Advance Purchase Meal Vouchers

[PixiePowered]

I thought I've seen somewhere before that one can purchase meal vouchers, in advance, for character dining experiences. Is this true, and if so, where can I find them (for purchase) and are they worth it? Or should I just stick with AAA or Disney Visa discount (if available)?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'd look into whether or not vouchers are cheaper than the other discounts. Sometimes yes (usually for GK or AG dinner) and sometimes no (like for minnies). You can get vouchers at ARES travel or Getawaytoday.com. I got mine at ARES for about $7 cheaper than GAT.com.

 

[andee2000]

Funny you should ask. I was just pricing these out this morning. Here is what I came up with. I'm not sure if my "tables" are coming out correctly, but it goes acrross as what the costs are (I'm pricing out family of 6: 4 adults and 2 kids for Goofy's and 2 adults and 1 kid for Ariels.)For my own AAA calculations I used a 20% gratuity.:

Character Dining Costs

Goofy's Kitchen Dinner (6) Regular Cost: $45 per adult $20 per child Original Cost before discount and tip: $220 Cost after AAA discount $198. Gratuity: $39.6 Total Cost: $237.6
Goofy's Kitchen Dinner (6) Voucher Cost ARES Travel: $39 per adult & $17 per child $190 Tax & Tip Included so total cost: $190

Ariel's Grotto Regular Cost: $40 per adult $23 per child Total for 2 adults & 1 kid: $103 Cost after AAA discount $92.7 Gratuity: $18.54 Total Cost: $111.24
Ariel's Grotto Voucher Cost ARES Travel: $34 per adult & $19 per child $85 Tax & Tip Included so total cost: $85

So if I had the original meal prices correct then the voucher does save you money.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Funny you should ask. I was just pricing these out this morning. Here is what I came up with. I'm not sure if my "tables" are coming out correctly, but it goes acrross as what the costs are (I'm pricing out family of 6: 4 adults and 2 kids for Goofy's and 2 adults and 1 kid for Ariels.)For my own AAA calculations I used a 20% gratuity.:

Character Dining Costs

Goofy's Kitchen Dinner (6) Regular Cost: $45 per adult $20 per child Original Cost before discount and tip: $220 Cost after AAA discount $198. Gratuity: $39.6 Total Cost: $237.6
Goofy's Kitchen Dinner (6) Voucher Cost ARES Travel: $39 per adult & $17 per child $190 Tax & Tip Included so total cost: $190

Ariel's Grotto Regular Cost: $40 per adult $23 per child Total for 2 adults & 1 kid: $103 Cost after AAA discount $92.7 Gratuity: $18.54 Total Cost: $111.24
Ariel's Grotto Voucher Cost ARES Travel: $34 per adult & $19 per child $85 Tax & Tip Included so total cost: $85

So if I had the original meal prices correct then the voucher does save you money.

When I called for our November reservation for Ariel's, the CM told me that the cost INCLUDING tax and gratuity for adults was $40.01 and for children was $22.50. The cost is still a little cheaper to get the Ares vouchers. The price given to me was for the off season rate, which I believe started at the end of August.

 

[DizMe]

Yes, do note that the character meals include tax and gratuity in the price.

Here are a couple of sites you can check:
This is the AAA advanced purchase Disney Dining site. You'll need to put in your dates to get the rates. http://www.res99.com/nexres/activit...09&to_mm=02&to_dd=11&to_yy=2009&search=SEARCH

Anaheim/OC site--scroll down for character dining http://hotels.anaheimoc.org/1282_attraction-tickets_a18.html?ticketID=587

Getawaytoday dining--you'll have to change the drop-down menu under 'Type' to Dining http://www.getawaytoday.com/TicketListing.aspx

Ares Travel--scroll down to Character Experiences http://arestravel.com/77_DisneylandResort.html#distop

 

[andee2000]

When I called for our November reservation for Ariel's, the CM told me that the cost INCLUDING tax and gratuity for adults was $40.01 and for children was $22.50. The cost is still a little cheaper to get the Ares vouchers. The price given to me was for the off season rate, which I believe started at the end of August.

Oh no! I just got those prices today off a website. Der. Thanks for the info. That certainly makes a difference. Hmm now I'm wondering if I tipped on top of paying for the dinner and gratuity last time. Most likely as I was super excited to be at DL.

 

[PixiePowered]

Thanks everyone! And thanks for the links DizMe