DVC Question: Dining Plan

[CarolMN]

I appreciate the replies regarding this subject. My husband and I didn't leave our DVC presentation feeling like all our questions had been answered. We are still trying to figure out if we should book another presentation during our next trip with a different guide or not. Becoming a DVC member is a big deal and I want to make sure we are fully informed.

Just ask your questions here.

We DIS DVC members almost always know more about how the program actually works than the guides do, anyway and we won't try to sell you anything.

 

[Kathi OD]

I thought the ddp was only made avalable recently . Do they may not have lied to you . But I could be wrong .

It's been available for at least 5 years, maybe more. I know we used it for our trip in 2007.

 

[ElizabethG]

I appreciate the replies regarding this subject. My husband and I didn't leave our DVC presentation feeling like all our questions had been answered. We are still trying to figure out if we should book another presentation during our next trip with a different guide or not. Becoming a DVC member is a big deal and I want to make sure we are fully informed.

A plus for using the dining plan through DVC is that you do not need to book a package. So, you can do a split stay, buy only one set of tickets, and still get the dining plan for both parts of your stay. We did this last year and will be doing it again this year.

 

[Hunclemarco]

One thing to consider though is that as DVC members, you can purchase a TiW card at $100. A group of 4 people for one dinner at Victoria and Albert's will pretty much make the $100 cost already. And you might want to consider going for the TiW route instead of the dinning plan. Personally, TiW seems to be a much better deal than the DDP.

And if you have an Annual Pass, the cost of a TIW is $75.00

 

[Dean]

Just to add: DVC members are not subject to the increases in price for the DDP during holiday periods.

With the caveat that that could change in the future.

OP, here and similar boards are far better places to get a fell for the program than a sales tour.

 

[DVC Jen]

...must be added no later than 2 weeks before you arrive.

Unless something has changed that I am not aware of, isn't it 2 DAYS before you arrive.

Yes...it is 48 hours prior to your trip that you must add it.

Thank you thank you thank you for correcting me. I was told it was 2 weeks.

We were hoping to get it for our upcoming Christmas week trip but couldn't pay for it until about a week before.

Man oh man - this is one time I LIKE being wrong.

 

[k3chantal]

I was told two days. But then decided to buy the TIW card.

 

[Meggysmum]

I was told 48 hours when I made a booking a couple of days ago.

I like the fact that we can add the Dining Plan without booking tickets. It isn't something we want often but it is useful to know it is there!

I would also agree that you will get better information on here than from a DVC Guide so compile your questions and ask away!

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

Please tell me what is a TiW card?

 

[k3chantal]

Please tell me what is a TiW card?

Tables In Wonderland. DVC members pay $100 dollars to receive 20% a wide range of restaurants. It paid for itself in one six day trip.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Please tell me what is a TiW card?

The Tables in Wonderland card replaced the Disney Dining Experience card.

Basically, it will give you 20% off of your bill. This includes most all items on the bill.... appetizers, soft and alcoholic drinks, main entree, and dessert.
An 18% tip is automatically added to your bill when you use the card.

This is accepted at most, but not all restaurants. you're able to have up to 10 people dine with you and all will still get the discount (one bill though).

You can buy a card by being an Annual Passholder for $75.00 or a DVC member for $100.00. They can be purchased at guest services, and last for 1 year.

This is a quick response...if i get time i'll edit this and get more specific.

 

[erionm]

Please tell me what is a TiW card?

http://tablesinwonderland.com/

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Unfortunately the guides are often not knowledgeable about the functioning of the system.

Why is this acceptable??? People should be required to be proficient at their jobs, including DVC guides. I just don't understand why they are exempt from this.

 

[Dean]

Why is this acceptable??? People should be required to be proficient at their jobs, including DVC guides. I just don't understand why they are exempt from this.

It's reality. Their job is to sell, I suspect most guides don't own DVC and that includes some of those that say they do. I would venture to guess that you don't have a lot of experience with non DVC timeshare tours to compare to. Just be thankful that they are generally fairly truthful about the program as they know and understand it. It would be unreasonable to expect them to truly know all about non DVC programs like the DP but I get expecting them to know about direct DVC options including exchanging. My guess is they are told and assume that things work better than what they do. Things like available of and ease of use of non home DVC resorts and exchange options are common areas where it is my belief that they also are true believers but without knowledge and experience. My suggestion is that you do a non DVC timeshare tour for comparison but pick somethings like Westgate or maybe Bluegreen or Wyndham and not Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

It's reality. Their job is to sell, I suspect most guides don't own DVC and that includes some of those that say they do. I would venture to guess that you don't have a lot of experience with non DVC timeshare tours to compare to. Just be thankful that they are generally fairly truthful about the program as they know and understand it. It would be unreasonable to expect them to truly know all about non DVC programs like the DP but I get expecting them to know about direct DVC options including exchanging. My guess is they are told and assume that things work better than what they do. Things like available of and ease of use of non home DVC resorts and exchange options are common areas where it is my belief that they also are true believers but without knowledge and experience. My suggestion is that you do a non DVC timeshare tour for comparison but pick somethings like Westgate or maybe Bluegreen or Wyndham and not Hilton, Hyatt or Marriott.

I have done a Westgate timeshare tour. Never again. I've never done a DVC timeshare tour, though. Not sure I can compare them then. But my point is it doesn't take much to learn the ins and outs of DVC. I keep reading on the Dis about guides who know very little about the product they are selling, and I just don't understand. If you're going to sell something, you should fully understand it. It doesn't seem that difficult!

 

[Dean]

I have done a Westgate timeshare tour. Never again. I've never done a DVC timeshare tour, though. Not sure I can compare them then. But my point is it doesn't take much to learn the ins and outs of DVC. I keep reading on the Dis about guides who know very little about the product they are selling, and I just don't understand. If you're going to sell something, you should fully understand it. It doesn't seem that difficult!

I would venture to say that most timeshare sales people don't know and understand their product and it really isn't their job to do so, their job is to sell. Historically good timeshare sales people could make a quarter Million or better though I'm sure the economy has reigned that in somewhat. While I don't disagree with you in principle, it's not practical to expect that level of knowledge that comes with actual usage. It is my belief that the guides generally actually believe the issues such as the idea that nothing is difficult at 7 months out or that cruise exchanges are a good value. In general DVC guides are very reasonable and honest though I'd say that Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt are in the same ballpark. What makes DVC different is the extremely low pressure sales process and IMO, this is a mistake. I believe it's possible to have more pressure AND be professional and honest, other companies manage to walk that line far better than DVC. I know some will chime in that that's what they like about DVC but when it affects sales, it hurts the membership as well, sales fund new resorts and decisions about new resorts as well as perks in general.

 

[CarolMN]

It's not unusual for the sales personnel of a large company to have only high level knowledge of the workings of a complex product.