Sci-Fi Dine In Ticked me Off!!!!

[disneyphanatic1911]

Now that I have your attention. On my visit to MGM I went to Sci-Fi Dine In on the Disney Dining Plan. The food was so so, and the atmosphere was good. But, what really got to me was the fact that from studying these boards, I was under the impression that I could trade in some counter service credits for a table service credit. When I tried to do this there, I was told that was not true. Of course, I tried to plead my case to the manager, but to no avail!

Does each restaurant set its own rules on how to manage Dining Plan credits?

The dining plan was great overall, and allowed us to eat at certain restaurants that we would never have thought about without it. This situation was the only negative about it.

Has anyone else experienced this before?

 

[Allison]

I have never heard of counter service credits being able to be used for table service credits.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

My understanding was there was a point and time that you could trade a TS for a CS and get something else a bit extra (don't remember what it was).This was due to the fact that people on the Free Dining were having trouble getting into the TS if they didn't do ADRs.

But never could you exchange CSs for a TS.

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't know how you got the impression you could trade counter service credits for table service credits. I don't ever recall a discussion here on DIS that even suggested that. I believe the manager at Sci-Fi was entirely correct in this case.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I went last September and was asked if SIR was injoying my food!!!!!!!! I know it was dark but really!

 

[Adi12982]

It is the other way around you can trade in a Table Service credit for a Counter Service and they give you some extras since a CS doesn't cost anywhere near what a TS costs. Disney would lose money if they let you trade in CS for TS!!

 

[MelanieC]

I think you must have read wrong. I can't imagine Disney doing that. I've also never read that.

 

[Piglet42]

To the OP, I at one time had thought the same thing myself. I thought you could trade 2 CS for 1 TS. Kind of like the 2 TS for a signature dinning or a dinner show. I was out of TS on my last trip, my mistake that I wasted the TS on Kona Cafe for breakfast since it was by far the least expensive, and then waited till the last day to go to Whispering Canyon Cafe. I was so mad when they didn't let me do it. Not to mention the service was horrible, although the food was great. I thought for sure I was right. I came back and read all about the dining plan again, and sure enough, I was wrong. I have no idea where I got that idea, cause I was positive I was correct.

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

I was told, at check in, that certain restaurants will trade in Two CS's for one TS. I guess Sci-Fi was just not doing it.

My bad.

 

[Allison]

I was told, at check in, that certain restaurants will trade in Two CS's for one TS. I guess Sci-Fi was just not doing it.

My bad.

Actually, I think the CM who told you that was mistaken. That happens often.

 

[Hannathy]

When we were there over Labor Day you could trade in a TS for a CS or 2 I don't remember but I think it was 2 CS and a lanyard or a print and I think they also threw in a snack.

I did this on our last morning, my DS had a TS left because he was sick one night and didn't eat. We got breakfasts at POP for DS and me and he got a lanyard,pin and a snack for the plane.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too only remember reading about trading a CS for TS plus something extra. We've been 3 times on DDP and have never heard of trading TS for CS. And yes, sometimes CMs do get things wrong. Sorry for your confusion but I'm glad you had a good experience with DDP, nevertheless.

 

[TDC Nala]

The trade options were available only during the free dining period in August/September and I think it was the other way around, TS for CS plus a snack.

 

[MushyMushy]

I was told, at check in, that certain restaurants will trade in Two CS's for one TS. I guess Sci-Fi was just not doing it.

My bad.

You were told wrong.

 

[Nala2007]

yep, but I will have to add in the knowledge of CM's the past couple of years just SUX out loud...I'm not saying there isn't any good ones but for the most part it seems the majority give bad info...I trust the boards way more than any CM

 

[Katiebell]

But, what really got to me was the fact that from studying these boards, I was under the impression that I could trade in some counter service credits for a table service credit.

I was told, at check in, that certain restaurants will trade in Two CS's for one TS. I guess Sci-Fi was just not doing it.

I'm a little confused When you checked in, did you ask the CM if you could do that, or did the CM just volunteer that incorrect info? You said from studying these boards that was the impression you were under. The only thing I've seen on these boards on that topic was people asking, "Can we trade 2 CS for 1 TS?" or "Wouldn't it be nice if we could?" and the answer is always, "Yes, it would be nice, but no, it does not work that way."

A couple of people have reported that they had a CS or two left on their last day, and accommodating CM's at a gift shop or food court might have let them trade one CS for a couple of snacks, but that is not a rule written anywhere in the DDP literature and seems to be the exception rather than the norm. And as bicker has pointed out numerous times to me, the bargain pricing of the DDP also factors in a certain amount of non-use -- ie: Disney is counting on that overall a certain percentage of those CS and snack credits are going to be left over and are not refundable and can't be used on a later visit. But I've carefully planned our itinerary and don't intend for ANY credits to be left over

The average values for a CS meal range from $10-$13 per person. A buffet ranges from $24-$34 per person. A standard TS meal averages about $22-$41 per person but can be much, much more. So it really wouldn't make financial sense for Disney to allow 2 CS to be traded for 1 TS, especially since the DDP is already a significant discount for the guests.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I have never heard about tranding in a CS for a TS but I have hear the opposite happening. To the original poster.....sorry about you being misinformed about this.

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

....I trust the boards way more than any CM

That's what's saddest about this whole thing. They should know WaaaY more than anyone on the boards about that type of stuff.

 

[CampbellScot]

I know you can use CS to get snacks...it's something like two snacks and a drink for each CS credit you have...and Disney makes money on that trade as two snacks and a drink don't quite add up to what a CS meal would be...almost, but not quite...but I've never heard of CS for TS...

Were you out of TS credits when you got to Sci Fi or were just trying to save TS credits for later? Maybe it was something they used to do and don't anymore? But honestly I can't remember ever reading that here on the Dis!

hope it didn't put a crimp in your day!!!

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

Were you out of TS credits when you got to Sci Fi or were just trying to save TS credits for later? Maybe it was something they used to do and don't anymore? But honestly I can't remember ever reading that here on the Dis!

hope it didn't put a crimp in your day!!!

No, I was just trying to save some for later. Being at the "Kingdom" would never put a crimp in my day, no matter what happens good or bad.