I'll never be able to sleep tonight..

[CathieArms]

...because I won't be able to stop wondering whether they'll announce the 2011 Dining Plan tomorrow.

LOL!

I'm obsessed, apparently...

 

[bytheblood]

There has been no early annoucement about ticket increases for tomorrow, which is a bit odd. Same for the dining plan. Over the past few years, this information was out a week or so before. I dunno....maybe they pushed the date back? Will be interesting to see.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

I am right there with you!! I even have it marked in huge red letters on my calendar for tomorrow! However, two CMs indicated to me it would be around the 15th of August! I still want to believe that they are wrong and they will be out tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haven't lost hope yet!!!

 

[kcbedo]

So are you not able to book Dining Plan yet if you are coming in January, or do they let you book the 2010 rate?

Since January is already in the 180 day window, don't you have to know if you are on the Dining Plan before booking CRT?

 

[n2mm]

I'm going Jan. 16 to Feb. 1 and booked all of my ADRs already. You can always change some of them if they don't work for you.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

So are you not able to book Dining Plan yet if you are coming in January, or do they let you book the 2010 rate?

Since January is already in the 180 day window, don't you have to know if you are on the Dining Plan before booking CRT?

No, you cannot book the dining plan for 2011 yet (until they release the 2011 rates). You can book your room only rate and add on to it when tickets and dining plan comes up. You can book your ADRs becasue you don't even have to be a resort guest to have ADRs. That makes no difference with ADRs. However, places that require a full payment when booking (like CRT) need either a dining plan in place so you don't have to pay up front OR you pay up front. So if they don't come out with the Dining rates before Tues for me (my 180 days), I will have to either pay for CRT up front or wait and take the risk I can get in once I can add the dining plan when rates are released!

 

[CathieArms]

No, you cannot book the dining plan for 2011 yet (until they release the 2011 rates). You can book your room only rate and add on to it when tickets and dining plan comes up. You can book your ADRs becasue you don't even have to be a resort guest to have ADRs. That makes no difference with ADRs. However, places that require a full payment when booking (like CRT) need either a dining plan in place so you don't have to pay up front OR you pay up front. So if they don't come out with the Dining rates before Tues for me (my 180 days), I will have to either pay for CRT up front or wait and take the risk I can get in once I can add the dining plan when rates are released!

That's really just wrong. You'd think they'd have better planning than that. If they offer a 180 day window, then they ought to also have their dining plans out by the time that window opens so that people can plan appropriately. I'm sure that's irritating.

 

[kcbedo]

After you pay up front for CRT can you switch to the dining plan? It sounds like they would have to cancel your reservation and then rebook it, and you could lose the reservation between the two.

 

[CathieArms]

After you pay up front for CRT can you switch to the dining plan? It sounds like they would have to cancel your reservation and then rebook it, and you could lose the reservation between the two.

No. My understanding is that you have two options:

1. Cancel your reservation and rebook under your DDP.
2. Leave it on your credit card until you get to CRT, and then have them give you a refund.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

That's really just wrong. You'd think they'd have better planning than that. If they offer a 180 day window, then they ought to also have their dining plans out by the time that window opens so that people can plan appropriately. I'm sure that's irritating.

It is wrong and irritating! I was rather stunned when I discovered this "issue"! Due to the difficultly in booking a clean reservation in Jan/Feb over 180 days in advance, this will be the first and LAST time we go to WDW this time of year. We have to stick with it this year though as we promied our son a trip over his 6th bday! We are returning to Nov vacations next year as this is NEVER an issue!

 

[Kathy Z]

No. My understanding is that you have two options:

1. Cancel your reservation and rebook under your DDP.
2. Leave it on your credit card until you get to CRT, and then have them give you a refund.

I have not personally been in this situation so I may have this wrong, but I THINK you have a third option.

3. Try to book a new reservation for CRT using your dining plan (once you have it.) If an ADR is available, book it. THEN cancel the original ADR. That way Disney will issue a credit on your charge card for what you previously paid. You MUST do it in this order or you most likely will loose your ADR.

If no ADR's are available for the day & time you want, then you are correct - you have only the 2 choices mentioned above but I would NEVER go with #1 Cancel & rebook because you may loose it doing it in that order.

 

[CathieArms]

I have not personally been in this situation so I may have this wrong, but I THINK you have a third option.

3. Try to book a new reservation for CRT using your dining plan (once you have it.) If an ADR is available, book it. THEN cancel the original ADR. That way Disney will issue a credit on your charge card for what you previously paid. You MUST do it in this order or you most likely will loose your ADR.

If no ADR's are available for the day & time you want, then you are correct - you have only the 2 choices mentioned above but I would NEVER go with #1 Cancel & rebook because you may loose it doing it in that order.

Yes, I think you're probably right; however, for some reason I was under the impression that the CMs were reluctant to schedule a second until the first has been cancelled. Though I've never been in that situation, so I can't say...

 

[bytheblood]

I have not personally been in this situation so I may have this wrong, but I THINK you have a third option.

3. Try to book a new reservation for CRT using your dining plan (once you have it.) If an ADR is available, book it. THEN cancel the original ADR. That way Disney will issue a credit on your charge card for what you previously paid. You MUST do it in this order or you most likely will loose your ADR.

If no ADR's are available for the day & time you want, then you are correct - you have only the 2 choices mentioned above but I would NEVER go with #1 Cancel & rebook because you may loose it doing it in that order.

Yes, this is certainly an option.

 

[susie2]

hi, sorry if this question has been asked before but if we book a package to include dining and the free dining is offered can we then change to include the free dining, thanks for any advice susie2