So confused... Room only with AP holder - add QS DP?

[dotcomgirl18]

I am entirely confused and need help. We are two adults staying for 5 nights in a Little Mermaid room at the AOA. I booked it originally as a room only reservation. Bought myself a 5 day park hopper from UT and linked the ticket to MDE. My sister just bought a FL resident weekday select AP and linked her ticket. Can we add a QS dining plan if we want?

I used Disney chat and the woman on the chat told me this:
"There is absolutely no reason for you not be able to purchase it. It does not have to be part of a package many guests will book room and dining plan only. As long as you're staying at it Disney resort the dining plan is always available to you. No worries! (smiles)"

Then I called the dining line to ask, and the guy told me that I would have to cancel my reservation and rebook it as part of a package with room and dining. He made it sound that the only reason we can do this is because my sister has an AP (and if she didn't, then we wouldn't be allowed to do this). Do I have this right?

Here's where I'm worried... the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA are sold out for our dates. So if we go to cancel and rebook it as a room/dining package, isn't there a chance that we could lose out on the room that we already have booked?!

Also, do you think it's worth it to even try this? Maybe we'd be better off just leaving it as a room only reservation and paying for dining out of pocket?

 

[figment_jii]

Annual Passholders are eligible to book what is called a "ticketless package" which includes the room and the dining plan (but does not require the purchase of tickets). Lately, there have been folks saying that this available to everyone, but you have to call to get a "ticketless package." Non-AP getting a "ticketless package" is a very new thing and it's not clear if it's a permanent change or just a temporary one.

In your case, you currently have a room only reservation. If you wanted to add dining, you would need to book a package (albeit a "ticketless package"). It would mean that you would have to cancel your room only reservation and then re-book as a package. Unfortunately, you cannot convert a room only reservation to a package. You would get a new confirmation number and you would have to put down a new deposit. They cannot transfer the deposit from the room only to the package.

My personal feeling is that it's getting tougher and tougher to make it economically worth while to do the dining plans. The QS plan comes with 2 QS credits per day and one snack per guest, plus the refillable mug. Discounting the mug, and assuming a snack is about $5, you'd need to spend about $19 at each QS meal to break even. I was looking over the menus earlier this year, and it surprised me how many entrees are out there that are less than $10. For me, I would keep the room only reservation (see if you can get an AP discount on the room, although AoA LM might not be included) and pay OOP for food.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

Thanks. That makes more sense.

Is there a chance that we could lose the Little Mermaid room if we cancel and rebook? Is it worth the risk if so?

 

[mickeynut1]

I am entirely confused and need help. We are two adults staying for 5 nights in a Little Mermaid room at the AOA. I booked it originally as a room only reservation. Bought myself a 5 day park hopper from UT and linked the ticket to MDE. My sister just bought a FL resident weekday select AP and linked her ticket. Can we add a QS dining plan if we want?

I used Disney chat and the woman on the chat told me this:
"There is absolutely no reason for you not be able to purchase it. It does not have to be part of a package many guests will book room and dining plan only. As long as you're staying at it Disney resort the dining plan is always available to you. No worries! (smiles)"

Then I called the dining line to ask, and the guy told me that I would have to cancel my reservation and rebook it as part of a package with room and dining. He made it sound that the only reason we can do this is because my sister has an AP (and if she didn't, then we wouldn't be allowed to do this). Do I have this right?

Here's where I'm worried... the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA are sold out for our dates. So if we go to cancel and rebook it as a room/dining package, isn't there a chance that we could lose out on the room that we already have booked?!

Also, do you think it's worth it to even try this? Maybe we'd be better off just leaving it as a room only reservation and paying for dining out of pocket?

The CM you spoke to on the phone is correct. Room + DDP is considered a package and since RO and packages are different reservation systems, the RO would have to be cancelled/refunded and an AP + Dine (ticketless) package would have to be booked, requiring a new $200 deposit (or payment in full if you are 45 days or less from arrival). Usually, DVC members staying on points, anyone renting points, AP holders, and military are the only ones who can book a ticketless package, but from what I understand, Disney started offering ticketless packages for the general public (but only for a limited time). With that said, you can change from RO to a ticketless package without losing your room at AoA, but guest services will most likely have to do it as I don't think regular reservation CMs have the ability to do it without you losing the room if the resort is booked.

HTH

 

[figment_jii]

With that said, you can change from RO to a ticketless package without losing your room at AoA, but guest services will most likely have to do it as I don't think regular reservation CMs have the ability to do it without you losing the room if the resort is booked.

Can you clarify what you mean by Guest Services opposed to reservation CMs?

 

[dotcomgirl18]

Can you clarify what you mean by Guest Services opposed to reservation CMs?

Ditto. How do I reach Guest Services as opposed to a regular reservation CM?

 

[mickeynut1]

Can you clarify what you mean by Guest Services opposed to reservation CMs?

From what I understand (and in my experience), Guest Services is a separate department with more authority to make certain changes over those that can be done through the regular reservation line.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ditto. How do I reach Guest Services as opposed to a regular reservation CM?

When you call, ask to speak to a someone in guest services.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Usually, DVC members staying on points, anyone renting points, AP holders, and military are the only ones who can book a ticketless package

AP holders and military can book ticketless packages, DVC is a completely separate system from regular room reservations and they don't book packages at all. The DVC system was altered soon after the dining plan began being offered to allow DVC members to add dining plans to their reservations via DVC Member Services.

 

[mickeynut1]

AP holders and military can book ticketless packages, DVC is a completely separate system from regular room reservations and they don't book packages at all. The DVC system was altered soon after the dining plan began being offered to allow DVC members to add dining plans to their reservations via DVC Member Services.

I am aware that DVC is a separate reservation system, but the point I was making is that DVC members staying on points and anyone renting points (along with AP holders and military) can get the DDP without having to purchase tickets.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Yes, but the word "package" should not be applied to DVC reservations. DVC members do not and cannot purchase package reservations through Member Services.

A package reservation has its own very specific rules, which do not apply to other types of reservation.

If you are not DVC, you cannot get DDP without booking a package reservation of some type - tickets included, or ticketless. Which means you have to go with the package rules -$200 deposit, pay off your reservation 45 days before arrival, cancellation and change penalties apply after the 45 day mark.

Only DVC can get dining plans without purchasing a package reservation (which DVC doesn't have).

 

[baleeve]

I had an AP room only reservation but changed to the ticketless package (FYI, which can be booked online).

The reason I changed is I am very frugal and given the choice would order kids meals my whole vacation just to save a buck, but I'm going down on a birthday slash personal triumph vacation and in order for me to not constantly be crunching the numbers I added dining. This way its reverse psychology - I'm not trying to pay the least amount for meals...I'm actually trying to spend the most amount. LOL

Plus with the ticketless package I got 2 free Disney Quest tickets, 100 credit for the arcade, free souvenir at Planet Hollywood and a few other perks.

Doing the math - could I eat cheaper without DDP SURE! But could I eat HEALTHIER on DDP - Absolutely! Eating healthier with out DDP would cost the same or possible more. That's where the savings comes in.

Just my 2 cents

 

[figment_jii]

I had an AP room only reservation but changed to the ticketless package (FYI, which can be booked online).

AP holders have been able to book ticketless packages online through the AP website. Non-AP holders have to call and ask about ticketless packages. It seemed like they were available to the general public, but as a trial offer. It's not clear if and/or when that will end.

 

[baleeve]

AP holders have been able to book ticketless packages online through the AP website. Non-AP holders have to call and ask about ticketless packages. It seemed like they were available to the general public, but as a trial offer. It's not clear if and/or when that will end.

Ah, I read it too quickly. I see the distinction.