So sad - Just Found Out We Are Not Eligible for Disney Dining Plan

[jmsvss]

I am bummed. I planned, planned and planned. Made all the ADRs. Then I went to add the Disney Dining Plan to our reservation and I was told we were not eligible because we were staying at the Contemporary at a group rate.

I was told that because we were getting such a discounted room rate (and we are - no complaint there) that we could not participate in the Dining Plan. Not only do I find the plan economical for my family but the convenience with a teen and a tween made it doubly attractive.

Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[TDC Nala]

I haven't had it happen - I'm an AP holder and don't book packages - but it's pretty much known that you have to buy a rack rate room and tickets in a package to be eligible for the dining program, unless you luck out and get a discount on the entire package. If you think the dining plan is more of a value than the room discount, you can try to rebook with a regular package.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One of the requriements for the dining plan has always been paying full (rack) rate or, at most, the AAA disocunt as well as purchasing tickets.

You basically have three choices.

1. Rebook your room at a non-discounted rate and get the dfining plan.

2. Purchase one adult Annual Pass and buy the Disney Dining Experience card which will give you a 20% discount on almost every sit-down restaurant as well as the counter service in AK and the value resorts. Note this includes alcoholic beverages which Dining Plan does not.

3. Consider how much youhave saved with the group rate and live with it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yeah, we never get the dining plan either due to discounts. Believe me, our discounts well make up for the cost difference between that and rack rate! It's worth it to us to save on the room and tickets and pay out of pocket on meals.

 

[impulse]

I was told that because we were getting such a discounted room rate (and we are - no complaint there) that we could not participate in the Dining Plan. Not only do I find the plan economical for my family but the convenience with a teen and a tween made it doubly attractive.

Just a question, how many people are you travelling with to be considered as group rate? Thanks in advance

 

[Amyrlin]

It may be worth looking at the DDE if you can and if you are likey to get use out of an AP

 

[nbodyhome]

I talked to one guest at the Animal Kingdom Lodge who got concierge on a group rate at $238 a night! That way more than makes up for the dining program - just because you can eat a lot, doesn't mean that you have to (I'd mentioned before that I could easily spend only $10 - $12 a day eating on property). Normally, I'd just say take the discount. I did try (with two others) the free dining program for 3 nights at the Pop Century in October - I am a passholder, but also a TA and I wanted to be able to experience it. It was way more than I'd normally have eaten, and we had tons of credits left over - I ran to Coronado Springs to cash in 8 counter service meals before I left property.

I once had a guy come to me to see about booking the Boardwalk with the free dining, but he had the S/D booked with a $99 rate at the time. I told him that there was no way that the dining plan would make up for the price he already had.

If you have a great discount, stick with it. If it is a so-so discount and you do like to splurge at restaurants, then weigh the options.

Denise

 

[twojo21]

ive had this happen. as an ap holder & now as were getting married at disney in march & all our guests are on a group rate they cant add/buy the dining plan. the room discount is definetly more valuable in our case overall though.

you could always buy wdw gift cards which you can use towards food, souvenirs, etc.

 

[jmsvss]

We are definitely better off with the discounted room (50%). I'm not really complaining, I've just never qualified for any kind of discount and didn't understand how it worked. I will probably drop our Citricos reservation tho and opt for something little less $$$$. Going cashless was a definite benefit to me because of the kids.

However, now I'm wondering what other Disney bennies are we not eligible for - such as Magical Express - I signed up online and haven't heard we've been declined.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

However, now I'm wondering what other Disney bennies are we not eligible for - such as Magical Express - I signed up online and haven't heard we've been declined.

We are fortunate enough to get an airline employee rate on the rooms so we, too, are not eligible for the dining plan. You are eligible however for DME and any other perks of staying onsite!

 

[lyncruiser]

It's easy to forget the cost of the Dining Plan isn't just $35 per person per day. It's also the difference between rack rate and any discounted rate you may otherwise qualify for. As AP holders, we find that a good AP room rate is far and away a better value for us than the Dining Plan.

 

[dreamalittledream]

We are definitely better off with the discounted room (50%). I'm not really complaining, I've just never qualified for any kind of discount and didn't understand how it worked. .

If I understand correctly, you wanted to pay for the dining plan and were not able to? Would you have bought the tickets as well?
I also have my room on a discount (not that great though) and now I'm nervous about not being able to add the dining. I guess I'll have to call.

 

[nbodyhome]

It's easy to forget the cost of the Dining Plan isn't just $35 per person per day. It's also the difference between rack rate and any discounted rate you may otherwise qualify for. As AP holders, we find that a good AP room rate is far and away a better value for us than the Dining Plan.

As well, it's the difference between what you would normally spend on dining vs. what you "spend" with the dining option. I have the Disney Dining Card for ap holders/Florida Residents, and normally would only spend $10 - $12 a day if by myself for meals most days. So really, even though I CAN eat a lot more on the dining plan, it doesn't make it a good deal, nor as healthy an option, for me.

For what you are saving, I'd definitely encourage Citricos is that is a restaurant you really want to go to. Remember, it is a signature restaurant and would have taken two of your table service credits - so likely you won't be spending a whole lot more than you would have anyway.

Denise

 

[Anewman]

Only room discount(that I know of) that still allows you to get the Dining plan is a AAA package where they only apply the discount to the room rate.

 

[Black Diamond]

bummer

 

[oots]

I would gladly have traded my dining plan for a 50% discount on my room. We saved about $200 w/dining plan over 4 full days and paid rack rates at the poly. I would definatetly not have had as much to eat if not on dp and would have been just as happy.

 

[tlbwriter]

Do public codes not count as a "discount?" Because I know a lot of us took advantage of codes for November/December trips even with the dining plan.

 

[TDC Nala]

Do public codes not count as a "discount?" Because I know a lot of us took advantage of codes for November/December trips even with the dining plan.

If the code is for a full package (room + tickets) it may be possible to add the dining plan. Room only discounts with tickets added probably wouldn't qualify.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Do public codes not count as a "discount?" Because I know a lot of us took advantage of codes for November/December trips even with the dining plan.

Yes, they do.

I used an email code with the dining plan last April. I believe the code was only a few dollars more than the AP rate.

The room was discounted, I purchased one day base tickets for each of us, and the dining plan.

I have my fingers crossed that a code will come out for us to use for our Easter trip.