DVC & Disney Dining Plan?

[zmanandshan]

Here's the issue: I'm looking to plan a family vacation with a 2 bedroom villa. We like the Dining Plan. I think if you choose the dining plan, all people in the room have to get it for the length of their stay, correct? If so, how do you address if some members in my party will not stay as long as others? Do they just pay for their length of stay? How would Disney know when they are leaving? Would you have to show flight info? What would prevent someone from saying they were leaving and only pay for a shorter period of time than they were staying?

Thanks,
John

 

[rlovew]

If you decide on getting a dining plan all people registered in the room have to get the same plan for the entire time you have the villa reserved- it doesn't matter if people are leaving/coming at different times.

 

[Sandisw]

That is one of the drawbacks of having the DDP when not everyone is staying for the same time period.

Everyone will be on it for the entire time. I have read about many families who simply just use the credits to do signatures, etc. or extra meals.

We did a split stay last summer because we only wanted to do DDP for a few nights. I don't know if that is an option, but maybe if they are coming/going at the end, then you could make two separate reservations and not link them.

The drawback is that you may have to move rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Unfortunately, the Dining Plan is not ala carte. You cannot pick and choose who will be on the plan, who will not be on the plan and how many days you will use the plan. It's all or none. Every guest on the reservation will have the dining plan for the entire lenght of the reservation. Currently you pay when you check in. That will be changing to paying when you add the plan to your reservation in the near future.

 

[maryloubsw]

Unfortunately, the Dining Plan is not ala carte. You cannot pick and choose who will be on the plan, who will not be on the plan and how many days you will use the plan. It's all or none. Every guest on the reservation will have the dining plan for the entire lenght of the reservation. Currently you pay when you check in. That will be changing to paying when you add the plan to your reservation in the near future.

Do you know when it changes to pay in advance and can you add it when you get there? I want to pay cash when I get there instead of putting it on my credit card.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you know when it changes to pay in advance and can you add it when you get there? I want to pay cash when I get there instead of putting it on my credit card.

All they are saying is that it is coming this Spring.

 

[Sandisw]

Do you know when it changes to pay in advance and can you add it when you get there? I want to pay cash when I get there instead of putting it on my credit card.

. Even now, when we can still pay at check in, you have to add the plan to your reservation at least 48 hours in advance. We have never been able to add it at check in.

If I were you and you are considering it, you might want to add it now (since the new system is not yet in place). I have heard that those that have done so in the past few days are still being told that they can pay at check in.

 

[zmanandshan]

Thanks for the answers.

I guess that is how Disney closes the loophole by forcing you to buy the plan for all people for the entire stay no matter if they decide to leave early (even if planned to leave early). It's unfortunate, though, for those who may rent a 2 bedroom or a grand villa. It is much less likely for every person to want to be in the plan, which then ruins it for the people who really do.

I also dont understand their position on booking the dining plan upon reservation booking. Maybe it was due to the complaints that those who add it last minute and then cant reserve many of the restaurants? Or maybe this is a way to just phase it out?

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks for the answers.

I guess that is how Disney closes the loophole by forcing you to buy the plan for all people for the entire stay no matter if they decide to leave early (even if planned to leave early). It's unfortunate, though, for those who may rent a 2 bedroom or a grand villa. It is much less likely for every person to want to be in the plan, which then ruins it for the people who really do.

I also dont understand their position on booking the dining plan upon reservation booking. Maybe it was due to the complaints that those who add it last minute and then cant reserve many of the restaurants? Or maybe this is a way to just phase it out?

It is likely neither because of people adding last minute or a try to phase it out. The DDP is owned/operated by Disney Resorts, not DVC. It was designed as part of a package vacation, a "normal" cash resort package. People who book cash reservations likely do not have guests with different arrival/departure dates. The plan is simply not designed for the way many DVCers vacation, and is only made available to DVC through an agreement with Disney Resorts. In fact, it was not available to DVCers for a year or so after it was introduced to cash guests. It just isn't always a good option for DVCers.

 

[Tinker74]

All they are saying is that it is coming this Spring.

Oh wow!!! this is great!...i've always wanted tp pay for dining before check in.

iam going in August and have DP added to my ressie...even though I won't HAVE to will they let me pay when this is announced?

 

[krikiter]

FWIW, my wife and I used the DXDP on a trip last month for a 7 night stay. We had some friends stay with us for a few days in the middle, registered them the day they showed up, and had no issues with the fact that they did not have the dining plan. The CM warned us that they could use their room key to use our credits, but otherwise, it wasn't mentioned. The point here being: if you don't register your part time guests until after you start your stay and the DDP is paid for, you may be alright.

 

[Tinker74]

Oh wait!!...At the moment we can call and add dp to our ressies at any time...will this change??....Will we have to add dp when we make the ressie...I hope not ...forking out all that money will make me feel like iam paying for my room..)even though Iam not)...also I might not have the cash ready at that time.

 

[thepops]

I would think so ( in regard to your post on will you be able to pay it in advance on your current reservation once they open it up to advance payment.)
As for future reservations, I think the rule will still be that you can add it on up to 48 hours before the trip, so if you HAVE to pay it when you sign up for it, just wait until you are ready and then add it one (rather than when you do the reservation). You can still make all your ADRs without having the dining plan in place.

 

[Tinker74]

I would think so ( in regard to your post on will you be able to pay it in advance on your current reservation once they open it up to advance payment.)
As for future reservations, I think the rule will still be that you can add it on up to 48 hours before the trip, so if you HAVE to pay it when you sign up for it, just wait until you are ready and then add it one (rather than when you do the reservation). You can still make all your ADRs without having the dining plan in place.

Thanks...that will be great if its the case
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