No more segmented vacations for ddp

[treehugnmama]

So my vacation is in 4 weeks. My segment was done 7 months ago. I was told to call anytime up to 48 hours. I was going to call friday and i forgot(am i kicking myself now) We added on to bring my parents my dad is in kidney failure and I have put so much planning into this trip. I made ressies at 180 days out based on segmented stay. so there is my background...had the worst day ever then called ms....

was told sorry you can no longer do segmented dining has to be length of stay. I explained the above was told it is for my own good as there are a lot of proplems with people getting locked out of rooms yda yda yda....fast forward to her manager am tol I quote "I WILL not do this for you no exception" Explained he could atleast be sympathetic and say he can't and not won't I was nice he was liek sorry anything at disney can end anytime....I explained i was told i could do this and baesed my dinign on it and I was forced to do that at 180 days out was told sorry for your own good we made this change to help our members. I wanted day 1 qsdp for mugs to take home and day 3 dlx dining plan. ASKED FOR HIS MANAGER AND WAS TOLD HE IS THE MANAGER AND IF IT COULD BE DONE HE COULD DO IT! so i am annoyed with the way he is talking to me when i am being calm and nice. So i ask him if he is claire? he gets his manager she tells me the same we are foing our members a fav bla bla bla I am so close to tears at his point i give up and thank her for her time and give up.

I am so disapointed. i am so happy to be dvc usually. Just thinking about disney cheers me up. i am so mad i dont ever want to go back there! I am mad at myself as i should have done it friday! this day keeps on kicking me!

in the big picture i know this is not a big deal but i cant do dp for my entire stay but i have some ts that i cant change this late in the date.

another reason they gave was front desk told them to stop as the comp system couldnt do it ans guests were gettinglocked out.

 

[Sammie]

This has been to me one of the most disappointing threads in a long time. Is everyone just in a fowl mood or something.

Suggesting using TIW and not tipping a server is just downright in my opinion rude.

This is certainly not the fault of any of the servers and yet some of you would punish a hard working server because you are POed at Disney.

Shame, shame, shame.

Honestly I think it is time for some you to take a vacation elsewhere. No wonder turn over at Member Satisfaction is so high, I certainly would not want to listen to some of this whining. And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have it your way.

No one was ever given anything in writing that segmenting would always be allowed. Since this was allowed Front Desk CMs have been raked over the coals about the problems its caused, lock out, lost credits, etc. etc. Complaints to Member Satisfaction too.

This was a no win situation for them.

 

[vicki_c]

This has been to me one of the most disappointing threads in a long time. Is everyone just in a fowl mood or something.

Suggesting using TIW and not tipping a server is just downright in my opinion rude.

This is certainly not the fault of any of the servers and yet some of you would punish a hard working server because you are POed at Disney.

Shame, shame, shame.

Honestly I think it is time for some you to take a vacation elsewhere. No wonder turn over at Member Satisfaction is so high, I certainly would not want to listen to some of this whining. And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have if your way.

No one was ever given anything in writing that segmenting would always be allowed. Since this was allowed Front Desk CMs have been raked over the coals about the problems its caused, lock out, lost credits, etc. etc. Complaints to Member Satisfaction too.

This was a no win situation for them.

I feel the same way as Sammie. I had stepped away this afternoon after reading those posts suggesting not tipping housekeeping or dining staff because it made me appalled and actually kind of sad to think that people would be so petty. It gave me that disappointed in my fellow man kind of feeling (and yes, I know that's an over the top description, but just the best way that came to me to explain how I felt).

 

[Deb & Bill]

This has been to me one of the most disappointing threads in a long time. Is everyone just in a fowl mood or something.

Suggesting using TIW and not tipping a server is just downright in my opinion rude.

This is certainly not the fault of any of the servers and yet some of you would punish a hard working server because you are POed at Disney.

Shame, shame, shame.

Honestly I think it is time for some you to take a vacation elsewhere. No wonder turn over at Member Satisfaction is so high, I certainly would not want to listen to some of this whining. And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have if your way.

No one was ever given anything in writing that segmenting would always be allowed.

Totally agree, Sammie. Sounds like a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth out there. This had to come down to DVC from the dining people. It's their program. DVC has to follow their program or not do the program. Keep whining and next time you call to add the dining plan, you might be told "sorry, no dining plan when staying on DVC points".

If I were working at MS, I'd not be looking forward to going to work tomorrow because of getting chewed out for something I have no control over.

It's just a stupid way to purchase your meals. It's not the end of the world.

Remember, you bought a Disney timeshare. You didn't buy a Disney package.

 

[treehugnmama]

I am not trying to whine if it is mow speak of. If segmented was never oferred I would have booked my dining appropriately. I don't have readies for daily ts so it is pointless to add for length of stay. I love tiw but we only go to the parks 2 days out of 12 day trip so ap not an option. If it wasnt for my dad I would just cancel my ressies and cook in villa and eat off site but I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[honeymo78]

I agree that no announcement was warranted because it was never an actual announced perk. It was a loophole that was nice while it lasted but no one realistically should have expected it to last forever.

I'm sorry for people whose plans are affected but this really shouldn't make or break your reservation. The OOP cost for the same meals shouldn't be much more than the DDP if you chose to drop it entirely.

As for MS not making exceptions, maybe they truly have been told not to - maybe those who are still able to segment had something else going on with their reservation that we don't know about. Clearly there are some situations where segmenting would still work and is appropriate. When I worked in retail, we got a memo one morning changing a particular store policy. If they found out we weren't adhering to the new policy we could be fired. I would never expect a CM to risk punishment or their job to make me happy.

 

[Sammie]

I am assuming I will get what I already paid for. I am not going to "kick the hornet's nest", by calling to check, either.

My segmented reservations are still showing correctly on the Member's website and also on the official website when I log in and select the link for "My Reservations". On the official website, the appropriate segments show the DxDP that I paid for.

I sincerely doubt I will have to change rooms. That is just not in the resort's best interests to do.

You have the most logical and calmest approach to this. Sometimes it is best to just leave well enough alone.

As you said, by calling, complaining, etc. you might get stung if you stir up that nest.

Well done Carol.

For those that waited to book it, truly this is no different than price increases for say tickets. If I call Members Services and ask for a ticket price and then later it goes up, I can't be upset with the CM that gave me information that was current at that time.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I have a segmented stay coming up:

AKV studio - 2 nights - 1 guest - qsdp
AKV studio - 8 nights - 2 guests - no dining plan
VWL studio - 6 nights - 1 guest - no dining plan

I have already paid for the dining plan for my 2 nights. Since I'm not doing parks those 2 days I thought the qsdp would just being easier for me and the mug would be handy since I'll just be hanging around the pool. I have all my reservations done for the 2 guest 8 night portion and will use my Tables card. I thought about adding the qsdp for my last 6 nights but if I can't add it I'm okay with that. My only concern is if they'll make me have the plan for my whole stay since that is not what I want. The worse thing for me would be that I'd have to cancel the 2 nights of the plan that I've paid for and have them credit my credit card.

I realize that my inconvenience is very minor not like some people that have made all of their dining reservations based on being able to segment their stay. And I feel so bad for all of you. But I do not believe that the answer to this is to not tip the servers, bell services or mousekeeping .... they certainly didn't cause this problem. I wish I had a magic solution for this problem but I don't .... good luck to all of you.

 

[DHar]

I agree that no announcement was warranted because it was never an actual announced perk.

i was told in an email before i booked my reservation "I have noted your Membership that this option will be allowed for your future reservation, so that you may proceed in planning your upcoming vacation with this in mind."

i proceeded to book based on the reply i received from them...now if we keep the dining plan it will cost us 2 adults for 2 additional days ($184.00 - sidenote: we are not independently wealthy) that people will not be there.....i know they are in business to make money but come on......

 

[ftballfan7]

This has been to me one of the most disappointing threads in a long time. Is everyone just in a fowl mood or something.

Suggesting using TIW and not tipping a server is just downright in my opinion rude.

This is certainly not the fault of any of the servers and yet some of you would punish a hard working server because you are POed at Disney.

Shame, shame, shame.

Honestly I think it is time for some you to take a vacation elsewhere. No wonder turn over at Member Satisfaction is so high, I certainly would not want to listen to some of this whining. And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have it your way.

No one was ever given anything in writing that segmenting would always be allowed. Since this was allowed Front Desk CMs have been raked over the coals about the problems its caused, lock out, lost credits, etc. etc. Complaints to Member Satisfaction too.

This was a no win situation for them.

I expect the suggestion of not tipping was tongue in cheek. at least that is how I read it. Most of the complaints are in regards to how the change was handled and expressing frustration with how this affects upcoming plans. Some of the same people we are riding high horses now have complained about things that have directly affected them in the past, valet parking comes to mind. I understand this was not an advertised perk, but some of us were told by member services when we booked our vacations that we could do this up to 48 hours prior to arrival day.

This change will not ruin my vacation, but I am disappointed in the manner it was handled and do not apolagize for expressing that disappointment.

 

[ftballfan7]

For those that waited to book it, truly this is no different than price increases for say tickets. If I call Members Services and ask for a ticket price and then later it goes up, I can't be upset with the CM that gave me information that was current at that time.

If the CM tells me that the price will be good up until a certain date, I most certainately have the right to be upset if it isn't.

 

[Tiger926]

This has been to me one of the most disappointing threads in a long time. Is everyone just in a fowl mood or something.

Suggesting using TIW and not tipping a server is just downright in my opinion rude.

This is certainly not the fault of any of the servers and yet some of you would punish a hard working server because you are POed at Disney.

Shame, shame, shame.

Honestly I think it is time for some you to take a vacation elsewhere. No wonder turn over at Member Satisfaction is so high, I certainly would not want to listen to some of this whining. And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have it your way.

No one was ever given anything in writing that segmenting would always be allowed. Since this was allowed Front Desk CMs have been raked over the coals about the problems its caused, lock out, lost credits, etc. etc. Complaints to Member Satisfaction too.

This was a no win situation for them.

I feel the same way as Sammie. I had stepped away this afternoon after reading those posts suggesting not tipping housekeeping or dining staff because it made me appalled and actually kind of sad to think that people would be so petty. It gave me that disappointed in my fellow man kind of feeling (and yes, I know that's an over the top description, but just the best way that came to me to explain how I felt).

Totally agree, Sammie. Sounds like a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth out there. This had to come down to DVC from the dining people. It's their program. DVC has to follow their program or not do the program. Keep whining and next time you call to add the dining plan, you might be told "sorry, no dining plan when staying on DVC points".

If I were working at MS, I'd not be looking forward to going to work tomorrow because of getting chewed out for something I have no control over.

It's just a stupid way to purchase your meals. It's not the end of the world.

Remember, you bought a Disney timeshare. You didn't buy a Disney package.

I just got caught up on reading this thread, and I have to agree with all of you.

I am totally confused at the reaction of people on this thread...I totally understand that people are frustrated as they now have to re-budget their meal funds or cook in their villa and cancle ADRs, but we bought a timeshare, and not a dining package.

This was not a set in stone policy, and as such, can change at any time. It doesn't matter that Disney said members can add this segmenting at any time, as that is only relevant as long this procedure is in effect. It has been stopped, and so it is no longer available.

I do understand that people are frustrated, but people did this to save money, as the complexity and problems associated with it made for a stressful procedure in most cases, and for many, that money savings was not worth it. So, just as Sammie mentioned, treat this like a price increase with tickets, and fiddle with the budget a bit. Perhaps it will force some of you to cancel some meals, purchase TIW, eat off-site or cook in your villa. Those are the only choices as this process is no longer available, so getting angry about it, really is useless energy, IMHO.

We love cooking in our villa, so perhaps some of you can do that - it saves time, money and makes for awesome family bonding!

Tiger

 

[Deb & Bill]

If the CM tells me that the price will be good up until a certain date, I most certainately have the right to be upset if it isn't.

But they never tell you that a price will be good until a certain date. Just like when they raise ticket prices. The word might get out the day before, but there isn't any announcement that on Sept 15, ticket prices will go up $5.

So, no you have no right to be upset. There was no date noted, just a possibility, just like any other perk.

 

[treehugnmama]

it is alot more oop for me. I had planned for delux covering lecellar coral reef and ohana so I have 2 disney children and 2 adults add the price and devide by the 3 meals comes out 72$ a meal plus i would get my mugs and my snacks...there is no way i have ever gotten a bill for lc or cr for under $100.00 so to me it is a big difference....not sure what to do this ship has sailed and i have to think there is a better price than oop with no tiw

I agree that no announcement was


warranted because it was never an actual announced perk. It was a loophole that was nice while it lasted but no one realistically should have expected it to last forever.

I'm sorry for people whose plans are affected but this really shouldn't make or break your reservation. The OOP cost for the same meals shouldn't be much more than the DDP if you chose to drop it entirely.
As for MS not making exceptions, maybe they truly have been told not to - maybe those who are still able to segment had something else going on with their reservation that we don't know about. Clearly there are some situations where segmenting would still work and is appropriate. When I worked in retail, we got a memo one morning changing a particular store policy. If they found out we weren't adhering to the new policy we could be fired. I would never expect a CM to risk punishment or their job to make me happy.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I realize we shouldn't complain for losing the privilege. But I do have to complain that there was no warning and that what we were told is no longer true. Why did I set my alarm 180 days out to get those ADRs based around my segmented stay? I believe Disney should honor their word. Those with existing segmented stays should be able to add the DDP. I feel like I was lied to. What else will Disney tell me that's not true?

 

[Tiger926]

But they never tell you that a price will be good until a certain date. Just like when they raise ticket prices. The word might get out the day before, but there isn't any announcement that on Sept 15, ticket prices will go up $5.

So, no you have no right to be upset. There was no date noted, just a possibility, just like any other perk.

it is alot more oop for me. I had planned for delux covering lecellar coral reef and ohana so I have 2 disney children and 2 adults add the price and devide by the 3 meals comes out 72$ a meal plus i would get my mugs and my snacks...there is no way i have ever gotten a bill for lc or cr for under $100.00 so to me it is a big difference....not sure what to do this ship has sailed and i have to think there is a better price than oop with no tiw

I understand that, and you wanted to do that, in order to maximize your expenses, but as mentioned, this wasn't an advertised perk. It was a loophole that happened from the new system. It would be just like if it was a test pilot - those eventually come to an end too.

I am sorry you are upset, but there is nothing that can be done. You have to look at your budget and adjust. Perhaps cancel a meal? After having eaten at pretty much every restaurant on property, many, many times, I can assure you that most of them serve subpar food with even worse subpar service, so cancelling a few ADRs might not be so bad.

I do wish you luck in adjusting your vacation, but it's not Disney's fault at all, as this wasn't an advertised perk of the membership. We bought timeshare accommodations, so anything they want to give us over and above that is extra. It's like if they got rid of AP discount, we'd all have to adjust our budgets and vacations accordingly.

I realize we shouldn't complain for losing the privilege. But I do have to complain that there was no warning and that what we were told is no longer true. Why did I set my alarm 180 days out to get those ADRs based around my segmented stay? I believe Disney should honor their word. Those with existing segmented stays should be able to add the DDP. I feel like I was lied to. What else will Disney tell me that's not true?

Lots of things happen with out warning. I have had horrible things happen without warning, and this is not one of them.

It also doesn't matter that it's not true, since it was never an advertised policy to begin with. DVC was working this out for guests as a favour, and so once it caused too many problems, off it goes.

Spending a ton of time on the phone trying to add a segmented plan (been there, done that), or tons of time tying up CMs at guest service, takes away from other members getting assistance, so it's a good thing that this loophole has been closed from that standpoint. Not good for your pocketbook, but Disney does not have to look out for your pocketbook.

I'm not sure how I feel about those with segmented stays being able to add the DP? They should have already added in, and then perhaps those guests can keep it, but a segmented stay didn't equate to automatically getting the DP, as that needed to be added by the member.

Sorry for your frustration, Tiger

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lots of interesting theories about the why's. I'm going to go with a side that says this had a lot more to do with operations and how some of the resorts couldn't seem to get it to work with a single key. I found it very interesting that some resorts were able to.

I don't think for Disney it's a strict one to one that if a person was going to purchase the dining plan for part of the stay that they will still dine there and pay cash. It opens up more options if you haven't prepaid. We are TIW people or out of pocket b/c we find the DP for an entire stay to be too much food if you want it to be a benefit or even break even. However being able to purchase the dining plan for part of the trip had caught my eye and I was considering it for the future if they ever figured out the key part. That was in spite of the fact that history shows me we give Disney more money than we otherwise would when buying the dining. Thank goodness they ended my thought of convenience over $$$$'s.

I do think that unfortunately this is very poor handling by Disney. As has been pointed out by many posters guests have been told for months that they can add the dining plan up until 48 hours beforehand to their segmented reservations. For those that didn't segment I'm going with a you snooze, you lose type of thing (and I would have fallen in to that myself) but for those that have segmented then for goodness sake let them finish it up.

And here I thought all of you hated the Dining Plan. Seems you like it as long as you can have it your way.

I thought what many DVCer's don't like is "free" dining.

I am not trying to whine if it is mow speak of. If segmented was never oferred I would have booked my dining appropriately. I don't have readies for daily ts so it is pointless to add for length of stay. I love tiw but we only go to the parks 2 days out of 12 day trip so ap not an option. If it wasnt for my dad I would just cancel my ressies and cook in villa and eat off site but I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Things become extra frustrating when you already are dealing with other issues such as poor health of a family member. If you feel up to it you might call back another time or two and see if you find one of the CM's that has added the dining plan for a few other people on this thread. IMO it's no different than it was previously when people would book part of their trip separately in order to do the same thing but you would need to be prepared to change rooms if the resort required it.

 

[ftballfan7]

But they never tell you that a price will be good until a certain date. Just like when they raise ticket prices. The word might get out the day before, but there isn't any announcement that on Sept 15, ticket prices will go up $5.

So, no you have no right to be upset. There was no date noted, just a possibility, just like any other perk.

I expect you are right, they would never tell me a ticket price would be good until a certain date because if they did they would be expected to live up to it. That is exactly my point, they did tell me that I could segment me reservation and add DDP to part of it up until 48 hours prior to arrival date. We were discussing this particular reservation at the time of booking. they should live up to that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I expect you are right, they would never tell me a ticket price would be good until a certain date because if they did they would be expected to live up to it. That is exactly my point, they did tell me that I could segment me reservation and add DDP to part of it up until 48 hours prior to arrival date. We were discussing this particular reservation at the time of booking. they should live up to that.

Did you get that in writing? As far as they knew at the time, yes you would have been able to do it. But that changed and they didn't get the word either until yesterday.

 

[otterpop]

Many of you are saying that this was never an advertised benefit/option...

Doesn't the CM's telling us on the phone that we can segment and add the dining plan up to 48 hours in advance, constitute "advertising" the option?

I think those of us that are in the "bitter-barn" have a right to be.

All of you that are "bashing" (for lack of better words...sorry!) us, what if one the DISboard Mods said that you guys can't post anymore, right as you were typing your comment to this post???? Just like that...no warning or explanation!

How would you feel??? Care to join us in the bitter-barn???