AP discounts and free dining?

[It'sWDW4me]

I've been contemplating upgrading my 8-day base ticket to an AP next month. Seriously, if this is true, this would cement that thought!!

 

[Mickey country]

And then I wonder if they ARE going to offer this deal because of all the people not renewing or buying AP's. I'll bet they are down given the economy and also the package deals offered of late. A whopping good AP deal would strum up a lot more business for them because instead of one package deal, people may end up returning to disney more often to utilize those AP's.

This makes perfect sense to me! Would love to score this deal! It would make me renew my AP.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Now that I've thought about this further....maybe they'll offer free dining for AP's just like they do for regular guests - meaning that we'd pay rack rate for the room & get free dining w/o having to buy tickets.

Then they would release a room only discount that can't be used in conjunction w/ the free dining (as is the same for general discounts)

If that was offered I would have to do the math but w/ 3 adults in the room it might be cheaper to go w/ a free dining and pay rack rate versus a room discount.

 

[Maverick]

Now that I've thought about this further....maybe they'll offer free dining for AP's just like they do for regular guests - meaning that we'd pay rack rate for the room & get free dining w/o having to buy tickets.

Then they would release a room only discount that can't be used in conjunction w/ the free dining (as is the same for general discounts)

If that was offered I would have to do the math but w/ 3 adults in the room it might be cheaper to go w/ a free dining and pay rack rate versus a room discount.

This is what I am hoping for!

 

[Mamu]

Hmm I generally don't care for the dining plan at all, nevermind free dining, but if I could keep my 40% off AND get free food... well why the heck not?

I love my discount, don't really care for the dining plan either, yet if it's being offered free with a AP rate why not. Although I would prefer the quick dining plan. I hate making ADR. Not saying I don't have a few, we do. Although I do doubt after giving 42% off they will give you free dining too. I think what there saying is you may be able to purchase the dining plan without having to purchase a park ticket. I think this was offered last year.

 

[chottsy]

we come out better with a room discount vs. just free dining.
i have no problem paying for dining when i get 35% off our room.
paying rack rate w/free dining vs. AP discounted room rate and full priced dining...there is a diff. of $100 for us....we would do better with the room discount.

hoping to see it posted soon that AP rates are out for Dec.!!

 

[zamboniman333]

If it happens I will have to check it out!!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Now that I've thought about this further....maybe they'll offer free dining for AP's just like they do for regular guests - meaning that we'd pay rack rate for the room & get free dining w/o having to buy tickets.

Then they would release a room only discount that can't be used in conjunction w/ the free dining (as is the same for general discounts)

If that was offered I would have to do the math but w/ 3 adults in the room it might be cheaper to go w/ a free dining and pay rack rate versus a room discount.

I bet you are right about this. A deep room discount is still a better deal for us though...

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I love my discount, don't really care for the dining plan either, yet if it's being offered free with a AP rate why not. Although I would prefer the quick dining plan. I hate making ADR. Not saying I don't have a few, we do. Although I do doubt after giving 42% off they will give you free dining too. I think what there saying is you may be able to purchase the dining plan without having to purchase a park ticket. I think this was offered last year.

They did not offer APs to do dining plan last year, so it would be a new thing.

I bet you are right about this. A deep room discount is still a better deal for us though...

A discount is probably better for a lot of people, it just depends on how many people are in your party & where you're staying.

 

[ElizabethB]

The only offer I've see in the past that combined free dining with a room discount was a bounceback in 2009 (I think it was 2009) which provided for a discounted room at SSR or OKW plus free dining. I do not recall the discount (perhaps 30%?), but it was significant.

I doubt we will see the return of that. But, if such a deal were offered to AP holders or the public, I would think it would be restricted to those two resorts. Those resorts seem to be struggling to stay full these days. They are always available on the public discounts -- even two bedroom units. Actually, I even saw a two-bedroom villa at BCV yesterday on the AP rate for August (it was only for three nights but hey when do you ever see that?!)

I was surprised to see 42% off deluxe resorts for AP holders in Aug./Sept., which tells me Disney is still having trouble filling the resorts. Remember the easy money years when everyone was getting home equity loans and going to Disney? AP holders were often out in the cold.

Disney is treating us nicer these days, so who knows what fall might bring?!

 

[Tyme4wdw]

Now that I've thought about this further....maybe they'll offer free dining for AP's just like they do for regular guests - meaning that we'd pay rack rate for the room & get free dining w/o having to buy tickets.

Then they would release a room only discount that can't be used in conjunction w/ the free dining (as is the same for general discounts)

If that was offered I would have to do the math but w/ 3 adults in the room it might be cheaper to go w/ a free dining and pay rack rate versus a room discount.

I think you've hit the nail on the head and forsee this type of deal being promoted. However, AP holders can purchase the TIW card which gives them 20% off meals and alcoholic drinks. If I have to choose between Free Dining with no AP rate discount or just the AP rate discount...would definitely choose the AP room discount and use my TIW for meals.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

The only offer I've see in the past that combined free dining with a room discount was a bounceback in 2009 (I think it was 2009) which provided for a discounted room at SSR or OKW plus free dining. I do not recall the discount (perhaps 30%?), but it was significant.

That's one way to get a guy like me into a DVC resort ... might make me move forward on a DVC buy. I would jump at the above offer.