Hi Margaret!
Great question! Thanks for choosing to visit the Moms Panel with it!
Oh, how I love, love, love the
Disney Dining Plan!
If you enjoy dining,
and you enjoy saving money, then you just can't go wrong with it! I've done both the Disney Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan many times each and can't imagine a trip to Walt Disney World without it! It just makes dining so easy and saves us so much money ... while providing so much flexibility in our dining options!
You do not have to decide whether or not to add the plan prior to your 180 day mark. You'll still be able to log in through your Resort Reservation online, and make your
advance dining reservations when your hit your magical date.
Should you choose to book any reservations that require pre-payment such as Dinner Shows, and you have not yet added the Disney Dining Plan, you'll need to pay for those reservations with your credit card at the time of booking. Then, once and if you
do add the Dining Plan, you'd simply call in at (407) WDW-DINE and have a Cast Member adjust those reservations for you, crediting your credit card back and applying your Dining Plan credits towards them. All other Dining Reservations do not require proof of your Dining Plan until you arrive at each location during your trip although some require a credit card guarantee.
If you have further questions about the Dining Plan itself or would like dining recommendations, please don't hesitate to write me back Margaret! I could talk Disney Dining and the Disney Dining Plan all day long! ;)
Wishing you a simply Magical time at Walt Disney World!
Kirsten