Question about DVC Member Dining Plan

[hosspni]

I am sure that this has already been discussed, but I can't seem to find anything right now. So....if you don't mind answering.

I called member services today to make reservations, and wanted to segment our trip so that I don't have to have the dining plan for the entire length of stay. I was told I could no longer do that. Because of their new system my reservation would be considered one reservation and I would have to have dining for the entire time OR I could make 2 different reservations, but I would absolutely have to check out, and absolutely have to move rooms. No linking reservations, no checking out and back in and just staying in the same room. True or False?

I'm sure some of you have an immediate answer to this and/or have wonderful ways around it. Please let me know as I want to book our trip soon.

Thanks so much in advance.
Annie

 

[Disneycouple99]

True.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC use to let us segment and they eased up on the rules.

Members caught wind of the opportunity and went overboard IMO. Some were booking different dining plans during the same reservation with down days in between. A 10 day reservation might have 6 different dining transactions. The resorts were overwhelmed, things didn't always go right, members got upset, and MS got beat up.

They quickly reversed their non-official policy and we are back to where we started.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

I am sure that this has already been discussed, but I can't seem to find anything right now. So....if you don't mind answering.

I called member services today to make reservations, and wanted to segment our trip so that I don't have to have the dining plan for the entire length of stay. I was told I could no longer do that. Because of their new system my reservation would be considered one reservation and I would have to have dining for the entire time OR I could make 2 different reservations, but I would absolutely have to check out, and absolutely have to move rooms. No linking reservations, no checking out and back in and just staying in the same room. True or False?

I'm sure some of you have an immediate answer to this and/or have wonderful ways around it. Please let me know as I want to book our trip soon.

Thanks so much in advance.
Annie

You would have to check out but I wouldn't say "absolutely" have to change rooms. But I think DVC's policy is not to allow it unless you change room type. There were too many issues when they allowed segmenting.

 

[Dean]

I am sure that this has already been discussed, but I can't seem to find anything right now. So....if you don't mind answering.

I called member services today to make reservations, and wanted to segment our trip so that I don't have to have the dining plan for the entire length of stay. I was told I could no longer do that. Because of their new system my reservation would be considered one reservation and I would have to have dining for the entire time OR I could make 2 different reservations, but I would absolutely have to check out, and absolutely have to move rooms. No linking reservations, no checking out and back in and just staying in the same room. True or False?

I'm sure some of you have an immediate answer to this and/or have wonderful ways around it. Please let me know as I want to book our trip soon.

Thanks so much in advance.
Annie

As noted, you were told correctly but there are many ways to handle this situation. Certainly if you have completely separate reservations (even same villa type) you will have to check in again and may have to change rooms though if you plan accordingly there's a good chance you won't have to change room. You could take the opportunity to try other resorts or get cheaper options for part of your stay. The possibilities are almost endless. Remember there are other consequences to doing this including you may not get a T&T and/or full cleaning depending on the length of your stay, at least if you stay in the same unit. You might also be orphaned for part of the change day.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Just curious - what happens if you have guests coming and going during your stay? For example, if my 4 person family stays in a 2 bedroom for 8 nights, and a group of guests stays with us for only 4 of those 8, how does that work? Are we unable to get the dining plan, or expected to buy it for 8 nights for everyone???? Thanks!!

 

[Dean]

Just curious - what happens if you have guests coming and going during your stay? For example, if my 4 person family stays in a 2 bedroom for 8 nights, and a group of guests stays with us for only 4 of those 8, how does that work? Are we unable to get the dining plan, or expected to buy it for 8 nights for everyone???? Thanks!!

It's either don't get it or buy it for all for the entire LOS no matter the days they're there, as the current rules sit.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Wow, thanks. And yet Magical Express can be worked out for this different arrival/departure timing, correct?

Thanks so much!

 

[disneynutz]

Wow, thanks. And yet Magical Express can be worked out for this different arrival/departure timing, correct?

Thanks so much!

Correct.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Wow, thanks. And yet Magical Express can be worked out for this different arrival/departure timing, correct?

Thanks so much!

There's no extra cost to Disney for ME and there's money to be made. There reverse is true for the DP. Realize the DP is a product aimed at hotel guests and DVC only tags along on the program. For a while it was not even available to DVC members. Unfortunately, like most disney programs over the years, the DP is evolving such that it has little to no value for most people. There are still a few that the plans work for but not that many. It's getting to remind me of the world of dining program which was a failed option from day 1 as a replacement to the Food n Fun program.

 

[castleri]

Ah the food and fun program - that was one of the better things we took advantage of. We really made use of the boating options .