OK - think I've messed up re dining plan

[dossie]

Hi guys - me again (how sick are you guys going to be of me soon!)

I have booked two weeks, AKL July 28-August 11 2007 - 2 adults and 2 chn with Virgin - great flight times etc, including 14 day ultimate tickets etc.

Virgin don't do the dining plan, but reckon you can book this locally - I don't seem to be able to find out if you can or not.

So - was thinking of cancelling with Virgin and rebooking with First Choice (or some one else) who do do the plan, but then this incurs a hefty cancellation charge. Also buying flights separately seems to be a huge expense.

Is there a cheaper and better way of booking for AKL for this time with dining plan and 14 day Ultimates or shall I just stick with what I've got and be grateful!!!

All Advise Gratefullt recieved (MAN - never had such an indecisive holiday before HEHEHE)

 

[KayleeUK]

I am pretty sure the Dining Plan has to be booked before you arrive.

If you are going to save quite a bit on the Dining Plan compare that with what deposit you might loose.

If you can find a good price for flights, it would be worth getting someone like Dreams to book your room and Dining Plan (they even book your ADR's) They will also apply any discounts to your reservation once released.

Dreams Unlimited

HTH

 

[Mrs Stonfiesta]

Just a quick thought, when did you book? BA gives a 14 day cooling off period where you can chnage your mind (or if you find the same holiday cheaper! ) then you can cancel and get all your money back including your deposit!

I'd double check as i thought this was something they all did because they had to by the trading standards agency???

worth a try, if you get the same holiday cheaper or with your dining plan, although i did think this could be booked locally, try ringing the hotel direct, you will probably find they will do your park passes cheaper as well, i never book throught the airline, i always use
http://www.orlando-ticket-deals.co.uk/index.html
these are proper tickets, they came with 7 days of ordering last year.

 

[Goofyish]

As Kaylee suggests you will get a good deal booking through DreamsUnlimited.

To get the dining plan you must at least purchase a basic one day ticket, but you do not have to purchase a ticket that matches the number of nights you are staying.

You could change your Virgin booking to a flydrive and then book the room through DU.

 

[wideeyes]

I would change your virgin booking to a flydrive and then book the hotel with dreams unlimted.
I think it will cost £25 per person to change however you will more than likely save money with Dreams unlimted.

 

[princess jackson]

We changed our holidays last year, same reason to book the DDP, we changed Virgin to a flydrive, and then booked direct with Disney, which included tickets and DDP.

 

[clairelovesorlando]

I have just been on the ddp board and looks like next year some of the resturants are not on it next year.
Claire

 

[Amyrlin]

To get the dinning plan you have to book the hotelk with disney as a package, including tickets (at least 1 day for each member fo the party) and the dining plan. You can't add it onto a booking when you get there and can't buy it alone, if you have already booked hotel etc through a TA that does not offer it.

The best way to make sure you get it is to book a fly drive, and then either book direct with disney in the US yourself, or use an agency such as dreams unlimited and they can do it for you. It is also likely to work out cheaper that way.

 

[catherine]

I originally booked a package with Virgin for next year, and they told me the same thing about being able to book the DDP separately. That is not true! I changed our booking with Virgin to a fly drive. I have booked the accomodation, 14 day ultimate ticket and DDP with Disney Travel in the UK.

 

[feistyblue]

This whole Virgin/DDP is really confusing me now. When I log in to service my VH booking I can clearly add the DDP for my stay and it displays prices and adds it on to my booking.

I haven't actually confirmed it yet as we are still trying to decide whether to take it or not. Can anyone explain why its an option online if they don't actually sell it??

 

[wideeyes]

It seems to be an option when you book a tailor made holiday! when I price up a split stay it is avilable to book however when I price up just one hotel it is not.

 

[dossie]

Feistyblue


Please can you tell me how you look at your booking on line?

I booked over the fone - is it only an online thingy?

I'd like to have a go and see if the DDP is shown to me

They told us that they had stopped the DDP last year (which I find weird in itself, as all the other usual Florida TO's are doing it, so surely it would make sense for VH to do the same?!?!!

Anyway, I have repriced my holiday in several ways with different operators and doing different packages - it all works out roughly the same, so if I can't get DDP I'm not going to sweat (just seems a really cool, convenient and hassle free way of eating in the resort!)

Ta
Dossie

 

[catherine]

This whole Virgin/DDP is really confusing me now. When I log in to service my VH booking I can clearly add the DDP for my stay and it displays prices and adds it on to my booking.

I haven't actually confirmed it yet as we are still trying to decide whether to take it or not. Can anyone explain why its an option online if they don't actually sell it??

When did you make your booking? It could be that it was made before Virgin stopped doing the DDP. I've looked online and I can't see anywhere that I can add the plan. Unless I'm looking in the wrong places!

 

[mattnkatsmum]

I would definitely book with Dreams or directly with Disney in the US. If any offers come out in the meanwhile (such as free dining) you can apply that to your booking. The cancellation policies are also far more generous than in the UK (even UK Disney).