Tally of Operations Designed or Changed Possibly Due to Abuse

[bicker]

Apparently the abuse of the free Dining Dining Plan has prompted some changes in enforcement. This has to do with the deceptive practice of having "ghost guests" -- people on your reservation who don't actually exist -- in order to exploit the program more than is offered. In another thread it was reported that an email has gone around to front-desk clerks (perhaps just at the value resorts) requiring them to ensure that there are indeed the number of different individuals for the room as per the registration.

So here again is another case where honest folks are inconvenienced (having to have everyone physically appear, at some point on check-in day, at the front-desk) due to the actions of a few transgressors.

 

[Syrreal]

This doesn't seem to be a very practical (and really not all that enforceable) idea... there are lots of people where only 1 family memebre will go check in while the other parent and the kids sit outside, go to the giftshop, anything to keep the kids busy while waiting to check in. How can you force children (of any age) and other people to stand in a line (the can sometimes be very long).
Besides, how quickly will they be hearing about how it is "spoiling someone's magic" because all the family members/travellers have to be together in line?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But don't they ask your name or ask to see your reservation? I could be wrong but I thought that if you couldn't show proof of having a reservation, that they charged you and then the parking charge was refunded once you arrived at your resort.

No--one can legitimately visit a resort without a reservation and without paying the fee.

Though--they do scrutinzie you a little bit (it's like entering Fort Knox and I don't particularly like I was intending to break any rules when I am honest about my intentions and purpose).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When we checked in to both CBR and OKW on our most recent trip(Janaury 5-13), when we said we were checking in, they asked our name, and checked on a list, but that may be a recent change.

Disney resorts have been doing this at least 5 years if not more (as far back as I can accurately recollect).

If you are on the list--you escape scrutiny.

 

[bicker]

This doesn't seem to be a very practical (and really not all that enforceable) idea...

When, as the quoted thread seemed to indicated, you're told that you cannot get everyone's dining plan credits without everyone presented physically at the front-desk. it beomes very practical an enforceable.

there are lots of people where only 1 family memebre will go check in while the other parent and the kids sit outside, go to the giftshop, anything to keep the kids busy while waiting to check in.

Just bring them over. No problem.

Besides, how quickly will they be hearing about how it is "spoiling someone's magic" because all the family members/travellers have to be together in line?

Indeed, that's why it is yet-another case where the magic is spoiled because the selfishness of a small set of guests who abuse what's offered.

 

[Syrreal]

When, as the quoted thread seemed to indicated, you're told that you cannot get everyone's dining plan credits without everyone presented physically at the front-desk. it beomes very practical an enforceable.

Just bring them over. No problem.

Indeed, that's why it is yet-another case where the magic is spoiled because the selfishness of a small set of guests who abuse what's offered.

It would also increase chek-in time and cranky people. Especially those who are not on the dining plan. Imagine being in line behind the people who have to call the rest of the family from the gift shop that is across the lobby! I know that I would get cranky because it would be, in effect, wasting my time when I am already tired and cranky from travelling and just want to get to my room and to a shower.
If they were to separate lines between those who are and are not on the dining plan then you have decreased efficiency because depending on the time/season there will be less cms helping one line or another. Delays all around. I am sure that they could find a more efficient way.

 

[bicker]

I am sure that they could find a more efficient way.

Yeah: Guests could be honest and trustworthy, without the need for any enforcement!

 

[Syrreal]

Yeah: Guests could be honest and trustworthy, without the need for any enforcement!

What a novel idea!!

Seriously, though, I hate the one bad ruins it for the group thing. If people would just remember what they wouldn't want done to them (and not do it to others) it seems that life would be a whole lot simpler.

 

[bicker]

California Grill is now requiring ADRs be secured with a credit card, with a penalty for no-shows. I suspect this practice will spread, in response how the ADR system has been abused in the past.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

California Grill is now requiring ADRs be secured with a credit card, with a penalty for no-shows. I suspect this practice will spread, in response how the ADR system has been abused in the past.

I agree. In addition to that, when I made my reservations for dinner at CG, I was trying for around 8:00 - 8:15 PM (MK FW @ 10:00PM). I thought this would take into account wait times, etc. The CM told me that I should make my reservations for 8:45PM since they were cracking down on people "holding" tables well after the meal was done.

I understand the need, but I'm not sure how well the wait staff can enforce this. Some people like to linger over a meal and would probably get pretty upset at being rushed.

 

[laura001]

I agree. In addition to that, when I made my reservations for dinner at CG, I was trying for around 8:00 - 8:15 PM (MK FW @ 10:00PM). I thought this would take into account wait times, etc. The CM told me that I should make my reservations for 8:45PM since they were cracking down on people "holding" tables well after the meal was done.

I understand the need, but I'm not sure how well the wait staff can enforce this. Some people like to linger over a meal and would probably get pretty upset at being rushed.

WOW! That would be me!!! I don't want to eat a nice dinner and be out within an hour, we like to have a drink before we even order, then have app's, dinner, then either another drink or coffee and dessert. Usually takes us about 2 hrs.....HATE to be rushed!

Sometimes if we feel like we are being rushed, we won't even order what we want for dinner until the app's come to our table.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

WOW! That would be me!!! I don't want to eat a nice dinner and be out within an hour, we like to have a drink before we even order, then have app's, dinner, then either another drink or coffee and dessert. Usually takes us about 2 hrs.....HATE to be rushed!

Sometimes if we feel like we are being rushed, we won't even order what we want for dinner until the app's come to our table.

I called Dining again to switch my 8:45PM time and got the same info from another CM (not that the info is always right, but hearing the same thing from more than one person made it more credible).

I kept the original time, but plan on checking in early and having a drink at the bar until our table is ready. I don't want to be rushed, especially during dinner w/o kids!

 

[mickeyfan2]

This one is mostly speculation I think: There was a lot of speculation about why the Skyride at MK was taken down, but one of the more distressing possibilities was the fact that there was concern about misbehaving guests deciding to use it to drop things on people's heads. (That didn't seem very plausible to me.)

Actually years ago we saw two teens grab by Disney Security when the exited the Skyride for spitting.

 

[bicker]

A few months ago, Lewis made the observation that the new child menus may be a reaction to how many adults were continuing to pressure CMs for child meals at child prices. With the new child menus being more standard offerings, the idea was that there would be less incentive for adult to apply such pressure.

 

[DizzKneeGeek]

Imagine being in line behind the people who have to call the rest of the family from the gift shop that is across the lobby!

If you are on the dining plan; you already know all members of the party need to be present before you ever arrive to the resort. So, you should not need to call anybody over and hold up the line.

 

[Chuck S]

Having individual names on the room keys to stop abuse of Early/late park hours. Otherwise folks got their wristbands ad handed their room card of to other members of their party who may be staying offsite.

 

[bicker]

Here's a new one. Apparently, due to the rampant violations of the "non-transferable" clause and rampant violations of the "child meal entitlements cannot be used for adult meals" clause of the Dining Plan rules, the information systems are being changed, as of the beginning of next year, so that each party will be limited in how many adult meals and how many young child meals they can pay for with Dining Plan credits during any one meal period.

 

[Mysteria]

Holy cow! I saw a brag letter here and it wasn't even sent out for Christmas!!

Myst

 

[bicker]

Well, it was a long-time coming, but it is finally here. New enforcement is being added to the Dining Plan to force patrons to comply with two of the rules which evidently have been violated quite often in the past: The "no adult meals with child credits" rule, and the "no treating others" rule. Some folks who were previously planning on doing things that they feel were allowed are finding that the new enforcement will prevent them from doing those things.

More details about the new enforcement can be found it its own thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303335

 

[jodifla]

More and more and more reasons to hate what the DDP is doing to WDW! Having to pay for ADRs, having to have everyone who checks in at one time for the hatefull DDP plan.....YECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since my folks never check in all at the same time, and I switch out people, this won't work for me at all.

Disgusting.