DVC and DDP ?

[ColleenG]

Our family of 6 is going in Oct. and we are all on the dining plan. My Mom is going to join us for a 3 day weekend during our trip. Does anyone know if we can get her the dining plan for just the days she is there? I just don't want to worry about carrying cash around or having extra room charges. I'm one of those who likes to have as many expenses covered in advance as I can.

 

[Chuck S]

No, you can not, unless you get her a separate room reservation, perhaps a studio of her own. Otherwise, you will need to pay for her for the entire length of the reservation. And really, if she is joining you, shouldn't she be listed on your room reservation? This is where the DDP can really cause a problem. Under the plan, EVERYONE in the room needs to be on the plan for the entire length of stay.

 

[JimMIA]

With six in your party, there are a couple of considerations.

As far as lodging, you're obviously in a two-bedroom so there would be no additional room charge for an extra adult like you would have at non-DVC resorts. But she will have to be listed as a guest if she's in the same villa.

If you get her a separate studio, she could get DDP just for the days she's there, as Chuck said.

You didn't say how long your main party is staying, but buying DDP for your mother for the entire period may not be that big of a deal.

For example, if you're going to be there 7 days and she's just there 3, you would have 4 extra nights credits. You could use those for extra meals, or use them for a couple of 2 TS meals for yourself and DH. Or...use some of them for 2TS meals for her. There are lots of options.

If you are staying longer, obviously that's not as attractive an option.

The other thing you need to be aware of is the gratuity. With 6 or more in your party, there will be an automatic 18% gratuity added to all of your TS meals. And, as I presume you already know, you are responsible for that tip -- it's no longer included in DDP.

ETA: That automatic 18% gratuity has nothing to do with DDP, incidentally. That will be added no matter how you're paying for the meal.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I would do what Jim said and use 2 TS credits for the other days, and enjoy it. We like to do breakfast in the room (cereal), but maybe you could enjoy the extra CS credits on breakfast too. For 2 TS credits here are some suggestions:

-a dinner show (gratuity is included in this also, as well as certain beer and wine!)
-Cinderella's Royal Table if you are into eating inside the castle (though many say it is not worth 2 TS credits unless that castle is THAT important to you)
-Yachtsman's Steakhouse at YC resort
-California Grill (great view of MK fireworks too if you time it right)
-Flying Fish Cafe at BW resort
-Narcoossee's or Citrico's at the GF resort

I have not been to any of the above, but these are places I have read nothing but wonderful things about. We are considering doing the Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show at FW next time we go, as it seems well worth 2 TS credits. It includes some alcohol too, as well as gratuity, which really makes it much more of an all-inclusive dining experience than other TS places.

As far as the extra snack credits, you know you can have lots of fun with those!! Especially at Epcot!

 

[ColleenG]

Thanks guys. I sort of thought we wouldn't be able to add mom to the dining plan. I did know about the add 18% gratuity for tables of 6 or more. Here's my next question. Our youngest two kids are under 3, do they count in the party size? Our 2 year old is a big eater so we will probably just order him his own meal off the kids menu. But our 1 year old can pick off everyone else's plates. So do they count us as 5 or 6? It's not that big of a deal, we usually tip 20% for decent service. I just need to remember to check the bill.

 

[Chuck S]

Children aged 2 and under don't need to be on the DDP, but you can add your 2yo to the plan if you want to. Your 1yo can eat off of your plates.

 

[ColleenG]

Children aged 2 and under don't need to be on the DDP, but you can add your 2yo to the plan if you want to. Your 1yo can eat off of your plates.

If I put the 2 year old on the DDP, do I have to buy him a park ticket? I figured it would be cheaper to feed him than to buy him a ticket.

 

[hakepb]

DVC members do not need to purchase any park tickets to purchase the DDP

 

[Dean]

Thanks guys. I sort of thought we wouldn't be able to add mom to the dining plan. I did know about the add 18% gratuity for tables of 6 or more. Here's my next question. Our youngest two kids are under 3, do they count in the party size? Our 2 year old is a big eater so we will probably just order him his own meal off the kids menu. But our 1 year old can pick off everyone else's plates. So do they count us as 5 or 6? It's not that big of a deal, we usually tip 20% for decent service. I just need to remember to check the bill.

As noted, all will need to be on the Plan. I know Jim made the assumption that you are in a 2 BR, if you're really in a 1 BR you'll have a problem in all likelihood as you won't (or at least shouldn't) be able to add her to your room.

I don't know how long you are staying, but if it's around a week or so and she's there for 3 days, the extra few credits shouldn't be that much. If the plan makes sense for your otherwise, I'd add her and not get the plan for the 2 y/o. You'll have the extra snacks and CS meals and one Signature meal for the family will wipe out most of the extra credits. I'd just divide up the children's meals from the other two and worst case scenario is you buy an extra a la carte item for TS options from time to time. If you have multiple signature's planned, I'd probably get the plan for the 2 y/o and your Mom.

 

[ses1230]

If I put the 2 year old on the DDP, do I have to buy him a park ticket? I figured it would be cheaper to feed him than to buy him a ticket.

I'm pretty sure you can't get the dining plan for your 2 yo as the dining plan is for age 3 and up.

Even if you have kids too young for the dining plan, they still count in the # of people for your ADR. DD will be 9 months when we go in Nov., and she was counted when I made all my ADRs. Something about space/occupancy, I think?

 

[Chuck S]

I'm pretty sure you can't get the dining plan for your 2 yo as the dining plan is for age 3 and up.

Even if you have kids too young for the dining plan, they still count in the # of people for your ADR. DD will be 9 months when we go in Nov., and she was counted when I made all my ADRs. Something about space/occupancy, I think?

Members here have reported adding a two year old to the DDP, the normal 3 yo age limit is likely on the CRO plans because it also requires a park ticket, and 2 yo olds don't need park tickets.

Since the DVC version of the DDP doesn't require a park picket purchase, the system probably allows a 2 yo to be added.

If, however, as some people suspect, they are trying to merge CRO and DVC computer reservation systems, this may change at any time.

 

[ses1230]

Members here have reported adding a two year old to the DDP, the normal 3 yo age limit is likely on the CRO plans because it also requires a park ticket, and 2 yo olds don't need park tickets.

Since the DVC version of the DDP doesn't require a park picket purchase, the system probably allows a 2 yo to be added.

If, however, as some people suspect, they are trying to merge CRO and DVC computer reservation systems, this may change at any time.

Chuck, that's good to know since we have a little one. I'm going to keep this in mind for the future!

 

[JimMIA]

Here's my next question. Our youngest two kids are under 3, do they count in the party size? Our 2 year old is a big eater so we will probably just order him his own meal off the kids menu. But our 1 year old can pick off everyone else's plates. So do they count us as 5 or 6? It's not that big of a deal, we usually tip 20% for decent service. I just need to remember to check the bill.

EVERYONE counts, whether or not they are on the DDP, whether of not they're eating. Infants in strollers count. The "party of six" thing is a provision of Disney's labor contract with their servers, and ages don't matter for the purpose of determining the automatic gratuity.

 

[VrBchJ]

If anyone in your party will have an AP you could get the DDE for $60. It's good for a year and 20% discount on food and beverages, including the adult kind. An 18% gratuity will be added no matter how many people in the party.