DDP - Request to Add on at Check in

[dvcdisney]

Just curious....why do they not allow members or anyone to add on the DDP at check in?

I find that I get nervous about not seeing the DDP notation on my confirmation and feel I have to call and verify a few times to make sure that they have it on record that I have requested DDP.

I just thought it would be easier for many if at check in, they ask whether you want DDP or not and then pay for it there. I don't think that they are limited, so I don't see why they have to be "pre ordered".

So, just wondering if anyone knows why it has to be requested 48 hours or more before check in since we don't really use it or pay for it until check in. Also, I found a few times on my reservation that I made a request and it wasn't noted. If I hadn't been so nervous about it and confirmed, I would not have been able to get it.

 

[DebbieB]

I would e-mail member services to confirm your DDP or your room request and their reply will be in writing in case you have any problems.

 

[Chuck S]

So, just wondering if anyone knows why it has to be requested 48 hours or more before check in since we don't really use it or pay for it until check in. Also, I found a few times on my reservation that I made a request and it wasn't noted. If I hadn't been so nervous about it and confirmed, I would not have been able to get it.

Likely because for DVC the DDP is a stand alone program through an agreement with Disney Travel, who actually controls the DDP. It has to be linked into the reservation. Remember, even cash guests have to get the DDP as part of a package. They can't add it a check-in, either. There are also probably some internal accounting program links that are activated between DVC & Disney Travel when the DDP is linked into a reservation.

The previous poster's suggestion to email Member Services is an excellent idea. You would have a written confirmatin of the DDP, and that should eliminate your need to call. In fact, you could use that system to confirm that all of your requests are listed. But remember, just because a request (like location, etc.) is listed, does not guarantee it will be available when you check-in. Most requests, except for special view booking categories and DDP, are "just requests" based upon availability at time of check-in.

 

[dvcdisney]

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I guess I should have said contact. I learned to email my request to confirm the DDP after a few times I called and realized it still didn't give me proof of my request.

Even when I have it shown on my confirmation letter, I still contact them since on my last trip. Which seems overkill, but on my last trip I was glad I did because although my reservation came with all the days listed, they had split my stay in two reservations and added it to one and not the other .

So, I just thought it would save me from contacting them if I could just add it at check in.

And yes, I understand about requests for views, locations etc are not guaranteed, so in most cases if they don't list them, I don't get overly anxious about it, but I do confirm with them before I leave.

 

[dvcdisney]

Likely because for DVC the DDP is a stand alone program through an agreement with Disney Travel, who actually controls the DDP. It has to be linked into the reservation. Remember, even cash guests have to get the DDP as part of a package. They can't add it a check-in, either. There are also probably some internal accounting program links that are activated between DVC & Disney Travel when the DDP is linked into a reservation.

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why this can't be added, when it is a stand alone (ie for DVC members). I just don't understand why it has to be added ahead of time other than having an idea of the number of people on DDP. I just don't see how it would change the way anything works if it is just offered during check in. I understand that you cannot purchase it after check in since it has to be for the whole reservation period, but this could be explained each time when you check in. DDP can only be purchased at check in and CANNOT be available afterwards.

But I guess there's other things into play here and obviously, I don't know the logistics of the plan.

By the way, I am an obsessive planner, so I have decided everything very early in the planning stage. But there are others out there who do not want to decide this until closer to the date. I think since it doesn't require pre payment or preprinted tickets, then I don't see how it would affect Disney either way. jmo

 

[JSTX]

I agree with you. I don't understand why they can't just add it at checkin. It seems like it would be a plus for Disney to be able to offer it as your checking in. That would probably get even more people to commit at that point.

I too appreciate the tip to email to confirm. I was glad I thought to call a week or so ago to confirm that the DDP was on our reservations. It had not been added when we made the reservations, so it was a good thing I called. But like it was pointed out, I didn't have anything in writing to confirm. They don't even give you any type of confirmation number. What email address to you send the email too?

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why this can't be added, when it is a stand alone (ie for DVC members). I just don't understand why it has to be added ahead of time other than having an idea of the number of people on DDP. I just don't see how it would change the way anything works if it is just offered during check in. I understand that you cannot purchase it after check in since it has to be for the whole reservation period, but this could be explained each time when you check in. DDP can only be purchased at check in and CANNOT be available afterwards.

But I guess there's other things into play here and obviously, I don't know the logistics of the plan.

By the way, I am an obsessive planner, so I have decided everything very early in the planning stage. But there are others out there who do not want to decide this until closer to the date. I think since it doesn't require pre payment or preprinted tickets, then I don't see how it would affect Disney either way. jmo

 

[Dean]

I'm sorry, I still don't understand why this can't be added, when it is a stand alone (ie for DVC members). I just don't understand why it has to be added ahead of time other than having an idea of the number of people on DDP. I just don't see how it would change the way anything works if it is just offered during check in. I understand that you cannot purchase it after check in since it has to be for the whole reservation period, but this could be explained each time when you check in. DDP can only be purchased at check in and CANNOT be available afterwards.

But I guess there's other things into play here and obviously, I don't know the logistics of the plan.

By the way, I am an obsessive planner, so I have decided everything very early in the planning stage. But there are others out there who do not want to decide this until closer to the date. I think since it doesn't require pre payment or preprinted tickets, then I don't see how it would affect Disney either way. jmo

Technically it can't be added because that's the rules Disney and/or DVC has set up. It is possible to add it at check in under unusual circumstances such as where there was a mistake and it was not added before when it should have been. My guess is the requirement is to allow DVC to communicate with Disney travel as to how many people to allow some planning but I would agree that there are just as many reasons from what I can see to allow it to be added even on check in.

 

[kato0627]

Last Christmas season we were at VWL. I really thought I added the DDP. We always use the DDP. Upon check in, we were told I did not have it.
The manager was able to add it for us. It was a honest mistake on my part and he was kind enough to help us out. He had to make one phone call but it did not take long at all.

 

[dzorn]

I also wish you did not need to add it for everyone or for every day. We are going 8 people total in Feb two will only be there 2 days. I would like the dining plan but cannot see paying for them when they are not there and I cannot see us using all the extra credits. I even considered breaking up the 2 bed to a 1bed and studio, but I really what everyone together and not spread out in the resort.

Its not like they limit the people on the plan so why do they need the advance notice? If you call ahead and qualify it's not like they are going to say "Sorry we have to many people on the plan this week."

Denise in MI

 

[Dean]

I also wish you did not need to add it for everyone or for every day. We are going 8 people total in Feb two will only be there 2 days.

IF the plan continues I think you'll eventually see some sort of flexibility. With the Food n Fun and related programs the official rules were the same (LOS) but it was routine for them to let you drop the first or last day and not that uncommon that they'd let you drop both the first AND last day. Likely you wouldn't be able to use it for the dropped days if they allowed it but it's still be better overall than trying to use up credits on partial days when traveling.

 

[dvcdisney]

IF the plan continues I think you'll eventually see some sort of flexibility. With the Food n Fun and related programs the official rules were the same (LOS) but it was routine for them to let you drop the first or last day and not that uncommon that they'd let you drop both the first AND last day. Likely you wouldn't be able to use it for the dropped days if they allowed it but it's still be better overall than trying to use up credits on partial days when traveling.

If the plan becomes this flexible, I can see many going back to DDP. There were times that we arrived late on the check in day and leave early check out day and felt that we had to use up the cs and ts credits to be worth the plan.

I think it's possible that they will allow you to drop the first and/or last day, but I don't think they would ever be as flexible as choosing the number of days for DDP because Disney is making a profit on this and the more you don't use up the credits, the more profit they receive.

However, I'm sure they'll do their math. If this flexibility was every introduced, I believe some would choose this option. But at the same time, because it's so flexible, I can foresee a greater number of people choosing to go with DDP even if they never have because they thought it was too much money or food or felt they couldn't have a relaxing vacation because they're always at the restaurant using up their credits.

I would love to see Disney steer this way. I think a lot of people would feel that it is an upgrade to the original DDP. With this new option, no one can complain. Well, at least not about the flexibility or the amount of food.

 

[dvcdisney]

Its not like they limit the people on the plan so why do they need the advance notice? If you call ahead and qualify it's not like they are going to say "Sorry we have to many people on the plan this week."

Denise in MI

That's all I'm saying.

 

[Chuck S]

Obviously, there is more to it than a simple add on if a manager had to call someoe else to set it up. Something has to be liked into the reservation by Member Services.

If a front desk CM took 5 minutes extra for each guest to call and add the DDP at check-in, after 20 check-ins it would add over an hour and a half additional wait time to those behind them waiting to check-in. Meaning additional CMs would have to be hired, at the expense of dues, or we'd all be waiting in line even longer to check-in.

 

[dzorn]

Obviously, there is more to it than a simple add on if a manager had to call someoe else to set it up. Something has to be liked into the reservation by Member Services.

If a front desk CM took 5 minutes extra for each guest to call and add the DDP at check-in, after 20 check-ins it would add over an hour and a half additional wait time to those behind them waiting to check-in. Meaning additional CMs would have to be hired, at the expense of dues, or we'd all be waiting in line even longer to check-in.

It may be possible that with a computer up grade it could be achieved.

Denise in MI

 

[Chuck S]

It may be possible that with a computer up grade it could be achieved.

Denise in MI

I don't know...a computer upgrade brought to you by the same people that programmed AKV as "null" resort for more than a month, and that have been "working on" online reservations for several years.

 

[paulh]

recall i was told that you have to add it 5 days prior for dvc,so they can get into the system,diferant branches of disney
If not staying at dvc but elceware on site it has to be aded 3 days prior to ariving
Paulh

 

[Dean]

recall i was told that you have to add it 5 days prior for dvc,so they can get into the system,diferant branches of disney
If not staying at dvc but elceware on site it has to be aded 3 days prior to ariving
Paulh

The official info from DVC in the past has been 3 days prior but that's just to give them time to get the notifications done. The last I saw on the website said 48 hours before your arrival date. I know many that have added it 2 days before and a few that have added it 1 day before. I don't recall any sitations where it was added the day of but through MS but I also don't recall anyone saying there were told no either.

Simply add a Disney Dining Plan selection to your reservation at least 48 hours prior to your arrival date.