When to Pay For DDP When Renting Points?

[heaven2dc]

I decided to post a thread even tho I asked this question in another thread and I'm sure this question has been answered before but can I pay for the DDP before I arrive? I rented points for two separate vacations - one for a friend who is arriving May 2, 2010 and for our trip (we arrive 11/28/10). My friend wants to pay for the DDP before he & his family arrives and I wasn't sure if that can be done. So that got me to wondering if it can be done. Or does he just pay when he arrives at the hotel? He would like to just pay for it now and get that part of the planning over with. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[JDUCKY]

I suppose it could be paid beforehand. My gf just rented points for a stay last weekend at BWV and I just paid for the plan when we checked in.

 

[naf917]

I am not sure if you can pay forit before check in. We usually just pay for it when we check in

 

[Sandisw]

Those that travel on a reservation made with DVC points can not pay for the DDP ahead of time. Currently, it has to be paid for at check in.

There will be changes in late summer or early fall in the computer system. Once that happens, DVC members will have to pay for the plan when it is added to a reservation.

But, for the May trip, your friend will only have the option to pay when he gets there. If he really wants to have it paid for ahead of time, he can buy some Disney gift cards now and use those when he checks in.

 

[heaven2dc]

Thanks, everyone for your help! I learn something new every time I come on the Disboards I'm not sure why he really wants to get it paid for other than one thing checked off his list

I wonder whether I will have to pay for the DDP before our trip in November. I booked it already through the DVC member and he added the plan to our reservation but said we would pay for it at check-in. But with the new changes, I wonder if we will have to pay prior to arrival.

 

[TDC Nala]

The DVC Member Website says there will be a system in operation at some point where DVC members can choose when to pay for the plan - when you book it, or when you arrive. There is some information out there that says the only option will be for DVC members to pay upon booking - but that is not what is written on the Member website. The website is very clear that there will be a choice of when to pay.

If this policy is in operation for your reservation, and you either want to or have to pay for the dining plan ahead of time you would likely have to have the member you are renting from make the payment, and then you pay the member - you as a renter will not be able to make any transaction yourself through Member Services.

 

[MegDen101109]

I've already rented points & booked through a DVC member. I planned on paying for my DDP when i check in Sept 18. What would happen if they change the way they take payment for the DDP?

 

[Sandisw]

The DVC Member Website says there will be a system in operation at some point where DVC members can choose when to pay for the plan - when you book it, or when you arrive. There is some information out there that says the only option will be for DVC members to pay upon booking - but that is not what is written on the Member website. The website is very clear that there will be a choice of when to pay.

If this policy is in operation for your reservation, and you either want to or have to pay for the dining plan ahead of time you would likely have to have the member you are renting from make the payment, and then you pay the member - you as a renter will not be able to make any transaction yourself through Member Services.

The new Disney Files magazine that we just received clarified that when the new system goes in to place, the DDP will have to be paid for at the time of booking. I believe that we will still be able to add up to 48 hours in advance.

However, any reservations that were already booked with the DDP prior to the new software (even if arrival is after), will have the option of paying at check in.

So, if someone has a November reservation with DDP already booked, they will be allowed to pay at check in.

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm glad to know that I can pay at check-in when we arrive in November. I think that the idea of my friend buying a Disney gift card and putting the DDP money on it will help with his finances. I know he is the type of person who likes all his ducks in a row, so to speak so if he does this, it will be taken care of in his mind.

Now that I know for future trips after our next one that we will have to plan on having the money for the DDP right away when we book our reservation. Now another question - which may have been answered - can you add the DDP at any time before you arrive?

 

[TDC Nala]

I've already rented points & booked through a DVC member. I planned on paying for my DDP when i check in Sept 18. What would happen if they change the way they take payment for the DDP?

Renters would have to pay the member they rent from, because if indeed you must pay when you book, then the renter won't be able to call Member Services and make the payment - only the member will be able to do that. So there will need to be an extra cash transaction between the member and the renter.

This is the quote from the DVC Member Website:

Members who prefer to pay for their Disney Dining Plan prior to arrival will be able to do so through Member Services when booking their reservation. Members who don't wish to pay in advance will still have the option of adding their Disney Dining Plan to their reservation as many as 48 hours prior to arrival and paying for the plan just prior to the start of their vacation.

That is rather definitive, so either the Member Website or the Disney Files is disseminating incorrect information.

 

[dansyr2514]

Just wondering...but I noticed an online check in for a dvc reservation 10 days out. Could you add your credit card then and have it charged when you check in online?

 

[acpalmer]

I believe that the quote from Member Services where it says that members can still pay for it "just prior to the start of their vacation" means that if you choose to wait and add it at the 48 hour mark, you will pay for it then, but that is "just prior" to the start of your vacation. Not when you are checking in and your vacation actually starts. That is how it was how I interpreted the way the "Files" explained it, anyway. So they aren't contradicting one another, I don't think, nor is one giving incorrect information. It's just that they said it using different words and so it could be interpreted differently.

 

[TDC Nala]

Another badly worded release from Disney. Because it's also possible that Disney considers your vacation to have begun AFTER you have completed the business of checking in. Guess we will have to wait until it's implemented to see how it works.