Need help convincing the ILs

[2goofykiddos]

I just booked our vacation at VWL for May and I am so excited that we are now eligible for the dining plan. My problem is, I know we all have to get it and my ILs are coming and I don't think they really buy in to it. I need some persuasive arguments to sway them. we love the DDP and tend to get our money out of it, but I need help with getting them to see the benefits.

Any ideas??

TIA

 

[plutolovr]

I would show them the menus for the restaurants you plan on dining at and have them figure out if they will spend enough to make it worth it.

I personally find the TIW card to be more of a savings overall.

 

[makthompson]

I would explain the convenience of not having to worry about what the menu prices are and they you can order any entree' you want, and that non alcoholic bev and dessert are included.

Also, what my husband liked best was not having to make sure we brought enough money for the day. One meal for a fam of 4 could cost 150.00 and we dont like to carry a lot of cash on us "just in case". We use our room key for general purchases and then usually carry the cash for our meals when paying OOP. This year we put all the tips and everything on the room and brought very little cash with us to the parks. Then every couple day's I would go to the front desk and pay cash for what we've spent so far. We were there 10 nights and my husband (whether there is a savings or not) loved the convenience of it all.

 

[ccgirl]

I just booked our vacation at VWL for May and I am so excited that we are now eligible for the dining plan. My problem is, I know we all have to get it and my ILs are coming and I don't think they really buy in to it. I need some persuasive arguments to sway them. we love the DDP and tend to get our money out of it, but I need help with getting them to see the benefits.

Any ideas??

TIA

It's not a benefit for everyone. They may save more money by paying OOP and sharing some meals. Are they in the same room as you? Can you put them on their own reservation so they don't have to get the DDP? Honestly, when we go and don't pay for the DDP, we end up coming out ahead as we rarely order dessert for meals and don't typically eat as much as the DDP offers.

 

[Scarlett81]

When one sit down meal for a family of 4 could easily cost $150....how could anyone that knows simple math not realize you can't eat cheaper?
Its SO frustrating when you are trying to plan something for/with others and they don't realize...people want that upfront price to be as low as possible, but then they pay for their food out of pocket, get home, tally it all up and realize they spent too much-could have saved using the MP.
Good luck!

 

[Scarlett81]

When one sit down meal for a family of 4 could easily cost $150....how could anyone that knows simple math not realize you can't eat cheaper?
Its SO frustrating when you are trying to plan something for/with others and they don't realize...people want that upfront price to be as low as possible, but then they pay for their food out of pocket, get home, tally it all up and realize they spent too much-could have saved using the MP.
Good luck!

unless like the above poster said-people want to share meals. in that case, don't know what is best. but we aren't big meal sharers! Disney has some of the best food anywhere-why would we want to share a meal? lol

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're all staying on the same room reservation you all have to get DDP, or none of you get DDP. If they're staying in a separate room, if they don't want it they don't have to get it. They can eat with you and pay on their own; the restaurant servers will gladly split the checks.

If you're all on the same reservation, do you have to sell them on getting it? or can you just say "It works for us, and we're getting it." Do they have any influence over whether you get the dining plan or not, seeing as it's an all or nothing proposition? Will they be eating every meal with you? If so, you can let them know how much those meals would cost if they paid for them.

If they're going to be difficult about the dining plan and you really want it, maybe consider booking a studio for them. The other thing you can do is add them to the reservation after you arrive; they will get room keys but no DDP. The catch with doing that is if you need Magical Express transportation from the airport for them; they would have to be registered in the room to get that.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Are you sharing a single villa with them or will they have their own separate room? If they're in their own room then they can easily just not get a dining plan and you can. The difficulty lies in if you are sharing a villa. You are correct that you'll need the same plan.

Frankly, I'm not sure it really WILL save money for 2 adults with no kids so I can't blame them for not being sold on it. With children in your family YOU can likely save money, especially if you're eating at fixed price restaurants but for just adults you really have to work the plan hard in order to get any savings and you have to eat exactly the way the plan dictates. If they don't like to each order their own desserts or drinks every meal then they're pretty much guaranteed to lose money on the plan (unless every TS meal is a fixed price dinner in which case they could break even or slights come out ahead but not ordering these things at CS will still make it difficult).

Will they be eating all of their meals with you? If yes, list out prices for all of the ADRs you plan to book and do the math. Numbers in black and white are much easier to discuss than high level concepts with tons of unknowns.

 

[2goofykiddos]

Thanks so much everyone.

We used their RCI points to book a 2 bedroom villa, so it is probably all or nothing. The reservation is even in their name.
We will be driving so no need for ME.

I have also considered showing them the menu and prices for Boma, that should make them feel it is worth it!!

Thanks again

 

[clanmcculloch]

Once again, I'm going to recommend you run the numbers for both your family and your ILs based on the ADRs you plan to book and costs for CS meals and snacks. Make sure it's even a good deal for YOU let alone your ILs.

Frankly, if your ILs are paying for the resort (it is their points so unless you're paying them for the points then they're paying for the resort) I'd suggest you back off and accept paying OOP since that's what they want to do. This will also give them the flexibility to skip some ADRs if they want to while you and your family can still go. From what CMs are telling people (though until we actually see it in action there's no way to know for sure), showing up to a credit card guarantee ADR with less people will not result in a fee so this shouldn't be a problem.

If you go into this vacation with the attitude that they may "screw up your vacation" then you will be unhappy about everything they do because you've already decided in your mind that they're difficult and going to cause problems for you. This frame of mind is already steeped in negativity and is a no win situation for them. You need to recognize that this is not just your vacation. This is their vacation as well and they are graciously sharing their points with you. Take a step back and consider their vacation style and needs as well as your own.

 

[2goofykiddos]

Thanks again for your input.

 

[clanmcculloch]

As a fellow planning addict, I do understand. As somebody who could NEVER travel with ILs I also understand that dynamic could be difficult. You're taking on a huge challenge.

That being said, you really need to adjust your methods. You can do all the obsessive compulsive planning that you want (I'm saying this as fellow obsessive compulsive planner so I don't see that as a bad thing) but you need to plan differently. You won't be able to do things the exact same way you would without them. You can still have all the fun you normally would with the planning as long as you do approach it differently than normal. You need to take an extra step before you even begin to find out what THEY want to do (as in what restaurants or styles of food do they like and are there any attractions they really want to go to). In these early meetings with them you'll need to go over with them what you've done in the past and why it works as well as explaining what happens if you don't do certain things (such as the difference between getting to RD and sleeping in if you want to ride the headliners). You're going to have to teach them and also really listen to them to find a balance between their style and yours. Also keep in mind that if you want to do things that they don't then you CAN split up. Build those times into your plan. If you play your cards right, you can actually have MORE planning fun here since there's more to do.

I hate to say this though.... if you can't put aside some of the resentment you're displaying in your post then you might want to reconsider travelling with them. Even for a free trip I could never have travelled with my ILs because I know none of us could be happy with it and we'd be at each others throats and the bitterness and resentment would overshadow any possible good times we'd have. It just is what it is. Some families can do it but not all can.

I still think you need to run the numbers. Of course I really think your post is more about the dynamic of planning a trip with family members with very different vacation style than your own than really being about the dining plan. Running the numbers can at least take care of the dining plan question so why not at least simplify that aspect by putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Are you willing to pay for them as well? Maybe since they are paying for the trip this would be a nice option for Christmas and then you get what you want and they don't have to worry in general? If you are then I don't see it as a problem to add it. If they opted not to use it you've have double the credits to use yourself. However, I don't think that makes much sense financially.

I personally wouldn't worry to much about adding it. With the price increase it isn't saving as much any more and you never know you IL's might suprise you and be willing to pay for more of your meals than you think oop.

It will work out. But I would definitely plan out your restaurants and then show them menus. Keep in mind you can add the plan up until right before the trip. So alot can change between now and May.

 

[amym2]

You might mention to them also that with the DDP, you won't have to worry about splitting checks and deciding who is paying for what (if you share a dessert, for example). I know with our extended family, we often take turns paying for meals (instead of always splitting the checks) and it can end up being very unequal.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks so much everyone.

We used their RCI points to book a 2 bedroom villa, so it is probably all or nothing. The reservation is even in their name.

Perhaps, though, they could transfer the reservation to our name and then we could just add them when we get there. There are 4 of us, so we could easily want a 2 bedroom. Anyone know if that is possible through RCI??

I totally understand that it may not be a value for them. I hope they don't screw up my trip. I am so anal about planning everything and getting the ADRs and they don't ever plan a thing. They drive me bonkers. This is especially a problem with the new dining reservation guidelines. I have been making reservation for 6 of us, but I told them that I will have to know within 24 hours, whether or not they will be joining us.

We will be driving so no need for ME.

I have also considered showing them the menu and prices for Boma, that should make them feel it is worth it!!

Thanks again

As you mentioned, your post did come across as ungrateful. Read another way, you used their points to book, the dining plan may not be a value to them but you want them to use it anyway so you can get it? Did you pay them for the points?

It is approximately $51 a night each. It is quite possible for people not to reach that. As I said, unless we eat at signature dining we can very easily eat for under that. Perhaps they don't want a sit down meal each night? Eating counter service meals instead; you could come in way under that.

I would respect their wishes. Afterall, it is their trip too. I think that is important to remember when going with a group. It is everyone's vacation. Else, maybe you can book a hotel room for you and your children and get the dining plan for you?

I know RCI does offer a guest certificate for $50. Not sure if you can get this after you have already booked though. I have always gotten it at the time of booking.

Using Boma as an example:

Dinner at Boma: $40
Lunch at Columbia Harbour House $9
Snack at the hotel for breakfast $4

That is only $53. Maybe they don't want to eat like that every night??? WHen we travel with the children we find it difficult to do a sit down meal every night. It just takes too much time out of our day.

Dinner at Coral Reef is around $22 for the entree. We prefer water and don't order a dessert (unless we get the free DDP). So, in that case even with a sit down meal for the day you are still only paying $36 OOP so are $18 under what the DDP would cost.



Good luck.

 

[havoc315]

When one sit down meal for a family of 4 could easily cost $150....how could anyone that knows simple math not realize you can't eat cheaper?
Its SO frustrating when you are trying to plan something for/with others and they don't realize...people want that upfront price to be as low as possible, but then they pay for their food out of pocket, get home, tally it all up and realize they spent too much-could have saved using the MP.
Good luck!

And 1 sitdown meal for a family of 4 can easily be $60-100... And if that's the type of sitdown meal your family does, then it makes much much more sense to skip the dp.
I find the dp usually costs more than skipping the dp.

 

[pjhootch]

The dining plan isn't necessarily any kind of savings for an adult couple, so you may just irritate them by trying to sell them on something they aren't interested in.

It isn't just plate sharing that can make the plan useless... if someone prefers to have appetizers instead of an entree and doesn't care much for desserts, the dining plan value goes out the window.

Be patient and do some Disney math, but don't push too hard.

 

[TDC Nala]

well, since it's been clarified that the reservation is theirs and not yours, and you want to convince them to add the DDP to the reservation, come up with a list of all the restaurants you want to reserve, and how much it will cost the family to eat there. Your case will be helped if they intend to eat every meal with you and you want lots of TS restaurants including multiple character meals for the children. Maybe they have an idea that the family will not be going to so many restaurants. A two-bedroom villa has a full kitchen, maybe their usual procedure with timeshare accommodations is to use the kitchen to prepare meals instead of eating out.

If you can't convince them, as the reservation belongs to them you may have to just go along with their preference.