Recent reports of dining plan kinks with a segmented reservation?

[disneygrandma]

I called MS today to switch a resv to a different resort, and after that was done, I asked the CM about segmenting a different 3 night resv in to 3 parts so the DDP could be added later. (No plan needed the last night, and not sure if only 1 plan the 2nd night, or different plans used the 1st two nights.) I asked if it was possible to do this without risk losing the resv. He said it could be done, but it would only be done when the DDP was added, and credit card given. Also, from the wording he used, it sounded like he hadn't actually done this before, but that he knew the procedures and others that have done it. He also mentioned that we might have to get new room keys, that the resorts are working on this, but there was that possibility. The CM said this could be done right up to 48 hrs before, and plans could even be changed, refunded, etc....up to that 48 hr mark.

So all this sounds encouraging, both for MS and the resorts.

 

[n2mm]

I've been following this post closely as I had a not very smooth experience when I did this in January. I had many visits to the front desk, many room cards, and just alot of hassle. Anyway, I'm thinking of doing the QS ddp for my daughter and family's first night in May, mostly so they can get the mug to use the remainder of their stay. Why am I scared to call? I find when calling MS now, I just always get this bad feeling like they are going to mess up my reservations or my points. I had to call yesterday and got a sweet person, but not overly confident. I was checking on availability for another night, but thought, hey if I get a sharp person, I'll ask about the ddp. Well that didn't happen, so I still try to get up the nerve to add the ddp for one night at the beginning of my DD's stay. I keep hoping I'll read that it's gotten easy.

 

[csmommy]

I've been following this post closely as I had a not very smooth experience when I did this in January. I had many visits to the front desk, many room cards, and just alot of hassle. Anyway, I'm thinking of doing the QS ddp for my daughter and family's first night in May, mostly so they can get the mug to use the remainder of their stay. Why am I scared to call? I find when calling MS now, I just always get this bad feeling like they are going to mess up my reservations or my points. I had to call yesterday and got a sweet person, but not overly confident. I was checking on availability for another night, but thought, hey if I get a sharp person, I'll ask about the ddp. Well that didn't happen, so I still try to get up the nerve to add the ddp for one night at the beginning of my DD's stay. I keep hoping I'll read that it's gotten easy.

That was why I emailed them. It gave them time to find someone who could take care of what I needed & I would have a copy of what I had requested & how they took care of it.

 

[bastraker]

I'm also following this closely since we are going the first week of April. I have my reservations set up to do the deluxe plan for the first 4 nights, then nothing the 5th night, and regular dining for the last 4 nights.

My only other concern is that my reservations are split up. My first 3 nights are under a separate reservation number because when this reservatioin was made 11 months ago, they weren't segementing reservations.

We use to make 2 separate reservations and do 2 separate dining plans. Now that they segment, I'm not sure if that is gonna give me a problem with checking in an out again at the end of the first reservation even thought I will still be on the deluxe plan for another night.

Time will tell.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi everyone!
Sorry I didn't get back here sooner. We are now home after our wonderful vacation!

From when I last updated at BLT, we had a Kona ADR and 1 snack credit to use. Both of these went without a hitch. I simply told the server what meal plan we were on and it was fine.

Our keys also worked, without issue, through the end of the trip. We even charged on them after check-out without any issue.

So in all, this is what I took away.

If the resort gives you new keys the day you start a meal plan, your credits are active right away and those new keys SHOULD work in the doors for the rest of your trip/until a new meal plan starts.

If the resort does not give you new keys the day you start a meal plan, your credits are active starting at 11 am. And those same keys should continue to work in the doors.

Tell the server what meal plan you are on. Apparently they can scan the card and also see this to confirm.

On our DxDDP night we saved around $117. We probably would not have had the Kona ADR if DVC hadn't offered this flexible plan, and it was a great experience. Despite a few bumps, we will be doing this again!

 

[quirty30]

I'm going to test this out starting on Saturday at VWL. We're staying for for 4 nights, and trying the DxDP the 1st and 3rd nights. Calling in the morning to have it added (I've quite literally just made up my mind to add it tonight.)

Our TS meals are Via Napoli lunch, Le Cellier dinner, Brown Derby Fantasmic package dinner, and a Yak & Yeti dinner. Knowing that the last 2 choices weren't eligible for the TiW discount helped me decide on the dining plan. DD turns 10 in May, so this will definitely be the last time we add it.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm going to test this out starting on Saturday at VWL. We're staying for for 4 nights, and trying the DxDP the 1st and 3rd nights. Calling in the morning to have it added (I've quite literally just made up my mind to add it tonight.)

Our TS meals are Via Napoli lunch, Le Cellier dinner, Brown Derby Fantasmic package dinner, and a Yak & Yeti dinner. Knowing that the last 2 choices weren't eligible for the TiW discount helped me decide on the dining plan. DD turns 10 in May, so this will definitely be the last time we add it.

Good luck and I can't wait to hear how it goes. We are going to be doing it in August (have segmented but not yet added). We have new family coming with us so we have to sit down, figure out the plans, and then will decide which plans will work best for which segments.

 

[joandegennaro]

Here's how it went for us. Checked in on Thursday March 10th, Deluxe Dinning plan on the 11 and 12th of March (expired at midnight on the 13th) I was told that I would have to get new keys for the 13th to the 18th however we never did get around to getting to the front desk and our keys are still working today the 15th and was even able to charge to the room tonight.

All in all it was a great way for us to have some Disney dinning without committing to Disney dinning our whole trip.

 

[quirty30]

Good luck and I can't wait to hear how it goes. We are going to be doing it in August (have segmented but not yet added). We have new family coming with us so we have to sit down, figure out the plans, and then will decide which plans will work best for which segments.

I already changed my mind - lol. Just decided to do the plan on nights 2 & 3 rather than 1 & 3. Didn't have any TS planned for day 1, plus it seemed like it would be easier to have 2 consecutive nights rather than 2 staggered nights. I will definitely report back on how it goes. When I first started reading about it, it sounded so complicated; but I think this will be relatively easy to execute (at least that's what I'm hoping!!!!)

 

[Sandisw]

I already changed my mind - lol. Just decided to do the plan on nights 2 & 3 rather than 1 & 3. Didn't have any TS planned for day 1, plus it seemed like it would be easier to have 2 consecutive nights rather than 2 staggered nights. I will definitely report back on how it goes. When I first started reading about it, it sounded so complicated; but I think this will be relatively easy to execute (at least that's what I'm hoping!!!!)

That is so funny because I have to say, I have changed my mind so many times of what to do when!!! Good luck!!

 

[ErinC]

Just checking back in. All in all our experience with the segmented dining plan went well. We checked in to VWL on Sat. the 5th. We had the QSP on the 5th, and the DDp on the 6th and 7th. We ended up moving on Sunday (issues with the room), so we had to get new keys on Sunday. Our keys said DVC multiple plan on them and worked the entire trip. We had no plan from the 8th-13th. We still used the cards to charge for the rest of the trip. The front desk at VWL acted like they knew exactly what they were doing. No reason to have to get new keys. The only hitch we had was no getting trash and towel. I'm not sure if it was a dining plan issue, or some other problem with our reservation. By my count we should have had T and T on Wed. It didn't happen. I called Thurs. morning and asked that it be done on Thurs. Didn't happen then either. I called Thurs. evening and asked for them to at least bring me some clean towels, which they did, but only brought enough for the 1 bedroom, not our studio (we had a lock off). I was really irritated then, because I even told them it was both rooms when I had them on the phone. On Friday morning I called housekeeping and asked what was going on. She was very kind, but told me she didn't show me in the system at all????? Strange stuff! I called the front desk to try to find out what was going on, I was told a manager would return my call, and they never did. When we came back to the room on Friday, they had done a full cleaning. The whole thing was odd. I'm still not sure that that it was caused by the segmented dining. Either way, I would segment the dining plan again. It was well worth it for us. The whole T and T thing probably wouldn't have bothered me so much if my inlaws weren't with us. I wanted them to be impressed with our DVC, not thinking were idiots that got sucked into a timeshare! At least the folks at VWL seem to have their act together with the dining plan part of the reservation.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi everyone!
Sorry I didn't get back here sooner. We are now home after our wonderful vacation!

From when I last updated at BLT, we had a Kona ADR and 1 snack credit to use. Both of these went without a hitch. I simply told the server what meal plan we were on and it was fine.

Our keys also worked, without issue, through the end of the trip. We even charged on them after check-out without any issue.

So in all, this is what I took away.

If the resort gives you new keys the day you start a meal plan, your credits are active right away and those new keys SHOULD work in the doors for the rest of your trip/until a new meal plan starts.

If the resort does not give you new keys the day you start a meal plan, your credits are active starting at 11 am. And those same keys should continue to work in the doors.

Tell the server what meal plan you are on. Apparently they can scan the card and also see this to confirm.

On our DxDDP night we saved around $117. We probably would not have had the Kona ADR if DVC hadn't offered this flexible plan, and it was a great experience. Despite a few bumps, we will be doing this again!

Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop on your segmenting experience, that was very nice of you and very helpful!

Although I'm a little nervous about it, we're segmenting for our upcoming trip. We're doing one night Dx DDP and 10 nights regular DDP. We don't arrive in Orlando until 5:00 so we'll have dinner at Boma that evening then the next day have dinner at a signature restaurant, plus our mugs will be included.

On a side note, I've been told on more than one occasion by Member Services that we won't need to change rooms and that it is one of the advantages of segmenting. I thought I'd share for those of you who are worried about having to move to another room.

 

[n2mm]

That was why I emailed them. It gave them time to find someone who could take care of what I needed & I would have a copy of what I had requested & how they took care of it.

I called yesterday to add a day to my Oct reservation. I had a good feeling about the CM I was talking to, so asked her about adding one night of DDP and she was knowledgeable about it and it took less than 10 minutes to split the reservation and add the dining and I paid for it. I wanted first night QS DDP for my daughter's May reservation. I went online and all looks good. I did not get a new confirmation, so will have to call for that--I forgot to ask.

 

[quirty30]

I called today to add DxDP to nights 2 & 3 of our 4 night VWL stay. CM put me on hold and said she needed to have a supervisor help her with the transaction...came back several times to apologize and made idle chit-chat. We were done in about 10 minutes and we're all set for Saturday. For those who have suggested emailing rather than calling, I wouldn't worry about that. If you get a CM who doesn't understand, just ask for a supervisor. The CM I spoke with was delightful and it wasn't nearly as complicated as I thought it might be. I obviously waited til the last minute to add the dining plan because I'm cheap - lol.

 

[bastraker]

I called today to add DxDP to nights 2 & 3 of our 4 night VWL stay. CM put me on hold and said she needed to have a supervisor help her with the transaction...came back several times to apologize and made idle chit-chat. We were done in about 10 minutes and we're all set for Saturday. For those who have suggested emailing rather than calling, I wouldn't worry about that. If you get a CM who doesn't understand, just ask for a supervisor. The CM I spoke with was delightful and it wasn't nearly as complicated as I thought it might be. I obviously waited til the last minute to add the dining plan because I'm cheap - lol.

If you dont mind, can you let us know what you experience was. We leave in 2weeks and I still need to set up my reservations.

 

[Lexxiefern]

So can you segment your trip / dining plan any way you want now? For example, I was thinking about doing this on our upcoming 6 night trip:

Night 2 DXDP
Night 4 DXDP
Night 5 QSDP

So nothing for our first night, use the deluxe plan on day 2 & 3, another deluxe plan on day 4 & 5 (we change resorts on day 4), quick service on day 5 & 6, nothing on day 7 checkout day.

Would this work? I know it is confusing, but I am trying to work out my dining reservations.

 

[n2mm]

So can you segment your trip / dining plan any way you want now? For example, I was thinking about doing this on our upcoming 6 night trip:

Night 2 DXDP
Night 4 DXDP
Night 5 QSDP

So nothing for our first night, use the deluxe plan on day 2 & 3, another deluxe plan on day 4 & 5 (we change resorts on day 4), quick service on day 5 & 6, nothing on day 7 checkout day.

Would this work? I know it is confusing, but I am trying to work out my dining reservations.

This is funny, but since you get a mug with the dxdp and the QSdp, will you get mugs with your first dxddp, then again 2 days later will you get mugs, and you get mugs with the QS too. That's alot of mugs. You may have to take an extra bag just to carry them all home!

 

[bastraker]

So can you segment your trip / dining plan any way you want now? For example, I was thinking about doing this on our upcoming 6 night trip:

Night 2 DXDP
Night 4 DXDP
Night 5 QSDP

So nothing for our first night, use the deluxe plan on day 2 & 3, another deluxe plan on day 4 & 5 (we change resorts on day 4), quick service on day 5 & 6, nothing on day 7 checkout day.

Would this work? I know it is confusing, but I am trying to work out my dining reservations.

Yes, you can do this. The only problem is that each time you change plans, you have to go get new cards. At least that seems to be the way it's working right now. Maybe it will change in the future.

We leave in 2 weeks and I plan on doing 4 nights deluxe, then one night with no plan, then 4 nights on the regular dining plan. We will see how it goes.

 

[Lexxiefern]

This is funny, but since you get a mug with the dxdp and the QSdp, will you get mugs with your first dxddp, then again 2 days later will you get mugs, and you get mugs with the QS too. That's alot of mugs. You may have to take an extra bag just to carry them all home!

That is funny! I probably would only redeem the first 4 mugs and just never get the others.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Yes, you can do this. The only problem is that each time you change plans, you have to go get new cards. At least that seems to be the way it's working right now. Maybe it will change in the future.

We leave in 2 weeks and I plan on doing 4 nights deluxe, then one night with no plan, then 4 nights on the regular dining plan. We will see how it goes.

Great! We have to change hotels on day 4 anyway so getting new keys isn't a big deal. I guess we will have to go get new ones on day 5 as well. I look forward to you reporting back after your trip on how it goes!