No more segmented vacations for ddp

[Tiger926]

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.

Again, that was relevant when the segmenting was in place. Once the segmenting ceases to exist, so does your ability to add the DP, so it's not a lie. It was true at the time when segmenting was allowed, but not anymore.

Did you really think segmenting was going to last forever? No, not meant to last forever...only meant to last as long as Disney allows it to last.

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.

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???

Sorry you feel it's bashing, but it's reality. I get that you are frustrated, but this was not a contractual perk of being a DVC member. It was a loophole that was allowed for a few months, and has now been closed. End of story. If it was a contractual part of being a DVC member, then that is a whole other story...

If a moderator said we couldn't post anymore, we could ask for a reason, and if none was given, there is nothing we can do. They are in charge of the board.

I totally get that people are mad, and you are mad because it is costing you money. But, nothing can be done about it, as they are not allowing segmenting anymore. It's like a guest suing because they ripped out Toontown - Disney never contractually guaranteed to keep MK the way it is, so they have the right to change it at any time, just like they have the right to change this particular procedure.

We've been over this many times on these boards with perks...they are extras to being members...nothing more, nothing less. Disney doesn't have to offer a DVC Dining Plan at all as it requires tickets, so they bent on that. And, are you aware that DVC members don't pay the seasonal upcharge DVC price, but the lower price all year long? Those are nice perks, that all DVC members should be grateful for, as they too can end at any time.

Tiger

 

[hakepb]

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

Yes, we only bought a timeshare.

But we pay a significant line item every year in our dues to DVC management to .... OMG manage the timeshare! Setting/enforcing rules and providing advance notice when those changes might impact members is all part of management.

If this were an isolated incident, I would let it slide, but this is a pattern of management changes with no notification.

 

[treehugnmama]

I feel the same way and send off a letter to member satisfaction stating it.

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]

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.

Yes, we only bought a timeshare.

But we pay a significant line item every year in our dues to DVC management to .... OMG manage the timeshare! Setting/enforcing rules and providing advance notice when those changes might impact members is all part of management.

If this were an isolated incident, I would let it slide, but this is a pattern of management changes with no notification.

Maybe, maybe not, but that is irrelevant with this, as this is about food. Nothing in our timeshare contract is related to food.

We purchased an accommodation timeshare, and that has nothing to do with food. Food is an extraneous cost of vacationing that has nothing to do with DVC. We cook in our villa because our contracts stipulate that we must have a full kitchen in our villas. If they took those away, then that is the only thing related to food, that would be connected to our membership.

Removing a perk, if that is what you want to call it, for a dining plan, has nothing to do with our memberships from a contractual perspective.

Tiger

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

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.



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

Why should we have already added it onto our segmented stay when we were told we could add it 48 hours before our trip? I may not be able to even go on the trip if we have any snow days in our school district. That's why I was waiting to add. I have the money. I just didn't want to purchase it if I was going to have to cancel. I don't know why you say we should have already added it when we were told it wouldn't be a problem to wait.

 

[Sandisw]

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?

I know its upsetting but when the CMs told you that you could wait to add it, it was true. At that point in time, they were allowing segmented trips and the DDP to be added to segments.

But, with everything Disney (and many companies for that matter), things are apt to change on a moments notice and that is what happened here. They had an 'effective immediately" change. There was no way for the CM's at MS to know about it before it happened so there was no way for them to have told you about it at the time.

Unfortunately, that is one of the draw backs of waiting. You risk a change in policy in the interim.

 

[treehugnmama]

and that is why they should be honouring the vacations that were already segmented but not allowing any new segented vacations.

I know its upsetting but when the CMs told you that you could wait to add it, it was true. At that point in time, they were allowing segmented trips and the DDP to be added to segments.

But, with everything Disney (and many companies for that matter), things are apt to change on a moments notice and that is what happened here. They had an 'effective immediately" change. There was no way for the CM's at MS to know about it before it happened so there was no way for them to have told you about it at the time.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Again, that was relevant when the segmenting was in place. Once the segmenting ceases to exist, so does your ability to add the DP, so it's not a lie. It was true at the time when segmenting was allowed, but not anymore.

Did you really think segmenting was going to last forever? No, not meant to last forever...only meant to last as long as Disney allows it to last.






Sorry you feel it's bashing, but it's reality. I get that you are frustrated, but this was not a contractual perk of being a DVC member. It was a loophole that was allowed for a few months, and has now been closed. End of story. If it was a contractual part of being a DVC member, then that is a whole other story...

If a moderator said we couldn't post anymore, we could ask for a reason, and if none was given, there is nothing we can do. They are in charge of the board.

I totally get that people are mad, and you are mad because it is costing you money. But, nothing can be done about it, as they are not allowing segmenting anymore. It's like a guest suing because they ripped out Toontown - Disney never contractually guaranteed to keep MK the way it is, so they have the right to change it at any time, just like they have the right to change this particular procedure.

We've been over this many times on these boards with perks...they are extras to being members...nothing more, nothing less. Disney doesn't have to offer a DVC Dining Plan at all as it requires tickets, so they bent on that. And, are you aware that DVC members don't pay the seasonal upcharge DVC price, but the lower price all year long? Those are nice perks, that all DVC members should be grateful for, as they too can end at any time.

Tiger

IT IS A LIE! When they tell us we CAN add it 48 hours before, we should be able to. If we suddenly CANNOT add it after being told we CAN, then it is a lie. If they said, "You can add the DDP to your segmented stay right now, but you may not be able to add it after you hang up" then that would be the truth. But they didn't. They should honor what they say.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

and that is why they should be honouring the vacations that were already segmented but not allowing any new segented vacations.

Yes, treehugnmama!

 

[disneynutz]

IMO the frustrations expressed in this thread are not necessarily all about the segmenting of reservations but the cumulative affect of Disney changing the DVC rules and policies during the last three years with little or no advanced notice and without regard to the feelings and the effect on the membership.

I think as time goes on, more members are realizing that the DVC is not a club, the Guides are just sales people and we are nothing more than people who bought a lease for a hotel room, no matter how Disney suggests otherwise in their advertising.

About a previous post: Tips are automatically included in your total if you use the TIW card so the comment about not tipping was indeed an attempt at levity. I apologize if I offended anyone.

Bill

 

[Sammie]

DVC and what any of you as a member bought and paid for and are entitled to in your POS is very different from Disney Dining, Disney tickets, Disney transportation. etc.

You will be less disappointed going forward as a DVC member if you remember that what you actually paid for and what you have as perks that can come and go without notice are not the same.

If you own at BLT and at 11 months you call and were told sorry you can't book yet, then yes you have plenty of reason to be upset as you were being denied something you actually have legal right to.

Dining plan changes, disappointed maybe, truly upset to the point of complaining to DVC, sorry just don't see it.

No one was lied to, you were given current policy at that time. The policy changed and at no fault of DVC and certainly not the fault of the person who told you.

 

[Sandisw]

IT IS A LIE! When they tell us we CAN add it 48 hours before, we should be able to. If we suddenly CANNOT add it after being told we CAN, then it is a lie. If they said, "You can add the DDP to your segmented stay right now, but you may not be able to add it after you hang up" then that would be the truth. But they didn't. They should honor what they say.

A lie happens when someone knowing tells you something that is not true. When the CM told you the DDP could be added up to 48 hours prior to a segmented trip, it was most definitely the truth.

Now, I do think it would be nice if they would allow people who already segmented their trips with the intent of adding the dining plan to do so, even if they gave people only a few days to do it.

 

[Sammie]

IMO the frustrations expressed in this thread are not necessarily all about the segmenting of reservations but the cumulative affect of Disney changing the DVC rules and policies during the last three years with little or no advanced notice and without regard to the feelings and the effect on the membership.

I think as time goes on, more members are realizing that the DVC is not a club, the Guides are just sales people and we are nothing more than people who bought a lease for a hotel room, no matter how Disney suggests otherwise in their advertising.

About a previous post: Tips are automatically included in your total if you use the TIW card so the comment about not tipping was indeed an attempt at levity. I apologize if I offended anyone.

Bill

Thanks Bill, I was getting concerned about you.

I agree that sometimes reality stinks but if I have learned anything from this forum and most of it from Dean is that I bought a timeshare, nothing more.

And as long as said timeshare is clean, available to book according to the POS and maintained, I am a very happy DVC member.

Anything else they give is fine but if it leaves, well that is ok too.

I agree with whoever said that probably there was not a large enough percentage of the membership to warrant an announcement.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

A lie happens when someone knowing tells you something that is not true. When the CM told you the DDP could be added up to 48 hours prior to a segmented trip, it was most definitely the truth.

Now, I do think it would be nice if they would allow people who already segmented their trips with the intent of adding the dining plan to do so, even if they gave people only a few days to do it.

Then maybe "lie" is too harsh of a word. But I still feel like it is not honoring what we were told. And not honoring your word is just as bad as a lie IMO.

Yes, it would be nice if they would allow people with existing segmented trips to add it. That's all I ask.

 

[hakepb]

Maybe, maybe not, but that is irrelevant with this, as this is about food. Nothing in our timeshare contract is related to food.

We purchased an accommodation timeshare, and that has nothing to do with food. Food is an extraneous cost of vacationing that has nothing to do with DVC. We cook in our villa because our contracts stipulate that we must have a full kitchen in our villas. If they took those away, then that is the only thing related to food, that would be connected to our membership.

Removing a perk, if that is what you want to call it, for a dining plan, has nothing to do with our memberships from a contractual perspective.

Tiger

No, they changed the reservation system to require segmenting when you add or remove guests to your reservation.
Segmenting had a dining plan side effect.

Now, on the new system without segmenting, it seems if you want to add or remove a guest, you may have to change rooms. That is a big room use effect.

 

[Tiger926]

DVC and what any of you as a member bought and paid for and are entitled to in your POS is very different from Disney Dining, Disney tickets, Disney transportation. etc.

You will be less disappointed going forward as a DVC member if you remember that what you actually paid for and what you have as perks that can come and go without notice are not the same.

If you own at BLT and at 11 months you call and were told sorry you can't book yet, then yes you have plenty of reason to be upset as you were being denied something you actually have legal right to.

Dining plan changes, disappointed maybe, truly upset to the point of complaining to DVC, sorry just don't see it.

No one was lied to, you were given current policy at that time. The policy changed and at no fault of DVC and certainly not the fault of the person who told you.

A lie happens when someone knowing tells you something that is not true. When the CM told you the DDP could be added up to 48 hours prior to a segmented trip, it was most definitely the truth.

Now, I do think it would be nice if they would allow people who already segmented their trips with the intent of adding the dining plan to do so, even if they gave people only a few days to do it.

Thanks Bill, I was getting concerned about you.

I agree that sometimes reality stinks but if I have learned anything from this forum and most of it from Dean is that I bought a timeshare, nothing more.

And as long as said timeshare is clean, available to book according to the POS and maintained, I am a very happy DVC member.

Anything else they give is fine but if it leaves, well that is ok too.

I agree with whoever said that probably there was not a large enough percentage of the membership to warrant an announcement.

Agree with all of these!!!

Tiger

 

[kristenrice]

We booked our stay for June 2012 at the 11-month mark. The DDP prices were already released but the CM said that we could NOT add the DP at that time. We segmented it so that we could add the DxDDP to the 2nd night of our 7-night stay. When we attempted to add (and pay for!) the DxDDP, we were told that there was a "glitch" and the computer wouldn't accept it. Now I see why. So, we've decided just to go with the TIW card. We'll spend less, but we'll get a little less too, but that's OK.

I'm wondering, though, should I call back and have them "unsegment" the reservation? It's all under one number, but it is a combination of cash and points. We do NOT want to switch rooms so what is my best course of action? Just leave it alone?

 

[DHar]

We booked our stay for June 2012 at the 11-month mark. The DDP prices were already released but the CM said that we could NOT add the DP at that time. We segmented it so that we could add the DxDDP to the 2nd night of our 7-night stay. When we attempted to add (and pay for!) the DxDDP, we were told that there was a "glitch" and the computer wouldn't accept it. Now I see why. So, we've decided just to go with the TIW card. We'll spend less, but we'll get a little less too, but that's OK.

I'm wondering, though, should I call back and have them "unsegment" the reservation? It's all under one number, but it is a combination of cash and points. We do NOT want to switch rooms so what is my best course of action? Just leave it alone?

might as well leave it...i'm sure the policy on that will change without notice anyway.....

 

[CarolMN]

We booked our stay for June 2012 at the 11-month mark. The DDP prices were already released but the CM said that we could NOT add the DP at that time. We segmented it so that we could add the DxDDP to the 2nd night of our 7-night stay. When we attempted to add (and pay for!) the DxDDP, we were told that there was a "glitch" and the computer wouldn't accept it. Now I see why. So, we've decided just to go with the TIW card. We'll spend less, but we'll get a little less too, but that's OK.

I'm wondering, though, should I call back and have them "unsegment" the reservation? It's all under one number, but it is a combination of cash and points. We do NOT want to switch rooms so what is my best course of action? Just leave it alone?

I would just let it be. I really doubt you'll have to change rooms.

If you are overly concerned about this, make a note to call them sometime in 2012 to see if something needs to be done. Your trip is still many months in the future. IMO, calling right now and even mentioning the word segment is taking a chance. They have to be sick of us. Better to wait until things settle down again.

 

[lugnut33]

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.
.

How can you not tip using TIW? The 18% gratuity is automatically added using the non-discounted total.