It's a cryin' shame! Lost DDP credits...A BUNCH!

[Shasta]

My DW's best friend went to Disney for her first time with her DH and DD. It was paid by her family. They had a paid DDP for and even though they knew months in advance, didn't make ADRs. I had told them (through my DW) that they needed "reservations".

In short, they came back and had used all thier snacks and counter credits but NONE of thier table credits!

They gave up after a few attempts to get into table service and paid OOP at ASMo!

Sad, so Sad. I wonder how many people go down to Disney and give up a % of thier credits out of lack of knowledge. If it weren't for this forum, I'd never know how to best use the DDP.

 

[eeyoresnr]

wow...that sucks but it's not like you didn't TRY to tell them

 

[just another guy]

Sad, so Sad. I wonder how many people go down to Disney and give up a % of thier credits out of lack of knowledge. If it weren't for this forum, I'd never know how to best use the DDP.

I don't know if I would call it a lack of knowledge, but there are plenty of people who don't use them all. My ex served at Disney, and I would hear stories all the time about a family who mentioned to my ex that they were leaving tomorrow. When she swiped their card, she would see like 9 table service credits left. She would make a comment about it, and the guest would say something like, one day the two kids were not hungry, and another day we couldn't get in to the restaurant we wanted, so we just had some hot dogs in the MK, another day we decided to spent more time in the parks, instead of having dinner at the resort, etc.

She once told me of a quest who asked about the DDP, and said something like, "so when I check out, they just erase these charges from my credit card?" Yup, he had been using his credit card for several days, not his DDP card, and thought the front desk would just erase the charges/not process them. All the servers had a good laugh in the back station about that one.

 

[aubriee]

I've been the last two Sept with free dining. Both trips we've seen people very angry and frustrated trying to get into TS restaurants without an ADR. We've heard comments about how Disney 'sold' them this free dining plan and then wouldn't let them in anywhere to eat .

Sept '05 we actually saw a man arguing with the CM at CRT demanding to be let in, saying he didn't need 'one of those ADR thingys' because he had 'the free dining plan' and automatically got front of the line seating at restaurants. He had apparently heard about a meal being in the castle 'just the night before', when he overheard someone at his resort food court talking about it. He was yelling at the CRT CM that he had promised his girls the night before that they would eat in the castle with the Princesses the next morning and by God he was going in. Security and a manager were called. When we went in he was still yelling and threatening, saying he was going to talk to guest services. The two little girls looked scared and embarrassed because everyone was looking at them, but the mom kept patting them on the shoulder and telling them not to worry that daddy would handle it and get them in. That poor family obviously didn't have a clue.

 

[bicker]

Though so far, I haven't seen a single report of folks saying that Yacht Club Galley, Shutters, Olivias, and Boatwrights all being full-up for dinner on the same night. It really comes down to people simply not wanting to do what is necessary (making ADRs in advance or going to where the availability is, and sometimes even both!) to be able to use their TS credits.

The Dining Plan is surely structured assuming a certain number of credits will remain unused, but I bet those forecasts refer CS credits or snack credits, mostly, rather than including many TS credits.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

JUst to interject here on the remark about Yacht Club Galley being full for dinner as I can speak to that one and not the rest. If you go to the podium as a walk up, they will tell you the restaurant is booked or there is at least an hour wait, this is with many empty tables in the restaurant. If you walk over to guest services at the Yacht Club, they can usually do an ADR for you for minutes from when you walked away from the podium......so I agree with Bicker that they may be available for an ADR, but not for walk ups...quite frankly, they serve a decent dinner, we have eaten there many times for dinner and for breakfast.

 

[Shasta]

Sept '05 we actually saw a man arguing with the CM at CRT demanding to be let in, saying he didn't need 'one of those ADR thingys' because he had 'the free dining plan' and automatically got front of the line seating at restaurants. He had apparently heard about a meal being in the castle 'just the night before', when he overheard someone at his resort food court talking about it. He was yelling at the CRT CM that he had promised his girls the night before that they would eat in the castle with the Princesses the next morning and by God he was going in. Security and a manager were called. When we went in he was still yelling and threatening, saying he was going to talk to guest services. The two little girls looked scared and embarrassed because everyone was looking at them, but the mom kept patting them on the shoulder and telling them not to worry that daddy would handle it and get them in. That poor family obviously didn't have a clue.

That is very disturbing! In the case of our friends in my OP, they took it on the chin and realized thier mistake early on. They just assumed that since Disney was so big and there were so many resturants...

I know we Disers are over planners but you'd think the average person would at least investigate what they are paying for.

 

[bicker]

so I agree with Bicker that they may be available for an ADR, but not for walk ups...

And please understand my point was not that all of them are always all available -- but rather, AFAIK, that at least one of the four is always available.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I think the folks who don't make ADR's are also the ones who are in the 90-minute standby line for Splash and shooting dirty looks at those who are using FP.

 

[Lewisc]

Guests in deluxe resorts can use the DDP for room service (2 credits). The 2008 brochure indicates 2 (adult TS) credits can be used for pizza delivery. A couple of posters said this is option is currently available.

Bicker is correct, there are several restaurants that are generally available on short notice, if not walk ups. During free dining Disney generally sets up a temporary TS restaurant at the MK.

It's a shame the CMs can't do a better job assisting guests with available options. I'm sure some of the guests are upset and don't want to hear about alternatives but some might. Its been posted, not sure if it's true, that the restaurant reservation system can only check specific restaurants. There isn't a way to just list a time and see what's open. If true that could be an issue.

Restaurants like CRT and Le Cellier haven't been available for short notice ADRs, let alone walk ups, before the current dining plans.

ADRs allow guests to get the restaurant, and dining time, they desire. Guests who purchased the dining plan, and don't make ADRs still have a right to expect to eat. Guests on cruises or all inclusive resorts get fed without needing ADRs. I suspect Bicker is right, if there weren't openings, at any restaurant, Disney would be setting up more temporary restaurants.

 

[ntsammy5]

I think the folks who don't make ADR's are also the ones who are in the 90-minute standby line for Splash and shooting dirty looks at those who are using FP.

You're probably right! This is disturbing, though. I can't imagine getting DDP without making ADRs. Some people just won't listen to anyone. They always know best!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

My DW's best friend went to Disney for her first time with her DH and DD. It was paid by her family. They had a paid DDP for and even though they knew months in advance, didn't make ADRs. I had told them (through my DW) that they needed "reservations".

In short, they came back and had used all thier snacks and counter credits but NONE of thier table credits!

They gave up after a few attempts to get into table service and paid OOP at ASMo!

Sad, so Sad. I wonder how many people go down to Disney and give up a % of thier credits out of lack of knowledge. If it weren't for this forum, I'd never know how to best use the DDP.

Maybe the problem started when "it was paid for by HER family." Maybe she expected to go and not worry about anything because it was paid for by someone else. If she had paid out the money herself out of her family's budget, she may have done a little research to be sure she would get her money's worth. I know I tend to be more careful if I spend my hard earned money on something. When it is someone else's money it means less. Just a thought!

It is very sad, I feel sorry for them.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

It's a shame the CMs can't do a better job assisting guests with available options. I'm sure some of the guests are upset and don't want to hear about alternatives but some might. Its been posted, not sure if it's true, that the restaurant reservation system can only check specific restaurants. There isn't a way to just list a time and see what's open. If true that could be an issue.

In May 07 I called the day before we were to arrive (around noon actually) to change our Boma reservation to "something else". I tried a couple of sitdown restaurants (non buffet) and they didn't have anything available.

The CM questioned why would I want to change Boma, it was really good, maybe I should keep it it, etc...

I told him that I was at work right now, would be leaving here at 2 pm and driving straight through the night and I was concerned upon arrival we would not be "in the mood" for a buffet and would rather be served.

He asked me to hold for a moment, and when he came back he said he was looking at availability for all of the full service restaurants in the MK resort area (where we were staying) at the time I wanted and gave me a couple of options.

 

[aclov]

I think it's lack of knowledge and lack of planning. I've advised few people to make ADR's especially at hard to get into places like CRT and they just don't listen. I think they take it for granted that they'll just deal with it when they get there.

I rather deal with it now and plan ahead than deal with it on vacation.

 

[kelleigh1]

One thought that I take from all of this is that even if you don't make ADR's (and we did), you should always try Guest Services at the resort to see what options may be available. I would hate to see all those TS credits go to waste.

 

[ReneeA]

I have been in WDW and have had my DH mention that he may not want the dinner I have an ADR for that night.

What to do? Call dining and ask them, "What do you have in _____ area for a late lunch or early dinner?" I've NEVER had them come up empty handed. Like Bicker said, you may get some restaurants off the beaten path, but you can get *something*.

 

[Thumper1980]

I wonder how many people go down to Disney and give up a % of thier credits out of lack of knowledge. If it weren't for this forum, I'd never know how to best use the DDP.

When my husband and I stayed on site for the first time last year, we'd have never known to get reservations either, had it not been for our TA (unfortunately, I hadn't found this site before our 180 day mark, but I did find it before we left on our trip!)

 

[LauraAnn630]

Last year we had snack credits left over. So there we are at 11:58 at the ASMU getting all our snacks on our last night.

We love the dining plan and always make adrs.

 

[racefanof88]

One thought that I take from all of this is that even if you don't make ADR's (and we did), you should always try Guest Services at the resort to see what options may be available. I would hate to see all those TS credits go to waste.

We didn't have ADR's for Sci Fi this past Feb but we wanted to try it, so, when we entered the park (apporx. at 1130am)I went straight to GS and was able to get ressies for 1150. We were just lucky I guess.

When we return in March 08 we will be on the DDP for the first time and I am watching my countdown clock for that 180 out, we are at 205 and counting........

 

[Shasta]

I have been in WDW and have had my DH mention that he may not want the dinner I have an ADR for that night.

What to do? Call dining and ask them, "What do you have in _____ area for a late lunch or early dinner?" I've NEVER had them come up empty handed. Like Bicker said, you may get some restaurants off the beaten path, but you can get *something*.

I'm sure you guys are right. My wife's friends are the type people who probobly only go to the parks for a couple hours a day and if there are long lines pass those rides up.

They probobly tried a few times and struck out and then passed any TC resturant that had long lines. The part that is upsetting for us is, like you all, we see the waste. I don't even know if they were bothered. They didn't seem upset, they just mentioned it as if it were something they weren't able to do like riding Space Mountain.

I think it bugged me more than them!

RACHELSMOM1, I'm sure you are right. If it had been out of thier pocket, they may have at least asked me earlier to advise them some.