Already have park tickets - should I still get DDP??

[Harvest02]

We went to Disney in June 06 and paid out of pocket for food. Since we did we ate at lots of counter service restaurants(did manage to eat at WCC and Chef Mickeys as table service). Needless to say, we were tired of eating burgers and sandwiches. So, we are planning another trip in October this year and considering doing the DDP this time. The problem is that I already bought our park tickets through Ticketmania. We have 5 day passes. I called AAA today and they quoted me $1,707 for a room at POR, the dining plan for 3 adults(my 10 year old will be an adult! Silly!!! ) and 1 child, and 1 day base tickets. Is this a good price??? If I don't use that one day base ticket, would it expire before our next trip? So, basically, I am spending an extra $271 for the 1 day park tickets, but I am sure we will go back again in the next couple of years. Has anyone else been in this situation and what did you do???

 

[TDC Nala]

I understand (someone else may be able to confirm) that a one day base ticket does not expire.

 

[n2mm]

Us AP holders do the package when it's good and get the one day tickets. I had two just recently and applied one to my AP renewal (I had it for 4 months). While there, the CM checked hubby's to see if it was still good and it was and I've tucked it away for May when his AP expires. The one day tickets do not expire since the day you use them that would be the only time you could use them. We just use the value of these tickets towards the purchase of another ticket. We have done this several times now without any problem. The only thing you need to do it write on the envelope or card itself what it is. On my last one at home, it says one day ticket on the signature line so I know it's still good.

 

[kcashner]

Right...the one day ticket doesn't expire until you use it. You can "trade it in" toward an upgrade on any other ticket you may want on another trip.

Are you available only in October? Last year, there was free dining the second 1/2 of August and all of September. That hasn't been announced yet, but was available as a "rebook while already there" option a few months ago.

We loved the dining plan (paid), and would do it again in a heartbeat. It didn't save us a ton of money, but we ate a lot more and better food than we would have without it, and I didn't have to cringe when DD wanted steak every night.

If you will do one sit down meal each day, you can't go wrong with the DDP

 

[Selket]

I was also thinking you could save your 5 day tickets - they would be good for a future trip. Then you could buy new tickets for your trip this time (for your length of stay). That might save you money in the long run.

 

[bicker]

Yes, but then you can get yourself into the same situation I'm in -- always coming up with an excuse to carry old passes over to the next vacation!

 

[Maggi May]

This thread was very helpful. We're planning a trip that will take place right around the time our AP's expire and were debating whether to sign up for the dining plan. The fact that we can apply the cost of the 1-day ticket towards renewng our AP's really makes the deal worthwhile (although we still will have to book at rack rate rather than getting an AP or Florida resident rate).