We found changes were made to the DDP...

[LittleBoPeep]

We just got back and found a few things had changed... they are no longer allowing unused credits to be converted to snack credits and be used that way. SOME PLACES do allow you to convert Table Service (TS) to Counter Service (CS), but not either the TS or the CS to be changed over to snack credits. We were basically told it is now a "use it or lose it" Dining Plan. At the end of our trip, we had 2 TS and 7 CS left and were unable to do anything with them.
As far as the kids snacks go, they were decent in allowing them the standard size snacks (cookies, brownies, chips, etc), but when it came to desserts for the meals, it was either jello or pudding, if the pudding was available (we found that to be a rarity). Some TS had a kid's sundae option, but we found the standard at CS was the jello.
A lot of places don't list what you can do with the dining plan, so ASK questions so you don't lose credits!!! ALSO...KEEP TRACK OF YOUR CREDITS THEY DO MAKE MISTAKES THAT COST YOU EXTRA.
Good luck and good eating!

 

[LegoMom3]

Ugh! Where did you use most of your CS credits?...parks?...resort? I'm just curious because on our trip last September I don't even remember seeing Jello, but I'd be highly disappointed if that was the standard dessert!! We did use quite a few of our CS credits at our resort's food court (POR), but the kids were able to pick whatever they wanted in the dessert category - usually it was a big cookie but a couple of times they got one of those big rice crispie squares. No one ever questioned it.

I'm trying to remember what CS places we ate at the parks (was my trip THAT long ago?!!!) but I just don't remember dessert being so limited.

Hmm, considering Jello costs pennies (if that!!) per serving, I actually wouldn't be surprised if Disney did this, sad to say.

 

[tacomaranch]

On our last day in the parks we secretly buy lunches for people rather than see the credit get wasted along with our hard earned money.

Be nice, pay it forward and it feels great to give! Just tell the cashier you want to buy the next ___# of lunches for the people in line. He rings it up, the credits are gone and you have done a good thing.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

We were at ASMo and only used CS there twice, but they were probably the biggest sticklers on the Kid's desserts. Most of our CS was in the parks...Cosmic Rays, Pizza Planet (we got a cookie there... one of the few exceptions), Electric Umbrella, Pinocchios Village Haus, Tusker House. We always asked if there was another option, but were almost always told "no" (DD said the jello was horrible... it's not Jell-o... it's off-brand gelatin).

 

[LittleBoPeep]

On our last day in the parks we secretly buy lunches for people rather than see the credit get wasted along with our hard earned money.

Be nice, pay it forward and it feels great to give! Just tell the cashier you want to buy the next ___# of lunches for the people in line. He rings it up, the credits are gone and you have done a good thing.

Wish we'd thought of that... we felt bad leaving with so much unused.

 

[kdkbrebel]

Were the CS credits still pooled?

 

[JimMIA]

On our last day in the parks we secretly buy lunches for people rather than see the credit get wasted along with our hard earned money.

Be nice, pay it forward and it feels great to give! Just tell the cashier you want to buy the next ___# of lunches for the people in line. He rings it up, the credits are gone and you have done a good thing.

We used to do that several years ago when it was more or less allowed. It's not anymore, and they've recently refined their computer system and threatened their CMs with bad things if they allow stuff like this. I'm sure Disney prices a certain level of non-usage into the DDP pricepoints, and I rather doubt "paying it forward" is an option anymore.

As far as the conversion of credits, last year during free dining was the first time I'd heard of that being allowed. It was not only allowed, it was encouraged and they had an official "rate of exchange."

But the reason for allowing people that option was Disney had way more DDP users because of free dining, many of them had no clue about ADRs, and nobody could get into restaurants. Disney allowed the conversions to eliminate a problem for themselves. I don't think conversions of credits have generally been permitted, and with the tightened enforcement, I'd be surprised if they are allowed now.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't think the pay it forward would work in many cases. Not unless the giving guest wanted to stand around and go through a check out line with strangers with the same number of adults and/or children on their KttK cards.
As example, if the card reads 2A/1C, a guest could not buy lunches for any more than what is listed on their card. Unless they really wanted to go out of their way and keep going back through the line.
If that's what they want, and it works... I just did not want anyone to assume it would always work, and without possibly a lot of time and effort on the gifters part.

 

[gigi1313]

we had quite a few CS meals left on our cards on our last day and we approached the biggest family we could find (although our cards said 3A/1C) and bought all 8 of them lunch... but because they were not on the plan and didn't know what it entailed, we actually helped them pick their meals, making sure they got enough desserts, etc and went thru the line w/them... had no problem at all
(oh, we were at ASMu food court)

 

[MaeDaisy]

we had quite a few CS meals left on our cards on our last day and we approached the biggest family we could find (although our cards said 3A/1C) and bought all 8 of them lunch...

Starting this past January, they have stepped up enforcement of the "non-transferable" rule. If your vacation was before January, things have changed since then. The rules haven't changed, it was always non-transferable, but they are now enforcing it much more strictly.

 

[Katiebell]

As far as the kids snacks go, they were decent in allowing them the standard size snacks (cookies, brownies, chips, etc), but when it came to desserts for the meals, it was either jello or pudding, if the pudding was available (we found that to be a rarity).

(DD said the jello was horrible... it's not Jell-o... it's off-brand gelatin).

But pudding was available as an alternate option if available? This is interesting. I had assumed Disney was serving Jello brand, but even if it was another manufacturer, there would probably be similar alternatives available -- same type of packaging, same size, probably similar price if bought in the huge volume Disney would contract for. If that was the case, then they could offer regular as well as sugar free gelatin, regular pudding, SF pudding for those who want that alternative, maybe fruit yogurt if the company processes dairy products like pudding -- just something different. If anyone knows, I'd really like to find out what company manufactures the SF gelatin Disney is serving with their kids' meals. It would be interesting to find out if that company produces other dessert-type products in similar packaging that might be a nominal cost difference to Disney. If size, storage issues, and cost wouldn't be changed much, maybe Disney would consider starting to offer a little variety.

 

[5starmom]

I'm kind of bummed about the Jello thing, even though our kids rarely get dessert anyhow. LOL But, they'll be pigging out on dessert at dinner and all kinds of yummy snacks on the DDP. Why can't they just do a simple, good chocolate chip cookie (and maybe 1-2 other kinds of cookie) for CS dessert--how hard would that be??!! Plus you could take it with you!

We avoid aspartame and most sugar substitutes so the sugar-free jello won't work for us anyhow.

 

[DVCLiz]

I had 5 CS meals left on our DDP when we checked out yesterday. I was allowed to buy 4 meals for the family in line behind us. The cashier also allowed me to choose 3 snacks in place of my 5th meal. We came home with lots of chips!!!

The family was so pleased - I'm glad I was allowed to do it. It made me feel good and my daughter really felt happy we were able to do something nice for another family. I hope the cashier didn't get in any trouble!

 

[bicker]

We just got back and found a few things had changed... they are no longer allowing unused credits to be converted to snack credits and be used that way.

Some people might have been able to get special exceptions, but that hasn't been part of the Dining Plan this year or last year.

We were basically told it is now a "use it or lose it" Dining Plan.

That's always been the case.

As far as the kids snacks go, they were decent in allowing them the standard size snacks (cookies, brownies, chips, etc), but when it came to desserts for the meals, it was either jello or pudding, if the pudding was available (we found that to be a rarity).

I understand that many places are offering applesauce as well.

A lot of places don't list what you can do with the dining plan, so ASK questions so you don't lose credits!!! ALSO...KEEP TRACK OF YOUR CREDITS THEY DO MAKE MISTAKES THAT COST YOU EXTRA.

Excellent advice.

 

[gigi1313]

Some people might have been able to get special exceptions, but that hasn't been part of the Dining Plan this year or last year.

actually, it was... during the Free DDP last year they allowed substitutions to allow for the difficulty in getting TS seatings if you didn't have an ADR... they also opened CM for lunch and converted a CS place to a TS buffet for a short time...

 

[JMLBrats]

I find that the whole Jello thing isn't a big deal because DH and I can just share or give our desserts to the kids...I mean who can eat that much food and dessert at every CS meal?

Now the TS meals are another story-I live for those desserts!

 

[HayGan]

We have always used our extra CS credits to get sandwiches/drinks and sancks for the plane and for home. I would NEVER let credits go to waste

As for the conversion of credits, that was never official policy (with the exception of the a period during free dining last year.) You could always have just gotten the dessert portion of the CS credit (hence it would be just a "snack" credit.)

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we were there at POP 2 wks ago and the girl behind me in line at POP food court whom I had NEVER seen before with her 2 DDs was SPEECHLESS when on my last day as I was buying a drink in the food court -I said to the casheir, my card is paying for my drink and my sisters stuff! and I turned and smiled at her and said meet me at the room later sis, and I walked out, the cashier used my extra counter service credits and gave me my card back, he didnt even notice her crazed look as I paid for their 3 major snack filled full lunch trays!! It was priceless to do! I laughed all the way to the pool!

 

[bicker]

actually, it was... during the Free DDP last year they allowed substitutions to allow for the difficulty in getting TS seatings if you didn't have an ADR...

From the Dining Plan FAQ:

Can I use TS credits for CS meals?
No. During the last free dining promotion, Disney did extend an offer to use TS credits for CS meals (plus two snacks and a cheap lanyard), but that offer has expired. Prior to that offer, some (but not all) hotel front desks allowed some (but not all) guests to convert some of their remaining TS credits in the CS credits, with the understanding that once converted they cannot be converted back. However, that is not an official part of the Dining Plan, and so you may or may not be successful in getting them to do that for you.

As you mentioned, that was during the free dining period only, a special exception. The Dining Plan itself never allowed for that. More importantly, it is too early to tell whether or not they will again offer that exception this year.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

The Mara at AKL allowed applesauce instead of jello last year I wonder if that is still going on. We actually used our CS and brought left over CS meals to the airport with us and ate it waiting for our boarding. Herd that here in the DIS and thought it was a great idea instead of airport food.

I dont see how they can control how you spend your credits. How would they know if the people you paid for were your family or some one elses family? Or maybe you are just sharing with friends that came to visit. I feel they may get in trouble denying people food they have paid for no matter what they do with it; eat it , give it away or throw it in the trash. KWIM.