Did I just get a poor CM??

[dnbent]

Ok, I must admit to feeling sorry for myself. My DBIL is down in Orlando in the Disney college program and I am here in cold and wet Wisconsin planning our January trip to Disney.

I called tonight to check add Disney dining to our ressie. DD and DH coming down a day late. Must add them to ressie for dining all days even though they will not be there until day 2. I can understand this and not really a problem.

Next I want to give them our ME info. She suggests that I call back in about 30 days with that info. You know flights can change.

Next I try to find out about us paying via credit card for our son's dining plan. I want to call down about a week before we go and give them our credit card number. NO GO. Must present credit card at check in for dining plan.

Now CM just wasn't nice about any of it. In fact, I think that this is why I am doubting what she is saying. I find it hard to believe that Disney doesn't want my credit card number. Anybody have any feeling about the dining issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Granny]

My understanding is that the Dining Plan cannot be prepaid...it must be paid at the time of check in. So on that point I think the CM was correct.

As for the ME info, I'm not sure since we've never used ME (we drive). But I think someone just reported getting their ME tags about 45 days before the trip so I would think this isn't too early to give information. On the other hand, I don't know what changing airline reservations does as far as an ME hassle so maybe that advice to call back was good too.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

My understanding is that the Dining Plan cannot be prepaid...it must be paid at the time of check in. So on that point I think the CM was correct.

Yep..this is the way it is.

 

[maraki527]

We were told we have to pay for the DDP at checkin as well.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC Member Services has no way to accept pre-payments. Remember, reservatoins are paid via points, thus the need to add pre-paid items isn't there, like it is with a package with a cash reservation through Disney.

 

[TLSnell1981]

DVC Member Services has no way to accept pre-payments. Remember, reservatoins are paid via points, thus the need to add pre-paid items isn't there, like it is with a package with a cash reservation through Disney.

Thank you for giving the logical reason we can't prepay. Always wondered why..now I know.

 

[Kathi OD]

When I made my ADRs for our upcoming trip, I made them through MS. I didn't choose the prompt for dining because I had other things I wanted to deal with first and so made them with the MS CM. I have an ADR for the Spirit of Aloha and they asked me for my credit card number even though we will be using the dining plan for that meal. I do understand that the reason is that we'll be charged if we don't show, and again, I'm OK with that. But in a sense, that is pre-payment, so now I'm wondering what the big deal is.

I was also told we would pay for dining at check-in and I'm OK with that. But, I have a question with regard to not being able to prepay.

When I made my ADRs for our upcoming trip, I made them through MS. I didn't choose the prompt for dining because I had other things I wanted to deal with first and so made them with the MS CM. I have an ADR for the Spirit of Aloha and they asked me for my credit card number even though we will be using the dining plan for that meal. I do understand that the reason is that we'll be charged if we don't show, and again, I'm OK with that. But in a sense, that is pre-payment, so now I'm wondering what the big deal is.

Not that I care either way. I'd rather have them get my money later rather than sooner...just wondering why Disney wouldn't want your money ASAP.

NOTE: I accidently hit edit instead of quote. This post has been restored to its original content. My apologies. Chuck S

 

[disneynutz]

I was also told we would pay for dining at check-in and I'm OK with that. But, I have a question with regard to not being able to prepay.

When I made my ADRs for our upcoming trip, I made them through MS. I didn't choose the prompt for dining because I had other things I wanted to deal with first and so made them with the MS CM. I have an ADR for the Spirit of Aloha and they asked me for my credit card number even though we will be using the dining plan for that meal. I do understand that the reason is that we'll be charged if we don't show, and again, I'm OK with that. But in a sense, that is pre-payment, so now I'm wondering what the big deal is.

Not that I care either way. I'd rather have them get my money later rather than sooner...just wondering why Disney wouldn't want your money ASAP.

One reason is they want to match the number of bodies in your party to the number of people paying for DDP and the number of room keys given out.

 

[canwegosoon]

Since it seems like you want to have his dining covered...get him disney dollars and they can be applied to the room charges.

 

[dnbent]

Since it seems like you want to have his dining covered...get him disney dollars and they can be applied to the room charges.

This is a great idea. Not that I don't trust them (DS, DDIL and DGD) with my credit card on their room but I just think it is better for them if they have to be concerned about their charges on my credit card. It would be so hard to separate out at the end of the week.

Thanks for the great idea.

 

[Chuck S]

I was also told we would pay for dining at check-in and I'm OK with that. But, I have a question with regard to not being able to prepay.

When I made my ADRs for our upcoming trip, I made them through MS. I didn't choose the prompt for dining because I had other things I wanted to deal with first and so made them with the MS CM. I have an ADR for the Spirit of Aloha and they asked me for my credit card number even though we will be using the dining plan for that meal. I do understand that the reason is that we'll be charged if we don't show, and again, I'm OK with that. But in a sense, that is pre-payment, so now I'm wondering what the big deal is.

Not that I care either way. I'd rather have them get my money later rather than sooner...just wondering why Disney wouldn't want your money ASAP.

While the MS CM can make a reservation for an ADR, they are using the Disney Dining software. Pre-payment or credit card deposit is required by Disney Dining for dinner shows and special events. Disney Dining does the bookkeeping, not member services. THE DDP is NOT run or controlled by Disney Dining, it is operated by Central Reservations/Disney Travel and was designed to be part of a cash package. IT was almost a year after the DDP became available as part of those cash packages that DVC was able to negotiate with Disney Travel to add the DDP to DVC reservations. DVC does not have full access to Disney Travel's reservations systems, they do not cross talk. The ability to add the DDP to a DVC reservation is only a stand alone program that does not accept the pre-payments. Again, the bookkeeping for the DDP runs through Disney Travel, not DVC. When you pay at check-in that payment is turned over to Disney Travel.

 

[canwegosoon]

This is a great idea. Not that I don't trust them (DS, DDIL and DGD) with my credit card on their room but I just think it is better for them if they have to be concerned about their charges on my credit card. It would be so hard to separate out at the end of the week.

Thanks for the great idea.

Your welcome...good thing is...their dollars can be immediatly credited(no losing them in the room- ) and you can cover what you want to(you know the cost of the DDP) and they can indvidually cover other costs with their ATM debit/CC (instead of charging back to the room). I have left several times owing nothing(I have also used my Disney rewards card to pay for my dining plan(if you have a Disney Visa) at the desk.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....Next I want to give them our ME info. She suggests that I call back in about 30 days with that info. You know flights can change.......

I prefer to do the Magical Express request online (from the DVC Members' Website). Tht way, I don't have to worry about the MS CM misunderstanding what I say.

Once you log on to the Members' Website, just look for the "Vacation Planning" tab (tool bar near the top next to the 15 logo). ME will be one of the choices.

You'll get an email confirmation so you know the info was received and the email repeats the info you entered so you can look for any mistakes. If something changes, you can also update it online.

I used the online request for our trip coming up at the end of the month. Got my tags several weeks ago so I know it works just fine.

 

[ktbugsmom]

I have a January reservation also (and am also in Wisconsin!). When I called to add another room for some friends, a very helpful CM asked if I wanted to reserve my ME at that time. I said I thought I should wait a bit, and she very cheerfully told me to add it now and if anything changed - to call back. So - I added ME already. I am still not completely sure we will use it - but wanted it set up now so I can make a choice later if I need to.

And yes, even though January can have iffy weather in January - it has ALWAYS been nicer in Orlando than Wisconsin!

 

[auntsue]

Last year when we went, the nieces and nephews had separate rooms. While I was checking in, I asked if I could pay for their DDP, and I did. The kids did not get my credit card number, the CM just credited their room with $xxx for the DDP, then when they checked in, it was already paid for.

 

[kimberh]

I called tonight to check add Disney dining to our ressie. DD and DH coming down a day late. Must add them to ressie for dining all days even though they will not be there until day 2. I can understand this and not really a problem.

Next I want to give them our ME info. She suggests that I call back in about 30 days with that info. You know flights can change.

Sorry you are in cold weather. On the day you have extra dining credits... if it were me, I would think about eating at a Signature restaurant that takes 2 TS credits per person. It's a thought.

We flew to Alaska this summer as a family of 15, Our flight numbers changed 5 times, from the time I had booked the tickets. Finally Delta told me that they would not email me anymore tickets until 30 days before departure. I wonder if this is happening with MS and ME?

Here's wishing you the best trip that you will always look back on with the best memories.