Dining Plan without a Magic Your Way Package?

[RealBlast3]

I am trying to save some money, so I am considering purchasing an Annual Pass, which, since I stay for up to 15 days on my trips would actually be more cost efficient than buying the tickets with Magic Your Way package rate.

So, anyway, I was just testing this out on the website, attempting to practice to book a vacation, without tickets but WITH the Deluxe dining plan, and the Disney website wouldn't let me! It says I must purchase a Magic Your Way Package with tickets to purchase the dining plan.

This must be a quirk of the website, right? Otherwise, why would anyone purchase an Annual Pass, if it prevented them from purchasing the dining plan. I'm certainly not going to buy a 10-day ticket if I have an Annual Pass on the website just to get a dining plan.

So, I'm guessing this is the kind of thing I would just have to do on the phone with Disney, right? I can't imagine they wouldn't sell someone a dining plan who just booked a 2 week vacation at one of their resorts, just because I'm not buying the tickets for a 2nd time.

 

[supersnoop]

Yes, annual pass holders and dvc members are the only people allowed to book a dining plan without buying tickets. You need to call to make a reservation and purchase the dining plan.

There has been some talk about a new "ticketless" package where you can buy the dining plan without tickets, but you still had to call.

Also, please do the math. With an annual pass, you can also purchase a Tables in Wonderland discount card. It's almost always a better deal than the dining plan, unless you have kids under 10 and do lots of character meals.

 

[RealBlast3]

Thank you, supersnoop!

I am actually thinking of purchasing the TIW card too, with my dining plan! As I eat alot, 3 table meals a day, with lots of OOP stuff added to my meals like extra apps and cocktails/wine, coffees, the deluxe dining plan will still save me lots of money, however, adding the TIW to that as well can save me even more.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Ticketless packages are available to annual passholders and those eligibile for the military room discount.

DVC members don't book packages, they can add DDP to their reservations, no ticket purchase required.

Even on a package, all you have to purchase is a one-day ticket to get a dining plan for the full stay, you dont have to purchase a length of stay ticket.

I have heard that anyone can book a ticketless package now if they call - not available online. You have to book through the passholder section of the website to get the passholder ticketless package.

It's really hard to save money using both dining plan and TIW on one trip. Unless you spend at least $500 on ancillary items like extra food, alcoholic beverages, souvenir cups.

Otherwise, why would anyone purchase an Annual Pass, if it prevented them from purchasing the dining plan.

Many guests don't use or even want the dining plan.

 

[aaarcher86]

Ticketless packages are available by phone.

The room discounts out now including the one through 10/3 all allow for ticketless packages for regular day guests. If it's possible with a discount I imagine it's possible at full price.

 

[supersnoop]

Thank you, supersnoop!

I am actually thinking of purchasing the TIW card too, with my dining plan! As I eat alot, 3 table meals a day, with lots of OOP stuff added to my meals like extra apps and cocktails/wine, coffees, the deluxe dining plan will still save me lots of money, however, adding the TIW to that as well can save me even more.

Are you sure you've done the math? I plugged in some restaurants at distripplanner.com and the Deluxe plan came within $5 of out-of-pocket. So, with the TiW card, you'd come out 20% ahead without the dining plan. Obviously, that all depends on your restaurant and meal selections, but I have a difficult time making any dining plan work unless there are children involved.