none

[Doctor P]

I have met a surprising number of people who are all about the food. For us it is a matter of liking to eat decently, not cooking while on vacation, and being on a budget. The meal plan saves about 40-50% off the cost of purchasing & you can get whatever you like on the menu without batting an eyelash over the cost.

With due respect, if you are saving 40-50% with the meal plan, that's some kind of eaters and some kind of high-priced restaurants you are plucking off. I understand the notion of not worrying about costs, but I suspect most people's dining habits will not have them saving that much, and they would be eating more than they normally would. To save 40-50%, that means spending $75-80 per person on a counter service meal, a table service meal, and a snack. At most counter service restaurants, it's hard to exceed $15.00 for the meal with dessert (can be done, but not typical). That leaves $60 for a table service and snack. Let's be generous and say $10.00 for the snack. That leaves $50 for a table service meal. Yes, those are easily possible, but I doubt that most people would do them every night of their vacation. I do understand that some people are all about doing this (and that is not a criticism or judgement in any way), but I don't think the savings are as heavy for MOST people as some might claim, especially with the Signature Dining experiences taking two credits (which means the equivalent of $100 per person in the above analysis). I certainly could do it if I tried, and I could save a little money if I tried, but not of the magnitudes being spoken of.

 

[bounceliketigger]

your "meal plan" saved you 80%.

Well, I'm not great at math, but split 7 ways doesn't go that far. Nontheless, we are more than thankful to have it.

 

[fishermouse]

To me the guide should have to pay.

I'm sure with his six figure salary he would have no trouble

 

[ericamanda01]

Well I am still pretty new to DVC, we haven't even closed yet, but to me it sounds like someone made a mistake and is making up for it. You bought your points based in false information. Your guide admitted that and is trying fix the situation. Your guide sounds like a stand up person to me. Bounceliketigger, I hope you have a great trip home!

 

[Deesknee]

OP, Thank you for making me aware that, indeed Disney is a company who stands behind their employees & that the "customer" comes first. There are very few of those companies left in my opinion. Thank you for pointing out one.

 

[zillow]

Wow - some people need some pixie dust or a trip to improve their rudeness. I find it really ironic that there was a thread a week or two ago about a mistake that the TimeShare Store made and where T.E. Yeary was going to correct it out of his private stash of points. He was praised for this (and should be since it shows exemplary customer service.)

In this case, Disney (or its representative made) an error and is again trying to make up for it yet people are saying that it's wrong. Is it because the initial offering wasn't satisfactory to the OP? Is that what bothers people? If they took the original offering would people be satisfied and say 'how nice for you?' or would people still grumble about the perception (right or wrong - I don't know) that it is coming from their own pockets.

Sorry - just found the mixed reactions fascinating.

To the O.P. please don't be scared away from the reactions - and welcome home (in case you didn't get one already).

 

[Doctor P]

Wow - some people need some pixie dust or a trip to improve their rudeness. I find it really ironic that there was a thread a week or two ago about a mistake that the TimeShare Store made and where T.E. Yeary was going to correct it out of his private stash of points. He was praised for this (and should be since it shows exemplary customer service.)

In this case, Disney (or its representative made) an error and is again trying to make up for it yet people are saying that it's wrong. Is it because the initial offering wasn't satisfactory to the OP? Is that what bothers people? If they took the original offering would people be satisfied and say 'how nice for you?' or would people still grumble about the perception (right or wrong - I don't know) that it is coming from their own pockets.

Sorry - just found the mixed reactions fascinating.

To the O.P. please don't be scared away from the reactions - and welcome home (in case you didn't get one already).

If this was paid by the guide and came out of his own pocket it is none of my or anybody else's business. However, if this came out of DVC's or DVD's pocket, the story is a little different. First of all, oral representations have no meaning and that is clear when you sign your documents. Second, oral representations about the dining plan are not material to DVC purchase, therefore are not relevant for DVD to be concerned about. Third, the OP could have been compensated in a similar manner with NO CASH changing hands. I don't begrudge the OP for being compensated at all. I will say that I am surprised at the amount and method of the compensation, especially since it is inconsistent with the compensation received by other people in much more serious and material situations (again, I am surprised, not upset). However, if this came out of the guide's pocket, then I am just simply happy for the OP that the guide made good on his word.

 

[bounceliketigger]

With due respect, if you are saving 40-50% with the meal plan, that's some kind of eaters and some kind of high-priced restaurants you are plucking off. I understand the notion of not worrying about costs, but I suspect most people's dining habits will not have them saving that much, and they would be eating more than they normally would. To save 40-50%, that means spending $75-80 per person on a counter service meal, a table service meal, and a snack. At most counter service restaurants, it's hard to exceed $15.00 for the meal with dessert (can be done, but not typical). That leaves $60 for a table service and snack. Let's be generous and say $10.00 for the snack. That leaves $50 for a table service meal. Yes, those are easily possible, but I doubt that most people would do them every night of their vacation. I do understand that some people are all about doing this (and that is not a criticism or judgement in any way), but I don't think the savings are as heavy for MOST people as some might claim, especially with the Signature Dining experiences taking two credits (which means the equivalent of $100 per person in the above analysis). I certainly could do it if I tried, and I could save a little money if I tried, but not of the magnitudes being spoken of.

What you say is certainly true. We would probably not eat at the more expensive restaurants without the plan, and we certainly would never eat an appetizer and dessert per person. We found that when we ate late we often brought home leftovers. That's a worthy criticism of the plan and one which I share. However, when you factor in snacks, which I did, and consider that one Mickey ice cream pop is about $4--well, lets just say it adds up quickly. For reference I saved receipts when we used the plan last time. We spent $532 for a 7 night stay. We ate at Riverside twice, Chefs of France once, a sit-down in Italy, Ohana, the drive-in at MGM, can't remember where else. I saved $1100 in receipts. I did feel like we wasted some food & wasn't happy about that & we ended the stay with some extra snacks, etc. However, we did use some of the credits to pay for meals for our toddler, who was 2 and non-paying in terms of the plan. So my 40-50% analysis may not be entirely accurrate given that we payed for 2 but used the plan for 3 sometimes. Our guide told us that the average family saves about 40% as well.

 

[keys2kingdom]

What am I missing here? Why didn't DVC just make an exception and quietly offer the dining plan for purchase by the OP? Surely that option would have been favorable compared to giving them $1000. Leads me to believe that it did indeed come out of the guide's pocket, ouch bet he won't make that mistake ever again.
Paging Mr to the "none" thread.........

 

[Doctor P]

What you say is certainly true. We would probably not eat at the more expensive restaurants without the plan, and we certainly would never eat an appetizer and dessert per person. We found that when we ate late we often brought home leftovers. That's a worthy criticism of the plan and one which I share. However, when you factor in snacks, which I did, and consider that one Mickey ice cream pop is about $4--well, lets just say it adds up quickly. For reference I saved receipts when we used the plan last time. We spent $532 for a 7 night stay. We ate at Riverside twice, Chefs of France once, a sit-down in Italy, Ohana, the drive-in at MGM, can't remember where else. I saved $1100 in receipts. I did feel like we wasted some food & wasn't happy about that & we ended the stay with some extra snacks, etc. However, we did use some of the credits to pay for meals for our toddler, who was 2 and non-paying in terms of the plan. So my 40-50% analysis may not be entirely accurrate given that we payed for 2 but used the plan for 3 sometimes. Our guide told us that the average family saves about 40% as well.

Thanks for the additional info. I really love saving money, and I also like capping my expenses even though I sometimes have to pay a little more to do it, so I can see somebody getting the dining plan so that they don't have fight over spending money on snacks or choosing a meal. I really do get that. I also think the dining plan is better than some I have seen in that it really is only two rather than three meals per day. We generally only eat two full meals and would be eating in an unhealthy fashion if three meals were paid for and we were eating to "try to get our money's worth." I hope your trip goes well.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I guess some people just don't get it.out of his own pocket is none of mine or anybody else's business. However, if this came out of DVC's or DVD's pocket, the story is a little different. First of all, oral representations have no meaning and that is clear when you sign your documents. Second, oral representations about the dining plan are not material to DVC purchase, therefore are not relevant for DVD to be concerned about. Third, the OP could have been compensated in a similar manner with NO CASH changing hands. I don't begrudge the OP for being compensated at all. I will say that I am surprised at the amount and method of the compensation, especially since it is inconsistent with the compensation received by other people in much more serious and material situations (again, I am surprised, not upset). However, if this came out of the guide's pocket, then I am just simply happy for the OP that the guide made good on his word.

FYI, the original attempt to resolve the miscommunication was to simply make an exception and give us the plan early. However, after literally weeks of trying, DVC was unable to override the system's acceptance date of April 1. It was only at that time, after weeks of our being told we could likely get the plan, that the cash was offered.

 

[bounceliketigger]

What am I missing here? Why didn't DVC just make an exception and quietly offer the dining plan for purchase by the OP? Surely that option would have been favorable compared to giving them $1000. Leads me to believe that it did indeed come out of the guide's pocket, ouch bet he won't make that mistake ever again.
Paging Mr to the "none" thread.........

They did attempt just that but it didn't work...see above. By the by, we have been assured this didn't come out of the guide's pocket. I sincerely hope that's true. At more than one point he offered to do that & we just simply refused. Again, a testament to someone who truly values the service he provides.

 

[Doctor P]

FYI, the original attempt to resolve the miscommunication was to simply make an exception and give us the plan early. However, after literally weeks of trying, DVC was unable to override the system's acceptance date of April 1. It was only at that time, after weeks of our being told we could likely get the plan, that the cash was offered.

Thanks. I did understand that. I am just suggesting that I think there would have been a few different ways to compensate you (and make you happy, I might add) without cash or cash equivalent changing hands. But this is the way that somebody chose to do it. That's OK.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Thanks. I did understand that. I am just suggesting that I think there would have been a few different ways to compensate you (and make you happy, I might add) without cash or cash equivalent changing hands. But this is the way that somebody chose to do it. That's OK.

Precisely right and we agree. We had discussions about numerous options--in the end it was DVC who offered us the Disney Dollars.

 

[keys2kingdom]

They did attempt just that but it didn't work...see above. By the by, we have been assured this didn't come out of the guide's pocket. I sincerely hope that's true. At more than one point he offered to do that & we just simply refused. Again, a testament to someone who truly values the service he provides.

Ah I see, that portion is totally DVC's fault then. They should have a way to override that date requirement, sounds like they need some better programmers . Enjoy your trip bounceliketigger!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You bought your points based in false information.

I don't believe this is true. Are you saying bounceliketigger purchased 48 years worth of DVC in order to get the dinning plan on their next trip?

Perhaps they booked there trip based on false info, and for that DVC should let them cancel without penalties.

MG

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think that $1000 DD is more than generous. Reading this helps me understand why people have such high expectations about what they will get if something goes wrong on their Disney Vacation.

Bobbi

 

[ericamanda01]

I don't believe this is true. Are you saying bounceliketigger purchased 48 years worth of DVC in order to get the dinning plan on their next trip?

Perhaps they booked there trip based on false info, and for that DVC should let them cancel without penalties.

MG

No, I should have said it differently. What I meant was when she was buying in she was told that she could plan a trip using those points and get the dinning plan in the month of March.

 

[fishermouse]

I don't believe this is true. Are you saying bounceliketigger purchased 48 years worth of DVC in order to get the dinning plan on their next trip?

Perhaps they booked there trip based on false info, and for that DVC should let them cancel without penalties.

MG

Unfortunatly DVC can't do the same for airfare, cancellation penalties for a group her size would be expensive, if cacellation was even an option. Can't we just be happy for her and glad we belong to such a good organization. Although getting the dinning plan for this one trip is probably not why BLT bought in, knowing DVC is honest and stands behind thier product would certainly help with such a large finacial decision. Hope bounce enjoys the trip.
WELCOME HOME BOUNCELIKETIGGER

 

[boatboatboat]

Why would I be happy for someone who IMO took advantage of a mistake, and used that mistake to make a "profit"

nope 650 won't cut it..........give me 1000.00