Okay, I've HAD it! Where did all this "sharing or not" business come from ANYWAY!

[aubriee]

I would like to be able to share a couple of TS meals using two adult credits for three adults, since there is no way we can eat three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts. However if we can't it's OK. With all the meals we are getting for free it doesn't really bother me to pay OOP for a few and already know which ones I will want to pay for.

My only problem is the uncertainty. I would like to know for sure one way or the other and since alot of our meals are at the independently owned restaraunts in the World Showcase would like to know it's going to be followed consistently at every restaraunt whether they are Disney owned or not. I would hate to be told we can share our first day at Sci Fi then be told toward the end of the trip at Le Cellier that we couldn't share. If we can't share, then I plan to pay OOP for Sci Fi rather than the more expensive restaraunts, like Le Cellier.

 

[Brian Noble]

She said they had just received the information a few days prior and then again tried to get me to cancel a couple of my ADRs.

I've got a new theory.

I wonder if CRO CMs have been instructed to try to cut down on "extra" ADRs that are booked by guests "just in case"?

Obviously that's not what Aubree was doing in this case, but it could explain the sudden desire on the part of CRO to count up ADRs and DDP credits...

 

[Lewisc]

Great theory. It also avoids the necessity of a CM on the phone trying to figure out which of the guests ADRs are in "no sharing" restaurants. We all agree you can't share at buffets, all you care to eat restaurants, dinner packages like FDP and dinner shows. Basically all the character meals and more.

I've got a new theory.

I wonder if CRO CMs have been instructed to try to cut down on "extra" ADRs that are booked by guests "just in case"?

Obviously that's not what Aubree was doing in this case, but it could explain the sudden desire on the part of CRO to count up ADRs and DDP credits...

 

[groover]

Why should we as guests have to figure out what the "spirit of the DDP" is? Who are we...the Supreme Court? I am guessing the group that came up with DDP is a group of people with different eating habits. Surely it's not ALL made up of individuals that eat an appetizer, entree and dessert at one meal. Surely some of those folks are like my family that regularly shares meals (at WDW and at our own local restaurants) because restaurants regularly serve huge servings...or because I don't like to eat a whole meal on my own even though I could.

The deal is, Disney either knew people would share or devised a poor dining plan on their end IF they are not being profitable. I don't really give a crap if Disney is making money or not. My job is to give my family a great vacation...and I take that job seriously. In case there is any doubt, I'll be at one of the tables close to you sharing with my family.

 

[thunderbird1]

I would like to be able to share a couple of TS meals using two adult credits for three adults, since there is no way we can eat three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts. However if we can't it's OK. With all the meals we are getting for free it doesn't really bother me to pay OOP for a few and already know which ones I will want to pay for.

My only problem is the uncertainty. I would like to know for sure one way or the other and since alot of our meals are at the independently owned restaraunts in the World Showcase would like to know it's going to be followed consistently at every restaraunt whether they are Disney owned or not. I would hate to be told we can share our first day at Sci Fi then be told toward the end of the trip at Le Cellier that we couldn't share. If we can't share, then I plan to pay OOP for Sci Fi rather than the more expensive restaraunts, like Le Cellier.

I totally agree with you--it's the uncertainty, and the probability that sharing will ultimately be decided on a case by case basis, that makes trying to maximize your dollar value for your credits frustrating.

I've finally decided to simply not try to share, even though we have 12 TS meals planned for 10 nights. Will we waste food at some places? Yes. But I don't want to have to worry at every meal whether or not we'll be allowed to do something, especially something that could be interpreted as trying to work the system. Plus, then I don't have to try to keep track of how many credits we have "banked" for the last couple of (more expensive) meals. I've looked at the menus and tried to guess which meals will be our least expensive (buffets, mostly), and we'll pay OOP for all 4 of us at those restaurants. It may not be as cost effective as paying OOP for the kids at some places and the adults at another, or sharing adult meals and banking credits, but it will simplify the process and allow me to simply relax and enjoy the vacation. Heck, >90% of our dining will still be free, right?

 

[cooper1204]

My family and I (all adults) will be trying the dining plan for the first time in just a few days. It seems like a good thing since we have always liked to do at least 1 TS per day. I am concerned about the fact that this is too much food since during those prior TSs we typically ddin't order apps and desserts, and if we did order those - we would share. Since the thought of ordering soooo much food (just because you have it) and not being able to finish it and waste it makes me sick, I think sharing for those on the plan should be allowed (while it is possible not to order all that food - the plan promotes it since most people will want to feel like they got the full bang for their buck). I understand the concern with abuse and possibility of others not on the plan or staying off property being included in this...So to avoid this and to allow guests to continue to share - why doesn't DIS give cards to everyone on a room reservation which indicates that they are on the plan...then if they want to share a meal at TS restaurant - they just show their ID that they are on the plan???? That seems like it would solve alot of the concerns.

 

[zookeeper]

I really doubt Disney is losing money on the DDP as it is currently priced and used. You are speculating that there will be a change. But it's only speculation. Disney is making way more money on DDP guests than they are on cash guests. DDP gives you the illusion of value (paid for or free). You think WOW, this CS meal is free because my character breakfast paid for our daily cost of the plan.... so you are ok with spending $30 on those photos or dropping $20 at the arcade that night. Plus you don't want to go off-site to eat at the Dixie Stampede or Arabian nights because you've already "paid" for your meals- that's more money to Disney every time a guest decides to stay on site rather than go off-site.

Plus, even at the price it's at now, many people still crunch numbers before deciding if DDP is worth it to them. If they start to increase the cost significantly I'm sure you'll see more number-crunching and more people swaying to the "it's not worth it" side. As for me, I'll keep praying that Free Dining becomes a regular fixture in August!

 

[Pedler]

...So to avoid this and to allow guests to continue to share - why doesn't DIS give cards to everyone on a room reservation which indicates that they are on the plan...then if they want to share a meal at TS restaurant - they just show their ID that they are on the plan???? That seems like it would solve alot of the concerns.

Actually everyone will have a card that says they are on the plan. You get a room key that is also your park ticket. On thier it will have the name of the person and the number of adult and children. I would assume that DVC folks would still get room keys that have the information on them seeing as they don't have to get park tickets.

 

[bicker]

It's a shame that sharing got tagged with all this, since sharing, as a concept, is only incidental to what's going on. It's really all about transferability: Whether guests can transfer Dining Plan credits to others in their party (across the adult/child divide) and whehter guests can "treat" folks outside their party to meals using their party's Dining Plan credits. The answer to both issues, now, appears to be "no" but confusion still abounds, and shall continue to abound, as long as people continue to deny the black and white writing in the brochure, in an effort to defend their actions to the contrary.

 

[JimMIA]

Yesterday I posted a joking comment about the folks on this thread not fighting like cats and dogs, but just carrying on a rational discussion. It was actually meant as a compliment for the fact that you have not turned this thread into a juvenile p@#*&??? contest like every other sharing thread.

I used the word "nerd" because the posters here have been calm and sensible, not silly name-callers. The mods removed the post. If my joking comment offended anyone, I apologize.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Thanks for clearing some things up. I always knew about the child/adult sharing credits issue, but I honestly thought that it was okay to use your credits however you wanted. I always saw posts about people having too many credits and instead of letting them go to waste treating a stranger to a meal, or friends, or family. That's why I made the plans I made. I never saw any posts that it was wrong until now. Since it's a problem, we'll work around it. And as a family, between myself and my husband, we'll probably trying sharing a meal and see what happens.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I would like to be able to share a couple of TS meals using two adult credits for three adults, since there is no way we can eat three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts. However if we can't it's OK. With all the meals we are getting for free it doesn't really bother me to pay OOP for a few and already know which ones I will want to pay for.

For what it's worth... twice now we've had trips to WDW where 3 of us shared 2 TS credits for most meals; namely Le Cellier, Tony's, Sci-fi, and a couple of others. Never had an issue. In fact, the CMs were helpful and pleasant. I'm certain they can distinguish whether you're just trying to eat an appropriate amount versus misusing credits or treating those not on the dining plan.