Just back-Connections PHP/Q&C problems

[LBYC-19]

We purchased four and five day park hopper plusses from Connections because after much research, it was the deepest discount. Well, we had problems with three out of our five passes (and the fifth hasn't even been used yet-my son had to cancel).

My sister purchased hers from the Disney store, and although they looked exactly like ours-bright colored Disney characters on one side, the magnetic strip/computer info on another-
hers were much thicker, almost credit card consistency. The Connections ones are paper thin, and if you aren't careful with them (I'd suggest keeping them in their little holder), then the machine rejects them. You then have to get out of line and go to the customer service where they issue you a new one- a minor inconvenience, but this happened so many times, (sometimes the CM would bend it back into shape and after several attempts it would go through). My son's card demagnetized, and my husband's got rejected in PI. All in all, I wished I paid a little extra for the sturdier cards.

And don't even get me started on Connections Quick and Casual vouchers, now there was a nightmare, and I'll go more into detail when I post in dining. In short, the CM's had absolutely no idea what to do with them (except one at Gasparilla's in GF). When there was a huge line behind you waiting, this wasn't pretty. On top of it all, I added it up and saved about $10 for seven vouchers--definitely not worth the HUGE inconvenience every time we used them. You also had to sign for each one used similar to a traveller's check. Suffice to say, I'm not doing the Connections happy dance that I was doing prior to the trip, lol.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Why am I not surprised...


Wanda

 

[TandyR]

I also just got back and I also used some connections Quick and Casual vouchers that I didn't buy, but a friend did and they were expireing soon so she gave them to me to use while we were down there. We used them at Beaches & Cream and the Tusker House and the CMs in both places knew exactly what they were. At Beaches & Cream we used 2 vouchers for $45 worth of food and at Tusker House 2 vouchers for $30 worth of food. But I can believe that not all CMs know what they are and I can beleive that you might not always get your moneys worth. Sorry you had problems with them.

 

[LBYC-19]

We didn't get the opportunity to use them for Beaches and Cream or Tusker, though that was the smart thing to do if you really wanted to utilize them for savings purposes.

I don't want to turn this thread into a Connections debate. As I originally posted when I purchased the vouchers, it was done with the intent of pre-paid lunches only and anything else would be a bonus--I thought it would come in handy with teens. What did come in handy, however, was bringing them to Typhoon Lagoon so we didn't need cash.

When one posts on this board it is for the sole purpose of other's benefit. Everything we do is a learning experience. Readers (especially new ones) should not be afraid to post because they will get a response that is less than empathetic.

I will stick by my original opinion that Connections has the best prices for park hopper plusses. I posted this to alert others that have purchased PHP's from Connections to be careful with them and place them all in the envelope they come in (which we didn't), or if you haven't purchased yet, that the Disney Store cards are thicker. I hope this has helped someone.

--------------
Joanne

 

[TandyR]

I am sorry that you thought I was attacking you or something I was just doing what you said stateing my my experance. I said that I was sorry that you had a tough time with them. I wasn't starting a debate I was just stateing my experance and saying I was sorry you had a tough time with them when it was so easy for me. I am sorry that it didn't come across the way I wanted it to. I am a very quite shy person and don't post offen because of not wanting to make people upset and I am sorry that I might have stepped on your toes. I am sorry the vouchers didn't work out for you and I am sorry my post didn't come across the way I wanted them to.

 

[macs4us]

We are AP holders, and have problems with our media all of the time. Our passes are thin paper. I bought my mom a PHP from Connections and she didn't have a problem even once. Before we bought APs, we always had our media on our resort keys - I can't tell you how frustrating it was to have to get new keys every day because they weren't working. On the other hand, our Disneyland passes use to be as thick as credit cards (they are plastic with our pictures on them, and they "zap" them under a barcode reader) and now they are really thin - I think Disney is trying to save on the cost of media.

As far as Quick and Casual Vouchers go, I can only see one place where they save you a lot of money, and that is Beaches & Cream (we saved over $28 plus tax & tip). We are going to try them at the Pepper Market, and possibly Mara if they let you do the large pizza and salad (the meal would cost $27 plus tax without voucher) - we always share one voucher. You have to do the research before you go - just as if you were buying a package from Disney. I am sorry you had a bad experience with CM's, but I am not shocked, as we have found there are a lot of CMs working new positions (new resorts and such) and not knowing what to do.

I really haven't seen any claims from Connections that this is the best deal, only other people on the board. I have had good experiences with mine, but I am a planner and plan where I want to eat before I leave. When 3 people can share a $29.50 voucher at Alfredo's, you are saving money - no doubt about it (we saved $37 plus tax & tip last time). We still eat at places we would normally eat, and sometimes vouchers don't make since, so we don't use them there. It is not an all or nothing proposition. I also cancel during the 30 days, so I am only paying a $1 fee to have access to the vouchers. Please understand that your experiences, if anyone is "at fault," have more to do with Disney - they are their media and vouchers, Disney sells these to Connections and other organizations. This could have happened if you bought these items straight from them.

 

[DMRick]

Tandy..Your note was fine. I don't believe you are the one she thought was going to turn the thread into a connection debate. Many of us have preplanned our voucher meals, and are very happy with them.
Please keep posting...you sound like a very positive person and that's needed on these boards.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by DMRick
Tandy..Your note was fine...Please keep posting...you sound like a very positive person and that's needed on these boards.

I agree completely. Your post was not at all "stirring the pot" but simply relating your different experiences. Please don't stop posting, we LIKE nice people on these boards!

 

[LBYC-19]

DM Rick was correct

My heartfelt apology for the misunderstanding. I should have been clearer in my response. Please keep posting! It is the only way we can all help each other out on these boards. Your response was kind, informative and empathetic-just what I love to read!

As I said earlier, you did it right with the vouchers. I agree with DM Rick, if you pre-plan, these vouchers can be very economical.

Again, my apologies!
--------
Joanne

 

[Gillian]

Thanks for the informative post!

I haven't tried the Q&C vouchers yet myself, but when we went on a Disney vacation club tour/open house last month, they were giving them away as a promotion. They were the ones that expire in 2003. Exactly the same as connections, except given out by Disney. I think that if you had a problem using them, but they came from DVC, you might feel differently about it than if you purchased from connections.

 

[jgates]

Gillian- how do you do a tour to get these?

 

[Gillian]

jgates -- Sorry for the late reply! I was actually by myself & I just went up to one of the DVC booths at downtown disney. I started talking to the CM there, and didn't think they would let me go by myself (w/o DH) but they did. They told me about the promotion they were running for the Beach club villas ($5 off per point) and said I'd get free lunch.

They called for a van to come pick me up & took me over to the boardwalk, where the tours center is. They have models of the BCV & VWL rooms. After the talk & tour they give you the envelope with the q&c voucher (just one for me, so I guess it was one per person). Another van came to take me back to DD (or wherever I wanted to go).

It took a while, but was very low pressure. I've been wanting to check out DVC for a long time! We decided it isn't for us right now, but maybe next year!

 

[hockey mom]

I just returned and used 14 quick and casual vouchers, 4 breakfast vouchers, and 4 lunch vouchers. In every place we never had one CM who did not know what they were. We saved over $30 at Beaches, around $15 at Pepper market, $18 at Le Cellier, and only a buck or 2 at all other places. For me these worked out great.

Sorry that the original poster had such a hard time using them, but I just wanted to show the flip side.

 

[LBYC-19]

Welcome home, I'm glad you had a positive experience!

There is another thread that I started going on about this in Dining, that I'm sure readers would like you to share your experiences. It is through my own admission I used these vouchers incorrectly, and I gave hints as to how people can learn from my mistakes.

Readers are asking for direct examples of the vouchers savings, and I'm sure they would appreciate your comments. Beaches and Cream was on our list, but we just never made it there (and we stayed next door!) and unfortunately, had to cancel our LaCellier ressie, but there is always next year for both of these, I hope!

I'm glad you were able to utilize them in a cost-savings fashion, that's great that you saved money!

 

[hockey mom]

Too bad you didn't make it to Le Cellier, the food was awesome. Beaches'ncreme the waitress was almost to helpful, but once again the food was great so make sure to hit it next year.

Now we get to sit back and relaxe with Hockey season over, or do you have summer hockey to look forward to?

 

[madge]

where did you use your Q & C vouchers (I posted over on dining as well) I have a few, with the intent to use them at beaches and cream, but I'm curious as to other places you used them and what you ordered. thanks!

 

[hockey mom]

I just listed them on the restaurant board. If you want to know anything else after reading it feel free to ask.

 

[LBYC-19]

Does hockey season ever end? lol. DS wishes it would, but unfortunately, high school hockey you never get a break!! We had a server like you did at Beaches and Cream--at the luau, we were so surprised after the adverse comments, so you never know!! My sister said she'd go back to LaCellier just for the cheese soup and pretzel bread, but I don't want to get off topic.....

Thanks for posting over at the restaurant board your good experiences with the vouchers for the benefit of others--it is nice to see this thread get back on track on a positive note for the intention of which it was started--to help others!

 

[figment27]

more about the Connections program? I am new to this and I am very curious about the saving and how it works. Where can I find the website or more info about how this program works?
Thanks,
Figment27

 

[LBYC-19]

A good place to begin is Mousesavers.com; Mary has a very good section on Mousesavers that answered almost all of my questions, the rest I learned through this board, checking both the budget and dining forums. There are always threads on Connections. Good luck.