Another DVC and DDP Question

[tmgandolph]

I tried doing a board search but couldn't find an answer to my situation.

I booked a 2br at BLT. I was asked to give the names of the people staying in the room. I was then asked if I wanted to use the DDP. I told member services that my wife and I would like to but I don't know about my friends will will come to stay for 4 of the 7 nights we are at Disney.

I was told by member services that we cannot purchase the DDP unless everyone staying in the room purchases the plan. Further I was told that even though my friends would only be staying for 4 nights they would have to purchase the plan for 7 nights in order for my wife and I to be able to purchase our 7 night plan.

Has anyone else heard of this rule? Seems like I could just call back and remove their names from the room and then I am free to buy my DDP. I can always get room keys for them when they arrive.
Any thought?

 

[Chuck S]

I tried doing a board search but couldn't find an answer to my situation.

I booked a 2br at BLT. I was asked to give the names of the people staying in the room. I was then asked if I wanted to use the DDP. I told member services that my wife and I would like to but I don't know about my friends will will come to stay for 4 of the 7 nights we are at Disney.

I was told by member services that we cannot purchase the DDP unless everyone staying in the room purchases the plan. Further I was told that even though my friends would only be staying for 4 nights they would have to purchase the plan for 7 nights in order for my wife and I to be able to purchase our 7 night plan.

Has anyone else heard of this rule? Seems like I could just call back and remove their names from the room and then I am free to buy my DDP. I can always get room keys for them when they arrive.
Any thought?

The rules of the DDP are:

Everyone in the room must have the dining plan for the entire length of the reservation...no exceptions.

Those rules are not set by DVC, but by Disney Resorts. They own the plan and only make it available to DVC stays by a negotiated contract.

Suggesting/encouraging ways to break established and published DVC/Disney rules is not allowed on the DVC boards.

The DDP was designed as a package add-on for cash guests, who normally do not have others coming and going during their stay. It isn't always the best option for DVC stays. If the rules don't work for you, don't get the DDP. Pay cash for your meals, or get an Annual Pass for you or your wife and add the Tables in Wonderland card for $75. This gives you 20% off at virtually all Disney operated table service restaurants, including adult beverages, and at some counter service locations in AK and value resorts, for everyone in your party dining on the same check, up to 10 people.

 

[dopeyone]

I don't know how that would work out. I've been told the same..If you want the dining plan you need to purchase for everyone for entire length of stay. I believe it's like that for the dining plan in general. I know when i went for free dining my wife checked in 2 days later. but still had to get full dining as if she was there from start..worked out for us that time seeing dining as free! We've split reservations before and had plan for one ressie and not the other. I think that's the only way around it. I think you'll be charged for DDP when you check your friends in to get their keys. Good Luck!

 

[tmgandolph]

Thanks for the responses.
I guess we wont use the dining plan...their loss of a sale.
We will just use my friend's car and eat where the locals eat, since that is what they wanted to do. Will now use that grocery delivery service the boards seem to like for the other days.
They could have made a DDP sale for two people at least...but rules are rules.

The TIW card might be a good option. For Character dining and such. Would be a good deal for downtown Disney but only going there one day.
Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[zmanandshan]

Just a heads up: I knew of this rule before, and during a call to reservations(to cancel a waitlist), I asked about DDP because I heard that maybe they would change this (a previous post eluded this may be a possibility to choose the amount of days you would like the plan).

We are staying in a two bedroom for 8 nights and bringing along my parents. My sister and her fiance may "stop in" for a few days. We like the DDP. I asked if I needed to add her. She said I had two options. I could 1. add her, but that we all could use the remaining points (ie for more 2-point restaurants, etc), or 2. she would not be included in the reservation. When she said that, I asked if I were breaking any Disney rule and she said NO. BUT, (and this is a big BUT), she would not have a room key, would not be eligible for Disney Magic Express to/from the airport, would not be able to go up to the top of the world lounge for fireworks (we are staying at BCV), or would not be eligible for extra Magic hours, etc.

 

[Chuck S]

Just a heads up: I knew of this rule before, and during a call to reservations(to cancel a waitlist), I asked about DDP because I heard that maybe they would change this (a previous post eluded this may be a possibility to choose the amount of days you would like the plan).

We are staying in a two bedroom for 8 nights and bringing along my parents. My sister and her fiance may "stop in" for a few days. We like the DDP. I asked if I needed to add her. She said I had two options. I could 1. add her, but that we all could use the remaining points (ie for more 2-point restaurants, etc), or 2. she would not be included in the reservation. When she said that, I asked if I were breaking any Disney rule and she said NO. BUT, (and this is a big BUT), she would not have a room key, would not be eligible for Disney Magic Express to/from the airport, would not be able to go up to the top of the world lounge for fireworks (we are staying at BCV), or would not be eligible for extra Magic hours, etc.

Under the published rules of the DDP it is breaking the rules. It doesn't say "guests in your room are exempt from the DDP requirements, if you don't tell us about them." In case of fire or other emergency, guests should be registered. And it may even be a violation of FL law if they are not. So it may not be a DVC/Member Services rule, but it is still a rule.

 

[raenyny]

do you have to purchase tickets to have the dining plan like you do with a regular ressie or can you just do the dining plan?

 

[Chuck S]

do you have to purchase tickets to have the dining plan like you do with a regular ressie or can you just do the dining plan?

The plan is separate from the tickets, you may purchase your tickets from an online discounter if you wish. But, of course, you'll need a ticket to enter the parks to dine.

 

[Dean]

I tried doing a board search but couldn't find an answer to my situation.

I booked a 2br at BLT. I was asked to give the names of the people staying in the room. I was then asked if I wanted to use the DDP. I told member services that my wife and I would like to but I don't know about my friends will will come to stay for 4 of the 7 nights we are at Disney.

I was told by member services that we cannot purchase the DDP unless everyone staying in the room purchases the plan. Further I was told that even though my friends would only be staying for 4 nights they would have to purchase the plan for 7 nights in order for my wife and I to be able to purchase our 7 night plan.

Has anyone else heard of this rule? Seems like I could just call back and remove their names from the room and then I am free to buy my DDP. I can always get room keys for them when they arrive.
Any thought?

As noted, you were told correctly. You could get a separate room for them or have separate non linked reservation for the portion they are there but you might have to move if you did so.

 

[tmgandolph]

Thank you for all of your responses.
I am going to use the TIW option for my situation.
I want my visitors on my reservation because I want them to have their own room key and be able to take advantage of extra magic hours and the TOW Lounge.

So dont get the dining plan...oh well. The TIW option makes for a great alternative for us which I did not know about. Thanks to DisBoards and its knowledgeable members!