Dining Plan Options for APs

[Minderbinder5]

Hi,

We are going for our first visit to WDW in September, and we're going for 16 days because we can easily spend a week at DL. I figured with 3x the number of parks, 2 weeks was a good length of stay. Anyway, I digress... We bought premium APs because of our length of stay (mostly for the hotel discount *fingers crossed*), and I just heard about these various dining plans. So, what dining plan options are there for APs (we already get 20% off at a lot of places, right?). Does it save a lot of money to buy a plan rather than just paying out-of-pocket for all of our meals? And, if I do a dining plan, how do I go about signing up for it? Thanks!

 

[Luv2Roam]

There are SOME discounts allowed with a straight AP. Not enough worth mentioning. And more often than not there is not any. But there are AP discounts at Fulton's, HoB, etc.
For as long as you will be staying your best bet is the DDE, which costs $50, but will allow 20% at many places.
I am trying to recall where I have used an AP discount. I think it is generally 10% at lunch at sit downs. Which was pretty much a zero discount for us.

 

[daisy112878]

Are you going to Disneyland or Disneyworld? You have DL in your post so just wondering.

This is what I know for WDW which could be the same for DL but I'm not sure. For AP holders, my understanding is that you can't get the MYW dining plan. You can use the AP discount at select places for I think 10% off. Or you can order the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) card for $50 which gives you 20% off at select restaurants. Here's a link to pocket guides that go show where the discount can be applied:
http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/PocketGuides.shtml

 

[Minderbinder5]

Sorry for the confusion. We are going to WDW, but have been long-time AP holders at DL. This Sept. will be our first trip with APs to WDW.

Thanks for the help with DDE. I did a little more reading on Mousesavers.com about it, and it seems like it would be a good way to go.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The DDE office is drastically behind. IF you want the DDE card in hand for your trip, allow at least 2 months. And even that may not be long enough for turn around to receive the card(s).

 

[daisy112878]

If you don't get a card you'll get a letter that works just as well. But they are really behind since AP holders were allowed to buy the DDE card.

 

[Minderbinder5]

Oh, really? Thanks! I will get on this tomorrow to be sure we get the DDE card before we leave in Sept.