AP owner upgrading Room Only to add Deluxe Dining?

[Aanna]

I am confused. When should I add the dining plan to my reservation?

We are going for a 12 day trip, October 23 - November 4. Since it's such a long trip I got a room only reservation (40% off pin!!), and I plan on buying APs.

Running the numbers, it turns out that the Deluxe Dining Plan is going to be our best option. I've read that I can do that with the APs and not have to buy a package.

Buuuuuuuuut I don't know when I should add the dining plan to our reservation. I'm not keen on paying it any sooner than necessary. And I really don't want to lose our lovely discount.

Help please!

 

[vicki_c]

You can't add the dining plan to your room only reservation as an AP holder unless your room price is rack rate or an AP rate. With a PIN discounted room only, you won't be able to add the DDP unless you buy tickets as well (a one day ticket for all, I believe is the minimum). Doing that does turn your reservation into a package, with all the normal package cancellation and payment deadlines.

All dining plans must be added 72 hours prior (or more) to your arrival date and paid in full at that time when you add it.

 

[Aanna]

Ok, so this is only reasonably possible if good AP rates come out and I switch to them.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[dandave]

You can keep the Pin discount and still turn it into a regular package in order to buy a dining plan. Simply buy the required minimum MYW tickets to make it a package, then upgrade them to AP's when you get there. Whatever $$ you paid for the MYW tickets can be applied to the purchase price of AP's.
That way you keep the Pin, get the dining plan, and have AP's.

 

[Aanna]

That is brilliant, Dandave!! With six people in my party buying "throw away" one day tickets was not going to happen.

Thank you so much! It feels great to have options.

 

[dandave]

You're very, welcome! We've done the MYW-to-AP exchange several times with no difficulty at all.

 

[TDC Nala]

For information of readers, AP holders still have to buy a package to get a dining plan. It's a ticketless package, but still a package, and once you add dining you are subject to package rules ($200 deposit, payment in full due at 45 days, cancellation/change fees within 45 days)