Question about the new DDP system...

[kristenrice]

Looking ahead to 2012, my dad and I are trying to coordinate a family trip with 14 of us....9 "adults" (one will be 10) and 5 children (ages 4-9 at time of travel).

As of now, we are looking at doing a 7-night (Sat-Sat) stay at OKW. We have points for the weeknights but we will be paying cash (through MS) for the Sat and Fri nights (1st and last) so that we won't have to switch rooms.

My question(s)...

1) Since it is IMPERATIVE that we NOT switch rooms, I am assuming that the three reservations (Sat night, Sun-Th, and Fri night) will have to be "linked" correct?

2) With the new system, will we be able to add a DDP to any/all of the three segments WITHOUT risking the possibility of a move? I understand that we would need to check in again to activate/deactivate any dining credits, but will that leave us "homeless" with the possibility of moving?

We are trying to figure out the best way to manage the group, most of whom have never been to WDW, or haven't been there since 1988. Since mom and dad want to treat everyone to a group dinner (which they are setting aside $1000 for), I was thinking that perhaps they should just add on the DxDDP for our arrival night. That would allow us to have our meal (thinking Chef Mickey's perhaps), our mugs for the rest of the trip and two more meals, along with the snacks. At today's prices, that would amount to less than $1000 and it would include a lot more. My main concern is that we do NOT want to move. Can this be done?

 

[ValpoCory]

From what I've read on other threads, you can add a Dining Plan to the middle (or any and all) reservation and link all three ressies together so that you do not have to change rooms.

 

[CarolMN]

Consider registering your group as a Grand Gathering. That will greatly increase the chances of your group getting their rooms assigned near each other.

Since your trip isn't until 2012, you may not know your dining options & cost until late in 2011.

Reportedly with the new reservation system enhancements, you will not need to move or change rooms to purchase one of the dining plans for a part of your stay. Keep an eye on the boards for others' experiences setting up the linked reservations ahead of time so that partial DP purchases are possible.

Since you won't be making room reservations for awhile, there will be time to see how everything shakes out. Again, I think if your group is a registered Grand Gathering, it will help.

Good luck!

 

[kristenrice]

Consider registering your group as a Grand Gathering. That will greatly increase the chances of your group getting their rooms assigned near each other.

Since your trip isn't until 2012, you may not know your dining options & cost until late in 2011.

Reportedly with the new reservation system enhancements, you will not need to move or change rooms to purchase one of the dining plans for a part of your stay. Keep an eye on the boards for others' experiences setting up the linked reservations ahead of time so that partial DP purchases are possible.

Since you won't be making room reservations for awhile, there will be time to see how everything shakes out. Again, I think if your group is a registered Grand Gathering, it will help.Good luck!

We are certainly planning on registering as a Grand Gathering. In fact, that is another reason I was looking into adding the DxDDP for one night. That way, we could eat a group meal at a 1-credit restaurant and do one of the GG experiences with the other 2 credits.

I'm going to try and monitor others' experiences with the new system. I think there are still a lot of kinks in the system and I think I misunderstood it a little. From what y'all have said, we can add the DxDDP to *any* night of our reservation. It doesn't necessarily have to be one of the cash or all of the points nights. That would certainly help in our planning since we could plop our group gatherings in the middle of the trip instead of at the beginning or end.

Thanks for all the info! We are having our family Christmas party today and it will probably be the last time we are all together at one place before we have to make our reservation in July 2011. With all the information I need to present, I want to make sure I have my facts correct.