Dining plan for all?

[DebbieB]

Thanks everyone!! I actually sent a letter to Disney about the policy-but in the mean time I will try to figure this out.

Does anyone know when the new cost of TIW will be available and when the new cost of the DDP for 2017 will be out? Lots of comparing ahead!

They do this because this is how they make money on it. If you could pick and choose which nights you want it and which people on the reservation, you would just choose the dates where you planned to eat heavy and eat light on the other days. Or pick some people to be on the plan and share meals.

 

[thebigman65]

its sound like there will be a few people, so at $68 a person, per day, that seem like TIW would be a better option, unless you are going during blackout dates. I stopped buying the DDP a long time ago and I always do my calculations and come out on top every time. DDP is never worth it IMHO.....it will also make your life way less complicated....so ya, there's that......

 

[Madame]

I already added and was billed for the DDP for a Jan 1-6 2017 stay. I did do it over the phone, but it was added no problem. Is it not rolled out for all of 2017 yet, or just that it cannot be added online? I am a bit confused reading that it isn't in the DVC system yet...

 

[erionm]

I already added and was billed for the DDP for a Jan 1-6 2017 stay. I did do it over the phone, but it was added no problem. Is it not rolled out for all of 2017 yet, or just that it cannot be added online? I am a bit confused reading that it isn't in the DVC system yet...

Pricing for DVC dining plans is set by calendar year based on check-in date. Since 2017 pricing is available, the dining plan can be added to any reservation with a check-in date during 2017.

Since you could add it by phone, it's a website issue for those that want to add it themselves.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I know many absolutely love the DDP.
For me, well, I just can't be bothered with the hassle. I highly doubt it would come close to working for us anyway. I look at the menu and get what I want. Sometimes an app, sometimes not. Sometimes dessert, sometimes not. Sometimes both, sometimes neither. Always get adult beverages, never a soft drink.

I couldn't imagine trying to sort everything out and somehow let the plan dictate what I order.

TiW for me!!

MG

 

[disneynutz]

Thats another gripe I have.....everybody shares the credits!! I like to keep track and make sure nobody uses up too many snack credits. This trip will be a few "new-disney" types and explaining the amount of credits/use etc. will be a lesson all by itself!
However what you are saying about the arrival with in 48 hours is interesting. From what I read Fast passes are easier to get as a single and maybe will be able to match up a bit!
And I forgot about DME!!! That will also be a problem...augh.

There was a post a few years ago where a family tried to pay for their TS meal with DDP credits and they were told that they didn't have any left. Big argument, family was told to take it up with the front desk at the resort. Turns out that the Uncle was spending TS credits for QS food not understanding that they weren't his credits.

Bill

 

[ScubaCat]

All your credits are belong to us.

 

[glencoe]

Thank you all for advising...I too have not done the DDP in years and always use TIW.

However with the mixed group I am going with it just seemed like it would make things easier at meals when things get split-who has an alcoholic beverage, who doesnt'...etc. You get the idea! Asking for a split bill gets ridiculous as well,but I am sure there is a good app for that!! I was recently at Chilis and they have a tablet at the table and it splits the bill so easily!!
So to make things all go smoothly with magical express, FP, room key, magic hours for my nephew coming late and leaving early- looks like TIW wins. I was trying to find a good online dining plan calculator, "seeyareelsoon" used to be awesome but it has not been updated with the new TIW cost and even the the DDP cost for 2016, they also don't have the alcohol factor that used to be available on it. Loved that tool!!

Bill (disneynutz) that is hysterical about the uncle and exactly what I was thinking!!

 

[Dean]

Several points, as noted, it's required for all in the party for the LOS. A letter won't change that, they've had those complaints for years, likely enough to fill a room full of hard drives. It may change some day but we've seen no indication it will. It is the rule, to alter the group under the table specifically for the purpose of avoiding the charge would be dishonest. They will not let you add a person at check in or during the stay now, this changed a couple of years ago. The best they could do would be to cancel and rebook which would likely mess up the entire plan anyway. Could you change to studio plus 1 BR separate and get the DP for one villa and not the other? More points but cheaper DP and more options. And with the new rules would bring on the option of the deluxe plan if thinking the basic plan now. And it'd give you more control over the credits because less people would have direct access. And you could still pay for the meals you wanted with your credits.

 

[TechRavingMad]

Thank you all for advising...I too have not done the DDP in years and always use TIW.

However with the mixed group I am going with it just seemed like it would make things easier at meals when things get split-who has an alcoholic beverage, who doesnt'...etc. You get the idea! Asking for a split bill gets ridiculous as well,but I am sure there is a good app for that!! I was recently at Chilis and they have a tablet at the table and it splits the bill so easily!!
So to make things all go smoothly with magical express, FP, room key, magic hours for my nephew coming late and leaving early- looks like TIW wins. I was trying to find a good online dining plan calculator, "seeyareelsoon" used to be awesome but it has not been updated with the new TIW cost and even the the DDP cost for 2016, they also don't have the alcohol factor that used to be available on it. Loved that tool!!

Bill (disneynutz) that is hysterical about the uncle and exactly what I was thinking!!

This is by far the best calculator that I have seen: http://www.distripplanner.com/ but it's not updated for 2017 yet. You should be able to still use it and update in your head for the small difference between 2016 and 2017

 

[otterpop]

I remember reading somewhere that you can't add the dining plan within 24 hours of your reservation...So what if you added you additional guests to your reservation within that 24 hour window???

 

[crisi]

Thank you all for advising...I too have not done the DDP in years and always use TIW.

However with the mixed group I am going with it just seemed like it would make things easier at meals when things get split-who has an alcoholic beverage, who doesnt'...etc. You get the idea! Asking for a split bill gets ridiculous as well,but I am sure there is a good app for that!! I was recently at Chilis and they have a tablet at the table and it splits the bill so easily!!
So to make things all go smoothly with magical express, FP, room key, magic hours for my nephew coming late and leaving early- looks like TIW wins. I was trying to find a good online dining plan calculator, "seeyareelsoon" used to be awesome but it has not been updated with the new TIW cost and even the the DDP cost for 2016, they also don't have the alcohol factor that used to be available on it. Loved that tool!!

Bill (disneynutz) that is hysterical about the uncle and exactly what I was thinking!!

If you use the TIW it all has to be on one bill and it all has to be paid for by the person whose name is on the card. You can trade the money around afterwards. But they won't split checks.

 

[Minniesgal]

I remember reading somewhere that you can't add the dining plan within 24 hours of your reservation...So what if you added you additional guests to your reservation within that 24 hour window???

I think they stopped allowing you to add last minute guests, I definitely read you were no longer allowed to add guests ager check in or at check in

 

[Dean]

I think they stopped allowing you to add last minute guests, I definitely read you were no longer allowed to add guests ager check in or at check in

They can't add them at check in directly but they can cancel and rebook to add them. I don't know for certain how this will work with the dining plan but I'm betting it would mess it up. I'm not sure how it'd work for the DP adding an additional person with MS since the plan is already added. It might work but one might have to get it for that person as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

However with the mixed group I am going with it just seemed like it would make things easier at meals when things get split-who has an alcoholic beverage, who doesnt'...etc. You get the idea! Asking for a split bill gets ridiculous as well

I've never found splitting a bill to be that bad, or anywhere near ridiculous. Tell the server up front, remind them at the end, simple.

So to make things all go smoothly with magical express, FP, room key, magic hours for my nephew coming late and leaving early- looks like TIW wins.

Just so you know, though, with TIW unless you get a server who is totally willing to get in trouble, you cannot split the bill and get the discount on the parts you're not directly paying for. The discount goes to the person paying, so you'll do any splitting later.


Since it sounds like you aren't paying for the family, just get the discount for yourself and let them figure out how to pay for themselves. They tell the server who is in what group and the server does it.