Adding Dining Plan at check in - The DIS Discussion Forums

Canadian Disney Mom · 04-28-2012, 07:25 PM

I know you cannot add Dining Plan at check in. DH asked me why and for the life of me I did not have an answer. He's in sales so he considers it an "upsell".

Anyone know the logic behind it? The only thing I could potentially think of was staff planning, but that doesn't really make sense either.

lynetteSC · 04-28-2012, 08:07 PM

NO IDEA ~ I have been wondering this. Non-DVC guests can upgrade to about anything (on availability)at check-in , so why wouldn't they let DVC people?

vicki_c · 04-28-2012, 08:49 PM

No one can add the dining plan at check-in - DVC or non-DVC. In fact, DVC members get MORE flexibility, we can add it 48 hours in advance, non-DVC reservations are 72 hours in advance.

As for why, I do not know - something to do with Disney's systems apparently and how they work it internally.

Chuck S · 04-28-2012, 09:18 PM

I'm going to assume because it was initially designed to be part of a package plan for cash reservations, and that, since cash packages have to be pre-paid, the system needs everyone to pre-pay.

kristenrice · 04-28-2012, 10:20 PM

I think that you can add a guest at check in though. If the reservation already has a DDP added (and paid for), I have to believe that there is a way to charge for the DDP at check in. Otherwise, it would be easy to have only part of your group on the DDP....just add the one's who don't want it on to the reservation at check in. Of course, they would not be able to use DME to get to the resort, but that is the only downside that comes to mind.

dr&momto2boys · 04-29-2012, 07:42 AM

I do know that the front desk can't/won't help with DDP issues. You have to go to the concierge desk for this. Perhaps the general computer system doesn't allow for this or they don't want to give all the CMs access to it?

Our DDP was soooo screwed up because of split (but connected) reservations that we spent about 90 minutes at 3 times dealing with it and had way too many credits and no one knew why.

At least we got 5 extra CS credits out of the deal...but we didn't need them and it wasn't worth my vacation time!

heynowirv · 04-29-2012, 08:17 AM

We ended up with 4 extra snacks because of a split stay snafu as well.They came in handy on our plane ride home.

Chuck S · 04-29-2012, 08:28 AM

A couple of posts have been removed. Please remember that the DVC Boards do not allow suggesting way around published DVC/Disney policies.

vicki_c · 04-29-2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristenrice

I think that you can add a guest at check in though. If the reservation already has a DDP added (and paid for), I have to believe that there is a way to charge for the DDP at check in. Otherwise, it would be easy to have only part of your group on the DDP....just add the one's who don't want it on to the reservation at check in. Of course, they would not be able to use DME to get to the resort, but that is the only downside that comes to mind.

When you add an additional guest after check-in, they cannot get the DDP because all DDP must be paid for in advance. That is an allowable practice per Disney - whether you want to call it a loophole or not (if that's what Chuck was referring to I apologize). So, if you have a relative coming to stay with you in the middle of your stay, you can add them to your reservation after you arrive but they cannot get the dining plan, nor can they use DME from the airport. This is frequently discussed on the Resorts board and it is permitted by Disney. Apparently, once you arrive, they consider your package requirements "fulfilled" and at that point, you can add people to your room. For regular resort stays, of course, you would have to pay an additional adult charges required, while DVC does not have that issue.

downontheBW · 04-29-2012, 10:24 AM

Last year friends of mine had a one night stay / family get-together at BWV but had forgotten to book the DDP. They had dining reservations planned around the DDP. They pleaded with front desk, then called MS and talked with CM and a manager. They could not add DDP at that point; luckily they had a TIW card so used that.

gmi3804 · 04-29-2012, 10:58 AM

I always assumed it was a WDW Travel Company thing, that resorts are the room-only part and WDWTC is a separate entity that resorts don't have access to.

04-28-2012, 07:25 PM	#1
Canadian Disney Mom Formerly Tollerwalker - original join date July 2005 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 770	Adding Dining Plan at check in I know you cannot add Dining Plan at check in. DH asked me why and for the life of me I did not have an answer. He's in sales so he considers it an "upsell". Anyone know the logic behind it? The only thing I could potentially think of was staff planning, but that doesn't really make sense either. __________________ Past Trips to Disneyworld, Disneyland, and Disney Cruises:WDW-1: May 1998 (Off Property), WDW-2: Apr 2002 (Off Property), WDW-3: Feb 2005 (All-Star Movies), WDW-4: Apr 2006 (SSR), WDW-5: April 2008 (AKV Jambo), WDW-6: Dec 2009 (AKV Kidani & SSR), WDW-7: Jul 2010 (AKV Jambo), WDW-8: Apr 2011 (Off Property), WDW-9: Jun-Jul 2012 (BLT, BWV & AKV Jambo), WDW-10: Dec 2012-Jan 2013 (AKV Jambo), WDW-11: Mar 2013 (BLT & AKV Kidani),DLR-1: Nov 2010 (Off Property), DLR-2: Jan 2012 (VGC), DCL-1: Jan 2012 (Disney Wonder 7 night MR) Twitter ID: @CanadaDisneyMom

04-28-2012, 08:07 PM	#2
lynetteSC Have you ever been BACK-DOORED? what is the deal with Hedda Lettuce? ....no...no...I'm the "queen of the ellipses." Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: SC Posts: 2,863	NO IDEA ~ I have been wondering this. Non-DVC guests can upgrade to about anything (on availability)at check-in , so why wouldn't they let DVC people? __________________

04-28-2012, 08:49 PM	#3
vicki_c DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 21,569	No one can add the dining plan at check-in - DVC or non-DVC. In fact, DVC members get MORE flexibility, we can add it 48 hours in advance, non-DVC reservations are 72 hours in advance. As for why, I do not know - something to do with Disney's systems apparently and how they work it internally. __________________ June 1978 - Poly / Nov 1996 - Yacht Club / Jan 2001 - Poly / Jan/Feb 2004 - Wilderness Lodge / 2004-2006: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Nick Hotel, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, HI Sunspree, Buena Vista Suites, Caribe Royale / Jan 2008 - Poly / June 2008 - Saratoga Springs and Villas @ Wilderness Lodge / Nov 2008 -Boardwalk Villas / Dec 2008 - WL, Beach Club Villas and Beach Club / June 2009 - POFQ and Poly / Jan 2010 - AKV, 4 night DCL & BCV / Nov 2010 - POFQ / April 2011 - SSR / Nov 2011 Swan / Jan 2012 - BC/ April 2012 OKW

04-28-2012, 09:18 PM	#4
Chuck S DVC Boards Co-Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Seguin, Texas USA Posts: 25,005	I'm going to assume because it was initially designed to be part of a package plan for cash reservations, and that, since cash packages have to be pre-paid, the system needs everyone to pre-pay. __________________ DVC Member at OKW since 1992

04-28-2012, 10:20 PM	#5
kristenrice DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,152	I think that you can add a guest at check in though. If the reservation already has a DDP added (and paid for), I have to believe that there is a way to charge for the DDP at check in. Otherwise, it would be easy to have only part of your group on the DDP....just add the one's who don't want it on to the reservation at check in. Of course, they would not be able to use DME to get to the resort, but that is the only downside that comes to mind. __________________ 2001 OKW 2002 WL for HONEYMOON!January 2008 POP/OKW October 2008 AKV GIRLS ONLY! June 2009 AKV October 2009 POP with my BFF for my Birthday April 2010 AKV April 2011 HHI Oct 2011 BLT/BWV with DSiL June 2012 GRAND GATHERING at OKW April 2013 HHI November 2013 AKV 1st Half-Marathon

04-29-2012, 07:42 AM	#6
dr&momto2boys DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,367	I do know that the front desk can't/won't help with DDP issues. You have to go to the concierge desk for this. Perhaps the general computer system doesn't allow for this or they don't want to give all the CMs access to it? Our DDP was soooo screwed up because of split (but connected) reservations that we spent about 90 minutes at 3 times dealing with it and had way too many credits and no one knew why. At least we got 5 extra CS credits out of the deal...but we didn't need them and it wasn't worth my vacation time! __________________ Me, DH, DS8, DS7, DD4, DD2 and new baby due in June! May 2010 Trip Report: 2400 pictures! Beach Club, Universal, and Bay Lake Tower Grand Villa Feb 2012 Trip Report: Longest Trip Ever! 19 Days, VGC, Aulani, and More! Oct 2012 Trip Report: 2 1/2 weeks in Hollywood and Disneyland! Feb 2013 Trip Report: From Grand Villas to Fort Wilderness! Sept 2013 Pre-trip Planner: How to do Disney with 5 little kids!

04-29-2012, 08:17 AM	#7
heynowirv DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cheltenham, Pa. Posts: 645	We ended up with 4 extra snacks because of a split stay snafu as well.They came in handy on our plane ride home.

04-29-2012, 08:28 AM	#8
Chuck S DVC Boards Co-Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Seguin, Texas USA Posts: 25,005	A couple of posts have been removed. Please remember that the DVC Boards do not allow suggesting way around published DVC/Disney policies. __________________ DVC Member at OKW since 1992

04-29-2012, 10:24 AM	#10
downontheBW DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: the snowy North Posts: 430	Last year friends of mine had a one night stay / family get-together at BWV but had forgotten to book the DDP. They had dining reservations planned around the DDP. They pleaded with front desk, then called MS and talked with CM and a manager. They could not add DDP at that point; luckily they had a TIW card so used that. __________________ POR '94, '96 / WL,YC '98 / Off site (never again) '99 / DVC member since 2000 HHI '01 / Wonder Cruise '03 / SSR '06 / BWV '00,'03,'05 / AKV '09 OKW '01,'07,'08,'11,'13 / Vero '11,'12 / BLT '12 Heidi

04-29-2012, 10:58 AM	#11
gmi3804 DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 559	I always assumed it was a WDW Travel Company thing, that resorts are the room-only part and WDWTC is a separate entity that resorts don't have access to. __________________ *¡Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas!* We leave for the sake of leaving And without knowing why We say, "We must go!" -Immortal words of the poet Beaudelaire

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: