Yet another DDP question...

[hurricanepat]

I'm sorry if this has been posted already but I have tried my best to sort through the threads to find the information I have been seeking and returned with little to no results.

I am going to Disney in February and am staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. My dining reservations are already set for the week, I called about a month or so ago and made the reservations. My question is about the Dining Plan, how and can I still sign up for it? Also can anyone tell me if I am eligible for the Free Dining Plan?

As a bit of a side note, my room was booked through my finances parents time share because of the deal we could get with it, I am not sure if this changes things but I am having trouble finding answers. I look forward to your responses and thank you.

 

[Monty]

Your fiancée's parents would have to call to add the DDP to the booking. DVC members [timeshare at WDW is through Disney Vacation Club] are eligible for DDP, but not for free when booking using points. You will have to pay for it.

I think it has to be added at least three days before arrival.

 

[Rob562]

To add to MoneyMon's post, another possibility is if you traded an outside (non-DVC) timeshare into a DVC property through the RCI network.
In that case, you have to get the confirmation number from RCI and then call DVC Member Services (only number I could find is 407-566-3800).
Member Services can then take the RCI confirmation and give you the corresponding Disney reservation number for you to use in all further communication.

In either case (trading in through RCI or MontyMon's example of a DVC trade), you have to add the Dining Plan at least a few days before arrival, but you won't have to pay for it until you check in.

And there's no way to get Free Dining in either of these examples. (The only way to get Free Dining while staying in a villa would be to make a cash reservation directly through Disney)

-Rob

 

[lilclerk]

In either case (trading in through RCI or MontyMon's example of a DVC trade), you have to add the Dining Plan at least a few days before arrival, but you won't have to pay for it until you check in.

Not sure if it's different with DVC, but when I added the dining plan to a reservation two weeks out, I had to pay for it when I added it, not at check-in.
That was back in 2007 though, so it may have changed.

 

[hurricanepat]

Thanks for the responses. I will look into it but I won't be heart broken if I cant do it, it would be nice but its not like its going to make or break the trip. It seems as if from what you guys are saying is that I need to go through the timeshare company. In terms of Disney's Magical Express do I need to do the same as well?

 

[mousefan1972]

Not sure if it's different with DVC, but when I added the dining plan to a reservation two weeks out, I had to pay for it when I added it, not at check-in.
That was back in 2007 though, so it may have changed.

DVC is different; the DDP is paid for at check in.

Although that will be changing on October 14th. As of that date, DVC members who add the DDP will have to pay for it when it is added. This can be done up to 48 hours prior to check in.

 

[Rob562]

Thanks for the responses. I will look into it but I won't be heart broken if I cant do it, it would be nice but its not like its going to make or break the trip. It seems as if from what you guys are saying is that I need to go through the timeshare company. In terms of Disney's Magical Express do I need to do the same as well?

You'll have to talk to DVC Member Services to arrange DME, too.
And if you're trading in through the RCI network, there's also a mandatory fee ($90, last I knew) to cover DME and other features of the resort that are normally covered by Members' maintenance fees.

-Rob