Anyone now getting "almost free" Dining Plan, because of the package savings?

[SeaSpray]

Yesterday morning I changed our room-only AAA discount (booked myself, not through a AAA agent), to the YQC package. It saved us an *additional* $221 over and above the AAA discount we had.

Last night, after talking to DH about it, we decided to call back and add the dining plan! Thus making it a YQE package.

Since we're staying for 4 nights, the dining plan costs an additional $280. ($35 X 2 adults X 4 nights = $280.)

$280. Cost of dining plan
-221. What we saved yesterday!
_______
$ 59. new cost to add dining to our reservations!

The way we look at it, before I called for the discount yesterday morning, we were already going to be paying that amount. So we're psyched to be getting the dining package for only an additional $59. And, we're still saving the initial $260 that we had with the AAA discount.

Not sure if we'll use all the counter service credits, but that $59 will be more than covered after our first night's dinner (at the castle!)

So, anyone else decide to add on the dining plan, because of the discount savings you got??

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Congrats on the savings. You're going to have some good eats!

lori

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

Yes I did the same thing you did. In addition to dining, we upgraded our standard room to a courtyard view. We paid an additional $220 for 4 adults, 2 children and 2 rooms for 5 days, 4 nights with dining. I think that the adding of the dining plan is going to save us so much more money than if we had just used the discount code on our standard rooms only.

 

[uwbdger]

First post --- planning first family trip --- lurking/planning for past 6 months!

We too added the dining package based on the price changes with the new codes released yesterday. Lots of numbers were crunched last night at our house. Originally had a AAA room only discount for POFQ 10/26 - 11/2 , 2Ad, 2Ch, for $983. Planned to purchase tickets (7 day with hopping) from ticket agent recommended in popular savings "newsletter" for $832. Total for room and tickets $1815.

"Little Bird" notice circulated, held off on ticket purchase and now doing dance of joy!

Decided to book package with dining (code YQE) based on new number crunch. Total for 7 nights, 7day w/hop, and dining for $2233.44! So from original plan we added dining for $418.44. Had we gone with room/ticket package our rate would have been $1604 --- a savings of $211. Felt confident after reading all the great information on DDP here on DIS that whether we look at the plan as costing $418 or $630, we will get at least that much food value.

26 Days until I am in the happiest place on earth!

 

[Blondiex46]

Yesterday I called and changed from 3 day to 4 day and got a AAA discount and now am paying on 50.00 more for the additional day. I am now on the phone with them to check about adding the dining program, but only want to add for 2 days, will let you know what happens.

 

[huskies90]

Yesterday morning I changed our room-only AAA discount (booked myself, not through a AAA agent), to the YQC package. It saved us an *additional* $221 over and above the AAA discount we had.

Last night, after talking to DH about it, we decided to call back and add the dining plan! Thus making it a YQE package.

Since we're staying for 4 nights, the dining plan costs an additional $280. ($35 X 2 adults X 4 nights = $280.)

$280. Cost of dining plan
-221. What we saved yesterday!
_______
$ 59. new cost to add dining to our reservations!

The way we look at it, before I called for the discount yesterday morning, we were already going to be paying that amount. So we're psyched to be getting the dining package for only an additional $59. And, we're still saving the initial $260 that we had with the AAA discount.

Not sure if we'll use all the counter service credits, but that $59 will be more than covered after our first night's dinner (at the castle!)

So, anyone else decide to add on the dining plan, because of the discount savings you got??

6 of one half dozen of the other. I pulled up many many combos on Disneyworld.com and the dining does not affect the discount at all. It is only on the room piece. It is a pretty significant discount. Obviously the less guests you have in the package (2 in your case) the closer the savings will offset the cost of the dining. It is no different in saying it is like getting free Cirque tix or something...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yesterday I called and changed from 3 day to 4 day and got a AAA discount and now am paying on 50.00 more for the additional day. I am now on the phone with them to check about adding the dining program, but only want to add for 2 days, will let you know what happens.

You most likely will not be able to do that. While you only need to purchase a one-day base pass for each member of your party to make your reservation a package, the MYW Dining is only available for all members of your party AND for the same number of nights as your stay - and in your case, you can't even split the reservation because there's a three-night minimum for packages.
If you're arriving late and leaving early - why not use the Table Service credits for Signature Dining restaurants?

 

[Lalita]

Can you only add the dining if you call disney directly. I tried booking on the net and I don't see the dining option to add on? Can anyone help me?

 

[CherylA]

Can you only add the dining if you call disney directly. I tried booking on the net and I don't see the dining option to add on? Can anyone help me?

When you go through the disney website click on the package offer on the homepage then put in the info for the resort and tickets you want then go to the alternate offers tab at the top of the page. That will have dining.

 

[SeaSpray]

6 of one half dozen of the other. I pulled up many many combos on Disneyworld.com and the dining does not affect the discount at all. It is only on the room piece. It is a pretty significant discount. Obviously the less guests you have in the package (2 in your case) the closer the savings will offset the cost of the dining. It is no different in saying it is like getting free Cirque tix or something...

Exactly, which is why I put the words "free dining" in quotes. lol I could use the amount of $221 and say "One of us got our park hopper free", etc. But since that amount almost covered our dining plan, I chose to word it that way

 

[kimmbagley]

Yesterday morning I changed our room-only AAA discount (booked myself, not through a AAA agent), to the YQC package. It saved us an *additional* $221 over and above the AAA discount we had.

Last night, after talking to DH about it, we decided to call back and add the dining plan! Thus making it a YQE package.

You don't have to book this code thru AAA TA?

 

[Lalita]

When you go through the disney website click on the package offer on the homepage then put in the info for the resort and tickets you want then go to the alternate offers tab at the top of the page. That will have dining.

Thank you so much for your help! It worked!!

 

[SeaSpray]

You don't have to book this code thru AAA TA?

No. Neither my original room-only AAA discount nor the Package I booked yesterday, were through a travel agent. For each, I called CRO myself.

For the initial booking, I called Disney and asked if they had any AAA discounts for the hotel we booked, and for the dates we wanted.

Actually, when you book a package it automatically defaults to the "Walt Disney Travel Company". Just be advised: When you book a package and thus are going through the "WDTC" you need to pay the package price IN FULL at the 45-day out mark. Our trip is only 28 days away so yesterday we had to pay in full. They did give us until today to pay, but we paid it yesterday anyway.

When you book a room-only, it is not through the Travel Company, and their rules state that you put down 1 night's deposit, and then you don't have to pay the rest of the room until check-in. Or more accurately, at check-out.

P.S. When I changed from the room-only to a package yesterday, it no longer was considered to be a AAA discount or package. I guess I should stop mentioning what I "saved with the AAA discount" because it might be confusing, and is irrelevent now that I have the package booked. I only added it in so show how much MORE I saved with the package, than with just the AAA discount that I originally had.