MY DIS/DDP Rant

[NMW]

Did people really share this much prior to the Dining Plan.

But did 5 adults go into nice restaurants and order 3 meals and cut it up and scoop it out and share it. Do you pass the plates around, or did you ask for another plate? I just did not realize this was a common practice among adults.

Appetizers maybe, even desserts, but entire meals.

I have, never, EVER seen this or even heard of this until I started reading these "Can we still share meals" threads. And I waitressed in college! I think it's pretty cheap and tacky, and I'm sure a lot of other people do to.

I read on one of these threads someone saying they "just want to share 5 meals for 7 people" and they have FREE dining! I mean, it's free. Why isn't every person allowed to get their own dinner? My family (of 5) would look at me like I was nuts if I told them we are just going to get 3 dinners and all split them, so we can eat more TS meals on our vacation!

 

[dnoyes]

Melemouse, You are my hero.
I've been wanting to say the same thing for weeks but didn't have the guts.

 

[melomouse]

Why, thank you!!!

Everyone has a voice on the DIS, as I understand it!

Glad to hear more of them!!!!

melomouse

 

[aristocat]

I read on one of these threads someone saying they "just want to share 5 meals for 7 people" and they have FREE dining! I mean, it's free. Why isn't every person allowed to get their own dinner? My family (of 5) would look at me like I was nuts if I told them we are just going to get 3 dinners and all split them, so we can eat more TS meals on our vacation!

I agree with you.

I think it’s sad how some guests insist on stretching the dining plan to such an absurd degree.

Even though “free diners” had to pay rack rate, they’re still getting one heck of a deal. I’m surprised by all the scheming to get more meals (than intended by the plan) at the expense of looking very cheap and tacky.

 

[magsmom]

Well said, melomouse.

Please note that many of these restaruants, especially the signatures, are AMONG THE HIGHEST RATED IN THE COUNTRY. Why would anyone want to do this, except at the Yachtsman for a chateaubreand (for 2)?
We're not talking Mickey D's here. Would you do this at home at your local Chilis or at Carrabbas (OK, I did give DD one of my meatballs the last time I was at Carrabbas - BTW, she had a meal of her own).

I can kind of understand an adult and a child, but 2 adults? Tacky.

Jeez, you could save on CS meals too...order 1 double cheeseburger combo then pay OOP for an extra roll ($0.89) and split that between 2 (or 3) people.

Isn't the point of DDP to explore all of the cuisines Disney has to offer? Having more than one entree on our dinners is going to be part of the fun on our upcoming trip. I will get to TASTE something else (and a TASTE is all I will get from my DH).

 

[pooch]

Now I know why they want to phase out the penny!!! It's too thin from all this pinching!!! Go - eat your own dinner!! If its too much food, order less. My goodness, we love to beat horses to death here.

Thanks OP, truly a voice of reason in the DIS wilderness.

 

[sigillaria]

If Disney changes the DDP and raises prices much higher to off-set the cheating, then the Cheaters will be the very first to moan, groan, and complain****even though their behavior caused Disney to make these changes.

 

[disney2d2]

I can't believe it's so hard for you guys to accept that not everyone dines the way you do. Not everyone thinks sharing an entree is cheap or tacky...

It's normal for either one of us to order an appetizer while the other orders an entree and then to share a dessert. You guys or even Disney cannot force us to have three course meals each. And if we can fit both of us comfortably in to one TS credit, then why shouldn't we do it?

Of course if Disney objects or prevents us from doing that (sharing) then we won't be grumble about it. Until then, I won't change my dining habits just because it might make Disney reconsider a deal or add restrictions to it.

But really, if you don't share, why are you afraid of Disney preventing it?

 

[ScarletFire]

I can't believe it's so hard for you guys to accept that not everyone dines the way you do. Not everyone thinks sharing an entree is cheap or tacky...

It's normal for either one of us to order an appetizer while the other orders an entree and then to share a dessert. You guys or even Disney cannot force us to have three course meals each. And if we can fit both of us comfortably in to one TS credit, then why shouldn't we do it?

Of course if Disney objects or prevents us from doing that (sharing) then we won't be grumble about it. Until then, I won't change my dining habits just because it might make Disney reconsider a deal or add restrictions to it.

But really, if you don't share, why are you afraid of Disney preventing it?

 

[Praying Colonel]

Vegas oddsmakers place the over/under on # of pages in this thread at 13.5.



BTW--while we're not trying to "game the system" by figuring how to "maximize" DDP credits, we do commonly split meals when we go to restaurants. We find that restaurants often serve very large portions and one entree often feeds 2 of us very nicely. We advise the server that we want to split the meal and the better ones do a great job accommodating us.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I can't believe it's so hard for you guys to accept that not everyone dines the way you do. Not everyone thinks sharing an entree is cheap or tacky...

It's normal for either one of us to order an appetizer while the other orders an entree and then to share a dessert. You guys or even Disney cannot force us to have three course meals each. And if we can fit both of us comfortably in to one TS credit, then why shouldn't we do it?

Of course if Disney objects or prevents us from doing that (sharing) then we won't be grumble about it. Until then, I won't change my dining habits just because it might make Disney reconsider a deal or add restrictions to it.

But really, if you don't share, why are you afraid of Disney preventing it?

To be honest I don't care how anyone dines. I just don't want the actions of others to put an end to the dining plan. This is the first dining plan Disney has offered that I can take advantage. I would hate to see Disney do away with it.


If the MYW Dining Plan doesn't fit your families dining style, then don't book it.

 

[melomouse]

A restaurant makes a lot more money when everyone orders their own meal. EVEN on the DDP. Disney wants to "give" my family 6 TS meals, not 12. We can take up space at the Coral Reef for one meal (1-hour) or for 2 meals (2 hours.) That second "freebie" meal we got by sharing food prevents the Coral Reef from using our table and selling $200 worth of food to another family.


How I Win? While all the "double-dippers" are sitting through double the TS restaurants I will be waiting in a shorter line at Everest.

EXCELLENT point!!!

No one is "afraid" of Disney disallowing sharing. Is this a regional thing??? Or something else??

In any of my travels to larger cities in addition to NY , I do not see higher end restaurants allowing sharing between adults w/o a plate charge. Around these parts, it's just not done, unless it's two ladies at luncheon splitting salad and sandwich or whatever. In a resort milieu at moderate to fine dining places - I have just never seen entree sharing. I would not go into my best restaurant here and share an entree. It would be regarded, in these parts, "cheap and tacky". Of course they will serve you with a smile or tell you the extra plate charge. No one will toss you out or grumble - but it's just not cool. If you can't afford to buy 2 entrees for two adults, you stay home or go to Chili's.

Desserts and appy's - yes. Common and customarily shared.

I continue to find it hard to believe that suddenly everyone just wants a taste, or isn't that hungry, or has smallish eating habits or a tender tummy - I think the disease of "MORE" has taken hold of the DDP purchasers, and everyone wants more ADR's at MORE restaurants. For the food connoisseurs and "tasters" there's been the wonderful F&W Festival for years. For meals, there are meal credits and ADR's.

For goshsakes, everyone wants MORE of the $4 snacks and why isn't the chocolate covered mousetail included since it's only $4.01???????????? .

One of the things I have suggested, and that Sammie keeps trying to explain (patiently and skillfully, I might add) is that this was NOT the spirit in which Disney offered the plan, and misuse is already creating consequences for all future DDP and FDP users.

Finally - I ask this:
If they add a $5 plate sharing charge for adults, are all the "sharers" still good to go??

 

[LizinSTL]

Vegas oddsmakers place the over/under on # of pages in this thread at 13.5.



BTW--while we're not trying to "game the system" by figuring how to "maximize" DDP credits, we do commonly split meals when we go to restaurants. We find that restaurants often serve very large portions and one entree often feeds 2 of us very nicely. We advise the server that we want to split the meal and the better ones do a great job accommodating us.

LOL We also split meals while dining out...especially on vacation. Not as a cost saving method but in order to prevent waste. We wouldn't take doggie bags like at home so we order "less" food. (Meaning, we share...gasp....with our children.) At Disney table service we did NOT share meals/credits but we absolutely did at CS. Why throw away 1/2 of a meal? We shared up to 2 CS meals a day and each had our own TS meal.

 

[jjohnson]

I can't believe it's so hard for you guys to accept that not everyone dines the way you do. Not everyone thinks sharing an entree is cheap or tacky...

It's normal for either one of us to order an appetizer while the other orders an entree and then to share a dessert. You guys or even Disney cannot force us to have three course meals each. And if we can fit both of us comfortably in to one TS credit, then why shouldn't we do it?

Of course if Disney objects or prevents us from doing that (sharing) then we won't be grumble about it. Until then, I won't change my dining habits just because it might make Disney reconsider a deal or add restrictions to it.

But really, if you don't share, why are you afraid of Disney preventing it?

Disney can not "force" you to order all 3 courses but they can deduct a TS credit for each person at the table whether you eat or not.

 

[JimMIA]

Finally - I ask this:
If they add a $5 plate sharing charge for adults, all all the "sharers" still good to go??

I suspect a few would be fine with a plate charge. But I also suspect you'd be able to hear the others wailing all the way to Long Island! I know for a fact I'd be able to hear them down here in Miami!

I actually think Disney should implement a sharing charge. That would resolve the issue once and for all, and it would be equally fair for those on the dining plan and those who are not.

The amount should be whatever the tip would be on an average three-course meal ($8-10?), and 100% of it should go to the server who's being deprived of their tip by the sharing.

 

[Sammie]

I think some are still missing the point of this thread.

We don't care if you share.

We also don't care if Disney does not allow sharing on the DDP.

We don't understand the sharing, or wonder if people truly shared this much with others, not family, when eating at other locations other than Disney.

We do care if using the plan in a certain way, causes Disney to discontinue the plan and/or change the plan to discourage certain use of it.

Basically we are just tired of some trying to work the plan to make it fit them and their eating style and griping about it when Disney closes the door on the allowance of that.

Use the plan as Disney intends for it to be used, or don't purchase it. You don't have to change anything, just decide before you purchase the plan if it works for you. If it doesn't then fine. If you decide to purchase it be willing to use it as Disney sees fit, not as you wish they would allow.

 

[punkin]

Use the plan as Disney intends for it to be used, or don't purchase it. You don't have to change anything, just decide before you purchase the plan if it works for you. If it doesn't then fine. If you decide to purchase it be willing to use it as Disney sees fit, not as you wish they would allow.

How do you know how Disney intended the plan to be used? There is no official word from Disney that sharing is not allowed; recent trip reports say sharing is allowed; sharing has always been allowed in the past. I think I am right in my interpretation of the plan and all the name calling and condescension in the world will not change my opinion.

 

[Sammie]

How do you know how Disney intended the plan to be used? There is no official word from Disney that sharing is not allowed; recent trip reports say sharing is allowed; sharing has always been allowed in the past. I think I am right in my interpretation of the plan and all the name calling and condescension in the world will not change my opinion.

How do I know, have friends that work for them and they have shared this info with me and to me the brochure is quite plain about how to use it.

I believe several people have posted emails, etc from Disney about sharing. I did not share that info and did not say that Disney said no sharing. If I did, I will be glad to retract that if you can point me to that quote from me. I did attempt to explain why Disney might have a problem with sharing. There is a difference.

Name calling, excuse me, don't believe I resorted to that either. You might want to reread my comments before you throw stones.

No one is trying to change your opinion. You can have yours and the rest of us can have ours. I truly believe this is upsetting you alot more than any of us.

 

[disney2d2]

Basically we are just tired of some trying to work the plan to make it fit them and their eating style and griping about it when Disney closes the door on the allowance of that.

Excuse me but I have yet to hear a story of Disney saying anything about sharing, besides illinformed CMs of course.

Since when is trying to fit the plan for ones need not allowed? That's like saying we cannot use 8 TS credit for 4 character meals because "Disney didn't intend it like that...".

It's not Disney's intentions that count, its ours. The paying customers'.

I know Disney's rules do. And there are no rules against sharing.

 

[disney2d2]

And I can't believe you guys are pressing for Disney to charge sharers!

You can't be thinking that by sharing we are getting a better deal than you...

(Btw, I have yet to eat at a 1-TS credit class restaurant outside Disney that has a 'plate charge'. And I live in the metro NY area.)