DDP Dilemma

[Captain_Hook]

Here's a dilemma for which I would LOVE lots of advice.......It's going to be a little like a calculus problem, so please bear with me!

I will be going to WDW with my parents May 2007. My husband will be joining us 1-2 days into the trip. We will be staying at SSR (2 studios already reserved). My husband and I are fans of the DDP -- mainly from a financial/budgeting perspective. I like being able to pay for it in advance and not have to worry (yes, I am a HUGE worrywart) about how much we will need to bring with us for meals, snacks and souvenirs. My parents didn't really like the plan too much -- doesn't seem to fit into their dining habits.

I don't know how this can work.... Can anyone think of a way? The only thing I can think of is to have the reservation made into two separate ressies so we can get the dining plan and just "eat" the 1-2 days my hhusband won't be there. (He's a good eater, he may be able to make up for those days later in the trip...) Can we have two separate ressies when my parents are using their points from DVC?

 

[honeymo78]

I'm not sure how DVC reservations work - ie if the 2studios are booked under one reservation number. I would have your parents call member services and ask if one of the studios they have booked can get the DDP and one can't. The worst they'll tell you is that they need two separate reservations and as long as SSR isn't booked up they could make a new reservation for the 2nd studio (cancel the original 2nd studio) and just ask that they are linked so you can hopefully be located near each other. I doubt you'll have a problem using up the extra meals from before your husband arrives since he'll only be a day or two late. Remember you can use some of those credits on your departure day, especially if you are planning to leave later in the day.

 

[jjohnson]

Did you book thru CRO or MS?

 

[Captain_Hook]

I don't know what CRO is -- I think MS is member services....

Either way, I don't know who my mom called. This is her first time using her DVC -- I am sure she called whichever number they give out with the packet. If they give 2 #'s then I have no idea....

 

[PrincessAlways]

I thought to use the DDP, all members of your party have to be on it. I could be wrong

 

[bicker]

That is the case: You must purchase the Dining Plan for everyone on your reservation for the entire duration of the reservation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

bicker's right - so the OP should have her mom call Member Services and 'disconnect' the two reservations, if at all possible. Mom can then book the DDP for just the younger couple, who will then pay for it when they check in.
If the reservations CAN be split, then the 'extra' DDP credits can perhaps be used for a Signature meal for the OP and her husband.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Good luck.................
I had a reservation for 3-9 Dec, then called to book seperately 9-10 Dec. specifically so that we wouldn't have to have the dining plan on that last day.
But today I was told that they would not drop that last day of DDP because it is the same people on the ressie and they had linked it to the existing ressie. Exactly what I didn't want! I wanted it as a seperate ressie!

We are going with a huge group and the family staying with us in that 2 bedroom are on a tight budget. I am afraid this might be a big blow to them. I know it is just one extra day of DDP, for my family it is no problem. But for our friends? Ugh.

Good luck OP, hope your parents are able to work this out with MS.