How long before they stop letting people share?

[Lewisc]

Gosh, I hope not. I like a buffet once in a while, but I would much prefer to pay a plate fee than see more buffet pricing.

By "buffet pricing" I mean charging per person. The restaurant could be buffet, all you care to eat or just a set menu. Disney restaurant pricing isn't really based on the food that's consumed. We're paying for the atmosphere, characters and location.

I don't think Disney will want to enforce a plate fee.

edited to add
I don't think anyone in this thread speculated on an answer to the OPs question, how long before they stop letting guests share?

This is only speculation, not even a rumor, but I'll predict that sometime before the next free dining program at least one restaurant will experiment with a policy that requires all guests pay. I don't know how many guests really book CG or SCI-FI for just dessert but those are both possibilities.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't think Disney will want to enforce a plate fee.

Perhaps, but as I said earlier, Disneyland started doing exactly that at Blue Bayou when the menu was upgraded in the past year or so. Just because they never have, doesn't mean they never will.

 

[bicker]

I think if they make any more substantial changes to DDP, such as any restrictions on sharing people could justify not getting it and eating off-site/bringing in more food etc.

Which would justify Disney putting more draconian enforcement of its "no outside food" rule into effect. Another service change driven by people doing something that Disney has asked people not to do.

 

[jodifla]

Which would justify Disney putting more draconian enforcement of its "no outside food" rule into effect. Another service change driven by people doing something that Disney has asked people not to do.

Haven't they dropped that? I feel like I no longer see it in the paperwork/brochures that I get....


Actually, I think they'll go to a sharing charge/minimum fee for TS restaurants before they stop letting people bring in food, because of all the allergies and things people have.

 

[Lewisc]

Which would justify Disney putting more draconian enforcement of its "no outside food" rule into effect. Another service change driven by people doing something that Disney has asked people not to do.

The "no outside food rule" is myth. I don't have the FAQ brochure in front of me but it specifically allows guests to bring snacks into the theme parks.

The water parks allow guests to bring more than snacks:

There are also picnic areas where you may enjoy your own food, however, please note that no alcoholic beverages or glass containers are permitted.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkTips?id=TLLandingTipsPage

The MK tips sections suggests:

Be sure to bring water and sun screen

which certainly allows guests to bring their own bottled water. The brochure given out when you check in allows "snacks".

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkTips?id=MKLandingTipsPage

Actually the FAQ for the theme parks
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQThemeParkPage#q13
Doesn't prohibit outside food and goes so far as to permit small coolers.

Guests are under no obligation to follow rules that are made up by DIS members, only those rules made by Disney.

 

[bicker]

Haven't they dropped that?

They've never made a big deal about it, but the rule is still there, at least the last time I checked (November 2001). They've never been good about giving guests a list of rules to follow, preferring to rely on guests to behave reasonably (despite indications that that's not something they can rely on ).

 

[bicker]

The "no outside food rule" is myth.

Actually no it isn't:

Dear Brian,

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

With the exception of food items for guests with specific dietary restrictions, we do not permit guests to bring food and beverage items into our theme parks.
Generally, however, plastic bottles for water, juice, etc. are allowed.

We hope this information is helpful, and we look forward to future opportunities to entertain you.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence, and allow up to 80 hours for response to E-Mail.

Thank you - and have a DISNEY day!

Sincerely,

William Ferguson

On Line Guest Service
WALT DISNEY WORLD Reservations
P O Box 10,100
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0100



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Are we allowed to bring food into the theme parks, and if so, how much at one time?

 

[Lewisc]

Actually no it isn't:

Sorry but that rule only applies to you, the person the email was addressed to.

Other guests should follow the rules that are published by Disney.

The water parks specifically invite guests to bring their own food and offers a picnic area.

The FAQ specifies a maximum cooler size, suggests guests bring their own water and the brochure that's given out when a guest checks in even allows snacks.

I gave you current links to Disney's website. Those are the rules that applies to current guests.

I'l

 

[bicker]

Sorry but that rule only applies to you, the person the email was addressed to.

You crack me up sometimes Lewis.

A rule is a rule. You may not like it, but it is the rule.

If you think the rule doesn't apply to you, email Disney yourself, and ask them. I'll be VERY happy to defer to the latest information from WDW Guest Communications (even though it comes to you via email ).

 

[fakereadhed]

Sorry but that rule only applies to you, the person the email was addressed to.

Wow, Bicker gets his own Disney rules? I am so jealous.

 

[Lewisc]

The rules that Disney posts on their website and list in the brochures that they hand out when I check in are the rules I observe. Those rules allow for picnic type meals in the water parks and snacks including (plastic) bottled water in the theme parks. Disney goes so far as to list the maximum dimensions of coolers and backpacks that are permitted in the theme parks. Take a look at the links I posted.

My brochure says I'm allowed to bring snacks into the theme parks. Is the CM going to say something like, didn't you see Disney's email to Bicker on the internet? Forget the brochure you just got; you need to follow the rules Disney communicated to Bicker via email.

You crack me up sometimes Lewis.

A rule is a rule. You may not like it, but it is the rule.

If you think the rule doesn't apply to you, email Disney yourself, and ask them. I'll be VERY happy to defer to the latest information from WDW Guest Communications (even though it comes to you via email ).

 

[Brian Noble]

I believe you are parsing the theme park FAQ incorrectly. The size limitations apply to backpacks, not to everything in the comma-separated list (including coolers). I draw this conclusion by the phrase:

(coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations)

It does not say "coolers larger than these dimensions". It says "coolers". So, by my reading, no coolers are allowed in the theme parks.

However, it also says that in AK, one cannot bring in lids/straws, so presumably you can bring all the lids and straws you want to the other three.

 

[Lewisc]

You crack me up sometimes Lewis.

A rule is a rule. You may not like it, but it is the rule.

If you think the rule doesn't apply to you, email Disney yourself, and ask them. I'll be VERY happy to defer to the latest information from WDW Guest Communications (even though it comes to you via email ).

I found the brochure.

Your Handy Guide to All the Magic
Welcome to our world. It was given to me at check in

Page 31

Q: What can I take into the Parks with me?

A: You can bring your typical sunscreen, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages along. Just be mindful that all packages, parcels, backpacks and the like may be inspected at the Park entrances. So you may want to leave any unnecessary articles behind. Thanks for your cooperation!

I'll stand by my previous post, the rules that applies to most of us allows us to bring snacks into the theme parks.

You have an email from Disney that give you a different rule than the rest of us. It may be wrong for you to bring food since Disney specifically told you not to but the rest of us can rely on the rules that are provided to us.

Bicker--This is similar to the issue of tipping housekeeping, many people who think they know the correct policy are wrong.

 

[Nancyg56]

By "buffet pricing" I mean charging per person. The restaurant could be buffet, all you care to eat or just a set menu. Disney restaurant pricing isn't really based on the food that's consumed. We're paying for the atmosphere, characters and location.

I understand that, I guess that I once a "per person" in in place things begin to stay sort of fixed. I know that it is not always a negative.
I also understand that we are paying for atmosphere and convenience when we are at Disney. It is reinforced every time that my DH sees bill and feels the need to express his opinion .

Oh well, time will tell. I am not complaining because I enjoy the convenience the DDP offers, and don't mind paying for any extras that my family wants at meals. I know that the choice always begins and ends with me and when the plan does not fit I will plan to pay OOP for the meals I want and eat off site for the rest.

 

[k-team]

Since this is the dining plan forum...I'm assuming that we're talking about people on the dining plan sharing?? I don't see why that would ever be a problem! If all members of a party are on the dining plan, and they want to share a meal....why would Disney discourage that? You would be paying a fixed price anyway...for potentially less food because you would end up with unused credits if you share often. Right?

Unless you mean non-plan diners?? Then I could totally understand a "plating" fee.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

If Disney instituted a plating fee I hope it would be along the lines of giving the guest additional side dishes & splitting the entree itself.

 

[blueangel]

Since this is the dining plan forum...I'm assuming that we're talking about people on the dining plan sharing?? I don't see why that would ever be a problem! If all members of a party are on the dining plan, and they want to share a meal....why would Disney discourage that? You would be paying a fixed price anyway...for potentially less food because you would end up with unused credits if you share often. Right?

Unless you mean non-plan diners?? Then I could totally understand a "plating" fee.

Actually, I see it as a bigger problem (in Disney's eyes) for DDPers than OOPers. For example - Disney assumes that they are providing (as an example) lunch, a snack, and dinner for you. They assume you will pay OOP for breakfast and any other snacks you may want. However, if you and your SO are sharing, Disney is suddenly providing ALL food for two people. They are then paying the reimbursement to restaurants on Sig and Dinner Shows without gaining OOP money for the meals people ate while saving those credits. This doesn't sound like much until you look at a real example of what two people might be eating over a vacation that lasts more than a couple of days.

 

[jodifla]

Actually, I see it as a bigger problem (in Disney's eyes) for DDPers than OOPers. For example - Disney assumes that they are providing (as an example) lunch, a snack, and dinner for you. They assume you will pay OOP for breakfast and any other snacks you may want. However, if you and your SO are sharing, Disney is suddenly providing ALL food for two people. They are then paying the reimbursement to restaurants on Sig and Dinner Shows without gaining OOP money for the meals people ate while saving those credits. This doesn't sound like much until you look at a real example of what two people might be eating over a vacation that lasts more than a couple of days.

Exactly. People are being cheap and trying to cheat the system. The DDP is already a terrific deal, but people STILL aren't happy, and try to get more out of it then is intended.

It's odd...normally Disney is SO expensive. This is the one area where they offer a deal, and everybody ruins it by constantly trying to game the system.

There's another depressing thread where someone admits to being obsessed with getting the most out of the dining plan that they feel compelled to order the most expensive items at the most expensive places, instead of what they might actually like to eat!

 

[PinkTink63]

This is in my opinion stealing. You know full well when you pay $11 for the kids DDP and are getting the same food as the $40 adult plan thats wrong. I had a 3YO with me on my last trip and knowing I could get the adult meal because of a loophole did not let my concious do it. Even though I could eat his leftovers (I CAN EAT) and my meal.

The sharing issue is another issue sometimes people are just not ready or able to eat the portions that are given at most restaurants.

This year I will be with a 3 and 5YO My daugter will eat a chicken strip and be done. My son will eat the other 3 and hes out to. I don't feel right about ordering two full Kids meal and just throwing one out.

Shareing with outside groups is wrong, again just my opinion but anyone in your clan that is on the DDP is fine to me.

The last time we went I still had a Counter Service and a snack on my card I did not mind becaues I felt I got more than I paid for.
Thanks for letting me get on my soap box.

LONG LIVE THE DDP and SHARING!!!!

I agree! We have never done the DDP for the simple reason of it being entirely too much food! My husband wouldn't have a problem with it, but for my son and myself, it's too much food.

My son and I share meals all the time, especially if we want to get dessert. I feel it is a waste of money and food if you are not going to eat it all. I probably wouldn't eat somewhere that they charged me more than a couple of dollars for an extra plate.

So, LONG LIVE SHARING, Anyway!

 

[bicker]

I'll stand by my previous post, the rules that applies to most of us allows us to bring snacks into the theme parks.

I think you're playing on Disney's inconsistency, but that's okay. I hope you're right, actually, which is why I asked Disney the question in the first place back in 2001. Since you won't email them, I have, asking whether their earlier email is no longer valid. I'll be sure to let you know their answer.

Bicker--This is similar to the issue of tipping housekeeping, many people who think they know the correct policy are wrong.

I'll grant you that what many people think they know about housekeeping is wrong. The difference is that the people who are mistaken about the housekeepers are effectively hurting themselves, leaving their own hard-earned money for an employee who isn't a tipped employee, whereas with the case of bringing food into the parks, the folks doing so are effectively benefiting themselves.

Again, I'm hoping that the policy is as you suggest. If so, be sure that I'll be posting that reply as frequently as I have been posting the 2001 reply.