Can I upgrade free standard dining plan package to deluxe? [Answered: Yes!]

[hodad]

If I currently have a free dining package that includes the standard dining plan, can I pay out of pocket to upgrade it to the deluxe dining plan?

Would doing so necessitate rebooking the room, which would require availability within the free dining window? Or could I do it at any point? If the latter, how many days in advance must I make the change?

 

[DisBuckMan]

Yes, you can upgrade by paying the difference, and you do not have to cancel and rebook. I cannot help you on how many days in advance you have to make the change.

 

[hodad]

Thank you. According to the disney food blog, the deadline for adding the dining plan to a package is around 48 hours before arrival, so I'll just assume it's a week to be safe.

 

[NMPensFan]

You can upgrade on your online account. Just go to modify reservation and then go to the dining plan section. We upgraded from free dining to deluxe and feel the cost to upgrade was minimal for what we'll get.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Yes you can upgrade. We have free DDP promo and upgraded to DxDDP on the website. As PP said you have to do it several days in advance of your arrival date. So using "cash" at the resort check-in desk will not work. You would have to convert cash to something that would allow you pay electronically (Disney GC, Visa GC, Amex GC, etc.). Also if planning on Disney GC, there are 2 types. One of them is ONLY good at Disney store. This one will not help you. Make sure you get the one that is good at all Disney locations.

 

[hodad]

Thanks for the clarification on cash! (I probably should have written "out-of-pocket" instead. We'll be using those sweet sweet 10% discounted Raise/Target/Disney gift cards that no longer exist. RIP.)

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks for the clarification on cash! (I probably should have written "out-of-pocket" instead. We'll be using those sweet sweet 10% discounted Raise/Target/Disney gift cards that no longer exist. RIP.)

The 48 hours you quoted is for DVC, which you can't be since you have free dining. You will need to do it at least 72 hours before, and when you make the change, you will have to pay in full at that time.

One side note: Do you have ADRs to use up all those credits? If not, I'd go make the ADRs to see if you can get what you want before you make the change.

 

[hodad]

Thank you for the time clarification. We do in fact have an abundance of ADRs. Upgrading from the standard to the deluxe plan will in effect allow us to use the kids' meal credits to pay for the table service meals of other adults who will be with us but not on the room reservation. Once again, the deluxe dining plan really pays off when you can get it for some of the people for part of your stay.