AP with free dining question

[HoustonDan]

I've seen conflicting information about this, so I thought I'd check here. I figured if anyone had the correct information it would be someone on the DIS boards

I'm trying to convince the DW to take a trip in early December. I also want to go again next year. I'd like to go for 6-8 days for each trip and if my math is correct, buying a AP would be cheaper. However, we like the dining plan and since they're offering it for free through December, I figure it's hard to pass up free dining! Anyway, I've read that you have to have a ticket on your reservation to get the dining plan. But I read on a sticky on these boards that AP holders still qualify for dining. I called Disney today and the CM said I would have to buy a ticket, then upgrade my tickets to an AP once I'm in the park. I want to make the APs a surprise, so I'd really like to have it taken care of ahead of time. So..... what's the correct answer? Can I get an AP and still get free dining?

 

[LilyWDW]

Free dining requires that you book a package through Disney that includes a minimum of a 2 day base ticket. Your room will also be priced at rack rate.

For regular dining (as in, you are paying for it), if you have an AP you can create a "ticketless" package through Disney. It will still fall under all the rules of a package (deposit amounts and cancellation policy).

 

[feezle]

I've seen conflicting information about this, so I thought I'd check here. I figured if anyone had the correct information it would be someone on the DIS boards

I'm trying to convince the DW to take a trip in early December. I also want to go again next year. I'd like to go for 6-8 days for each trip and if my math is correct, buying a AP would be cheaper. However, we like the dining plan and since they're offering it for free through December, I figure it's hard to pass up free dining! Anyway, I've read that you have to have a ticket on your reservation to get the dining plan. But I read on a sticky on these boards that AP holders still qualify for dining. I called Disney today and the CM said I would have to buy a ticket, then upgrade my tickets to an AP once I'm in the park. I want to make the APs a surprise, so I'd really like to have it taken care of ahead of time. So..... what's the correct answer? Can I get an AP and still get free dining?

Just purchase however many days are required with the package, and when you get there, upgrade your tickets to an AP.

 

[HoustonDan]

Ok, thanks for the info!

 

[silmarg]

As the folks here mentioned to get free dining you have to buy a package that includes tickets. You would then upgrade those tickets to an AP at any of the guest relations windows in the parks.

That said, you should do the math to see if the room only discount is a better deal than free dining. Basically the more people in your party the better deal free dining is, the less people makes the room only a more viable option. The room category also is a factor... the deluxes favor room only discounts, while value and mods swing towards the free dining.

If it were just you and your wife in a deluxe, I bet the room only discount is a way better deal than free dining.

Check it out based on your fact pattern.

 

[raven69david]

Currently the rate for 1 week at a value would be $369.00 ($53.30 for 5 nights and $59.80 for Friday night) for 7 days. This rate is for the current discount through late September, but gives you an idea of what to expect discount-wise. If you add dining to a room-only AP reservation, the total comes out to $874.86. Please keep in mind that this is regular dining plan, not QSDP that you get for non-AP rates using the free dining PIN/offer.

If you're gonna go twice within 1 year, then definetly do AP. It WILL pay for itself...we're proof of that as we've been here 5 times since April, we're here now and plan more trips in October and December this year; more to come before April 2011 when we gotta renew AP's.