Dining Plan pay upon booking in Disney Files?

[cseca]

OK,
I saw a post previously that says this was a new option.
But I'm reading my Disney Files on page 10 it says the new system "Wishes" will require DDP paid upon booking.

Ugh... I don't like this. I like it as an option but as a rule, that stinks.

Does anyone know if it's going to be the rule?

 

[Sandisw]

I didn't get my new copy yet and the one on the website is from 2009. I liked being able to pay for it at check in as well.

But, if this is the case, I won't be adding it until the last possible minute so that I don't have to pay for it too far in advance, especially since there may be times I add my DS and DD to the reservation (college age) but won't know whether they are coming until closer to the time of our trip.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

Booked a trip the other day and the cm at member services said that pre paying for the ddp has been in discussion for a very long time and will be become a new policy very shortly. She also stated that it was scrored very highly on a member survey as an option that members wanted. I think it might work better if you had the option to prepay if you wanted or pay upon arrival. Personally I like the option because I can prepay months in advance and have a trip completely paid for and not have to worry if something comes up where I need the money at home.

 

[cseca]

hmm... I agree it's a great option. As a rule however, it's ucky.
Well, I wonder why they can't just add it when you check in?
I'm sure that option would rate high on a member survey.

I wonder when do they do these member survey? Been a member for 10 years and haven't had to be surveyed just yet...

 

[Chuck S]

While I don't plan on using a DDP, and none of my guests have wanted it so far...the people I have invited for December may want it. If it has to be paid in advance, we either have to do a 3 way call, or I have to be with them when I call to add it to the reservation, or pay for it and get them to reimburse. Just not convenient when taking friends on a separate reservation.

While I've seen many posts here on the DVC boards wanting to pay in advance, I think there should be a choice of prepayment or payment at check-in. It can throw off the planning of multi-family trips.

 

[DebbieB]

It will also throw off people renting points.

I'm sure Disney wants to do it to get your money in advance. They would rather have it in their bank account than yours.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I wonder how it would affect our reservations should they change?

I've changed my reservations three times this year! I've added quick service each time, had I prepaid for it would it automatically be applied to the new reservation? I wonder.....

 

[cseca]

It will also throw off people renting points.

I'm sure Disney wants to do it to get your money in advance. They would rather have it in their bank account than yours.

Exactly.
All it does is make people add on the DDP closer to their vacation date anyways. I don't know how that helps the majority of members.

While I don't plan on using a DDP, and none of my guests have wanted it so far...the people I have invited for December may want it. If it has to be paid in advance, we either have to do a 3 way call, or I have to be with them when I call to add it to the reservation, or pay for it and get them to reimburse. Just not convenient when taking friends on a separate reservation.

While I've seen many posts here on the DVC boards wanting to pay in advance, I think there should be a choice of prepayment or payment at check-in. It can throw off the planning of multi-family trips.

Exactly! A choice is good... who are these people they survey really?

I wonder how it would affect our reservations should they change?

I've changed my reservations three times this year! I've added quick service each time, had I prepaid for it would it automatically be applied to the new reservation? I wonder.....

Ooh... didn't think of that...
Refund and recharge I suppose. Wouldn't that be a pain ?
Adding extra work for MS? Who knows.

 

[Sandisw]

It will also throw off people renting points.

I'm sure Disney wants to do it to get your money in advance. They would rather have it in their bank account than yours.

Your right...that will make it a bit harder to coordinate with renters. I am just disappointed as I liked paying at check in with my Disney reward dollars.

Hopefully, we will still be able to use those to pay, even if we have to pay 48 hours in advance.

But, once this change goes in to effect, I won't add it until the last possible minute.

 

[Checkers]

Personally I don't like it. Choice is always a better option. Like another poster stated, I like paying at checkin and plan on using Disney Reward points. And, yes, who are these members that were surveyed?????

Although we don't always use the DP, when we take our DD and family it is really cost effective for us.

 

[Chuck S]

We need to remember that this may not truly be a DVC initiated change, whether from Members or DVC itself. It may be with the new software upgrade, and with the regular Disney reservation system and DVC Member systems talking to each other, it may be a requirement of the system software...as the DDP is owned and operated by Disney resorts, not DVC. If the two reservation systems merge for certain items, like the DDP, dining reservations, etc., it may just be a system requirement.

As many DVCers want to be treated just like cash guests, it could be case of "be careful what you wish for...."

 

[Sandisw]

We need to remember that this may not truly be a DVC initiated change, whether from Members or DVC itself. It may be with the new software upgrade, and with the regular Disney reservation system and DVC Member systems talking to each other, it may be a requirement of the system software...as the DDP is owned and operated by Disney resorts, not DVC. If the two reservation systems merge for certain items, like the DDP, dining reservations, etc., it may just be a system requirement.

As many DVCers want to be treated just like cash guests, it could be case of "be careful what you wish for...."

That certainly would make sense.

 

[cseca]

We need to remember that this may not truly be a DVC initiated change, whether from Members or DVC itself. It may be with the new software upgrade, and with the regular Disney reservation system and DVC Member systems talking to each other, it may be a requirement of the system software...as the DDP is owned and operated by Disney resorts, not DVC. If the two reservation systems merge for certain items, like the DDP, dining reservations, etc., it may just be a system requirement.

As many DVCers want to be treated just like cash guests, it could be case of "be careful what you wish for...."

Definitely makes a lot of sense. I guess it's part of the "enhancements" they're talking about...