Can we use the dining plan at the park before we check in?

[Disneyonmymind]

We have a package with room, tickets, and dining and are planning to hit the park before check in and want to start using our dining plan credits at that park. Will this be a problem?

 

[Pumbaa_]

You must check in to activate the plan. Virtual checkin counts though

 

[sharonabe]

We have a package with room, tickets, and dining and are planning to hit the park before check in and want to start using our dining plan credits at that park. Will this be a problem?

As Pumbaa says, do online check-in and you should be fine.

 

[pens4821]

If you're able, I'd stop at the front desk to be safe, unless you get a room ready text with online check in. We had 2 reservations with the dining plan. One room my parents, the other room us. We did online check in. As we were driving to the resort on ME, my parents got a text their room was ready. We stopped in there, dropped some things off, then headed to Rainfroest Cafe at DS. Never went to the front desk. When it came time to pay, my dads band worked, but mine wouldn't (we still didn't get a text that our room was ready). A manager came over, took our info, and got it taken care of, so it all worked out. But in the future, I'll stop without the room ready text. I know it's their job to make customers happy, but I felt bad making the manager go out of her way. I'm sure she had more important things to take care of running a restaurant on a Saturday.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

If you're able, I'd stop at the front desk to be safe, unless you get a room ready text with online check in. We had 2 reservations with the dining plan. One room my parents, the other room us. We did online check in. As we were driving to the resort on ME, my parents got a text their room was ready. We stopped in there, dropped some things off, then headed to Rainfroest Cafe at DS. Never went to the front desk. When it came time to pay, my dads band worked, but mine wouldn't (we still didn't get a text that our room was ready). A manager came over, took our info, and got it taken care of, so it all worked out. But in the future, I'll stop without the room ready text. I know it's their job to make customers happy, but I felt bad making the manager go out of her way. I'm sure she had more important things to take care of running a restaurant on a Saturday.

The problem is we are planning to hit rope drop at AK so we will not be able to go to the resort first.

 

[pens4821]

The problem is we are planning to hit rope drop at AK so we will not be able to go to the resort first.

I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't fit your plans. Like I said, they did make it work.

 

[dtaylor98]

When I was there last year I was unable to use the dining plan on my first day even though I had done online check in. I don't think the dining plan begins until you have been assigned a room. Fortunately, I was trying to use it at the resort and they were able to resolve the problem. I'm not sure how that would work at the parks.

 

[Amy11401]

Does this mean you are not able to use the dining plan until after 3:00 on your check in day? I hope not because we get there in the morning and we have a 12:30 reservation at TRex.

 

[dtaylor98]

Does this mean you are not able to use the dining plan until after 3:00 on your check in day? I hope not because we get there in the morning and we have a 12:30 reservation at TRex.

Based on my experience, it may be a problem if you haven't been assigned a room.

 

[sharonabe]

Does this mean you are not able to use the dining plan until after 3:00 on your check in day? I hope not because we get there in the morning and we have a 12:30 reservation at TRex.

You should be fine. If the dining credits aren't showing, try to charge back to your room and then fix it with guest services when you get to the resort. If that also doesn't work, go ahead and pay for it and then have guest services fix it later. They can refund your money and charge your dining plan. Make sure you keep your receipt.

 

[adamak]

Check in online the night before. I did it last time and started my DP at 7 am when I grabbed coffee. My room wasn't assigned till around 4 pm.

 

[Amy11401]

Check in online the night before. I did it last time and started my DP at 7 am when I grabbed coffee. My room wasn't assigned till around 4 pm.

I did online check in about a month or so ago. Does that mean I should be fine?

 

[dtaylor98]

Check in online the night before. I did it last time and started my DP at 7 am when I grabbed coffee. My room wasn't assigned till around 4 pm.

That's good to know. Maybe the problem we had has been resolved.

 

[adamak]

I did online check in about a month or so ago. Does that mean I should be fine?

I think so. As long as you're checked in, you can activate the dining plan in the morning.