Sharing?? When is it allowed?

[mlggator]

My parents are going to join us for a portion of our trip and are trying to decide if they want to get the dining plan or not. One thing they like to do is share a meal. I know that you cannot share meals if you are on the dining plan, but what about if you are not on the dining plan?

For instance could they share a meal at one of the Epcot restaurants? What about a CRT?

Thanks,
Michele

 

[hellokitty86]

You can share meals at any restaurant, as long as its not a buffet or character meal, and as long as you aren't on the dining plan.

For CRT, they would have to pay per person, but from what I've read and from personal experience, that it is not a problem for any other non character/buffet place. Several places will even break the portions up into 2 plates, very easy!


I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[MALE*RN*777]

The wife and I shared (not on the dining plan) most of the trip because we are both not big eaters at one sitting. We would sometimes not even finish the split meal and take it with us. Nothing like having a fully stomach and then going out in the sun and riding the rides that make you taste the food all over again.

 

[disneyfan6301]

We were on the dining plan, and my son and I split a meal at Tony's. Obviously, you can't at the buffets. We didn't even ask at LeCellier because we wanted something different.

 

[bicker]

The best I can tell is that official policy is that sharing is not permitted on the Dining Plan (guest services is VERY consistent about indicating that in their messages), but every single restaurants waives that rule for all their guests. So while you do have to ask to be able to share (fully expecting that they'll say no), you're almost surely going to have that request granted.

 

[Leota]

DH & I share most meals. My buddy & I share most meals too. Never a problem & they often divide our serving onto 2 plates in the kitchen for us.

 

[firemist]

Can I pay OOP for a portion even if we are on a dining plan? I cant eat very much I usually get a taste of DB's food but I like my own desert. Do they charge 2 TS or just 1TS + OOP$ for desert?

 

[Lewisc]

I don't remember which posters claim to have "inside sources"; I may be asking the wrong poster but

Do you get the sense the current guest communication reflects the possibility (even probability) Disney is considering putting a no sharing policy in effect prior to free dining? No-sharing, really just charging credits for every dining plan guest, might increase restaurant capacity by stopping guests from stretching their credits. A couple that shares at every meal basically uses twice as much "restaurant table time".

The best I can tell is that official policy is that sharing is not permitted on the Dining Plan (guest services is VERY consistent about indicating that in their messages), but every single restaurants waives that rule for all their guests. So while you do have to ask to be able to share (fully expecting that they'll say no), you're almost surely going to have that request granted.

 

[bicker]

Do they charge 2 TS or just 1TS + OOP$ for desert?

For 2TS meals, it is either 2TS or completely OOP$. There is no 1TS + cash option.

 

[bicker]

Do you get the sense the current guest communication reflects the possibility (even probability) Disney is considering putting a no sharing policy in effect prior to free dining?

To be honest, my best guess is that Guest Communications decided to make up a policy. What's really shocking is how incredibly consistent the message is being delivered -- it isn't my experience that Guest Communications has ever been THIS consistent about anything before -- and how diametrically oppositional that policy is to the reality in the field, i.e., the fact that all of the restaurants are effectively waiving that policy for all their guests.

No-sharing, really just charging credits for every dining plan guest, might increase restaurant capacity by stopping guests from stretching their credits. A couple that shares at every meal basically uses twice as much "restaurant table time".

Yeah, there's no problem with them having such a policy or enforcing it, but to have one half of them lock-step in tune with the policy one way, and the other half of them lock-step in tune with the policy the opposite way -- what's the point?

 

[lastminutemom]

CRT is a per person fee per meal, so no sharing there. (Unless a child is under 3).

 

[Lewisc]

To be honest, my best guess is that Guest Communications decided to make up a policy. What's really shocking is how incredibly consistent the message is being delivered -- it isn't my experience that Guest Communications has ever been THIS consistent about anything before -- and how diametrically oppositional that policy is to the reality in the field, i.e., the fact that all of the restaurants are effectively waiving that policy for all their guests.

The consistency is what has me wondering if Disney is considering a policy change, at least at some restaurants. Disney doesn't want customers with emails who insist on sharing. The brochure wording allows Disney to charge credits to every dining plan guest dining at two credit restaurants. Alternately guest communications may not want to have to differentiate between restaurants that don't allow sharing with restaurants that allow it. Basically every character meal, dinner show and dinner package doesn't allow sharing.

Yeah, there's no problem with them having such a policy or enforcing it, but to have one half of them lock-step in tune with the policy one way, and the other half of them lock-step in tune with the policy the opposite way -- what's the point?

Although we can disagree if it was allowed, it's clear Disney didn't anticipate the number of guests who would take advantage of Disney's generosity and refuse to waste "child credits" on kids meals. The brochure wording and CM communication made it difficult, if not impossible, for Disney to change that policy prior to 1/1/07. I think Disney may be covering themselves. Official communication is making it clear that guests shouldn't plan on being able to "stretch" their TS meal allowance.

A possible policy change, combined with shrinking portions, means guests shouldn't assumed sharing when planning their meals.