Dining plan required for all on reservation despite different arrival times?

[Mflaherty]

I just got off the phone with member services and was told I had to get the meal plan for all on the reservation. I was aware of that and that if fine except that my parents aren't joining us in the 2 bedroom villa until the last 3 nights of the trip. Why do I have to buy them a mealplan for the entire trip if they are only going to be there that last 3 nights? This is getting ridiculous. Not to mention my husband wants the deluxe and I prefer the regular. Why are we all forced to get the same one. Ridiculous.but anyway my concern is paying to my parents on nights they aren't there??? Ummm my husband doesn't eat that much!!! Plus I set up the magic express for my parent s to prove their arrival date. Anyone know something that can help?

 

[tinkfan]

I just got off the phone with member services and was told I had to get the meal plan for all on the reservation. I was aware of that and that if fine except that my parents aren't joining us in the 2 bedroom villa until the last 3 nights of the trip. Why do I have to buy them a mealplan for the entire trip if they are only going to be there that last 3 nights? This is getting ridiculous. Not to mention my husband wants the deluxe and I prefer the regular. Why are we all forced to get the same one. Ridiculous.but anyway my concern is paying to my parents on nights they aren't there??? Ummm my husband doesn't eat that much!!! Plus I set up the magic express for my parent s to prove their arrival date. Anyone know something that can help?

Not sure, but you could possibly split it into 2 seperate reservations. That way you could add dining plan onto only the nights the 2 of you are there on one and all of you on the other. You would have to check out and check back in, but they will most likely let you stay in the same room.

 

[BillPA]

You should look into the TIW card, sounds like you will save more that way.
That is if you are a DVC member or have APs, other wise you cannot get the TIW card.

 

[Minniesgal]

Not sure, but you could possibly split it into 2 seperate reservations. That way you could add dining plan onto only the nights the 2 of you are there on one and all of you on the other. You would have to check out and check back in, but they will most likely let you stay in the same room.

Disney stopped allowing you to do this. The only way this would work would be if you changed resort or view or booking category. If you book several stays in the same room for dining plan purposes Disney call it a continuous stay.

 

[Minniesgal]

I would also recommend the TIW card instead of the DDP we find the plan is not worth the money we save more paying OOP or using the TIW

 

[sweetdana]

If you change room types you can do it.

IE 1st 5 nights stay in a 2 bedroom, then last 3 nights go with a lock off.

(Or even a 1 bedroom followed by a 2 bedroom.)

 

[Dean]

I just got off the phone with member services and was told I had to get the meal plan for all on the reservation. I was aware of that and that if fine except that my parents aren't joining us in the 2 bedroom villa until the last 3 nights of the trip. Why do I have to buy them a mealplan for the entire trip if they are only going to be there that last 3 nights? This is getting ridiculous. Not to mention my husband wants the deluxe and I prefer the regular. Why are we all forced to get the same one. Ridiculous.but anyway my concern is paying to my parents on nights they aren't there??? Ummm my husband doesn't eat that much!!! Plus I set up the magic express for my parent s to prove their arrival date. Anyone know something that can help?

Their game, their rules, no requirement to get it at all but if you want it, your options are limited. I don't know your group makeup or usual meal choices but it's going to be difficult to use up the extra credits for the Dlx plan, more realistic for the basic plan but it has a lot more QS credits than we prefer. Can you change to a 1 BR for the time without the parents then you could get it for just those nights and a separate even different plan or no plan for the other 3 nights.

Not sure, but you could possibly split it into 2 seperate reservations. That way you could add dining plan onto only the nights the 2 of you are there on one and all of you on the other. You would have to check out and check back in, but they will most likely let you stay in the same room.

They'd have to get a new and separate reservation and possibly have to change rooms on that change day.

 

[momto3pirates]

Does your DH want the deluxe ddp because he wants to use more credits than you get with the regular ddp? If you put your parents on for the whole time you can use their credits before they arrive. It might work out price wise the same as just you two being on deluxe. Just another option

 

[bigtony777]

Another recommendation for TIW. You will save roughly the same amount, but will not be locked in to specific items. You can get the 20% off appetizers, splitting a meal and even alcohol. Take a look online to make sure the restaurants that you are going to eat at take the card.

 

[catherines_mama]

We went to TIW and haven't looked back. DD8 and I share meals with no problem, DH gets his beer 20% off, DD12 can order an app for dinner if she wants and it's all 20% off. (grat tacked on)

It's a great deal and we've found we come out the same but have much more flexibility. The only con, we go into vacation with our meals not paid for, I used to love that. But it just takes more planning and budgeting.

 

[Minniesgal]

We went to TIW and haven't looked back. DD8 and I share meals with no problem, DH gets his beer 20% off, DD12 can order an app for dinner if she wants and it's all 20% off. (grat tacked on)

It's a great deal and we've found we come out the same but have much more flexibility. The only con, we go into vacation with our meals not paid for, I used to love that. But it just takes more planning and budgeting.

To be honest now if you have an appetizer, or an adult beverage or a side etc and then tip even with the DDP you still end up with a bill at the end of each meal that can be more than a few dollars so I don't even see the convenience of being prepaid.