Dining plan, but not buying tickets?

[jlr9882]

I have heard but yes and no on this one, so I am hoping someone here will know the answer. My CM cousin is getting us into the parks and getting us a deal on resorts. We will most likely stay at either Pop or Movies, or if we get more people to join us we will get a cabin. I read on another board that someone was able to get the dining plan even though she didn't have to buy tickets because her CM friend was got her into the parks. She did stay at a Disney resort though. Everyone else I have asked said you can't get the plan if you aren't buying tickets and staying on property. So can I get the plan, even though I am not buying tickets? If so how much would it cost us? Right now it is just my Mom and me. My son won't be 3 until 9/1, so I don't have to worry about him. Not to mention he has 20 food allergies, so he will be hard to serve and I will be providing most of his food. Under three is free, but is that just eating off my plate or can I order him something (that is if they can even cook something he can eat)?

 

[plutolovr]

Well, my DD is a CM and the CMs have been getting some specials which include the DP. We just stayed at CSR last week and had the DP at a discounted rate. I don't believe a CM can just add the DP to a discounted room unless it's being offered at the time. I know right now the special they have is going on through March. Don't know what they'll be offering after that.

 

[TDC Nala]

If it's a room only discount, than no. You cannot add DDP to a room only reservation. It would have to be a package discount. CMs might have access to room/dining packages similar to those offered annual passholders.

As for the infant, you may share meals with him, but if you order anything specifically for him you will need to pay for it. At buffets and all you can eat restaurants he can eat anything for free. Not sure how they will handle the food allergies - you might have to pay for an a la carte restaurant to make him something. Check the Disabilities forum, they have a great deal of information on food allergies.

 

[Sandy321]

WELCOME to the DIS!!

It sounds like your CM cousin would have to investigate the DP for you, if not, many have reported that the DP doesnt save that much money (app $40 a day per person for the length of your stay- and its part of a package bundled with a room and a park ticket - unless you are with DVC)

Like TDC Nala said, allergies are still difficult, esp at buffets, when you make an ADR - note allergies on your reservation and many times the chef will come and talk to you about what you can and cannot have - that part always amazes me - At Buffets they usually have fresh fruit, and veggies - and under 3 do eat off your plates,

Good Luck!

I know there is a lot of info, so dont hesitate to ask!

 

[alexandallysmommy]

I am so confused with all of the acronyms, lol. I am staying at an all star resort and have the dining plan. I didn't purchase my tickets with my reservation because I got them somewhere else.

I was only able to get the basic dining plan (1 sit-down, 1 counter-service and 1 snack) because I had a discount. This is going to be hard to do because I have a 2 year old and he is horrible at restaraunts. I really wish that I had the option to eat at a counter-service twice but they wouldn't allow me to pay for an upgrade. We'll just have to deal with it though I guess. I'll try to reserve our sit down meals at buffets so that we'll have our food more quickly and can get out of there before the terrible twos kick in, lol.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I am so confused with all of the acronyms, lol. I am staying at an all star resort and have the dining plan. I didn't purchase my tickets with my reservation because I got them somewhere else.

I was only able to get the basic dining plan (1 sit-down, 1 counter-service and 1 snack) because I had a discount. This is going to be hard to do because I have a 2 year old and he is horrible at restaraunts. I really wish that I had the option to eat at a counter-service twice but they wouldn't allow me to pay for an upgrade. We'll just have to deal with it though I guess. I'll try to reserve our sit down meals at buffets so that we'll have our food more quickly and can get out of there before the terrible twos kick in, lol.

Okay, I'm a little confused by your post. How did you get the dining plan if you didn't purchase a Magic Your Way Package, which normally has to include tickets or you do not qualify for the dining plan?

Also, what does getting a discount have to do with which meal plan you choose. If you have the Quick Service Plan, which is two counter service meals per day, you would be downgrading, not upgrading your meal plan.

Going by your ticker, you leave in 26 days. You will be at WDW during the height of Spring Break season and the parks and restaurants will be packed. Table Service/sit down meals will be very hard to reserve at this late date. I would get on the phone immediately with Disney Dining and give them your dates so they can tell you what restaurants might still have availability. Good luck!

 

[Allison]

I am so confused with all of the acronyms, lol. I am staying at an all star resort and have the dining plan. I didn't purchase my tickets with my reservation because I got them somewhere else.

I was only able to get the basic dining plan (1 sit-down, 1 counter-service and 1 snack) because I had a discount. This is going to be hard to do because I have a 2 year old and he is horrible at restaraunts. I really wish that I had the option to eat at a counter-service twice but they wouldn't allow me to pay for an upgrade. We'll just have to deal with it though I guess. I'll try to reserve our sit down meals at buffets so that we'll have our food more quickly and can get out of there before the terrible twos kick in, lol.

I think you need to investigate exactly what you have purchased because a dining plan package does require a ticket purchase unless you are staying DVC on points (which you are not) or you have an annual pass.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am staying at an all star resort and have the dining plan. I didn't purchase my tickets with my reservation because I got them somewhere else.
I was only able to get the basic dining plan (1 sit-down, 1 counter-service and 1 snack) because I had a discount.

Agree that none of this makes sense.
Not doubting you. Just make sure you have what you think you have.
If you did not purchase tickets with you reservation, that means you have a room only. And a dining plan cannot be added. (There are a few exceptions, such as WDW annual passholders can book a ticketless package.)
And the basic is pretty much a middle plan.
There is the quick service plan, which is all counter service foods, then the basic, then deluxe dining, dine w/wine, deluxe dine w/wine, premium, platinum...

 

[TDC Nala]

There are some discounted packages (i.e. the military discount) that permit only the basic dining plan to be added. But I have not heard of getting any dining plan without purchasing park tickets as part of a package, except those for annual passholders. (Or DVC members, but DVC is an entirely different reservation system.)

Not to say that cast members, for example, wouldn't have access to something like the AP room/dining package, because they might.

 

[Luv2Roam]

That could be the only thing I could think of as a possibility. They must be leaving soon, based on what plutolovr posted.
As long as it works out. I would just hate for anyone to have a surprise due to getting something different from what they thought they had.

 

[jlr9882]

Ok well thanks for your help. I am waiting on my cousin to write me back to see if she will be able to add the dp for us.

 

[Luv2Roam]

That's your best bet. Let your cousion know what you prefer and see how close they are able to match your requests.

 

[plutolovr]

Okay all, she said her cousin is a CM. CMs now, through March can book a discounted room for friends and family (40% off) and add the Dining Plan for $20.99 each person. It's not a package, it's actually a room-only ressie with Dining Plan, a special perk for being a CM. I just returned from CSR and my CM DD stayed with me so we got 60% off the room and the DP for $20.99/night.

Mystery solved!!!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Can I adopt a CM?

 

[alexandallysmommy]

Hi, I saw that everyone was wondering how I got the room and meal plan only... we are military! Nothing fishy going on here.

We got a discount on the room for being active-duty military and they also gave us the option to add the dining plan (1 sit-down, 1 counter service and 1 snack).

When I called to see if I could change the meal plan they told me that the option I had was the only one they could give me with the military room discount. Which is OK because I've booked all of our dining (after the original post). I'm pretty happy with the dining selections I was able to reserve. I did not realize that you had to reserve so far in advance... we only booked our room a couple weeks ago!

I've been to Disney World five times but I was young (16-22). I just paid for my meals as I went along and never really cared to do a sit-down meal.

I know that everything is legitimate and I'm not going to get any suprises when I get there. I booked everything straight through Disney World (not a travel agent). I've gotten a confirmation email as well as a packet in the mail with various items (vouchers, luggage tags, coupons, letter, etc).

We purchased our tickets from the military base. My husband gets in free for five days (with hopper). My daughter and I had to pay $124 each for a five day park hopper (and I have a 2 year old that will get in free). We also get to go to Sea World for one day absoluetly free.

I was just a little frustrated with the sit down meal thing. I'm so worried that my son will be bad. We don't ever go out to eat because he will not sit still. He refuses to sit in a high chair so one of us ends up holding him. It's so hard, but I'm sure I'm not the only one going through that stage. I booked some character dining and mostly buffets to get in and out quick.

Thanks for all of your concerns... I had it covered

 

[jlr9882]

2 years since I started this thread and I am getting my dining plan w/o buying tickets since my cousin can get us in the parks for free... CMs have a special deal right now for family and friends. We are getting 50% off Pop and dining plan for $27.99 pp a night and my son $11.99 a night.

 

[miprender]

Wow that is a great deal.

 

[jlr9882]

Wow that is a great deal.

I know I am so excited!

 

[jsgrand0]

Wow! I want to adopt a CM too!! Wish I knew SOMEBODY that is currently a CM!!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

2 years since I started this thread and I am getting my dining plan w/o buying tickets since my cousin can get us in the parks for free... CMs have a special deal right now for family and friends. We are getting 50% off Pop and dining plan for $27.99 pp a night and my son $11.99 a night.

Hey cousin.
I won't be there until 8/7. Hope to see you then.
Reserve the Dining Plan for me too please.