Heads up for plan fudgers in 2007

[Lewisc]

Serving a kid an adult meal but charging a kid credit isn't that much different than any other time an employee decides (without permission) not to charge for a dessert, drink or to ring up a less expensive menu item than the item served.

I hope this doesn't stop restaurants from being able to accomodate guests by serving child sized portions of some adult items as a way to satisfy customers.

It's not clear, from the information given to the guest, that they can't just buy extra adult CS meals. The server can explain the policy at TS restaurants but the cashier at a CS restaurant is in the position of making an exception, having to fight with a customer or having to take back items that are on the guests tray.

I think that the number used thing will be TS only as it would be nearly impossible to enforce at CS or Snack level, since you could just get back in line. I know that they are saying that if you are sitting in a TS restaurant and your card says 2, that's all you can get. No buying dinner for friends, no random acts of kindness for the table next door. The adult vs. child thing is going to be the biggie. This is where Disney is really getting taken. Especially at CS since it's very easy to do. FYI, to anyone who mentioned CM enforcement, between now and then, CMs are being audited and will face discipline for allowing you to get 4 adult meals if your card says 2/2. Please remember that when you are contimplating giving them a hard time so you can split 3 adult counter service meals for your family of 2/2 to save something for later. Most CMs want to give the guest what they want. Playing "lets see what I can get" or browbeat the CM until he bends is going to have consequences for someone, even if it isn't you.

 

[Sammie]

My guess and this is a guess is that if you have a plan that has 2 adults and 2 children and you are staying 5 nights, you will be given 10 Adult TS and 10 adult CS and 10 child TS and 10 CS and 20 snacks.

If you want to buy all your 20 snacks at one time, no problem. Also if you want to eat one adult CS and one kid's CS at one time, again no problem. This allows families to split up.

This family won't be able to go to TS and get 3 adult meals or 3 kid's meals at the same time. You could get less than the number on your plan but not more.

Also if you use 4 adult TS for a signature and your kid's don't go with you, then Yes you are going to have 4 children's TS that you need to deal with it and you won't be eating adult meals off of those anymore either.

Truly it does not matter to Disney if Mom eats the kid's meal and Bobby eats her adult meal, as long as they are not eating more meals (kids and adult) than they actually paid for.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't see how Disney would be within their rights to limit snacks in that way. I want to use 2 snacks credits, at once, to get a drink and a pretzel. Is there any doubt that's allowed? How about cereal, milk, coffee and juice? That's 4 snack credits. One could make the case for limiting TS or CS credits, the reality is guests don't eat two meals at once but that's not the case with snacks.

I agree. I was talking about CS credits, not snack credits.

 

[dreamalittledream]

All inclusive resorts make guests wear wrist bands. Disney could go that route if too many guests decide to circumvent rules.

I agree with you or they could also add photos to the KTTW cards but it may be cost prohibbited in the long run. It wouldn't bother me either way, I just wanted to report what happend recently. As with any large organization, there will always be inconsistancies.

 

[JimMIA]

Please remember that when you are contimplating giving them a hard time so you can split 3 adult counter service meals for your family of 2/2 to save something for later. Most CMs want to give the guest what they want. Playing "lets see what I can get" or browbeat the CM until he bends is going to have consequences for someone, even if it isn't you.

I agree with you.

Unfortunately however...the guests who would do this couldn't care less whether the CM gets terminated for accommodating them. All they care about is they got a free tuna salad sandwich and beat the system.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney is not clear about restricting the number of CS meals to the number indicated on the card. There is no mention of that restriction in any of the materials that guests receive.

The server at a TS restaurant, or even the hostess at the Pepper Market, has an opportunity to explain the policy before customers order. At a CS restaurant the first time a guest hears about the policy is when the cashier tells the customer they have to pay cash for one or more of the CS meals. At this point the customer may, rightly, ask where this rule is documented. I guess the cashier could ask for a manager but the letting it go through makes more sense than having an unhappy customer or having the customer refuse to pay and having to discard the food.

The tuna sandwich isn't "free", the customer would otherwise be getting his sandwich at a later time or would have another member of his party go to a different cashier.

Disney is certainly entitled to have rules but they have to clearly communicate them to their customers.

I agree with you.

Unfortunately however...the guests who would do this couldn't care less whether the CM gets terminated for accommodating them. All they care about is they got a free tuna salad sandwich and beat the system.

 

[bicker]

Playing "lets see what I can get" or browbeat the CM until he bends is going to have consequences for someone, even if it isn't you.

That's a great point. Folks really need to get grounded, and start accepting the Dining Plan as it is being offered, rather than seeking out lucrative exploits.

 

[bicker]

Disney is certainly entitled to have rules but they have to clearly communicate them to their customers.

The relevant rules are already in the brochure: The Dining Plan is non-transferable. Child meal entitlements cannot be used for adult meals. Implementation of enforcement of either rule is subject to both change and discretion, so need not be spelled out.

 

[S.Poppins]

Okay, here is my problem with the whole thing. I was considering getting adult CS for my DS 7 because of the horrible kids meals. I hate the idea of going to a place like Pizzafari and everyone getting a pizza and my DS has to get a PB and J sandwich ??? What? How does that even make sense? Or last year at Columbia House (we were on DDP and always ordered DS kids meals) everyone got fish or chicken strips. DS got the nasty, cold, bland, boiled chicken with grapes - enjoy honey, we will toss you a french fry! That is the part I hate. I would have no problem using the kids meal credits if you could just get the food that kids like - fries, chicken strips, corn dogs, or at least mini versions of what the adults get. And don't bother flaming me on this topic. I know that my DS should be thrilled to eat the healthy boiled chicken, but this is not a fight I want to engage in all week. Can't we have both options? Healthy and regular?

 

[Alice28]

When I first read this, I admit I panicked a bit. Not that we totally 'scammed' the system last time, but at some of the CS restaurants (I think it was Pecos Bills & Tusker House; everywhere else he liked the choices), my 7 year old really didn't like the kid's meals. I was able to get him a burger or whatever without a problem. I realize this was wrong, but he was standing there with me- and I was going to pay for it, but was told 'don't worry about it.' But hey, Disney is certainly ALLOWED to enforce their own rules! We're still saving a lot of money, and I look forward to the dining plan for the first half of our vacation. We will probably just go to restaurants where I know (he's now 9) he will like the choices the first 5 days of our vacation (the second half we're staying at SOG). And if he doesn't I will pay OOP for him, and my 2 year old can have his kid's meal he won't eat.

I am a little perplexed how we're going to use some of our TS meals. DH and I are going to go to Narcoossee's one night without the kids, so we will have some kid's TS we won't use....I'm thinking we'll go someplace the kids will enjoy like Sci Fi or Prime Time, and DH and I can just share a burger and pay OOP for it and let the kids use up their TS options. Whatever....

But thank you OP for giving us the heads up...I think it's smart of Disney to figure out a way to keep people accountable.

 

[S.Poppins]

I don't understand how this would affect the desirability of the DDP. The DDP has not changed. Adults still get adult meals for $38.99 per day and kids still get kids meals for $10.99 per day. The only thing that has changed is Disney's accounting software.

I agree the kids menus could be improved, but that's a kids menu issue, not a DDP issue. The DDP is the same as it's always been.

I disagree, the two are related. Everyone in the room must be on the DDP. I think it is a great deal for the adults, but I see problems with the kids plan. The food selection is small and not appetizing. If we are on the DDP we really do not have a choice about what are DS eats. Hopefully we can hit the available McDonalds (I think in Epcot and AK) when possible. And items like the grilled chicken would not be so bad, if they actually tasted decent. But even then, do you want to eat that everyday for a week. So I do think the kids menus are related to the DDP.

 

[GrumpyOne]

even with a hologram or watermark ala a check/US $?

I live 1/2 a mile from a place where I can get a fake passport and/or visa for less than $10. These are realistic to the point where the local US embassy customs and Homeland security people keep a close eye. Now, if the technology exists to make fake visas realistic to fool an imigration inspector (they only get caught when scanned) for $10, there's not much Disney could do. Best bet for them to retain control is to keep the data someplace they control, like they're doing now with keeping it computerized.

 

[bicker]

How does that even make sense?

Folks who come to that conclusion may be better-off without the Dining Plan. As others have pointed out, it isn't the best option for everyone.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Maybe I am just too simplistic in my thinking but it seems like this DDP has turned into something much more complicated than it should be. I've used the free dining plan twice and NEVER had a problem and in January I'm paying for it and don't anticipate problems.

It seems so simple to me..... you have XX adult credits and XX child credits. You use as such ... end of story. Yes, I may be one of the "moral police" but I don't see the purpose of trying to use the plan otherwise. It seems like the computer system should be able to recognize the credits as designated and like OPs have said, when you use all your adult credits you only have child credits left ... the end. You can use adult credits all you like for your children but don't complain when you run out and have to start eating child meals yourself if that's all the credits you have left. This should apply to TS and CS; snacks aren't designated as child or adult. I hope they can find a way to manage the plan as such so many of the debates can be put to rest.

Also,while planning your trip.. you look at the plan, you review the menus, if you don't like it as it is presented you don't buy it... not a really difficult concept. You can't please everyone all the time. People have choices, they make choices, it doesn't always work to your benefit everytime... suck it up!

Ok.. now everyone can yell at me.

 

[Lewisc]

The relevant rules are already in the brochure: The Dining Plan is non-transferable. Child meal entitlements cannot be used for adult meals. Implementation of enforcement of either rule is subject to both change and discretion, so need not be spelled out.

The extra page with the FAQ that says child entitlements cannot be used for adult brochures may be in the copy of the brochure on your website but it hasn't been on Disney's website for months and it wasn't in the brochure I was given in October. The question will be moot in a few days The 2007 brochure clearly shows kids and adult meal credits being separately aggregated. The policy is clearly listed in the 2007 brochure and it looks like the computer system is set up to handle it. MAKES SENSE.

I suspect many customers never read the fine print, the last paragraph in the brochure. The meaning of "non-transferable" isn't clear. It could just mean you can't give your card to someone else. I can use my card to get at least one snack and immediately give it to a guest not on the plan. The brochure does say you can use your credits however you want. Disney can certainly make the rules it just doesn't make much sense to make the cashier at a CS restaurant responsible for explaining to guests how the CS works.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Okay, here is my problem with the whole thing. I was considering getting adult CS for my DS 7 because of the horrible kids meals. I hate the idea of going to a place like Pizzafari and everyone getting a pizza and my DS has to get a PB and J sandwich ??? What? How does that even make sense? Or last year at Columbia House (we were on DDP and always ordered DS kids meals) everyone got fish or chicken strips. DS got the nasty, cold, bland, boiled chicken with grapes - enjoy honey, we will toss you a french fry! That is the part I hate. I would have no problem using the kids meal credits if you could just get the food that kids like - fries, chicken strips, corn dogs, or at least mini versions of what the adults get. And don't bother flaming me on this topic. I know that my DS should be thrilled to eat the healthy boiled chicken, but this is not a fight I want to engage in all week. Can't we have both options? Healthy and regular?

This just proves that DDP is not for everyone. Not every package offered will work for every family. If it's a good fit for you, you book it. If not, you move on to something that will work for your family.

 

[Lewisc]

The kids meal plan costs $11. The snack is worth $3-$4 and a character meal is worth around $15 with tax and tip. The meal plan can make sense even if you pay cash for a few adult CS items. Remember you can use the kids CS credit for the drink and fries and just buy an adult burger. You can "de-combo" a CS meal, even if the price isn't listed on the menu.

Okay, here is my problem with the whole thing. I was considering getting adult CS for my DS 7 because of the horrible kids meals. I hate the idea of going to a place like Pizzafari and everyone getting a pizza and my DS has to get a PB and J sandwich ??? What? How does that even make sense? Or last year at Columbia House (we were on DDP and always ordered DS kids meals) everyone got fish or chicken strips. DS got the nasty, cold, bland, boiled chicken with grapes - enjoy honey, we will toss you a french fry! That is the part I hate. I would have no problem using the kids meal credits if you could just get the food that kids like - fries, chicken strips, corn dogs, or at least mini versions of what the adults get. And don't bother flaming me on this topic. I know that my DS should be thrilled to eat the healthy boiled chicken, but this is not a fight I want to engage in all week. Can't we have both options? Healthy and regular?

 

[bicker]

Maybe I am just too simplistic in my thinking but it seems like this DDP has turned into something much more complicated than it should be.

Rather, I think a lot of people have turned it into something much more complicated than it should be -- it isn't necessarily that way on the surface. Taken as face value, without guests going to the nth degree to optimize their return on investment, it is pretty simple.

It seems so simple to me..... you have XX adult credits and XX child credits. You use as such ... end of story. ... Also,while planning your trip.. you look at the plan, you review the menus, if you don't like it as it is presented you don't buy it... not a really difficult concept.

Absolutely. That is an emmiently reasonable approach -- I wouldn't sell yourself short.

 

[Alice28]

I realize this question is probably already answered, but here goes.

I know awhile back during the free dining, I read somewhere you could use your table service credits for counter service if you wanted to...can you still do that? If I am going to have some leftover table service for my kids, I thought I could at least get them perhaps a breakfast or something at counter service with their extra table credits? Is that possible? Thanks.

 

[bicker]

The special promotion that allowed use of TS credits for CS meals has expired. However, prior to that special promotion, some (but not all) hotel front desks allowed some (but not all) guests to convert some TS credits into CS credits, on a one-for-one basis (with no other benefits), towards the end of the trip, with no chance of converting them back. You might get lucky.