Annual pass holder question

[disneyworldaddict]

I had an annual pass one year and I think there was a problem getting free dining so I never got one again. I'm not sure if I was looking for free dining or just purchasing the DDP. Would someone please clarify? I'd really like another AP.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

If you have an AP you can either purchase the dining plan (assuming you're staying at a Disney resort) OR you can get the free dining plan but you have to buy a package with a minimum amount of tickets (I think it is 2 days worth). Then you save those tickets (don't use them - just use the AP) and use them on a later trip.

If you don't already have an AP and want to take a trip and take advantage of free dining - book the package and then after you get there and have used your ticket at least once upgrade it to an AP

does that help?

 

[mgentry210]

It's a one day ticket to get the Free dining plan. You can bridge it but it's generally not worth it.

 

[siskaren]

It's a one day ticket to get the Free dining plan. You can bridge it but it's generally not worth it.

Why wouldn't it be worth it to upgrade a one day ticket to an AP? (Unless of course, you end up not going to the parks enough days to make the AP worth it.)

 

[HopperFan]

It's a one day ticket to get the Free dining plan. You can bridge it but it's generally not worth it.

Actually for quite a few years you have needed to purchase a two day ticket and this last time they made it a two day PLUS park hopper or water park options.

Yes OP you can get the DDP if you pay for it with your AP, that is something that also changed in the last few years so maybe you tried before the change and couldn't do it. It is called a Ticketless Package.

What we do for Free Dining is just hold those tickets and use the value towards the renewal of our AP. If you do not currently have an AP, then yes you buy the required ticket for Free Dining and then upgrade that ticket to an AP. I suggest you buy a ticket with enough days that you think you will be in parks so you can book FP+ for all those days in advance.

 

[mgentry210]

Actually for quite a few years you have needed to purchase a two day ticket and this last time they made it a two day PLUS park hopper or water park options.

Yes you can get the DDP if you pay for it with your AP, that is something that also changed in the last few years so maybe you tried before the change and couldn't do it. It is called a Ticketless Package.

What we do for Free Dining is just hold those tickets and use the value towards the renewal of our AP. If you do not currently have an AP, then yes you buy the required ticket for Free Dining and then upgrade that ticket to an AP. I suggest you buy a ticket with enough days that you think you will be in parks so you can book FP+ for all those days in advance.

Good to know! Thanks for the tips. We do deluxe dining sometimes and this would save some $$$. Although I have found we sometimes know more than the cast members.

Do you know how recent because in October I couldn't book dining without a ticket?

 

[mgentry210]

Good to know! Thanks for the tips. We do deluxe dining sometimes and this would save some $$$. Although I have found we sometimes know more than the cast members.

Do you know how recent because in October I couldn't book dining without a ticket?

Also. I've never needed a hopper or water park ticket and we've done it at least 6 times over the last few years. Again, I think it depends on who you talk to.

 

[mgentry210]

It's a one day ticket to get the Free dining plan. You can bridge it but it's generally not worth it.

Because you are paying an extra $100 per person. You need to do the math but buying TIw is usually better.

 

[Jhondy210]

Also. I've never needed a hopper or water park ticket and we've done it at least 6 times over the last few years. Again, I think it depends on who you talk to.

Last year (i.e. 2015) free dining a park hopper was needed in order to get free dining. I think that was the first time that a park hopper was required but I wouldn't be surprised for that trend to continue.

 

[herewegoga]

How do you save your tickets if you have an annual pass? We just bought annual passes for the first time this year but would love to take advantage of free dining hopefully this fall is possible.

 

[HopperFan]

How do you save your tickets if you have an annual pass? We just bought annual passes for the first time this year but would love to take advantage of free dining hopefully this fall is possible.

This ticket gets added to your MDE. Just let it sit there, don't use it. I would go on MDE and deactivate it and even assign it to a "ghost" name so it doesn't get used by accident. It can be transferred back when you need it. I had a few and right now I have one left on my account I put on my DH name but he rarely goes. You can also go to GR and have them make sure the ticket is not prioritized for use.

Now to use the credit for your next AP, I renew in person at GR and tell them I want to use that ticket towards my AP. Did if for years when we used to get Free Dining.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Good to know! Thanks for the tips. We do deluxe dining sometimes and this would save some $$$. Although I have found we sometimes know more than the cast members.

Do you know how recent because in October I couldn't book dining without a ticket?

You can book dining without a ticket if you have an AP - it's got a name like ticket-less AP dining or something...keep in mind that's dining you pay for obviously not the free dining. If you talk to a CM that doesn't know about it get transferred to someone who does (or call back)

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Also. I've never needed a hopper or water park ticket and we've done it at least 6 times over the last few years. Again, I think it depends on who you talk to.

It has nothing to do with who you "talk" to, it's whatever Disney decides the promotion is. In 2015 to get "free" dining you were required to purchase at LEAST a 2-day Magic Your Way Disney ticket with a park-hopper or water park option.

Who knows what the requirement will be in 2016 if it's even offered again.

2015 was the first year we purchased APs & TiW. TiW is by far a MUCH better deal for my family, but since we are not FL residents and will probably never purchase APs again, it will be a non-issue in the future.

 

[herewegoga]

This ticket gets added to your MDE. Just let it sit there, don't use it. I would go on MDE and deactivate it and even assign it to a "ghost" name so it doesn't get used by accident. It can be transferred back when you need it. I had a few and right now I have one left on my account I put on my DH name but he rarely goes. You can also go to GR and have them make sure the ticket is not prioritized for use.

Now to use the credit for your next AP, I renew in person at GR and tell them I want to use that ticket towards my AP. Did if for years when we used to get Free Dining.

Thanks! Sounds easy!

 

[btk2333]

2015 was the first year we purchased APs & TiW. TiW is by far a MUCH better deal for my family, but since we are not FL residents and will probably never purchase APs again, it will be a non-issue in the future.

Agreed TiW is immensely better for our family as well

 

[Accident]

I had an annual pass one year and I think there was a problem getting free dining so I never got one again. I'm not sure if I was looking for free dining or just purchasing the DDP. Would someone please clarify? I'd really like another AP.

When there is packages that require a ticket, there is usually a similar discount package not posted on the website but you have to call up to find out what it is. It may not be exactly what your hoping for but it'll have a comparable cost savings, but sometimes it is exactly what your hoping for.

Room discounts plus the dining discount options work out better for us. We haven't jumped into TiW yet but that's mainly because it's 2 of us and we don't do too much table service.

 

[dsanner106]

Agreed TiW is immensely better for our family as well

I did the process of purchasing a ticket to get the free dining and held the ticket to apply at renewal time two years in a row. After doing the math though, I found that getting a room discount and buying the TIW card was actually cheaper when I added up my receipts. I have just renewed my TIW since then and shopped for my best room price. I have some DVC points and have also been able to rent points and get rooms saving additional money. I know the best solution varies depending on your own style, this just works best for us.