages and a birthday cake).

Wasn't a problem at all.

Sorry I don't know the answer to using 1TS and paying OOP at CRT.

 

[Pedler]

jumping in here to say that last year, we were not allowed to pay OOP for dd4's chef mickey's meal and my sis who went the same week different time was told the same thing. All or nothing... This was last year in late Sept so I am not sure if it has changed....

there was no where else this was a problem....

I am not sure if this is policy or just a mistake on the CM's part. Our waiter at CRT thought we were nuts to pay oop for the kids meal. If we were to be refused by a CM I would politely explain the situation and ask for the manager. If the manager refused then I would accept it as they can change the policy at will.

 

[Lewisc]

I am not sure if this is policy or just a mistake on the CM's part. Our waiter at CRT thought we were nuts to pay oop for the kids meal. If we were to be refused by a CM I would politely explain the situation and ask for the manager. If the manager refused then I would accept it as they can change the policy at will.

Read the brochure. For character meals, dinner shows and signature dining. the brochure says one (or two) credit(s) will be deducted for each person. It doesn't give you the option of paying oop for the kids. The dining plan is all or nothing.

This rule hasn't been enforced much but it is a way to reduce the "banking" of child credits.

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

Read the brochure. For character meals, dinner shows and signature dining. the brochure says one (or two) credit(s) will be deducted for each person. It doesn't give you the option of paying oop for the kids. The dining plan is all or nothing.

This rule hasn't been enforced much but it is a way to reduce the "banking" of child credits.

Well I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and asked the question if I could, for example, use 1TS and pay OOP for the kids and she said yes. She said it is not all or nothing. "It's your credits to do as you wish". It's so confusing when on paper it says one thing and then a Disney rep says something else.

 

[DaveO]

Well I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and asked the question if I could, for example, use 1TS and pay OOP for the kids and she said yes. She said it is not all or nothing. "It's your credits to do as you wish". It's so confusing when on paper it says one thing and then a Disney rep says something else.

Where on any Disney website or document does it say you can not use kids credits for adult meals ??? This is just something folks on this board made up. The quote from the official document on the web is:

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...gespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/MYWDining.pdf

"Use your meals and snacks IN ANY ORDER AND IN ANY AMOUNT thoughout your stay until your total is depleted"

Plus the chart shows all credits as the same it does not seperate kids credits and adult credits.

Then on top of that - Disney confirms this is every case I have heard.

I am not sure why there is debate. If it were questioned by a server I would have the PDF handy.

Dave O.

 

[Pedler]

Read the brochure. For character meals, dinner shows and signature dining. the brochure says one (or two) credit(s) will be deducted for each person. It doesn't give you the option of paying oop for the kids. The dining plan is all or nothing.

This rule hasn't been enforced much but it is a way to reduce the "banking" of child credits.

I did read the brochure. I viewed that section as just an illustration of how credits ork in that there is one deducted per person per meal not that use must use credits to pay for each person. That just doesn't make sense at all forget banking "child" credits for adult use. If a family is planning more meals than they have credits for they are going to selectively pay oop for meals. For an adult the buffets are on the low end cost wise compared to what you could pay for a place like Concourse steakhouse.

Like many other things in the brochure it is as clear as mud. About the only way to discern what is covered and allowable under the dinning plan is how it is implemented in the majority of cases. A few CM's doing thier own thing do not a rule make. There have been many instances, reported on these boards, of CM's just being flat out wrong about how things work. Go check out the transportation board and do a search on character meal buses and scheduling ADR's. There are CM's who insist there is no way to make a ealry ADR at CP. Of course they never explain how you could schedule an early ADR if no one could ever make it.

On one of these threads a lawyer took a look at the brochure and I believe came to the conclusion that the use of credits, as definied in the brochure, is ambiguous at best and the way to interpet how the plan works is by how Disney implements it. Outside of a few, very few, CM's it seems that the fast use of the plan is to allow people to pay OOP for some meals and allow the sharing of credits. I do wonder what would have happened if the people that were refused by a CM had questioned the policy and asked for clarification from a manager.

This still all begs the question: If Disney through the overwhelming statements made by CM's and managers at restuarants and through the implementation of the plan allow the pooling of credits and selective use of credits how can this be a violation / abuse / whatever of the system? With regards to the use of credits the brochure is ambiguous at best.

 

[Pedler]

I am not sure why there is debate. If it were questioned by a server I would have the PDF handy.

Dave O.

Hi Dave O. There is a debate because some people, regardless of what Disney says or how they implement the plan either:

1: Just can't believe that people with kids could have an option to save money like this.

2: Really can't stand that people with kids could have an opportunity to save money like this.

3: Just couldn't get into that whole pool hopping thing.

4: Feel that becuase Disney has not explicitly defined that you can do this with the plan including an illustration of how a family uses credits for 5 children for mom and dad adult to eat all week at the California Grill while starving the kids then the plan can't allow the sharing of credits.

5: Have grown bored of the whole refillable mug debate.

6: Feel that any situation that allows one set of people, those with kids under 10, to have a cost advantage over others, regardless of what the vendor says, is wrong, immoral and a sign of decline of western civilization.

For me it all comes back to one thing. Why is it almost unanimous at all levels that Disney allows the plan to be used in this manner? The only answer that the nay sayers have to that is to mumble something about Disney may change it at any time and referencing language in the brocher that contradicts other language in the brochure. Implying that the folks at the world really don't want the plan to work this way but are not bothered enough to change it. Of course that doesn't provide an explination about Disney actively encouraging use of the plan in this manner.

In the dark of the night I really thing many of them wish Disney would change the plan just so they can say I told you so. Also it would free up time to research that whole pool hopping thing.

 

[Pedler]

You must be mistaken, because the majority of the people here state that Disney encourages you to pay OOP to maximize the plan.

No, like everything else with CM's there are a few missinformed out there. The key is to just ask for the manager for clarification.

 

[bstnsprts]

No, like everything else with CM's there are a few missinformed out there. The key is to just ask for the manager for clarification.

I was told by a supervisor from Disney Dining before our last trip that if I had any problems with paying OOP that could not be resolved with management at the restaurant, to contact Disney Dining or Guest Relations at our resort, and it would be resolved. If you can reach a supervisor at Disney Dining from the restaurant they will fix the situation right then. If they can't be reached Guest Relations will give you the meal credit back to your account. Anyone being denied paying OOP is being done so by misinformed CM's, or CM's who are writing their own rules. That being said, over the course of nine days we never had any problems paying OOP. If anything we were constantly offered extras and tips from CM's on how to get the most out of each meal.

 

[Stacy Woods]

Okay, so I have read the majority of this thread and I just want to make sure I am clear on it. We have a 5 and 6 year old. I got the DDP and have already booked most of the TS which are all buffet character meals. Now grant it the three of us can share two chicken nugget happy meals so I know I am not making out in the food category but then that is not what the character meals are all about so you are not necessarily paying for the food as much as the entertainment. I digress, what I need clarification on is this: I was planning on maybe getting the "adult" CS for breakfast (the kids eat poptarts for breakfast and PPJ for lunch) and then using the "kids" CS for picking up lunch. Fully anticipating on ordering a kids meal for lunch. I was figuring I would be hungry but not that hungry. But I had every intention of using the "kids" credit. What I am hearing is that there is no distinguish between the kids credit and adult? I guess what I am asking (be it right or wrong) is that when ordering CS I do not need to say this is for a child? WOW I can see where this could become a real moral issue. As far as no one saying anything, I worked in the service business for some time and if I got one thing out of it was "The customer is ALWAYS right!" I had a real tough time swallowing that one. You would not imagine the things I saw and when I brought it too the attention of my manager/owner he would always say this. He would say the last thing we wantes to do is to make the person mad because then they wouldn't come back. Interesting.....

 

[jonkatony]

Pedler your reply to DaveO was I feel a little harsh on everyone who has a different opinion to yourself. I have a contrary view, but it is a discussion board?

 

[bstnsprts]

Okay, so I have read the majority of this thread and I just want to make sure I am clear on it. We have a 5 and 6 year old. I got the DDP and have already booked most of the TS which are all buffet character meals. Now grant it the three of us can share two chicken nugget happy meals so I know I am not making out in the food category but then that is not what the character meals are all about so you are not necessarily paying for the food as much as the entertainment. I digress, what I need clarification on is this: I was planning on maybe getting the "adult" CS for breakfast (the kids eat poptarts for breakfast and PPJ for lunch) and then using the "kids" CS for picking up lunch. Fully anticipating on ordering a kids meal for lunch. I was figuring I would be hungry but not that hungry. But I had every intention of using the "kids" credit. What I am hearing is that there is no distinguish between the kids credit and adult? I guess what I am asking (be it right or wrong) is that when ordering CS I do not need to say this is for a child? WOW I can see where this could become a real moral issue. As far as no one saying anything, I worked in the service business for some time and if I got one thing out of it was "The customer is ALWAYS right!" I had a real tough time swallowing that one. You would not imagine the things I saw and when I brought it too the attention of my manager/owner he would always say this. He would say the last thing we wantes to do is to make the person mad because then they wouldn't come back. Interesting.....

The only time that it might be an issue is if you were to order four regular CS meals at once. The CM may then only let you get two regular and two kids meals. I use the word might because on our last trip we ate at Pepper Market and the CM there told my three year old that if she didn't like anything from the kids menu, to get whatever she wanted. If you bought two CS for breakfast and then two CS for lunch, you will be able to get all regular meals. If your going during free dining look at it this way, Disney is charging adults and kids the same for DDP, zero.

 

[Pedler]

Pedler your reply to DaveO was I feel a little harsh on everyone who has a different opinion to yourself. I have a contrary view, but it is a discussion board?

jonkatony,

I apologize if it seemed a bit harsh. I should no better than to reply late at night.

My apologies if I offended anyone.

Pedler.

 

[Lewisc]

If your going during free dining look at it this way, Disney is charging adults and kids the same for DDP, zero.

I can't agree with that logic. Adults more for park passes, even if they're not purchased as part of the package. Disney is nice enough, not really nice but rather a discount program, to give kids meals for kids and adult meals for adults.

Not referring to any specific posters but it's a shame MYW Dining in general and free dining isn't enough for some people.

Peddler and others--the terms of the plan clearly don't separate credits into adult and child. Some people try to interpret the requirement of kids ordering off the kids menu as an implied separation. I don't buy it. BUT the terms of the plan clearly indicate everyone dining at a character meal, dinner show or signature restaurant will have the appropriate number of credits deducted from their account. Although that isn't generally enforced the wording is very clear. It's also logical, Disney isn't selling meal credits at a discount, child rate, to families that want to purchase additional adult meals. I can't ask Disney to sell me extra credits at $12 /day. Not allowing guests to pay opp for kids meals would be a way to enforce the intent (IMHO) of the plan, a way to accommodate kids that skip meals either because of sharing or eating elsewhere (kids club or CS).

I don't believe Disney intended that guests would decide that it would be a waste to use credits, paid for at the child rate, to purchase child meals.

Some people are trying to decide how to plan. Since it hasn't been changed in over a year I'd expect credits to retain some flexibility BUT I wouldn't purchase dining assuming you'll be allowed to use all (or most) of your "child credits" for adult meals. The plan is subject to change but even without changing it enforcing an all or nothing approach regarding TS dining credits will reduce the "gaming".

 

[Pedler]

Peddler and others--the terms of the plan clearly don't separate credits into adult and child. Some people try to interpret the requirement of kids ordering off the kids menu as an implied separation. I don't buy it. BUT the terms of the plan clearly indicate everyone dining at a character meal, dinner show or signature restaurant will have the appropriate number of credits deducted from their account. Although that isn't generally enforced the wording is very clear. It's also logical, Disney isn't selling meal credits at a discount, child rate, to families that want to purchase additional adult meals. I can't ask Disney to sell me extra credits at $12 /day. Not allowing guests to pay opp for kids meals would be a way to enforce the intent (IMHO) of the plan, a way to accommodate kids that skip meals either because of sharing or eating elsewhere (kids club or CS).

It does say that in the brochure as an example but it doesn't say you have to do an all or nothing. It could just be there to illustrate an example of using credits. The best proof of the intent of the plan is how it is implemented. I don't think this is the case of some CM's sprinkling pixie dust on people. Using the mug analogy you will find some CM's who will say to its OK to bring back mugs from previous trips. But as I think Bicker posted on another thread if you ask management or write to Disney you will get the offical answer and that is that mugs are to be used for the duration of your stay.

In the same line if the brochure contradicts itself, it says credits can be used in anyway you want essentially but then mentions that a credit will be deducted for each and every person when going to a character meal, the only way to determine how the plan is supposed to be used is how it is implemented.

If Disney were to want to change the way credits are handled I don't think not allowing paying OOP for kids is going to work. There are legitimate reasons to pay OOP for kids on occasions.

I don't believe Disney intended that guests would decide that it would be a waste to use credits, paid for at the child rate, to purchase child meals.

I have to admit that I don't think Disney was thinking of anything like this. I think they just wanted a plan that was simple to administer, keep track of and enticing enough to get people to stay on site. I don't think Disney thought of having adults use credits at the childrens price and I don't think they thought of not having adults use the credits at the childrens price. There just isn't that much money at stake when compared to the overall plan. As I have said before the I think the whole intent of the plan in its current form is to get people on site and keep them there. AS long as it accomplishes that objective I don't think they really care how people use credits. Edited to add: If Disney doesn't care how the credits are used then I think people should feel free to use them in any manner they see fit without people hinting that they are somehow skirting the rules, using a loophole or in some way are unethical.

 

[bstnsprts]

My best analogy would be that DDP, especially when free, and ME are comparable to comps at a Vegas Casino. All Disney cares about is using these programs to put guests, especially families on site. The same way a casino uses drinks, meals, shows, ect. to keep players on site. Disney is looking at the big picture, not how many credits purchased for kids are turning into adult meals. How many times have you heard, "now that I've stayed on site, I will never stay off site again." Free transportation, free dining, rooms on Priceline, Disney is having a hard time getting people to stay on site. The costs of these programs are the costs that Disney is willing to absorb to get people and their vacation dollars on site. This will always be a problem for Disney given the amount of quality hotels and resorts in the area.
While your kids are 3 to 9 I see nothing wrong with using the plan to it's fullest until Disney decides to make changes, which I doubt they will until hotels and all restaurants are closer to capacity year round. When that happens there will be no discounts.

 

[jensen]

I completely agree with Nancyg56. Disney is doing this dining plan because it makes sense for them. And I'm not at all concerned about ordering an adults meal when my DS5 doesn't like what's available from the kids menu.

What does make me a bit nervous however is when I read about families who book 2AD 2CH in one room and 2 more adults in another... but only book one room with the dining plan. They pay for all four adults meals at all restaurants from the dining plan and then pay OOP for the kids meals. This doesn't seem right to me.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

What does make me a bit nervous however is when I read about families who book 2AD 2CH in one room and 2 more adults in another... but only book one room with the dining plan. They pay for all four adults meals at all restaurants from the dining plan and then pay OOP for the kids meals. This doesn't seem right to me

Oh that's nothing. During the free meal plan last year, some people were considering making up kids in the room and buying one day tickets for themselves and these phantom kids. Then they were going to use the credits generated to feed friends or relatives that were staying off site.