Shring on Dining Plan

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I have always just shared the over the counter meals. My DH and I just get one lunch and split it up. No one can stop you from doing that. We also use snacks for breakfast. Fruit is a snack and bagels and cakes are too. Then we have room for a big dinner.

My wife and I have done that, too...though not on the DDP (the Tusker House 1/2 Chicken meal is WAY too much for either one of us to east ourselves, for example). We're not doing the DDP for our next trip...it just doesn't work out, financially, with having the DDE card AND the benefit of a full kitchen in our AKV DVC unit. But I can certainly see (since we've had to do it other places) having to order my son an extra kids meal at a CS place for him to be full. I swear he thinks he's going to be trying out for the Varsity football team next year (He's 2 1/2...and not fat, but tall and solid..big wide shoulders, little narrow waist), and eats like it. The inconvenience of doing so, using DDP credits, isn't enough to make me swear off the DDP forever, but it's one more thing to consider when making our choice every trip.
 
That's indeed what that would mean. :( It is similar to several other situations where it is in Disney's best interest to allow something (in this case, an additional child meal to be ordered), but it just opens the door to too many additional complexities and confusion that Disney will almost always stick with the simplest manner of enforcement (in this case, 2A3C means two adult meals and three child meals, maximum, no matter what).

This could be another sticky one for Disney. The DDP brochure states: "Use your meals and snacks in any order and in any amount throughout your package stay until your total is depleted."

So, going by the rule in the DDP brochure, 2 adults could order 1 TS meal. 4 adults could order 3 TS meals. 2 adults and 2 children could order 4 adult CS meals. Or 6 kids' CS meals. Or 1 adult CS meal and 1 kid's CS meal. Or if 2 adults and 2 children each have 6 TS meals, they could technically sit down at a restaurant and order 12 adult TS meals and 12 kids' TS meals... :rotfl2:

...because you can use them in any order, in any amount, until the total is depleted.

So Disney will either have to:
~ change the brochure next year and then start enforcing the maximum # of meals ordered at one time is the # individuals listed on the room key
~ say the rules have changed, and they are subject to change without notice (and BTW, the only restaurant now participating in the DDP is MGM's Backlot Express, everybody gets chilled chicken and cheese or sloppy joes, the only beverage allowed is tap water, and the only snack allowed is sugar-free Jello :scared1: :laughing: )
or
~ stop worrying about how many meals people are ordering, and if they are sharing them amongst their own party.

The big hit they took was from people using kids' credits to purchase adult meals. It was never ethical, even if it was possible, but the loophole was there and people exploited it until Disney fixed it. If Disney wants to patch another hole in the dike, they should concentrate on separating CS for kids and adults, because that seems to be the second most common and most costly misuse of the program. The miniscule amount of revenue lost from parents swapping entrees with their kids or adults with lighter appetites splitting meals (and paying OOP for extra drinks and menu items) has got to be negligible in comparison.
 
I know there's been a lot of debate about sharing. But, if DM and I were to go to Flying Fish for dinner one night, could we get one full meal with the DDP, (using two credits,) and share that, and then just get an extra appetizer, and maybe dessert, and pay for them OOP with a DDE discount?
 

My guess is none of us know...

What you propose does seem to fit the rules as I understand them, but keep in mind that there is a lot of discretion allowed to the restaurants themselves. Regardless of our interpretations, an individual restaurant (or manager) could still say no.

If the question is important to you, I'd call the restaurant directly, speak to a manager, and ask them.
 
Our friends ate there (Flying Fish) in Nov with thier kids 10, and 12. All adults on the DDP. They asked if the boys could share the steak and were told "no" that all must order their own entree. It wasn't that big a deal to them, and they did order each kid their own steak. I think I posted about this somewhere a while ago. Now, maybe it was just that CM, that manager, that restaurant. But, I would be prepared if they tell you "no" :)
 
This question has been asked on a lot of different threads lately, and the answer seems to be that sharing is officially not allowed. I'm sure Bicker will give you the official answer soon enough. He's got it on "speed post!":lmao:
 
/
I wish. I have to not only RDP into the computer where I keep my email, I then have to find the stupid message from Disney, and then copy-and-paste. I really should make it into a macro. Anyway, here it is:
Dear Brian,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Disney Dining Plan on your MAGIC YOUR WAY Package Plus Dining includes One (1) Counter Service Meal, One (1) Snack, and One (1) Table Service Meal per person, per night for everyone in your vacation plan party, ages 3+.
Meals are nontransferable and sharing is not permitted.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Lainie Weidner

WDW Online Communications
 
That is exactly, word for word, the first answer I got from Disney Guest Services. It's evidently what they are supposed to cut-and-paste to respond. When I wrote back to ask for further details, I got a slightly different email. I would also suspect this is cut-and-paste, except they addressed a couple of very specific things I asked, which I will underline:

"Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Please know meals are nontransferable and sharing is not permitted.
Meal entitlements can not be shared.

Guests may use their Meals and Snacks in any order and any amount
throughout their stay until the total is depleted.

Guests on the dining plan and sitting at a table in a table service
restaurant are not required to use their dining credits for the meal.
Guests may pay for the meal at the time of dining.

If one Guest wishes to use a dining credit and the other Guest in the
party wishes to order food and beverage and pay for it instead of using
their dining credit, that is permitted. However, ordering one meal and
sharing is not permitted with the dining plan.


We hope this information is helpful and we look forward to your visit.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us."
 
How exactly would they enforce this? When we went in Sept. my wife and I would each eat 1/2 of our dinner and trade in some cases because two different items sounded good to both of us, what would be the difference between this and ordering an Appetizer and a dessert oop and eating a few bites off the other plate? I would say that as long as you are both ordering something they wouldn't put up too much of a fuss.
 
I booked my trip 2.21.02. This is my first time using DDP. When do you think I will receive my brochure? :)
 
When we went in Sept. my wife and I would each eat 1/2 of our dinner and trade in some cases because two different items sounded good to both of us, what would be the difference between this and ordering an Appetizer and a dessert oop and eating a few bites off the other plate?
The difference is one TS.

I'm not sure how they'd enforce it either -- I guess maybe they'd "...just say 'No.'" But a lot has changed with DDP since your visit in September, apparently due to abuse. (Actually, I assume you could still order two meals and share -- I'm sure they're talking about two people sharing one meal.)

I was obviously not aware of this particular change -- I quit worrying about sharing when I offered to share DW's filet at Le Cellier and she offered to pin my hand to the table with her steak knife.:eek:
(Those of you who don't know DW probably think I'm kidding...:sad2: )
 
I merged this thread with the original sharing thread. Seemed to be heading down the same path:rolleyes1
 
It seems that WDW is saying that you cannot walk into a restaurant and order ONE meal using a dining credit and expect it to serve two people without ordering a second meal. If two meals are ordered, WDW doesn't care who eats what off of it AS LONG AS EACH ADULT HAS PURCHASED THEIR OWN MEAL WHETHER THROUGH THE DDP OR OOP.

In other words, you can't buy ONLY one meal and share it between 2 people on the DDP without the second person also having bought a meal.
 
For what it's worth…

My family went to Disney World last week and my DH and I shared 3 table service meals. Two were on the dining plan and one was OOP. The two on the plan were at Coral Reef and Spoodles. We were never questioned there (of course we wouldn't have attempted it if we knew they were not allowing it anymore!). At Olivia's we were sharing and paying OOP for that dinner. We told the server that we would be sharing and she started to say (I think) that if we were on the dining plan, we couldn't share. We told her we were paying OOP and she said, "Oh! No problem…" So I think that some locations are starting to "crack down" while others are still lenient.
 
It seems that WDW is saying that you cannot walk into a restaurant and order ONE meal using a dining credit and expect it to serve two people without ordering a second meal. If two meals are ordered, WDW doesn't care who eats what off of it AS LONG AS EACH ADULT HAS PURCHASED THEIR OWN MEAL WHETHER THROUGH THE DDP OR OOP. In other words, you can't buy ONLY one meal and share it between 2 people on the DDP without the second person also having bought a meal.

For what it's worth…My family went to Disney World last week and my DH and I shared 3 table service meals. Two were on the dining plan and one was OOP. The two on the plan were at Coral Reef and Spoodles. We were never questioned there (of course we wouldn't have attempted it if we knew they were not allowing it anymore!). At Olivia's we were sharing and paying OOP for that dinner. We told the server that we would be sharing and she started to say (I think) that if we were on the dining plan, we couldn't share. We told her we were paying OOP and she said, "Oh! No problem…" So I think that some locations are starting to "crack down" while others are still lenient.

Gina, I totally agree, and Waseller, I do not doubt at all that was what you experienced. I'm just wondering -- why would splitting a meal not be allowed on the DDP, but be allowed if paying OOP?

The main reason that has been given here for not splitting meals is that the restaurant is effectively losing capacity -- two people splitting one meal does not generate as much revenue as two people each ordering their own meal, which is at first glance true. However, it does not take into account that two people who share a meal are likely to order a least some extra menu items, such as a salad, an extra appetizer, a second beverage, a second dessert, after dinner drinks, or coffee. It also does not take into account that two people ordering OOP are not likely to each order an appetizer, entree, and dessert -- appetizers and desserts are often shared, or simply not ordered at all.

But, if that is truly the case, and the restaurants are primarily concerned about wasted table space, why do they allow patrons paying OOP to split meals?

I wonder if the real reasons are that Disney is counting on unused leftover credits on the DDP (thus increasing their profit), or that people will use up their credits more quickly on signature dining and dinner shows, and they have to pay additional OOP for at least some of their meals (again, increasing their profit). And I say additional OOP, because the majority of guests on the DDP did not get it for free, they paid $11 per child and $39 per adult, per day. Although, if people are sharing TS meals, doesn't it seem like they would be more likely to have TS credits left over? :confused:
 
Interesting to think in terms of that last day if everyone needs to order something. Say the grandparents watch the kids one night while parents go out to eat so that at your last lunch, you only have 2 TS credits left for 2 adults and 2 kids (assume kids are over 9 so adult/child credit doesn't come into play). So, you order 2 sets of appets, entrees and desserts and think thats enough for the 4 of you for lunch, esp since going to pick up a few snack items for the road. If no sharing is allowed, you MUST order something seperate for the kids to eat. Seems like a weird requirement and not particularly family friendly.


If one Guest wishes to use a dining credit and the other Guest in the
party wishes to order food and beverage and pay for it instead of using
their dining credit, that is permitted. However, ordering one meal and
sharing is not permitted with the dining plan.
 
Are you allowed to get TS meals to-go if you are on the DDP or OOP? Either the whole meal or part?

Just curious. Our next trip is a DVC 1 bedroom so we'll have a kitchen and I can easily see keeping leftovers (esp desserts).

This, of course, is another way to share a meal -- although not very practical unless your restaurant is close by and you have the facilities. However I can also see taking your food to someplace quiet and eating it outside on a nice day.
 
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