When can you use DDP credits to make reservations?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I just tried with a free dining package that I booked but haven't made the deposit on - and it wouldn't let me use the dining plan credits but asked for payment at Cinderella's Royal Table. Do I need to make the deposit first and then I can make the reservations and guarantee them only with a credit card? I know, I need to put the deposit on, hoping they don't need full payment!

 

[mufasa0505]

Cindy's requires a credit card deposit whether you're on a dp or not.

 

[Cafeen]

CRT (and the 3 dinner shows) are funky with this.

For starters, you DO need a booked trip with an applicable DDP in order to avoid the pre-paid portion.

When you book online, there's an option to "use your dining plan" to pay for the meal (or something along those lines). Check that and it'll force you to link your resort reservation with the dining reservation.

Go through the rest of the process and look at the "Amount owed today.." line before you confirm. If it says anything other than $0, you're going to have to call to book it or pay now and be refunded when you dine.

The online system is very finicky and doesn't always catch the dining plans, but if you have a confirmed, booked resort reservation with an applicable dining plan attached, you do NOT need to prepay for these meals.

You WILL still have to leave a CC# though and if you don't show up, or cancel by the cancellation deadline (2 days I think for these), you will be charged FULL PRICE for the missed meals. As a note, if only part of your party shows up, you still MAY be charged full price for those that did not (hit and miss, and under the newest policy they've stated that you don't, but I'll believe that when I see it...)

 

[TDC Nala]

You do not actually use the dining credits until you arrive at the restaurant (or pick up your tickets at a dinner show). All that happens when you "book with the dining plan" (and the system works properly) is that you have avoided prepaying for the meal, which is the usual procedure. You are leaving a credit card hold to ensure you show up, but you are not paying for the meal with dining credits at the time you make the reservation. You do not even receive any dining credits until you check into your resort.

Be sure you check carefully when booking to ensure that you are only leaving the credit card as a hold, and not paying the entire amount, because the online system does not always work the way it is supposed to work.