Really confused about Meal sharing policy!

[Nancyg56]

Many restaurants have a sharing policy. They charge a plate charge. I don't find this to be unreasonable, and think that if Disney implemented a plate fee the sharing issue would be over.

I believe the entire problem revolves around guests attempting to stretch the child credits in order to feed people not on the plan. Solve this and the rest go away.

 

[LuvTony0508]

I just have to say, do you think for one minute Disney didn't take sharing into account when they priced this plan??? I don't think that Disney execs are so stupid that they didn't take into account very minor children eating off of mom and dads plate, or people not following the plan exactly. I'm sure the price is reflective of a profit margin. If anyone thinks for one second that Disney isn't making a fortune on the DDP, that's just plain naive!!! My second comment focuses on the people on these boards who are so judgmental, I find that reprehensible and a bad example for our children.

 

[wdwobsessed]

We're not talking about people. We're talking about behaviors. Poor behavior in particular. Selfish and self-centered behavior. It's really quite disturbing to think that these are the behaviors many of our young children are learning by example.

It's also quite disturbing to think that many of our children are learning holier than thou attitudes.

WDWO

 

[LizinSTL]

As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

Well said.

 

[LizinSTL]

Simple answer is that the Disney execs read this board. They read all of the posts on how to give little Johnnie half of their appetizer as a meal for him to save his credit for mom or dad later. They can see people trying to manipulate the system to get the most food they possibly can out of each point.

So, because of all the posts like this....they pass "rules" that state you can't share...blah, blah, blah.

If people would stop posting about sharing on the DDP...and just ask when they get there....this would have never happened. Jeez. If the plan is going to bankrupt you if you can't share then don't get the plan...it obviously just doesn't work for your family. Otherwise, If you want to occasionally share just ask your server.

And these anonymous Disney execs are smart enough to know that, in the scheme of things, only a small percentage of Disney guests are reading the Dis, or TGM or guidebooks. They KNOW that a few people stretching their 7 night vacation credits into 3 meals a day isn't going to bankrupt them. They've done their research and know that if people "feel" like they are getting value from something, they are more likely to splurge on other things...be it wine or cocktails with dinner or extra souveniers or booking another trip at a deluxe resort. I agree that people should just stop calling, emailing, chatting and speculating about Disney's intentions regarding the DDP. But I think it's ridiculous to assert that Disney isnt' going to allow sharing! LOL I mean, come on!!! They TELL you to share with your under 3 year olds for crying out loud!

 

[NMW]

I really doubt Disney would stop allowing all sharing. Lots of restaurants charge plate sharing fees, especially at resort/vacation locations. It wouldn't bother me if a restaurant did this, as they are losing money on that person not ordering food. It's just like a bar having a cover charge because not everyone is going to order a drink once inside.

It does seem like Disney is making some changes, probably as many have surmised, to stop the using child credits for adult thing. I think the best advice is not to count on anything and be prepared for anything!

 

[Lewisc]

I think you're half right. One of the reasons Disney took more than a year to change the rules separating child and adult entitlements is they thought not that many guests would be taking advantage of this feature/loophole.

Internet boards suggested guests use their kids "as a license to print money". According to Sammie it was becoming evident that families were banking kids credits in order to treat adults that weren't even staying at a WDW resort.

Disney was willing to accept some "abuse" but it got out of hand.

Same with sharing. I can't picture Disney cracking down until/unless it becomes evident that significant number of guests are ordering the menu items with large portion sizes in order to obtain extra family meals. Even then I doubt they will care if the group is ordering adult drinks, kids drinks and extra entrées. Some of the posters make a game out of justifying not even ordering an extra drink for the table.

Many restaurants have a sharing or plate charge. Some restaurants have a no sharing policy if a customer orders a complete meal. A few restaurants go so far as to require everyone at the table, or no one at the table, order a price fixed meal. Disney isn't doing any of this but I guess all are possibilities.

We agree that you can't share at buffets, dinner packages, dinner shows and restaurants that feature all you care to eat. It really wouldn't be hard for Disney to just change a few restaurants. Allow for free seconds or serve appetizers and/or dessert family style for the table.

And these anonymous Disney execs are smart enough to know that, in the scheme of things, only a small percentage of Disney guests are reading the Dis, or TGM or guidebooks. They KNOW that a few people stretching their 7 night vacation credits into 3 meals a day isn't going to bankrupt them. They've done their research and know that if people "feel" like they are getting value from something, they are more likely to splurge on other things...be it wine or cocktails with dinner or extra souveniers or booking another trip at a deluxe resort. I agree that people should just stop calling, emailing, chatting and speculating about Disney's intentions regarding the DDP. But I think it's ridiculous to assert that Disney isnt' going to allow sharing! LOL I mean, come on!!! They TELL you to share with your under 3 year olds for crying out loud!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

As far as I can tell, no one has yet been told that they cannot share while actually at Disney. I intend to plan based on that fact. If I am told, at Disney, that I cannot share, I have alternate plans.

There are some people on this board who have moral certainty that their position on sharing is correct and do not doubt that Disney is following their interpretation. However, Disney has not made any announcements or comments on the isue. This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

I agree. We will be four adults, and my mom and I plan on sharing at at least two restaurants. I think paying with the DDP should be the same as if you were paying OOP. Mom and I share sometimes when we go out, so Disney shouldn't be any different. We'll use any credits saved for another TS our last day. But if we can't share, that's fine. We'll just pay OOP for the last day. But my philosophy is, with any retail store or restaurant, if you ask politely, it never hurts to ask!

 

[minnie61650]

ITA. It will be impossible to enforce in the CS places and very difficult at TS places as well. Additionally, irate customers will not come back, and Disney has been going all out to get people to stay onsite and not visit other Orlando venues.

I would not become irate if I could not share a meal or pay OPP for my meal while DH uses a credit on the Dining plan.

There are times when I cannot eat a meal and would just order soup or something lite. If my waiter said I could pay OOP for the soup I might do that on that occasion. If I need to use a dining credit --no problem.
After all I was able to enjoy the dining experience at the restaurant so I will use my credit to pay it. No reason for me to mad. It is not Disney's fault I have a sensitive stomach.

 

[kcashner]

There is no way they can enforce a "no sharing" policy on CS meals. You get your meal at a counter and go to another area to eat. THe entire party does not need to be present to order one or more meals.

Example...I am not hungry, my teen daughter is. We go to a CS place. I get in line to order her food, she goes to find and "hold" a table. I order a hamburger with fries (combo), diet coke, and glass of water. When we sit down, I eat a few fries and drink the water...maybe have 1/4 of her burger. Disney can't insist that because I got in line, I will be charged 2 CS meals even though I only ordered (and wanted) one, or if paying OOP that I pay for 2 combos even though I only wanted one. THey could refuse to give me a glass of ice water or charge me for that, but there's no way they can prevent me from eating a few fries (although DD might!).

This isn't limited to WDW and isn't intended to be a way to stretch credits. I don't usually eat fast food, and I do the same thing when she wants to go to McDonald's.

I really don't think the issue is sharing or getting the most out of your credits. I think the issue is that WDW is trying to prevent cheating, particularly by usig credits purchased at a child's rate to order an adult meal. That can easily be stopped by separating child's credits and adult credits on the plan.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I think Disney probably views the DDP as buying your meals in bulk. For example, if you were paying OOP, you would probably spend less money and do more counter services. If you buy the DDP plan, you do a lot more meals all around, but you get a discounted rate.

When they give it for free, it is promotional to help fill rooms during off season, while still charging rack rates on rooms. They probably see it as win win.

As far as how they like you to use the plan (re sharing and all other issues), it's hard to say since many CMs do things differently.

 

[kvogel11202]

of people trying to get something for nothing, and they will ruin what for many is a good thing. If you can't afford to pay for your meals OOP, then you can't afford to go to Disney, stay home. Save for another year, then go. Don't like people arguing with your position? Don't post. It's a free country, everyone has their opinions. But this constantly trying to "beat the system" and then complaining indignantly when you aren't allowed to is out of hand.

 

[LSUDis]

I'll post this here,too, since the sharing thing has come up on this post, too.




I'm no math whiz.....really, I'm not, so all of you take it slowly with me...

Tell me where I'm going wrong....Billy Bob and I are married and go to WDW.

We stay, let's say, 5 nights, so we get 5 TS each= 10 total.

Monday--we go to Rose and Crown the first night...not too hungry-share--use 1 TS.

9 TS left

The next day, Billy Bob is starving, so we eat at Sci-Fi for bfst and share--use 1 (he likes odd bfsts.) We eat lunch at Sci-Fi & share--use 1. We eat at Beaches and Cream for dinner and share--use 1 TS

---6 TS left.

Wednesday--B.B. (we're friends by now) and I eat bfst at Grand Fl. Cafe and share again--use 1 TS; eat lunch at the '50s place and share--1 TS; eat dinner at Raglan Road and share (but drinks lots of Guiness, so who really knows whose dinners we paid for )--uses 1 TS

3 TS left

Thursday--B.B. has hangover, so we share bfst again at Grand Fl. Cafe--uses 1 TS; eat lunch at Tony's and share-use 1 TS; eat dinner at Sci-Fi (Billy Bob likes the sparkly lights) and share-use 1 TS

Now, no TS are left. We used 10. We did not eat any food that we did not pay for, right?

Disney got us to pay OOP for 10 drinks that we would have gotten "free" on the DP.

We tipped more b/c we ate at more places.

Disney washed fewer plates--had to cook less food.

We tried more restaurants than we normally would have, so will visit them in the future now that we are "hooked" on a few favorites.

We waste less food; everyone's happy; Disney makes the money from the DP and from the extra drinks/dessert that we ordered over the allowance of the meal plan.

Now, what's the commotion about? It's a win-win for everyone, right???

Plus, while Billy Bob and I are sharing TS, we are not eating ANY of the counters except the last day, so Disney has charged us for, yet we did not eat, 7 counter meals.

 

[robinb]

This whole discussion is nothing but a tempest in a teapot fueled by some dis members' moral outrage.

I have to agree with you. It's the same posters (as much as I like them!) posting the same points again and again along with the occasional personal dig at people who don't agree.

I have too big of an appetite to share my meals with my husband, but I will be paying OOP for one at least one of my DD's meals so she can have two credits when she goes to CRT with my sister's family. For instance, she's a vegetarian and the only thing she would eat off of the Teppanyaki children's menu would be the white rice and ice cream. It's better to order the rice and a drink, pay OOP and a have her share my edamame appetizer and my dessert.

If some posters think that's morally corrupt, then so be it. {shrug} It doesn't hurt my feelings. If Teppanyaki insists that we order a children's meal for her then we'll order the expensive shrimp one and my DH and I will have extra shrimp while she has the drink, rice and ice cream. We'll then "punt" and come up with another plan for CRT.

 

[traviesojmt]

of people trying to get something for nothing, and they will ruin what for many is a good thing. If you can't afford to pay for your meals OOP, then you can't afford to go to Disney, stay home. Save for another year, then go. Don't like people arguing with your position? Don't post. It's a free country, everyone has their opinions. But this constantly trying to "beat the system" and then complaining indignantly when you aren't allowed to is out of hand.

I just don't understand how sharing is trying to "beat the system". Sharing isn't a new concept that someone came up with to just try to beat the Disney Dining plan system. Sure, there are some people whose intentions are to use the child's credit for adult later. That is against the rules listed by Disney. But, just because someone is sharing a meal doesn't mean that they are trying to cheat someone. My DD3 eats very little at dinner. If I chose to share with her, I can assure you that I am not even trying to cheat anyone. I am just choosing not order a meal that she will not eat.
My DH and I often eat a restaurant right there near you in Woburn. We really enjoy a certain appetizer that they have but it is huge. So, we get the appetizer and then share an entree. Who are we cheating? As it turns out, the bill is actually usually larger when we share than when we forgo the appetizer and get our own smaller entree. The restaurant never seems to care.
I do believe that disney does need to individualize the credits instead of the pooling them. This would eliminate a large portion of those trying to "beat the system". But just because someone chooses to share a meal, they are not evil people bent on ruining a great thing for everyone.

 

[CJK]

This is our plan for our upcoming trip. We are 2 adults, no kids.

We don't plan on sharing any TS meals. We're each ordering our own meals and are opting to go to 2 Signature restaurants too.

On most of the days, we plan on getting our own CS meals too. However, on a couple of the days of our big TS dinners, we're planning on sharing a CS meal for lunch. We don't want to be too full for our dinner, plus, in the heat, I don't tend to want to eat too much anyway. In addition, on days where we have NO TS meals plans, we'll have a couple extra CS meals to use up.

I never thought there was anything wrong with our plan to share a couple CS meals. I figured we were using the plan wisely, while saving our waistlines a little bit. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[bertalander]

CJK, according to some on the board your above situation will cause you lose any and happiness in your life ever.
You will go to a very hot place (even hotter than Florida in August!) in your after life.
Oh! And by sharing your meal you also ruin the good deal for everyone else.



But I'll be down below to keep you company!!

I'll share my meal with one of my kids at least one meal I'm sure. My dd likes salad more than chicken fingers by day 3 usually. But she's only allowed a kids meal, so we'll split and save a kid creit for a two credit meal for her. If the moral police come drag me out of the establishment I'll be kicking and screaming It'll be fun. Who's going to bail me out?!

 

[english rose 47]

How in the world (excuse the pun) are they going to not allow sharing at c.s.. We have 2 rooms hence as I understand will have 2 cards. So I get in line andget 1 adult ichild meal and DD gets in line and gets 1 adult meal then we sit down all 5 of us and eat from 3 meals. How is this not going to work. We plan on all using a T.S. each time as everyone should have the choice of what they want and I could just hear the kids at dessrt time!! Maybe we'd share 1 meal if it was allowedand kids or us weeren't to hungry but sharing at lunch making it a light meal is our plan.

 

[traviesojmt]

CJK, according to some on the board your above situation will cause you lose any and happiness in your life ever.
You will go to a very hot place (even hotter than Florida in August!) in your after life.
Oh! And by sharing your meal you also ruin the good deal for everyone else.



But I'll be down below to keep you company!!

I'll share my meal with one of my kids at least one meal I'm sure. My dd likes salad more than chicken fingers by day 3 usually. But she's only allowed a kids meal, so we'll split and save a kid creit for a two credit meal for her. If the moral police come drag me out of the establishment I'll be kicking and screaming It'll be fun. Who's going to bail me out?!

Darn it. I started counting my change to bail you out of Disney jail, but then I noticed your counter. I will be leaving right before you get there. Wait, do you think that I could convince my DH that I just HAVE to stay at Disney an extra week or two to help out an imprisoned fellow sharer? I mean, after all, there are times in life to make a stand. I will make that sacrifice. I will bail you out when the times comes. Sharers will not be DENIED.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Here's my whole take on the dining plan ...

What does it matter if people share? It's not like Disney is taking a loss on the meal and passing those losses onto other customers. You order one meal, you eat one meal.

And if you think you didn't get your ADR at LeCellier because a family shared a meal with their 8-year-old, guess what? There were probably 100 folks ahead of you in the call-in line trying to get the spot and you wouldn't have gotten it anyway. You're not as important as you think you are. And if you were, Disney would let you dine at LeCellier even without at ADR. Think about it. I'll bet they could be booked solid and still find a place for Johnny Depp and his family.