Question - Meal Plan and staggered Arrival Dates

[kathleena]

The situation: I'm arriving on a Wed and staying until the next Friday (9 nights). DH is arriving on Sunday and staying until Friday (5 nights). This is a DVC resort, so I don't need to buy tickets for either of us.

The decision: Meal Plan or DDE?

The issue: If I put DH on the ressie, I would have to buy 18 meal plans but I just don't think we could use all those in the 9 nights/5 nights we are there.

The question: If I don't put him on the ressie so I could just buy the 9 nights, will I still be able to get a room key for him on Sunday? He doesn't care about EMHs, but would prefer he had his own key.

Another variable: Friends of ours are coming on Sunday also - staying in another DVC room for 5 nights. If I had to get the 18 meal plans, could I use the credits to pay for their meals also?

I may just get the DDE, just trying to decide what is best for all of us - but having the answers to these questions will help me decide what to do.

Thanks in advance for your expertise!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Well, one thing to consider is that you must either be a Florida Resident or an Annual Passholder (or both) to get the DDE.

 

[robinb]

You can use the DDE right along with the dining plan. We're DVC members with the DDE card. We stayed at CSR in August and received the dining plan free. That convinced us that we would buy it if we could and we were very happy that DVC is offering it. We used our DDE card for out-of-pocket kids meals, alcohol and free valet parking. Honestly, the valet parking alone "paid" for the DDE card and we are now quite spoiled by it.

Here's my suggestion for the dining plan. You can break your reservation into two parts: The Wed-Sun 4-day section and the Sun-Friday 5 day section. Member services can "connect" the reservations in the computer so they will know that the same member is staying all 9 nights and you will not have to move. Then, get the dining for you only on the first section and both of you on the second section.

There are a few possible disadvantages to this: (1) One of the sections needs to be available when you split up your reservation. For instance, if you release the first 4 days they may be automatically scooped up by someone on the waitlist. (3) You may have to check out and check in between the two reservations. I don't remember how it works with "connected" reservations (4) You probably would not be able to carry over any credits on the first 4 days past midnight the day you check out, (5) You may lose your full housekeeping day (although I think you may be able to get them to reinstate it).

Good luck!

 

[kathleena]

Thanks for the replies - already considered those about the ressie split and don't want to do it - and yes been an AP holder many years.

Just fishing again - anyone have an answer to my two questions:

The question: If I don't put him on the ressie so I could just buy the 9 nights, will I still be able to get a room key for him on Sunday? He doesn't care about EMHs, but would prefer he had his own key.

Another variable: Friends of ours are coming on Sunday also - staying in another DVC room for 5 nights. If I had to get the 18 meal plans, could I use the credits to pay for their meals also?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Amyrlin]

If you do take the dinning plan then maybe when Hubby gets down there oyou could do some signature resturants with 2 credits each. It is also up to you who you use the plans on.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd go with the DDE. The discount is good on adult beverages. Most of the "good deal" of MYW Dining disappears if you want to share or even skip desserts and appetizers. On the dining plan I ordered dessert. Off the dining plan I'd share dessert or even skip dessert in favor of dessert later.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, I think the MYW Dining Plan for DVC differs slightly from the regular plan. Keeping in mind I could EASILY be wrong: don't you purchase it when you check in? While you're seeking answers here, nobody's actually experienced this yet since it doesn't start until April 1 - so you might want to confirm this with Member Services. Anyway, I don't see why you can't check in on Wednesday and purchase nine days, then your husband check in on Sunday and purchase five days. If you don't put him on the reservation, I'm not sure you can get him a key when he does arrive.

And yes, you MAY use your Table Service credits for your friends' meals. Or you could use a couple for yourself for a Signature meal or two...