Paying for dining plan?

[Mineu]

I have an existing reservation for Thanksgiving-when I booked, they said I had to pay for the dining plan at check in-I just noticed on the DVC website that you now pay when you add it to your reservation. So, can I call in now and pay for it or do I have to wait until check in? Thanks!!!

 

[Chuck S]

Oh, I see that change has been made in the DDP rules on the DDP page. I though that was suppossed to be effective later this fall. It may be a pre-mature change to the website, as you'd think such a policy change would show up in the "NEWS" section.

Once they do actually make that change, you may have to delete the DDP, then add it again to pre-pay it, as it wouldn't surprise me if the system picks up the date the plan was added to flag it pre-paid or pay at check-in...changes to the DVC computer system tend to be weird.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We added the DDP to our reservation last week and the CM told me that it is still pay at check-in only. She didn't seem to think the pre-pay would be anytime soon. Of course it all depends on who you talk to at the moment I guess.

 

[skelfbsfb]

I personally prefer to pay once I get there, gives me a bit more time to get the money together.

 

[SAGE]

This question is not quite on the original topic ... sorry.... I have rented a reservation from the boards and wish to add the QS Plan. ( OOP).
Read something yesterday that DVC reservations can only purchase the basic or deluxe.
Is this correct?

Thank you.

 

[Chuck S]

This question is not quite on the original topic ... sorry.... I have rented a reservation from the boards and wish to add the QS Plan. ( OOP).
Read something yesterday that DVC reservations can only purchase the basic or deluxe.
Is this correct?

Thank you.

You should be able to get the QS, basic or deluxe. DVC can not get the Premium/Platinum packages that include activities.

The DVC owner will need to add it to the reservation for you, you can not call yourself and add it to a DVC points reservation.

 

[CKDKMK]

I just called and added DP to our ressie. I was ready to pay for the DP while I was talking to MS and she said you pay at check in. She gave me the amount and said the new rules are coming late fall. Since I have requested the DP prior to the new rules I will still have to pay at check in. If you book DP after the new rule goes into effect then you pay for then. Would of like to pay for now. Oh well.....just have to bring extra money with us.

 

[mybabesuz]

I was told by MS that when the change took place you would have to pay for your DDP by 45 days prior to arrival like with reg. bookings.
If you added it within the 45 days you would have to pay when adding it but you could still add it up until 3 days prior.

 

[CKDKMK]

I would prefer to pay prior to arriving. It would be easier for me. I was alittle disappointed in what my MS told me (pay at check in). I guess I'll wait till it goes into effect to find out.

 

[kimberh]

I was told by MS that when the change took place you would have to pay for your DDP by 45 days prior to arrival like with reg. bookings.
If you added it within the 45 days you would have to pay when adding it but you could still add it up until 3 days prior.

That's giving Disney a Interest Free Loan. I wonder how it will work if someone is using our points for a reservation. Has MS said how the other family is suppose to pay for the dining plan when they cannot have any contact with Member Services?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That's giving Disney a Interest Free Loan. I wonder how it will work if someone is using our points for a reservation. Has MS said how the other family is suppose to pay for the dining plan when they cannot have any contact with Member Services?

Yeah, the Owner will need to pay for the DDP when making the reservation, which means the Renter will need to pay the owner.

 

[Chuck S]

That's giving Disney a Interest Free Loan. I wonder how it will work if someone is using our points for a reservation. Has MS said how the other family is suppose to pay for the dining plan when they cannot have any contact with Member Services?

Yeah, the Owner will need to pay for the DDP when making the reservation, which means the Renter will need to pay the owner.

Maybe there could be a 3 way call. Otherwise, I'd be sure to get the $ from the renter before adding the DDP. The owner also has the option of telling the renter that there will be no DDP option for the reservation.

 

[kimberh]

I just called Member Services and asked how was someone using our points suppose to pay for the Dining plan? She didn't know. I asked if the DDP could be paid for at online check in, she said, "no, not at this time." I told her just what I posted last night, " It's giving Disney a interest free loan." She was real quiet. I think this is another member enhancement drifting away.

 

[Chuck S]

I just called Member Services and asked how was someone using our points suppose to pay for the Dining plan? She didn't know. I asked if the DDP could be paid for at online check in, she said, "no, not at this time." I told her just what I posted last night, " It's giving Disney a interest free loan." She was real quiet. I think this is another member enhancement drifting away.

DVC's focus should not be on making it more convenient or more attractive to rent out points by making special rules for non-owners to pay for the DDP in advance.

Either the renter pays the owner, and the owner pays DVC, or they simply don't get the DDP. If the people using the points are your unpaid guests, friends or family, there really shouldn't be any problem in the owner receiving the payment before adding the DDP.

If your guests want to use a CC to pay for the DDP, then a 3 way call should suffice.

Given saving interest rate are generall in the 2% to 3% range, how much are you truly "losing" by prepaing a month or two in advance, $2 to $3?

Remember that DVC has no control over the DDP rules, it is operated by WDW cash reservations, and they make the rules. If it doesn't work for you, don't use the DDP.

 

[donutz022]

heres another question i have gift cards and my disney reward card with disney dollars on it and plan on paying for the ddp at checkin with that. if they change it to pay before you go are they are going to take that form of payment over the phone.

 

[Chuck S]

heres another question i have gift cards and my disney reward card with disney dollars on it and plan on paying for the ddp at checkin with that. if they change it to pay before you go are they are going to take that form of payment over the phone.

If cash resort guests can pre-pay with gift cards or reward points, then DVC should be able to, also. If cash guests can not pre-pay with those cards, then I would think that DVC would not accept them over the phone.

 

[Sandisw]

I just called Member Services and asked how was someone using our points suppose to pay for the Dining plan? She didn't know. I asked if the DDP could be paid for at online check in, she said, "no, not at this time." I told her just what I posted last night, " It's giving Disney a interest free loan." She was real quiet. I think this is another member enhancement drifting away.

Cash guests are already required to pay packages, including the dining plans 45 days in advance so this is really simply bringing the policy at DVC in to line with the other system.

I do wonder what kind of effect this will have on owners allowing renters to add the DDP to the reservation.

Not only because they have to pay in advance, but then have to figure out how to deal with things if the renter decides later on they want to cancel it out.

 

[kimberh]

Cash guests are already required to pay packages, including the dining plans 45 days in advance so this is really simply bringing the policy at DVC in to line with the other system.

I do wonder what kind of effect this will have on owners allowing renters to add the DDP to the reservation.

Not only because they have to pay in advance, but then have to figure out how to deal with things if the renter decides later on they want to cancel it out.

Not just a renter canceling out, but say you have a family member cancel out. I realize several focus on renting, but we take large family trips. I am taking 9 people in Dec. Took 9 last Oct. There has been an occasion where I have made changes to our DDP count in the last 48 hrs. We had a death happen. I have been fortunate enough in the last 6 trips to have enough Rewards points to pay for our Dining plan with points. But lets say, that I or someone else want to pay for the Dining plan with the Disney chase Visa and have a balance. Then they have Interest which is a whole lot more that 2 or 3 %. I realize that Chuck was referring to bank interest, but everyone does not pay their CC's off every month. I know in a perfect world that would be wonderful, but we sure aren't in a perfect world. Now, I have just paid more than I needed to last year. So, why is Disney making DVC do this all of a sudden is all I am asking?

We had the cruise issue last week. How many people said then they might have to rent their points to pay for their cruise? Making people pay early for the Dining Plan is going to make this harder. Making more people come up with more cash instead of credit. This is my opinion of course.

I will give great consideration on future trips with the Dining plan. We don't eat desert anyway. It is when we take everyone that they like it. I see the Magic greatly fading away!!!

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

We use our Disney Rewards card for DDP . So will they take this one the phone? I won't be doing DDP in the future if this is not the case.....it's the main use of our rewards since we don't get any free dining perks.

 

[CarolMN]

Cash guests are already required to pay packages, including the dining plans 45 days in advance so this is really simply bringing the policy at DVC in to line with the other system.

I do wonder what kind of effect this will have on owners allowing renters to add the DDP to the reservation.

Not only because they have to pay in advance, but then have to figure out how to deal with things if the renter decides later on they want to cancel it out.

I agree with Chuck - DVC isn't interested in or obligated to make things easier for owners to rent reservations.

The "rules" for this will almost surely be the same as they are for CRO. What happens if you cancel a DP package with CRO? I think you eventually get a credit to the credit card used to pay for the package, if it's canceled in time.

What happens if the number in your party changes for a CRO package reservation? I don't know, but I bet some of the posters on the resort board know. It might depend on when the change occurs.

I think renters who want the DP will have to trust the owner with their credit card number. That's assuming MS will even take a credit card from someone other than the person whose name appears on the card.

FWIW, it might be safest for the renter to pay with Disney gift cards. AFAIK, there's no way to use one for more than it's worth.