Serious question about DDP

[eliza61]

Lately there have been a lot of questions about sharing on the DDP. I mean to me, folks are spending boat loads of time figuring out how to get the most out of this plan, that I thought was supposed to make vacation life a little easier. My questions are this.
1. What would you do if you get to WDW and the server nicely and politley tells you sharing is not allowed? Do you let it ruin your vacation?

2. Wasn't the intent of this plan to allow guest to prepay for their meals and then simply make adr's. Even allowing folks to eat at TS restaurants that they normally wouldn't go to?

We tried the ddp once, when we got to our meal and if some thing wasn't allowed we simply said "Ok" and either paid oop for it or changed our selection. More and more I see guest either fighting with their server or complaining bitterly about it. Just seems to me that some thing designed for enjoyment is causing a whole lot of stress.

 

[patsal]

I agree with you and see your points. I don't think the plan was ever designed to be used as many are pushing it to. My thought always was that I could not feed my family of four all over 10yo for $155.96 per day and get them each a CS, each a snack and each a three course meal including tax and tip. I certainly can't get out of a dinner buffet only for under $125. with tax and tip. To me the convienience of prepaid meals is something that I can budget for and the flexibility of "whatever" is a big factor. I find some things a little irritating, but not anything I would witch about. I don't like the inconsistencies with drink sizes, I am not fond of the inability to use snack credits in France for anything except a beverage (not that it stops me from buying the pastries ), and since I can read and know what I am supposed to be able to get I really find it a bit irritating when I am told to go and get a side. Clearly some of the confusion is tied to the way the plan is interpreted by the CMs, but I think when people get a ton from one place, especially if that place is the first one they go to and they are told to pick out a "side" then they get the impression that they should get one everywhere and have the perception they are getting ripped off when they don't get one. For many the plan is just fine and they use the plan in the spirit it is intended, for a few and they can be very vocal, they feel they are not doing anything wrong when they stretch it since it doesn't specifically state "you can't do that". Just like many other things, I think people over think it and make it more complicated than it is.

 

[wwaleye]

If I am told I won't be able to share a meal with my daughter, we will each get our own and won't go to a signature restaurant. No matter how you look at it, the trade between the business and the patron is a certain amount of food for a predetermined price, 1 credit = 1 meal, whether 1 or 2 people eat it.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

What I do not understand is why people are so quick to complain about a program they are not forced to participate in? I mean the DDP is not for everyone and I would have never thought it would fit my family either simply because the amount of food you are given. After putting a pen to it in figuring in the total price of the 7 or 8 character meals we want to do we can’t beat it. We are a family of 3 so for us it is less than 90 dollars a day and that is a steal. I think the complaining just shows the turn our society is taking. People are constantly trying to get over on the system and think everything should be tailored to their needs. I just think we have choices and beating Disney up for the way the run THEIR dinning plan is unnecessary since it is not inclusive resort that requires you do it.

 

[Brumeiser]

I feel because we did the dining plan a few years back and I can remember that when we shared we had plenty of food to eat and we were not gorging ourselves, we feel that food should not be wasted. We did near the end each order a meal and we were so stuffed to the point to where we were miserable. Also when you share you can use some of the credits for breakfast to use. I feel that when you are on a dining plan I feel that it should be 3 meals a day and it is not. It is only 2 meals a day and when I pay (well it was free) but still all 3 meals should be covered. When we were on it we had enough for breakfast lunch and dinner the whole length of trip. This is just my 2 cents into the matter.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I started a thread yesterday, saying I was going to book all one-credit meals, since I can't get an actual from Disney. I'm confused about weather or not sharing is allowed, not complaining. Even if I weren't on the DDP, I'd still be putting almost as much effort into my meal planning, I just wouldn't have to figure out the credits.

If my thread about sharing, (which I actually started to get opionions about one-credit meals, it just turned into a sharing debate, and it was moved to this board,) is one of the threads you're talking about, know that's it's out of confusion, not complaining. Don't confuse the two.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

I feel because we did the dining plan a few years back and I can remember that when we shared we had plenty of food to eat and we were not gorging ourselves, we feel that food should not be wasted. We did near the end each order a meal and we were so stuffed to the point to where we were miserable. Also when you share you can use some of the credits for breakfast to use. I feel that when you are on a dining plan I feel that it should be 3 meals a day and it is not. It is only 2 meals a day and when I pay (well it was free) but still all 3 meals should be covered. When we were on it we had enough for breakfast lunch and dinner the whole length of trip. This is just my 2 cents into the matter.

But that is just it they want to make money (don't blame them) so they want you paying OOP for a meal and sharing to spare credits screws that up for them. Your right is a lot of food and I also don’t agree with waste. Unfortunately in a place like DW it is going to be a common thing.

 

[eliza61]

I started a thread yesterday, saying I was going to book all one-credit meals, since I can't get an actual from Disney. I'm confused about weather or not sharing is allowed, not complaining. Even if I weren't on the DDP, I'd still be putting almost as much effort into my meal planning, I just wouldn't have to figure out the credits.

If my thread about sharing, (which I actually started to get opionions about one-credit meals, it just turned into a sharing debate, and it was moved to this board,) is one of the threads you're talking about, know that's it's out of confusion, not complaining. Don't confuse the two.

Oh no I'm just as confused. We're returning to WDW for my sons b-day in November, this time we are going with the DDE card because the ddp didn't work for us but at the time we used it last year, I thought it was fairly straight forward. As I started planning for this trip it just seemed as if it's gotten way more complicated. It may be just the forums making it seem that way.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Oh no I'm just as confused. We're returning to WDW for my sons b-day in November, this time we are going with the DDE card because the ddp didn't work for us but at the time we used it last year, I thought it was fairly straight forward. As I started planning for this trip it just seemed as if it's gotten way more complicated. It may be just the forums making it seem that way.

I have the DDE, since I have an AP. The only reason I have the DDP this time is because I got it for "free" with the bounce-back promo they had a few months ago. It does seem to have a lot of conditions.

Usually I do two table-service meals a day, and a signature restaurant about every other day. Having the DDP, and not knowing weather or not I can share is changing around my eating habits. I also never get an entree, or rarely eat at CS locations.

So I'm looking foward to getting to try some entrees that I normally wouldn't get, and to try some CS places, but it seems like the plan is really not worth the hassle, and it's easier to just do with what I've done the last two trips, have my AP, and get the DDE.

I'm glad I'm using the DDP once, just to see how it works, and then I'll know for sure if I'd rather pay money for the plan, or get an AP and DDE. Of course I'm already playing around with dates, trying to figure out when I should get my next AP and DDE, which I'm already figuring Nov 2008, so I can go Nov 08, and Feb and Oct 09.

 

[Katiebell]

I'm one of the bearers of bad news -- one of the few people who got an actual answer from Disney that said, "no sharing". I know that lots and lots of people say they have shared meals and had no problem, but it's pretty clear that's not what Disney wants or intended. For 2007, there is nothing in the brochure that says 2 adults on the plan can't share a meal, but that may change next year, who knows?

I know that a lot of advice boards and even published guidebooks say it's fine to share meals, but they also used to say it was fine to use your leftover credits to treat strangers on your last day, or buy meals for friends not on the plan (both against the "non-transferrable" policy that also applies to park tickets), or bank your kids' credits to use on adult meals later (that last one was clearly not ethical, even if it was possible -- don't know why so many didn't see a problem with it )

People share food with their families all the time, whether on or off the plan. Some appetizers and desserts are specifically designed for two or more people. And their policy is specific that adults can share with children 2 and under. It seems like it would be impossible to police that. I am not positive, but what I think Disney is trying to prohibit is going to a restaurant and planning ahead to split 1 TS between 2 people, using only one credit for a TS meal.

In a way, Disney kind of brought this on by having 2 TS credit "signature meals" and shows. If everyone in your party has exactly one TS, one CS, and one snack credit per day of your trip, then if you use 2 TS credits on one meal (or more than one if you wanted to go to CRT and Citrico's on the same trip), then where will those extra credits come from? Guests tried to come up with creative ways to bank credits to pay for those meals -- buy a huge TS meal at this restaurant and split it, and then have an extra credit to use for another night. Clearly, Disney expected guests to pay OOP for the "signature" experience or dinner show, or pay OOP for the other meal that will be "missing" from the total. I suggested on another thread that maybe instead of 2 TS credit meals/shows, they could charge one credit plus a premium of $20-$25. I dunno if that would help, maybe?

The brochure says you can use your credits in any amount throughout your stay until they are used up. I think that was to allow people to use 2 TS for certain meals, but it also literally means you should be able to order just 1 TS meal if that's all you want. The response I received from Disney specifically (the scenario I used was 2 adults both on the plan) said it was OK for one person to use a TS credit and the other person to pay OOP for whatever they want.

The DDP will definitely be convenient, and will save us money over what we usually pay eat on vacation -- even taking into account that we would normally order a lot less food in a sitting, share appetizers and dessert, or order dessert later. The amount of food that will be wasted upset me at first, but I'm just going to have to get over it Just because I want to try all three courses doesn't mean I have to finish them all. Several of our ADR's are for fixed price meals, so we wouldn't be sharing those anyway.

I'd rather share some meals with DH -- it is a much better fit for our vacation style and our personal eating habits -- and I might ask to do so at a TS restaurant if we aren't terribly hungry, maybe just order one TS meal and an extra salad and a drink. But after the answer I received from Disney, I'm not going to plan our ADR's around it. We have one extra TS meal on our list, so we are planning on paying for the least expensive one OOP, the 'Ohana breakfast with Stitch.

If you got if for free, no matter what you are saving a ton of money! Lots of people wish they were in your shoes -- including me! If you want those signature meals, go for it, just plan to pay for some OOP. You're still coming out way ahead of those who are paying for the plan.

 

[renessa]

I've been reading these sharing threads with some level of interest. In 2005 we paid for the dining plan and shared only 2 TS meals. Reasons were desire to try many new restaurants and multiple meals in one day=too full!! No one batted an eye, we tipped extra and purchased an extra drink. Here's where I think everyone is over thinking things:

If you weren't on the DIS or a planner of any sort...you wouldn't be concerned about this. You would share if you wanted because Disney has yet to publish "no sharing" on any brochure or online.

Don't worry about it. Share if you want. I can't imagine a restaurant manager arguing in the middle of the dining room about sharing when there are lots of patrons that share each and every day. If the restauant doesn't have a plate fee for sharing then don't worry. I won't be. JMHO

 

[MaeDaisy]

I just don't understand how it's confusing.

Each member of your party gets 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack per day. (well, technically, it's per NIGHT, but you know what I'm saying.)

It's pretty simple if people use it as it's meant to be used.

It's only confusing when people try to get creative. If you are going to try to use credits for 3 meals a day, yes it might get confusing. If you want to do a 2 TS meal on Monday but aren't willing to pay OOP or skip a meal on Tuesday, yes it might get confusing. If your kid wants an adult meal but mom and dad don't want a kids meal, yes it might get confusing.

As for sharing because it's just too much food, nobody is going to make you clean your plate! (except at 50's PT maybe) Order what you want, and just eat what you want of it. And for those who say "that's wasteful" .... sharing meals at Disney World does not help starving children.

So to summarize, if everyone just gets 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack per day, it's a piece of cake. Or a Mickey Bar. Or a Dole Whip...

 

[jodifla]

I don't think Disney is trying to stop families sampling others meals, or sharing appetizers or desserts. I think they are trying to put the kabosh on the practice of people ordering one DDP meal and having it split down the middle. One person even said they split the order up in the back and brought it out to them as two meals.

THe plan WASN'T meant to be used that way.

 

[bicker]

I feel that when you are on a dining plan I feel that it should be 3 meals a day

Disney does offer meals plans that provide three meals a day. The Disney Dining Plan is specifically a lower-priced plan, which provides only one table service and one counter service meal each day, plus a snack. Guests who want three meals covered should select the Premium Plan or the Platinum Plan.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Order what you want, and just eat what you want of it. And for those who say "that's wasteful" .... sharing meals at Disney World does not help starving children.

It's still wasting food though.

 

[disneyjunebug]

This is my own two cents after being raised in the restaurant business (which is why I am a teacher!)...

When you go to a "Nice" restaurant and you want to share a meal, more often than not, you will be charged an extra amount for using another plate. Now this charge may be anywhere from $5-20 (yeah, I've seen $20 before!) to share an entree with someone. But usually, the "sharer" gets the same veggies as the orderer also. If Disney would institute something like that with their signature dining, then maybe people wouldn't complain so much!

I have never done the DDP, but will be doing it this fall with DH and DS. I know that we will probably use our TS for character meals and if we do go to a "sit-down", we will bring the dessert back with us! DH was skeptical that it was worth the money until I showed him some menus and prices. (He's never been and I've been so many times, I've lost count!)

I think a little common sense is needed on both sides! JMHO

 

[just another guy]

No matter how you look at it, the trade between the business and the patron is a certain amount of food for a predetermined price, 1 credit = 1 meal, whether 1 or 2 people eat it.

I hate to break it to you, but disney isn't for the poor and cheap. Disney is about nothing except making profit. If they went by your idea, there would be white trash families of 4 buying the dining plan for only one adult, and then sharing the meal 4 ways. The restaurant wouldn't make money, and the server wouldn't make money. Its pathetic people like that who ruin the fun, and cause all these rules to be made. Thats exactly the reason why on the dining plan, disney now separates between kids and adults. In the past, people would buy the dining plan for lets say 2 adults and 2 kids, and pay OOP for the kids once or twice. Doing that twice(2 kids, for 2 meals) would cost maybe $40). Then mom and dad would have 4 credits left for their last night and could go out and have a fancy meal for free.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Closed.