Newbie pondering dining plan

[runner_princess]

Hi. I am trying to do some budgeting for our 7-night Jan. stay, and am thinking about doing the DxDP for part of the trip, but have some questions. When/how do I add it to our reservations - this is my first DVC trip, and in the past we have booked vacation packages. Is is simply a call to member services? Also, if there a minimum number of nights we have to book? We are thinking about 3 nights with dining plan, 4 without.

I've read some threads about people having issues doing something like this - are there tips to make it go smoothly?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I just got back from a segmented stay, and I did not experience any problems. Others have reported some problems, but I'm hoping the kinks are getting worked out. I will definitely do it again (in fact, I will be this December)!

What I did was ask Member Services to segment the trip when I booked the stay. It was only a 3-night stay, but I segmented each night separately. I then added the DxDDP only to the 2nd night. (We were arriving late on the 1st night, so no need for it.) This gave us 3 meals for the 2nd and 3rd day of our stay (3rd since the credits don't expire until midnight the day of checkout). We never had to check out and check back in though as some people have reported. Our original keys worked the whole time.

For my December trip, I had to book the whole stay (3 nights again) at my 11-month mark since we will be staying in a value studio at AKV. Later, I emailed someone (can't remember the email address) and asked to have it segmented into 2 nights and then 1 night. Closer to time, I will add the DxDDP to the first 2 nights which will give me 6 credits to use over those 3 days. Sorry I can't remember the email address, but I have seen it reported on here now that you have to call MS. Just make sure they don't cancel your reservation when segmenting it.

If all goes well on this next trip, I plan on segmenting on future trips as well. I like the idea of every other day so that we can get 3 TS credits for 2 days.

Good luck!