buying someone dinner...help

[denman007]

What's the best way to pay for someone's dinner at the Poly. They are not staying at the Poly but they do have a reservation for Ohana's in a week or two.

Btw, I won't be in Disney.

Thanks.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

The best way I can think of would be to buy them a Disney Gift card at any Disney store. Some grocers and department stores also sell them.

Generally, plan for $50 per person if they get appetizer, entree, and dessert.

 

[cbg1027]

The Disney gift card if a good, foolproof idea.

I did read in someone's DR that a relative called the restaurant they were eating at and paid for their meal. Maybe they can take a credit card over the phone? Or maybe you can call the restaurant and fax them a copy of your credit card beforehand? I would try calling 'Ohana.

 

[denman007]

The gift card would ruin the surprise.

I will call Ohana's when the time gets closer.

I was hoping someone, who has done this before, could give me specifics.

 

[denman007]

Bumping this as another opportunity has presented itself.

This time the party going is DVC. I wonder if they could set this up for me?

 

[vicki_c]

DVC cannot arrange that. You would have to call the restaurant directly - not the dining line - and see if they would do it. I think it may be hit or miss - at the manager's discretion. Things like this have gotten more complicated over the years, everywhere, due to credit card fraud and the like. Not all places are willing to accept credit cards for payment over the phone for this type of situation.

 

[kirrrby]

They will not take any CC's over the phone. We tried this when we had to cancel our credit card due to it being stolen while down there. My parents had asked if it were possible to pay over the phone before we accepted our ADR's that night, it was a no-go. And this was at Kona Cafe. Disney Gift Card is your best bet. If they went through a Travel Agent, they might be able to help in keeping it a surprise.

 

[Nadjalu]

Yep Disney gift card is the best thing to do.

 

[eva]

What a nice thought. But you may want to reconsider and go with the gift card. Maybe you could have them get the card in a cute way. Maybe send it to the hotel they are staying at and have them deliver it the day of with a cute card. The biggest probelm I see with paying directly at the resturant is what if they change their mind and don't go to Ohana's? Or what if they get delayed somewhere and don't make their ADR's? Or.... Just in case I would want to make sure that they had a nice meal on me. Hope that makes sense.

 

[denman007]

Thanks for the replies. I was also looking at disneyflorist.com but those prices are quite high.

Perhaps just seeing if they can deliver a gift card and maybe a plush toy or 2 would be best.

Also, guest services said I could contact the hotel after they check in and have money applied to their room key.

 

[Belle5]

Also, guest services said I could contact the hotel after they check in and have money applied to their room key.

LOVE this idea...

another thought is if you KNOW that they are going to show up at a particular restaurant at a specific time you could arrange to have a custom cake delivered. Again, if they don't know that you are doing something like that and decide to opt out of their reservation...then you are in trouble. Also, even though I have ordered three custom cakes I am not positive that they let you pay ahead of time--even if it is held on your credit card it may not be charged to that card but the bill given to your friends when they pay for their meal. You would have to check into that...

 

[ElizabethB]

If you want a total surprise, the gift sent to the room may be the best option. I agree Disney Florist is very, very overpriced. We tried them once. Paid something like $35 for one caramel apple. Won't do that again.

When I wanted to send a surprise to someone a couple of months ago, I used Memories by Betsy. She is much more reasonably priced than Disney Florist, she will make suggestions, she will send you a picture of the basket for approval and she takes paypal. The only thing she cannot do is include food in the basket, due to some local ordinance.

The hotel will deliver the basket to the room.

 

[tippy77]

A few years ago I sent a bottle of wine to friends at the California Grill. I called two days before their reservation and I spoke with a manager who took my credit card number over the phone. The next day someone called me back to confirm. I don't know if they have changed their credit card policies since then, but you might as well call the restaurant and ask!