How does the dining plan work if someone is leaving early?

[christophfam]

My family of four is driving down to WDW for free dining in Sept.! My husband can only take Mickey for so long (I know, something is really wrong with him) and is flying back home half way through our trip. He is taking the magical express back, booked as a one way return. How will this affect our dining credits? Will I get his credits for the whole stay or will they only give me credits until the day he flys out? Just trying to plan!

 

[Tricia1972]

If you pay for his credits (as well as the rest of his vacation package) for the entire stay they'll give them to you. Credits are pooled - so there is no way to distinguish "his" and "her" credits.

If you don't want to pay for his credits and therefore not get them, you'd have to check out the day he leaves and re-check in with a new package.

 

[bytheblood]

If you pay for his credits (as well as the rest of his vacation package) for the entire stay they'll give them to you. Credits are pooled - so there is no way to distinguish "his" and "her" credits.

If you don't want to pay for his credits and therefore not get them, you'd have to check out the day he leaves and re-check in with a new package.

Exactly!!!!

I would go with option 2 unless you really want the extra meals.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

If he is a registered guest then they are with you the length of stay. So when he leaves you will have yours + his.

 

[christophfam]

If you pay for his credits (as well as the rest of his vacation package) for the entire stay they'll give them to you. Credits are pooled - so there is no way to distinguish "his" and "her" credits.

If you don't want to pay for his credits and therefore not get them, you'd have to check out the day he leaves and re-check in with a new package.

Ah, but I am not paying for them. This is during free dining. I certainly don't want to check out and back in because then I would lose the free dining for the rest of my trip.

It sounds like I'll just have a few extra credits since he is leaving early. I don't have a problem with that!

 

[luckytobeme88]

How many credits are you going to have all together? I am quite sure that you can make good use of extra credits. You and your kids can use his credits for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Your still getting your credits so don't worry about it.

 

[riaesq]

This is the PERFECT opportunity to do some signature dining/special events (like Hoop de Doo, can't think of what that 's called right now lol)

 

[Tink030]

My family of four is driving down to WDW for free dining in Sept.! My husband can only take Mickey for so long (I know, something is really wrong with him) and is flying back home half way through our trip. He is taking the magical express back, booked as a one way return. How will this affect our dining credits? Will I get his credits for the whole stay or will they only give me credits until the day he flys out? Just trying to plan!

Hey, I would just keep his credits
Also I think you have to stay a at least 5 nights to be able to get the free dining.
So, I would just act like he is staying the whole time.
They won't notice that he's not there.
Have fun and enjoy some extra food

 

[disneyfan55]

Just a question, but wouldn't WDW know he is leaving since he is using their transportation?

 

[christophfam]

Just a question, but wouldn't WDW know he is leaving since he is using their transportation?

Yes, they will and they do. I am not trying to do anything underhanded here. Just curious how they will handle it so I know if I can plan on a signature or extra meal. I would have asked the CM, but forgot and then you know how you get a different answer from everyone you talk to over there. I thought maybe someone over here would have experience with this.

And, we are only staying five nights total. Two of those nights will be without hubby.

 

[disneyfan55]

Yes, they will and they do. I am not trying to do anything underhanded here. Just curious how they will handle it so I know if I can plan on a signature or extra meal. I would have asked the CM, but forgot and then you know how you get a different answer from everyone you talk to over there. I thought maybe someone over here would have experience with this.

And, we are only staying five nights total. Two of those nights will be without hubby.

I didn't think you were trying to do anything wrong, but I would think that if someone is checking out that you would only have dining credits for the time they were there. Just what I think. If you get the extra, like others have said all the better and maybe a signature restaurant. Have fun.

 

[riaesq]

The credits are all pooled. How will they know which were his and which were yours?

My gut is that you'd be fine BUT ---Just in case, it might be worth it to drive him to the airport or have him take public transportation....

Interesting scenario -- keep us posted how it turns out.

 

[SoonipiLady]

Hey, I would just keep his credits
Also I think you have to stay a at least 5 nights to be able to get the free dining.
So, I would just act like he is staying the whole time.
They won't notice that he's not there.
Have fun and enjoy some extra food

We are going for 4 nights in September and got free dining. I think the minimum is the same as any other package.

That said, I agree that th OP should just keep his credits and try and use them for a special meal for the rest of your party.

 

[disneyfan55]

The credits are all pooled. How will they know which were his and which were yours?

My gut is that you'd be fine BUT ---Just in case, it might be worth it to drive him to the airport or have him take public transportation....

Interesting scenario -- keep us posted how it turns out.

Yes, they are all pooled, but since WDW knows he will only be there for however long he is they may only allot the number of days that he is there for. That's actually what should be in the total. How are the park tickets being purchased? Just curious.

 

[christophfam]

Yes, they are all pooled, but since WDW knows he will only be there for however long he is they may only allot the number of days that he is there for. That's actually what should be in the total. How are the park tickets being purchased? Just curious.

We just have one day on the package because we have some days left over on tickets from previous years non expirey.

I added the ME recently when I purchased his return ticket. This is a good point that it should be on my confirmation. Maybe the web has the current one. I'll take a look.

My gut is that you'd be fine BUT ---Just in case, it might be worth it to drive him to the airport or have him take public transportation....

I really have no intention of deceiving Disney. They know he is leaving early and it is fine if we don't get his credits (we are only talking about 2 days). I was just wondering if there was a chance that we would get them because of pooling. Doesn't really matter one way or another. I'll make an extra ressie for the kids and I to use in case we've got them and if we don't, no biggie!

Thanks!

 

[luckytobeme88]

Just go with your original plan. Since all of the DDP credits will be pooled, it will not worth the time for WDW to determine whose credits are whose anyway. At least you can indulge yourself with those extra snack credits..

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Yippee for you. You can plan for more signature dining meals!! Even while he is with you, just sit down and figure how many credits you have to use for the entire trip and do your ADRs accordingly, so you can be sure to use them all up!! Just use the credits - fun fun fun!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Minimum for free is 3 nights. Some packages are 1 night.
I would say you get them -- and enjoy!
And you are right -- there is something seriously wrong with him.

 

[Tink415]

My husband often leaves before me & the kids or arrives later. I have not done free dining, but when paying for the dining plan it must be purchased for all for the entire reservation; when DH hasn't been with us the entire vacation we've had extra credits to use.