Dining Plan questions/update live from BCV

[PatMcDuck]

We leave for BCV Sunday. We just found out a few days ago, my 20 year old son won't be coming. We were going to do the meal plan, we are DVC members. I called DVC today, just to note to them that there will be 5 of us, not 6. I did not know DVC closed early, I called at 6:30. I mean, I have not paid anything yet for meal plan. I was just giving them an FYI. Well, I called the hotel, which is what the recorded message said to do if member services was closed. I called BCV. They were totally confused. I said, just a heads up, 5 not 6 for the meal plan. They kept saying, member services has to do this, and I kept saying I arrive Sunday, they are not there until Monday. My bad, I should have called earlier, of course! But, they offered no help, they sounded like idiots, transferring me around. Finally I said look, I have paid nothing. I can offer front desk the $$ for 5, or I will cancel the entire food plan for us all. She was like, well, um, and acted like I was being unreasonable. Finally I said, I am not trying to be difficult, I will just refuse to pay, you can't make me. (I said this with humor, not meanly) She seemed to act like that might not be an option. I am NOT paying for 6, if we only have 5. I am so annoyed by the whole thing, I want to not get it at all. it was weird, maybe tomorrow I will call and ask for a manager.

Has anyone else been able to adjust the meal plan in a similar situation?

 

[Dean]

Technically you would be obligated to get the meal plan and pay for all 6. Just ask at check in if you can change it and let us know what happens either way please.

 

[TCPluto]

I'm guessing that you'll be able to change it at check in. After all, if you sign up for it prior to arrival as you have to, you can decline it once you do arrive, so I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed to just drop one from the plan.

Please do post how this works out.

 

[Dean]

I'm guessing that you'll be able to change it at check in. After all, if you sign up for it prior to arrival as you have to, you can decline it once you do arrive, so I don't see why you wouldn't be allowed to just drop one from the plan.

Please do post how this works out.

Here is an email from MS on this very question.

Thank you for your e-mail. The dining plan cannot be altered upon check-in;therefore, you cannot cancel it. The party size should be correct on it before you arrive.

 

[Disneyaholic]

Wow -- I'll bet if the situation were reversed (had reserved DP for 5 people, but bringing 6 at the last minute), they'd find a way to alter the plan at check-in!

I would send an email to MS right away -- even though they are closed, to prove that you attempted to cancel one person ahead of time. I'd also try to call the front desk again; we all know that there are different levels of experience and knowledge among the cast members working there. Get the name of the person you speak to. If they still don't let you take one person off the plan, I'd be on the phone with MS first thing Monday morning, along with your proof that you attempted to make the change prior to check-in.

Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

My bet is a manager will be able to fix it at check-in. When we checked into OKW in April and the dining plan was charging the wrong amount (too low, couldn't figure out why), a manager came over to override it.

 

[CarolMN]

You may not ever have gotten to the correct person when you called. My understanding is that when you call the resort, you get the centralized front desk operations center (Not sure if that is what Disney calls it, but it is a group of people who answer phone calls to the front desk so that the CMs there can concentrate on the guests standing in front of them).

I have no advice, but I do hope you are able to work it out when you arrive. Am also interested to hear how it goes.

Best wishes -

 

[Dean]

You may not ever have gotten to the correct person when you called. My understanding is that when you call the resort, you get the centralized front desk operations center (Not sure if that is what Disney calls it, but it is a group of people who answer phone calls to the front desk so that the CMs there can concentrate on the guests standing in front of them).

I have no advice, but I do hope you are able to work it out when you arrive. Am also interested to hear how it goes.

Best wishes -

MS told me no on that one as well but YMMV, Disney is nothing if not inconsistent.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Well, we will see tomorrow. I thought maybe they were confused, because it was DVC, and I was talking to the BC front desk. At least, I thought it was. I know when you have a Disney package, you have to cancel within 30 days or whatever. But, this is not a package. How can they make me pay? I did not give them a CC or anything. I had no idea it was not adjustible at the front desk.

Truth, now I want to cancel it completely. I made PS before they came out with the free dining. With the free dining, the restuarants are a chaotic mess. I know, I went during free food last year. (I was cash room at Pop). PAYING for dining, during a free food time, is not worth it. The restuarants are packed, you cannot adjust your PS at all (normally, you can call the day before and adjust most PS, but not during free food times). It is so rigid and inflexible, because of all those people on the free food, it is not worth it. I called to remove the one son who can't make the trip, now I am so annoyed I want out of it. It was a breakeven financially, for us, when I figured out the costs, so thats not a factor. If I was on the free food, I would put up with all the chaos, of course, for the benefits.

I'll report back. I am not a troublemaker normally, member since 1995. I was ignorant on the dining plan details, and they certainly gave me no info when I called like they do with packages, ie with packages they tell you you have until whatever day to cancel. No such info was offered to me.

 

[PatMcDuck]

OK, just an FYI, it is NOT a big deal to make any sort of adjustment at check in. I dropped the meal plan. I would not recommend doing this AT ALL, because it is a minor PITA for the cast members. If everyone did this, the lines would grow, etc. (No line at all when I checked in) BUT, it certainly was NO problem at all, and I could have also made the adjustment from 6 to 5. I sort of played dumb, checked in, and then said wait, I did not want meal plan. (OK, I am a chicken, and did not want a fight, I am way too happy to BE at BCV!)

PS, I got the dreaded ROAD VIEW. Makes me slightly sad, family only comes every 2 years, etc. I wish I could pay more points NOT to get this view, as we had it 2 years ago as well. But, looks a LOT better than NJ, life is good.

CAPE MAY tonight! Love you all for all your helpful comments.

 

[Chuck S]

PS, I got the dreaded ROAD VIEW.

That is your penance for cancelling the DDP

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for reporting back - have a wonderful trip!

 

[Dean]

OK, just an FYI, it is NOT a big deal to make any sort of adjustment at check in. I dropped the meal plan. I would not recommend doing this AT ALL, because it is a minor PITA for the cast members. If everyone did this, the lines would grow, etc. (No line at all when I checked in) BUT, it certainly was NO problem at all, and I could have also made the adjustment from 6 to 5. I sort of played dumb, checked in, and then said wait, I did not want meal plan. (OK, I am a chicken, and did not want a fight, I am way too happy to BE at BCV!)

PS, I got the dreaded ROAD VIEW. Makes me slightly sad, family only comes every 2 years, etc. I wish I could pay more points NOT to get this view, as we had it 2 years ago as well. But, looks a LOT better than NJ, life is good.

CAPE MAY tonight! Love you all for all your helpful comments.

Thanks for letting us know and I'm not surprised. Disney is nothing if not inconsistent.

 

[dis-happy]

Welcome Home!
Hope you have a good trip....

 

[kato0627]

Just curious as we are coming in 4 weeks. What room #'s are the road view and what type of room are you in.??
Have a great time, you are better off there than in N.J where we are!!!!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I have a little experience with this. I had made a reservation for four in a studio, but only 3 came. I forgot to let MS know that only 3 were coming. They did the adjustment of the cost at the front desk, but the credits on the cards were for a group of four instead of 3. I was told to only use the credits that I was entitled to and leave the rest on the cards. I did that and even left a couple of extra counter service that we did not use. It was a hassle though!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have an additional question. We are going to be doing the DDP for the 2 bedroom portion of our trip because our guests want to do it. How are the dining credits used? Are they on EACH card? Is there the requisit number on each card or is it a pool for the whole unit?

 

[Scraper]

OK, just an FYI, it is NOT a big deal to make any sort of adjustment at check in. I dropped the meal plan. I would not recommend doing this AT ALL, because it is a minor PITA for the cast members. If everyone did this, the lines would grow, etc. (No line at all when I checked in) BUT, it certainly was NO problem at all, and I could have also made the adjustment from 6 to 5. I sort of played dumb, checked in, and then said wait, I did not want meal plan. (OK, I am a chicken, and did not want a fight, I am way too happy to BE at BCV!)

PS, I got the dreaded ROAD VIEW. Makes me slightly sad, family only comes every 2 years, etc. I wish I could pay more points NOT to get this view, as we had it 2 years ago as well. But, looks a LOT better than NJ, life is good.

CAPE MAY tonight! Love you all for all your helpful comments.

That is why I love Disney they always try to make my vacation the best even if they have to bend the rules a little. No harm no Foul. Have a great time

 

[dgaston]

We had originally planned the DDP for a one night reservation at BWV on our July trip. When DH passed out and was injured and spent his nights at Florida Orlando Hospital instead, the Concierge people were great about helping me drop the DDP. I was glad they found a way to help me.