Segmented Dining Plan Reservation

[Mich Mouse]

Does the segmented dining plan reservation mean that I can pick and choose the days of my vacation I want to participate in the dining plan? Or does it mean you buy a certain amount of days and utilize the plan as you wish? Or is the dining plan still only available partially if you do a split stay?

I saw the thread that discusses problems with the segmented plan and realized that I must have missed something

 

[S'sMom]

Does the segmented dining plan reservation mean that I can pick and choose the days of my vacation I want to participate in the dining plan? Or does it mean you buy a certain amount of days and utilize the plan as you wish? Or is the dining plan still only available partially if you do a split stay?

I saw the thread that discusses problems with the segmented plan and realized that I must have missed something

I wanted to know this as well... I have been reading some other threads, and I think that I "get" to a certain extent, but for use I want to use one plan on the first day and another the second day and nothing the last day. Is that possible?

 

[DMKEDM]

Basically, what happens is you make separate reservations based on your DP choices, and then link them.

So, if you want regular DP on Day/night 1, deluxe DP on day/night 2, and no DP on Day/night 3, you'd book 3 separate reservations, and then link them.

The "new" computer system does not handle linked reservations at all well...I've now had two linked reservations since last fall's computer changes and both have been full of problems (mostly annoying nit noy and not too serious problems, but neither vacation was "smooth")...dining was not the issue w/either of my linked reservations (first one--last T-giving--I added a day months after I'd made the original reservation; this last one--just got home from it this afternoon!--I had to W/L one night in the middle so I wound up w/3 reservations linked together.

Neither time would the system allow me to do on-line check-in (and this last time they acknowledged it's a system glitch and told me no linked reservations can be online checked-in)...I got no mousekeeping at all this past (5-night) trip...the system lost my room request; it took a good 20 minutes to check me in; the computer wouldn't let them do it as one linked reservation; they had to do it as three separate reservations which created problems w/room assignments after "day one"...

It all worked out...neither time did I have to move (altho I did have to check in again on day 2 w/the T-giving reservation)...it might be worth it, depending on how badly you want the varying DP options...but linked reservations are definitely a problem the new computer system hasn't gotten the bugs out of yet...

 

[S'sMom]

Basically, what happens is you make separate reservations based on your DP choices, and then link them.

So, if you want regular DP on Day/night 1, deluxe DP on day/night 2, and no DP on Day/night 3, you'd book 3 separate reservations, and then link them.

The "new" computer system does not handle linked reservations at all well...I've now had two linked reservations since last fall's computer changes and both have been full of problems (mostly annoying nit noy and not too serious problems, but neither vacation was "smooth")...dining was not the issue w/either of my linked reservations (first one--last T-giving--I added a day months after I'd made the original reservation; this last one--just got home from it this afternoon!--I had to W/L one night in the middle so I wound up w/3 reservations linked together.

Neither time would the system allow me to do on-line check-in (and this last time they acknowledged it's a system glitch and told me no linked reservations can be online checked-in)...I got no mousekeeping at all this past (5-night) trip...the system lost my room request; it took a good 20 minutes to check me in; the computer wouldn't let them do it as one linked reservation; they had to do it as three separate reservations which created problems w/room assignments after "day one"...

It all worked out...neither time did I have to move (altho I did have to check in again on day 2 w/the T-giving reservation)...it might be worth it, depending on how badly you want the varying DP options...but linked reservations are definitely a problem the new computer system hasn't gotten the bugs out of yet...

Thanks a bunch
Will this work if I already have a reservation?

 

[mcorbo]

I had the opposite experience with my reservation. Made a 5 night reservation originally at BWV, then about 5 days before arrival segmented it into 1 night with DDlxP and the remaining 4 with DDP.

I did the online check in 10 days before arrival and before I segmented the reservation. While my on line check in packet was not there at arrival, all the info was in the system, they printed my room keys which said DVC Multiple for the dining plan. Never had to check back in again, and the new dining showed up the second day (I checked my dining credits at the front desk every morning)

We even neglected to use 3 snack credits from the first days DDlxP and they were still usable later in the trip.

 

[DVCKev]

That is what I would like to know about your credits being used later. For instance if we choose to have DxDDP on the first night so we get mugs the day of arrival (have the regular DDP for the rest of the week), but then only use one of the meals that day for dinner. Can we then use the additional two TS meal credits later in the week? Also will those meal credits come with the appetizer included as the deluxe is supposed to have? How do they determine that?

 

[DebbieB]

That is what I would like to know about your credits being used later. For instance if we choose to have DxDDP on the first night so we get mugs the day of arrival (have the regular DDP for the rest of the week), but then only use one of the meals that day for dinner. Can we then use the additional two TS meal credits later in the week? Also will those meal credits come with the appetizer included as the deluxe is supposed to have? How do they determine that?

No, they would expire at midnight of the second day. That first night would be a separate reservation, checking out on the second day, which is when that dining plan would expire. I'm not sure what the latest is regarding having to physically checkout and check back in on the days your plan changes.

 

[mcorbo]

That is what I would like to know about your credits being used later. For instance if we choose to have DxDDP on the first night so we get mugs the day of arrival (have the regular DDP for the rest of the week), but then only use one of the meals that day for dinner. Can we then use the additional two TS meal credits later in the week? Also will those meal credits come with the appetizer included as the deluxe is supposed to have? How do they determine that?

From what I understand, it is not supposed to work that way, any unused credits from Day 1 DDlxP should have expired at midnight of the second day, so I would not count on it.

 

[jupers]

No matter how many times this is explained...it still hurts my brain.

Not to hijack...well kinda...

If we arrive late Wed night...no DP...then on Thursday reg DP....then Fri, DxDp..the DxDP would actually take us into Saturday night...

So between Thursday Fr & Sat I would have...

3 Snacks (2 from Dxdp) (1 reg Dp)
1 CS (reg DP)
4 TS meals (1 reg DP) (3 dxDP)

Assuming on Thursday I use all reg DP credits then I would have Fri/Sat to use the DXDP??????

 

[mcorbo]

No matter how many times this is explained...it still hurts my brain.

Not to hijack...well kinda...

If we arrive late Wed night...no DP...then on Thursday reg DP....then Fri, DxDp..the DxDP would actually take us into Saturday night...

So between Thursday Fr & Sat I would have...

3 Snacks (2 from Dxdp) (1 reg Dp)
1 CS (reg DP)
4 TS meals (1 reg DP) (3 dxDP)

Assuming on Thursday I use all reg DP credits then I would have Fri/Sat to use the DXDP??????

I think you got it, based on the rules, unused credits should expire at midnight of the second day.

You should have all credits from the DDP available on Thursday

All credits from both DDP and DDxP available Thursday and Friday (DDP expires midnight Friday)

DDxP credits available on Saturday

I did not have to recheck in on any days when I did this.

 

[wdwfan1]

I think you got it, based on the rules, unused credits should expire at midnight of the second day.

You should have all credits from the DDP available on Thursday

All credits from both DDP and DDxP available Thursday and Friday (DDP expires midnight Friday)

DDxP credits available on Saturday

I did not have to recheck in on any days when I did this.

In March we had to check in and get new cards for each new dining plan.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

In March we had to check in and get new cards for each new dining plan.

Yesterday when I added the dining play to the first night of our reservations starting May 14th...ms told me we would have to check in again on May 15th....I'll let you know what happened when I return on May 18th

 

[Mich Mouse]

Must you have some type of plan every day of the vacation or can you opt out of some days? For example, Can I use the dining plan for the first four days of vacaton and not on the last two days?

 

[mopee3]

Need to remember it's not the number of nights but the the whether or not you "check in" or not. I think if you are trying to just get DXDDP on one night then DDP on the next it would be a real pain in the you know what. You will get new KTTW cards with each change and will need to keep them apart and not use the wrong one at the wrong time.

We have never stayed at a resort, in 8 trips, for more than 4 nights, usually 3, so we switch dinning plans as we want but it can become tricky to present the correct KTTW card at the right time.

This November we will start at OKW for 2 nights for 6 people on the DXDDP, then on to GV at AK for 5 nights for 8 people on DXDDP, and finish up at GV at OKW for 8 people on the DDP.
Whew, but all must be on the same dinning plan when on the same room ressie with a small exception. The first 7 days are all on same ressie number however we will have 6 people on first 2 nights and 8 on last 5 nights. The 2 joining us for the last 5 nights won't be charged for first 2 nights because we change resorts(rooms) and get 8 different KTTW cards.

When I put it down on paper it seems like a lot of work, but it is really quite slick and easy... just need to remeber which KTTW card to present at the right time.
Oh and it really helps if only one person uses the KTTW card at meals, the servers hate mutiple cards, (but they don't show it).

If we used the TIW card for meals, I love it and use it for valet, it would be much easier.... but we like the idea of knowing where we will eat and paying OOP for a Cal Grill meal causes me to hyperventilate and other parts to pucker.

Anyway enjoy life because it will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Moe

 

[HotdogDncrs]

We are at WDW right now. Were at BLT for first 4 nights, and then moved to BWV. One thing to keep in mind is that once you vacate your first resort they cancel those KTTW cards. We had snacks left and tried to use them on moving day (yes before midnight). They wouldn't work. When we checked into BWV they were on our new cards. We had only 1 reservation number for both legs of the trip, and did the DDP for both parts as well. In the future we will make sure that we head over to the second resort before needing any food that might be covered on the DDP. The CM who checked us in told us that our food credits would all be good until our final checkout day because we were continuing with the DDP.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Lots of great information but I still didn't get an answer to the question-unless I missed it?

Must I use the dining plan everyday of the vacation in some form or can I opt out for some days?

 

[DMKEDM]

I'll try again:

The rule is you must have the DP for each person on your reservation for each night of your reservation.

However, you can segment your reservation into multiple smaller reservations (and then link them) and the functional result is that you can pick and choose the days you want to use the DP ...

Maybe an example will make it clearer:

You're going to Disney for 6 nights/7 days. You want DP on days 1 and 2, not on days 3 & 4, and again on days 5 and 6 (actually, DP is done by "nights"...so you count your nights, not your days, at Disney...so, you're there Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights; last check-out is Sat morning)...you want to use the DP Sunday and Monday, not on Tuesday & Wednesday, and again on Thursday and Friday...

You would make 3 separate reservations:

1. one for Sun-Mon (DP would be good from check-in Monday until
the end of the day Tuesday);

2. one for Tues-Wed; and

3. one for Thurs-Fri (DP would be good Thurs through the end of Sat)...

MS would link the reservations (w/all the computer problems that will likely eventually get solved, but seem to be cropping up w/some frequency still) so you'd be in the same room all 6 nights (7 days)...you may or may not have to check in again on Tues and Thurs (I did when I segmented last November, but there have been some reports since then that suggest you may not have to get new keys for each of the 3 reservations)...you would not be able to use your Sun-Mon (or Thurs-Fri) DP credits on Wed (any left from Sun-Mon could still be used on Tues, tho)...

Clear as mud?

Hope this helps, at least a bit...

 

[Sandisw]

Lots of great information but I still didn't get an answer to the question-unless I missed it?

Must I use the dining plan everyday of the vacation in some form or can I opt out for some days?

If you segment your trip, you can purchase the dining plan for each segment without having to get it for the other segments.

The credits, however, will only be good until midnight of the check out day for the segment you purchased the plan. They will not run for the whole trip.

You will have to check out/in but will not have to move room. We are doing the DxDDP for just one of our three nights at BLT this August. We are doing it the first night so I had them segment out that night from the other two.

 

[S'sMom]

Lots of great information but I still didn't get an answer to the question-unless I missed it?

Must I use the dining plan everyday of the vacation in some form or can I opt out for some days?

In addition to the great information provided by the other Dis'ers I got this response from DVC. I think that this is an answer you are looking for :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello ******,

Thank you for contacting DISNEY VACATION CLUB®.

Yes, it is possible to segment your reservations to add the Disney
Dining Plan to only a portion of your stay. To segment your
reservations and add the Disney Dining Plan, please call Member Services
at ************ and speak to one of our Vacation Advisors for
assistance.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Todd

Member Services | Online Communications
DISNEY VACATION CLUB
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully, this helps a bit

 

[S'sMom]

Just off the phone with MS. It went pretty smooth, except for one little issue when they segmented it. This is what I did...
June 14 - QSDP
June 15 - TSDP
June 16 - N/A

I did have to call back because the system mistakenly assumed that my 2yo (who has the same name as dh), was an adult. Not a big deal. The change was fairly easy.

He did say that I would have to get new cards everyday. Not a problem, because he said that it wont require us to check in / out etc. It requires a bit more walking but it wont be too bad. As long as everything else goes smoothly.

We will see how it goes.