You would have to purchase a package including tickets to get the dining plan. We bought one day tickets and applied the price to our pass renewal when we went a couple of weeks ago. We did not get a discount, it was during free dining. You could purchase a discounted package through AAA I think, but I'm not sure.
Nope! The DDP can only be added to a package, which means you need to be paying rack rate for your room and buying a ticket for each member of your traveling party. As an AP holder, we have booked packages before when the price is right and buy a one day ticket to be used towards our AP renewal later. Actually the current package that is available is pretty good and the room is actually cheaper than the AP room rates, but you still have to buy that one day ticket, but you can add the dining. You should crunch the numbers and see if that will work for you. I think the deadline to book it is this week. The only exception is for DVC members and renters using points. They are allowed to purchase the DDP without the ticket restrictions (yes, we're DVC members too).