Add to resort reservation and dining plan at the last minute???

[otterpop]

Hi Everyone,

I have an SS trip planned in October for myself and kids. My wife wants to go, but she might not know if she can until the night before we leave. So for now, I have her off the reservation. I have purchased the QS dining plan for myself and kids.

If my wife decides to go at the last minute, can I still add her to the resort reservation and dining plan? I think the policy is that you need to purchase the dining plan at least 48 hours in advance, but also that all people on the same reservation must be on the same dining plan. So how would that work if I wanted to add her within that 48 hour window? Will it be a problem to add her to the resort reservation within 24 hours of arrival and will they (hopefully) automatically add the dining plan for her?

Thanks for any comments and suggestions!

 

[momto3pirates]

I would think it would be better to have her on the reservation and take her off at the last minute if she can't go. That way you can have her on the same plans as everyone else. Have you done your fast pass+? Is she going to need to be included? Does she want a customized magic band? You can easily pull her off at the last minute.

 

[disneynutz]

Agreed, better to add her now and remove her latter if necessary. In addition, would you use the extra food if she doesn't go?

Bill

 

[Dean]

Hi Everyone,

I have an SS trip planned in October for myself and kids. My wife wants to go, but she might not know if she can until the night before we leave. So for now, I have her off the reservation. I have purchased the QS dining plan for myself and kids.

If my wife decides to go at the last minute, can I still add her to the resort reservation and dining plan? I think the policy is that you need to purchase the dining plan at least 48 hours in advance, but also that all people on the same reservation must be on the same dining plan. So how would that work if I wanted to add her within that 48 hour window? Will it be a problem to add her to the resort reservation within 24 hours of arrival and will they (hopefully) automatically add the dining plan for her?

Thanks for any comments and suggestions!

It depends on whether you'd rather have the extra credits if she doesn't go or the savings if she does. Since this is legitimately a case of your uncertain situation and the catch 22 of the DDP, I'd decide which ever is best. Then when you know she is or isn't going, just let them know. If it's 48 hrs or more out, you'll be OK either way, if it's less, they may give you some difficulty if you try to add her after the cutoff for the DP. You certainly won't be able to add her to the DP OR drop her from it after the cutoff.

 

[otterpop]

It depends on whether you'd rather have the extra credits if she doesn't go or the savings if she does. Since this is legitimately a case of your uncertain situation and the catch 22 of the DDP, I'd decide which ever is best. Then when you know she is or isn't going, just let them know. If it's 48 hrs or more out, you'll be OK either way, if it's less, they may give you some difficulty if you try to add her after the cutoff for the DP. You certainly won't be able to add her to the DP OR drop her from it after the cutoff.

Thanks Dean!

I would prefer not to add her now and pay for the dining plan in case she ends up not being able to go at the last minute and then I would have to deal with calling and the hopes they refund me (which it sounds like from your post they wouldn't).

I remember we were in the same situation a few years ago and I think they wouldn't add her on because it was too late; I had to pay OP for her; it was a slight inconvenience, but doable. The only reason we like to do the dining plan is for the convenience (for us). We normally do the regular dining plan and it seems to save us a few bucks versus if we were to pay OP for the exact same thing. This will be the first time doing the QS plan though.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean!

I would prefer not to add her now and pay for the dining plan in case she ends up not being able to go at the last minute and then I would have to deal with calling and the hopes they refund me (which it sounds like from your post they wouldn't).

I remember we were in the same situation a few years ago and I think they wouldn't add her on because it was too late; I had to pay OP for her; it was a slight inconvenience, but doable. The only reason we like to do the dining plan is for the convenience (for us). We normally do the regular dining plan and it seems to save us a few bucks versus if we were to pay OP for the exact same thing. This will be the first time doing the QS plan though.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

You're welcome. The DP options are a specialty item that often don't save money and not uncommonly, are more expensive than just available discounts. The QS plan is the least likely to save, the deluxe the most likely. Just realize you may not be able to add her at all either with MS or at the resort if you decide after the cutoff.

 

[Matty B13]

Remember the QS credits on the dinning plan are good for adult meals and kids, so you could keep your wife off and then use your kids credits for her, and then pay OP for the kids meals which should be cheaper.

 

[disneynutz]

Since it's only QS food, are you sure that you don't want to leave her on the reservation and if she can't attend, eat the extra food, it's only 2 QS meals per person per day. Has there ever been a report of Disney making a guest pay for the DDP if they have to cancel at the last minute. My guess is at check in, they would refund the money for the canceled guest.

Bill

 

[otterpop]

Since it's only QS food, are you sure that you don't want to leave her on the reservation and if she can't attend, eat the extra food, it's only 2 QS meals per person per day. Has there ever been a report of Disney making a guest pay for the DDP if they have to cancel at the last minute. My guess is at check in, they would refund the money for the canceled guest.

Bill

But if they don't, then I'm out a few hundred bucks and or stuck getting a zillion "snacks" to bring home (after using the extra QS credits for snack credits)!

I just found this on an official DVC dining plan information sheet:

"Disney Dining Plan may not be transferred, refunded or redeemed for cash in whole or in part. The Disney Dining Plan is only available for Members and their Guests staying at Walt Disney World® Disney Vacation Club® Resorts and Walt Disney World Disney Collection hotels. Disney Dining Plan must be added to your reservation at least 48 hours prior to check-in."

"Disney Dining Plan Cancellation Policy: Members must contact Member Services at least 24 hours prior to check-in to change or remove the selected Disney Dining Plan option from your reservation. Cancellations and modifications to the Disney Dining Plan are not available upon check-in."

So my plan is to add her to the reservation and dining plan 48+ hours in advance and if there's any uncertainty about her going, cancel it within that 24 to 48 hour window. If she does end up going after I have cancelled her, I'll just see what happens when we check-in. It seems kind of weird that Disney would not allow her to be added to the room reservation, so I should be okay with that. Whatever happens about adding the dining plan happens...if we can add her great, and if not and we have to pay OP for her, then okay and like was previously mentioned, we'll share the QS credits we have until those get used up and then pay OP for the rest.

I'm also going to try and call DVC (just as long as I don't have to wait forever) to see what they have to say about the situation, so I know what my options will be when the time comes.

Thanks again for the comments!

 

[disneynutz]

I understand that you would be taking a chance but often Disney doesn't follow their own rules. Twice the meal plan was added on check in. If while checking in you tell the front desk that your wife had to cancel her trip, I just don't see them telling you too bad you pay. A word of caution, modifying the plan last minute apparently requires that the reservation be canceled and re-booked. It's best to have the front desk contact MS and not make the changes themselves.

Bill

 

[otterpop]

I understand that you would be taking a chance but often Disney doesn't follow their own rules. Twice the meal plan was added on check in. If while checking in you tell the front desk that your wife had to cancel her trip, I just don't see them telling you too bad you pay. A word of caution, modifying the plan last minute apparently requires that the reservation be canceled and re-booked. It's best to have the front desk contact MS and not make the changes themselves.

Bill

Thanks for the tip about contacting MS to make changes!

 

[Dean]

But if they don't, then I'm out a few hundred bucks and or stuck getting a zillion "snacks" to bring home (after using the extra QS credits for snack credits)!

I just found this on an official DVC dining plan information sheet:

"Disney Dining Plan may not be transferred, refunded or redeemed for cash in whole or in part. The Disney Dining Plan is only available for Members and their Guests staying at Walt Disney World® Disney Vacation Club® Resorts and Walt Disney World Disney Collection hotels. Disney Dining Plan must be added to your reservation at least 48 hours prior to check-in."

"Disney Dining Plan Cancellation Policy: Members must contact Member Services at least 24 hours prior to check-in to change or remove the selected Disney Dining Plan option from your reservation. Cancellations and modifications to the Disney Dining Plan are not available upon check-in."

So my plan is to add her to the reservation and dining plan 48+ hours in advance and if there's any uncertainty about her going, cancel it within that 24 to 48 hour window. If she does end up going after I have cancelled her, I'll just see what happens when we check-in. It seems kind of weird that Disney would not allow her to be added to the room reservation, so I should be okay with that. Whatever happens about adding the dining plan happens...if we can add her great, and if not and we have to pay OP for her, then okay and like was previously mentioned, we'll share the QS credits we have until those get used up and then pay OP for the rest.

I'm also going to try and call DVC (just as long as I don't have to wait forever) to see what they have to say about the situation, so I know what my options will be when the time comes.

Thanks again for the comments!

You won't be able to cancel with a refund after 48 hours, you will be committed either way at that point.

 

[RKS03]

I'm looking at dining plan right now on the DVC website. It says "Disney Dining plan Cancellation policy: Members must contact Member Services at least 24 hours prior to Check/in to change or remove the selected Disney Dining plan from your reservation. Cancellations and modifications to the Disney Dining plan are not available upon check in."

So you're good if you give 24 hours notice but you can't do it at check in.

 

[Dean]

I'm looking at dining plan right now on the DVC website. It says "Disney Dining plan Cancellation policy: Members must contact Member Services at least 24 hours prior to Check/in to change or remove the selected Disney Dining plan from your reservation. Cancellations and modifications to the Disney Dining plan are not available upon check in."

So you're good if you give 24 hours notice but you can't do it at check in.

If so, that's a recent change.