DVC now can pay for DDP before arrival

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Have you all read the new policy on the member website?
I read on another thread that DVC has instituted this new policy because many members prefer to pay before arrival.
Why on earth would you ever want to pay earlier than you need to? It is the same amount of money now as 4 or 6 months from now, and maybe you can earn a little interest on it in the meantime.
What are your thoughts on this new policy, and why would anyone ever want this?

 

[Figment2]

Is there an effective date? I just added the DDP to my niece's June reservation and nothing was said about prepaying. I do remember her telling me, though, that the total cost would be $251.94 but didn't think anything of it since I've never used the DDP.

Cyn

 

[VG9493]

I was just on the member website and didn't see anything about prepaying for the dining plan, just says the standard has to be added to your reservation at least 48 hrs prior to arrival. Am I missing something?

 

[Sandisw]

I hope that if they do institute this, that members still have the option to pay at check in. That would be nice.

I think that for some, paying things ahead of time is just easier, although you could just buy Disney gift cards and then its like paying in advance. I actually get my Disney gift cards from ebates.com and get 3% back on them. I then use those (along with the reward dollars that I have) to pay for it.

Last summer, I even had enough reward dollars to cover the entire amount which was really nice. If I have to pay in advance, it will limit how many of those dollars I have to use.

 

[erionm]

You don't have to pay for the DDP when it's added to the reservation if you don't want to. Here's the information from the 'System Enhancements' news item:

Members who prefer to pay for their Disney Dining Plan prior to arrival will be able to do so through Member Services when booking their reservation. Members who don't wish to pay in advance will still have the option of adding their Disney Dining Plan to their reservation as many as 48 hours prior to arrival and paying for the plan just prior to the start of their vacation.

 

[Sandisw]

You don't have to pay for the DDP when it's added to the reservation if you don't want to. Here's the information from the 'System Enhancements' news item:

Great...thanks for sharing. Best of both worlds!

 

[Kimmy]

This is good news for me. I would prefer to pay in advance. Makes checking-in a little shorter. I like having everything done before I go, so I just have to pick up the packet & off to villa I go!

 

[bumbershoot]

Great...thanks for sharing. Best of both worlds!

I agree!

Wow, that's a good enhancement!

 

[kayla87]

I'm glad to see others share my opinion that this is a good option for members to have. When I posted about this a few weeks ago I began to think there were only pessimists left in the world...

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

I usually use a combination of Disney Visa Reward $ and Disney Gift Cards I buy through my kids school for 2% tuition credit to pay for DDP at check-in. For us, check-in and paying always seems to be a long and unpleasant process...that last hurdle to get over before you feel like you're officially "on vacation"...so I can understand how pre-paying would be an attractive option. But for now, the economic benefits outweigh the convenience and so I'm glad we still have a choice.

 

[Checkers]

Choice is always a good thing!

 

[hakepb]

You don't have to pay for the DDP when it's added to the reservation if you don't want to. Here's the information from the 'System Enhancements' news item:

Members who prefer to pay for their Disney Dining Plan prior to arrival will be able to do so through Member Services when booking their reservation. Members who don't wish to pay in advance will still have the option of adding their Disney Dining Plan to their reservation as many as 48 hours prior to arrival and paying for the plan just prior to the start of their vacation.

That makes it sound like you have to pay for DDP when you add DDP. If you want to call back, you can add DDP 48+ hours prior to check in, but you better remember to make that future call and pay or no DDP for you.

 

[tiggeraholic]

I called yesterday to add the Dining Plan to my March reservation and offered to pay for the plan. I was told that I had to pay at check in.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I talked to MS on Sunday afternoon and the gal I spoke with said I needed to add and pay for DDP (if we wanted it, but TIW is a better deal for us) 48 hours in advance.

 

[erionm]

I called yesterday to add the Dining Plan to my March reservation and offered to pay for the plan. I was told that I had to pay at check in.

The system enhancement to allow you to pre-pay for the dining plan is planned to be available in the Spring according to the information in the 'News' section of the member website.

 

[Thumper4me]

I think this is a wonderful enhancement. I know that there are some that say not to pay before you have to pay. However, if my father knew the price, he would have a coronary. He is still living in 1950's prices. This way, the meals can be paid for and he has no idea. He can eat whatever he wants.

It is kind of like a cruise. you pay for most of it up front and then don't have to worry about carrying alot of cash or come home to big credit card bills.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So, if a member is renting a reservation, how does the renter pay for dining? Do they pay the member who made the reservation or does the member get the non-member's credit card number to pay for it?

And do they really mean, you will pay for it 48 hours ahead of time at the last time to add it to the reservation. So no more paying when you check in. It doesn't really say you can pay for it when you check in, only that you pay for it prior to check in (48 hours ahead of time).

 

[Anjelica]

I'm confused - do we have to pay up front for the Dining Plan 48 hours before check-in or is that just an option?

I don't necessarily "care" either way just want to make sure I can get the Dining Plan and if that requires to pay at least 48 hours before the check-in then so be it.

I have existing ressies in May that I have added the dining plan to but haven't paid for it yet. I wonder if those will be effected to if this is to start in the future for reservations made after xx day.

 

[went503]

I just called member services to try and pay for my DDP on my April trip. Currently you cannot pay for your DP until check-in. If you do online checkin and put a CC on file your DDP will be charged to that card then. You can do online checking starting 10 days before your arrival day.

 

[Sandisw]

So, if a member is renting a reservation, how does the renter pay for dining? Do they pay the member who made the reservation or does the member get the non-member's credit card number to pay for it?

And do they really mean, you will pay for it 48 hours ahead of time at the last time to add it to the reservation. So no more paying when you check in. It doesn't really say you can pay for it when you check in, only that you pay for it prior to check in (48 hours ahead of time).

Now that I re-read the information, you are right. It doesn't say that you can still pay at check in.

And, you are right, this becomes more difficult for those renting as the owner will have to decide how to handle that payment.

I guess we will all see what happens in the spring. I personally liked not having to pay in advance, and at least hope, I can add it when I book and then just call back 48 hours before we leave to pay for it.