I agree!! We are looking to go Nov 7th-14th and the first time we will be able to use free dining!!
So I can book a room only reservation online and then call to add the dining plan if desired? Thanks.
Oh my Mickey. NO, you CANNOT add a dining package to a ROOM ONLY reservation. For the love of Mickey people - stop spreading incorrect information! Book a room only online all you want, but you're going to have to call and cancel that room only, get a refund (as the funds don't transfer) and REBOOK a package and make a new deposit/full payment depending on your check-in date. Garsh!
No, the dining plan IS NOT a separate purchase (except for DVC).
You most certainly don't need full a package to add on the dining plan. I bought my tickets through UC in the past and added on the dining plan to my room reservation. I've also done this three times when using the military discount. I just had to call to do it.
If you "add" dining your room only reservation would then be converted to a package. As such you would be subject to package payment requirements and cancellation policies vs room only. I believe full payment on packages is due 30 days out whereas room only reservations only require 1st night's stay deposit and balance due at checkin in. Cancellation policies are different as well. I think packages are $200 penalty if cancelled between 30 and 2 days prior and non refundable if cancelled less than 2 days prior but room only reservations are fully refundable if cancelled at least 5 days prior, but you lose the deposit (1st night's cost) if cancelled less than 5 days prior.
Just curious, if you have a discounted room (not rack rate), do you keep the room at the discounted rate or do they charge you full rack rate to get the dining plan?
