DVC Dining Plan

[BCV23]

If the abuse is widespread, it's not just with DVC members. From the sounds of it, many DVC members are not even going to use the plan. Disney may change the plan, or take it away, but they have had a version of it for years, offering more than just food. I am sure they know what they are doing. I would think they would enforce the child credits before totally abolishing any type of program that keeps people on property over a long period of time.

I agree with you. The DDP seems very successful judging by the crowds in the restaurants. Can't imagine WDW stopping it. Tinkering with it, raising prices, etc. but as you said there has always been a dining package of one type or another.

I also agree that the idea of phantom children is sad and creepy.

It will be interesting to see if WDW does break out child credits/adult credits. Perhaps it is not as easy to do as it would seem. I have been told by a manager in a hotel that the reservation system is hopelessly complex. But if that can't get sorted out, the rest of us will surely pay in increased prices to cover for the cheaters whether we purchase the plan or not.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

One thing we need to keep in mind is that the people posting on the DISBoard giving tips on how to cheat the system are only a very small percentage of overall visitors to WDW...so I'm hoping the abuse isn't as widespread as we think.

 

[NMW]

I agree. Am I the only one who is galled by the fact if I get the DP my 10 and 12 year olds will be eating scraps of dinner at a cost of 38 dollars a day whilst fully grown ADULTS, possibly seated alongside us, will be enjoying 3 course meals at a cost of 11 dollars a day by using their childrens' credits? Not to open THAT can of worms again (which I've debated to death on another thread) but honestly, outside of personal morals, outside of the debate as to whether it's a glitch or a definite policy I just cannot see the fairness in such a situation. Oh how I dearly wish that Disney would offer a choice to parents of 10 to 14 year olds i.e. allow them to decide whether to get the child's plan or the adult's plan for their child. This would be very fair, especially if they started differentiating between the adult/child credits (my second wish) because that would avoid any 12 (or 13 or 14) year old big eaters paying a child's price and eating an adult's meal. Justice for all. Yay!!

I know how you feel about 10 year old thing. When I added the dining plan to my reservation, MS said it would be 2 adults and 3 children. I pointed out that my oldest turns 10 1 month before our trip, and wouldn't he therefore be an "adult"??? She corrected it and we will pay the adult price for him. I don't feel comfortable lying about his age, and I had given MS their birthdates before anyway. I would certainly want him to order an adult entree now that we paid an adult price. Fortunately he likes steak and prime rib. I don't care if that's what he orders every night! I do wish they had a junior price or something that allowed kids to order off either a kids menu or a smaller portion adult menu. I know all kids are different though. My oldest son has a friend who is so skinny you can see all his ribs. I've watched him eat 5 big slices of pizza, 15 hot wings, 3 pieces of fryed chicken, and 2 pieces of cake. He is 9 and his mother says he eats like this all the time. I would be taking that kid to buffets at Disney if he was mine!

 

[LakeAriel]

The policy is that everyone in the room must get the dining plan for the entire length of the stay. The policy is the same for DVC as it is for CRO/WDWTC, except that DVC members do not have to buy tickets. Sorry, no one here can give you permission to ignore the policy by sneaking another perosn into the room. Perhaps the person you rent from can ask MS if they will allow an exception. If not, your choice is between not getting the DP, paying for your family tag-along or telling your extended family that you can't afford to pay for the food portion of the package for the tag-along and maybe something will work out for her next time.

Best wishes -

Another problem with this would be she may not be able to use the pool because she would have neither a key or wrist band

 

[Sammie]

Until the DP became available to DVC members I had read very little about it as I knew we would never book a package. However after it became available to members I started reading the threads here and some of it was very confusing to me. Alot of misinformation about what you can and can not do.

So I went to the Restaurant Forum and asked a question about whether you could use 2 credits for items on the menu that are listed for 2 people. Certain restaurants offer appetizers, entress, and desserts for 2 people.

My question was if 2 people in our party want to order one of these items can we do it and use 2 credits. I did not see where this would be any different than using 2 seperate credits for 2 seperate items. For example order the dessert sampler for 2 and use 2 dessert credits vs. ordering 2 seperate desserts.

I was told that no you can't, as others have tried and were denied.

So I did some calling and this is what I found out.

I spoke with someone in Food and Beverage for the entire property and yes you can order the items for 2. They stated they do realize that at Disney due to the size of the property and hundreds of restaurants that policy does not always filter down to the frontline.

However if guests wish to use 2 credits to purchase an item be it appetizer, entree, or dessert then it would be the same as purchasing 2 seperate items as 2 credits would still be used.

They suggested if you run into problems with this on the server level, ask to speak to the manager as they are all aware of the policy.

Everyone just needs to understand a 2 person item requires 2 credits.

And an interesting PS. They are very aware of the abuses or attempt to abuse the dining program and are studying ways to tweak it to prevent this. And also interestingly enough are very much aware of the Refillable mug situation and are working on that too. So they do care and are aware that the frontline CM is not helping the situation by not enforcing policy.

 

[BCV23]

I admit to being confused by your post Sammie.

The plan does not break down into individual courses. You do not get so many dessert credits for instance. Rather you get one table service meal per night of your stay. Using that credit entitles you to one entree, one appetizer, one dessert and one non alcoholic beverage. You don't need to order each course but neither can you save a course for future use.

It makes perfect sense for restaurants to refuse a patron a dessert intended for two unless two people on the plan are ordering it to share. It makes no sense to me to refuse that request if two people are sharing it and using two credits for their meal...or four in the case of a signature restaurant.

 

[Sammie]

I admit to being confused by your post Sammie.

The plan does not break down into individual courses. You do not get so many dessert credits for instance. Rather you get one table service meal per night of your stay. Using that credit entitles you to one entree, one appetizer, one dessert and one non alcoholic beverage. You don't need to order each course but neither can you save a course for future use.

It makes perfect sense for restaurants to refuse a patron a dessert intended for two unless two people on the plan are ordering it to share. It makes no sense to me to refuse that request if two people are sharing it and using two credits for their meal...or four in the case of a signature restaurant.

yes that is what i was trying to find out can 2 people order it and share and therefore use up 2 credits. I was told on the Restaurant board, no you cant. But Disney said yes you can.

For example the Yachtsman Steakhouse offers a Dessert Sampler Platter for Two -- chef's sampling of our desserts $11.

If you want to order this using the dining plan, it requires the use of 2 guests' dessert credits. Or we could order seperately and get for example one cheesecake and one chocolate cake.

Does that help.

 

[BCV23]

I'm trying to say there is no seperate dessert credit.

Just a total meal credit.

It completely makes sense to me that one person could not order a dessert intended for two.

But two people should be able to share it using their two credits. Strange that folks say no.

 

[Dean]

I'm trying to say there is no seperate dessert credit.

Just a total meal credit.

It completely makes sense to me that one person could not order a dessert intended for two.

But two people should be able to share it using their two credits. Strange that folks say no.

It would all depend on the rules in place. Disney would have to include that wording in the rules to enforce it that way. Otherwise, I'd say a dessert is a dessert.

 

[FayeW]

I admit that I did not read all 42 pages of this post, but I want to make sure I understand what I DID read . If I rent points from a DVC member for a one night stay at BCV, I can buy the DDP for everyone in my party and I do NOT have to buy park tickets?

We would have 2 adults & 2 kids (both considered adult by age) so the dining plan would cost $151.96. I would then have 2 full days (day of check in and day of check out) to use all my credits? If so, I would have one TS at Le Cellier, paying cash for my children to eat from the kid's menu., and still have 2 credits to use the next night at LTT, where I could pay for 2 of our meals. So, in addition to the $151.96 for the meal plan, I would pay approx $20. cash at Le Cellier for my kid's burgers, tax & tip, and approx $75. for 2 dinners at LTT, including tax & tip. We could easily use the 4 CS credits over the 2 days by splitting the meals, and still have the 4 snack credits. We could try two nice TS restaurants we've never tried, and basically have most of our meals for 2 days paid for less than $250. By looking at the menu's at Le Cellier, I believe that the bill for my husband's & my meal could easily exceed $100, so this seems to be excellent value for us! (Is my math right, and do I really not have to buy park tickets?)

 

[CarolMN]

I admit that I did not read all 42 pages of this post, but I want to make sure I understand what I DID read . If I rent points from a DVC member for a one night stay at BCV, I can buy the DDP for everyone in my party and I do NOT have to buy park tickets?

We would have 2 adults & 2 kids (both considered adult by age) so the dining plan would cost $151.96. I would then have 2 full days (day of check in and day of check out) to use all my credits? If so, I would have one TS at Le Cellier, paying cash for my children to eat from the kid's menu., and still have 2 credits to use the next night at LTT, where I could pay for 2 of our meals. So, in addition to the $151.96 for the meal plan, I would pay approx $20. cash at Le Cellier for my kid's burgers, tax & tip, and approx $75. for 2 dinners at LTT, including tax & tip. We could easily use the 4 CS credits over the 2 days by splitting the meals, and still have the 4 snack credits. We could try two nice TS restaurants we've never tried, and basically have most of our meals for 2 days paid for less than $250. By looking at the menu's at Le Cellier, I believe that the bill for my husband's & my meal could easily exceed $100, so this seems to be excellent value for us! (Is my math right, and do I really not have to buy park tickets?)

You won't have to pay for park tickets to add the Dining Plan to your points rental. However, I am not sure if the DP is available for 1 night stays - there may be a minimum length of stay requirment to add the DP. Maybe someone else who has asked MS about that will post.

Best wishes -

 

[BCV23]

It would all depend on the rules in place. Disney would have to include that wording in the rules to enforce it that way. Otherwise, I'd say a dessert is a dessert.

Do you mean that unless there is some written rule, one person should be able to order a dessert listed on the menu as for two?

Sammie, we haven't done the new plan but used to do the Old Gold Key plan when we only went to WDW once a year. From day one, San Angel Inn had Queso Fundido listed as an appetizer for two. We were always able to order it to share. Most typically we would order two which we split among our family of five. We never had any problem doing so.

Of course, after all these years that Epcot has been open, Queso Fundido is off the menu as of a month or two ago. I hope it is not because people were insisting on ordering it for one person because there was no written rule other than the stipulation on the menu.

It had morphed anyway into a rather bland presentation but we are still sad to see it gone.

 

[JLS]

Hi -

Would appreciate your help with this. We are going to be at the Beach Club from May 19-29, which spans two weekends. We have a 2 bedroom suite. Me, my husband and our 1 year old son will be there the whole time and want to get the dining plan (2 adult plans). My best friend is flying in from Colorado to join us only for the first weekend (19-22nd). Then we are "on our own" for a few days, and then my mom and sister are flying in to join us for the second weekend.

From what I understand about the dining plan rules, everyone has to order the dining plan for the duration of the reservation. Given our situation, are we precluded from getting the dining plan? I think that our guests would probably agree to get the plan, but obviously they won't be there the whole time like we will be.

Any way to deal with this situation, or are we out of luck?

Thanks.

-Jenn

 

[Disneyhappy]

I have sort of a similar situation with my niece joining us for a weekend. I currently have ressies with points for 5 nights and $ for the 2 weekend nights. To get the dining plan for my niece without having to pay for her for the whole 7 days, I would have to unlink my ressies (5 days of points and 2 days of cash). With the ressies unlinked, I would not be guaranteed that we won't have to switch rooms after the first 5 days of our point stay.

So, the answer is that you could probably work things out by separating your ressies and having them unlinked if you are not concerned about the possibility of having to switch rooms. I would also check out the DVC dining thread for other possible answers. (Sorry but I don't know how to post links.)

 

[senecabeach]

If I were you...I would call MS and get an "Official" answer.

BTW...I'll be there the same time and also in a 2 bdrm!!!!!

Please let us know how you made out??

 

[Dean]

Do you mean that unless there is some written rule, one person should be able to order a dessert listed on the menu as for two?

No, what I meant is that for Disney to prevent one ordering a dessert meant for two, they'd either have to specifically state this is not possible within the rules OR they'd have to offer the same dessert for one as an alternative. I haven't seen the paperwork that accompanies the DP, with previous programs, it was usually far more specific than anything else out there.

 

[Donna]

You won't have to pay for park tickets to add the Dining Plan to your points rental. However, I am not sure if the DP is available for 1 night stays - there may be a minimum length of stay requirment to add the DP. Maybe someone else who has asked MS about that will post.

Best wishes -

I believe it is a minimum 3 night stay for the dining plan.

 

[Dean]

Hi -

Would appreciate your help with this. We are going to be at the Beach Club from May 19-29, which spans two weekends. We have a 2 bedroom suite. Me, my husband and our 1 year old son will be there the whole time and want to get the dining plan (2 adult plans). My best friend is flying in from Colorado to join us only for the first weekend (19-22nd). Then we are "on our own" for a few days, and then my mom and sister are flying in to join us for the second weekend.

From what I understand about the dining plan rules, everyone has to order the dining plan for the duration of the reservation. Given our situation, are we precluded from getting the dining plan? I think that our guests would probably agree to get the plan, but obviously they won't be there the whole time like we will be.

Any way to deal with this situation, or are we out of luck?

Thanks.

-Jenn

I asked MS this question in regards to an II exchange. I specifically asked in regards to the situation where we'd have guests not there are the beginning but coming and going during our stay. The response was all guests, all days and in regards to an II exchange, 7 days even if you only actually stayed for 5.

 

[westjones]

Sorry if this has been asked.

Is there a minimum stay you need to stay at a DVC to use the Dining Plan?

In otherwords. We are staying one night on points at BCV after our Disney Cruise. Can I get the dining plan for that one night?
Thanks,
DJ

 

[LSchrow]

I asked MS this question in regards to an II exchange. I specifically asked in regards to the situation where we'd have guests not there are the beginning but coming and going during our stay. The response was all guests, all days and in regards to an II exchange, 7 days even if you only actually stayed for 5.

this looks like a situation where YMMV dependent upon the exact situation ~ there are so many variables (DVC owner, exchange, etc)
my "situation": DH & i (the DVC owners) are going 8/27 thru 9/1 (BWV studio, with DP). DH leaves on 9/1 when my parents & DB & family come down (using our points, into a BWV 2bdrm with DP) for 8 days. i'm staying in their villa the first 2 or 3 nights of their vacation.....

MS said to add myself to their ressie (for partial stay) at their check-in, without DP, but with ME (which i really WANT ).
they said i canNOT get DP for the few days in their villa (no biggie, i'll pay cash ), & that it won't affect their DP arrangements.

i hope this works cos i REALLY want to spend some time with my parents & DB/family (we watch one another's pets on vacations, so i've never been there with them....& i'm SOOOOOOO excited!!! )

<crossing fingers>