AP - Paying for meals

[crim1978]

Sure this has already been asked but can't find the answer, please forgive me.
Thinking of buying APs for next years trip and think we can get away with two APs and then 14 tickets for rest of group (7 in total).
This would mean one AP per car for free parking, either of us could pay for merchandise and get discounts.
BUt when it comes to paying for food how do you think we would stand? The details say meal for AP holder and three guests. Do you all think if 7 people sat down for a meal we could get the discount off the whole meal as there would be two AP holders with 5 guests in total?????
As ever your advice is greatly appreciated and soooo helpful

Thanks - Have a fantasmic day

Chris

 

[wayneg]

If the rules are AP and 3 guests then you should have no problem getting discount for upto 8 people with 2 passes.
We never used our AP's for meal discounts, very limited where they are accepted but can't see you having any trouble if you have found somewhere.

 

[crim1978]

Hi Wayne

Thanks for your info.

I was under the impression that all food was discounted like in DLP, presumably this is not the case????

 

[Cyrano]

I think T-rex at DTD was the only place where the AP got us 10% discount.

The list of restaurants where the AP can be used is on the wdwinfo page here

 

[purple figment]

Taking it one step further, have you considered getting a Tables in Wonderland card? AP holders can purchase the TIW card for $75 and it is good for the card holder and 9 guests. (A PP linked it to a page that quoted $60 which was the old price.)

You get 20% off of food and drinks (including alcohol) at most of the Table Service restaurants in the parks and resorts and at food courts in the resorts that do not have a TS venue. There will be an 18% tip automatically added to the total bill.

Unlike the AP discount which is often restricted to breakfast or lunch, there are no such limitations on the TIW. There are only 8 days (major holidays) in the year when the TIW cannot be used.

Overall, it includes far more restaurants and meal times than the AP discount.

Here's a link to the TIW info page:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

Here's a link to a chart comparing AP dining discounts and the TIW:

http://allears.net/pl/disc_dining.pdf

 

[Disneymad]

If you're getting an AP and as you're not on the dining plan then Tables in Wonderland card is definitely the way to go and I can't recommend it enough.

At $75 if gives 20% off the entire bill including booze (this is the only way to get discounts on alcohol - even if you're not big drinkers those odd beers or glasses of wine with a meal can add up quick at Disney prices) at nearly all of the WDW sit down restaurants + a handful of counter service ones. It automatically adds the 18% tip on to bill to save the pesky math (though for a party your size that would happen automatically anyhow) - I know some people don't like having the tip included in advance as they feel the server might slack, but we have never had bad service at a Disney restaurant (touch wood), let alone felt it was due to them thinking they don't have to work for a tip. If service really was so bad that you don't want to tip then likely you'd likely be talking to the Manager about it anyhow!

I can't remember it down to the exact $ (it'll be on the Restaurant Board though if you want something more precise) but break-even point is somewhere around $375, spend beyond that and it is pure savings. For a party of your size you'll hit that probably after your 2nd onsite dinner, 3rd at a push.

It also gives free valet parking at certain resorts if you're dining at a restaurant there (obviously still need to tip the valet people) which can come in handy too!

Before I got the card I was a bit blase about getting it. Since using it though I'm a big fan and it sounds perfect for your particular set of circumstances.

 

[Cyrano]

It also gives free valet parking at certain resorts if you're dining at a restaurant there (obviously still need to tip the valet people) which can come in handy too!.

I thought this had been taken away at certain locations and recall a lot of unhappiness from TiW holders .

 

[purple figment]

It also gives free valet parking at certain resorts if you're dining at a restaurant there (obviously still need to tip the valet people) which can come in handy too!

.

I thought this had been taken away at certain locations and recall a lot of unhappiness from TiW holders .

We were able to valet park for free last December. We just showed the receipt from the restaurant when we picked up the car.

I know DVCers used to have free valet, but when that perk was taken away there was considerable unhappiness.