Arriving early evening? - DDP Question

[cybrkitn]

DH and I are discussing about the possibility of leaving for WDW late afternoon (after DS8 gets out of school at 2:45) on December 2, 2011. Which means that we will probably arrive early evening (it's about a 2 hour flight). We're figuring that if we leave on a Friday after DS8 gets out of school, we can use that night to get settled in. This will give us a full 8 days and still have a down-time day (laundry, etc.) and a day to visit the different resorts to see the different decorations.

We used the DDP back in '06 prior to the changes, so we are familiar with the gist of it, including that it's tied into the number of nights you are staying. We're just wondering how does the DDP work if a family is arriving early evening or later?

 

[Singinglizzie]

The DDP is based on the number of nights you book, so it doesn't matter how early or late your arrive. If you book 6 nights, you get that many table credits per person. Hope this was helpful!

 

[MPHARJ]

As the previous posted stated and you also did you get credits per night and you can start to use them as soon as you check in. The credits are free to use whenever and however you would like from the minute you check in, until midnight on your last day. Have a great trip!

 

[cybrkitn]

Thanks, that's what I thought. I just didn't want to spend money for the first night if we decide to go with that plan. Especially if we aren't able to use all of the credits by the last day.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks, that's what I thought. I just didn't want to spend money for the first night if we decide to go with that plan. Especially if we aren't able to use all of the credits by the last day.

If you do decide to get the plan, you will have to buy it for that night as it has to be added for each night of the reservation.

The only way around it is to book a reservation for room only that first night and then check out/in the next day (which could mean moving rooms).

 

[cybrkitn]

The only way around it is to book a reservation for room only that first night and then check out/in the next day (which could mean moving rooms).

And that is not something I want to do, especially since we will be having both my mom and brother with us this time staying in a separate room. It's too much of a hassle and not worth it.

 

[saintstickets]

We were faced with the same thing on our trip in May. We drove to WDW and did not get to Lake Buena Vista until around 6:00. We did not want to have to add an extra night to our DP so the first night we stayed at the Buena Vista Suites. We got a good deal from a link here on the DISboards and then checked in early the next morning at OKW for our first day on the DP. It wasn't a problem at all staying somewhere else that first night. We didn't unpack everything so the move the next morning was quick and easy. It's an alternative anyway.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Despite your arrival time, you receive credits per night. If you are concerned about not using them all, just make sure you go to a dinner show or signature restaurant that uses 2 credits.

 

[cybrkitn]

We were faced with the same thing on our trip in May. We drove to WDW and did not get to Lake Buena Vista until around 6:00. We did not want to have to add an extra night to our DP so the first night we stayed at the Buena Vista Suites. We got a good deal from a link here on the DISboards and then checked in early the next morning at OKW for our first day on the DP. It wasn't a problem at all staying somewhere else that first night. We didn't unpack everything so the move the next morning was quick and easy. It's an alternative anyway.

DH was thinking of doing that as well. But I'm not too keen on the idea. Mostly b/c we are getting part of this vacation from a bowling league we just signed up for. Everyone on the league gets a vacation. The hotel credit that is received is determined by where the bowler places in the league at the end, even if it's in the bottom half of the league (which is $375 credit for 3 nights/4 days, airfare included for everyone). Anything left over from the credits is an OOP expense for us, which is no problem since we are making this trip a 9 night/8 day stay.

Despite your arrival time, you receive credits per night. If you are concerned about not using them all, just make sure you go to a dinner show or signature restaurant that uses 2 credits.

That's another thing we were thinking of doing to try and use up any remaining credits.