How long can I wait to add dining plan?

[jomommy]

We're considering adding the QSDP. Part of that depends on when we'll HAVE to have it added. I know you can add things to a package w/o penalty... but how far in advance does that have to be?

TIA!

 

[RMulieri]

No later than 72 hours prior to check in

 

[jngwright]

We did this last year, and it was very nice to not have to pay for the dining plan 45 days ahead of time.

 

[goodfaerie]

My understanding is that you actually can add it on once you get to your resort, but it requires a bit of paperwork and rigamarole etc. at guest services. I was told that the 72 hours prior thing is if you want to be able to do it over the phone...can anyone verify this?

 

[csaribay]

My understanding is that you actually can add it on once you get to your resort, but it requires a bit of paperwork and rigamarole etc. at guest services. I was told that the 72 hours prior thing is if you want to be able to do it over the phone...can anyone verify this?

Absolutely not!

Systematically it is possible, but this involves a very significant amount of work, canceling your original resort reservation (if it has been touched in any way by the Cast Member checking you in) and rebooking the entire deal. This also breaks the rules, as the Dining Plan is not a package element that is supposed to be sold by the front desk (nor does it really have the resources to sell it - they will have to go through the Disney Reservations Center to facilitate the process). The front desk's tools related to the Dining Plan in this instance is strictly related to fixing reservations that should have had the Dining Plan in the first place (as already shown on resort confirmations) that didn't download correctly.

The Disney Dining Plan needs to be on a reservation at least three days prior to arrival, true for packages and Disney Vacation Club members using their memberships. That's the bottom line.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree with pp. No DDP cannot/should not be added at check-in.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

My understanding is that you actually can add it on once you get to your resort, but it requires a bit of paperwork and rigamarole etc. at guest services. I was told that the 72 hours prior thing is if you want to be able to do it over the phone...can anyone verify this?

You can NOT add it when you get to your resort... And I watched a VERY sad woman having that explained to her when she checked in at POP. You must add it to your package (NOT room only!) 72 hours before you arrive.

 

[aubriee]

You can NOT add it when you get to your resort... And I watched a VERY sad woman having that explained to her when she checked in at POP. You must add it to your package (NOT room only!) 72 hours before you arrive.

I saw the same thing when a family became very irate after being told at CSR that they couldn't add it. The man kept insisting that he had been told by someone that he could and the demanded a manager be called. The manager was already in that area, came rushing over, and quickly told them that the DDP could only be added 72 hours prior to check in and there was absolutely no way to do it at the resort.

 

[goodfaerie]

I love you all!!!!
Thanks so much for setting me straight on this! You ROCK!

 

[jomommy]

Thanks for all the responses. I knew you couldn't add it at check in, but I just didn't want to pay for it 45 days in advance. We'll have all the extra spending money for our trip a few weeks before we go, so we were wondering if we could add it then if we decide to go that route instead of paying OOP.

Thanks again!

 

[jngwright]

Don't you love the Dis????????

 

[Chrisbeary]

Can you make a room reservation only and then add a meal plan AND tickets no later than 72 hours before or is just for the meal plan?

 

[chocovrdmicears]

You can...but you will be converting a room only to a package. Which means, the deposit you paid on the room only will have to be refunded and you would be required to pay for everything in full on a *new* reservation (the room, tickets and dining) at that point.
What we did was book the room + 1 day tickets. This way was it is considered a 'package'. We paid for that balance, in full 45 days before we arrived. Then we added the dining 72 hours before we arrived (again paid for in full at that time). When we arrived we upgraded our 1 day tickets to 7 day tickets and paid for them at that time. It all added up to the same amount in the end, but it broke up the full amount due.

 

[weswife]

Hi, thanks for asking this question!

May I ask a couple along the same.

When you add the DP 72 hrs. in advance what methods of payment can I use. I do not like to use credit cards. If I have to cancel my current would I be better off to change my tickets to a 1 day and upgrade at the time of check in to an 8 day ticket? Just worried I will not have enough to make that final payment. Waiting on a tax return . What would work best! THANKS for any advice!!!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

The Disney Dining Plan needs to be on a reservation at least three days prior to arrival, true for packages and Disney Vacation Club members using their memberships. That's the bottom line.

DVC members must add it no later than 48 hours before arrival, not 72.