Why do they make things so difficult

[ILoveMyDVC]

The meal plans were always conceived as a "length of stay" option. In theory, you're getting a discount on your overall food purchase for committing to buy the plan for the entire duration of the trip. Although the price has risen considerably over the years, it can still be a money saving option. Particularly if you cherry pick only the most expensive restaurants and most expensive entrees. Disney is betting that most guests will not choose that high-priced destination/meal on every day of an extended stay.

If Disney allowed people to purchase the DDP for less than their full length of stay, that's exactly what they would do. Many would spreadsheet the meal costs and figure that they can pay less by using the DDP only for dinners at at Chef Mickey's, Akerhaus and 1900 Park Fare (or whatever the actual cheapest options are), and just buy the DDP for 3 days. If necessary they'd lie about guest arrival/departure dates to suit their needs.

I would love to purchase it for each guest's length of stay. What I won't do (and think is ridiculous) is purchase it for mu length of stay instead of my guests. Not sure why this is always such a hot-button topic on the boards. To put it in perspective imagine if you were going to the DVC and staying for 2 weeks and Disney insisted that each of your guess even if they're only there for 2 nights also buy admission to the Parks equal to the amount of days you are going into the parks.

 

[William Ades]

Nope, just a Guest 10+ for park admission and dining. Kiddos 3-9 are considered Guests 3-9.

Yes, but they do charge you the Adult price for DDP if they are 10+. That is what I was referring to. Also Park Tickets are charged as Adults if they are 10+. So really the only time they consider an Adult as someone 17+ is when making a room reservation that has no additional cost. Thanks for only confusing everyone...

 

[tjkraz]

To put it in perspective imagine if you were going to the DVC and staying for 2 weeks and Disney insisted that each of your guess even if they're only there for 2 nights also buy admission to the Parks equal to the amount of days you are going into the parks.

I see your point but your analogy fails when you consider that ticket prices vary by duration while the DDP does not. At today's rates, a 10-day theme park pass is $44.50 per day while a 4-day pass costs $95 per day. By comparison, the DDP is $75 per adult regardless of the length of stay.

Variable pricing on the DDP may be something worth advocating for. If Disney were to allow guests to buy the DDP for 3 specific days, presumably when they plan high-priced meals, they'll increase the daily rate to reflect a modest guest savings. As the stay gets longer, the daily price declines in recognition of the likelihood that most people will throw in a cheap(er) breakfast or low-priced dinner entree.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I would love to purchase it for each guest's length of stay. What I won't do (and think is ridiculous) is purchase it for mu length of stay instead of my guests. Not sure why this is always such a hot-button topic on the boards. To put it in perspective imagine if you were going to the DVC and staying for 2 weeks and Disney insisted that each of your guess even if they're only there for 2 nights also buy admission to the Parks equal to the amount of days you are going into the parks.

The thing is - the DDP is not required to be able to eat at Disney. And often you can do better just paying out of pocket unless you're really going to work to maximize and get actual savings. Or a sweet spot seems to be if you have young children and are doing a lot of Character meals. So DDP is not required if you are staying onsite just as tickets for the length of stay are not required if you are staying onsite. That's the only hot button - you don't have to buy the DDP if it doesn't work for your group or your trip and it's an easy solution.

 

[William Ades]

The thing is - the DDP is not required to be able to eat at Disney. And often you can do better just paying out of pocket unless you're really going to work to maximize and get actual savings. Or a sweet spot seems to be if you have young children and are doing a lot of Character meals. So DDP is not required if you are staying onsite just as tickets for the length of stay are not required if you are staying onsite. That's the only hot button - you don't have to buy the DDP if it doesn't work for your group or your trip and it's an easy solution.

Agreed 100%. We have actually found that the Dining Plan does in fact save us money, but we make sure to maximize it. We don't use the Table Service credits on just anything. We make sure to book a Character Diner or Something like O'Hana. We rarely use the Quick Service credits on what I call the resort "cafeterias" (ie. Artist Pallet, Contempo Cafe, Roaring Fork, and just about every pool bar/gril). I use them on DeLuxe Burger, Flame Tree BBQ in AK, BoG Lunch, etc. Sure once in a while out of sheer convenience we will use them on the aforementioned locations and generally enjoy those meals as well, but typically I have it planned out. We don't order the chicken fingers when we dine either. It's usually the Filet, some sort of seafood, or a specialty option for that location. Those items tend to be the more expensive option, and I found that the savings are significant when doing that. I do agree that if you aren't someone that wants to plan it out that way, you aren't a big eater and/or you are content with a cheeseburger and fries as your meal, it probably isn't of any value at all. We are going this weekend on a bit of a budget and only plan on snacking each day with the exception of one Table Service, DDP really isn't our best option. At the end of the day it is subjective and based on each persons plans for meals. Can I go to to Disney one day and not eat anything on property and save a bunch of money? Sure I can, but for me and my family experiencing all of the various dining options is all part of the experience. More often than not the DDP ends up being the best option from a cost effective stand point.

 

[southerngirl528]

The thing is - the DDP is not required to be able to eat at Disney. And often you can do better just paying out of pocket unless you're really going to work to maximize and get actual savings. Or a sweet spot seems to be if you have young children and are doing a lot of Character meals. So DDP is not required if you are staying onsite just as tickets for the length of stay are not required if you are staying onsite. That's the only hot button - you don't have to buy the DDP if it doesn't work for your group or your trip and it's an easy solution.

Absolutely agree! And we have done the higher end dining plan a couple of times. It's just too much food. You feel like you HAVE to eat with the dining plans IMHO.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I see your point but your analogy fails when you consider that ticket prices vary by duration while the DDP does not. At today's rates, a 10-day theme park pass is $44.50 per day while a 4-day pass costs $95 per day. By comparison, the DDP is $75 per adult regardless of the length of stay.

Variable pricing on the DDP may be something worth advocating for. If Disney were to allow guests to buy the DDP for 3 specific days, presumably when they plan high-priced meals, they'll increase the daily rate to reflect a modest guest savings. As the stay gets longer, the daily price declines in recognition of the likelihood that most people will throw in a cheap(er) breakfast or low-priced dinner entree.

Forgive me as I have the flu and I'm just using my phone so perhaps I'm not following along. I have no problem paying for the length of my stay or the length of each of my guests stays I have a problem paying for for Phantom people.

Our average stay is 10 to 12 days. We have some guests were there for 4 nights. Different guests for the last four nights. We always stay in a two-bedroom Villa at a minimum.

My DS has at times come for a weekend. Paying $750.00 for 3 days of food is crazy Due to work obligations, my DH usually does not stay more than 5/10. Before the other guests are considered we are spending $1500 for 2 people (not counting my costs). One if whom is only there for 3 days and the other 5 days including travel.

I am accustomed to paying for my extra day as host times the number of guests and maximizing the use of those credits but I cannot justify 10 days times each guest even if they're only there for a handful of days.

But boy oh boy I can imagine the activity if Disney suddenly started requiring Park media for each number of total occupamcy for length of stay if anyone goes to the park. Two-bedroom Villa for 10 days - that's 80 Days of park passes even if only 5 people are staying there. There are plenty of other things to do in Florida besides go to the parks so optimally all guess could choose not to go to any parks. All or none length of stay.

To me it's as ridiculous as requiring people to buy credits for dinners for people who aren't even in Florida at the time.

 

[tjkraz]

Forgive me as I have the flu and I'm just using my phone so perhaps I'm not following along. I have no problem paying for the length of my stay or the length of each of my guests stays I have a problem paying for for Phantom people.

It's simple: Disney doesn't police room occupancy. I don't question that you legitimately have people coming and going throughout your stay (though I do believe you are squarely in the minority.) Nevertheless, if Disney were to accommodate those supposed comings-and-goings, it would be an immediate opportunity for abuse. Any WDW guest--dvc member or not--who wanted to buy the DDP just for 2 or 3 high-priced meals could immediately alter their reservation to reflect their party only being present for those 2-3 days.

 

[BillPA]

Since the NEW DP includes that $12 adult drink, why should anyone under 21 have to pay the increased price for something they can not have. Come on Disney, you're getting a little too greedy.

 

[William Ades]

Absolutely agree! And we have done the higher end dining plan a couple of times. It's just too much food. You feel like you HAVE to eat with the dining plans IMHO.

Yeah, I am a fan of the QS and Standard DDP. The Deluxe DDP is something I have yet to be able to find the value in. That is a lot of food, and I would feel like I was wasting my money if I didn't eat a Table Service for every meal, and that would take up a bunch of time as well.

 

[William Ades]

Forgive me as I have the flu and I'm just using my phone so perhaps I'm not following along. I have no problem paying for the length of my stay or the length of each of my guests stays I have a problem paying for for Phantom people.

Our average stay is 10 to 12 days. We have some guests were there for 4 nights. Different guests for the last four nights. We always stay in a two-bedroom Villa at a minimum.

My DS has at times come for a weekend. Paying $750.00 for 3 days of food is crazy Due to work obligations, my DH usually does not stay more than 5/10. Before the other guests are considered we are spending $1500 for 2 people (not counting my costs). One if whom is only there for 3 days and the other 5 days including travel.

I am accustomed to paying for my extra day as host times the number of guests and maximizing the use of those credits but I cannot justify 10 days times each guest even if they're only there for a handful of days.

But boy oh boy I can imagine the activity if Disney suddenly started requiring Park media for each number of total occupamcy for length of stay if anyone goes to the park. Two-bedroom Villa for 10 days - that's 80 Days of park passes even if only 5 people are staying there. There are plenty of other things to do in Florida besides go to the parks so optimally all guess could choose not to go to any parks. All or none length of stay.

To me it's as ridiculous as requiring people to buy credits for dinners for people who aren't even in Florida at the time.

It seems to me that unless your tail end guests are willing to help cover the costs of the meals they would use the credits for, the DDP is not your best option. Either that or do a split reservation where you add DDP to one and not the other. Wish I had better advice...

 

[starry_solo]

Agree with PP, you could always do multiple split stays, depending on the times that your guests come and go. Then do the dining plan that way.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It would be extremely easy to game the "length of stay" for secondary guests in a unit. Laughably easy.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Agree with PP, you could always do multiple split stays, depending on the times that your guests come and go. Then do the dining plan that way.

We all make choices. Not willing to change rooms. Takes away from the whole DVC idea of home. I set up a day early and then play host.

Hoping they change it one day

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

It would be extremely easy to game the "length of stay" for secondary guests in a unit. Laughably easy.

Like throw away rooms. 25 pt contracts. Lying about ages. Lots of BS. I declare my guests to DVC each and every time. Easily tracked with MBs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You do, but it would be easy not to.

And there is so much noise in MB tracking it is unlikely they would do it at a micro level. A guest who is not there length of reservation's MB would stop unlocking the door before the final guest checkout, but an old MB of the host would work just fine for that, and for charging meals.

 

[Chuck S]

I usually, but not always, have breakfast in the room. I do occasionally have a TS breakfast. I have never been able to make the dining plan figures work for me to save money. It is a plan of convenience, like every other "all inclusive" type resort...it rarely will save you any money.

 

[Shanti]

Question:My son and some friends are staying at BLT. One member of the party is leaving a day early. DVC says every member of the party has to buy the meal plan with the checkout date on the room.
One guest has to buy food he will not be eating because he won’t be there???
This makes zero sense to me.
My only option was split the reservation and have the kids change rooms the last night. The agent told me there was no guarantee it would be available. They’d have to cancel the reservation and rebook. This can’t be the first time this has happened.
Has anyone had this happen to them?

Skip the dining plan. It's cheaper to pay out of pocket, anyway.

 

[Dean]

Question:My son and some friends are staying at BLT. One member of the party is leaving a day early. DVC says every member of the party has to buy the meal plan with the checkout date on the room.
One guest has to buy food he will not be eating because he won’t be there???
This makes zero sense to me.
My only option was split the reservation and have the kids change rooms the last night. The agent told me there was no guarantee it would be available. They’d have to cancel the reservation and rebook. This can’t be the first time this has happened.
Has anyone had this happen to them?

Their BBQ, their rules. Just skip it, you lose nothing. However, if the plan works for a group, a single day extra isn't likely to make much difference in the value or reasonableness of the plan. The rest of the group can pick up the price and use the credits since they're all pooled anyway.

Forgive me as I have the flu and I'm just using my phone so perhaps I'm not following along. I have no problem paying for the length of my stay or the length of each of my guests stays I have a problem paying for for Phantom people.

Our average stay is 10 to 12 days. We have some guests were there for 4 nights. Different guests for the last four nights. We always stay in a two-bedroom Villa at a minimum.

My DS has at times come for a weekend. Paying $750.00 for 3 days of food is crazy Due to work obligations, my DH usually does not stay more than 5/10. Before the other guests are considered we are spending $1500 for 2 people (not counting my costs). One if whom is only there for 3 days and the other 5 days including travel.

I am accustomed to paying for my extra day as host times the number of guests and maximizing the use of those credits but I cannot justify 10 days times each guest even if they're only there for a handful of days.

But boy oh boy I can imagine the activity if Disney suddenly started requiring Park media for each number of total occupamcy for length of stay if anyone goes to the park. Two-bedroom Villa for 10 days - that's 80 Days of park passes even if only 5 people are staying there. There are plenty of other things to do in Florida besides go to the parks so optimally all guess could choose not to go to any parks. All or none length of stay.

To me it's as ridiculous as requiring people to buy credits for dinners for people who aren't even in Florida at the time.

But they don't require it, only allow it if you want to participate. As noted, this is a Disney requirement and is c/w all similar programs over the years (LOS for all people). There's no doubt that DVC is the square peg to Disney's round DP hole but that's the way it is. For a single 10-12 day stay it's unlikely to be a reasonable choice anyway for one villa. We frequently get the Dlx DP but we're either short stays or have multiple rooms or both. IMO the DP needs to offer real and significant savings of at least 20% either off what one would have spent without the plan or any added value that one sees as truly advantageous. And with the discounts available otherwise, that often means 30-35% off full price. You could get 2 studios and likely make the numbers work better AND solve the people leaving issue but you wouldn't have the full kitchen.

 

[beach club fan]

It would be extremely easy to game the "length of stay" for secondary guests in a unit. Laughably easy.

When I spoke to Disney earlier I said; “ You know when I’m on It’s a Small Ride without using a fast pass but you can’t tell if 1 person in the room leaves early? I find that very hard to believe. Disney knows what each guest is doing at all times.” The agent agreed with me and gave me some BS line about them not having that technology.