How close to your arrival date can you add the DDP?

[Selket]

I understand the DDP is a package (with at least a 1 night park ticket) - just curious how close to my arrival date I could wait to add it to my reservation? Or can I add it to my reservation?

I already have a room only reservation for this summer and I'm trying to decide whether to add the DDP. Of course I'd like to wait until the last moment to add it if possible.

Thanks!

 

[bicker]

The Dining Plan can only be added to qualifying Magic Your Way packages, which are available from a limited inventory. So the first "it depends" is on whether or not there is any availability left in that inventory, for your dates, at your chosen resort.

The other "it depends" is the number of days. I've read at least one report where someone was unable to make the change a couple of days before check-in, and I've read at least one report where someone was. The most common recommendations I've read about, coming from Disney CMs, range from three days prior to five days prior. I think if you make your changes by five days prior, you almost surely won't encounter any time-limit issue (though you still might encounter the lack-of-availability issue).

 

[Luv2Roam]

With Room Only, unless you booked on the internet, you are changing from CRO to WDTC.
If you have a discounted Room Only rate, you may end up paying more for your room in order to switch to a package. Can't say for certain. But wanted to throw that out there.
It's a simple switch between CRO and WDTC, going from RO to a package. But not a matter of just adding tickets and dining onto a Room Only res.
If you had a regular package already booked, adding dining would require 3 days/72 hours notice.
I think some are told 5 days when they are booking through TAs.
But going through Disney is 3 days.

 

[Selket]

Many thanks for the info. I can understand how it could get complicated to add something last minute like a package. But I'm sure they want to sell it to you if they can.

I will plan to come to a package decision earlier rather than later if possible. And if later then I'll expect perhaps that it might not be possible if I wait until the last minute.

 

[bicker]

I'll expect perhaps that it might not be possible if I wait until the last minute.

This is a good rule-of-thumb, for practically everything in life.

 

[MaeDaisy]

"Of course I'd like to wait until the last moment to add it if possible."

... How come?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Another thing to consider, packages have set booking dates. And often those booking dates end several days, if not months before travel begins. (Not always of course. But something to keep in mind.)
January is always AAA month with Disney. If you are a AAA member you might want to see what your office offers during the month of January.