AP Room Discount vs Dining Package - long sorry

[wandap1016]

Hi Everyone

We are going to be in the World June 6 - 16th of 2007. We’ll all have APs - me, hubby, DSis 11, DS 10, DSis 7, DD 5. I’m trying to figure out if it would be cheaper for us to get the dining package (I know we’ll each have to purchase one day base tix) or nix the package and use the AP room discount if there are any available.

We want to eat at the following TS: Princess Storybook Breakfast - Akershus, LeCellier, SciFi (maybe twice at LeCellier and SciFi). All other meal will be CS.

What I love about the dining plan is that all of your meals are already paid for. We used the dining plan last vacation and it was a huge value for our family. We were not AP holders.

I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences. Thank you in advance!

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Have you looked into the DDE discount for AP holders?

See http://allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm .

Basically, only one of you needs to purchase the card for $60, and you get 20% off most of your meals, including alcoholic beverages.


Why will all 6 of you have AP's?? Only one of you need it for the benefits, the others could get 10 day tickets, which are less expensive than the AP's.

Michael

 

[wandap1016]

Hi Michael,

The 6 of us are getting the APs because we are going back before they expire.

We've actually been going back & fourth between the dining plan and the DDE Card. Do you think it's just as cost effective as the dining plan? Maybe the savings on the rooms alone will be worth it!

 

[jedijill]

Wanda,

I used the dining plan in October(when it was free) and am going back in May with my AP (used the one day ticket to upgrade to my AP.) I purchased the DDE for my December trip and for the upcoming trip. I find that the dining plan was too much food (and I love to eat.) The DDE combined with my AP gave me the most value. I didn't feel pressured to get the most ex*****ive item on the menu to get the most value from the dining plan. I also enjoy a glass of wine at dinner and the DDE gets me a discount on that as well as opposed to the dining plan which offers no discount on alcohol. It was also nice not having to keep track of how many credits that I had left---I just had to pull out the DDE card and instantly saved 20%.

So long story short...as an AP holder I prefer the DDE card for its flexibility.

HTH

Jill in KC

 

[wandap1016]

Thanks for replying Jill!

I'm seriously leaning towards the DDE card. My hubby will be VERY happy to hear about the alcohol discount, he loves his bottle of beer with dinner!

 

[christinou]

We saved $700 off the room rate at POFQ with the AP this february, so for us it was not worth it to get the dining package, we have the DDE card and all of those 20% off really add up. 2 of your kids would also be considered adults, and you need to thonk if they would really eat adult meals, I know my 10 year old does not.

 

[wandap1016]

WOW christinou $700 is a nice chunk of change and definitely worth the room discount!

So, when making your room only reservation do you book it online or do you call the reservation number? Also, how far in advance can I book room only, our trip isn't until 6/6/07.

Thanks again everyone

 

[magsmom]

We are going in 2 weeks with AP in hand, AP discount at POFQ, and DDE card. We are saving $400 on the room and will have the DDE discount to boot, plus the flexibility to eat off-property if we so desire.

Now, August is a different story. We are going on DVC points. DVC members are now eligible to buy the dining plan so we are going to try it. Starting in April DVC members can add on the meal plan ($37.99 per adult, $10.99 per child) with no 1 day ticket to buy. An option for you would be to see if you would want to rent DVC points (the villas are generally less expensive then booking through Disney), then add on the meal plan with that.

If you're interested, check out the DVC section of the DIS for more specifics.