Adding dining plan at check in?

[BigMickeyFan]

Can I do this? And if so, will it change the rate I already have on my room only reservation?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I believe I read somewhere that you have to add DDP at least 48 hrs prior to check in. But I'm not 100% sure -- so you might want to call and ask. Also, it shouldn't affect your room rate if you already have a package w/tickets. However, if it's room-only you won't be able to add the DDP without a ticket purchase unless you are an AP holder.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

You have to add the DDP at least 72 hours before arrival. You will have to convert your room-only reservation to a package, so you'll have to add tickets as well.

**Except that annual passholders can now get a special package of just a room plus dining (that you pay for - does not include free dining promo). It still has to be added in advance, though.

 

[mbanks21]

72 hours prior to arrival and you will need tickets or have an AP as stated above

 

[BigMickeyFan]

So, I guess what I'm asking is this - if I add the tickets and the dining plan, will the room rate remain the same?

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

When you book a package you pay rack rate on your room, no discounts excepted, plus the price of at least a one day ticket unless you have an a/p and the cost of the dining plan. Everyone in your room has to have the same number of days on their tickets. Linda

 

[karibritt01]

When you book a package you pay rack rate on your room, no discounts excepted

You can get a AAA discount on the room and still get the DDP. We have done this twice, and save about $400 each time.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

When you book a package you pay rack rate on your room, no discounts excepted, plus the price of at least a one day ticket unless you have an a/p and the cost of the dining plan. Everyone in your room has to have the same number of days on their tickets. Linda

This only applies if you are booking the package to get free DDP. That's about the only thing I can think of where you are specifically paying rack rate for the room.

OP ~ It's really difficult to say for sure whether or not your room rate would stay the same since we don't know how it was originally booked. In most cases, adding tickets and the DDP will still allow some type of discount if there is one available. For instance, I had a room-only reserved with an AAA discount...when the AP rates came out for my dates I was able to change from the AAA discount to the AP discount and add DDP -- however, I couldn't keep both discounts. Clear as mud?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yeah, I have had rooms with discounts (AP and AAA ) with the dining plan.

OP: I wouldn't book the DDP until you know you can get the reservations you want for meals. If your trip is pretty near in the future, you may have a hard time getting the ADR's you want.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Your room rate may or may not remain the same. Depends on availability, what code you can get, etc.
As already stated the rack rate mentioned in another post is on free dining, which is too late to book for for this year anyway.
Best bet is to call and see what is available, what price, ADR availability, etc.
You will be going from room only to a WDTC package when adding the DDP. Which means you will get a few other perks thrown in too.
You could also contact a AAA office, if you are a AAA member.
However you cannot change to a package that includes dining less than 72 hours/3 days prior to check in.

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

If you switch from room only to a package, your room rate may change, one way or the other depending what the available discounts are for your dates. As noted above, you must do this at least 72 hours in advance, you cannot change it at check-in. I just wanted to comment that, depending on what time of year you are going, you may not be able to get ANY table service meals even if you change this 72 hours in advance. Everything is booked solid most of the summer, holidays and during Free Dining. You may want to call Disney Dining and utilize your current booking code to determine if they even have table service meals available for the locations you would like to eat at.

 

[BigMickeyFan]

Thanks for all the responses. We have already booked ADRs, figuring that whether or not we get on the DDP, we will still need to eat. Ideally, I would like to add the DDP, mostly for the convenience factor, to be honest. This would not be free dining - we would be paying for the basic dining plan, for two adults.

Our room only was booked as a bounceback offer from last Nov/Dec - 30% off for deluxes. We will be staying at the Poly. We are AAA members, so maybe I should investigate whether that rate would be cheaper, and with what availability. Does anyone know offhand what the AAA rate is for the Poly, Sept. 21ish?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[rmchair]

I had a postcard code and couldn't get the dining plan. I was so bummed, but then we ended up getting a stomach bug on the way down and couldn't have eaten half the week anyway. Still, we spent more than the plan. . .

 

[mbanks21]

The bounceback is gonna be way better than the AAA rate.

 

[Lorix2]

I was told by a Disney customer service rep that I could add the dining plan 14 days prior to arrival and if I waited until 72 hours prior, that there would be a $10. fee added on.

 

[mbanks21]

If you already have a package with tickets you can add the dining plan up until 72 hours. Within 14 days there is a $10 processing fee thats automatically added

 

[karenr766]

I have read or was told that it is 14 days. They will not allow you to purchase the DDP at check in. Everyone in your party has to also be included in the DDP.

 

[mbanks21]

I have read or was told that it is 14 days. They will not allow you to purchase the DDP at check in. Everyone in your party has to also be included in the DDP.

Nope. You can add DDP up until 72 hours from arrival.

 

[pinktink23]

hmmm... I was told by the CM who booked my trip that I could add the DP the day I arrived if I wanted to. He said any changes made to a resort reservation within the 45 day mark would not be a problem (or cost an extra fee), as long as we were increasing the price of the trip and not decreasing

I was planning on adding DP when I arrived, now I guess i better call and confirm

OP, I have a room only discount that I used when booking but I also booked the magic your way package at the same time (minus dining). the CM assured me that I still had the discount on the room even with the MYW package.

But now that I think about it, that was the same CM who told me I could add on dining the day of arrival...I might want to call back and confirm that too

 

[BigMickeyFan]

hmmm... I was told by the CM who booked my trip that I could add the DP the day I arrived if I wanted to. He said any changes made to a resort reservation within the 45 day mark would not be a problem (or cost an extra fee), as long as we were increasing the price of the trip and not decreasing

I was planning on adding DP when I arrived, now I guess i better call and confirm

OP, I have a room only discount that I used when booking but I also booked the magic your way package at the same time (minus dining). the CM assured me that I still had the discount on the room even with the MYW package.

But now that I think about it, that was the same CM who told me I could add on dining the day of arrival...I might want to call back and confirm that too

Thanks for replying, PinkTink! I seem to remember the "changes OK within 45 days as long as you are adding and not subtracting" thing from previous bookings. If you think of it, can you please post again after you talk to reservations to confirm? Thanks!