OUR EXPERRIENCE - DDP ressie for 4, but had 5 AND paying for 5 with only 4 on DDP

[melomouse]

Respectfully Mod Mackey, I must disagree that the OP has clearly displayed that he/she "got over" on the system for DDP and put that in the thread title for all the world to see. In one case,it seems it became a hassle and a manager had to get involved. That's more than the idea of "well, let's see if we can try this..."

Disney treated grandma to dinner for your trip during FDP. Would it make a difference in the responses here if this were NOT during FDP, and OP had PAID for DDP, sat down with 5 and used 4 people's credits?

We ended our recent trip as FDP began. My DSS was considering joining us. There were only 3 in the room, so the room wasn't an issue. However, I checked with Disney several times after my package was paid for to find out the extra cost for DSS to be on our meal plan and tix - came to $660 for the 10 days. In the end, he could not join us. But I knew I would pay for him if he could have.

It would have never occurred to me to ask any CM to do something that is clearly against the written rules - repeatedly. And I think that it's bad form even if you did "get away" with something, to post it on the DIS as if it's another "handy trick" to make the vacation better.

Donning suit...

 

[rentayenta]

I also await the dreaded "enforcers" I wonder why they haven't come out of the woodwork yet? Maybe they are all on the phone with Disney reporting all these "violations."

Since I drive over the posted speed limit almost daily and my smaller DD wears platform to Disney, I will refrain from judging you. I am glad it all worked out.

 

[formernyer]

This is just crazy. I made a post because I was excited to share the news that the Disney CMs were more than willing to accommodate a last minute request for an extra person on reservations. I did not "cheat" anyone. We were entitled to 20 TS meals and that is all we ordered. Meal-sharing is not prohibited. As for the buffets, I went into both of them expecting, and willing, to pay for the 5th person if the CMs didn't agree to charge the extra meal to the plan. The CMs were willing to put through 5 meals...it's not like I was trying to be sneaky about it.

As for where my mom (my kids' grandma) slept, I could very easily answer your question (and somebody else has actually already done so); however, I am choosing to not respond, since it is 100% completely unrelated to my post. The only reason you're even asking the question is because you are self-appointed moral police who are hoping that I'll say I snuck her into my room, simply so you can flame me. How silly of you.

Moderators, please lock this thread. It's gotten way out of hand and it is certainly not what I expected. I was just excited to share some news about how helpful and accommodating the CMs were on my trip.

I am done posting on the DIS boards. Too much drama.

 

[Liz]

I don't think the OP did anything wrong. Its not like she had 20 TS meals to use and she used 25. She may not have used them exactly as outlined in the rules of the DP but Disney was willing to accomodate her family. I thought her post was very interesting and thank you, OP, for sharing your experience!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Respectfully Mod Mackey, I must disagree that the OP has clearly displayed that he/she "got over" on the system for DDP and put that in the thread title for all the world to see. In one case,it seems it became a hassle and a manager had to get involved. That's more than the idea of "well, let's see if we can try this..."

Disney treated grandma to dinner for your trip during FDP. Would it make a difference in the responses here if this were NOT during FDP, and OP had PAID for DDP, sat down with 5 and used 4 people's credits?

We ended our recent trip as FDP began. My DSS was considering joining us. There were only 3 in the room, so the room wasn't an issue. However, I checked with Disney several times after my package was paid for to find out the extra cost for DSS to be on our meal plan and tix - came to $660 for the 10 days. In the end, he could not join us. But I knew I would pay for him if he could have.

It would have never occurred to me to ask any CM to do something that is clearly against the written rules - repeatedly. And I think that it's bad form even if you did "get away" with something, to post it on the DIS as if it's another "handy trick" to make the vacation better.

Donning suit...

I happen to agree with you.

We all know what the policy states.

Posting that CMs were willing to ignore the policy will lead others to attempt to do the same thing. God forbid if they don't get the same results.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, okay, going back and reading the original post I see it was the OP's willingness to use dining plan credits for friends or family members not on the dining plan, along with the willingness of one Cast Member and the ultimate agreement ('just this once') of another, in violation of the rules of the Disney Disney Dining Plan, that's the problem.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The only issue is the everyone else let me do it sidestep rule that I think ends up putting more and more policies and rules on the DDP for everyone. (That really should have been there in the beginning if that was the intention.)
However, the OP had a set number of credits.
The CMs allowed her to use them outside the plan.
That's between the guests and the managers.
Just hopefully we won't read numerous posts from those upset when this did not happen for them.
Glad the OP had a good trip!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Also because a manger appeared at the table so quick in the Boma tranasaction, this goes along to confirm what little I have been noticing and overhearing -- Once a DDP guests starts wanting anything outside of the plan -- a manager is brought in. This tells me me servers just don't want to handle it any further. Let management decide and explain to the guest.
And can't say that I blame them. I would not want anything to come back on me later if I were them. Let a manager make that decision upfront with the guest.
I wonder if we will see more of that when the tips are by service, and not automatic. The server will want to play the good cop role for their tip. Just my thoughts.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

This is just crazy. I made a post because I was excited to share the news that the Disney CMs were more than willing to accommodate a last minute request for an extra person on reservations. I did not "cheat" anyone. We were entitled to 20 TS meals and that is all we ordered. Meal-sharing is not prohibited. As for the buffets, I went into both of them expecting, and willing, to pay for the 5th person if the CMs didn't agree to charge the extra meal to the plan. The CMs were willing to put through 5 meals...it's not like I was trying to be sneaky about it.


I am done posting on the DIS boards. Too much drama.

Technically, you did "cheat". Yes, you were entitled to 20 TS meals, for four people over five days, not how you used them.

If you went to the buffets expecting and willing to pay for the 5th person, why did you question the CM at Boma and tell here you were able to use a credit for the 5th person at the other buffet? You should have quietly paid for grandma and be grateful you were able to use the credit for her at the other place.

When I booked our trip, it was originally for three of us, all on the dining plan that I will be paying for. I made all our ADR's. My DD's boyfriend decided he wants to come. I, stupidly I guess, called and added him to the DDP and called to change our ADR's. (Keep in mind...a table for three most likely will also be a table for four, but I stilled called and changed them).

 

[Disney with Triplets]

Technically, you did "cheat". Yes, you were entitled to 20 TS meals, for four people over five days, not how you used them.

If you went to the buffets expecting and willing to pay for the 5th person, why did you question the CM at Boma and tell here you were able to use a credit for the 5th person at the other buffet? You should have quietly paid for grandma and be grateful you were able to use the credit for her at the other place.

When I booked our trip, it was originally for three of us, all on the dining plan that I will be paying for. I made all our ADR's. My DD's boyfriend decided he wants to come. I, stupidly I guess, called and added him to the DDP and called to change our ADR's. (Keep in mind...a table for three most likely will also be a table for four, but I stilled called and changed them).

Technically, he used the appropriate number of credits for the appropriate meals - didn't try to use CS for TS, Child Credit for Adult Credit, or anything else that would othewise "cheat" Disney.

Relax folks and let's thank the original poster for pointing out the flexibility and common sense showed by the CM's and the restaurant managers. That, my friends, cost Disney nothing, but gains them much in good will!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Technically, he used the appropriate number of credits for the appropriate meals - didn't try to use CS for TS, Child Credit for Adult Credit, or anything else that would othewise "cheat" Disney.

Relax folks and let's thank the original poster for pointing out the flexibility and common sense showed by the CM's and the restaurant managers. That, my friends, cost Disney nothing, but gains them much in good will!

Technically, they did not use the credits correctly, because one of the people using them wasn't entitled to use them, thus "cheating".

I don't think the OP was pointing out the flexibility of using credits...I think the OP was pointing out one way to get around the rules. They were just lucky they could do it because, as the OP and others know, they shouldn't have been able to do what they did.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Technically, he used the appropriate number of credits for the appropriate meals - didn't try to use CS for TS, Child Credit for Adult Credit, or anything else that would othewise "cheat" Disney.

Relax folks and let's thank the original poster for pointing out the flexibility and common sense showed by the CM's and the restaurant managers. That, my friends, cost Disney nothing, but gains them much in good will!

Technically, schmecnically

The printed/posted/published rules of the Disney Dining Plan specifically do NOT allow Guests on the Dining Plan to use their credits to pay for meals for people NOT on the Disney Dining Plan.

It's got nothing to do with flexibility or common sense. The CM was wrong to agree to allow this person to use five credits when there were only four people on the Dining Plan. The OP going to a different location - where the CM was NOT willing to violate the rule/policy - and saying "But they let me do it at ...." put the Boma CM in an awkward position.

 

[sherry8253]

 

[Disney with Triplets]

Technically, schmecnically

The printed/posted/published rules of the Disney Dining Plan specifically do NOT allow Guests on the Dining Plan to use their credits to pay for meals for people NOT on the Disney Dining Plan.

It's got nothing to do with flexibility or common sense. The CM was wrong to agree to allow this person to use five credits when there were only four people on the Dining Plan. The OP going to a different location - where the CM was NOT willing to violate the rule/policy - and saying "But they let me do it at ...." put the Boma CM in an awkward position.

Those who see rules in black and white will never agree with those who see that a variety of shades of gray can also be fair and ethical. It doesn't make one right and one wrong - just different. Want to know how to brighten someone's trip? Find someone in line at a snack cart and pay for their snacks with your unused credits at the end of the trip.

Please pass the popcorn - I missed it while I was trying to zip my flame proof suit!

 

[melomouse]

... The CM was wrong to agree to allow this person to use five credits when there were only four people on the Dining Plan. The OP going to a different location - where the CM was NOT willing to violate the rule/policy - and saying "But they let me do it at ...." put the Boma CM in an awkward position.

- Indeed. And that's where threads like this one distress me. For me, it's not about "cheating" so much as a failure of the OP to understand that the more ways folks find to alter the plan in its intent, the more all of us eventually lose. More lost=more magic lost all around. One "favor" might be pixiedust. Repeatedly forcing CM's to go against policy will eventually result in Disney closing whatever loopholes might be left, as they have repeatedly in the past with DDP.

For reasonable requests, the CM's do anything they can. We do not ask CM's to violate policy purposefully. And because it was done once graciously by a particularly kind and easygoing, gracious CM, the OP continued to do it all week, changing reservations to accommodate the continuation of the misuse, and forcing the issue at least once.

So that's all okay, formernyer - but maybe rethink what you excitedly post when it involves perpetuating actions that will spoil it for all of us sooner or later.