DVC now can pay for DDP before arrival

[DisneyFreaks]

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.

We seldom use credit cards and usually pay for our DDP with Disney gift cards we purchase in advance. Our adult children and their families go with us but we do the booking. They give us their cash, we buy the gift cards and pay it all together at check-in. If we have to pay in advance it's going to make it a bit difficult for our family.

 

[Deb & Bill]

.... If we have to pay in advance it's going to make it a bit difficult for our family.

And that may be the point to the change.

 

[3disneylovers]

I just booked for August and added the DDP which doesn't need to be paid for until I check in. I think what they are saying is the lastest you can add the DDP to your reservation is 48 hours before check in.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just booked for August and added the DDP which doesn't need to be paid for until I check in. I think what they are saying is the lastest you can add the DDP to your reservation is 48 hours before check in.

No, that's the way it has always been since DVC members could add the dining plan. The website said changes to how to pay for the plan were forthcoming.

From the website:

"System enhancements to improve Member experience

This spring, system enhancements at Disneyland®, Walt Disney World® and Disney Vacation Club Resorts will aim to improve the Member and Guest experience through what's being described as one of the largest Information Technology efforts in the history of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Here's a look at some of the changes Members will experience when the enhanced systems are in place:
...
•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."

My guess is that they would have said "at check-in" if they meant at check-in instead of "prior to the start of their vacation".

 

[wildernessDad]

Looks like this enhancement is another enhancement to benefit DVC and not members.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Looks like this enhancement is another enhancement to benefit DVC and not members.

I think you have that right. They do like that phrase, don't they???

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I agree!

Wow, that's a good enhancement!

Disagree. I'm sorry but it seems that only Disney could find a way to get our money sooner and have people think they are doing us a favor!

HBC

 

[thebigman65]

Prior to the start of your vacation.....means at check in, which is technically "before" your vacation starts....I added DDP today for my March trip and was told I can pay at check in.....that part will not change.....

 

[Tozzie]

No, that's the way it has always been since DVC members could add the dining plan. The website said changes to how to pay for the plan were forthcoming.

From the website:

"System enhancements to improve Member experience

This spring, system enhancements at Disneyland®, Walt Disney World® and Disney Vacation Club Resorts will aim to improve the Member and Guest experience through what's being described as one of the largest Information Technology efforts in the history of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Here's a look at some of the changes Members will experience when the enhanced systems are in place:
...
•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."

My guess is that they would have said "at check-in" if they meant at check-in instead of "prior to the start of their vacation".

I have to disagree, I think you will still be able to pay on arrival , otherwise they wouldn't have put the line in that is in red


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

 

[HomerHog]

When we used the online check-in last March, the only thing that took any time at all at check-in was paying for DDP. If this would allow me to call a couple of days ahead of time and pay for it so that everything is ready for us at check-in, I'm glad they are giving us this option.

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

I have to disagree, I think you will still be able to pay on arrival , otherwise they wouldn't have put the line in that is in red


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

I hope you are correct. If not DDPs booked before this change better be grandfathered. I already bought the gift cards to pay for DDP on our upcoming trip. I'm not sure if they could be used over the phone? It is hard enough in person with the physical cards in my hand to execute the payment!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I am actually really happy about this addition - I was only thinking the other day how good it would be to pay for the dining plan before we travel rather than having a big bill to come home to after the trip - it will make me 'feel' as though i am eating for free - although I know that is far from the case!!!

 

[NSL]

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.

Hi, I looked ebates.com up after reading this post, but couldn't find where you could buy Disney gift cards. I looked under gift cards, and found nothing, all I could find was the Disney Store. Could you explain? Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

Hi, I looked ebates.com up after reading this post, but couldn't find where you could buy Disney gift cards. I looked under gift cards, and found nothing, all I could find was the Disney Store. Could you explain? Thanks!

You buy them through the Disney store link. Just click on that and it takes you to the Disney store site. Order, buy, and in a just a few days, you will see that your online account was credited for the 3%.

It is actually a decent way to earn cash back. I did it all through the holidays--got my ebates rebates and in many cases, still got the other discounts at the retailers!

 

[mybabesuz]

I hope you are correct. If not DDPs booked before this change better be grandfathered. I already bought the gift cards to pay for DDP on our upcoming trip. I'm not sure if they could be used over the phone? It is hard enough in person with the physical cards in my hand to execute the payment!

Just be sure you do NOT add a Credit Card if you do on-line check-in
or your Credit Card will be charged automatically.

 

[NSL]

Just be sure you do NOT add a Credit Card if you do on-line check-in
or your Credit Card will be charged automatically.

That was my next question. Is it difficult to use the gift cards to pay at check-in? I tried to use my Disney Reward Dollars one time, for partial payment, and they accepted it, but it took forever! Can you use gift cards to pay for annual passes at the ticket center in the parks? Anyone try that?

 

[myDISboards]

I always pay DDP via credit cards at check-in. Very easy and quick process at SSR and BCV. In 2 months I will do the same at Kidani. When I see the online charges posted via my iPhone apps (Citibank) within 2-3 days in the villa, I just transfer my account funds to pay for DDP charges in full on my iPhone apps (Citibank). By the time I get that itemized charges list on check-out date, I know DDP charges are paid for.

 

[Sandisw]

That was my next question. Is it difficult to use the gift cards to pay at check-in? I tried to use my Disney Reward Dollars one time, for partial payment, and they accepted it, but it took forever! Can you use gift cards to pay for annual passes at the ticket center in the parks? Anyone try that?

I have done it all-gift cards and reward cards (plus credit card) to pay for the DDP. And, I believe that you can pay for your AP voucher with the Disney Gift Card via the member website so I believe you can do it at the guest services center.