Do People Really.......???

[santonucci]

I have read this thread and found some interesting opinions and here's my 2 cents:

1.) Grew up in a family of 9. There wasn't extra food, and nothing was wasted. Split a burger? Absolutely! Do I need to save the $5? Nope, but my upbringing tells me that waste is wrong.

2.) Refillable mugs? I pack them every time I go back. 2 reasons- First, they were SOLD to me as "good forever", so I'm not sure I can't do this in good conscience (I ASKED!). Second, I have 6 mugs from the WL, 4 mugs from the AKL, 4 mugs from CBR. If I bought a mug every time I went, I would have 40 mugs! And yes, my son and daughter used to share "our" mugs before they got their own.

3.) "Abusing the system" is usually not about money, but more likely a lack of respect for people around you. People try to justify rudeness a million different ways, but in the end, it's about respecting the rules. If Disney says yo can pool hop, great. If they say you can't, then you should respect THEIR RULES. We try to follow all of the rules because I want my children to grow up right. If I tell them that the rules don't apply to me, that's how they'll end up growing up. Not on my watch.

4.) Free salad? If I bought a hamburger, I am entitled to take as much as I need/want from the fixin's bar. If I bought a soda... it's a tough argument to make. Back to respect issue. You'll hear "Disney is so expensive..." "Oh, they won't miss it", which is meant to justify stealing? As soon as you arrive on property, you know it is more than your local McDonald's, so plan accordingly. Pack some fruit. Buy a box of crackers. Buy a lunch and split it if you need to, but don't steal and try to rationalize it as a victimless crime.

Steve

Going to the Poly in August for the first time! Guess I'll have to add 4 Poly mugs to the collection...

 

[Tink10]

1. buying an extra bun.
2. dirty diaper
3. mug refills
4.pool hoping.

Honestly if your this worried about them. You have to much time on your hands. Go enjoy Disney who cares about what others are doing. JMHO

Never said I was worried.....Only said I was curious. By being here, I think we all have too much time on our hands......

 

[bethbuchall]

*Order a double cheeseburger & ask for an extra bun?

Just Curious......

I've done this once. There never seem to be burgers on the kids' menus at the CS places. One day my kids really wanted burgers. When the cashier heard us discussing splitting a double cheeseburger between them, he told me that I could order extra bun to make it easier for them to eat the burger. I would do it again!

Beth

 

[Allison]

Putting an extra person in a room exceeding Disney limits...this is a hot topic for me. The whole vacationing world, not just Disney, is designed around a "family of 4". and help us that have exceeded that "norm". Because I have 3 children, does Disney offer me an upcharge on my room rate? Heck no! My family would be perfectly content in one room but I have to pay for an entire additional room for my 6 yo. Because I have a third child I pay DOUBLE, being forced to get a second room. So at the POP I am paying 79.00 extra per night for my 3rd child! I certainly agree that if you have more children you need to pay more but DOUBLE? So, if someone is "sneaking" an extra person into the room in this situation can you blame them? Sorry, I won't feel the least bit guilty about my family sharing one mug!

As for the extra bun...you pay for the meal and you are paying for the bun, I don't get anyone having a problem with this on any level.

Pool hopping? So what! If the riff raff can come to the mod and del properties to spend money, then I guess they're good enough to use the pools. If the resorts are so exclusive then make the whole place for guests only, not just the pools.

I must say though that the meal sharing business at TS restaurants is new to me. I have NEVER seen or heard of it being done in the real world. Maybe it's a regional thing? I guess I've always assumed there is an unwritten law in TS places (at home) that if you occupy a seat you buy a meal...BTW, I'm not judging this practice, I'm just surprised by it.

P.S. Stanger swap? What do you have to offer? I might be interested! Ha Ha.

I have a family of 5 also and yes, we do usually have to pay extra for our hotel rooms. That is just the way it is.

Your pool hopping statement makes no sense. People pay to use the pools at the resort they are staying at. Others are not allowed to use the pools. That is simply the way it is. If I paid for the use of the pool which I did when I pay the reservation, I get to use that pool. You don't. Pretty simple and very fair.

 

[kcrew]

I have a family of 5 also and yes, we do usually have to pay extra for our hotel rooms. That is just the way it is.

Your pool hopping statement makes no sense. People pay to use the pools at the resort they are staying at. Others are not allowed to use the pools. That is simply the way it is. If I paid for the use of the pool which I did when I pay the reservation, I get to use that pool. You don't. Pretty simple and very fair.

But why do people care? Isn't it an "I paid more than you did and thus I'm better so stay out of my pool" mentality? Really, how do you know who's who and why do you care? I don't have the time or energy to run around to other pools. I'm not there for pools. I have my own pool at home!

 

[kcrew]

All values, except the soon to be available value suites, some moderates and some deluxes only sleep 4. But there are some moderates and deluxes that do sleep 6.

In the example above the person could have gone to POR and got the tundle bed.

The POR for one room actually priced out $5 per night HIGHER than 2 rooms at the POP. Other options that accomadated 5 were astronomical starting at $70 more per night and going way, WAY up. Sorry, if Disney was truly child friendly there would be more reasonable options.

 

[KimberlyC]

I must say though that the meal sharing business at TS restaurants is new to me. I have NEVER seen or heard of it being done in the real world. Maybe it's a regional thing? I guess I've always assumed there is an unwritten law in TS places (at home) that if you occupy a seat you buy a meal...BTW, I'm not judging this practice, I'm just surprised by it.

I don't know if this is what you are refering to but I share meals with my DS at restaurants all the time. He's a toddler. Sometimes there is something he will eat on the children's menu and sometimes he won't eat anything at all. His tastes change daily and I'm not kidding. If I think he'll eat something from the children's menu, I'll order it especially since I don't eat red meat or pork and he has limited opportunities to have types of meat that I will not eat. But a lot of what is on the kids menu is junk food. Even if I allowed him to eat unlimited chicken tenders he won't eat chicken tenders, only grilled breast of chicken (at least so far, its always subject to change with him). I'm not going to order him an adult entree with two pieces of chicken just like the chicken I'm ordering for myself when I know I won't eat all of mine and he'll only eat a few bites. That just seems silly and wasteful. Don't get me wrong, I tip well, very well because I know my toddler sharing my plate makes a bigger mess than anyone ordering the most expensive entree on the menu. I just didn't think this was a regional thing. I assumed it was commonplace. WDW won't even charge for him at our CP and Ohana character meals so they must expect that he'll eat off of our plate.

 

[mickeyfan2]

But why do people care? Isn't it an "I paid more than you did and thus I'm better so stay out of my pool" mentality? Really, how do you know who's who and why do you care? I don't have the time or energy to run around to other pools. I'm not there for pools. I have my own pool at home!

Actually they did pay more if they are at a deluxe and the other person at a value. It is even worse if the other person is staying offsite. The best pools are at the Deluxes, which also carry the highest price tags.

 

[mickeyfan2]

If two adults want to share a meal, they can ask the server to split it, for a fee.

 

[Feralpeg]

Many times, my family left our refillable mugs behind in our rooms. Our intention was for another family to find them, wash them and not have to buy others. Of course, it probably never worked out. I would imagine Housekeeping just tossed them out.

Also, we were known to leave behind full six packs of soda. I'm sure Housekeeping kept those.

 

[shasess]

1. buying an extra bun.
2. dirty diaper
3. mug refills
4.pool hoping.

Honestly if your this worried about them. You have to much time on your hands. Go enjoy Disney who cares about what others are doing. JMHO

ITA!!

 

[rrkman]

My opinions...

Dirty Diapers - gross, I think that I could find better ways to identify my stoller.

Swap - if for Pal Mickey and/or strollers, no different than buying a used one somewhere else.

Extra bun - If you get the DDP, aren't you trying to pay less for your food? How is that different than this? Isn't the Double Cheesburger more expensive? What if you go to McDonalds and get the 2 cheesburger meal, split the fries, and buy an extra drink....is that "stealing" or wrong?

Salad bar - I can see taking a pickle to eat by itself because you don't want to have it on your burger but making a salad out of the fixings seems a little wrong...but then again, the fixings are included in the price of your meal so eat as much as you want as long as you paid for a meal that gets the fixing bar.

Additional guests - this would have to be case by case....but also, not setting a limit would cause problems...family of 4 could say that 20 people are staying in the room then the other 16 people could also get the free DDP and EMH...doesn't seem fair. Maybe the could just charge per person when more than 4 in the room.

As far as pool hopping - I am staying at the Poly and am paying more for the pool and atmosphere. I have to pay the same price for food and/or gifts as everyone else so go ahead and use them...but the pool is part of the resort cost that I am already paying.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Kind of on topic......on pool hopping......

when you're in the pool, can you ACTUALLY tell which people are from "your resort" and someone from another one?

are you really paying that much attention to the other people rather than having a great time in the pool?

I just don't get it. How can you tell someone is pool hopping?

The problem isn't the difference in the people, it's that hopping brings more of them to the better pools. If Pool hopping were allowed, the pools at Boardwalk and Beachclub would be totally jambed. That's not fair to people that paid for those resorts specifically. As it is, pool hopping not allowed cuts down on that and at the premier pools, they actually card during peak times.

If I were at Boardwalk and the pool weren't that crowded and were useable, I couldn't care less if someone from Pop came over and used it. But if we've got a situation where we are packed in like Sardines and 1/2 of them are from Pop or All stars than yeah, I've got something to say about that. I will have paid extra money partially because of that pool. And if it's not useable because everyone comes over from other hotels, that's not fair to those that made specific arrangements to stay there.

 

[tink2020]

Hmm... I never thought of buying an extra bun and splitting a double cheeseburger meal.

Saves a few bucks, sure, but like others have mentioned -- it might just be because the meals are so big, and we don't need two of them! I'll have to remember this

 

[DISUNC]

You forgot to mention the refillable mug issues and pool hopping.

 

[DISUNC]

*Tie dirty diapers to their strollers?

EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YUK! Why?


*"Swap" things in the parks with complete strangers?

Swap WHAT THINGS??? Sounds like it could be FUN!


*Order a double cheeseburger & ask for an extra bun?
I am sure! So what?


*Make meal sized salads off of the toppings bars?
Again, I am sure! So what?


*Sneak more guests in a resort room than Disney allows?

Again, Again I am sure! However, maybe this is a direct result of the above "Swapping things in the park with a complete stranger" scenario mentioned above!

 

[MareQ]

I thought most rooms at Disney resorts had an occupancy of 5??

No - Most resorts at Disney have an occopancy of 4 PLUS a 5th ONLY if the child is under 3 years old and stays in a crib.

The value now have a limited number of family suites which has a 6+1(6 plus 1 child under 3) - all other values are 4+1.

All mods are 4+1 except for some limited rooms at POR only as they have trundles and will take ressies for 5 or 5+1.

Some deluxes have trundles and will do 5/5+ also but in general most rooms are only 4 + 1.

 

[traviesojmt]

OK I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this but...

Does anyone else think that if you are so strapped for money that you resort ot some of these tactics, you really should be putting your money somewhere (ie, bills) other than Disney.

I know, I know, I can hear it... "Don't tell me how to spend MY money"

JMHO

\
I really am not flaming, I just wanted to add a point. As a family who is completely debt-free, I do understand your argument. I think that it is very important to pay down debt, save for future and have an emergency fund. I just wanted to point out that it is not always people who are strapped for cash that use these "tactics". The average millionaire in America has the money because they saved it. They are exceptionally frugal with how they spend their money. There is a really good book on the subject. I'm not talking about pool hopping (which Disney says not to do) or taking food from a salad bar where you have not made a purchase. But when you see a family food sharing, just don't be quick to judge that they are doing it because they can't afford to be at Disney. Once you have purchased the food from Disney, it is yours to allocate however you see fit. Sorry to be so OT, my point is that you can never tell by looking at someone what their real motive or financial situation might be.

 

[MareQ]

I'd try the extra bun deal in a heartbeat, expect I'd be much happier eating the double burger myself

Also, about pool hopping: Really, whats the big deal? Near as I can tell, I'm staying on Disney property and should feel free to tour the amenities at the other resorts without feeling guilty. It's not like you're paying directly to swim in the pool at your hotel, it's just a bonus and you may as well share it.

Fortunately Disney doesn't agree. Pool Hopping is a privledge extended to DVC members ONLY - all other guests are NOT allowed to pool hop unless they are staying in "sister" resorts - All Star guests can use any All Star pools, POR and POFQ can use each other's pools - all other people must use their own pool.

 

[CanadianGuy]

RE: Dirty Diapers on Strollers...

You spend the money to rent one and have it swiped. You'll find that dirty diaper plan to be a life saver. I happen to know one family that 'soiled' the diaper with some balsamic vinagrette salad dressing. The point was to make it 'appear' soiled so others would leave their stroller alone... instead of thinking "Oooh.. free stroller."

Personally, I don't have kids. And I hate strollers. Once the park is thick with what I call "The Stroller Brigade" - I leave for the afternoon. If I did have kids, they'd get to Disney when they were old enough to walk most of the day. (That's me.. I'm not everyone.. I know that)

Some people pushing strollers (not all but some) are just downright obnoxious about them and it really gets on my nerves having my foot run over for the billionth time by someone who's trying to push their way thru to somewhere with a sunburnt child in a stroller who they are mostly ignoring. Burns my nerves.

Woops.. That's a rant.

J