Can't Add Dining Plan At Check In?

[sunking]

Good afternoon,
We are traveling to the World on Saturday (09.29) for a 7 day stay at Saratoga Springs. I was just talking to a helpful CM at DVC about a specific room request for our stay and got on the topic that I would like to purchase the dining plan upon our arrival with cash as we have in the past.

I was informed that this was not possible and that I would have to purchase it two days ahead of arrival (which is today) and it would need to be paid for ahead of time. Now this complicates things a little bit because we have two different groups going and I would have to pay for everything up front and then collect from the others that are going. Difficult and awkward in my opinion.

So my questions:
1) Is this really the case?
2) Is there no way around this? Why wouldn't Disney take the opportunity to sell this to you at check in?
3) My son and his wife are military (USMC) and traveling with us. Does this open up any additional opportunities to purchase the dining plan elsewhere after we arrive?

Thanks in advance for any information or suggestions you all might have.

 

[vicki_c]

Yes it is the case. There are no exceptions for military packages. If you are on a regular Disney reservation package, it is actually supposed to be 72 hours or more in advance. For DVC reservations, they allow 48 hours or more.

 

[sunking]

Very well. We'll have to figure it out!

Again, I just don't understand why Disney would not take the opportunity at check in to take additional dollars from a guest.

We have done it at the counter during check in on past visits. When did this change do can anyone explain why?

Thanks all!

 

[PictureJumpr]

I don't remember exactly when it changed, it's been a while...

As for why, my guess is that operationally speaking, the less data a cast member has to manipulate/change/add at check-in, the better as far as efficiency, speed of service, and potential for mistakes goes.

This is also why all WDW resort rooms are pre-assigned, to speed up service time at check-in (and increase number of guests that can be served in a given time period by x number of cast members working the counter).

Of course, the CM can change the room assignment if requested and able to do so based on availability, but that is a relatively simple data change - room number - as opposed to loading a dining plan account onto rooms and taking/posting the payment, posting the proper number of adults and children into the account, etc.

 

[TDC Nala]

Since you've written that this is a DVC reservation, here's the deal with that.

Until October 14, 2010, DVC's procedure for adding DDP is that you would add DDP to the reservation no later than 2 days before arrival, then pay for it at check-in. It's never been part of the policy that you could add it at check-in, just pay for it. If anybody added it at check-in for you previously, they were apparently doing you a favor.

In October 14, 2010, DVC changed its procedure. You now have to pay for DDP as soon as you add it, and you must add it no later than 48 hours before arrival.

No, there's no way around it and no exceptions if you're military. There is no way for anyone to purchase a dining plan after arrival.

If you don't want to pay for it until close to arrival, call Member Services about 48 hours before arrival, add the plan and pay for it. It sounds as though that will not help you, as you want to split the cost among different parties. If you are the only DVC member, you will have to collect from the other parties. They will be unable to contact Member Services to make a payment.

There is no way at all to add a DDP at check-in; in fact, those on package (non-DVC) reservations have to add it and pay for it no later than 72 hours before arrival, so DVC members get an extra day.

 

[sunking]

The last time we added the dining plan to our reservation at check in has to have been several years ago, probably ahead of the change to the plan.

We did call and add the plan to our reservation and paid for it in advance. I will need to collect the cost from those traveling with us. No biggie...

Thanks all for your responses!

See you there tomorrow!