Adding the dining plan for a guest midway through reservation

[traceyg]

I don't know how much more complicated this can get, so bear with me.

My husband, youngest son and I are arriving at AKV on Oct 1. My other son and his girlfriend are flying in from Italy (where they are stationed). My daughter is flying in from Utah. They are all arriving on Oct 1 as well. The GF has never been to WDW before so we plan on doing a few character meals and sit-down restaurants, plus F&W. For once, after crunching the numbers, the dining plan will work in our favor.

My ex-husband wanted to see the kids. We all get along so we invited him, but he is not arriving until Oct 2 and leaving a day earlier than us. We have more than enough space in the availability to include him so that's not the issue.

I know that we can add him and take him off of the DVC reservation without a problem. BUT- how do we work the dining plan around him?

*Does he have to be on the reservation for the entire time?
*If we keep him coming in on the 2nd and leaving early does he have to get the same days of dining as us, even though he won't be there to use them?
*What if we take him off of the reservation until 24 hours before his check-in, pushing in on the 48 hour dining plan time frame? Would he get left off of the plan, would WE lose the plan, would they not allow him to stay with us, or would they make him pay as he checked in but for the entire length?

Second, if they make him pay for the entire length do the credits go into a pool and we could use them before and after he arrives/leaves so they wouldn't get wasted?

Thanks!

 

[BillPA]

Have you looked into the TIW card? The 20% on almost every eatery, plus adult beverages may put you ahead. With the DP, you will need to cover EVERY ONE IN THE UNITS FOR EVERY night, so those 2 days when the X is not there will cover the fee and you should end up ahead.

And the TIW is good for 13 months, so the next trip, may be covered "free"

 

[Sandisw]

When you get the dining plan, all members have to get it for the entire length of stay. We had to do this last summer when my DD was only going to be there for 3 of the 5 nights. But, the credits from her were there to use for all of us, even when she left early. So dining credits from the nights your ex is not there would be available for others in your party to use.

 

[traceyg]

Have you looked into the TIW card? The 20% on almost every eatery, plus adult beverages may put you ahead. With the DP, you will need to cover EVERY ONE IN THE UNITS FOR EVERY night, so those 2 days when the X is not there will cover the fee and you should end up ahead.

And the TIW is good for 13 months, so the next trip, may be covered "free"

I'll look into it! Thanks for the reminder. I need to put it against the plans we have and see if it matches up, or possibly gets us an even better deal.
Thanks!!

 

[traceyg]

When you get the dining plan, all members have to get it for the entire length of stay. We had to do this last summer when my DD was only going to be there for 3 of the 5 nights. But, the credits from her were there to use for all of us, even when she left early. So dining credits from the nights your ex is not there would be available for others in your party to use.

Well that's good to know. I've asked two different cast members at member services and both gave me different answers. They both also gave me wrong information on adding him to the reservation too so I know they were confused.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Have you looked into the TIW card? The 20% on almost every eatery, plus adult beverages may put you ahead. With the DP, you will need to cover EVERY ONE IN THE UNITS FOR EVERY night, so those 2 days when the X is not there will cover the fee and you should end up ahead.

And the TIW is good for 13 months, so the next trip, may be covered "free"

TIW Card is only good for one year. I noticed this with our last purchase, and that’s what it now states.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/tables-in-wonderland/

 

[The Jackal]

Isn’t TIW is good for 13 months? I’m pretty sure they give you an extra month. But if your ex is not on your reservation and all of your party has dining plan. You are given each 3 credits a day. Disney does not care who uses them. If your ex is there for a couple of days and does 4 meals with you. Since the table service meals include a appetizer, entree and a dessert. This can be too much to eat. If you have 5-6 people that is six appetizers six entrees and six desserts. Most places will allow you to share. We often split meals between us and will use 2 credits for 4 people to eat. No one goes hungry and you can always order something on the side and pay cash for it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last one we bought at the MK three years ago was good for one year exactly. Officially you get one year.