Can I ask a question..

[christymarie]

We have APs and I'm considering planning a trip to Disney during free Disney Dining. We were going to stay at the resorts and use our APs. Am I understanding that in order to get the free dining we have to purchase at least one day of park admission per person in spite of the fact that we have an AP?

If we are going to be spending 7 days at the park can we get free dining on all those days but only use the bought passes one day and our APs the other days?

Thanks for any help with this. I'm VERY new to the dining plan.

 

[singnring]

We have APs and I'm considering planning a trip to Disney during free Disney Dining. We were going to stay at the resorts and use our APs. Am I understanding that in order to get the free dining we have to purchase at least one day of park admission per person in spite of the fact that we have an AP?

If we are going to be spending 7 days at the park can we get free dining on all those days but only use the bought passes one day and our APs the other days?

Thanks for any help with this. I'm VERY new to the dining plan.

Yes, you re correct.
We are AP holders also and our package for FD had to include @ least a 1-day base ticket per person.

You do not have to use those tickets though.

We save our 1-day tickets from these packages and figure someday when we do not have AP's, we can use them as needed.

They do not expire until used.

So, book your package and use your AP's and just save the tickets for the future.

 

[christymarie]

Thanks!

 

[Faldred]

Actually, you should be able to use the unused 1-day tickets as a credit toward an AP renewal, assuming you're planning on renewing.

Just remember that you can't combine AP room discounts with the "free dining" promotion. Price it out both ways to see what's the best option for you.

 

[christymarie]

Actually, you should be able to use the unused 1-day tickets as a credit toward an AP renewal, assuming you're planning on renewing.

Just remember that you can't combine AP room discounts with the "free dining" promotion. Price it out both ways to see what's the best option for you.

That's a good point, I didn't think of that. This is our first time buying APs so I'm trying to figure out APs and DDP. Can you combine any "discounts" with free dining? I'm assuming the answer will be "no" as that makes the most sense but I figure I'll ask.

Thanks for your help!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You're right - the answer is no. No 'stacking' discounts.

 

[christymarie]

LOL, got it.

Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, you must buy at least a one-day ticket for everyone with your package to get free dining, whether you have an annual pass or not.

No, you can't combine any other discounts with free dining.

 

[snykymom]

Have you run the numbers with the AP fall discount? We found that it made a lot more sense to use the 42% discount at AKL. You can then buy the dining plan if you want (we don't) without getting a 1 day ticket.

 

[aubriee]

Have you run the numbers with the AP fall discount? We found that it made a lot more sense to use the 42% discount at AKL. You can then buy the dining plan if you want (we don't) without getting a 1 day ticket.

This is what I did also. I had free dining thanks to the Bounce Back offer I booked when I was there last fall. However, I'm traveling solo this next trip and am staying at a moderate (CSR). It was paid in full. When the AP disounts came out, I ran the numbers and found the AP discount beat the free dining. In fact, I was able to cancel the free dining, switch to the AP discount, upgrade from the basic DDP to the DxDDP and Disney still owed me a little money back on my credit card, plus I didn't have to buy another one day park ticket that I didn't need.

On the other hand I am traveling back to WDW in Dec with my mom and husband. I currently have a room at CSR booked using a 40% PIN code (which is about what the AP discount should be). However, I'm really hoping Chase Visa offers free dining in Dec again for their cardholders. If so, I'll be switching to the free dining for my Dec trip. With three people in the room it would beat the 40% off code I currently have.

You just have to run the numbers. It will depend on which level resort you are staying at and how many people are in the room as to which is the better deal.