Change to the DDP for DVC Members

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

Does anyone know why they changed their policy? I called this morning to add on the DDP to my reservation, and was told that you have to pay the entire amount upfront now. Well, I am not able to do that, and usually save up until my vacation, and pay for it at check in. So, now I can make dining reservations on January 11th, but can't make them for Cinderella's Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, or Spirit of Aloha show because without the DDP on your reservation, they require full payment at the time of reservation. So, being a DVC member has no benefits when it comes to the DDP anymore. I am completely grumpy about this. Why do they keep changing?

 

[thepops]

I think they put us more in line with what the cash reservations have to do. But you still have the advantage of not having to buy tickets (i.e. a whole package) and you can do your reservations in segments so you no longer need to do the dining plan for the entire time (not sure if cash guests have that option).
Will they not refund your payment to HDDR or CC if you add the dining plan on later?

 

[TDC Nala]

If you can, pay for the CRT/dinner show reservations and have them refunded when you arrive. I understand some guests have had luck getting the amount refunded before arrival, but most are told that can be done only by canceling the previous reservation.

You have up to 48 hours before arrival to add a dining plan and pay for it.

So, being a DVC member has no benefits when it comes to the DDP anymore.

Your situation is the same as that of anyone who does not wish to add the DDP to a reservation before they book prepaid reservations, DVC or not.

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

Will they not refund your payment to HDDR or CC if you add the dining plan on later?[/QUOTE]

That is a great question, I'll call and ask them that. But it's still a lot to lay out for 7 people.

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

For my situation I am almost better off not being a DVC memeber, book a vacation package with the DDP and then be able to leave a deposit and pay the rest off. Here, they are asking me to lay out the entire amount for the DDP which for 7 people is over $1700. We went last March and it wasn't like this. Not liking the new policy, but what am I to do.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You need to frequent the DVC Boards a bit more. We've been talking about this since Sept.

 

[marie1981]

Like TDC Nala mentionned, you have up to 48 hours before your arrival to add it to your reservation and pay it.

It surely does not make a big difference between paying at arrival or two days before...

And DDP is not like accomodation reservation, no use to do it 11 monts before your arrival, it is always available...

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

Like TDC Nala mentionned, you have up to 48 hours before your arrival to add it to your reservation and pay it.

It surely does not make a big difference between paying at arrival or two days before...

And DDP is not like accomodation reservation, no use to do it 11 monts before your arrival, it is always available...

That would be totally fine, but when it comes my 180 days out to make reservations I don't want to pay in full for the dinner shows if I plan on adding the DDP, that is what bothers me. They should make it a payment plan for those of us who can't afford a full payment.

 

[mybabesuz]

Don't regular Trip Reservation have until the 45 day mark to pay in full?

I wish we atleast had that option.

I have atleast thought to add the regular DP and wait to upgrade to the DxDP.

 

[Tiger926]

That is the policy, so you have 3 choices:

1. Book CRT and Hoop De Doo - will the cost of those for 7, still be less than DP in full? If so, then you do that and get refunded.

2. Purchase DP

3. Not purchase DP

You have to figure out which is the best option for your family of 7.

Good luck, Tiger

 

[alldiz]

While I do like the new option of splitting up DDP.....

I can see booking the prepaid meals can be a problem


Can you afford to pay for just the "prepaid meals" and then they will adjust your account when you check in? And add the DDP 48 hrs before checkin??

Yes it is a con to the new computer system.....but I think we did get some benefits out of it.
I hope you can work this out.
Kerri

 

[DenLo]

Don't regular Trip Reservation have until the 45 day mark to pay in full?

I wish we atleast had that option.

I have atleast thought to add the regular DP and wait to upgrade to the DxDP.

You pay for the DDP on cash reservations when you book the reservation. You can add the DDP up to 45 days before for cash reservations. Where as for DVC members you can add the DDP up to 48 hours before.

The OP was upset because she did not want to use a credit card to to reserve Cinderella's Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, or Spirit of Aloha show since she has not added the DDP to her reservation. She does have the option of reserving these ADRs and then adding the DDP later to her DVC reservation. It has been my experience that the credit card is not charged until you pay for your meal so if you are on the DDP you can use DDP credit instead and your credit card will not be charged. Or if you don't cancel the reservation timely.

 

[Sandisw]

You pay for the DDP on cash reservations when you book the reservation. You can add the DDP up to 45 days before for cash reservations. Where as for DVC members you can add the DDP up to 48 hours before.

The OP was upset because she did not want to use a credit card to to reserve Cinderella's Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, or Spirit of Aloha show since she has not added the DDP to her reservation. She does have the option of reserving these ADRs and then adding the DDP later to her DVC reservation. It has been my experience that the credit card is not charged until you pay for your meal so if you are on the DDP you can use DDP credit instead and your credit card will not be charged. Or if you don't cancel the reservation timely.

Just a quick correction. Cash guests can add the dining plan at any time up to 72 hours in advance of their trip. If it is added before the 45 day mark, it has to be paid in full by that date (when the entire package must be paid--prior to that, they only have to put down a $200 deposit toward the entire package cost). If they add it between day 45 prior to check in and 72 hours before check in, they must pay for it immediately.

So, DVC members are asked to do things slightly differently in the fact that we pay when added, regardless of how much time there is left before travel. However, DVC members have a great advantage in that we don't have to get tickets and we can now customize the plan, something cash guests can not do.

 

[erionm]

You pay for the DDP on cash reservations when you book the reservation. You can add the DDP up to 45 days before for cash reservations. Where as for DVC members you can add the DDP up to 48 hours before.

The OP was upset because she did not want to use a credit card to to reserve Cinderella's Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, or Spirit of Aloha show since she has not added the DDP to her reservation. She does have the option of reserving these ADRs and then adding the DDP later to her DVC reservation. It has been my experience that the credit card is not charged until you pay for your meal so if you are on the DDP you can use DDP credit instead and your credit card will not be charged. Or if you don't cancel the reservation timely.

We did the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review this past November. We were not on a dining plan and my CC was charged the day the ADR was made (May 2010). Disney will charge your CC for the three diner shows you mentioned if you don't already have a dining plan associated with the room reservation.

 

[Tink6666]

Does this apply for the fantasmic package also at mama melrose? I was surprised they had asked for cc details when I booked it online, but thought they charged the cc if we did not show up. I have not looked up to see if my cc was charged...I guess I better!

 

[twooley2]

I can totally relate to the frustration. We are new DVC members and I will get flamed for this but the deals are becoming so great for room only discounts and free dining discounts and the rooms being cleaned nightly for regular resort guest, along with all these crazy dining plan problems reported from those who split their dining up. I wonder what was I thinking. After 10 years of this I might be so tired of the drama and not want to go to Disney thus it could be a loosing proposition. I havent seen any benefits to DVC latley. People say you can stay deluxe without the cost well I'm still spending to the tune of 300 a month to use points every other year, just for a room. I must have been on something good when we went on the tour and decided to buy in. Go figure.

 

[mybabesuz]

Does this apply for the fantasmic package also at mama melrose? I was surprised they had asked for cc details when I booked it online, but thought they charged the cc if we did not show up. I have not looked up to see if my cc was charged...I guess I better!

For Fantasmic, 1900 Park Fare and Akershaus Princess Dinner and maybe Chef Mickey's they only take your CC info in case you don't show or cancel.
But, The Castle, HDDR, The Backyard BBQ, Spirit of Aloha Dinner... they charge your card when you make the reservation.

Also, you only have to make a $200 deposit on a package including the DP.
No other payment is required until 45 days out.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Making DVC members pay for the dining plan when they add it to their reservation makes it a little harder for members who want to rent out their points. If the person renting the reservation from them wants to add the dining plan, the owner either says NO or finds a way to accomodate the renter.

Renting is allowed, but I don't think DVC and Disney actually likes it much. It's taking money from them.

 

[kstategrad]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a (maybe dumb) question...

We are staying at AKV (our home resort) in October. If I go ahead and book our dining reservations at 180 days, and then decide to add on the dining plan later (when I've saved up enough money for everyone), will this affect my reservations?

I hope that made sense...the restaurants I am planning on booking (50's Prime Time, Sanaa, etc.) don't require payment upfront, so I'd just like to go ahead and reserve them in April and transfer these reservations over to the dining plan once I've bought the DDP.

Anyone?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a (maybe dumb) question...

We are staying at AKV (our home resort) in October. If I go ahead and book our dining reservations at 180 days, and then decide to add on the dining plan later (when I've saved up enough money for everyone), will this affect my reservations?

I hope that made sense...the restaurants I am planning on booking (50's Prime Time, Sanaa, etc.) don't require payment upfront, so I'd just like to go ahead and reserve them in April and transfer these reservations over to the dining plan once I've bought the DDP.

Anyone?

Nope, it shouldn't, unless you decide you only want dining for part of your reservation. Then they will have to split it up and there have been a few hair raising moments with splitting the reservation to do dining for only a few days.