It's been a while... but having a massive issue with Thomson!

[Holstar]

Hello!

So, yes, I've been absent for a couple of months! But, after my amazing birthday trip in January with my brother, I've booked to take my three nieces, my sister and her partner to DLP in October! Warning lovely people... this is going to be a long one! But please bear with me, I need your advice!

I'm pulling my hair out with Thomson!

We booked with their "kids under 12 stay, fly and play free" deal, saving us an absolute fortune (basically, only paid for myself and the 13 year old!). However, when we booked we asked to book separately so that I could manage my own booking and paying, and my sister and her boyfriend could manage theirs - in all honesty, I didn't want to end up being financially responsible for two people who may not have paid.

However, Thomson advised us to put it all on one booking. They said doing it through two would complicate things such as getting our rooms close together, picking up tickets etc

I can remember specifically asking about how this would work with things such as meal plans, and they said it would be absolutely fine, I could buy meal plans for as many or as few of our party up to two weeks before departure, she even gave us a quote for how much it would be for two adults and two children. Lovely! Fine! Sorted!

So, I gave them a call today to sort this out - to book the half board option for myself and my nieces. The agent in the branch however told us that actually, Disney has told them that if they book the half board option, it needs to be for the whole group, so unless I'm going to pay for all six of us, none of us can have the half board option.

I argued with the agent, who said it was Disney's decision. I spoke to Disney who said it was the travel agents, as they set their own terms and conditions. I spoke to customer services who said it would need to dealt with in branch.

I don't know what else to do now! Has anyone every been able to get the half board option for only a percentage of their group? I was told by Thomson this is possible, but apparently not... Argh! With only 26 days until we go, and still awaiting three passports for our group, this is definitely not something I want to be having issues with!

Please... help and advice needed!

Hols xxxx

 

[Ware Bears]

I do sympathise - it's so frustrating when you're told one thing and then later find out you've been misinformed. I knew it had to be all or none of the party for meal plans as I've read it on here more than once so the agent really should have been better informed or at least checked with Disney at the time of booking. I think I'd certainly write a letter of complaint to high up at Thomson as not only have you been badly advised, you don't want the same to happen to others.

Can I ask is there any reason you specifically wanted to buy the meal plans as my understanding is that these days it really isn't such good value as it used to be. I think the only bonus to having it is that it means you've paid in advance and I know some people prefer to do this.

Perhaps an alternative would be for you to load the money the meal plans would have cost for the four of you onto a prepaid currency card? That way you're budgeting in advance for the four of you as originally planned but not having to pay out for six.

 

[microsan]

I'm feeling awfully sorry for you. I must confirm you haven't received proper infos from your TA.

I have no other choice than to confirm what Disney reservations casts told you : half board option has to be booked for the whole party. Only way to make different choices would be to make 2 different bookings with 1 room in each.

Of course, even if hotels' rooms control try harder, there is then, no guarantee the 2 rooms would be adjacent or closed to each others...

Hope you'll find a suitable solution

 

[bonhoga]

Hi, I've booked meal vouchers for only some of our party in previous bookings by doing it by the room, as Microsan said If you and your nieces claimed to be sharing a room and the couple were in another room then you should be able to do it....but I haven't seen Thomson's T&Cs. I don't know if Disney would let you buy meal vouchers direct with them for one room ....you could try? If you're all in a family room I don't know what you could do but I like Elaine's idea of a special card I might even try that myself .

Good luck

 

[Holstar]

Well, I was advised by Thomson that it was the best value for money?

But, I suppose you guys would know... Do you think you can do it as cheaply without the meal vouchers?

Obviously breakfast is included, but from your experience, how much roughly do you think we would be looking at for two adults and two children for four days in the park (we're spending a day in Paris!)? For lunch and dinner? Just so I can budget effectively...

Hols xx

 

[DLPdaft]

Well, I was advised by Thomson that it was the best value for money?

But, I suppose you guys would know... Do you think you can do it as cheaply without the meal vouchers?

Obviously breakfast is included, but from your experience, how much roughly do you think we would be looking at for two adults and two children for four days in the park (we're spending a day in Paris!)? For lunch and dinner? Just so I can budget effectively...

Hols xx

half board doesn't save you any money these days over just paying for your meals when you are at the restaurants. You have more flexibility too by not having the vouchers (ie you don't have to eat table/buffet service every day if you don't want to).

DLRPMagic has lots of menus etc so you can peruse and get an idea of how much it will cost you. Cafe Mickey has pizza large enough for 2 and its no problem to just order enough to share between you there.

 

[Princess Clayre]

There are websites that have the disneyland paris menu's on them so you can get an idea of what you might be spending on food. I'm not sure if i'm allowed to give the link on here? But if you google DLRP Magic you should find what I mean

When we went in August we looked at doing half board and decided it wouldn't be worth it. I personally think there only a very small saving to be had.

Hope you get things sorted

 

[Ms Poppins]

I agree with the OP's. The meal plans don't represent the best value for money any more. Remember, the travel agents will tell you this is the best way, as they will make more commission selling this to you. It's always been all in the party or none for the vouchers.

If you look at the menus as suggested it'll give you a good idea of where to eat and what to expect. There are also some good reviews on the sticky on here. A great idea from Elaine to load a pre-paid card with just money for meals, then you can budget with this.

Maybe the travel agents mis-informing you might be a wee blessing? I'm sure it will all be ok

 

[Jonjo]

A friend of mine ran into this problem with another travel agency last year, in the end they had to split the booking up into two seperate bookings so they could add all the extras they wanted on their booking.

Thomson should be able to do this for you.

 

[staceylc]

Well, I was advised by Thomson that it was the best value for money?

But, I suppose you guys would know... Do you think you can do it as cheaply without the meal vouchers?

Obviously breakfast is included, but from your experience, how much roughly do you think we would be looking at for two adults and two children for four days in the park (we're spending a day in Paris!)? For lunch and dinner? Just so I can budget effectively...

Hols xx

We went last November (2 adults & a toddler) and in 4 nights/5 days we spent £380ish on lunch dinner & snacks. We bought dd the kids meal as she wouldn't have eaten what're were eating but if we'd have gone in the buffets she would've eaten for free. We also had dinner & birthday cake in Cafe Mickey which was our most expensive meal (just over 100euro). Lunch time we made dd croissants at breakfast & took them with us & paid about 12euro for each of us for a set counter menu in the parks.

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Hi

Have you looked into the shareholders card? I bought mine (At the highest price this year unfortunately) with 2 weeks before my trip. The card landed on my doorstep the day before I left however if it hadnt arrived Salon Mickey would have printed me a letter I could have used in restaurants/shops etc.

It gives you 15% off your meals and works out better IMO that the Meal Plans.

We loved Annettes and for 2 adults and 2 children it cost us around E48 in Summer for a 3 course meal!!!

Agrabah is also lovely and a very good price.

Its a lot of info to take in but the actual process is easier than it sounds of getting one. And once you have the shares they are yours to do as you please. Plus you get 15% off in the shops on your purchases too(10% in disney UK shops)!

I got the minimum 5 shares with Halifax and paid the E30 fee to become a shareholder, It cost me around E80 in total however the price of shares has dropped dramatically since then. Im also hoping to top up my shares in the future as it seems a nice thing to pass on to my kids.

Julie