Annual Pass and the Dining Plan

[ShellieB]

I am usually a "lurker" and haven't posted much, but hoping for some help from all of you

During our visit last month, we purchased AP for myself, DH, and DD (4) (we have a DS (2) as well). Our plan is to go again this Fall and purchase the DDP, or hope for free dining!

While playing around online at pricing today, I chatted with 3 castmembers online, and of course got . . . 3 different answers. I was told I could not purchase a dining plan with AP; I was told I could only purchase it if there was an AP offer to purchase dining; and told that I could only get the dining plan if it was "free" and I would have to buy a one day pass for everyone.

Anyone else ever encountered this? I am trying to find the lowest price way to do this trip (this is the extra one I convinced the DH for the AP), and I thought having an AP would help. What are the "rules" with dining? Can you do an AP room discount and still get the dining plan? I have always done MYW packages and this is new, and very confusing for me! I would love some help!! Thanks in advance!

 

[vicki_c]

You can buy what is called an AP ticketless package and add the paid DDP. You must have a room that is either rack rate or an AP rate. You can't use any other type of discount on the room. Other than not having to purchase tickets, it carries all the normal package requirements regarding deposits, payment dates, cancellation.

You cannot get free dining unless you meet the requirements of the free dining offer, which is normally paying rack rate for your room, and the purchase of minimum tickets for everyone (currently 2 days for free dining offers).

 

[DisDaze]

APs are no good for free dining offers, because you have to purchase a 2 day mimimum base ticket for everyone on your reservation.

 

[mrzrich]

AP holders can always buy the plan. You can even add the plan to an AP discounted room.

In order to get FREE dining, you must buy a park ticket. Most recently, you had to buy a minimum of a 2 day base ticket to get FREE dining. You don't have to use the ticket on that trip. As long as you don't use the ticket, you can hold on to it and use it to upgrade to your next set of APs.

 

[ShellieB]

If we have to buy a 2 day pass per person for free dining . . . can we hold onto those days, or do they expire? Next year we will have to start paying for our DS . . . I guess we would have 6 days to use towards him.

The castmember that upgraded our tickets to AP told me 2 things that I have only heard there:
1. I only need to purchase one day for free dining
2. There is an offer for free dining for AP holders only being released this year

I guess time will tell with #2!!

 

[DisDaze]

I'm sorry, but you seem to have talked to someone at Disney reservations that didn't know what they are talking about.

Yes, you can use those 2 day base tickets you would get with a free dining package to upgrade later to APs.

No, you can not purchase a 1 day base tickets to get a free dining package, it has been a 2 days base ticket minimum for free dining packages for the last 2 years.

No, I highly doubt there would be a free dining offer just for AP holders.

 

[aubriee]

If we have to buy a 2 day pass per person for free dining . . . can we hold onto those days, or do they expire? Next year we will have to start paying for our DS . . . I guess we would have 6 days to use towards him.

The castmember that upgraded our tickets to AP told me 2 things that I have only heard there:
1. I only need to purchase one day for free dining
2. There is an offer for free dining for AP holders only being released this year

I guess time will tell with #2!!

Those two day park tickets you would have to purchase in order for you and your husband to get free dining would be adult tickets, not kids tickets, so I don't think a 3 y/o would be able to use them. You might be able to turn one of them in for a kid's multiday ticket though. You or your husband could use them though. If using them to upgrade to another sort of ticket (an AP or maybe a 10 day park hopper) you would only be allowed to use one per transaction though. So you and your husband could each use one on a subsequent trip next year to upgrade to a multiday ticket or another AP. As long as you never put those two day tickets in a turnstyle they will never expire. I have several one day tickets, that I had to buy in the past in order to get some deal (free dining, buy 4 nights/get 3 nights free, etc). I use one every year when I get a new AP, but can only use one each time.

In the past, free dining just required the purchase of a one day ticket for everyone in the room and paying rack rate for the room. For the last several years though it has required not only paying rack rate for the room, but the purchase of at least two day tickets for everyone in the room. As AP holders who go to WDW several times a year, we used to use free dining every time it was offered, but have not bothered with it since they started requiring those two day tickets. We usually make out better just using the AP room discounts.

As far as free dining being offered for AP holders I highly doubt that. No way is Disney going to give us 35% off a moderate, plus free dining for possibly four people (or five people if they're at PORS). It'd be great if it was true, but highly unlikely. I can't believe how misinformed some phone CMs are or the stuff they make up. We've heard alot of whoppers on here and I believe this is just another. Then again there was one year where they offered SSR and OKW with a 40% discount and free dining, so who knows. I currently have bounceback deals booked for my upcoming May, Sept, and Oct/Nov trips, but would switch to the AP discount in a New York minute if I could get free dining, plus the AP room discount.

 

[TDC Nala]

I would consider both of those statements you got from the phone agent as likely being incorrect. Free dining changed to 2 day ticket minimum not long ago, and I can't imagine Disney ever offering free dining in any situation other than a full price package with tickets (although they have at times infrequently offered both a room discount and free dining on hard to fill resorts, mostly to British guests.)

Phone agents at Disney really are not known for being accurate about much.