new to DDP...questions

[princessap]

We have never stayed onsite before and are doing a 3 night stay in February. We arrive the 13 and check out the 16th. I wasn't going to do the DDP until someone here posted that it might be worth it.
A few questions...
1. can I use it every day of my stay, even check in and check out days?? we won't be hitting parks those days so won't have park tickets for those days.
2. does anyone know how much per day it works out to be per person? I saw it posted on here a while ago but cannot find it now.
Thanks in advance!

 

[TDC Nala]

1. can I use it every day of my stay, even check in and check out days?? we won't be hitting parks those days so won't have park tickets for those days.

Doesn't matter what days you have park tickets for. Your DDP is tied to the number of nights you stay at your resort. You are staying 3 nights. Therefore your party (if they are all over 2 years old) will receive 3 TS, 3 CS, and 3 snack credits per person for the entire trip. You will receive all these credits as soon as you check in, and you have until midnight after you have checked out to use them.

In 2012 the price of the regular dining plan will depend on when you are traveling in February. Part of February is peak.

 

[princessap]

Also....just wondering why the regular plan doesnt include the refillable mug and if we can purchase it when we arrive? thanks

 

[princessap]

Doesn't matter what days you have park tickets for. Your DDP is tied to the number of nights you stay at your resort. You are staying 3 nights. Therefore your party (if they are all over 2 years old) will receive 3 TS, 3 CS, and 3 snack credits per person for the entire trip. You will receive all these credits as soon as you check in, and you have until midnight after you have checked out to use them.

Do you mean 2ts per night or for the whole stay?

 

[TDC Nala]

In 2012 the price of the regular dining plan will depend on when you are traveling in February. Part of February is peak. I think you are JUST making it out before the peak season starts so you would be paying non-peak prices.

The prices per person are:

Regular Dining Plan (Non-Peak)
$51.54 per night ages 10 and up
$15.02 per night age 3 to 9

Regular Dining Plan (Peak Season)
$53.54 per night ages 10 and up
$16.02 per night ages 3 to 9

You mentioned you are staying 3 nights and not 2. It is 3 TS per person for the entire stay if you are staying 3 nights. 1 TS per night.

If you were to choose the deluxe plan it would be 3 meal credits per night per person. So 9 meal credits per person for the whole trip.

Starting in 2012, the regular dining plan DOES include the refillable mug.

 

[princessap]

In 2012 the price of the regular dining plan will depend on when you are traveling in February. Part of February is peak. I think you are JUST making it out before the peak season starts so you would be paying non-peak prices.

The prices per person are:

Regular Dining Plan (Non-Peak)
$51.54 per night ages 10 and up
$15.02 per night age 3 to 9

Regular Dining Plan (Peak Season)
$53.54 per night ages 10 and up
$16.02 per night ages 3 to 9

You mentioned you are staying 3 nights and not 2. It is 3 TS per person for the entire stay if you are staying 3 nights. 1 TS per night.

If you were to choose the deluxe plan it would be 3 meal credits per night per person. So 9 meal credits per person for the whole trip.

Starting in 2012, the regular dining plan DOES include the refillable mug.

Thanks so much!
I just booked room only today for three nights...when can I add dining plan to it?

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't add a dining plan to a room only reservation. You will need to make it a package.

Unless you are an annual passholder, you will need to add at least a one-day base park ticket for everyone to your reservation to make it a package. So if you already have park tickets or you were planning to buy park tickets elsewhere, you will need to think about booking the package because you will have to buy tickets with it. You will also be subject to the rules of package reservations, which are different from room only reservations - they require at least a $200 deposit, with the balance due 45 days from arrival (if you are already 45 days from arrival you must pay it all now) and change/cancellation fees apply within 45 days of arrival.

A room only reservation requires one night's deposit with the balance due at check-in and cancellation without penalty allowed up to 5 days before arrival. Very different.

 

[princessap]

Can I make it a package right before I leave? in case plans change.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks so much!
I just booked room only today for three nights...when can I add dining plan to it?

I believe you can add it, up to 3 days before your arrival.

It is a good value for some people, and a bad value for others. You're best off looking at menus, estimating how you would use the plan, and whether it is worth the cost. (For example, if you want to eat at 3 dinner buffets, probably worthwhile. But if you would use the TS credits for sandwiches and pasta dishes, and if you don't eat dessert at every meal, then it might be a horrible value.)

I assume you checked and used appropriate discounts. Free dining is offered for part of February.

 

[catne]

Can I make it a package right before I leave? in case plans change.

You do have to make it a package at least 72 hours before check-in...and you will have to pay in full when you make it a package (including the cost of at least 1 one-day park ticket per person must be included in the package, so you cannot buy your park tickets elsewhere if planning to get the package.)

Another thing to consider...if you're thinking of adding the dining plan, you better get reservations now for those 3 table-service meals included because the popular places will be booked months in advance for popular times. So if you're thinking about eating dinner at a character meal, book now. They will have a credit-card guarantee on some of the restaurants (where they charge your credit card $10 per person in case of no-show...if you don't cancel the reservation at least 24 hours in advance. So if you get to the 72 hour limit and decide not to add the dining plan and not to eat at those restaurants, be sure you get your dining reservations cancelled if you're not going to use them after all.)

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't make changes to a package after 72 hours prior to arrival. So any additions or subtractions you make must be done before then.

 

[princessap]

Thanks you have been very helpful!!
Can you add tickets to a room only discounted room?

 

[Diegosmom]

FREE Dining is included on your travel days.

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....=Promo&promotionCode=fy12dine&market=fy12dine

But you have to pay rack rate for the room and I think you have to buy 2day tix. Check the link and price it out. Usually Free dining is a better deal but if you are staying deluxe and have a good discount code room only might work.

 

[princessap]

You do have to make it a package at least 72 hours before check-in...and you will have to pay in full when you make it a package (including the cost of at least 1 one-day park ticket per person must be included in the package, so you cannot buy your park tickets elsewhere if planning to get the package.)

Another thing to consider...if you're thinking of adding the dining plan, you better get reservations now for those 3 table-service meals included because the popular places will be booked months in advance for popular times. So if you're thinking about eating dinner at a character meal, book now. They will have a credit-card guarantee on some of the restaurants (where they charge your credit card $10 per person in case of no-show...if you don't cancel the reservation at least 24 hours in advance. So if you get to the 72 hour limit and decide not to add the dining plan and not to eat at those restaurants, be sure you get your dining reservations cancelled if you're not going to use them after all.)

I made three reservations today...Boma, 1900 Park fare and Hollywood and Vine...for the CC one (I cannot remember which one)...how do they know I am on a dining plan if I change it?

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks you have been very helpful!!
Can you add tickets to a room only discounted room?

You can keep the discount if the discount applies to a package. If it does not, you can't add tickets and dining AND keep the discount.

If you make the dining reservations prior to October 26 you will not need a credit card.

For these particular reservations. it makes no difference at the time you make the reservation whether you are on a dining plan or not. If you get the dining plan, then tell them when you get to the restaurant that you will be using the dining plan to pay.

You were interested in the Fantasmic package at Hollywood & Vine; make absolutely sure you have specifically booked the Fantasmic package because you don't get the package on a regular reservation. Even if you make that reservation before October 26 you will have to give a credit card number as a guarantee for the Fantasmic package.

Check into the free dining offer. I don't know what resort you are looking at but moderates and deluxes can get free regular dining. Values get quick service dining, but it can be upgraded. Of course you would have to pay rack rate (no discounts) for the room; the free dining would be your discount.

 

[klmrph]

Not sure how old your children are, but they also have YES programs during your stay and you can get discounted park hoppers if you enroll.

https://www.studentguest.com/yes/

There is a whole thread about it in the budget section.

 

[princessap]

You can keep the discount if the discount applies to a package. If it does not, you can't add tickets and dining AND keep the discount.

If you make the dining reservations prior to October 26 you will not need a credit card.

For these particular reservations. it makes no difference at the time you make the reservation whether you are on a dining plan or not. If you get the dining plan, then tell them when you get to the restaurant that you will be using the dining plan to pay.

You were interested in the Fantasmic package at Hollywood & Vine; make absolutely sure you have specifically booked the Fantasmic package because you don't get the package on a regular reservation. Even if you make that reservation before October 26 you will have to give a credit card number as a guarantee for the Fantasmic package.

Check into the free dining offer. I don't know what resort you are looking at but moderates and deluxes can get free regular dining. Values get quick service dining, but it can be upgraded. Of course you would have to pay rack rate (no discounts) for the room; the free dining would be your discount.

what is the importance of October 26th?
thanks

 

[momtotwins]

just a change in policy that takes place that day

 

[princessap]

just a change in policy that takes place that day

what is the policy? will it affect the ressies I made today

 

[TDC Nala]

Not sure how old your children are, but they also have YES programs during your stay and you can get discounted park hoppers if you enroll.

https://www.studentguest.com/yes/

There is a whole thread about it in the budget section.

If you use YES tickets you take yourself out of contention for the dining plan. The only guests this might really work for if the dining plan is something you really want might be DVC members booking through Member Services or annual passholders where only the parent has an annual and the kids need tickets. Otherwise you would have to purchase tickets as part of a package to get a dining plan.

Starting on October 26 you must leave a credit card guarantee for ALL character and signature meal reservations and you must cancel them at least day in advance if you won't be going. If you don't cancel and don't show up there will be a $10 fee per person assessed. It does NOT affect reservations made prior to October 26. Today is October 19 so it won't be a problem for you. The only credit card reservation you should have is the Fantasmic package.