Adding dining to Room only

[melana]

Is it possible to add dining to a room only reservation and if so, how late can you add it? When I booked my room only for July the CM said that in order to add dining at a later date that I would have to cancel and rebook. I thought it was possible to just call and add and pay for the dining plan to be added. I am just trying to see if it is doable. It’s not a make or break thing for my trip, but was just curious.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Yes, it is doable. You do have to call to add it. Your room only reservation will become a "ticketless" package, and be subject to all package rules.

You have until 72 hours before arrival to add the dining plan...48 hours for DVC members.

 

[melana]

Thanks!!

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks!!

Technically, the CM wasn't wrong. When you add dining, your reservation becomes a package. I think in their system, they will "cancel" your current reservation and rebook it as a package. Most CMs wouldn't tell you that's what they're doing and just do it seamlessly.

 

[j2thomason]

It seems odd that they wouldn't offer this as an add-on during an online booking of a room-only reservation. I'm sure they would get more purchases of the dining plan that way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It seems odd that they wouldn't offer this as an add-on during an online booking of a room-only reservation. I'm sure they would get more purchases of the dining plan that way.

They don't offer it because any Dining Plan must be part of a package.

 

[sharonabe]

They don't offer it because any Dining Plan must be part of a package.

But why don't they offer a ticketless package online? Is it just a mind game to make consumers think you must have tickets if you want the dining plan and thereby getting all their money or is there some other reason to NOT offer a ticketless package with room and dining where everyone can see and choose it if they desire?

 

[kaytieeldr]

But why don't they offer a ticketless package online?

Probably to ensure that the customer is 100% aware of and in agreement with alllllll the inclusions and conditions of a ticketless package.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I got caught with this recently. We are APs. 1. booked 6 nights room only - paid in full. 2. Called sometime later to add room only dining. 3. Week before arrival date saw crazy last minute DVC deal. 4.Took the DVC deal thinking I had the standard window to cancel based on the room only reservation. 5. Was actually in the shorter "package" reservation cancellation window and would have to pay 200 fee. 6. CM sprinked PD and waived the fee.

 

[AngiTN]

Probably to ensure that the customer is 100% aware of and in agreement with alllllll the inclusions and conditions of a ticketless package.

Still doesn't make any sense to offer the ability to buy online to those why buy a ticket and not to those who buy without a ticket. The requirements are the same once you add 2 components, doesn't matter which 2.
The fine print/wording could be there for both easily, if they wanted to offer it.
I think it's as mentioned above, so the guest thinks tickets are required.

 

[AngiTN]

You used to be able to add dining plan to an AP rate online but I've noticed in the past 2 weeks or so, this ability is gone. Anyone else see that?

ETA - seems you can still add dining plan online to the Spring 2019 room offer. You can't add it to the Sun and Fun room offer. Odd