Can an AP holder get the FD plan?

[tiggergirlinMI]

I plan to call tomorrow, but was wondering, can I buy a free dining package for September but somehow get credit dollar-wise for already having an annual pass? I have checked the AP section on the Disney site and there are no deals for AP holders like the free dining one to the general public. There is no reason to buy the whole package if it includes a park hopper ticket when i already have one. Anyone know if this is possible?

 

[Jenny-momof3]

No you can't get FD unless you buy a package with the tickets...minimum 2 day ticket/per person I believe. We have AP's also. If a FD offer comes up for our Dec. trip we will use those tickets next year to upgrade to AP's.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

Thanks Jenny, I was researching the boards when you answered.....The way it's pricing now...I actually make out better doing the FD offer with the 2 day ticket vs what they are offering for room only AP rate for SEPT. If there are no more discounts coming out, which I highly doubt, Im better off going with the free dining and having my food paid for.
Thanks for your reply!

 

[aubriee]

Thanks Jenny, I was researching the boards when you answered.....The way it's pricing now...I actually make out better doing the FD offer with the 2 day ticket vs what they are offering for room only AP rate for SEPT. If there are no more discounts coming out, which I highly doubt, Im better off going with the free dining and having my food paid for.
Thanks for your reply!

AP rates are out already for Sept?

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

No, I should rephrase that....If you look under AP offers the price you get is the same as the rack rate for anyone...but it says Annual Passholder room rate, which is rack rate. I booked a room for late NOV because I plan to add the discount if one comes out later on.
As for Sept? I don't know.....the Dolphin's looking pretty affordable at this point if discounts don't come out soon....!

 

[Sue M]

It's too early yet for the Late Summer/Fall AP rates. I think they'll come out early June. I'm waiting for them too, for late Aug.

Whether an AP room discount + DDP is cheaper then Free Dining would depend on the resort category and how many in your party.
We're 2. So for us Free Dining at POR (with the 2 day ticket) I believe will be the better deal, but for Deluxe resorts, the AP discount and buying the DDP is always the better deal.
So we have free DDP for POR, which we'll keep, then currently have the GP 35% room discount at BC, and DDP. So waiting for AP discounts to change our BC res to AP + Dining, and taking off the 1 day park ticket I had to add to get the DDP.
Got to love the Disney Math

 

[aubriee]

It's too early yet for the Late Summer/Fall AP rates. I think they'll come out early June. I'm waiting for them too, for late Aug.

Whether an AP room discount + DDP is cheaper then Free Dining would depend on the resort category and how many in your party.
We're 2. So for us Free Dining at POR (with the 2 day ticket) I believe will be the better deal, but for Deluxe resorts, the AP discount and buying the DDP is always the better deal.
So we have free DDP for POR, which we'll keep, then currently have the GP 35% room discount at BC, and DDP. So waiting for AP discounts to change our BC res to AP + Dining, and taking off the 1 day park ticket I had to add to get the DDP.
Got to love the Disney Math

So true! Last January I used the GP code to book trips for April 29th-May 8th and Sept 24th-Oct 2nd at POFQ. When the AP discount came out (about 48 days prior to the May trip, I switched the May trip to that. (I couldn't believe they waited until right at 45 days out to finally release the AP rates.) Anyway, while we were down there last week I switched my Sept trip from the GP code to the bounce back offer, since it was a little better. The only thing is they didn't have POFQ available for those dates, nor the week before or after, so I had to move my dates back two weeks and switch resorts to CSR. I also booked another bounce back room at CSR for Nov 27th-Dec 4th. I wanted the week after but again couldn't get it with the bounceback at either CSR or POFQ. I also need Saturday Nov 26th, but it wasn't included in the bounceback dates, so am still waiting for the AP codes to come out for just that one day. If the AP codes for either Sept or Nov/Dec beat the bounceback deals I'll be switching again. Both of those trips are currently solo trips, but if my mom or husband decide to go with me, I'll need to compare my current deals to the free dining. I think my current deal will still beat free dining though, when I add in the price of rack rate rooms and two day park tickets I don't need. There is also the fact that I'm a RN so may need to check out the nurses' rate at Swan/Dolphin. I don't know why Disney makes it so hard to find the best deal. lol

 

[Sue M]

So true! Last January I used the GP code to book trips for April 29th-May 8th and Sept 24th-Oct 2nd at POFQ. When the AP discount came out (about 48 days prior to the May trip, I switched the May trip to that. (I couldn't believe they waited until right at 45 days out to finally release the AP rates.) Anyway, while we were down there last week I switched my Sept trip from the GP code to the bounce back offer, since it was a little better. The only thing is they didn't have POFQ available for those dates, nor the week before or after, so I had to move my dates back two weeks and switch resorts to CSR. I also booked another bounce back room at CSR for Nov 27th-Dec 4th. I wanted the week after but again couldn't get it with the bounceback at either CSR or POFQ. I also need Saturday Nov 26th, but it wasn't included in the bounceback dates, so am still waiting for the AP codes to come out for just that one day. If the AP codes for either Sept or Nov/Dec beat the bounceback deals I'll be switching again. Both of those trips are currently solo trips, but if my mom or husband decide to go with me, I'll need to compare my current deals to the free dining. I think my current deal will still beat free dining though, when I add in the price of rack rate rooms and two day park tickets I don't need. There is also the fact that I'm a RN so may need to check out the nurses' rate at Swan/Dolphin. I don't know why Disney makes it so hard to find the best deal. lol

I know It sure paid to book far in advance this year! I'm glad I got the free DDP at POR- without having to buy the photo book! I think I'll hold onto that and use the 2 day tickets for AP renewal. I'll have to evaluate when AP comes out! But def. switching the BC to the AP + DDP. I just hope they have rooms avail at BC with the AP rate! I'd switch to YC, but not BWI. We're looking froward to SAB.
For sure you have to be flexible with snagging discounts.