We happen to be big fans of the Dining Plan. I like the idea of everything being paid for prior to our trip. If we are lucky enough to get free dining, we upgrade to Deluxe. Every year, we always would *spread the magic* and use credits to *buy* dinner for armed forces members and their families, couples on their honeymoon, senior couples, etc. Even last year we were able to do this at some signature restaurants, without question. Nope, no longer allowed. (or actually it hasnt been allowed for several years, but was never really enforced much) I always thought it was a dose of pixie dust to unsuspecting families and a nice gesture. You can't even use leftover credits for family members if they are at Disney.. I just don't understand it... you buy the credits (and lets admit, it's costly) you should be able to use them as you see fit. Sorry, rant over... but am I right?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Dining Plan credits I bought, should be my choice on how to use them
- Thread starter DisneyDebNJ
- Start date
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
The rules are the rules, but I completely agree with you that in this case, the rule is unfair and silly. They couldn't stop you if you ordered food brought to your table and then simply handed the plate to your neighbors to eat (or would they? I've never tried that...) -- why won't they allow you to let your neighbors order it for themselves, on your "dime," instead?
If you opt not to get the DDP next time around because of the sudden enforcement of this rule, I hope you'll write to WDW and tell them exactly why you've decided not to do the dining plan anymore.
If you opt not to get the DDP next time around because of the sudden enforcement of this rule, I hope you'll write to WDW and tell them exactly why you've decided not to do the dining plan anymore.
olinecoach61
Well-Known Member
I completely agree, they are your meal credits you should be able to use them for whoever you want.
JillC LI
Well-Known Member
Since I haven't dealt with MBs yet, forgive me if I'm unclear on how they work for dining. Does each individual in your party have their own meal credits on their own MB? I gather than one parent cannot store all meals credits for the whole family? That's annoying.
Couldn't you just ask the person you'd like to treat what they want you to order for them and then have them stand next to you to pick up the order themselves? I realize it's inconvenient but could it be done?
Couldn't you just ask the person you'd like to treat what they want you to order for them and then have them stand next to you to pick up the order themselves? I realize it's inconvenient but could it be done?
IMO, $$$$ If it were allowed, I could see a family group (in different rooms) being on two different reservations, with one purchasing the meal plan, and another not. Then if they weren't big eaters they could "treat" others so they wouldn't have to purchase food. Or treating friends to your leftover meal credits, rather than them paying for their meal. I suspect that WDW is counting on people not using all of the credits when they price the plans.
We never get the meal plans because we don't eat enough, and often share meals.
We never get the meal plans because we don't eat enough, and often share meals.
Disneydreamer23
Well-Known Member
That is a very nice Gesture on your part !
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I wonder, if it's a party that just ordered, or at least hasn't paid the bill yet, if you could approach their server and give them your MB to swipe the credits on their behalf.
Excellent advice @Weather_Lady and that was my exact plan, to write Disney and seriously think twice regarding the dining plan. I always was under the impression, this act of random kindness was within what we all think Disney is about.. magic, good times, unexpected pixie dust in all its forms.
Im starting to think that the Dining Plan, especially Deluxe, is a brilliant marketing ploy for Disney. Which is sad, that they can't look past the $$$$ and realize, visitors actually DO spread the love, wanting nothing in return. Even here in our home town, we pick up the tab for military families when we can. Just paying in forward.
daisyduckie
Well-Known Member
I agree it is a very nice gesture to try to give them to others, instead of letting them go to waste. I disagree though that they are yours to do with as you will. Disney spells out very clearly what their restrictions are. And buy buying or using the plan you are agreeing to those terms.
I think they are hoping people won't use all of their credits, that is more money in their pocket. That is why they won't allow people to give them away.
I think they are hoping people won't use all of their credits, that is more money in their pocket. That is why they won't allow people to give them away.
Nope, that is no longer allowed. We were able to do that last year at Raglan Road for an older couple. The one thing Im sure you could do, is to pay for someone's *meal* at a CS or kiosk, I was able to do that last year, but wont know if that is still possible.
I am well aware of how they are *suppose* to be used, but what I was trying to say, it had not been enforced until last year, in our experience. After 20 plus trips we never had a problem, and with the way things were, always counted on using extra credits to make someone else's day a little brighter.
lunchbox1175
Well-Known Member
Have you asked them why it is not allowed, maybe they can give a better explanation than what we are coming up with. Although, I am sure it will be some kind of company line, and it really is because they plan on people not using there credits and that's how they make money.
I did ask last year, when we were at Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast, having been able to use our credits at other restaurants. That is when I was told it was strictly for those on my dining plan. This year, Ive had several friends who had gone to Disney and were told it was not allowed.
journ116
Well-Known Member
@DisneyDebNJ When and where was the last time you tried to "treat" someone? I am very much aware of the "rules" with the DDP, but I, too, liked to treat another guest instead of letting the credits expire!
We recently went in February, and I would place our 9-party QS meals using only my MB…or I'd place an order for my in-laws while they wrangled the kids and got a place to sit. Is Disney enforcing everyone to use their own MB's to "pay" for their own meals? I didn't think that was the case, as the credits are pooled into one, and it's the guests' responsibility to track their meals. Soooo, how can a CM stop me from tapping my MB to use a credit on the guest behind me?
I'm a little disheartened to hear this...
We recently went in February, and I would place our 9-party QS meals using only my MB…or I'd place an order for my in-laws while they wrangled the kids and got a place to sit. Is Disney enforcing everyone to use their own MB's to "pay" for their own meals? I didn't think that was the case, as the credits are pooled into one, and it's the guests' responsibility to track their meals. Soooo, how can a CM stop me from tapping my MB to use a credit on the guest behind me?
I'm a little disheartened to hear this...
Anyone on your reservation can use the MB to pay for meals... Im referring to being able to pay for someone else's meal, a military family sitting at your next table, or an older couple, that you basically dont know
In our experiences last year, everyone in my party were able to use their MB to pay for meals or snacks.Jill, I'm sure at a kiosk or QS, you can do that (we didnt have a problem with that last year) But whoever is on your plan, can use dining credits for that particular reservation. The MB works regarding dining credits as the KTTW cards did. So many credits (depending on which plan was purchased) per reservation.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
I guess this new FP+ reservation system, and Magi bands have changed everything.
Thank you, but I have had others do the same for us... I just called it pixie dust
Sigh pretty much Beth... and I know it may seem trivial, but its just a shame you cant randomly make someone else smile, at the happiest place on Earth ...I guess this new FP+ reservation system, and Magi bands have changed everything.