Annual Pass & Dining Plan Question

[AEA1127]

Has anyone ever upgraded to an AP on their arrival day and been able to add a dining plan? I know a dining plan is supposed to be purchased in advance but was wondering if in this case they may make an exception. Any insight or experience is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[sharonabe]

Has anyone ever upgraded to an AP on their arrival day and been able to add a dining plan? I know a dining plan is supposed to be purchased in advance but was wondering if in this case they may make an exception. Any insight or experience is appreciated!

Thanks

I'm not sure what the two have to do with each other. You can add the dining plan now and still upgrade to the AP on your arrival day. AP holders don't get a discount on the dining plan, so there's no reason to wait.

However, dining plan has to be added 72 hrs before check-in. There's no reason for them to make an exception.

 

[purple figment]

Dining plans cannot be added after you arrive. It must be added no later than 3 days before arrival date for regular resort reservations or 2 days before arrival date for DVC reservations made through the DVC office.

 

[AEA1127]

Thank you, I do know about the 72 hour policy for adding the plan. I can't add the dining plan right now because I have a room only reservation. My tickets that I'm upgrading are not currently active but are still being upgraded as a curtesy due to a situation/mix up we had while trying to do this when we were still on property.

I guess I was just wondering if anyone was able to add it later by any chance. I'm hoping to speak to a cast member tomorrow but figured there may be someone here who has had a situation in which they were able to add the dining plan on arrival. My apologies if my first post wasn't clear, I should have explained better. I'm blaming mommy brain!

 

[TiffanyA]

Actually, you can add the dining plan to a room only reservation - you just have to call to do it. It's called a ticketless package and just as the name says, it will convert your room only reservation to a package. So all that a package entails will be applicable - $200 deposit, final payment 45 days before, change fees and cancellation penalties if made within 45 days of arrival.

 

[AEA1127]

@TiffanyA Thank you! I had spoken with a cast member previously who told me I couldn't add it without cancelling and rebooking a package so that's why I was under that impression. I'm going to call tomorrow and will mention your information about a ticketless package. This certainly seems like the easiest option. Thank you again!

 

[purple figment]

@TiffanyA Thank you! I had spoken with a cast member previously who told me I couldn't add it without cancelling and rebooking a package so that's why I was under that impression. I'm going to call tomorrow and will mention your information about a ticketless package. This certainly seems like the easiest option. Thank you again!

The castmember is actually correct because technically your room only will be cancelled and a package will be booked, albeit, a ticketless package because packages and room only reservations are booked through different departments. The important thing when you call is to let the castmember know you want to book a ticketless package with a paid dining plan. It will follow all the rules of a package - $200 deposit, final payment due date is now 30 days before arrival, any modifications or cancellation within 30 days of arrival will be subject to specific fees or penalties. Any money you have paid on your current room only reservation will be refunded because the room only is being cancelled.

As far as adding the dining plan when you check in, I have never seen a post where someone was able to do this so if you want the dining plan, add it before the deadline rather than hope for a rare exception.

 

[TiffanyA]

Well, the CM wasn't wrong. It will be a new package and your deposit for your RO reservation will not count. Sorry if I made it seem otherwise, but it is possible without tickets.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/adding-dp-to-room-only-reservation.3509181/

 

[Elle23]

Have you compared the cost savings you get with the cost of the dining plan? It may be cheaper to skip the Dining plan and use your AP discount.