DDP Denied

[GoofyKidd]

We are coming in Oct with a convention, staying at CR. When I tried to add the DDP for our family of 4, I was told that I could not since we were getting a break on the room rate. I thought I could get the DDP as long as we were staying at a Disney resort. Does anyone know of any way to get the DDP added? We really loved it in the past.

 

[Laura]

If you're getting a convention rate on CR, then no, you can't add the DDP because that's considered having two discounts. You can book it with a MYW package through AAA to get a discount, or you can be a DVC member and book through the member services. Otherwise, you book through Disney the regular way.

 

[Hopefully]

The DDP is part of the Magic Your Way package. With this package you have to pay Rack Rate for your room as well as at least a one day base ticket for each member of your party.
If you are getting a convention rate on your room you are not eligible for the DDP. Just the way it is.

 

[pooch]

you can't double dip discounts when you get the DDP free but the OP isn't looking for free DDP (at least I don't think so). My guess is the problem is you aren't actually booking the stay. It's being done through whomever is running the convention. You can't make changes because you don't own the reservation, the convention does.

You could try just calling and inquiring how much it would be to stay at CR with DDP for the time you're going, outside of the convention. Perhaps there will be special going on that would be comparable to the convention price. Could you book your own package and still attend the convention?


I know someone will correct me here if I'm wrong.

 

[JimMIA]

I know someone will correct me here if I'm wrong.

Sorry, but somebody's gotta do it!

You can only get DDP as part of a package, as the other posters noted -- unless you are staying at a DVC resort on points. The package includes rack rate room, and at least a one-day base park ticket for each member of the party. The only discounted rooms I've seen eligible have been packages booked through an AAA travel agent (not flashing an AAA card at checkin, but booking through AAA).

OP can't get DDP because they are not paying rack rate.

 

[pooch]

but you can get packages without paying rack rates, can't you? A package only refers to getting room and tickets together as opposed to room-only rates.

If, for example, Disney is doing their Waterparks & more add-on which is a package, you can still BUY the DDP. This isn't double dipping. You are PAYING for the DDP. You aren't getting 2 discounts.

I have only seen the requirement for rack rates when getting FREE dining.

I'm still confused.

 

[JimMIA]

but you can get packages without paying rack rates, can't you? A package only refers to getting room and tickets together as opposed to room-only rates.

If, for example, Disney is doing their Waterparks & more add-on which is a package, you can still BUY the DDP. This isn't double dipping. You are PAYING for the DDP. You aren't getting 2 discounts.

I have only seen the requirement for rack rates when getting FREE dining.

I'm still confused.

With the exception of a brief and very limited "40% off" promotion by Disney CRO, I don't think there have been any DDP packages that did not include a room at rack rate or AAA booking discount. DDP is first and foremost a hotel promotion, not a dining promotion.

As far as I know, the MYW DDP packages have always included a room at a certain rate, park tickets, and DDP at a certain price. Free DDP is a promotion for hurricane season, pure and simple.

 

[TatenEly]

We are going in December and getting 40% off our room rate and can still get the DDP.....basically it is one discount per package, meaning no free dining with a discounted room ..... I think the OP is having trouble because of the convention aspect of the reservation, like a group booking.

just wanted to give my .02 about the discounted room and still getting the ddp!

 

[septbaby]

Book a trip online with DDP and compare that to your convention plan making assumptions regarding meals.

Not sure if your expenses are being picked up by the company, but it will be easier to get reimbursed for meals if you pay OOP. Generally companies don't cover the cost of feeding family travelling with you. If this is your own business covering this trip, you can handle your own accounting either way.

For conventions Disney will discount room rates in the hope that food, park tickets, spa services, etc. more than make up for this discount. The DDP is essentially a food discount(most save money, that's why we buy it).

 

[pooch]

We are going in December and getting 40% off our room rate and can still get the DDP.....basically it is one discount per package, meaning no free dining with a discounted room ..... I think the OP is having trouble because of the convention aspect of the reservation, like a group booking.

just wanted to give my .02 about the discounted room and still getting the ddp!

And here I thought I was crazy!!! Glad someone else thinks like I do!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't think anyone here has read of a convention group, in part or whole, being able to buy the DDP.
The DDP is part of a WDTC package, which I doubt the convention group has purchased for anyone, or was even given the option.
I would guess the convention is a special group rate.

 

[dqpowell]

We are going in December and getting 40% off our room rate and can still get the DDP.....basically it is one discount per package, meaning no free dining with a discounted room ..... I think the OP is having trouble because of the convention aspect of the reservation, like a group booking.

I'd be interested to hear how you're getting a 40% room discount and still be eligible to get the DDP. As it has been explained to me, and also documented in the Unofficial Guide, you must pay rack rate if you want to add the DDP. (I'm not talking about the free dining promotion. I'm talking about paying for the DDP.)

David

 

[jcemom]

There was a code out via email and postcard in February that gave a 40% discount off the room portion of a package. It had to be booked by early March. You could get the package with or without dining, but it was definitely a package including a discounted room. It was also offered to a limited number of people, not general public.

I would say the OP cannot add dining because they did not book their package via WDTC or AAA. It was booked as a special convention rate, probably with a large block of rooms, probably specially priced. It's not a 'regular' package, and probably is room only.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I can confirm the 40% off room discount was available in 'package' form.

I know. I booked it... had a marvelous time.



Knox

 

[momof296&02]

I'd be interested to hear how you're getting a 40% room discount and still be eligible to get the DDP. As it has been explained to me, and also documented in the Unofficial Guide, you must pay rack rate if you want to add the DDP. (I'm not talking about the free dining promotion. I'm talking about paying for the DDP.)

David

I did this in March. I had the % off the room & paid for DDP. I had to purchase atleast a one day MYW ticket for everyone in my room in order to purchase the DDP.

 

[traci]

now I'm confused!
We got the 40% off room pin...initially I didn't have DDP, but we did add it later (not free dining mind you).

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'd be interested to hear how you're getting a 40% room discount and still be eligible to get the DDP. As it has been explained to me, and also documented in the Unofficial Guide, you must pay rack rate if you want to add the DDP. (I'm not talking about the free dining promotion. I'm talking about paying for the DDP.)

David

You can book the dining plan with SOME discounted room rates. I was able to book the dining plan with a discounted room rate for our April 2005 trip. (I believe I paid $65.00 per night for Pop)

Whenever Disney releases a room only code (email or general public) there's a dining code that goes along with it. Sometimes the room only code will have three letters and the dining code will have four letters. At times both codes will have three letters.

Last spring there was one code for a 40% room only discount and one for a 40% discount + the dining plan.

For some odd reason they will not allow you to add dining to a group rate.

 

[Lewisc]

When the current DDP was introduced in 2005 AAA was the only discounted room rate you could combine with dining.

Many (most) of the PIN codes now allow guests to add dining. Guests staying at a DVC resort (on points) can buy dining without even having to buy tickets.

It looks like guests booking AP,group rates (such as convention) and possibly FL resident/CM rates still can't add dining.

 

[dolly-dawne]

Yeah...pooh-pooh I am still waiting for the day disney offers dining to those of us who have APs. Or even those of us who have a residence in Florida.

 

[BroadwayGirl]

I'd be interested to hear how you're getting a 40% room discount and still be eligible to get the DDP. As it has been explained to me, and also documented in the Unofficial Guide, you must pay rack rate if you want to add the DDP. (I'm not talking about the free dining promotion. I'm talking about paying for the DDP.)

David

Gee, the unofficial guide is wrong yet again?? What a shock!!

The DDP can be added to most WDTC vacation packages, sometimes including those with discounted room rates or other special promotions. Each promotion is different as far as whether the the DDP is an option. If you receive a PIN offer and it is marketing a room only discount don't hesitate to ask if there is an accompanying WDTC package upgrade so you can get the DDP. More often than not they will have one.

The OP, however, has booked his reservation through a convention. Convention reservations are not WDTC packages and therefore are not eligible for the DDP. Same holds true for FL resident rates and AP rates (although they did try once to do a WDTC package for FL residents with the dining which didn't seem to work because it was never repeated).