AP/Dining plan question

[LynneyPooh]

Okay, so here goes:
DH, DD9 and I will be @WDW in June for 10 days. We have decided to get AP's for DH and myself and a 10 day ticket for DD. After crunching numbers this is best as we're planning to return in October/November.
I have split ressies camping @ Fort Wilderness so we can do a 5 day meal plan (tickets and DDP not yet purchased).
Can we do DDP w/ 2 of us owning AP's and one on a 10 day ticket? What's the best way to add DDP?
Thanks!

 

[Cafeen]

Okay, so here goes:
DH, DD9 and I will be @WDW in June for 10 days. We have decided to get AP's for DH and myself and a 10 day ticket for DD. After crunching numbers this is best as we're planning to return in October/November.
I have split ressies camping @ Fort Wilderness so we can do a 5 day meal plan (tickets and DDP not yet purchased).
Can we do DDP w/ 2 of us owning AP's and one on a 10 day ticket? What's the best way to add DDP?
Thanks!

To keep DDP on both stays:

1. Book the first stay as a normal package with the DDP
2. Book the 2nd stay as "Room Only"
3. When you arrive and upgrade to APs, alter the 2nd stay to a "Ticketless Package". When you do this, you'll want to be aware of the package restrictions/rules:
   
   • Additional balance will be due immediately, since this "Room Only" is now a package, it must be paid off 45 days in advance. Since it's less than 45 days when you're adding to it, the extra must be paid when you upgrade.
   • You will likely be charged a change fee since it is so close to the check-in time. Normally a small ($15) fee can be applied to changes between 2 weeks and 45 days out, but that's often waived for upgrades. The larger change fee ($50 or so) is reserved for changes much closer to your check-in date, and is rarely (if ever) waived.

This is dependent on whether or not camping can even book said ticketless packages. If they can't, then you'll have to buy at least 1 day tickets for the 2nd say and book DDP as normal (or use TiW described below)

Alternatively, you could look into the Tables in Wonderland card if that would work for you. This would save you the hassle of changing the 2nd stay once you got your APs, but it may not be the same savings as you would get on the DDP (this is where math comes in handy).

Now, since I'm not up on all the ins and outs of APs, there may be a way to book the whole thing as a ticketless package if you're planning on buying APs, but I don't know if that's possible or not (or the details if it were). This would give you the option to book both stays like this, and then just buy your DD's 10 day ticket when you arrive (or via other means, e.g. Undercover Tourist).

 

[aubriee]

Okay, so here goes:
DH, DD9 and I will be @WDW in June for 10 days. We have decided to get AP's for DH and myself and a 10 day ticket for DD. After crunching numbers this is best as we're planning to return in October/November.
I have split ressies camping @ Fort Wilderness so we can do a 5 day meal plan (tickets and DDP not yet purchased).
Can we do DDP w/ 2 of us owning AP's and one on a 10 day ticket? What's the best way to add DDP?
Thanks!

You can't book a pkg with DDP and tickets unless everyone in the room has the same ticket. However, you don't have to actually have the AP in hand to get the DDP. What I'd do is book a ticketless AP pkg now with the DDP and then either buy the tickets you need seperately online or even wait until you get there to buy them. The 10 day ticket you could get at the resort guest services, but the AP you would have to get either at a park guest services or at guest services in DTD, as the resorts don't sell APs. Also doing a split stay means you'd have to make two deposits as each reservation stands on it own. In other words if you want the DDP for both stays you'd have to pay a $200.00 deposit for the first stay and then add the DDP for that number of nights, then pay another $200.00 deposit and add the DDP for that number of nights. The DDP must be for the number of nights you are staying, but since with a split stay you'd have two seperate reservations where each stands on it's own, you could do the DDP for just one stay or if you want you can do it for both stays. Your dining credits from the first stay would be good until midnight of that check out day (in other words all the way through the first day of your second stay), so be sure to use the KTTW card from the first stay that day. Boy I made that sound confusing. Actually it's not, for example:

I go to WDW several times a year and have done multiple split stays. I usually do one last trip the week my AP is expiring, then let it expire and just buy another when I get down there for my next trip. Frequently people I am traveling with do not have any tickets. You don't have to actually have an AP to book an AP pkg. so I go ahead and book my split stay telling the CM I want an AP ticketless pkg adding the DDP to either one or both stays. Once I get down there I go to guest services in the park or DTD and actually purchase my AP and the people I am with will purchase whatever ticket they need. One thing though, is remember the DDP must be purchased for each night of your stay. Disney does not really recognize a split stay. To them you just have two seperate reservations that each stand on their own, so if you want the DDP for both you'll have to pay a $200.00 deposit for each stay and each DDP must be for the length of that particular stay. You can also just buy the DDP for one stay and not the other if you wish. Just remember that you can use the dining credits from the first stay until midnight of that check out day (so the entire first day of your second stay). Make sure you use the KTTW card from that first stay to access the right dining credits and snacks.

 

[aubriee]

To keep DDP on both stays:

1. Book the first stay as a normal package with the DDP
2. Book the 2nd stay as "Room Only"
3. When you arrive and upgrade to APs, alter the 2nd stay to a "Ticketless Package". When you do this, you'll want to be aware of the package restrictions/rules:
   
   QUOTE]
   
   Since the DDP must be added at least 72 hours out this would not work. You can't add the DDP at check in.
   
   Well then again it might, if they call the first or second day after their first stay starts (as long as it's 72 hours prior to the second check in). However they'd have to pay like a $10.00 administrative fee for making changes within ten days of check in and also maybe a change fee. It'd just be easier to purchase two ticketless AP pkgs with the DDP now, then purchase whatever ticket each of them needs after they arrive, or if they want the DDP for only one stay, then they could book a room only stay and a ticketless AP pkg with the DDP. The ticketless AP pkg would be subject to all the rules of any other pkg ($200.00 deposit with the balance due at 45 days out) and the room only stay would require a one night deposit with the balance due at check in. If they wanted the DDP for both stays, then they'd have to pay two $200.00 deposits and the balance for each pkg would be due at 45 days out.

 

[aubriee]

oops, duplicate

 

[LynneyPooh]

Thanks for your input.
Actually what I currently have is 3 (yes 3) reservations @ Ft. Wilderness. We'll be there 11 days, but I want the meal plan for only 5 days in the middle of the stay. We knew we may or may not go to the parks on day 1 or the last day, and every time we've done the meal plan we've lost credits for different reasons. My rational is to put it in the middle and book all my ressies (done), and I won't be cashing out snack credits on my way out the door
I know it's easiest to call back before the 45 day mark and add DDP for the days I have picked (which is ressie #2). Deposits are paid, and I figured so will the "stay" portion by then, so the tricky part I have not figured out is our tickets. I want to order DD's tickets from UT, as she's under 10, and this is much cheaper.
So, from what I understand, when I call back I can:
1. change ressie #2 to a AP package? (will it matter DD does not have an AP?),
2. change ressie #2 to a package adding DDP, and I can buy 1 day tickets for the 3 of us thus giving us a package? Still a little confused, but it's getting clearer!

 

[Cafeen]

Since the DDP must be added at least 72 hours out this would not work. You can't add the DDP at check in.

Well then again it might, if they call the first or second day after their first stay starts (as long as it's 72 hours prior to the second check in). However they'd have to pay like a $10.00 administrative fee for making changes within ten days of check in and also maybe a change fee. It'd just be easier to purchase two ticketless AP pkgs with the DDP now, then purchase whatever ticket each of them needs after they arrive, or if they want the DDP for only one stay, then they could book a room only stay and a ticketless AP pkg with the DDP. The ticketless AP pkg would be subject to all the rules of any other pkg ($200.00 deposit with the balance due at 45 days out) and the room only stay would require a one night deposit with the balance due at check in. If they wanted the DDP for both stays, then they'd have to pay two $200.00 deposits and the balance for each pkg would be due at 45 days out.

Yep, the 5 day part should fall outside the minimum 72 hours to change. Otherwise it wouldn't be possible.

The question is, can they book AP packages before they have APs in hand? If they can do that, then it's relatively simple. I just don't know this at all

Thanks for your input.
Actually what I currently have is 3 (yes 3) reservations @ Ft. Wilderness. We'll be there 11 days, but I want the meal plan for only 5 days in the middle of the stay. We knew we may or may not go to the parks on day 1 or the last day, and every time we've done the meal plan we've lost credits for different reasons. My rational is to put it in the middle and book all my ressies (done), and I won't be cashing out snack credits on my way out the door
I know it's easiest to call back before the 45 day mark and add DDP for the days I have picked (which is ressie #2). Deposits are paid, and I figured so will the "stay" portion by then, so the tricky part I have not figured out is our tickets. I want to order DD's tickets from UT, as she's under 10, and this is much cheaper.
So, from what I understand, when I call back I can:
1. change ressie #2 to a AP package? (will it matter DD does not have an AP?),
2. change ressie #2 to a package adding DDP, and I can buy 1 day tickets for the 3 of us thus giving us a package? Still a little confused, but it's getting clearer!

Now, if you can book AP packages before you have APs, this will be easy. Just book the 2nd stay as that ticketless package and you're good to go. Aubriee's post above makes it seem possible, so it's worth a shot. Hopefully someone with AP experience can chime in and shed some light.

If you can't however...
1) I don't know the details, but so long as you have APs before 72 hours before stay #2, you should be able to upgrade it to a package. Whether or not you can book (as AP holders) before that, I simply don't know. Only 1 person needs to have an AP to book AP packages, so it won't matter that your daughter doesn't have one.

2) This is the easiest option, but you'll be left with 3 1 day tickets (not sure if the two adult tickets could be saved for AP Renewals or not?) It would also pretty much wipe out any discount you're getting from UT on DD's tickets.

Split stays with mixed ticket media are pretty complex beasts. It may be worthwhile to look into the Tables in Wonderland card (20% discount at most TS locations, even ones not on the dining plan) rather than worry about the DDP (if you haven't already). If you're set on the DDP, it's going to be one of the above choices though.

Again, both 1) and 2) will be moot if you can book the AP packages before you get your APs, as you should be able to simply book the Ticketless Package for Stay #2.

 

[aubriee]

The question is, can they book AP packages before they have APs in hand? If they can do that, then it's relatively simple. I just don't know this at all


Now, if you can book AP packages before you have APs, this will be easy. Just book the 2nd stay as that ticketless package and you're good to go. Aubriee's post above makes it seem possible, so it's worth a shot. Hopefully someone with AP experience can chime in and shed some light.

Yes, not a problem. I do it about once a year. I go to WDW 4-5 times a year and always try to go the month my AP is expiring, just so I can get one last trip out of it. I then let it expire, and just buy a new one on the first day of my next trip. When booking the trip, I always call and ask for a ticketless AP pkg so I can add the DDP. You don't have to actually have an AP in hand at the time of booking. You can get it when you get down there. It won't matter that the OP daughter doesn't have one. Only one person on the reservation has to have an AP. Frequently my mom will go with me and I just buy her a 9 day ticket when we get down there or even order it ahead to time through somewhere like Maple Leaf. As long as I have/get an AP I can get the DDP for anyone listed in my room.

 

[aubriee]

I want to order DD's tickets from UT, as she's under 10, and this is much cheaper.
So, from what I understand, when I call back I can:
1. change ressie #2 to a AP package? (will it matter DD does not have an AP?),
2. change ressie #2 to a package adding DDP, and I can buy 1 day tickets for the 3 of us thus giving us a package? Still a little confused, but it's getting clearer!

See my post above. I'd go with option number 1. There is no use buying those one day tickets you don't need, if you plan on getting your daughter's ticket through UT.

Now I've never stayed at the campgrounds, but I'd assume the rules would be the same as at any other WDW resort. I do do split stays frequently though and have never had a problem booking AP ticketless pkgs and then getting the DDP for both stays and again frequently have people in the room with me that don't have an AP. Sometimes we buy their ticket when we get there and sometimes we buy them ahead of time through Maple Leaf or UT. If my AP happens not to be current, then I just go to guest services at a park or at DTD and get me one. When you check in for your AP pkg the CM may or may not ask to see your AP. I've only been asked to show mine twice in the last maybe 7 years.

 

[Cafeen]

Yes, not a problem. I do it about once a year. I go to WDW 4-5 times a year and always try to go the month my AP is expiring, just so I can get one last trip out of it. I then let it expire, and just buy a new one on the first day of my next trip. When booking the trip, I always call and ask for a ticketless AP pkg so I can add the DDP. You don't have to actually have an AP in hand at the time of booking. You can get it when you get down there. It won't matter that the OP daughter doesn't have one. Only person on the reservation has to have an AP. Frequently my mom will go with me and I just buy her a 9 day ticket when we get down there or evenorder it ahead to time through somewhere like Maple Leaf. As long as I have/get an AP I can get the DDP for anyone listed in my room.

Ah HA! Thanks . Very good to know. I did know that only 1 person needs the AP to get that package, but it's nice to know that you can book it without AP in hand.

See my post above. I'd go with option number 1. There is no use buying those one day tickets you don't need, if you plan on getting your daughter's ticket through UT.

Now I've never stayed at the campgrounds, but I'd assume the rules would be the same as at any other WDW resort. I do do split stays frequently though and have never had a problem booking AP ticketless pkgs and then getting the DDP for both stays and again frequently have people in the room with me that don't have an AP. Sometimes we buy their ticket when we get there and sometimes we buy them ahead of time through Maple Leaf or UT. If my AP happens not to be current, then I just go to guest services at a park or at DTD and get me one. When you check in for your AP pkg the CM may or may not ask to see your AP. I've only been asked to show mine twice in the last maybe 7 years.

And, with that confirmed information, I totally agree with this post. Booking Ticketless AP Package will be the way to go and be MUCH simpler than my previous methods .

 

[LynneyPooh]

THANKS all!!!! I think I've made up my mind to do an AP package.
My next issues will be deciding which DDP, (I'm crunching #'s based on my ressies now) and getting tickets, but I don't think there is any confusion on this