Ap + Dinning

[Emagine]

Can someone help me. We always just book a stay when we go but now were looking into possibly getting AP with the DP but I can not find a link to where the cost would be.

We are 2 adults and 2 kids 7/4. I know how much our stay is as its booked. I have priced out AP. Now I just need to know what AP and DP would be. We are thinking of adding more trips to WDW since my DH vacation time increased.

 

[sumertime]

Depending on when you go (peak times have a higher rate), dining is $41.99 per adult/per night, and kids are $11.99 per adult/per night.

We don't have our APs yet, either, so I had to add this up to figure out how much the dining plan would cost.

Don't forget that APs are also eligible for the Tables in Wonderland card, which gets you 20% off most TS meals (including alcohol), and a few CS meals. It costs $75.

 

[disneyfan55]

Depending on when you go (peak times have a higher rate), dining is $41.99 per adult/per night, and kids are $11.99 per adult/per night.

We don't have our APs yet, either, so I had to add this up to figure out how much the dining plan would cost.

Don't forget that APs are also eligible for the Tables in Wonderland card, which gets you 20% off most TS meals (including alcohol), and a few CS meals. It costs $75.

The TIW card is even better when staying at a Value and you receive the 20% off the CS! Last trip we even got the 20% off the cups!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Can someone help me. We always just book a stay when we go but now were looking into possibly getting AP with the DP but I can not find a link to where the cost would be.

We are 2 adults and 2 kids 7/4. I know how much our stay is as its booked. I have priced out AP. Now I just need to know what AP and DP would be. We are thinking of adding more trips to WDW since my DH vacation time increased.

Even if you have an AP, the dining plan is not discounted, so you will pay the regular price for it.

As AP holders, we have the TIW card to save 20% on table service. One thing to remember with this card, is that 18% gratuity is automatically added onto the ticket after the 20% discount comes off.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

One thing to remember with this card, is that 18% gratuity is automatically added onto the ticket after the 20% discount comes off.

Argh! I know that we aren't supposed to talk about tipping here, but they way *I* like to tip, figuring the right "addition" to that tip would give me a headache.

 

[disney777]

Just a note, when you add dining on to an AP rate room, it becomes a package. This means you need to pay for it in total 45 days before. I just did this yesterday, didn't think about it becoming a package. I'm less than 2 weeks away, so I had to finish paying off the balance and the dining. When I got my receipt, it included all the coupons - free golf, PH food voucher, etc..

 

[disneyfan55]

Just a note, when you add dining on to an AP rate room, it becomes a package. This means you need to pay for it in total 45 days before. I just did this yesterday, didn't think about it becoming a package. I'm less than 2 weeks away, so I had to finish paying off the balance and the dining. When I got my receipt, it included all the coupons - free golf, PH food voucher, etc..

The only thing good about it is if you have the Disney Visa you can put it on there and get 6 months zero interest.

 

[Emagine]

Gotcha..

ok so here is our thoughts and trying to plan the best. We have our annual trip late Nov/Dec. This year its planned as a Grand Gathering with friends (I am excited)

We also want to add a trip in the Spring too. We were looking into the DVC then researched it. Figured we would wait a while and think it over more. We know we want to go 2 times this year and next year might be 3. So now were looking at AP but I am trying to educate myself there.

We do not mind values as my kids are small and Autistic and ADORE the huge Woody and also Pop Century as we have rotated around all the Values. Those are the favs. One day I hope to stay AK. But my kids are small and only small a short timeframe and ask for these places. Its their trip too lol. And hey its hundreds cheaper lol.

So now I am looking into AP for the several trips.

When we book the Spring trip (torn between April/May) we know we can take the tickets off our already booked package (not paid for in full yet) in Nov. So thats a plus. But say we see a bounceback.

Can an AP book a bounceback?

What can an AP not do that a regular package person can do?

I looked up the Tables and so on. I know we would do the AP with out the Water parks due to the Special Needs and the times we would go. Would not fit us. But how does the Table Card help you besides the Alcohol etc if you get the dining plan or does it? We also torn about that? How does the DP work if its free say for one of the trips or as a bounceback?

Anything else I may need to know? So much to soak in when you get used to one way.

 

[aubriee]

Gotcha..

We know we want to go 2 times this year and next year might be 3. So now were looking at AP but I am trying to educate myself there.


So now I am looking into AP for the several trips.

Can an AP book a bounceback?

What can an AP not do that a regular package person can do?

I looked up the Tables and so on. But how does the Table Card help you besides the Alcohol etc if you get the dining plan or does it? We also torn about that? How does the DP work if its free say for one of the trips or as a bounceback?

.

If you are making at least two trips down there this year, then an AP will save you money just on park admission.

AP holders can book bounceback offers just like anyone else. However, if the bounceback offer is a pkg, they must also add at least one day tickets for everyone in the room. They can also book free dining, but then must pay rack rate for the room and again add at least one day park tickets for everyone in the room. Every time a discount comes out, you must run the numbers and see what is the best deal for your particular situation. If you plan on staying in a value, then free dining will always beat an AP room discount (even with paying rate rate for the room and buying one day park tickets for everyone. You can use those one day park tickets at a later date. They are good forever as long as you never out them into a turnstyle.) At a deluxe the AP room discounts will usually beat free dining. At a moderate it will depend on how many people are in the room, but free dining again will usually beat the AP discounts. AP discounts will usually beat the bounceback room discounts (like the 20/35/40 bounceback that was being offered this past Dec for multiple dates in 2010).

I know I went ahead and booked three different trips for 2010 using the bounceback offer when we were there a few weeks ago. I've already changed the one for my upcoming May trip when the AP code came out two weeks ago for that time period. With the 35% off bounce backoffer I had to buy one day park tickets in order to get the DDP, but with the 40% AP discount that came out a week later, I didn't, so the AP saved me a little more on the room, plus I didn't have to buy another 1 day park ticket I didn't need.

 

[aubriee]

If you are making at least two trips a year down there the AP will save you money on park admission alone. But don't forget it will also give you alot of other benefits:

1. You can normally get pretty good room discounts throughout the year. I normally stay in moderate resorts and my room disounts this year have normally been around 40%.

2. Certain Epcot restaurants give 10% at lunch Monday-Friday (Coral Reef, Les Chefs de France, Nine Dragons, Marrakesh, Rose & Crown, San Angel Inn, Tokyo Dining, Teppan Edo, and Tutto Italia). RFC in Animal Kingodm gives 10% off at all three meals, and Yak & Yeti gives 10% off at lunch and dinner. In HS Studio Catering Company gives 10% discount. AT DTD Fulton's gives 20% at lunch and 10% at dinner. Ghirardelli gives 10%. House of Blues gives 20% at lunch and 10% after 4PM. Planet Hollywood gives 10% off. Portobello Yacht Club gives 20% at lunch and 10% at dinner. Rainforest Cafe at DTD gives 10% at lunch and dinner. WGP West Side gives 20% at lunch and 10% at dinner. Certain resort restaurants give 10% discounts Monday-Friday during various meal periods (ESPN-lunch only, Sand Trap Bar & Grill-lunch only, The Wave, Trails End-breakfast and lunch, Olivia's, Boatwrights, Turf Club-lunch only, Captain's Grill)

3. Merchandise discounts: Aribas Brothers DTD gives 10%, Basin gives 10%, House of Blues gives 10%, LEGO gives 10%, PH gives 10%, Starbillias gives 10%, RFC gives 10%, T-Rex gives 15% (does not include Build a dino), World of Disney Store gives 10%, Yak & Yeti Retail gives 15%.

4. Alamo car rental gives 20% off rentals

5. 15% off tours at AK, Epcot, and MK

6. 30% off golf rates

7. 50% off mini golf at both courses

8. 15% off marina rentals

9. Richard Petty Driving Experiences: $20.00 discount for ride along and 35% off any driving pkg.

10. 10% off spa treatments at GF spa or Saratoga Springs spa

11. $4.00 discounts at either of the water parks

12. $4.00 discount at Disney Quest

13. Discounted tickets for specially ticketed events like MNSSHP, MVMMCP, Night of Joy, etc

14. Plus of course you are eligible to purchase the TIW card which gives you 20% off most TS restaurants.. Of course if you plan on using the DDP each trip it won't save you that much (only on OOP appetizers and alcohol)

 

[disney777]

You can apply the value of a one day ticket to your next renewal of an AP. I wonder if you accumulate a couple of them from different trips if you can "stack" them towards an AP? I don't see any reason that couldn't be done.

 

[disneyfan55]

You can apply the value of a one day ticket to your next renewal of an AP. I wonder if you accumulate a couple of them from different trips if you can "stack" them towards an AP? I don't see any reason that couldn't be done.

You can only use 1 of the tickets per upgrade. It used to be that you could use multiple unused tickets (esp when all tickets were non expire (the days remaining were good forever) Now most packages require some type of ticket purchase esp these last 2 requiring multiday passes. You end up collecting tickets. We have 4 1 days now and will use 3 to get AP in Feb unless we can get standard rooms at WL and do the 750 giftcard, then we'll have the 4 one days, and 1 5 day in the collection (one of us already has an AP)

 

[Supermom3]

Don't mean to hijack, but I have a quick question. If I'm planning to use my GAD-GAD one day tickets and upgrade them to AP, can I still book a room at the AP rate and get the DDP without actually having the tickets in my hand until after I get there? Does that make sense? Thanks.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

My head is spinning from all this info!

I apologize for being so dense, but I want to make sure I understand this correctly.

We are a group of 2 families staying at the Poly (40% off code) with the DxDDP. We've got the pkg deal with the MYW tickets. It's a pretty good bet that at least one of the families will be returning within the year.

So:
1. If I purchase the AP & TIW, how will I figure out if this will benefit me financially? Everything is all lumped together in the info from my TA with just a total amt due...
2. I'm sure the TIW will save me money even if I keep the DxDDP, based just on the alcohol we'll consume. But can I use the card for the entire table? As I mentioned, we're 2 separate families with 2 separate rooms. We're eating all of our special TS meals together on 1 ADR. We both have the exact same pkg.
3. And I'll also have to factor in the price of the AP. Am I correct in assuming that just one person in our party has to have the AP in order to receive the discounts? Or will 1 person in each family have to purchase an AP? If it matters, I purchased everything with my credit card. Despite the fact that we have 2 rooms, we're still from the same family. In 1 rm is DH, GS, GD, and me. In the other rm is DS and her 2 sons. Rooms ARE booked under 2 different names... Works out to 5 adults and 2 children. This is all so complicated! I hope I'm making sense to you...

As I'm typing this, I think I'm beginning to understand this thread a little better... I'm going to the tix link provided by Cheshire Figment, so that will solve part of the puzzle. But my head is still spinning!

Thank you for any advice and/or direction you can give me.

Gretchen

Sorry - I see that I should have posted this in a thread titled "Is it worth it..." But maybe it will work here too.
TIA!

 

[disneyfan55]

My head is spinning from all this info!

I apologize for being so dense, but I want to make sure I understand this correctly.

We are a group of 2 families staying at the Poly (40% off code) with the DxDDP. We've got the pkg deal with the MYW tickets. It's a pretty good bet that at least one of the families will be returning within the year.

So:
1. If I purchase the AP & TIW, how will I figure out if this will benefit me financially? Everything is all lumped together in the info from my TA with just a total amt due...

You will just keep the tickets the way they are; all tickets in a package have to be the same. I don't even think you can purchase the package with APs anyway. You will upgrade who ever (has to be over 21 to purchase the TIW card so an adult also to get any room discounts in the future)

2. I'm sure the TIW will save me money even if I keep the DxDDP, based just on the alcohol we'll consume. But can I use the card for the entire table? As I mentioned, we're 2 separate families with 2 separate rooms. We're eating all of our special TS meals together on 1 ADR. We both have the exact same pkg.

You really should see if you really want the deluxe plan. ONe TIW card is good for up to 10 people. All must be on the same bill to benefit. You will have to figure out the bill and split it up afterwards or however you choose.


3. And I'll also have to factor in the price of the AP. Am I correct in assuming that just one person in our party has to have the AP in order to receive the discounts? Or will 1 person in each family have to purchase an AP? If it matters, I purchased everything with my credit card. Despite the fact that we have 2 rooms, we're still from the same family. In 1 rm is DH, GS, GD, and me. In the other rm is DS and her 2 sons. Rooms ARE booked under 2 different names... Works out to 5 adults and 2 children. This is all so complicated! I hope I'm making sense to you...


see # 1 AP will be an after thought, buy the TIW at time of AP for $75. The TIW is good for usually a month longer than the AP as well.


As I'm typing this, I think I'm beginning to understand this thread a little better... I'm going to the tix link provided by Cheshire Figment, so that will solve part of the puzzle. But my head is still spinning!

Thank you for any advice and/or direction you can give me.

Gretchen

Sorry - I see that I should have posted this in a thread titled "Is it worth it..." But maybe it will work here too.
TIA!

Please see answers in your statements. Hope this helps. I don't know if you're just paying for the additional AP cost. There are many other AP benefits. I really would rethink that deluxe dining with a TIW card though.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you, disneyfan.
I think you're right about the DDP. I'm going to do some number crunching!
Gretchen

 

[disneyfan55]

Thank you, disneyfan.
I think you're right about the DDP. I'm going to do some number crunching!
Gretchen

Also, just to let you know. We had free dining and the TIW card on the Sept 2008 trip, although we didn't have problems when some of the party didn't have dining and we used the TIW card to pay for their complete meal, when we tried to use it for appitizers (not included in the plan) and a few alcoholic bev on a meal that was DDP TS, they had a problem giving the discount only on the app and drink. I don't know if it should have been that way or not, but we had a problem getting the disount on only the app and drink. I just think you might do better with the discount only since everyone always doesn't want everything included, esp if your beverages will be alcohol and not the non alcoholic bev. included. We used the TIW and ate at quite a few TS when we had the free giftcard in May and found it to be better for US (Maybe not everyperson in the world) to use the TIW. We are not big dessert people and usually just pick up a snack later after the meal (can't eat that much at one sitting) Have fun trying to figure it all out. It's a science. Check out the prices on allears.net and what you might order! Also, check all the discounts for the AP on WDW site! There are places that don't take the TIW card but will give a discount on the AP (problem is that only up to 4 for the AP but it's something) Also, if planning another trip you might want to get the APs now for your family. You can upgrade as many of the tickets you buy now for aps and the later trip. If any child is a child entry when you go now but not on the return, the ticket is still good at the child rate. I don't know if that's the case, but it's what happens with an AP purchase. You don't have to upgrade the cost if you return and a birthday happens.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I so appreciate all your advice, disneyfan!
You've given me alot to think about - someone could practically do a thesis on all the in's & out's of all this Disney stuff! (Especially this AP/TIW stuff vs: pkg deals, etc!!!)
Much obliged,
Gretchen

 

[disneyfan55]

I so appreciate all your advice, disneyfan!
You've given me alot to think about - someone could practically do a thesis on all the in's & out's of all this Disney stuff! (Especially this AP/TIW stuff vs: pkg deals, etc!!!)
Much obliged,
Gretchen

You're quite welcome!! Yes a trip to WDW with all the discounts/packages/meal plans etc takes a lot of time to figure what is best. I like the Dining plan when it's free and we stay in a value. Other than that I don't think I would ever buy it. In my above post are the reasons.

Some get the dining plans for convienence of not having to worry about ordering expensive items etc and like to have it all prepaid. For us the TinW card just works better to get the discount on what we want exactly- we really wouldn't order the non alcoholic drinks or the desserts if paying. When on the dining plan we get them, but don't really want them. Many desserts came back to the room, some were eaten , some not. That goes for the CS desserts as well or drinks for that matter. We bring bottled water and that's really what we want to drink not all the soda/soft drinks so we wouldn't be buying them on TIW and end up paying a tip when we get the dining (just get them because!! or eat/drink small portions of the item)

 

[Sparkie]

We are a party of 7 - 5 adults, 1 teen, and 1 infant.

Excluding the infant, do we all have to have an annual pass to book 2 discounted rooms and add the dinning plan?