No more segmented vacations for ddp

[vicki_c]

no, they wont allow it....we had it booked that way....a 2 br stand view for 5 nights with 7 guests, and then a 2 br standard view for 2 nights with 5 guests....they took it upon themselves to combine them

Again, I think this will be allowed again once things settle down a bit. Which doesn't help you. The only reason I could see them not allowing it is if it was a software limitation, and since some people have had their reservations changed with new numbers in this thread I think, I don't think that is the case.

It may be a case where you have to explicitly tell them when booking that you have to have 2 separate reservation #s, and not have your reservations combined under this unified travel plan thing.

But only time will tell.

 

[DHar]

Again, I think this will be allowed again once things settle down a bit. Which doesn't help you. The only reason I could see them not allowing it is if it was a software limitation, and since some people have had their reservations changed with new numbers in this thread I think, I don't think that is the case.

It may be a case where you have to explicitly tell them when booking that you have to have 2 separate reservation #s, and not have your reservations combined under this unified travel plan thing.

But only time will tell.

according to what i was told ( by 2 ms operators and 1 supervisor) they WILL NOT GIVE YOU SEPERATE RESERVATION NUMBERS (not yelling - just for clarification) if you are not change room categories or resorts.

 

[vicki_c]

according to what i was told ( by 2 ms operators and 1 supervisor) they WILL NOT GIVE YOU SEPERATE RESERVATION NUMBERS (not yelling - just for clarification) if you are not change room categories or resorts.

I know that's what you were told, but here's a post from someone else who did not have that experience. Which is why I am saying and I think tisbit said too - it might just be a lot of confusion going on at the moment with the change. Again, doesn't help you with your situation, but I'm trying to be optimistic for the future (even though I have never needed to segment anything ever nor doubt that I will)!

:UPDATE:

I called MS yesterday and told them i want to add dining to my stay from 12-17 to 12-20. At first he said i would have to add it to all six nights. I asked what had happened and acted like i knew nothing about the change. I was real nice about it and asked him for suggestions on what might be some alternatives. It turned into one of those uncomfortable you're not getting rid of me that easy phone calls. But because i was very nice to him about it he put me on hold and came back after a few minutes and said he could do the dining for the first 3 nights. He rebooked my first 3 nights under a different reservation number. He did state emphatically that i might be forced to change THV's in the middle of my stay. I said that it was worth the risk and went ahead and paid for the dining. I have never had a bad experience calling MS and i believe that if you are reasonable with your expectations then they will work with you if you had a prexisting segmented reservation. If you want to switch dining plans 5 times during a 7 night stay they will probably just tell you no. Make things easy on them and they will return the favor.

I put my chances of having to switch THV's at about 0% but who knows.

 

[Sandisw]

no, they wont allow it....we had it booked that way....a 2 br stand view for 5 nights with 7 guests, and then a 2 br standard view for 2 nights with 5 guests....they took it upon themselves to combine them

Are you saying that at one time you had two completely different reservation #s and now they are one?

Were the lead guests the same? If so, that is probably why they combined them in to one reservation if they originally started out as two.

But, I do know they may be doing it different now because as I said, I have three August 2012 reservations, with overlapping dates, and all three have their own numbers, unlike 2011 where everything was under the same one. Now, we are changing room sizes for one of the stays, but from my understanding, even booking two rooms for the same dates were put in the same travel plan this year and for next, they were not.

 

[Tiger926]

For our upcoming December trip, we had a split stay between SSR & OKW, as we were on a waitlist.

Both resorts were under the same reservation number, and that is how MS did it. I thought that was part of the new software program?

Now we have 1 stay as our waitlist came through, and it's the same reservation number that we had all along.

Tiger

 

[Inkmahm]

For our upcoming December trip, we had a split stay between SSR & OKW, as we were on a waitlist.

Both resorts were under the same reservation number, and that is how MS did it. I thought that was part of the new software program?

Now we have 1 stay as our waitlist came through, and it's the same reservation number that we had all along.

Tiger

Once I read your post, I went to check my future trips. I have a trip in October with one night in a one bedroom at BLT and then 5 nights in a one bedroom at BWV. I added the first night later on after making the original reservation and it has the SAME reservation number. Two different resorts, one reservation number.

For next March, I had a reservation for 7 nights at AKV. At the 7 month mark, I changed the first 3 nights to a 2 bedroom at BLT. Three days later, I changed the last 4 days to a Treehouse at SSR. For that trip, we have TWO reservation numbers. I guess that means I could add the dining plan to either the 3 nights or 4 nights but not have to do all 7?

 

[Tiger926]

Once I read your post, I went to check my future trips. I have a trip in October with one night in a one bedroom at BLT and then 5 nights in a one bedroom at BWV. I added the first night later on after making the original reservation and it has the SAME reservation number. Two different resorts, one reservation number.

For next March, I had a reservation for 7 nights at AKV. At the 7 month mark, I changed the first 3 nights to a 2 bedroom at BLT. Three days later, I changed the last 4 days to a Treehouse at SSR. For that trip, we have TWO reservation numbers. I guess that means I could add the dining plan to either the 3 nights or 4 nights but not have to do all 7?

It would sound like you can, which is how the old system worked. Now with this new system automatically linking all reservations under one number, I'm not so sure?

Had we wanted to do a dining plan for only 1 part of that split stay, I would have called back, and sought direction, on what to do. MS should allow different dining plans for different stays, IMHO, as you are at 2 different resorts, but not sure the new system allows for that. I would think us DVC members do split stays way more often than cash guests, if they do them at all, so it's interesting to see what will happen here as it sounds like it's software dependent.

I hope you get it worked out, Tiger

 

[disneynutz]

Disney cash did a software change that combined all vacation reservations under one travel plan number. DVC applied the same system for it's members. The purpose for the change was to make it easier for Disney CM's to pull up one travel plan number to see your entire vacation no matter if you changed resorts or room type.

Bill

 

[Inkmahm]

Disney cash did a software change that combined all vacation reservations under one travel plan number. DVC applied the same system for it's members. The purpose for the change was to make it easier for Disney CM's to pull up one travel plan number to see your entire vacation no matter if you changed resorts or room type.

Bill

But in mid-August when I changed my March 7 nights at one resort to 7 nights at two resorts, I got TWO reservation numbers.

 

[jade1]

I've never used the DDP, and we've eaten quite a bit onsite. I've always come out cheaper paying cash and being able to order what we really want to eat rather than being forced to have entree, beverage and dessert at every TS location.

Same here, we did use it year one when it was just too good of a deal, but once it changed-it just never seemed worth it for as large of a group as we have. Also we hit B & Cream a lot-and that's kind of a "tweener" on the plan.

We have 2 studios at BCV for Easter under sep lead names and ressies-just may have one room on the DP, just not sure how many want to do it. Looks like we have 6 going so we could do 2, 3 or 4 if they are interested I guess, just 5 nights though, still working on the weekend-maybe HHR at US, want to check out H Potter.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In my opinion, I think the "abuse" came in when members started doing one night QS, next two nights no dining plan, next one night DxDP, next three nights DDP, last night no dining plan. Or the member who did DxDP on nights one, three, five and seven and no dining plan on nights 2, 4 and 6. Again, just my guess, but I'd like to think that if members had stuck to dropping two nights from the front or end of the trip to accomodate the guests arriving later or departing earlier, it might not have become such as issue.

But, like I am saying, just my thoughts.

 

[twinklebug]

In my opinion, I think the "abuse" came in when members started doing one night QS, next two nights no dining plan, next one night DxDP, next three nights DDP, last night no dining plan. Or the member who did DxDP on nights one, three, five and seven and no dining plan on nights 2, 4 and 6. Again, just my guess, but I'd like to think that if members had stuck to dropping two nights from the front or end of the trip to accomodate the guests arriving later or departing earlier, it might not have become such as issue.

But, like I am saying, just my thoughts.

I agree with those thoughts.

I also think this abuse could be prevented by either requiring a minimum # consecutive nights to add the plan, or by adding a setup fee to each plan, offset by a slightly reduced per day cost.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

This whole thing doesn't affect us, as we never do the DDP.
That said, for the heck of it I just checked my October ressies. We are doing VB, AKV, and VWL all back to back. We have three different reservation numbers.

MG

 

[NC State Tigger]

As a new DVC member (have not taken a trip to WDW as a member yet), I was surprised to see this thread. In researching before purchasing I had seen posts about segmenting a stay so that DDP could be used for only a portion of the stay. I thought that it was great that member services would segment the days and only have to purchase DDP for some of the days. NOW YOU CAN'T

I have been doing this at WDW resorts for the past few years. I've just made my seperate reservations for the days I wanted the DDP and and the days I did not. I have initially made one reservation for my entire stay and then called back to change. It would sometimes require making multiple deposits---as an AP holder I was not required to purchase tickets. My DD and I have taken 3-4 day trips in early Dec for the past few years and have had 2 or more reservations each trip depending on what days we wanted to use the DDP.

Just this past May, DH and I stayed at Fort Wilderness in our TT for 11 days---my trip was "segmented" so that we had 2 days on the DxDDP and 1 day without the plan and repeated this cycle for our entire stay. It meant a trip to "check in" often, but was something I took care of while DH got ready in the morning. I had originally booked our entire stay as one reservation and later called back to add the DDP. I explained to the CM (very helpful young man) what I wanted to do. He said "no problem--will take a few minutes". Ended our conversation with reservations exactly the way I wanted them.

I think the problem is the time it takes to set it up and training CMs.

 

[Dean]

what about those who have people coming later in the trip or leaving early...is it fair for them to charge those people for the dining plan for the days that they wont be there? they also will not let you make a reservation in the same room category for those days so you dont have to pay for the people that wont be there until they get there, or in our case the people are leaving early but they wont give us another reservation for the days at the end of the trip they wont be there...that doesnt seem right......

I've often said that DVC presents a unique situation with the larger villas and that there tends to be more people that come and go than non DVC guests. However, to take the stance that it's wrong of them to hold to their stated rules or that they owe DVC members something the don't allow for other guests, is simply inappropriate, IMO.

 

[quirty30]

In my opinion, I think the "abuse" came in when members started doing one night QS, next two nights no dining plan, next one night DxDP, next three nights DDP, last night no dining plan. Or the member who did DxDP on nights one, three, five and seven and no dining plan on nights 2, 4 and 6. Again, just my guess, but I'd like to think that if members had stuck to dropping two nights from the front or end of the trip to accomodate the guests arriving later or departing earlier, it might not have become such as issue.

But, like I am saying, just my thoughts.

Completely agree. The one and only time I "segmented" it was for a 4 night stay. We skipped the 1st night, did DxDP the 2nd & 3rd night, then skipped the last night. So I did one "chunk" of dining in the middle. Personally, I wouldn't have wanted to change keys EVERY DAY for a different dining plan. That's way more hassle than I would ever want to deal with on vacation (and cumbersome for front desk staff as well.) We only had to get new keys the 2nd day. Those keys worked for the rest of the stay, even after our dining credits expired.

And again, the system as it was being used, took lots of extra time for MS CM's to "play around" with the reservation to make it work. I was put on hold for several minutes, as it took a supervisor to figure out my relatively simple plan. I truly got the impression that the computer system needed to be manipulated to make segmented dining work.

 

[disneygrandma]

Wow! My husband & I just got home last night from a short, 3 night trip. Here's our experience: When I made our resv 2 mos ago, BLT studio wasn't available for all 3 nights, so I did VWL. We really wanted to try BLT, so I called back & had the 1st night switched. About 3 wks later we decided to add the DXDDP for the 1st night. No problem to add & pay for it. Our updated resv showed that it was pd for on that night only. At checkins, CM's clearly saw & understood how it all worked. (1 resv #, 2 resorts, 1 nite DXDDP) Our keys looked just the same with both resorts showing all 3 nights of our stay. Most of our DDP credits were used on the 2nd day, after we checked in to the 2nd resort. However, we used the keys from the 1st night when using our DDP. No problems at all.

Yes, I know this was 2 different resorts, but some are reporting they are being told that the DDP needs to be for all nights of a resv#. We arrived on 9/6, the day that things all changed.

Also, our daughter has an upcoming trip in just 4 wks. I followed this "segmenting" discussion closely, including having conversations with MS. I don't believe this was a "loophole", since CMS's in the resorts were trained how to handle this. For us, this new way to use the DDP was a welcome relief. We don't want a TS everyday. (too much food, takes too much time) To pay OOP for 2 or 3 buffets is way-y-y too expensive! 1 day of DDP can be cheaper than the cost of 1 dinner buffet. (especially for kids) And you get the QS basically free. So on our daughter's upcoming trip, I segmented it in to 3 parts so they could go to Boma's for just 1 night on the 3rd night of their trip. That night has already been pd for.

I would hate to think they would be forced to pay for the DDP for every night, or have to move. I had been told by MS that they would NOT have to move, but very likely would have to get new keys. He then commented as to how some of the resorts were still working out the glitches as all CM's received their training on this.

I don't feel I abused the system. By being able to pay for the DDP on some of the days, and not all of them, it's a way to save us some money, and still be able to enjoy some TS restaurants. AND it takes a little of that "Free Dining" sting away. Since our children can't get the DVC discount on AP's, they don't get the AP. Without the AP, there's no TIW. That "Free Dining" is a hard pill to swallow. Segmenting helps.

As for the DDP itself, we wish it didn't exist.

 

[Sammie]

I've often said that DVC presents a unique situation with the larger villas and that there tends to be more people that come and go than non DVC guests. However, to take the stance that it's wrong of them to hold to their stated rules or that they owe DVC members something the don't allow for other guests, is simply inappropriate, IMO.

Completely agree.

As it is we get perks that others don't. And before anyone says DVC members have spent the big bucks.

Yes some members have, but other members that get the same perks, might only have 50 points where someone staying club level each trip is spending way more money with Disney and getting less.

 

[Sandisw]

Wow! My husband & I just got home last night from a short, 3 night trip. Here's our experience: When I made our resv 2 mos ago, BLT studio wasn't available for all 3 nights, so I did VWL. We really wanted to try BLT, so I called back & had the 1st night switched. About 3 wks later we decided to add the DXDDP for the 1st night. No problem to add & pay for it. Our updated resv showed that it was pd for on that night only. At checkins, CM's clearly saw & understood how it all worked. (1 resv #, 2 resorts, 1 nite DXDDP) Our keys looked just the same with both resorts showing all 3 nights of our stay. Most of our DDP credits were used on the 2nd day, after we checked in to the 2nd resort. However, we used the keys from the 1st night when using our DDP. No problems at all.

Yes, I know this was 2 different resorts, but some are reporting they are being told that the DDP needs to be for all nights of a resv#. We arrived on 9/6, the day that things all changed.

Also, our daughter has an upcoming trip in just 4 wks. I followed this "segmenting" discussion closely, including having conversations with MS. I don't believe this was a "loophole", since CMS's in the resorts were trained how to handle this. For us, this new way to use the DDP was a welcome relief. We don't want a TS everyday. (too much food, takes too much time) To pay OOP for 2 or 3 buffets is way-y-y too expensive! 1 day of DDP can be cheaper than the cost of 1 dinner buffet. (especially for kids) And you get the QS basically free. So on our daughter's upcoming trip, I segmented it in to 3 parts so they could go to Boma's for just 1 night on the 3rd night of their trip. That night has already been pd for.

I would hate to think they would be forced to pay for the DDP for every night, or have to move. I had been told by MS that they would NOT have to move, but very likely would have to get new keys. He then commented as to how some of the resorts were still working out the glitches as all CM's received their training on this.

I don't feel I abused the system. By being able to pay for the DDP on some of the days, and not all of them, it's a way to save us some money, and still be able to enjoy some TS restaurants. AND it takes a little of that "Free Dining" sting away. Since our children can't get the DVC discount on AP's, they don't get the AP. Without the AP, there's no TIW. That "Free Dining" is a hard pill to swallow. Segmenting helps.

As for the DDP itself, we wish it didn't exist.

I don't think there will be any problems for your DD since her reservation already had the dining plan added and paid for prior to the new policy.

I think the people who had only segmented the trip with the intention of adding the dining plan closer to the trip dates, possibly to avoid having to pay for it so far in advance, are the ones that are now stuck since DVC will no longer allow them to add it to only some of the nights.

 

[Tiger926]

Wow! My husband & I just got home last night from a short, 3 night trip. Here's our experience: When I made our resv 2 mos ago, BLT studio wasn't available for all 3 nights, so I did VWL. We really wanted to try BLT, so I called back & had the 1st night switched. About 3 wks later we decided to add the DXDDP for the 1st night. No problem to add & pay for it. Our updated resv showed that it was pd for on that night only. At checkins, CM's clearly saw & understood how it all worked. (1 resv #, 2 resorts, 1 nite DXDDP) Our keys looked just the same with both resorts showing all 3 nights of our stay. Most of our DDP credits were used on the 2nd day, after we checked in to the 2nd resort. However, we used the keys from the 1st night when using our DDP. No problems at all.

Yes, I know this was 2 different resorts, but some are reporting they are being told that the DDP needs to be for all nights of a resv#. We arrived on 9/6, the day that things all changed.

Also, our daughter has an upcoming trip in just 4 wks. I followed this "segmenting" discussion closely, including having conversations with MS. I don't believe this was a "loophole", since CMS's in the resorts were trained how to handle this. For us, this new way to use the DDP was a welcome relief. We don't want a TS everyday. (too much food, takes too much time) To pay OOP for 2 or 3 buffets is way-y-y too expensive! 1 day of DDP can be cheaper than the cost of 1 dinner buffet. (especially for kids) And you get the QS basically free. So on our daughter's upcoming trip, I segmented it in to 3 parts so they could go to Boma's for just 1 night on the 3rd night of their trip. That night has already been pd for.

I would hate to think they would be forced to pay for the DDP for every night, or have to move. I had been told by MS that they would NOT have to move, but very likely would have to get new keys. He then commented as to how some of the resorts were still working out the glitches as all CM's received their training on this.

I don't feel I abused the system. By being able to pay for the DDP on some of the days, and not all of them, it's a way to save us some money, and still be able to enjoy some TS restaurants. AND it takes a little of that "Free Dining" sting away. Since our children can't get the DVC discount on AP's, they don't get the AP. Without the AP, there's no TIW. That "Free Dining" is a hard pill to swallow. Segmenting helps.

As for the DDP itself, we wish it didn't exist.

You can take advantage of Free Dining, by paying for a cash reservation.

On the other hand, your last line is totally contradictory - why do you wish DP didn't exist, when you just spent time justifying your usage of it, in order to save money over paying cash for meals?

I fail to see how saving money on segmenting should be used as a way to get back at Disney for offering a Free Dining Promo to cash guests - a promo that is used as a marketing incentive to fill rooms.

Dining plans were created for cash paying guests, and not DVC. As has been mentioned many times, we bought accommodations, and that is it. Disney does not owe us any perks or special treatment. They don't allow cash paying guests to "segment", so why DVC?

Cash paying guests also have to purchase tickets in order to purchase the DP, plus they have to pay the higher dining plan price during peak season, and we don't. DVC negotiated with Disney to get us the ability to add the DP without either of those two things. People need to be grateful for that.

I see before long, that there won't even be any DP available for DVC members at all...

Tiger