Question about booking trip...

[disneycruisedreams]

I am not sure where to ask this.
Can I book a room and dining plan only and get park tickets from another source (like undercover tourist)??? I am not getting any kind of discount on a package from my TA since we are going over Easter break.

Thank you... I learn so much from reading these boards!

 

[jennyjinx3]

I think you have to purchase at least a one or two day ticket to get the dining plan...but someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

Thanks for your answer. I was afraid of that. Now I am not sure if we should just continue to go with the package or forget the dining plan. I haven't done the math with the dining plan to see if it works to our benefit or against it. I think we would break even maybe??? It would be the last year my oldest dd would be on the child plan. I just like the idea of having everything paid for ahead of time.

I do know that tickets from UT would definitely be cheaper. (We are considering the NE, WPFandM, PH option ...yes taking our chances with the new magic and when it comes out.)

 

[aaarcher86]

PP is correct. Other than the AP/Military/DVC/CM bookings, you'll have to buy 1 day tickets on the package to get the DP.

 

[grimley1968]

Thanks for your answer. I was afraid of that. Now I am not sure if we should just continue to go with the package or forget the dining plan. I haven't done the math with the dining plan to see if it works to our benefit or against it. I think we would break even maybe??? It would be the last year my oldest dd would be on the child plan. I just like the idea of having everything paid for ahead of time.

I do know that tickets from UT would definitely be cheaper. (We are considering the NE, WPFandM, PH option ...yes taking our chances with the new magic and when it comes out.)

It may be true that you can get tix from UT for less, but this discount pales in comparison to discounts you can get on rooms and dining if you look around a bit.

If you get the dining plan, you're paying for it one way or the other. The only difference with "free dining" is that you have to pay rack rate for the room to get that deal. For deluxe resorts, this math usually favors not getting "free dining", because rack rate for those rooms is sky high. For moderates and values, it can favor getting "free dining". But I still recommend doing the math for your own family's needs. If you don't need a table service meal every single day, you can save a lot of money on food just by sticking to counter service or eating offsite.

For rooms, you can get discounts between 20-35% off, sometimes even in busy seasons. These are usually room-only discounts. You can add tickets to those on the WDW website, but there's no discount on the tix. If you get a room-only deal and buy discounted tickets elsewhere, you can have those tickets encoded onto your KTTW card (room key) to make it easier to carry things around with you. You can do this at the concierge desk at the resorts. You can't do this with annual passes, though.

 

[aaarcher86]

It may be true that you can get tix from UT for less, but this discount pales in comparison to discounts you can get on rooms and dining if you look around a bit.

If you get the dining plan, you're paying for it one way or the other. The only difference with "free dining" is that you have to pay rack rate for the room to get that deal. For deluxe resorts, this math usually favors not getting "free dining", because rack rate for those rooms is sky high. For moderates and values, it can favor getting "free dining". But I still recommend doing the math for your own family's needs. If you don't need a table service meal every single day, you can save a lot of money on food just by sticking to counter service or eating offsite.

For rooms, you can get discounts between 20-35% off, sometimes even in busy seasons. These are usually room-only discounts. You can add tickets to those on the WDW website, but there's no discount on the tix. If you get a room-only deal and buy discounted tickets elsewhere, you can have those tickets encoded onto your KTTW card (room key) to make it easier to carry things around with you. You can do this at the concierge desk at the resorts. You can't do this with annual passes, though.

While true, if OP is going during Easter week there really isnt much chance of a discount.

 

[grimley1968]

While true, if OP is going during Easter week there really isnt much chance of a discount.

Actually, I was thinking about going then (our spring break occurs the week following Easter), and there are 20-30% discounts on deluxes for much of that week following Easter, and between 15-25% on moderates and values.

It's not much, but it is a discount. Unfortunately, it's not enough of one for us to go for it.

 

[3SpoiledPrincesses]

PP is correct. Other than the AP/Military/DVC/CM bookings, you'll have to buy 1 day tickets on the package to get the DP.

OP Sorry to hijack your thread with my own question but I'm curious if I book a room with a military rate and get the military salute tickets can I purchase Disney dining as well? If so, that may be a great way to do lots of character meals and save a little money doing it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Actually, I was thinking about going then (our spring break occurs the week following Easter), and there are 20-30% discounts on deluxes for much of that week following Easter, and between 15-25% on moderates and values.

It's not much, but it is a discount. Unfortunately, it's not enough of one for us to go for it.

Blackout dates for the spring discount are from March 24 - April 1. It sounds like that's when the OP is going if she isn't getting any kind of discount. OP, if you are going before or after those dates, you should ask your TA why you aren't getting a discount!

OP - have you checked rates with Magical Vacations Travel? They actually have discount packages over Disney's blackout dates at a few resorts. They are not offering the dining plan over March 24 - April 6, however. You can do room-only or room and tickets at that time. I believe it's one of the only discounts available for that travel period. Might be worth checking.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

Thanks for all of the responses. We are going march 27 thru April 4. I am thinking we may opt out of the dining plan and go with room only with UT tickets. Oh, why do I think of these ideas at the last minute? (My final payment is due next week! Drives my DH crazy with all of my "what ifs...")

I like having everything paid for before we go. Maybe do the gift card thing for meals. We do mostly QS anyway with at most 2 TS OOP. Choices... Choices...