Who is right?!

[BarbieGal457]

Okay, I'm positive this has been posted before, but the search isn't working for me right now, and I need help!

My Grand Gathering leaves in 15 days from today with 6 people who've rarely been, my DBF who went for the first time last January, and me, on my 10th trip. We booked two room-only reservations, and the other room has already purchased their tickets. When we booked in August, I explained to them about getting a package including the DDP and they said "no, room only!" so I booked room-only.

Two weeks and a day before departure, one person in my room decides she wants the dining plan on a 6-day ticket. We are staying from the 3-10th, and my boyfriend and I are purchasing 7-day tickets, as we leave at 7am on the 10th. She and her boyfriend refuse to purchase 7-day tickets, leading us to tell them we'll give you both the $3 extra!! However, the DBF and I do not want to possibly convert our room-only to a package because this of course would increase the ticket greatly, and we don't eat much. In 2006, I felt I wasted it simply because my bad health combined with the fact that I don't eat much normally left me with tons of extra TS and Snack credits. Also, my parents are buying my ticket as a Christmas gift, and they said I'd have to pay to add on the DDP, and right now I don't have the money. (I'll be getting my spending money on Dec. 31 when I get paid.)

She called Disney and they supposedly told her you can buy a dining plan per person, which I am positive is not the case. She does not possess much common sense (not to be mean, she just doesn't!) and no matter what we all tell her, she won't listen to anyone else and tries to figure everything out herself, even though the last time she went was 10 years ago!

In summary, her argument:

1. you can buy DDP on a per-person basis
2. it doesn't have to be part of a package, it can be on room-only
2a. we don't all need to have the same amount of days on tickets if we convert to a room only

my argument:

1. no, you can't, it's everyone or no one
2. yes, it does
2a. yes, you do, and I don't even know if we can convert such things 15 days out!!

I am exasperated, and beyond frustrated by this. I've been planning incessantly, and they've had almost nothing to say except "no package! no DDP!" Only now, two weeks out, they want some say.

Whew, I'm so sorry for being such an Angry Alice, but I'm just very frustrated. Can anyone help? I would call Disney but I'm at work and can't right now. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[TDC Nala]

This person is staying in your room on a room-only reservation. I take it this is not a DVC reservation.

She will not be able to purchase the dining plan as you do not have a package reservation.

If you were to convert the room only to a package, everyone in the room would have to purchase the same dining plan and the same tickets. 15 days out you probably COULD have the room-only cancelled and rebook a package.

 

[ajleone]

Excepting DVC/AP holders the DDP plan has to be purchased as part of a package and everyone on that package must have the same plan and days on the tickets.

 

[disprincessatheart]

I completely understand the frustration. Here's the only peace keeping idea I had - What about getting 1 day tickets for everyone and getting the quick service dining plan. That comes with 2 snacks and 3 qs per day I think. Then you can each upgrade your tickets to the number of days you want and you won't have a bunch of ts credits you wont use.

Here's the info from disney's website and the link

Everyone in the room must be on the same package including ticket options. Package and package components, including dining entitlements, are non-transferable. Dining entitlements expire at midnight on day of check out.

The Disney Dining Plan cannot be purchased separately. It is one component of the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. To enjoy the Disney Dining Plan, you must purchase this package prior to your arrival.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/magicYourWay/index?id=PackageDetails2008PlusDiningPage

 

[BarbieGal457]

Thanks for all the quick replies!

I just got off the phone with the GG line asking if they can lock my reservation so only I can change it, which they can't. However..if she did try to change it, the whole amount would be on her - of which I'd only repay her $300 for the price of the ticket. If she wants to pay for me to eat for free, she can be my guest.

The other option I gave her and her boyfriend is to call and see if they can find another room at Pop and therefore just those two could get the DDP while the DBF and I pay off the little bit of the room their leaving would cost.

I'm ready to pull my hair out! This is the second time in three Dis vacations with friends that they've ruined it.

Hopefully they wait until Dec. 31st, which is when our room-only can no longer be changed to a package.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Geez, I feel for you and what is ahead of you when in WDW.
This is definitely not a good start of a "Grand-gathering" event. Can you back out of this vacation? If you can, get out before it's too late..

 

[BarbieGal457]

Geez, I feel for you and what is ahead of you when in WDW.
This is definitely not a good start of a "Grand-gathering" event. Can you back out of this vacation? If you can, get out before it's too late..

I can but then they would win. Why shouldn't I go on the vacation I put together for MONTHS, you know?

They already have. My parents are forking over the extra 300, and I'm letting her take care of making every single change. Oh well. Neither me nor my parents have $650 to spare, but apparently I have to. She refuses to listen to me so whatever. I'm so angry I'm shaking.

This is the last vacation with friends. Ever.

 

[catne]

I can but then they would win. Why shouldn't I go on the vacation I put together for MONTHS, you know?

They already have. My parents are forking over the extra 300, and I'm letting her take care of making every single change. Oh well. Neither me nor my parents have $650 to spare, but apparently I have to. She refuses to listen to me so whatever. I'm so angry I'm shaking.

This is the last vacation with friends. Ever.

You could still go with friends...just don't share room reservations in the future. The $$ saved by splitting a room just aren't worth the aggravation (as you've learned this time, rotten lesson!) Does your friend realize how difficult it will be to get good reservations on such short notice? Her big dining plan scheme may end up costing even more when nothing but long-line counter service is available.

Hope you have fun anyway...just go in with the "here's our plan for the day, you can join us if you want" don't expect them to go along with your plans. You can still have a good time.

 

[BarbieGal457]

Oh I've already made every single ADR, everything!! In the future I'll no longer be going on trips with ANYONE but family, etc. I've been burned too many times. Also, I have planned out every day, and if I have to go alone, so be it. Thank gosh for Disney busses and single rider lines!

I will also no longer be spending New Year's with them, nor will I be including them in my TR. Oh well, more pictures for me haha! At this point I'm trying to stop from shaking in anger and being on the brink of vomiting and trying to laugh it off.

I was thinking of cancelling all the ADRs but that would only stink for me, since I'd still be stuck in the super long CS lines!!

Sorry I just had to vent, I hope that's okk!

 

[catne]

Some day, this will all be funny....

I know it's rotten now, but deep breath...you're going to Disney World You can have fun in spite of them.

Just save money for a couple of lovely adult beverages in the World Showcase. Have fun...you'll be there about a week before us. Hope your weather is wonderfully warm, too. (I'm sitting here looking at ice & snow out my window, and dreaming of green Florida...)

 

[TDC Nala]

If she changes the reservation, she would actually have to cancel it and rebook it as a package. She can't get the stuff she wants on a room-only reservation.

You may want to consider taking them off the shared room, then you would have your own room and let her book her own package, assuming all that is available.