AP rate vs. Free Dining

[Soccer Princess]

Okay this also stands for if they release AP rates for August or we might switch our trip dates to take advantage of this. We will be honeymooning at Disney so I want this trip to be awesome!

Okay now my scenerio and numbers. The ticket prices include tax on both and the rooms do not on both, so they are comparable. Let's assume we switch to one of these hotels(BC/YC/BWI) which we had been considering.

Right now (no AP, free dining)
6 day PH tix: 255 x 2 = 510
5 nights hotel: 305 x 5 = 1525
Total: 2035

Change option 1 (Both get APs, pay for dining plan)
AP: 442 x 2 = 884
5 nights hotel: 189 x 5 = 945
Dining plan: 38 x 2 =76 x 5 = 380
Total: 2209
*OOP: 174 but both have APs for the next year
*If we don't buy the DP, we would save $206 from original but would need to pay for food.

Change option 2 (One of us gets APs, pay for dining plan)
AP: 442
6 Day Park tix: 255
5 nights hotel: 945
Dining Plan: 38 x 2 = 76 x 2 = 380
Total: 2022
*With the DP, save $13 from original
*If we don't buy the DP, we would save $393 but would need to pay for food

What do you think we should do? Is it worth it to switch and buy Annual Passes?

 

[IndyJammer]

I do see a little problem in your changes:

In order to get the dining plan, you have to have a "package." So, you would need to purchase at least a one day park hopper at the onset - then trade/upgrade/pay-the-difference for an AP once you are onsite.

The other problem is that once you have an AP - then you will definitely WANT/NEED to go multiple times to get the most out of it! (Meaning more trips may actually mean more $$$ later on!)

Your math all looks good though! It probably depends upon if you are definitely going to go a second (or third or 4th!) time with the APs. Otherwise, the free dining is a pretty good promotion! Plus, then you do not have to stress about the AP Codes for August! (Assuming that they are coming!)

 

[Soccer Princess]

The more I think about it if the dining plan wasn't free we wouldn't purchase it. We aren't HUGE eaters or anything! Assuming we didn't want the dining plan, does it seem like a better deal? I think we would actually move our trip up to the first week of August if we decide to do this. I think we would end up going a second time before the pass expired, not for sure but a good chance of it. Any opinion? Thanks so much for the help!!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'm trying to decide which will be best for us as well. We already have AP's, my parents are going with us, they dining for free plan looks like it will work for them as a better deal, but for us with AP's I don't know if it would be worth it. I figured that at a value with $59 night (AP rate estimate based on past promos), they would be paying $125-150 for the dining plan for both of them. They have to have hoppers anyway, so the package works, but for DFi and I, we would be paying $125 diff for dining plan and at least one day hopper for each of us so $225 total more. Is the dining plan worth it for 2 adults at $225-250 dollars. We usually do 1-2 charector meals and 3 sit downs during the week, the rest counter service.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I do see a little problem in your changes:

In order to get the dining plan, you have to have a "package." So, you would need to purchase at least a one day park hopper at the onset - then trade/upgrade/pay-the-difference for an AP once you are onsite.

The other problem is that once you have an AP - then you will definitely WANT/NEED to go multiple times to get the most out of it! (Meaning more trips may actually mean more $$$ later on!)

Your math all looks good though! It probably depends upon if you are definitely going to go a second (or third or 4th!) time with the APs. Otherwise, the free dining is a pretty good promotion! Plus, then you do not have to stress about the AP Codes for August! (Assuming that they are coming!)

You don't have to purchase the hopping option in order to book a package. A one day base ticket will work.

 

[Soccer Princess]

Okay so I switched over to the BC with the AP rate and moved our dates up! About the Dining Plan, do we both need to have tickets or just one of us? I will be the only one getting an AP and my fiance will be getting a MYW 6 day PH. Could we still add on the dining plan later if we wanted? Thanks!

 

[cobbler]

No you can't add on the dining unless you book a package. If you have the AP rate then you don't have a package. Can't stack discounts.

If you want the dining you need to book a package with dining, pay rack rate (full price) for your room and have a one day base ticket for everyone in your party.