can you cancel the DDP?

[sdteacher]

Just curious what the policy on this was? I dont' want to cancel mine, but I was reading others who said the plan wasn't worth it if more restaurants didnt' sign on. Just wondering how that worked.

 

[catne]

I believe you can, but if you booked through a travel agent you may have to pay a change fee...and if it's less than 45 days before arrival Disney will definitely charge a change fee to drop the DDP (they'll charge $50 for a downgrade to your reservation. If you're upgrading, there is no charge.)

As far as the restaurants not currently on the list...I'm not worried about them at all. I do not think any of those places would survive without the DDP. Look at it this way...you know Disney tracks EVERYTHING...so I'm sure these restaurants know exactly how many people sign up for DDP and how many meals on average go to each restaurant via DDP. It's paid for in advance, and my guess is rarely does anyone cancel it once they've paid up. So the DDP lets all parties know what they can count on in advance...which makes it easier to budget everything from food purchases to staff scheduling. I suspect on average the restaurant makes the same from a DDP person as they do from a OOP person. Yes they probably get a set amount per DDP person, but the average cost/profit is probably the same. The negotiations each year are just normal corporate business procedures. Both sides will want to maximise profits. Just business as usual.

The talk that the outside restaurants "do not make any money" with the DDP is silly, IMHO. Anyone who grocery shops & prepares food from scratch can figure out there is a humongous mark-up on restaurant food, no matter where the restaurant is. And the prices at WDW are even more inflated than most places. There is a substantial profit built into the system, plenty for everyone.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Our final payment is due Dec. 22 and am hoping the restaurants submit their contracts by then. We purchased the dining plan for our upcoming Feb. trip, but have a couple of "non participating" restaurants as of now. I am thinking of cancelling the ddp if they are not signed on.

If the contracts are not up by Dec. 22 I may rebook (if the hotel is still available) because it will give me a 10 day hold until final payment is due which would put me in to the New Year. I would think by then they should know.

Also, curious to hear if there is anything better coming along after Dec. 20.

 

[mbanks21]

Our final payment is due Dec. 22 and am hoping the restaurants submit their contracts by then. We purchased the dining plan for our upcoming Feb. trip, but have a couple of "non participating" restaurants as of now. I am thinking of cancelling the ddp if they are not signed on.

If the contracts are not up by Dec. 22 I may rebook (if the hotel is still available) because it will give me a 10 day hold until final payment is due which would put me in to the New Year. I would think by then they should know.

Also, curious to hear if there is anything better coming along after Dec. 20.

What do you mean rebook to get 10 more days? If you make a res within the 45 day mark you have to pay in full at that time, unless I misinterpreted what you meant

 

[justplaingoofy]

If you make a new reservation you can put a hold on it without payment for a few days.

 

[mbanks21]

Not within 45 days you cant

 

[katieandemismom]

If you make a new reservation you can put a hold on it without payment for a few days.

It would be better to just drop the dining plan and then add it back afterwards when you know what's going to happen. I don't think you'll get charged to upgrade (unless this has changed since we traveled in Sept), but you would get a $50 fee to downgrade your trip.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Not within 45 days you cant

ahhh... just checked and you're right! They used to let us hold for a few days even within the 45 day mark.