Can Dining be purchased seperately

[Aaronsmom782003]

We have a good friend who works in radio whose show is heading down for a broadcast for a few days and we have been invited along. The only thing not paid for is our airfare and food(we get to eat a couple of meals with them for free but we have to pay for all our other food) I was wondering if anyone knows if you could buy just the dining plan. We are very fortunate to get this oppurtunity but we have to keep costs low in order to afford go at this time. Does anyone know if this can be done and if so who should I call?
I bet the prices are listed in another thread but what is the going rate for the basic meal plan for one adult and one child these days?
So hoping we can go...just waiting on the airfare info to decide.

 

[Princess_Jo]

You cannot purchase the dining plan separately it is only available when you book a package with at least a one-day park ticket.

 

[mbanks21]

Absolutely not, this is a perk to guests staying at a disney resort purchasing a MYW package (or to passholders or DVC members)

 

[Aaronsmom782003]

Okay, thanks.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Even though you are not eligible to purchase the DDP, you might want to head over to the restaurants board because there are many people who can give you advice on stretching your dining budget while still enjoying some of the best Disney has to offer.

Hope you have a magical trip

 

[disneyleslie]

if you're staying onsite maybe you can call to inquire if you could add on the dining plan and pay that part of it yourself.

Leslie

 

[TDC Nala]

if you're staying onsite maybe you can call to inquire if you could add on the dining plan and pay that part of it yourself.

Leslie

You cannot buy the dining plan unless you purchase it as part of a room/tickets package at a Walt Disney World resort. (The exceptions are annual passholders, who can buy a room/dining package, and DVC members who don't have to buy a package but can add DDP to their points reservations - it does not sound like you are in either of those categories.) If you are staying offsite or you don't have a package reservation, you won't be able to add the dining plan.

 

[Tricia1972]

if you're staying onsite maybe you can call to inquire if you could add on the dining plan and pay that part of it yourself.

Leslie

I think I know what you're suggesting. That the people hosting probably have a package and you are suggesting that the people hosting add the DDP to their package. That the people who are sponsored could pay for the DDP portion of the package.

The only caveat to that would be that everyone in the same room has to be on the same plan, so those hosting would need to add the DDP themselves.

 

[paulh]

I think I know what you're suggesting. That the people hosting probably have a package and you are suggesting that the people hosting add the DDP to their package. That the people who are sponsored could pay for the DDP portion of the package.

The only caveat to that would be that everyone in the same room has to be on the same plan, so those hosting would need to add the DDP themselves.

if you did a booking of 10 rooms,and you wanted the DDP.
You would have to add it to all 10 rooms as its one booking,its not per room but per booking,withe the plan allocated to each room
If your staying at dvc you dont have to add park tickets to get it
Paulh

 

[TDC Nala]

I think I know what you're suggesting. That the people hosting probably have a package and you are suggesting that the people hosting add the DDP to their package. That the people who are sponsored could pay for the DDP portion of the package.

The only caveat to that would be that everyone in the same room has to be on the same plan, so those hosting would need to add the DDP themselves.

That might depend on how they booked - and the OP would need to talk to her friend about the booking. It's also possible WDW wouldn't deal with her about the reservation since she is not the one who made the reservation. It completely depends on what kind of reservation they have. We can't even tell from the information given if the OP is staying onsite.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But what the OP is forgetting is that they can keep eating costs low WITHOUT the/any dining plan, using the typical budget hints - bring breakfast foods they can eat in the room such as cereal, donuts, Pop Tarts, peanut butter, etc., and some disposable plates/bowls; if staying at a Moderate or Deluxe resort they will have a refrigerator in the room and can purchase perishables like milk and cream cheese; see the menus here http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm to get an idea how much restaurant food will cost; plan on counter service meals, especially large/shareable entrees; drink water; etc. Earl of Sandwich is always a good choice.

PLENTY of ways to keep food costs down.

 

[Aaronsmom782003]

We find out this week what meals we all need to attend that I won't have to worry about. Also since its a morning show we should get to eat breakfast with them during the show. So I think I will acess the situation after I get the itinery and then look at where else we will be eating an whether I will if I still think its worth it to get the DDP. I am thinking it might not be worth but if it is worth it I will have the woman handling the details check out with Disney if its something I can buy. You never know until you ask.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Convention group maybe?
Unless it's a DVC member or a WDTC package I don't see them even being able to get a DDP.

 

[TDC Nala]

We find out this week what meals we all need to attend that I won't have to worry about. Also since its a morning show we should get to eat breakfast with them during the show. So I think I will acess the situation after I get the itinery and then look at where else we will be eating an whether I will if I still think its worth it to get the DDP. I am thinking it might not be worth but if it is worth it I will have the woman handling the details check out with Disney if its something I can buy. You never know until you ask.

If you are going to be eating in specified places, you'd first need to make sure that these places would accept the dining plan. Almost all theme park restaurants and restaurants in Disney-owned resorts do; most Downtown Disney restaurants don't.

 

[Pumbaa_]

bottom line - are you staying on site? are you booked under a package or convention rate? best idea is to ask your convention person - they will have the best information as to what is available options

either way, there are budget friendly ways to eat at Disney and I hope you have a marvelous time with your friends

 

[Tricia1972]

We find out this week what meals we all need to attend that I won't have to worry about. Also since its a morning show we should get to eat breakfast with them during the show. So I think I will acess the situation after I get the itinery and then look at where else we will be eating an whether I will if I still think its worth it to get the DDP. I am thinking it might not be worth but if it is worth it I will have the woman handling the details check out with Disney if its something I can buy. You never know until you ask.

Sounds like you've got the right idea. Anything any of us have suggested is merely speculation. None of us know for sure what your package is or might be.

A little more research on the plan and availability and checking out with your friends who are hosting you will give you the answers you need.

Good luck and have a fantastic trip with your friends!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm still not sure I understand why the OP thinks that, especially with some of their meals being paid by the radio station, that any dining plan would be the most economical way to eat the remainder of their meals? Does she really think it would cost her and her DH more than $78 per day of their own money to eat? At what types of restaurants are they planning to eat? How many courses? Which courses?

They could very easily eat three (if necessary) counter service meals every day of the trip, for less than $78 total. Plus, they would not need to tip anyone - which they would need to do at a table service/buffet location, no matter how they're paying for the meal.

I wouldn't keep harping on this, except she does say they need to keep food expenses to a minimum. There seem to be SO many ways to do this without a dining plan.

 

[Tricia1972]

I'm still not sure I understand why the OP thinks that, especially with some of their meals being paid by the radio station, that any dining plan would be the most economical way to eat the remainder of their meals? Does she really think it would cost her and her DH more than $78 per day of their own money to eat? At what types of restaurants are they planning to eat? How many courses? Which courses?

They could very easily eat three (if necessary) counter service meals every day of the trip, for less than $78 total. Plus, they would not need to tip anyone - which they would need to do at a table service/buffet location, no matter how they're paying for the meal.

I wouldn't keep harping on this, except she does say they need to keep food expenses to a minimum. There seem to be SO many ways to do this without a dining plan.

I guess I don't see a reason to harp on the OP. OP said in their last post that they were going to look at it and see what the better deal is. So it sounds to me like they plan on researching and then looking into the DDP if it's a better deal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry, I didn't mean I was harping on the poster - I was harping on (repeating, reinforcing) the point