Can't book CRT as part of Dining Plan and then pay OOP anymore?

[Kanga1]

I called this morning to make a breakfast ressie at CRT for my family and 2 friends of ours. The CM asked if I was on the DDP (yes I am) and wanted to know if I wanted to use credits or charge with a CC. I was stumped because we are paying for our part of the meal, our friends would be paying for their part. The CM said it was all or nothing. I charged the $187 on my CC to cover the 5 of us and will feel rather funny asking our friends to "pay me back." The funny thing is...I made a lunch ressie last month (yes we are actually eating in the castle TWICE this trip, don't ask ) and the CM at that time said nothing about not being able to pay OOP when we arrive. So again this morning, another $116 to the CC. (She actually had to get permission from her supervisor to make the switch from using credits to pay with a CC.) The CM this morning said they will not take any money at the castle, nor would they be able to charge it to the room.

What's going on?

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Since our last trip to WDW was 8/06 I guess things have changed; however, even at that time you had to pay in advance for CRT ADRs. So I imagine that since you weren't going to be paying with the DDP credits you would have to pay in advance. There are a couple of places that require a credit card to hold the ADR though nothing is charged until the day of ADR and you can pay out of pocket then, but the CRT is so popular that a paid in advance is required. It is the same for Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Spirit of Aloha and Mickey's Bar-be-que, I believe.

I would tell my friends that unbeknowst to you WDW had changed their policy and you had to pay in advance with your credit card and then just tell them the amount of their portion. And since money is such a delicate subject you could suggest that since you paid for that meal maybe they could pick up one of the other dinners while you are there and then money doesn't actually exchange hands.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I guess I'm a little confused by your question.

We have eaten at the castle twice. One time, we used DDP and the other time we used a credit card. Disney seems to be pretty up front about the fact that you pay in full when you make this reservation .

Are you asking if you can "bill" it to the dining plan, then pay cash when you arrive instead of using the credits?

 

[Kanga1]

I guess I'm a little confused by your question.

Are you asking if you can "bill" it to the dining plan, then pay cash when you arrive instead of using the credits?

Yes, in essence, that's what I want to do. Yes, I have heard that if you pay OOP you must pay in advance on your CC, but we have eaten at CRT the past 3 years in a row and have NEVER been charged a CC charge...even when we tell them we want to pay OOP when we get there. We ALWAYS book with the dining plan and then pay OOP upon arrival.

I guess it's not a big deal other than the fact that I will feel a little "uncomfortable" come bill time. I will probably just treat my friends and not worry about it.

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

I think the policy has changed recently because we just booked for April and I paid OOP and was told I would not have to pay anything there and they wouldn't accept any payments while we were there, etc. but my cousin doesn't remember it that way when they were there a few years ago.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Will the 2 friends of yours also be on the dining plan? If they are,I don't see the big deal. If they aren't,I can understand Disney's position because it is 2 different ways of paying.