Why can't I add dining?

[Jeff Bruch]

I have a room only reservation that we made back in April for this January. I tried to add dining today and they won't let me. Why?

 

[sassy2000]

If you are not a passholder, you must have a package booked which includes tickets. You cannot book Dining bag with a room-only reservation.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

You have to call, I could not do it online. when i called I had to go through a few different people until someone figured it out but it can be done. Be persistent.

 

[siskaren]

Actually, you can call and get a ticketless dining package, but you'd have to cancel the room only reservation because room only and packages are on separate booking systems, so one can't be converted to the other.

 

[dansdad]

Yes, you can do it. It's called a ticketless package. I have always had to call to do it, but have heard of people here on the DIS that have been able to book it online.

The thing is, if you currently have a room only you can't just add Dining. You have to switch to a package, albeit without tickets, which will require a new $200 deposit. Room Only and Packages are on 2 different systems so any $$ paid on the room only can't be transferred, it will have to be refunded.

Unfortunately, you will have to call back and hopefully get a phone CM that knows what they're doing. Sometimes it's taken me 3-4 calls to get it done, but it can be done.

 

[Disneyhenry]

You have to call if your doing a room only to add on the dining- have fun

 

[married2grumpy]

But do you lose the discount on your room if you rebook a ticketless package?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

But do you lose the discount on your room if you rebook a ticketless package?

No. You can add components like tickets and/or dining to room-only discounts. This is why it's always a good idea to price out ALL discount options when they are released. Sometimes booking a room-only discount with tickets and/or dining can come out less than package discounts.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are not a passholder, you must have a package booked which includes tickets. You cannot book Dining bag with a room-only reservation.

This is incorrect information and has been for years. The only time you HAVE to have tickets attached is when you are booking a package discount which requires a ticket purchase. You can book a room with dining and no tickets regardless if you are a passholder or not.

 

[mickeynut1]

But do you lose the discount on your room if you rebook a ticketless package?

There is a possibility of losing your discount on the room if you rebook. If there are no rooms available under the discount or the discount you booked under has expired, CRO will not be able to change from RO to a ticketless package without you losing the discount. However, you can call and ask to speak to someone in guest services who should be able to make that change without losing the discount.

 

[Figmentmommy]

If you are not a passholder, you must have a package booked which includes tickets. You cannot book Dining bag with a room-only reservation.

Not accurate. You can call to change your room only reservation to a ticketless package. I did this personally on our last trip. When you call they will cancel your first reservation and rebook it as a ticketless package. The rep will do it all for you - you don't need to do anything else except initiate the call. There should be no issue with you keeping your room only discount. The canceling and rebooking of your reservation is just the way they need to do it as they are unable to just convert the existing reservation. Since your tickets are purchased separately any fastpasses you have made will remain intact.
Just a side note- your new ticketless package will follow package cancellation rules and if it's close enough to your arrival date you will be required to pay in full at the time the change is made.

 

[CottonCandy22]

If you book room only with no park tickets sadly u don't qualify for the free dining.

 

[CottonCandy22]

I must also add I book through the UK WDW site.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you book room only with no park tickets sadly u don't qualify for the free dining.

Yes. For "free" dining it has to be a full package with tickets.