URGENT Re: Dining Plan Changes

[Allison]

I would never assume something I last purchased 2 years ago is still in the exact same form. It's not Disney's responsibility to tell everyone that. It's the consumer's responsibility to research what they are purchasing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, first - if your trip is in May, and you are unhappy with the changes, you can change your package and remove the Dining Plan.

As I stated on the first page of this thread - if the customer (Guest) does not ask any questions when offered the Dining Plan, or if that person automatically purchases the Dining Plan as part of their package, it is reasonable for the Cast Member to infer that the customre (Guest) KNOWS what the Dining Plan includes. Just as we can't read their minds, they can't read ours. Someone who ASKS something like, "Is that the same as the 2006 DDP?" and is told yes, has a valid issue (but again, there is still time to cancel it if you're not happy with it.

No, not everyone has time to be searching these boards, or any website, for information. Hundreds of thousands of Guests (sorry, Pete!) aren't even aware of the existence of the DISBoards. That's still no excuse not to know what you're purchasing.

 

[Allison]

Okay, first - if your trip is in May, and you are unhappy with the changes, you can change your package and remove the Dining Plan.

As I stated on the first page of this thread - if the customer (Guest) does not ask any questions when offered the Dining Plan, or if that person automatically purchases the Dining Plan as part of their package, it is reasonable for the Cast Member to infer that the customre (Guest) KNOWS what the Dining Plan includes. Just as we can't read their minds, they can't read ours. Someone who ASKS something like, "Is that the same as the 2006 DDP?" and is told yes, has a valid issue (but again, there is still time to cancel it if you're not happy with it.

No, not everyone has time to be searching these boards, or any website, for information. Hundreds of thousands of Guests (sorry, Pete!) aren't even aware of the existence of the DISBoards. That's still no excuse not to know what you're purchasing.

Exactly. It is not the responsibility of a Disney employee to know what each guest knows about the dining plan and compare and contrast it for them. The consumer needs to ask questions.

 

[creativeamanda]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: people should not make a purchase of that magnitude without researching it and checking the fine print. If I got something in 2006, I would expect there to be changes by 2008.

 

[katmarti]

I know EXACTLY what you mean. When the plan was sold to me back in the early Fall they made NO mention of the changes even though my trip was taking place in January 2008. They sold it to me AS the 2007 plan. I, too , was confused when I realized at the restaurants that what I was sold (appetizers and gratutities included) was not what I was getting. I was very lucky, though. The front-desk supervisor at the All Star Movies resort apologized over and over and deducted $50 from our room bill for the inconvenience! He was very frustrated also as they were getting LOTS of complaints such as mine. Apparently, when he checked into it, he found out they had , indeed, screwed up at reservations. They had been neglecting to explain the 2008 plan but were instead explaining the 2007 plan. They were following through with speaking directly to those phone personnel that made the mistake! At least that made me feel better as I felt like I was losing my mind when the product I was receiving was differnt than what I had purchased.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not doubting the above poster in the least; however, that experience and the hotel manager's statement reminded me of a quote I used to have committed to memory: “I know you think you understand what you thought I meant, but I’m not sure if you realize that what you heard is not what I said.”

 

[TisBit]

Disney does not advertise any of the changes to their DDP, or ticketing, or rooms in an overt way. Think about all the changes to park tickets, it is used to be they were all non-expiring, then they were expiring or non-expiring depending on price, but could always be upgraded, now they have to be upgraded within 14 days, etc.

This is in no way a unique situation with Disney changing terms and condiitons on their plans, packages or anything else....and they have never expressly advertised/promoted these changes. It really doesn't matter if we like it or not, but we must learn at some point to ask questions about what, if any changes were made. Now, now if someone asked and were given the wrong info, well that is completely different.

 

[septbaby]

OP - Keep in mind you did choose to spend the $180 on appetizers and tips. Surely after the first TS meal when you paid for appetizers you were aware that you'd have to pay extra for those next time too. Also it seems pretty common that once servers know you're on the dining plan and you began to order appetizers they would comment that the appetizers would be additional. Its understandable that you could feel disappointed, but the information was available prior to your trip.

One thing you could have tried during your trip was to upgrade to Deluxe. You are supposed to do that at least 72hrs before you arrive, but they may have allowed that if you made enough noise while there. Honestly, unless you really wanted more food it seems to me that you got a good deal.
- Everyone pays tips OOP
- You got enough to eat during your trip
- You ordered the appetizers you wanted
- $180 was less than the cost to upgrade to Deluxe

 

[Aliceacc]

This is my first trip to WDW since 1990. So for all intents and purposes (particularly with respect to the dining plan) I'm a total newbie.

For our family, this is a BIG deal. As you can see from the number of posts I've had since last August, I've asked a LOT of questions (and, thanks to the remarkable generosity of people here, I've gotten some wonderful answers.) I simply cannot imagine anyone spending this kind of money on a vacation without also spending the time to make sure the money is well spent. So, for each step along the way (resort choice, dining, tickets...) I've done my homework and found out the options. It's part of being a good consumer; I need to know where my money is going.

Of course, my sister and friend, both of whom are also going to WDW for the first time this summer, have a shortcut: I've emailed them their options.

After booking the DDP, my AAA travel agent mailed me the brochure that's available online. It states, in excruciating detail, exactly what's included and what's not. Had I somehow been suprised at that point, I would have changed the reservation.

But I joined the DIS on the assumption that things HAD changed since the last time I was at WDW. If I were booking a cruise or a trip to Europe or anything else with such a significant price tag, I would do the same. When we bought a new car last falll, I did my homework and found both a car and a price I was happy with.

I work too hard for my money to part with it without knowing what I'm getting in return.

 

[Gillian]

OP, I'm very sorry this happened to you. The information out there (through the official channels) is a little confusing.

I think that if you call CRO and they tell you something, as representatives of the Disney company, that you should be able to trust that info and believe it to be true.

How would a normal disney visitor know that the CRO CMs are often misinformed?

I do think some research & verification is needed by travellers, but I blame Disney for a lot of this mess.

 

[TDC Nala]

While I agree that WDW should be very specific that the basic plan no longer includes an appetizer for adults and that neither plan includes gratuity, I don't think it's up to them to tell consumers specifically which restaurants cost 2 credits. As a courtesy I suppose they could do that when you make a reservation. But there is a brochure that should be given to all dining plan users upon checkin that makes it clear how many credits each meal costs.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is in no way a unique situation with Disney changing terms and condiitons on their plans, packages or anything else

Excellent point. At least with the Dining Plan changes, the information was available (from a variety of sources, judging by various posts in this and other threads) for at least five months prior to the changes. When the ticket prices go up, Disney gives what, seven days' advance notice? Ten days? Not longer than that - and while nobody HAS to purchase the/any Dining Plan, every visitor planning to enter at least one park one day MUST have a park ticket.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

While I agree that WDW should be very specific that the basic plan no longer includes an appetizer for adults and that neither plan includes gratuity, I don't think it's up to them to tell consumers specifically which restaurants cost 2 credits. As a courtesy I suppose they could do that when you make a reservation. But there is a brochure that should be given to all dining plan users upon checkin that makes it clear how many credits each meal costs.

I've always been told when making my ADRs that the signatures would use two credits.

 

[RMulieri]

Buyer Beware.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You mean - know what you're buying before you spend your hard-earned money, whether it be for a house, or a car, or a tv, or laundry detergent... or a Disney vacation? Yep.

 

[WETWHISTLE]

I'm with many of the previous posters. I don't think it's up to the CM to let you know what YOU are purchasing. If you are purchasing something, you should know exactly what you are buying.

As for the number of credits a restaurant uses, every time I've made an ADR, (most recently being about 1/2 hr ago) I've been told how many table credits it will use up.

 

[disneyfan2]

to the OP, i booked room only back in April, and when the packages came out i believe around the end of July, i was advised that there were changes to the DDP. Not all the details were spelled out, but they did advise me to review all the changes before making ADR's.

 

[Tricia1972]

OP, I'm very sorry this happened to you. The information out there (through the official channels) is a little confusing.

I think that if you call CRO and they tell you something, as representatives of the Disney company, that you should be able to trust that info and believe it to be true.

How would a normal disney visitor know that the CRO CMs are often misinformed?

I do think some research & verification is needed by travellers, but I blame Disney for a lot of this mess.

Very well said, I agree with you completely.