I wish anyone could buy DDP...

[hollypoast]

I like the DDP. I know many debate the value but to me its convenience and allows me to not worry about what food costs. I feel free to order whatever I want even if it doesn't always make the most financial sense.

What I don't understand is why Disney limits it to on-site guests who purchase a package. We are staying ON-SITE in September but do not need tickets which means no dining plan. If they sometimes make money on it and it encourages more on-site eating why not open it up to everyone.

 

[mum of two pirates]

I like the DDP. I know many debate the value but to me its convenience and allows me to not worry about what food costs. I feel free to order whatever I want even if it doesn't always make the most financial sense.

What I don't understand is why Disney limits it to on-site guests who purchase a package. We are staying on-site in September but do not need tickets which means no dining plan. If they sometimes make money on it and it encourages more on-site eating why not open it up to everyone.

I understand if you rent DVC points from someone or own DVC you have to buy tickets to get the Dining plan. Am I wrong in that train of thought. So you could rent points and stay at a DVC for about the same price as a value and then get the DDP. Is that not how it works?

 

[hollypoast]

I understand if you rent DVC points from someone or own DVC you have to buy tickets to get the Dining plan. Am I wrong in that train of thought. So you could rent points and stay at a DVC for about the same price as a value and then get the DDP. Is that not how it works?

I am a DVC member. Yes, you can purchase the dining plan if staying on points. (with or without ticket purchase) This trip we are staying at a value... we've already used our allotment of points until 2015. I got a great rate on the room on expedia.co.uk so I can't add the dining plan. Plus I have tickets to use so I don't need to buy any for this trip.

I guess I just don't understand why Disney doesn't open the DDP up to all on-site guests. It seems to be a money maker for them, isn't it???

 

[momto3pirates]

DVC reservations are one of the exceptions to the ticket rule for the DDP along with AP packages and military packages. You do not need tickets to get DDP with DVC reservations.

 

[hollypoast]

Yikes, I'm surrounded by pirates! Sorry couldn't resist!

 

[tink2dw]

Check wwwMouseSaver.com I think you can buy Disney Dining Plan at any time of the year.
What I gathered is have to book a package, room, tickets, then are offered the DINING Plan. Room Only purchases do not qualify.

 

[vicki_c]

Check wwwMouseSaver.com I think you can buy Disney Dining Plan at any time of the year.

Sent from my nextbook tablet using DISBoards app

Not sure what Mousesavers has to do with it, unless you meant to read about the dining plans. But anyone with a package with on site room and at least a one day ticket can pay to add a fining plan. At any time of the year.

 

[Marionnette]

I am a DVC member. Yes, you can purchase the dining plan if staying on points. (with or without ticket purchase) This trip we are staying at a value... we've already used our allotment of points until 2015. I got a great rate on the room on expedia.co.uk so I can't add the dining plan. Plus I have tickets to use so I don't need to buy any for this trip.

I guess I just don't understand why Disney doesn't open the DDP up to all on-site guests. It seems to be a money maker for them, isn't it???

My guess would be that opening up the dining plan to offsite guests would eliminate the requirement that onsite guests have to buy the plan for everyone in their room for every night of their stay.

Think about it. Someone staying onsite who doesn't want the dining plan for everyone in their room - or for each night of their stay - could just purchase what they want as an "offsite guest" and Disney would have no way of knowing otherwise. Opening the dining plan up to offsite guests could end up costing Disney money in lost revenue from the sale of onsite plans and the requisite park tickets that go along with the dining plan purchase.

ETA: DVC members can purchase the TiW card. You can use it in the food courts at the value resorts, in addition to most TS locations. It might be a worthwhile alternative for you. The TiW doesn't require the guest to be staying onsite in order for it to be used. Lots of local residents purchase it.

 

[vicki_c]

ETA: DVC members can purchase the TiW card. You can use it in the food courts at the value resorts, in addition to most TS locations. It might be a worthwhile alternative for you. The TiW doesn't require the guest to be staying onsite in order for it to be used. Lots of local residents purchase it.

Best thing ever! We bought this as AP holders before they offered to DVC members and we love it. We would never consider the DDPs but the TiW program gives us a great discount, covers alcoholic beverages and just generally works great for us.

 

[mum of two pirates]

How much is the card and will it have my name printed on it if i leave it somewhereis there a list of the disneu places that take it. Thanks

 

[Marionnette]

How much is the card and will it have my name printed on it if i leave it somewhereis there a list of the disneu places that take it. Thanks

The TiW card is available to FL residents, DVC owners and AP holders. The price varies, depending on how you qualify for the card. FL residents pay $125 annually. AP holders and DVC members pay $100.

Your name will be written on the card and it cannot be used by anyone else, even another member of your immediate family. You can add a second membership for an additional $50 and that family member will get their own card.

You can read details about the program here:

http://tablesinwonderland.com/​

There's a list of participating restaurants on the website.

 

[scrapquitler]

I like the DDP. I know many debate the value but to me its convenience and allows me to not worry about what food costs. I feel free to order whatever I want even if it doesn't always make the most financial sense.

What I don't understand is why Disney limits it to on-site guests who purchase a package. We are staying on-site in September but do not need tickets which means no dining plan. If they sometimes make money on it and it encourages more on-site eating why not open it up to everyone.

I think that part of it has to do with volume and restaurant capacity. I see people here on the boards complaining that they are having a hard time getting the reservations that they want during the free dining promotion periods. If Disney opened the dining plan to everyone, on-site and off, can you imagine how much more difficult it would be to get the reservations for all your meals during your visit?

And really, the dining plan is just another perk that they can use to entice people to stay on site in their rooms. It's a business decision.

 

[wiigirl]

Yikes, I'm surrounded by pirates! Sorry couldn't resist!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

You could put what the Dining Plan would cost you on a Disney Gift Card *or several gift cards* it's easy to find discounts; that way your meals *and tips* are pre paid.

 

[eeyoresmom]

My guess would be that opening up the dining plan to offsite guests would eliminate the requirement that onsite guests have to buy the plan for everyone in their room for every night of their stay.

Think about it. Someone staying onsite who doesn't want the dining plan for everyone in their room - or for each night of their stay - could just purchase what they want as an "offsite guest" and Disney would have no way of knowing otherwise. Opening the dining plan up to offsite guests could end up costing Disney money in lost revenue from the sale of onsite plans and the requisite park tickets that go along with the dining plan purchase.

ETA: DVC members can purchase the TiW card. You can use it in the food courts at the value resorts, in addition to most TS locations. It might be a worthwhile alternative for you. The TiW doesn't require the guest to be staying onsite in order for it to be used. Lots of local residents purchase it.

Excellent reasoning.... And excellent advice on TIW in this case

 

[hollypoast]

Sorry if I wasn't clear when I opened the thread... I am an ON-SITE guest. I just don't need to buy tickets because I already have non-expiring tickets with days left. I understand why they wouldn't open it up to off-site guests.

 

[danceintherain]

My guess would be that opening up the dining plan to offsite guests would eliminate the requirement that onsite guests have to buy the plan for everyone in their room for every night of their stay.

Think about it. Someone staying onsite who doesn't want the dining plan for everyone in their room - or for each night of their stay - could just purchase what they want as an "offsite guest" and Disney would have no way of knowing otherwise. Opening the dining plan up to offsite guests could end up costing Disney money in lost revenue from the sale of onsite plans and the requisite park tickets that go along with the dining plan purchase.

ETA: DVC members can purchase the TiW card. You can use it in the food courts at the value resorts, in addition to most TS locations. It might be a worthwhile alternative for you. The TiW doesn't require the guest to be staying onsite in order for it to be used. Lots of local residents purchase it.

This definitely makes sense. Chances are the dining plan won't be the greatest value for everyone, so if they lump it together, then they'll have a greater chance of an entire party not maximizing their credits. Also, since there's almost no control where counter service meals are concerned, a group could buy a few plans, then split all the meals.

Or they could just plan for one night's worth of meals, and it would be ridiculously easy to get your money's worth that way.

I think that part of it has to do with volume and restaurant capacity. I see people here on the boards complaining that they are having a hard time getting the reservations that they want during the free dining promotion periods. If Disney opened the dining plan to everyone, on-site and off, can you imagine how much more difficult it would be to get the reservations for all your meals during your visit?

And really, the dining plan is just another perk that they can use to entice people to stay on site in their rooms. It's a business decision.

Definitely. I'm sure they have a specific target capacity for all the restaurants, and they've probably reached that number just fine with offering it to the group of people they do.