New Dining Plan Brochure?

[BlindTyldak]

Some of the waiters may have allowed them to be used as such, But DISNEY did not sanction it directly as you alledge. You knew that you paid less and used it for a higher priced use. That is SCAMMING. Anyone that used them that way did effectively steal from me. I blaim you and the others that 'worked the system' for the increased costs and tighter rules. You don't like the facts - tough.

Call to book ADR's - CM's would volunteer the info that you can book your meals as you see fit, you have x number of points that you can use for any member of your party and child and adult are not separated. I call that sanctioned.

Walk up to the front desk - talk to host, verify conversation and that splitting the bill between oop and credits is allowed to save them for another night. Host says that's fine. Verify that all credits are equal and there is no difference between a child and an adult credit. Host says yes, you can use them however you want, there is no separating and you do not have to use any credit for the child if you do not want to, you can use them youself. I call that sanctioned.

Verify with waiter - waiter confirms above. I call that sanctioned.

Later waiters offer the tip. I call that sanctioned.

Other waiters tell you to have your child order the full adult meal because it's the exact same credit - I call that sanctioned.

The fact is, no matter how you cut it, Disney was very aware of how they designed the original plans and AT THE TIME had absolutely no problem with it. You can't scam a company who tells you that you can do this, and at several junctures SUGGESTS that you do it. It's the equivilent of saying that people who are using free dining are scamming Disney by eating for free when Disney offered it to them.

And yes, pperfect, I AM saying they approved it, again, at the time, because I would have never known about it if it was not told to me by Disney when we booked our first trip in which a dining plan was offered (magical wishes at that time I think it was, you could use the points to meals or other things like photos). When these meals were starting to be offered, it was not people like at places like this, or other guests, it was DISNEY who taught us how to get the best deal out of the plan.

Anywhoo, it looks like it's different now, hugs all around, some people will always think that just because something sounded like a good deal OMG it must be wrong even if you're told it's right.

 

[meshmar]

The idea that "everyone" who feeds their child anything that may be on an adult menu is scamming Disney is ridiculous. The vast majority of guests are using the plan as Disney intended. But reading this board, you'd think that people are registering rooms full of 9 year olds rather than paying for Adult credits.

No one said ANYTHING about buying an adult item for a child was a scam. Yes, the majority of people DO use the plan as intended. There ARE people on the DisBoards that have said they ARE adding non-existent children to their rooms so they CAN get children's credit to use AS adult credits. Not everyone - but enough to have an impact on everyone.

 

[Bird-Mom]

This arguement continues to amaze me. Watch out, the DISboard police is going to save Disney from itself!

Believe me, Disney knows exactly what they are doing, and I am pretty sure they are still making money even if everyone on the DDP uses the "child" credit for an adult meal. People who never ate TS are now eating TS; people who would never stay on-site are now staying on-site AND paying rack rate to do so; people are ordering alcoholic beverages when they wouldn't otherwise because the food is either free (due to free dining) or appears to be free (because you already paid for it, and pscyhologically, it seems free in the moment). People are paying OOP to use credits at signature meals, other TS meals (now they are hooked on TS), paying OOP to save a credit. Magical Express is keeping people on-site where they are spending their money.

Disney sure isn't going broke. They are making more money. Blame the raise in food prices on things that really matter, like the cost of gas and global warming. I live in a large city on the west coast, and Disney food prices are cheap to us. The rack rates for 2006 are the same as 2005. Don't you think Disney would have increased those? That is an easy way to make more money and expected by the consumer.

I am a former travel agent and a Disney Specialist. The current DDP is not the first one for Disney. The plans have always worked this way although they have had different names. Why the loophole? Because it works as a win-win situation for everyone. The guests think they are getting a great value (which they are) and Disney is making extra money because the guest is happy and therefore spends more money.

If you want an ethics debate board, I am sure there are plenty out there. It's all rumor and the rumor goes in cycles. The current DDP is more than 18 months old. If it was a profit suck, Disney would have changed it a long time ago.

 

[meshmar]

This arguement continues to amaze me. Watch out, the DISboard police is going to save Disney from itself!

Believe me, Disney knows exactly what they are doing, and I am pretty sure they are still making money even if everyone on the DDP uses the "child" credit for an adult meal. People who never ate TS are now eating TS; people who would never stay on-site are now staying on-site AND paying rack rate to do so; people are ordering alcoholic beverages when they wouldn't otherwise because the food is either free (due to free dining) or appears to be free (because you already paid for it, and pscyhologically, it seems free in the moment). People are paying OOP to use credits at signature meals, other TS meals (now they are hooked on TS), paying OOP to save a credit. Magical Express is keeping people on-site where they are spending their money.

Disney sure isn't going broke. They are making more money. Blame the raise in food prices on things that really matter, like the cost of gas and global warming. I live in a large city on the west coast, and Disney food prices are cheap to us. The rack rates for 2006 are the same as 2005. Don't you think Disney would have increased those? That is an easy way to make more money and expected by the consumer.

I am a former travel agent and a Disney Specialist. The current DDP is not the first one for Disney. The plans have always worked this way although they have had different names. Why the loophole? Because it works as a win-win situation for everyone. The guests think they are getting a great value (which they are) and Disney is making extra money because the guest is happy and therefore spends more money.

If you want an ethics debate board, I am sure there are plenty out there. It's all rumor and the rumor goes in cycles. The current DDP is more than 18 months old. If it was a profit suck, Disney would have changed it a long time ago.

I never said Disney wasn't making money ... and to imply so is facetious. Some people are buying Signature meals OOP - and others are using child's credits to do so. I have seen people buy there children a sucky CS meal (and the children sure didn't act happy about it) so that they could use the child's credits for themselves later. To me that is child abuse ....

Actually, the rack rates HAVE gone up - not stayed the same. But, of course, a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would have known that. Was there a reason you said they hadn't?

The loophole is a win-win situation? Not for those NOT on the DDP, becuase they eat the increased costs due to the ones that know it wasn't intended to be that way, but what the hell ....

Disney is changing it now ... and I'm sure they have a reason.

 

[Lizzybee]

So if the Dining Plan is "free" then does it matter because I didn't pay for any credit child or adult? Just a philosophical question. I could care less what anyone says about it previous to the statement in the new FAQ section re: child vs. adult credits, the brochure didn't distinguish other than to say a child must order a child's meal. Other wording included in the brochure were things like "use your meals and snacks in any order and in any amount throughout your package stay until your total is depleted" and "You can continue using meals any way you like for the rest of your package stay until the number of meals/snacks are depleted" and "For example a part of 4 staying for 5 nights would receive 20 Quick Service Meals, 20 Snacks, and 20 Table Service meals to use during their package stay." Nothing in that language would indicate pooling the credits and using them as desired would be unethical and it certainly would not be stealing.
Now I never used child credits for my own meals. Sometimes my DS(then)11 had a CS kids meal, or I had a CS kids meal and my DD8 had a CS adult meal (chicken strips). I think only once did I use 3 adult CS meal credits in one meal. It was just less of a pain. At that time, it was fine. Now however with the new wording, Disney had said that's a no no. We won't do it. I follow rules and I teach my kids to follow rules. I just really bugs me that people get all on their high horse and put words into Mickey's mouth when those words weren't until now. Now they said it, now it's not ok, but until then it was fine and any way you like is pretty explicit.

 

[Mrsduck101]

I have said before "the brochure doesn't say anything to distinguish child credits from adults other than a child must order a child's meal if a child's menu is available." This FAQ addition to the brochure has changed that. They have distinguished it and so I wouldn't consider using a child's credit for an adult meal. My only issue with this is with CS meals. My DD8 is going to want a burger or chicken strips and they don't offer those for children, sometimes chicken nuggets but not strips. So either I'll have to order from the kids menu's myself at CS or share with my DS12 and use some CS credits for breakfasts?? . I guess we'll see when we get there how that works out. Last time I did eat some kid meals for CS, but it got old quick. I don't mind some grilled cheese but chopped and formed nuggets

The CS meals are my problem too.
No kids pizza at Pizzafari! No kids burger at Pecos Bills! Cold chicken? My dd is 10 this year and I'm actually glad because she will split her adult CS meals with my ds8. We will either use our kids CS credits for ds1 or not use them. I would rather buy an adult CS meal OOP for my kids than have them eat some of the kids meals. It's not the kids portions at the CS restaurants, its the selection. The adults have lots to choose from and the kids get the same sad choices over and over.
As far as TS I think the kids meals are much better at most places, so we just use our credits as intended and are fine with it.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Actually, the rack rates HAVE gone up - not stayed the same. But, of course, a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would have known that. Was there a reason you said they hadn't?

It is obvious that you are not a good reader. I am a former TA. But anyways, we paid exactly what we paid last year for this year's vacation. The 2005/2006 rack rates are the same. You can keep you sarcasm to yourself.

The loophole is a win-win situation? Not for those NOT on the DDP, becuase they eat the increased costs due to the ones that know it wasn't intended to be that way, but what the hell ....

If you don't expect food prices to go up, you are not living in the real world. The loophole is a win-win situation for users of the DDP and Disney.

Disney is changing it now ... and I'm sure they have a reason.

And you know this how? You are the new CEO of dining? People have been speculating that it is going to change over the last year and a half. It hasn't. I'll belive it when I see it, not when the DISpolice keep spreading rumors.

 

[meshmar]

It is obvious that you are not a good reader. I am a former TA. But anyways, we paid exactly what we paid last year for this year's vacation. The 2005/2006 rack rates are the same. You can keep you sarcasm to yourself.



If you don't expect food prices to go up, you are not living in the real world. The loophole is a win-win situation for users of the DDP and Disney.



And you know this how? You are the new CEO of dining? People have been speculating that it is going to change over the last year and a half. It hasn't. I'll belive it when I see it, not when the DISpolice keep spreading rumors.

Rack Rates are higher in 2006 than 2005 ...
2005 rack rates: $77 value season Value Resort
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/Rack-Rates-2005.htm
2006 Rack Rates: $88 to $89 (plus change)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/Rack-Rates-2006.htm

Tell me they are the same ...there was no sarcasm - just the facts.

And for those NOT on the DDP, the loophole that people are abusing, is a losing situation. Not everyone is a fit for the DDP ... which is what I said and YOU didn't read, apparently.

How do I know thing changed? Look at the new page 5 on the brochure. Again, not speculation or rumor. Facts. It changed.

Disney Specialist?!? Now I know how so many people get bad information ....

 

[Bird-Mom]

I have seen people buy there children a sucky CS meal (and the children sure didn't act happy about it) so that they could use the child's credits for themselves later. To me that is child abuse ...

I just re-read this. OMG, I cannot believe my eyes. Now the use of credits is turning into a child abuse issue. You need to get a life and put your energy into something more constructive than eavesdropping over a family buying a meal for their child and you deeming it abusive b/c the child doesn't look happy.

You have just made yourself look like a self-righteous village idiot. Whatever credibility you think you have...OMG, thanks for the laugh!

 

[Bird-Mom]

Rack Rates are higher in 2006 than 2005 ...
2005 rack rates: $77 value season Value Resort
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/Rack-Rates-2005.htm
2006 Rack Rates: $88 to $89 (plus change)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/Rack-Rates-2006.htm

Tell me they are the same ...there was no sarcasm - just the facts.

Oh I'm sorry. PM me your addy and I'll send you the $1 or $2. You must be really, really po'.

 

[meshmar]

I just re-read this. OMG, I cannot believe my eyes. Now the use of credits is turning into a child abuse issue. You need to get a life and put your energy into something more constructive than eavesdropping over a family buying a meal for their child and you deeming it abusive b/c the child doesn't look happy.

You have just made yourself look like a self-righteous village idiot. Whatever credibility you think you have...OMG, thanks for the laugh!

Credibility? From someone that denies the rack rates changed from 2005 to 2006 ... when there is plenty of evidence to prove otherwise.

From someone that claims there have been no changes to the DDP when most people are talking about the changes to the brochure that are already out ... and speculated changes in the computer system in the near-future.

I guess looking like an idiot is better than being a proven liar.

 

[meshmar]

Oh I'm sorry. PM me your addy and I'll send you the $1 or $2. You must be really, really po'.

Sorry, you must be bad at math too. That's an $11 or $12 difference in Value resorts.

Poor - not really, but I am on a fixed income. At least I can do my math ...

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think the main differences between the MYW dining plan and the old silver plan are the price and number of people using it.

The silver plan was $30.00+ per night for kids and $60.00+ per night adults.

MYW is dining is MUCH cheaper, therefore more people are using it.

The impact of people using child credits to cover adult meals, must have been seen as a problem. Why else would they make a change after all these years?

I want Disney to close all the loopholes and keep the dining plan affordable. As much as I would have loved to use the silver plan, cost wise it just wasn't an option for us.

 

[Lizzybee]

Geeez time to use the ignore button on my Control Panel some people just can't help but argue and blow things out of proportion and it seems like for the sole purpose of

You know Mrsduck101, I looked at the menus on AllEars.net and if pizza is a "must have", the menu for Toy Story Pizza Planet in MGM doesn't show kids meals so the kids should be able to order pizza there maybe? Otherwise at AK Restaurantosaurus serves McDs chicken nugget happy meals. Even at Pizzafari, you could just pay OOP for one pizza. I'll probably be eating lots of kids CS meals since my DD8 doesn't like the choices and my DS12 only likes it if there's mac n cheese. Either that or we'll just use 2 credits for 2 chicken strip meals and split them 3 ways. The CS kids meals are kinda ridiculous. They expect kids up to age 9 to eat like 3 yr olds.

 

[meshmar]

I think the main differences between the MYW dining plan and the old silver plan are the price and number of people using it.

The silver plan was $30.00+ per night for kids and $60.00+ per night adults.

MYW is dining is MUCH cheaper, therefore more people are using it.

The impact of people using child credits to cover adult meals, must have been seen as a problem. Why else would they make a change after all these years?

I want Disney to close all the loopholes and keep the dining plan affordable. As much as I would have loved to use the silver plan, cost wise it just wasn't an option for us.

Too bad so many people are in the ignore mode.

"The impact of people using child credits to cover adult meals, must have been seen as a problem. Why else would they make a change after all these years?" sums up exactly what I was saying.

If there weren't people so ready to worm through loopholes, Disney wouldn't have to spend time and money closing them.

Ah, well.

 

[PureTcrazy]

Even with the new brochure explicitly stating:

Q. Can adults use child meal entitlements?
A. Sorry, meal entitlements can not be shared between adults and children age 3-9.

People still want to justify and defend what WDW's intentions were regarding the meal plan.

At some point you just give up trying to make a point and I am doing that!

 

[CamColt]

Ok gang, due to name calling and personal attacks this thread is closed.