DDP Policies moving us off the DVC notion!

[Jake & Crew]

Last year we went with the Dis Land/Sea package ( over 5K) and could not do the DDP according to Disney. This year we are booking 5 rooms, for 7 nights with 14 guests and being shut out again of the DDP, thinking Disney's policies are starting to rub this fan the wrong, and to think we were considering looking into the DVC on this trip.

Well, here is the problem, any suggestions?
Feb 18-25 we have 5 rooms at the WL for our grand gathering of 14. I originally booked through WDW at $2550 per room for the week. My dad, the official leader of the group, rebooked through an agent for the AAA room only rate of $2481 ( saving $79 per room.) The agent just told us we can not do the DDP with the AAA rate ( which I suspected, but who am I to question Dad?) So as it stands we keep the rate we have or we change to the DIS package at $3883 per room including 7day park hoppers( retail $496) and the dining for 2 adults per room (retail $546). Difference is $310 per room for the week.

My husband and I are willing to pay that difference ( we also have 2 kids so really wanted the DDP), however that difference would be applied to every room in our party and only 3 out of 5 rooms are super interested in the dining plan. The agent says every room has to have the same ~ Disney said every one in the same room has to have the same thing when I originally booked in August. So if my two of my siblings do not care about the dining, how can ask them to pay an extra $310 even if they do not have to have the dining?

My dad is upset because he does not understand why we can not get the ddp ( but not upset enough ~ nor should he be ~ to pay an extra $1550 in rooms). Any suggestions?
Anyone had this before? Not easy to travel in a large group, you would think for the money Disney is generating from this family for one week they could be better about this. I understand about rack rates, but it is really starting the trip off on a sour note, especially for my poor dad.

 

[Sammie]

Not sure why any of this would affect purchasing DVC. If you have DVC you might not even want or need the DDP, many members don't. And if you do, you are not tied to a package and tickets as nonDVC are, therefore you have greater flexibility.

I understand your frustration about your present situation and planning a large group can be troublesome, but the DDP is a package and packages have requirements and the requirement is book the rooms at rack rate and purchase tickets.

That truly is why the DDP is such a bargain. Your Dad opted to not get a package and book room only. If more than one room is booked under your name, then yes all will have to be on the package. The only way to have some on and some off is seperate resevations. Many times packages are not the way to go, because of the limitations. We don't do them. The DDP is not a good fit for everyone.

The thing is your Dad has saved the $79 per room, but he has not purchased tickets or food. What will the cost of that be? That will be the deciding factor as to whether he got a good deal by going with room only.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[mdhkitten]

From looking at the DVC point charts, you could book a room at WLV for a total of 134 points, and if they were $10 a point (that's a guess, some may be a little more per point), it would cost you $1,340 per room and I believe that you can book the DDP through them as well. Just a thought. Maybe you could book your own room through a DVC member since you'll be on the same property and get the DDP that way.

 

[DisneyElf]

All the rooms and under the same reservation - have the same package - but if you and the other two rooms that want the DDP - can book together and purchase the plan - the others can book the other rooms together. This will not effect the Grand Gathering for the family - since all parties will be onsite.

 

[Jake & Crew]

Good points about breaking off and rebooking those of us that want the plan.

Think the real problem/frustration is that Dad did not understand package vs room only. The TA should have asked him more questions about what he needs/wants on his trip and then explained he could reduce the room rate slightly but would lose other possibilities. Think only Disney specialized TAs should be doing these trips.

Will break out the calculator in the am and then call the TA.

There really is no reason to be a grand Gathering.

The DVC reference is that everything WDW has so many different roads/policies you really need to be a detective. Last year we bought land/sea through AAA b/c if we bought it through Dis we could not add no expiration on our 4 unused tickets which were part of the madatory 7 day ticket package for the package. In this case the package was worth it for ship transportation and so forth. Only found out the difference by asking lots of questions, instead of being helped by the CM on the reservation line.

Each trip seems like I spend hours ( or days) trying to figure out how to do what we want and WDW really pushes it as your way in the DVC materials, makes me wonder how much they really value the guests to have so many complicated rules/ policies/ regualtions that you have to read the fine print on. Just needed to vent so we can move on with this happy trip!

Thanks for weighing in!

 

[Sammie]

I know it can be confusing, but DVC is really not that confusing at all, once you understand the basics. As with any major money purchase one should always do one's homework prior to the purchase, DVC, or an expensive vacation is no different.

I do agree that working with a Disney specialist travel agent is best. Dreams Unlimited right here at the DIS, is great.

All timeshares require the company selling to have rules/regulations/policies.

If you are still considering DVC come over to the DVC forums and we will all share our hard earned knowledge. Just know that if you buy in, all your family will love you then.

 

[Desnik]

FYI about DVC, you do not deal with the CRO CM's or any travel agents. When booking your ressies, and ADR's you call member services. They seem to be very knowledgable and helpful when planning. But when planning your own trip you always have to investigate alittle to get what you want and the best price for yourself. Also when you are a DVC member you don't have to buy park passes to get the DDP. You just add it on and pay for it at check in. I really think your best bet would be to rent from a DVC member or just have everyone book their rooms seperately. I think the frustration comes into play because there is just so many options and ways to vacation with them. I really feel that the planning portion can be a lot of fun and really gets you ready for the trip. Try to have fun planning and your best bet is to read every board here to find answers to your questions. It's often been said that us here on the DIS know alot more than most CRO CM's! Also you used a TA who didn't ask enough questions and didn't explain things properly.
Good luck and have a great trip!! Oh, and I know you wouldn't let this steer you away from DVC, it has nothing to do with your situation! Go on the tour and you will love it!! Best thing we ever did!!

 

[jjohnson]

If your booking your trip thru a AAA agent there is no reason why they can not add the dining plan & keep your room discount.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

even if you looked into renting points, you can save alot of $$$ and add the DDP and not have to be locked into any ticket package......

PS-if you ever do consider DVC, make sure to check out resales first!!

 

[SnowWitch]

Also with DVC, if you have say 3 studios booked every studio can opt differently so to speak. If your party in your room wants the dining package you can and the other 2 rooms don't have to get it. Its just everyone in each room either is or isn't on the plan. Not all of the rooms in your party. We love it!!!

 

[eliza61]

Each trip seems like I spend hours ( or days) trying to figure out how to do what we want and WDW really pushes it as your way in the DVC materials, makes me wonder how much they really value the guests to have so many complicated rules/ policies/ regualtions that you have to read the fine print on. Just needed to vent so we can move on with this happy trip!

Thanks for weighing in!

I think any type of travel nowadays involves a lot of planning,especially since many of us are doing it ourselves and the internet has open up a whole world of choices. Try travelling to the UK with a group of 15. You and dad get a nice drink and relax or maybe step away from the planning for a while. We are DVC members and enjoy it immensely and while some times we wish we are were eligable for the free dining, we just chalk it up and look for others ways we can get discounts.

 

[Sammie]

If your booking your trip thru a AAA agent there is no reason why they can not add the dining plan & keep your room discount.

JJ, glad you joined in, I thought I had read where some had booked AAA and got the AAA room discount with the DDP package but since we had not used it personally I was recluntant to say for sure.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

If you are paying for the dining plan (which you would be) you CAN book through AAA for a package that includes dining and a discounted room. Have your dad call the AAA agent back and remain on the phone with her when she calls CRO.

 

[PoohHappens]

It is true you can get the AAA discount package with DDP, you cannot however get the discounted room plus another offer like the free DDP promotion. Your dad needs to call his AAA agent and have them seperat the ressies--three rooms booked under you with the MYW with DDP package and 2 rooms with just the MYW or room only under his. You will get the room discount on all rooms. THe only problem will be if the rooms or packages are avail with the discount this close to the trip. They should be able to check before cancelling you current ressies. Good luck. The reason they are telling you all or nothing is that all rooms are currently booked as one reservation.

 

[jjohnson]

I am 100% sure you can get the DDP & AAA discount. As Poohhappens said you may have to have 5 individual packages with each guests needs/wants but they can all be linked together for a magical gathering.

It takes some work but it can definitely be done.

 

[MaeDaisy]

DDP is always part of a package. It is not available with a room-only reservation, whether you have a discount on the room or not.

But you CAN have AAA book the package so you get the dining plan and a discounted room rate. We booked in October for our December trip, and although I had to adjust our days slightly due to availability (or lack of...), we did get the discount and we had a great time and loved the DDP.

 

[karibritt01]

We have booked through AAA twice now. If you book room-only, they will give you a discount, but that is all. If you buy room and tickets, you still get the room discount, tickets are not discounted there or through Disney. You would also then qualify for DDP. Your travel agent should know how to work the system so as to get only certain rooms on the DDP. One thing to consider, if 1/2 is on DDP, and 1/2 isn't, you will probably not be eating together as often. If they plan on eating all TS together as a family, then it is stupid to pass up on the dining plan. My family of 4 saved over $250 booking through AAA last summer, and another $300+ using the DDP.

 

[jjohnson]

Is this the first trip for the siblings that are against the DP? If so, I would print out a few menus of the TS meals you have planned. Most are shocked at the cost & then realize the benefits of adding the DP.

 

[pigget74]

My friends are doing the same thing in September. Her dad is footing the room portion. She went through dreamsunlimitedtravel and they are doing it ina way that dad is still paying, but it is coming up seperate (rooms in each childs name) that way whoever wants the dining plan can have it. And yes, they have a magical gatherings number. Now dreamsunlimited can also book all your adr's. Good luck.

 

[Jake & Crew]

Thank you everyone for providing more info ( esp those that sent those PMs with great detailed info).

Dad's agent is not a AAA agent, she booked the room through them at the discount rate. She is a nice lady but not a Disney specialist (which I am thinking of becoming ~ know any good Disney colleges )..

Anyway here is where we stand TA called Disney on Friday and was told that if everyone bought a one day pass ( on top of the 5 or 7 days most of us are buying) for $71 we could have the ddp. Well do the math on x14 ( really 13 my youngest niece is under 3) and Dad hit the roof. Long story short he know has a contact in the executive offices he is working with by phone and email. Then the 5pm Friday bell rang so the story will be continued this week.....

My dad used to be all over stuff like this and the past few years he has, well I guess aged a little and changed. Friday night he called each of us to recap his day and read the letter he submitted ( by request) to his contact in Disney. All I could say is "You are back Dad!!" ...... I am sure we will have some developments this week, hope they are positive ( if not I am giving him all this info you have shared for more rounds).

Most of all I hope this works out quickly and well so my parents dream vacation with their kids/grandkids has no sour linings.

Have a great week!