Snack credit question

[DallasBBWmom]

I have asked this before but got mixed answers.

I booked our trip through Southwest Airlines which included the free counter service dining in March.

All of our paperwork says we get 2 snack credits per person per day. I know Disney changed this on January 1st to only include 1 credit but will we still get 2 since our package was advertised as two?

I called Southwest and they told me the package will come as advertised since we booked before the extra credit was taken away.

Is that right? I want to figure it out before we go so I can plan our meals/snacks ahead of time.

Super excited, it's getting closer and closer!

Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry. If your trip is in 2012 you get only one snack credit per night. What Southwest told you is incorrect. Guests checking in during 2012 will receive the 2012 DDP allotments, no matter what the allotments were at the time of booking.

 

[DallasBBWmom]

Thats what I figured. Thankfully I have done my research to know this beforehand. I can't imagine how many people get there and have no clue they will be without those credits.

I guess I just hoped that maybe Southwest had some kind of magical deal with Disney to allow the extra credit.

 

[havoc315]

If you actually have paperwork showing the 2-snack credits, I'd complain -- either to Southwest or Disney. They will certainly do something to "make it right." (Perhaps a gift card or partial refund)
They are legally in the wrong. It's not good enough for them to just say "woops.... sorry we aren't giving you what we promised in writing."


I'm still waiting to see reports from UK guests -- as to whether they got the 2 snacks as promised in their literature, of if they get just 1..

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would make a fuss if I was you and only got 1 snack instead of 2. You are not getting what Southwest sold/promessed you. Probably Disney won't do anything about it as it's not their mistake, but southwest should.

 

[TDC Nala]

Southwest isn't going to be able to get them two snacks on the dining plan. Everything at WDW is now set up for one snack.

This is reminiscent of 2008 when Disney itself mailed out some flyers to package guests that were out of date and said the regular plan still included appetizers and tips. Some guests were going to go armed with the flyer to the restaurants and demand their free appetizers and tips. Don't think it worked.

If you get anything, it would likely be some form of a credit from Southwest. Unfortunately they didn't keep up on changes in the dining plan.

 

[DallasBBWmom]

Should I call now or address it when we get there or ahead of time?

 

[catne]

Good luck, but I would suggest you not have any expectations whatsoever of getting the extra credits...just read the Disney Dining Plan brochure. Disney clearly covers their a$$ in the brochure which tells you they can change the entitlements at any time. Here's the paragraphs copied directly from the 2012 brochure I bolded the section taken from the current brochure about changing the plan without notice. (previous years' brochures said the same thing...I recall the to-do back in 2008 when people were mailed the wrong brochure--mailed out by Disney! and as far as I recall no one got the old entitlements or any compensation for the mistake whatsoever...the same disclaimer was in the brochures before and subject-to-change without notice really covers these situations totally.)


Disney Dining Plan meals and snacks may not be redeemed for
cash in whole or in part, sold separately, transferred or refunded.
Theme Park admission is required for some dining locations.
Advance Reservations are strongly recommended and may be
required at some Table-Service restaurants participating in the
Disney Dining Plan. Operating hours, menus, entertainment,
Characters, Disney Dining Plan locations, components and terms
are subject to change without notice.
Disney Dining Plan meal and snack entitlements are based on
the length of your package stay at your Disney Resort Hotel.
The owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort shall not be
responsible for the non-utilization of package components due to
refurbishing, capacity, inclement weather, or any circumstance
beyond their control.

 

[havoc315]

Good luck, but I would suggest you not have any expectations whatsoever of getting the extra credits...just read the Disney Dining Plan brochure. Disney clearly covers their a$$ in the brochure which tells you they can change the entitlements at any time. Here's the paragraphs copied directly from the 2012 brochure I bolded the section taken from the current brochure about changing the plan without notice. (previous years' brochures said the same thing...I recall the to-do back in 2008 when people were mailed the wrong brochure--mailed out by Disney! and as far as I recall no one got the old entitlements or any compensation for the mistake whatsoever...the same disclaimer was in the brochures before and subject-to-change without notice really covers these situations totally.)


Disney Dining Plan meals and snacks may not be redeemed for
cash in whole or in part, sold separately, transferred or refunded.
Theme Park admission is required for some dining locations.
Advance Reservations are strongly recommended and may be
required at some Table-Service restaurants participating in the
Disney Dining Plan. Operating hours, menus, entertainment,
Characters, Disney Dining Plan locations, components and terms
are subject to change without notice.
Disney Dining Plan meal and snack entitlements are based on
the length of your package stay at your Disney Resort Hotel.
The owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort shall not be
responsible for the non-utilization of package components due to
refurbishing, capacity, inclement weather, or any circumstance
beyond their control.

That language would protect Disney from some inconsequential changes. For example -- the closure of a restaurant. Or changing Le Cellier to 2 credits.

But when you purchase the dining plan, you enter a contract. (speaking as an attorney). No 1 party can unilaterally change the core terms of the contract. And nothing hidden in the fine print would allow such changes either.

Imagine an extreme -- you show up at Disney, ready to use your dining plan -- and told that henceforth -- credits can be used for nothing but turkey legs, and each turkey leg costs 10 TS credits.

Any contract requires a "meeting of the minds."
If Disney explicitly told you that your meal plan comes with 2 snacks, but then they say "whoops.. We sent you the wrong brochure.."
Then Disney would be in breach of contract. (here, if Southwest made the error, you would need to look at Southwest for the remedy).
Not saying Disney would have to give the 2 snacks -- But at an absolute minimum, they would have to allow you to cancel the dining plan and get a refund without penalty. More likely, they would try to "settle" the dispute with an apology and small gift card or partial refund.

 

[TDC Nala]

Should I call now or address it when we get there or ahead of time?

Call Southwest. They're the ones that made the mistake. And do it now, not when you get there. Disney will just say "Well, Southwest was wrong" and that will be it. Tell Southwest you have found that in the past, Disney will not honor the previous year's dining plan allotments, no matter what the allotments were at the time of booking. You could also call Southwest after you check in and then you can let them know you only got one snack. But Disney won't fix it for you.

If you'd like to sue to get those snacks, havoc has just outlined how to do it, but I'd think it would just be too much trouble over a few snacks.

You won't be able to call Disney about this reservation, because you booked through Southwest which is acting as your travel agent. The travel agent owns the reservation.

 

[DallasBBWmom]

I emailed Southwest. They offered us a $75 credit on future travel. WHOOPPEEEE!!! I am thankful they offered to do something but we won't use that credit for at least 2 years and by then it will probably expire. She did ask if I would accept that offer so I guess I could say no. I wish they would give me a gift card to use at Disney to buy more snacks.

It seems petty but we save for a long time to afford this trip and we could really use those extra 15 credits.