Anyone else annoyed?......

[Tinkerbell0614]

why don't you wait and add the DP after the holidays and in the meantime make cash reservations for the special meals like CRT?

We would love too but the holidays and the medical stuff has left us completly strapped But thanks for the idea

I hope they will still have some reservations come the time we can book otherwise we will have some very disappointed family members

 

[Chuck S]

I am running this through my mind of where is the real thing is the logic behind paying for cinderellas table up front when you can book Narcoosees with no deposit and the meal is more. Were talking 60.00 meals than add appetizer of 16.00 and desert.

Also, there were instances in the past of people booking multiple Cindy's reservations and selling them by simply giving others their name and time.

For instance, I could have booked 10 reservations on different days for parties of 4 as "Chuck S", then said that I have Cindy's reservations I'm not going to use, I'll give you the info so you can use them for $xx. Prepaying prevents that.

 

[twooley2]

Hate to say it but one thing is for sure changes will occur and theres never much to do but deal with it. They most likley arent changing it or havent so far.

 

[Sammie]

I do not buy into this and find many people say things like this but the reality is that if one is planning on the deluxe plan and wants to all of the deposit meals this can add up substantially especially if you planned on adding and paying say at the 90 day mark rather than the 180 day mark. Who wants to hold up their money for 180 days and than be out it(being their vacation fund money) until after the vacation is over waiting for a refund) thats like double paying in essence. People want their money when on vacation if thats what its intended for. Not to mention a double standard as they do not make non DVC people have theirs paid off at the 90 day mark. they have up to 45 days prior and still can make reservations because it is added to their unpaid in full package

I disagree but that is ok. If I am booking meals that needed to be covered by the plan, then it would not concern me to go ahead and pay it at that time. It just like buying tickets to a Broadway play, which I might buy and pay for months in advance of actually using.

Regardless of how Disney sets it up, it is never going to fit everyone's plans.

 

[twooley2]

Also, there were instances in the past of people booking multiple Cindy's reservations and selling them by simply giving others their name and time.

For instance, I could have booked 10 reservations on different days for parties of 4 as "Chuck S", then said that I have Cindy's reservations I'm not going to use, I'll give you the info so you can use them for $xx. Prepaying prevents that.

I may add it later if available although it no longer is a priority for us . So many other great food places.

 

[DebbieB]

Actually when you think about it, DVC members are at a disadvantage with this. If someone books a dining package through CRO, they pay a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 45 days ahead. They can make their ADR's at 180 days for the shows/restaurants mentioned with only the $200 deposit. A DVC member has to pay the dining plan in full at 180 days if they want to make these reservations under the plan. With a family, it will add up to some big bucks. Say you have 2 adults and 2 teens for 7 nights, you would have to pay $1288 to add the dining plan at 180 days. That's alot of money for 6 months ahead. Or pay out of pocket for the dinners but that adds up to more than $200.

 

[twooley2]

Actually when you think about it, DVC members are at a disadvantage with this. If someone books a dining package through CRO, they pay a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 45 days ahead. They can make their ADR's at 180 days for the shows/restaurants mentioned with only the $200 deposit. A DVC member has to pay the dining plan in full at 180 days if they want to make these reservations under the plan. With a family, it will add up to some big bucks. Say you have 2 adults and 2 teens for 7 nights, you would have to pay $1288 to add the dining plan at 180 days. That's alot of money for 6 months ahead. Or pay out of pocket for the dinners but that adds up to more than $200.

Thats my point exactly but what can anyone do. They will do it and that unfortunatley is the way it is. I am finding you no longer have the advantage one would think. Too bad stuff like this is implemented all the time and people can not do too much about it but deal with it.

 

[WDWFERN]

I admit I do not know the new rules well, but is there a way that MS can split your reservation into 2 segments with a one night stay and then the remainder of the days as the second portion without it messing up/losing your reservation? That way maybe you could just add the dining plan to the one day segment only thus giving you the ability to book CRT and HDDR without advance payment now and then you could just add the dining plan to the rest of your days closer to the trip date? Otherwise maybe calling MS and seeing if they have any other suggestions? I really hope that everything works out well for you and your family both with your trip and the recent medical issues.

 

[twooley2]

Actually when you think about it, DVC members are at a disadvantage with this. If someone books a dining package through CRO, they pay a $200 deposit and the remainder is due 45 days ahead. They can make their ADR's at 180 days for the shows/restaurants mentioned with only the $200 deposit. A DVC member has to pay the dining plan in full at 180 days if they want to make these reservations under the plan. With a family, it will add up to some big bucks. Say you have 2 adults and 2 teens for 7 nights, you would have to pay $1288 to add the dining plan at 180 days. That's alot of money for 6 months ahead. Or pay out of pocket for the dinners but that adds up to more than $200.

Now theres a probable way to get them back For someone who wants to be sneaky they could reserve a package for 200.00 with deluxe plan, tie up rooms and maybe change it to their new plan later and cancel. Now you know someone will try it right? Lets make things more complicated right? LOL

 

[twooley2]

I admit I do not know the new rules well, but is there a way that MS can split your reservation into 2 segments with a one night stay and then the remainder of the days as the second portion without it messing up/losing your reservation? That way maybe you could just add the dining plan to the one day segment only thus giving you the ability to book CRT and HDDR without advance payment now and then you could just add the dining plan to the rest of your days closer to the trip date? Otherwise maybe calling MS and seeing if they have any other suggestions? I really hope that everything works out well for you and your family both with your trip and the recent medical issues.

I called MS and was told to send the thoughts and opinions to them by email in their comments section and maybe next year something would change. Thats already known though that something.... will change next year

 

[Granny]

This now makes our vacations much more difficult since we always counted on that extra time to pay for the meal plan. I dont think this was a smart move on DVC's part. Anyone else have any opinions?

Yes, I have an opinion...my opinion is that hopefully this will help speed the demise of the DDP. Probably wishful thinking, and not very helpful to the OP. Sorry...but I never booked ADR's prior to the DDP and had no problem getting reservations while at Disney on a vacation. But now with DDP...

More to the point of the OP's question, I think this is basically a way for Disney to raise prices for the DDP without having to announce a price increase. Just a thought.

 

[twooley2]

Yes, I have an opinion...hopefully this will help speed the demise of the DDP. Probably wishful thinking, and not very helpful to the OP. Sorry...but I never booked ADR's prior to the DDP and had no problem getting reservations while at Disney on a vacation. But now with DDP...

More to the point of the OP's question, I think this is basically a way for Disney to raise prices for the DDP without having to announce a price increase. Just a thought.

Could you please elaborate on how this would work. The raising prices without announcing it?

 

[Tinkerbell0614]

I admit I do not know the new rules well, but is there a way that MS can split your reservation into 2 segments with a one night stay and then the remainder of the days as the second portion without it messing up/losing your reservation? That way maybe you could just add the dining plan to the one day segment only thus giving you the ability to book CRT and HDDR without advance payment now and then you could just add the dining plan to the rest of your days closer to the trip date? Otherwise maybe calling MS and seeing if they have any other suggestions? I really hope that everything works out well for you and your family both with your trip and the recent medical issues.

Thank you so much! We appreciate the thoughts and well wishes

 

[Cmbar]

Tinkerbell0614

I feel your pain and I agree it is more difficult to pay for this upfront. I am really dissappointed when I see posters say things like "well if you can't afford it now you shouldn't buy it". That is just stupid logic in my opinion, that or just wanting to strut their stuff by saying they can afford anything they want. Most of us buy DVC for the savings it supposedly gives us in having our rooms prepaid. This new rule is a rule AGAINST DVC'ers. Not quite sure why they wanted to pick on us, but if they can wait until 48 hours prior to the check in why can't they wait two more days huh? Why do non DVC members get to keep a resevation locked up for months on just a $200 deposit? Why are they always making things harder on us?

And we have taken family members with us on trips and they have often paid for the dining plan as a thank you to us or at least paid for their amount. Now this isn't possible unless we pay the amount. If they are going to do this why can't they accept payment from either the member or the guest on the reservation? Can anyone answer that at least? Without the usual "because they want to and tough tushy it is the way it is" post.

 

[Chuck S]

This rule is likely not a decision made by DVC. It likely was a requirement when merging the DVC reservation with the cash reservation system in preparation for online reservation capability.

I believe they can accept payment from a guest, if you make a 3 way call to MS. Remember that MS, paid for by our dues, is not in business to facilitate ease of your rentals at the expense of all members, so they do not allow guests to call MS directly, or make changes to point reservations. Nor would I want a guest or renter to be able to make any changes to point reservations made with my points.

 

[Cmbar]

This rule is likely not a decision made by DVC. It likely was a requirement when merging the DVC reservation with the cash reservation system in preparation for online reservation capability.

I believe they can accept payment from a guest, if you make a 3 way call to MS. Remember that MS, paid for by our dues, is not in business to facilitate ease of your rentals at the expense of all members, so they do not allow guests to call MS directly, or make changes to point reservations. Nor would I want a guest or renter to be able to make any changes to point reservations made with my points.

Agreed Chuck, but if a guest (or rentor) is on a resevation they should be able to pay for the dinning plan just like they are able to place a credit card on the room at check in. Did not know they could do a three way call. Obviously you don't want someone being able to call and change point information. And I would never give anyone my information anyway, But if I have their credit card information why not allow them to pay for the dining plan. They already have their name and address and such on the reservation. Maybe they will fix this as it goes. Not all guest are renters! One reason we bought DVC is to go with family. Only have rented when I needed to use my points for cruise as we have been told relentlessly that using points for cruises is a lose situation.

 

[dclfun]

I haven't really thought much about the change but agree that if you have a large party and want to do ADRs at places that charge a fee then it could be a challenge. I don't understand why our money for the DDP couldn't be due at 45 days prior like cash guests and still allow us to book at 180 days out w/o extra upfront costs. While I don't see this as being a problem for us personally as we don't do the DDP, I feel for someone like the OP who is strapped right now and really needs those ADR's! As to wishful thinking, I don't see the DDP going away- it's a cash cow and keeps people on property vs. venturing out to offsite locations. I don't enjoy the stress of trying to get desired ADR's or planning our day around a meal vs. being able to relax and play it by ear. OP- sorry to hear this has put a wrench in your plans!---Kathy

 

[Deb & Bill]

Agreed Chuck, but if a guest (or rentor) is on a resevation they should be able to pay for the dinning plan just like they are able to place a credit card on the room at check in. ...

You could put anyone you like on the reservation, but as a DVC member it still belongs to you. No one else can make a reservation with your points.

Since they don't require DVC to buy a ticket to get the dining plan, they can put any rules on it that they like.

And I agree with Chuck that this just may be DVC's way of discouraging renting a DVC reservation. Making it hard to add the dining plan.

 

[Cmbar]

You could put anyone you like on the reservation, but as a DVC member it still belongs to you. No one else can make a reservation with your points.

Deb, What does that have to do with who's credit card is charged for a dining plan? My understanding is that it is only the DVC owner allowed to pay with a credit card in their name. If that is the case why do they ask for a credit card when a guest checks in?


Since they don't require DVC to buy a ticket to get the dining plan, they can put any rules on it that they like.

Yeah, Yeah the "tough tushy" post I expected! You're too funny.

And I agree with Chuck that this just may be DVC's way of discouraging renting a DVC reservation. Making it hard to add the dining plan.

That's interesting since Chuck didn't say that, but is that what he meant?

Really the Dining plan is overrated, just convenient. I hope too it is discontinued but since Disney only seems to be discouraging DVC users from adding it, I don't hold out much hope!

Again I don't understand the reasoning except to say that this is a system flaw. Why wouldn't it make sense for the person on the reservation to be able to pay for the dining part of the reservation and why can't it be at check in since they always had the rule that it had to be added two days prior to check in. Do you think they were getting stiffed at checkin that people weren't paying for it? Just curious and I for one feel for the OP because this put a bind on her plans and DVC is all about planning ahead right.

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

Opps wrong spot