AAA with dining or AP rate?

[boomersmom]

We are staying at the BWI with an AAA rate and dining package in October. It looks like we could save money with the room rate (about $700?), but would have to give up dining if we go with the Annual Pass rates. I think we would also have to buy a premium annual pass because we plan to go to the water parks and Disney Quest. Changing one MYW pass to a Premium Annual Pass would bring the amount of money saved down also. Do you think it is worth it to switch? Or do you think the Dining Plan is a better option. We usually do several Table Service meals anyway. I am so confused right now.

 

[MsSpinShady]

DH and I just had this EXACT same discussion and decided to stay with our AAA w/dining and hope for a general code tomorrow. The dining choices are a big part of the experience for us, and with a large party (7 people) including a couple teens, we decided that after purchasing the AP and paying for all meals OOP we wouldn't come out ahead. If you have a smaller party, you can use the DDE card that comes with the AP to save money on food, but our group is too large (I think the cut-off is 6 people).

Good luck in whatever you decide!

MsSpinShady

 

[boomersmom]

Is the Visa Discount better than the AAA rate?

Also I thought the DDE card cost about $60 to buy. Does it really come with an AP?

 

[MsSpinShady]

Yes, the Visa deal is better than AAA. Our AAA TA priced our package with the Visa deal and it would save us $800 OVER our AAA discount (we have 2 rooms).

I think you are right that there is a fee for the DDE card, I guess I didn't factor that into our costs since I would probably recoup that amount after the first day with my hungry crew! I was just considering that you could only get the DDE with the AP.

I guess it really depends on how important the dining plan is to your group. Because we have such a big family, the dining plan w/AAA discount will be a bigger discount for us than the AP room rate only discount.

At least my dh had the opportunity this morning to see why I need to spend so much time Dis'ing when he tried to figure out all the different prices/codes/options I was throwing at him.

MsSpinShady

 

[jjohnson]

The DDE card can be used for up to 10 guests

 

[MsSpinShady]

Wow, jjohnson, where did you get that information from? Here is what I was going by that was posted on allears:

Disney Dining Experience: Receive $25 off the regular price of the Disney Dining Experience Membership. Benefits include:

20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid for a party of up to 6 Guests).

Thanks!

MsSpinShady

 

[jjohnson]

Wow, jjohnson, where did you get that information from? Here is what I was going by that was posted on allears:

Disney Dining Experience: Receive $25 off the regular price of the Disney Dining Experience Membership. Benefits include:

20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid for a party of up to 6 Guests).

Thanks!

MsSpinShady

I have to find my booklet but I know it used to be up to 10. We were a table of 8 on our May trip & got the 20% - no problem. I'll let you know when I find it.

 

[jjohnson]

I found this on Mousesavers:

Disney Dining Experience
Florida Residents and Annual Passholders can join the Disney Dining Experience and enjoy discounts of 20% on all food and beverages at most full-service restaurants and lounges in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and hotels.

The benefit is valid for a party of up to 10 people. Only one discount card can be used per table. The member must be present and must present the card when ordering.

The Disney Dining Experience membership card is not accepted on holidays, including Mothers Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Membership includes complimentary resort and theme park parking for dining, as well as invitations to special member-only events. Members also receive half-price admission to Pleasure Island (member and one guest, excludes special events) and FREE admission to Atlantic Dance Hall on the Boardwalk (member and one guest).


Cost is $85 per year for Florida residents and $60 for Annual and Seasonal Passholders. You can add a second membership for your spouse or partner for $25 more, but if you plan to eat together, this is unnecessary. You must have a valid Florida Driver's License or Florida state-issued ID card with a Florida address, or an Annual or Seasonal Pass, to join this program.

Call (407) 566-5858 (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 6 pm EST) for more information.

 

[MsSpinShady]

Great info jjohnson, thanks! Good thing we have the Dis Boards to sort through all the conflicting information everywhere else

MsSpinShady

 

[jjohnson]

Exactly. If I hadn't used the discount myself for a party of 8 I would have questioned it too.

OP: Of course I didn't check your numbers but BWI AP rate is fantastic for this time of the year & very tempting. If you plan on returning within the year, I would go with an AP instead. Also check the difference in price between the reg. AP & premium, you may be better off paying at the gate. I think the AP discount is $4.00 per person off admission.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

The DDE is an excellent value. If you plan on spending more than $250 on sit-down food at Disney, it will pay for itself. And don't forget to check out all the additional places it works besides the sit-downs; the value resort food courts and the AK counter service eateries, because they have no sit-downs to use the card at.

The card gives 20% off your entire bill, except of course for tax and tip. I don't drink, but I know people who really enjoy getting that percentage off of adult beverages as well (the savings add up quickly).

If you get one, my favorite place to use it is at the Tune-In Lounge at the Prime Time Cafe. You can order menu items at the bar (I usually get some app as a snack) and the price of that and a soda (or other drink) is less than it would cost for a CS meal. Another great place to use it is at the Plaza in the Magic Kingdom - again, with the DDE, you'll pay less for a burger/sandwich meal than you would at Cosmic Ray's.

NED

 

[Liz]

I've been going round and round on the AAA vs. VISA vs. AP issue myself. I had a room only ressie with AAA then yesterday switched to the VISA package with the DP. Today I cancelled that and went back to room only with an AP and we'll get the DDE card. It seems to be a better deal because I'm saving $48 per night on our room.

I figured if I kept the VISA package it would be like adding $48 per night to the dining plan. Also I didn't like having to purchase additional MYW passes that I didn't need to get the dining plan. We were going to just get the 1-day base tickets but overall I thought it would just be a pain to hang on to them until I upgraded them a year or from now. Another thing I considered is it costs more to buy passes directly from Disney instead of some place like Ticketmania. All those things made me decide to go with the AP. I hope I did the right thing. Good luck on your decision!!

Oh, and we've had the DDE card before and it is great. I agree with the other poster, that it is good for 10 people.

 

[bab31]

I have a package (room and hopper tickets )booked. When I called my AAA ta yesterday and inquired about the dining package whether or not it was discounted- she said there was no AAA discount for dining plan. Are you guys saying there is? Thanks
BAbs

 

[jjohnson]

I have a package (room and hopper tickets )booked. When I called my AAA ta yesterday and inquired about the dining package whether or not it was discounted- she said there was no AAA discount for dining plan. Are you guys saying there is? Thanks
BAbs

If you book your package with a AAA agent you can still get the discount on the room portion of your package but there is not a discount on the dining plan.