Increasing Restaurant Variety on the DDP

[mefordis]

A friend of mine just got back from DW from a 5 night stay on the dining plan. She tells me that she and her husband used their CS for breakfast, then split an app, entree and dessert at each TS for lunch and dinner. They were able to try 10 different TS restaurants, 2 each day, using their 5 TS credits each.

They loved the variety and never got questioned by a CM. Just thought I'd pass the info along.

 

[disney2d2]

It's because of your friends that next year thousands and thousands would not be able to experience the dining plan. Disney is going to lose so much money now that it's going to go bankrupt. Poor Disney.

Just kidding...

Anyway, just to let you know in advance of some of the DIS'ers comments, you are now going to be told that it's so weird for two adults to share an entree or to agree on the same entree at all.

 

[disneypharm]

How can you do that in a buffet TS? I thought that each person must use a credit per TS meal!

 

[JimMIA]

How can you do that in a buffet TS?

You can't.

 

[mefordis]

I guess they didn't do any buffets. She's not really the "all you can eat" type, so it makes sense there were no buffets.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I am asking this question because I genuinely don't understand.....

Why is it an issue if two adults share for a table service (not buffet) as long as they tip appropriately? My husband and I share food all the time. (usually an appy & entree) & even then are too full for dessert.

Is it because even though we tip higher the bill would be smaller and we'd be holding up a table for someone with a larger bill? Add on a couple of drinks and our bill is usually up there anyway.

Like I said, I am not asking this to be witchy... I need to see anothe point of view

 

[bicker]

There isn't anything wrong with that, as far as I can see. The only problem is that folks doing as these folks say they've done may encounter CMs or restaurants that won't allow them, not because there is anything wrong with what they're doing, but because other people could use the same tactic to do something that isn't permitted.

 

[JimMIA]

I think bicker is right. As far as I know, Disney has rarely (if ever) prohibited a couple on the meal plan from sharing as you describe.

Another concern I've heard expressed is that too much sharing might cause changes in what is a great plan for many people. I personally am not worried about that, because Disney has had many dining plans over the years and I assume they priced this one allowing for a normal amount of sharing.

The other concern - which often gets misinterpreted - is the caution not to base your DP decision on being allowed to share. The common-sense approach is to purchase the DP on its basic merits for your family. Then if you're allowed to share on top of that, consider that a bonus. The folks who offer that advice are not doing so because they've set themselves up as moral monitors of the dining plan. They have just been here long enough to see people make shaky assumptions and then be distraught and mad at the world when their erroneous ideas didn't work out. I think the prudent planner would heed that advice.

 

[Debbie]

Good points! Only 22 more days until I get to see for myself! Oh my gosh! I 'd better get packing! Should I add a couple of pairs of next size up shorts?

 

[Gillian]

That sounds fun! Thanks for sharing the info. It would be too many sit down meals for our family of 4, but would be great for adults only.

In this situation, I'd probably leave an extra cash tip for the server if they were pleasant and split the plates, etc. Although the dollar amount isn't any higher, it's more work when you have 2 people sharing.

 

[JimMIA]

That sounds fun! Thanks for sharing the info. It would be too many sit down meals for our family of 4, but would be great for adults only.

In this situation, I'd probably leave an extra cash tip for the server if they were pleasant and split the plates, etc. Although the dollar amount isn't any higher, it's more work when you have 2 people sharing.

Don't forget that you can do character meals for some of those TSs. And the character dinners are the same price as a character breakfast - one TS, except for CRT.

Also agree with you on the tipping. That's just good manners IMHO. Others disagree.