Annual Passholder Dining Plan

[DisneyDiva33415]

*I do not know if this is where my question goes, so feel free to move it if there is a better place for it.*

I am a Florida resident and AP. Normally we just wake up early, drive to Disney for the day, and drive home at night, all while knowing we will be back in a couple weeks with the opportunity to do what we did not get a chance to do on that visit. In the off chance we stay overnight, we stay offsite since many hotels in the Disney area have discounts for Florida residents. We are ready to take the plunge and finally stay at a Disney resort for New Years. The biggest advantage for us is someone taking us home at the end of the night instead having to fight the traffic, rerouting, and sleep deprivation (been there done that). While I know quite a bit about everything else, I have some questions about the dining plan. Mostly, how do I book it? Since we are AP's, we do not need tickets. With no Magic Your Way package, I cannot book the dining plan on the Disney site. I do know that there is a way to book, I just do not know where or how. I would prefer not having to call the Disney number (every time I have ever talked to the people in the past seven years they were completely wrong and/or clueless) and communicate through email and messages instead. In this case, my best bet might be a Disney travel agent. If so, what company and/or agents do any of you recommend? I can do everything myself, fp+, dining ADR's, etcetera, but securing the dining plan is the only thing I have never done before.

 

[AngiTN]

If you book a room with an AP discount you can add the dining plan yourself at the time you book

If you do not book an AP discount room you have to call to have it added

Worth noting, in case you are not aware, adding the dining plan makes your reservation a package and as such, has package cancellation and payment rules, not room only

 

[coolbrook]

We always just booked over the phone and didn't have any trouble. They call it a "ticketless package" when you book room and dining plan with no ticket.

 

[DisneyWisher]

In my opinion the Dining plan is a waste. I'd look at the menus and prices, see if its worth it for you. After the CS meal we didnt want dessert (nothing appealed to us, so we'd get grapes or apple slices) rarely ate them so it took away from the "value". Plus watch out for peak pricing because its New Years.

 

[DisneyDiva33415]

If you book a room with an AP discount you can add the dining plan yourself at the time you book

If you do not book an AP discount room you have to call to have it added

Worth noting, in case you are not aware, adding the dining plan makes your reservation a package and as such, has package cancellation and payment rules, not room only

Gotcha. There probably won't be any discount for me around the time I plan to visit. Most of the past discounts never aligned with my schedule. In fact, I was just looking at the Summer AP discounts, and they start a week later and end a week earlier than I can get off from work. Funny how that always work out.

 

[DisneyDiva33415]

We always just booked over the phone and didn't have any trouble. They call it a "ticketless package" when you book room and dining plan with no ticket.

Good to know someone with a positive review. I just know from personal experience, and the stories of all my AP friends, that calling Disney and getting correct info is sometimes an act of congress.

 

[DisneyDiva33415]

In my opinion the Dining plan is a waste. I'd look at the menus and prices, see if its worth it for you. After the CS meal we didnt want dessert (nothing appealed to us, so we'd get grapes or apple slices) rarely ate them so it took away from the "value". Plus watch out for peak pricing because its New Years.

I have actually gone back and forth for the past two months about the dining plan. After looking at the numbers, and how much we would need to spend, it looks like it would be a savings. Holidays for us are more about the atmosphere and unique goings on, so we usually go at a slow pace and eat at a couple table service meals a day, just trying to take it all in.
I have also spent plenty of time at Disney in peak, moderate, and value seasons, so I know about the super fun price fluctuations. In fact, I was there last month and will be there again next week. I am anticipating the price jump, and crowds. Plus, New Years at Disney is a tradition for us. We have just never stayed onsite since we could get Florida resident discounts at hotels not even ten minutes away. This year we decided we wanted the advantage of not having to drive to a hotel at the end of the night.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It is tough to do travel agent recommendations here as this board is owned and sponsored by a travel agency, and they don't allow much mention of their competitors.

It's really pretty easy to book if you know what you are booking. In your case it would be a ticketless package. I don't believe those can be booked online, only by phone.

 

[DisneyWisher]

We have just never stayed onsite since we could get Florida resident discounts at hotels not even ten minutes away. This year we decided we wanted the advantage of not having to drive to a hotel at the end of the night.

What hotels have you found that give Florida residents discounts? I haven't stayed offsite since 1996. We only live an hour away but we love staying 3 nights when we go. We stayed last year this same week, for value I paid $120 a night we had 3 rooms. This year we didnt go but checked into it $165. So we are thinking we will start staying offsite.

 

[DisneyDiva33415]

What hotels have you found that give Florida residents discounts? I haven't stayed offsite since 1996. We only live an hour away but we love staying 3 nights when we go. We stayed last year this same week, for value I paid $120 a night we had 3 rooms. This year we didnt go but checked into it $165. So we are thinking we will start staying offsite.

Some of these are WDW Good Neighbor hotels, others are right next to Disney Springs and on Disney property, and the others are just nearby.

Buena Vista Suites
Caribe Royale
Staybridge Suites
Comfort Suites Maingate East
Royal Parc Suites
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista
B Resort & Spa
Marriott
Best Western
Ramada Gateway
Buena Vista Palace
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
Hilton Orlando – Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs™ Area
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Melia Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration