AP and DDP, I am so confused

[momto2]

I have my room reservation. I recently renewed my AP. Tonight I tried to
'get' the Dining Plan. The kind and patient CM told me that I would have to book a minimum of a one day base ticket for all of us, me included. Then he would add the remaining length of stay (8 days) as another ticket for each family member (not me). Then he worked up a price for four 9 day passes for each family member which includes me. That way came out $10 cheaper. Even though I have the AP and really won't need the 9 day pass for me. He said I could turn it in at guest services before I leave and get a voucher for a 9 day pass that I could use anytime, because I won't need to use it on this trip. Following me so far??

So now I am thinking, it is possible to cancel the AP, after all what kind of discount on rooms am I really going to get. We are going over Easter. I don't even know if it is possible to cancel the AP. Or do I cancel the dining plan instead. It all seems so confusing to me. The DP sounded good and fun until all this tonight. I have such a headache from trying to figure out what is best. HELP!

 

[plutolovr]

Another way to do this would be to book your package with a 1-day base ticket for everyone in your party, including yourself. After checking in at your hotel, go to either the concierge desk at your resort or guest services at a park and upgrade the rest of your party's tickets to the number of days they require. You can save your 1-day base ticket for later use, or you can put it toward the renewal on your AP next year.

Something else you may want to look into is if you have the AP you can purchase the Disney Dining Experience Card. It will cost you $65, but it gives you 20% off most table service restaurants and some counter service (at resorts where there is no table service, i.e. All-Stars, Pop Century, etc.) It also includes the discount on alcoholic beverages and free valet parking at resorts. We saved a ton using this card and it's good for a year.

 

[momto2]

plutolvr,

Do you think it is as good a deal with the DDE as the DP. We did the DDE a couple of years ago and loved it. It definitely paid for itself with the AP discount. I just thought we would try the dining plan. I knew of so many people who were glad they did. Your idea sounds good. The CM kept telling me though if I reserve the passes now, I would get the 2007 ticket rates and that I would be paying more if I wait until 2008!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I agree with Plutolover, that is the best solution and the one that most AP holders use. Have them separate your one day base ticket so you can use it as a credit toward your next AP renewal. and just upgrade everyone elses 1 day base ticket to whatever you want once you arrive and pay the difference. This way you keep the dining plan.

 

[plutolovr]

I really like the DDE. We have also used the Dining Plan, the first time they offered it free before the restaurants went and changed their menus . Although we enjoyed the Dining Plan, we did have quite a few counter service meals credits left at the end of the trip. The DDE gives us a little more freedom on restaurants and how we order. If we want to share an appetizer, entree, order extra desserts , whatever. We used the last DDE card I had on 4 trips. We had large groups for two of the trips and easily saved over $300 just on those trips. I feel if you plan right that you can save enough on the DDE to cover the card and any counter service meals you need to order. If you're staying at one of the resorts without table service restaurants, than you can save more by using the card at your food court.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[momto2]

The size of our party isn't that large. So when we used the DDE in the past it paid for itself and a little more. We didn't do sit down every single day. So I think the DDP would be nice because then we would do a sit down each day. Helps to slow down the pace a little