Help with Dining Plan first timer!

[kaclif75]

This will be our first trip using the dining plan. We are staying in a Grand Villa at SSR. We (Myself, DH, DS, DD) will be joined by our friends. They aren't completely sold on the dining plan. I know that if we do the dining plan, we will all have to do the dining plan. Is there anyway around that? Like not registering her kids? What will they miss out on if we don't list them as staying in our room? I know we shouldn't do that, but we haven't stayed on property before either, so I just don't know what to expect. That may noteven be a possibility, I have no idea. I'm just trying to figure out anyway to help that I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[koolaidmoms]

Originally Posted by kaclif75

This will be our first trip using the dining plan. We are staying in a Grand Villa at SSR. We (Myself, DH, DS, DD) will be joined by our friends. They aren't completely sold on the dining plan. I know that if we do the dining plan, we will all have to do the dining plan. Is there anyway around that? Like not registering her kids? What will they miss out on if we don't list them as staying in our room? I know we shouldn't do that, but we haven't stayed on property before either, so I just don't know what to expect. That may noteven be a possibility, I have no idea. I'm just trying to figure out anyway to help that I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You will need to have separate reservation for all of you NOT to be on the DDP (if you want it). Everyone tied to your reservation must use it for the entire length of stay. Disney is pretty inflexible about this. We had someone join us for 2 nights in our room and because we did not want to pay for her the entire length of stay our stay for DDP it was not possible.

I wouldn't not list the kids. To me that just wouldn't feel right.

I would have your friends think about what places they would want to eat and price it out for them so you can both see whether or not it is worth it for all of you.

[mcco5543]

I agree with the above poster.

Really there is no way around this You really have 3 options

Both families on the DP

Neither family on the DP

And like the previous poster said,

As long as you book 2 separate vacations (one for each family) then your family can be on the dining plan and Their family can opt out.

[aubriee]

Everyone on the reservation must have the DDP. If you don't list certain people on your reservation, they will not be able to use the Magic Express service to and from the airport and they also will not get room keys and will not be able to take advantage of the extended magic hours at the parks. Also if Disney finds out they can kick you out.

[TDC Nala]

You'd list the adults and not the kids? Then you'd have to buy the dining plan for the adults, and the kids' plan is the cheap one (assuming the kids are under 10).

I really wouldn't suggest having anyone not listed as a guest. If they're not listed on the reservation, there are a few things there will be problems with - whoever isn't listed will not be able to go on rides at extra magic hours if both parties wish to attend those, because you must present a room key to access the rides - and there might be problems if the unlisted party chooses to use the Magical Express service for airport transportation, as it is for registered guests of Disney resorts. I think your options are either to sell them on the dining plan, give up the plan yourselves, or book a separate room reservation for them.

[kaclif75]

Thanks guys! I didn't think there was really a way around it. I think they are going to be glad we talked them into it. Hope so anyway.