Disney Dining Plan for DVC

[Dean]

I don't see the meal plan and DDE as mutually exclusive.

We love being able to buy DDE and will renew again this year although most likely with just one card as it will now be an extra $25 for the second card.

But we may try the dining plan for the DVC portion of one of our split stays. We could still use the DDE card for a bottle of wine or additional meals. I can envision using the counter service for some breakfasts, DDE for a nice lunch and the plan for dinner at a non signature restaurant. Or DDE for signature dinners and the plan for lunch. Or even branch out and try lunch at a few counter service spots. Take the desserts from "plan" meals back to the villa for an especially healthy breakfast.

At any rate, I do think it is great that DVC has been able to add this option.

Will they allow a discount on the same check from both systems? Disney looks at the DP as a discount system. I know in past years with the FnF plan, they did not consistently allow combining the two though the situation was a little different. Anyone had both and able to use both on one check?

 

[yitbos96bb]

Just a heads up if someone hasn't posted this information yet. I just hung up with MS and the CM informed me that starting 1/3/06 a dining plan will be put into place for those DVC members who are checking in the last week of April and beyond.

He couldn't offer any more information at this time, but I'm wondering what the "perk" will be. Unfortunately we already have the DDE card that doesn't expire until the end of 11/06, so we probably won't be taking advantage of the DDP. But...in the future who knows.

Brian

This was announced a few weeks ago. $37.99 per person, and isn't dependent on a ticket, so you can use with AP or MYW tickets.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Will they allow a discount on the same check from both systems? Disney looks at the DP as a discount system. I know in past years with the FnF plan, they did not consistently allow combining the two though the situation was a little different. Anyone had both and able to use both on one check?

I don't know if it will change this year, but the boards are filled with people who utilized both DDE and DP.

 

[BCV23]

Will they allow a discount on the same check from both systems? Disney looks at the DP as a discount system. I know in past years with the FnF plan, they did not consistently allow combining the two though the situation was a little different. Anyone had both and able to use both on one check?

We have no personal experience with this but I have read on the restaurant board of folks being able to use DDE for alcoholic beverages. It would be seperate checks though I believe. Years ago we did the old Gold plans and always had seperate checks for alcohol.

 

[unixadm]

We did it in September....

Got the Dining Plan and purchased the DDE card.

For some meals, we used the Dining Plan credits for wife and my meals, then used DDE to get 20% off of the separate check of the kids meal(s) and our add ons such as Wine or Beer.

I just told the server ahead of time what our plans were for using credits (2 adults only, or 2 adults and a child, etc) and they separated the other meals/add ons onto the separate check with no problem.

 

[NMW]

Will they allow a discount on the same check from both systems? Disney looks at the DP as a discount system. I know in past years with the FnF plan, they did not consistently allow combining the two though the situation was a little different. Anyone had both and able to use both on one check?

Yes, you can use both. The restaurant board is filled with tips how to use both in the most cost effective way-LOL. In general, many people seem to use the DDE for alcohol or when they pay out of pocket for kids meals to save their table meal credits to use at signature restaurants. At this time anyway, all credits are "pooled" and there is no difference between a child or an adult credit. There is much speculation on the restaurant board about whether it is fair to do this or is it "taking advantage" of Disney-it can get pretty heated .

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Now that we have the +dining option lets hope they add premium next.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Yes, you can use both. The restaurant board is filled with tips how to use both in the most cost effective way-LOL. In general, many people seem to use the DDE for alcohol or when they pay out of pocket for kids meals to save their table meal credits to use at signature restaurants. At this time anyway, all credits are "pooled" and there is no difference between a child or an adult credit. There is much speculation on the restaurant board about whether it is fair to do this or is it "taking advantage" of Disney-it can get pretty heated .

Taking advantage of Disney? A company that paid Eisner $20 million dollar bonuses and still paid many of its Orlando Cast Members $6.25 an hour... people with families...

I love Disney and enjoy the entertainment value of the company, but it is pretty much a guarentee they are taking advantage of every consumer who goes into their parks in some little way (Cough...$4.00 for a coke...Cough). That cracks me up people would feel sorry for Disney.

Hmm, now THIS would be a bit unethical, but I wonder if you could say you have more 3-9 year old kids than you do (in our case we have none) and then pay the extra money and use the credits. That is the one thing to me missing from DP, the ability to pay more and get extra TS or CS credits (For us TS, but others may want more CS). I would love to see the following options.. All include Snack:

1 TS and 1 CS
2 TS
2 CS
2 TS and 1 CS
1 TS and 2 CS

Would anyone who likes the DP be interested in this, provided the same up to 30% discount level is used in conjuction to the pricing?

 

[yitbos96bb]

Now that we have the +dining option lets hope they add premium next.

That looked like a cool thing just way $$$$$. Would you want it for just the ability to go to 3 TS a day including V and A? Or do you want to also do all the recreation and tours included? My wife and I really wanted to do the premium one time, BUT I think it would have to be on a trip where we are by ourselves as I just don't see any of our family wanting to do it.

 

[Chuck S]

(Cough...$4.00 for a coke...Cough).

Umm, I don't think cokes are $4 at Disney, although they certainly are $4 at the movie theaters around here. Cokes were about $2.50 per bottle at Disney.

 

[Dean]

Taking advantage of Disney? A company that paid Eisner $20 million dollar bonuses and still paid many of its Orlando Cast Members $6.25 an hour... people with families...

Disney sets the rules and can even change them in the middle of your stay. Their rule is kids that pay the kids price eat from the kids menu. But it's their dime, unlike the occupancy discussion, and if they chose to or not to enforce it; that is their choice. However, IMO, this is he single largest item that killed the FnF plan we were discussing on another thread. So if Disney continues to play it lose, the risk of severely negative changes to the plan is much higher in the long run.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Umm, I don't think cokes are $4 at Disney, although they certainly are $4 at the movie theaters around here. Cokes were about $2.50 per bottle at Disney.

My bad. You are right... Fine, $2.50 for a coke... It still is WAY too much.

 

[Sammie]

Taking advantage of Disney? A company that paid Eisner $20 million dollar bonuses and still paid many of its Orlando Cast Members $6.25 an hour... people with families...

I love Disney and enjoy the entertainment value of the company, but it is pretty much a guarentee they are taking advantage of every consumer who goes into their parks in some little way (Cough...$4.00 for a coke...Cough). That cracks me up people would feel sorry for Disney.

Hmm, now THIS would be a bit unethical, but I wonder if you could say you have more 3-9 year old kids than you do (in our case we have none) and then pay the extra money and use the credits. That is the one thing to me missing from DP, the ability to pay more and get extra TS or CS credits (For us TS, but others may want more CS). I would love to see the following options.. All include Snack:

1 TS and 1 CS
2 TS
2 CS
2 TS and 1 CS
1 TS and 2 CS

Would anyone who likes the DP be interested in this, provided the same up to 30% discount level is used in conjuction to the pricing?

Ethics have nothing to do with Eisner's salary. They have to do with doing what is right. If your theory was correct robbing banks would be the way to go.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just got off the phone with Member Services and the CM was very knowlegable of the plan. She gave me the specifics:

1. Members can start booking the meal plan starting 01/03/06 through Member Services.

2. The plan can be booked for reservations starting April 1st 2006.

3. The plan must be booked for the entire length of your stay at the resort

4. There is no minumum night stay....if you are staying 1 night at a DVC resort, you can get the meal plan for that 1 day.

5. If you are doing split stays, you can get the plan for the entire trip, provided you are doing DVC resorts for the entire trip. You would just book the plan for each reservation number.

6. Payment is not made until you check into the resort. Your credit card will be charged for the entire plan at check in (not at check out). For split stays, you pay for the 1st part of the plan at check-in at the first resort, the 2nd part of the plan at check-in at the 2nd resort, etc.

7. The plan will be available for cash reservations as well (again, only for DVC resorts)

8. You must book the plan through Member Services, and it can be booked anytime up until check-in. In my case, I am checking in on Sunday April 2nd, so the latest I could call and book would be that Friday, March 31st, since Member Services is not open on Sat and Sun. If I was checking in on Monday, I could call Monday morning before I check in and add the plan.

9. You cannot add the plan once you check in.

10. You can cancel the plan anytime before check-in with no penalty, but cannot cancel once you check in.

They are putting a formal announcement together for the website, but it probably won't be up until after the Holidays.

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much for the info about when you can add the DP. I currently have a ressie in August for a solo trip. I was thinking of adding the DP, since my DDE card will have expired. Thanks so much for letting me know I can think about it for so long-I wondered if it had to be booked at least 60 or 90 days in advance. Now my only question is whether or not the BC Marketplace will start participating, and whether or not gelato counts as a snack!

 

[halekai64]

Since the topic of dining plan ethics was brought up, I thought I'd ask a question.

This is a scenerio we have for our upcoming September trip. We'll have 2 adults and 2 kids in a 1BR and 4 adults and 2 kids in a 2BR. If I purchase the dining plan for the 2 adults and 2 kids in the 1BR that's about ~$100/day.

If we go to a TS restaurant is it legal to have 4 of the 10 people use the dining plan and can the other 6 eat some of the food ordered by the people using the dining plan?? My DH and I would never be able to eat an appetizer, an entree AND a dessert, but if we're sitting at a table with 10 people, of course it would get eaten. We also have the DDE card so we would really make out in this scenerio..

Would this be breaking a Dining Plan rule? I dont' want to break a rule, just want to maximize my savings

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Everyone in the room is supposed to be on the dining plan...so two adults and two kids would be included. If you followed the rules of the plan, there really wouldn't be that much to share if the kids had to order off the children's menu. You'd probably be better off having the people in the other room pay for the plan (although it would be more money to do so).

 

[Dean]

Since the topic of dining plan ethics was brought up, I thought I'd ask a question.

This is a scenerio we have for our upcoming September trip. We'll have 2 adults and 2 kids in a 1BR and 4 adults and 2 kids in a 2BR. If I purchase the dining plan for the 2 adults and 2 kids in the 1BR that's about ~$100/day.

If we go to a TS restaurant is it legal to have 4 of the 10 people use the dining plan and can the other 6 eat some of the food ordered by the people using the dining plan?? My DH and I would never be able to eat an appetizer, an entree AND a dessert, but if we're sitting at a table with 10 people, of course it would get eaten. We also have the DDE card so we would really make out in this scenerio..

Would this be breaking a Dining Plan rule? I dont' want to break a rule, just want to maximize my savings

As I interpret it, this would be within the rules of the plan. While there should be some food to share, esp deserts, it would not be a tremendous amount. IF Disney starts enforcing the rule that kids eat from the kids menu, there would be a lot less than if they do not. Enjoy your trip.

 

[yitbos96bb]

As I interpret it, this would be within the rules of the plan. While there should be some food to share, esp deserts, it would not be a tremendous amount. IF Disney starts enforcing the rule that kids eat from the kids menu, there would be a lot less than if they do not. Enjoy your trip.

I would agree. THe only thing I could see happening is depending on how they enforce the "All guests must buy the plan" rule. If it is done per villa (which to my interpretation is how it should be done) then this shouldn't be a problem. If they do it by party, then even if you have 2 villas they might make everyone do it. TO reiterate, I don't think they would try to do it that way (and I think it is wrong if they do), but it is a remote possibility. I would just call MS and ask. Please let us know what they say however.

 

[Dean]

I would agree. THe only thing I could see happening is depending on how they enforce the "All guests must buy the plan" rule. If it is done per villa (which to my interpretation is how it should be done) then this shouldn't be a problem. If they do it by party, then even if you have 2 villas they might make everyone do it. TO reiterate, I don't think they would try to do it that way (and I think it is wrong if they do), but it is a remote possibility. I would just call MS and ask. Please let us know what they say however.

All similar issues in the past have been based on a room or villa. I am aware of many instances where it was applied this way and not aware of any reports to the contrary. Technically separate room reservations are separate entities each stand independently.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

That looked like a cool thing just way $$$$$. Would you want it for just the ability to go to 3 TS a day including V and A? Or do you want to also do all the recreation and tours included? My wife and I really wanted to do the premium one time, BUT I think it would have to be on a trip where we are by ourselves as I just don't see any of our family wanting to do it.

We did the Premium for Our 10 year this past June/July. It was a blast. You difenitly have to use the extras to make it worth the $$$$. The table service was nice and could be a signiture every time. But it was the Activities that made it special. Rented 2 mouse boats for a total of 4 hours for the week. Parasailing, Tubeing, Golf, ect. It's not something I would do every trip. But I would love to have the option to do again. But seeing I will never go to Disney without going DVC I will not get to unless they add it.