I normally don't do this: but woo hoo

[Kwahati]

...I was referring to the people that use child meals for adults and complain when they can't, ect.

I fully agree that people should get their money's worth, but the chaos that I witnessed last august was above and beyond that.

Holy crap! Why? Like, I understand this board is for us to discuss the stupid things people do, but theft isn't stupid, it's illegal and wrong! What other stuff did you witness?

I thought you were talking about something I know we're going to be doing: you have to use 2 meal credits for the Cali Grill, and I don't really know what you get for that or, for example, what qualifies as an appetizer there (does a flatbread count? they're the same price as the stuff under the apps list on the menu I saw...) so we'll ask and accept whatever answer the waiter gives without question. Additionally, we might ask if we can have a to go box for the female of our groups' desert as she eats less than the males. I know that's somewhat abusive, as the food is probably supposed to be consumed at the restaurant, but that's not really trying to get something that we're not supposed to... Using a child's credit for an adult is just weird. Who would think like that?

[ICStupidPeople]

Holy crap! Why? Like, I understand this board is for us to discuss the stupid things people do, but theft isn't stupid, it's illegal and wrong! What other stuff did you witness?

Up until January of 2007, child and adult meals were not separated in the computer system from what I understand. So many people were exploiting that fact and paying out of pocket for their kids meals and using the kids credits to get extra meals for the adults. It is my understanding that at the counter service places, credits are still not separated but the CM's will not allow someone to order more that what is listed on the card. For instance, it might say 2A/1C, but people would order 3 adult meals and share with friends. They still discuss ways of getting around it on board x (having two people go up separately) and it's precisely those people that have made the changes to the menus and dining plan.

In addition, the snack credit is good for anything up to $4 (USUALLY)...so people will fight to get their bagel and sausage sandwich for a "snack" when in reality, it's a meal and so on. They have been allowed to get a box (yes a box) of donuts and a 2 liter bottle of soda as "snacks" at some hotels, and they expect the same treatment throughout all of the parks. One donut is no longer acceptable as a snack in the park because they can get a whole box and the hotel so why won't the CM at the bakery give them a dozen too? (I'm not kidding...people do this)

Prior to the current Dining plan, they had silver/gold/platinum "wishes" plans that were a lot like what this dining plan is, but you could also use your "wishes" for things like pictures, boat rentals, ect. That was the good old days, and I understand that did not appeal to everyone, but the dining plan as is did not appeal to us and the premium plan was more than we wanted (all of the activities).

For us, this new deluxe plan fits our needs as we like to try different restaurants as well, and we are usually going from 6am-midnight at Disney (but i'm too excited to sleep), so three sit downs will be nice for us to get a break. We won't eat every course, but we may try bites and relax.

With the new plan, we could do a sit down breakfast or lunch and a signature dinner. That isn't an exhorbant (sp) amount of food imo.

hope that clears up why i am excited.

I apologize to you and vixen if my initial post came off differently. The above cheating of the system are the clampets I am referring to.

[krissy2803]

My husband and I used the dining plan in 2006 and are using it again in Nov. 2007. Even with the changes we will use it again. Looks like we will just have to budget a bit MORE cash for tips. We always left cash on the table even though it said tips were included. I just don't feel right about not leaving a tip. These guys work hard and put up with a lot more crap, I think, than at a "normal" restaraunt.
We never tried to get the most bang for our $40 a day. For us it was just a wonderful thing to budget in the cost of our food. We have to save and save for our trips. Without the dining plan we flat out would not be able to eat like we do with it.
Anyways, that's my take on it.
On a side note..I really love this site and what it represents. Yall have gotten a lot of bad comments on board X lately. So much that I had to chime in and support SGT over there.
Thanks for all you guys do to make our trips so special.
Krissy

[Cranbiz]

I loved the old silver/gold plan. It was really nice to use 1 wish for the luau and one for the KTTK tour instead of just eating at TS restaurants.

I wish the new CM discounted meals did not include the automatic 18% tip. It's just wrong. I ate at Cape May about a month ago, got the worst service, did most of the work myself ( It's a buffet) and got a lecture about how much money the Bus Drivers get. She got 18% of my 125.00 check, did almost no work ( cleaned the table of dirty dishes ONCE the entire meal, did not refill drinks, etc and took 20 minutes to cash out my bill), waited 5 other tables (that hour) of guests on the dining plan (and got 18% there too!). After her manditory gratuity, I got a discount of 2% !

You don't have to be a math major to figure out that on the average check of $100 (I'm going to be conservative) nets her $18, OK give 5% to the bus staff $5, she still gets $13 X 6 or $78 an hour. I don't want to hear how rich we drivers are at 9.35 an hour ! :twisted:

[ICStupidPeople]

My hubby just made another great comment about the old wishes plan (i do allow him to speak on occasion, as long as it's not too long or loud and he uses his "inside" voice)

The old gold/silver/platinum wishes plan made it sound like the "wishes" were something extra you were getting instead of something you were entitled to. Implementation of the dining plan led to implementation of being entitled to something.

Bring back wishes!!!

[Big Wallaby]

...and got a lecture about how much money the Bus Drivers get. :twisted:

I think I would have reported her for that, myself. If she is willing to do that to you as a (distant) coworker, what is she willing to do to and thinking about our guests? If she thinks it's so much better, she should join us. I hope she enjoys being a bus driver who happens to work for Disney.

Me? I went on Kilimanjaro Safaris today... three times. I've thought about Monorail, I've thought about Tower... but I think Safaris will be my next step.

[ICStupidPeople]

I think I would have reported her for that, myself. If she is willing to do that to you as a (distant) coworker, what is she willing to do to and thinking about our guests? If she thinks it's so much better, she should join us. I hope she enjoys being a bus driver who happens to work for Disney.

Me? I went on Kilimanjaro Safaris today... three times. I've thought about Monorail, I've thought about Tower... but I think Safaris will be my next step.

just don't put the picture of you waving a small child in your left hand on your resume.

[Main Streeter]

My hubby just made another great comment about the old wishes plan (i do allow him to speak on occasion, as long as it's not too long or loud and he uses his "inside" voice)

:hysteria: :hysteria: U R too cool. This comment just made my day. :D:

[Kwahati]

If she thinks it's so much better, she should join us. I hope she enjoys being a bus driver who happens to work for Disney.

Beyond all the other stuff, you bus drivers are heroes as far as I can tell. My roommates are both in the military. One of them, while waiting to finish in-processing at his current duty station, was ordered by the army to learn to drive a bus. They sent him to a week long course over his protests ("Sir, I'm really a new driver and I'm not really comfortable driving something this big. I'd rather not do it.") And he capped off his week by (truly accidentally) ramming his government-owned bus into a parked car in downtown Baltimore! You guys make it look easy and, apparently, don't get paid enough for the responsibility you are vested with. In short: you guys rock and you shouldn't let some dumb waitress get you down!

She was probably the little girl in ICSP's avatar not too long ago...too bad her first career choice didn't work out, dumb b!tche$ make the best ho's! :D:

[Zazu]

I wish the new CM discounted meals did not include the automatic 18% tip. It's just wrong. I ate at Cape May about a month ago, got the worst service, did most of the work myself ( It's a buffet) and got a lecture about how much money the Bus Drivers get. She got 18% of my 125.00 check, did almost no work....

Had that problem once (and only once in all the meals I've taken there). Asked for the manager. Explained why I didn't think that 18% was appropriate. He agreed and offered to comp my whole meal. I offered to give my server 10%. We compromised by stiffing her. One suspects she got some coaching after that conversation.

Don't put up with poor service just because you're on cast. While your butt is in that chair, you're a guest and deserve to be treated like one.