Disney Dining Plan

[Racey]

I need your help.

I know absolutely NOTHING about the DDP (except people go crazy booking when it becomes a "freebie")

So... i have a few questions (which may later turn into more ) which I hope some of you wont mind answering.

1. I see that people wait until it's published that you will get it as a freebie before booking their hols. The question is: Do you have to book through Disney themselves or do travel agents give it too when you buy a holiday package through them?

2. I know you have to be staying on-site and have purchased tickets at the same time to be eligable, but in my case, i'm getting free AP's with my wedding package so dont need to purchase seperate park tickets - even though i'm sure in the price of the wedding package i'm paying for them technically). So does that mean I WONT get the free DDP (I think I should ask my wedding planner about this actually as she/he may be able to fight my corner I suppose?) But whats your views on it?

3. Are the release dates for the free DDP sparadic or do disney normally bring them out around teh same time each year? In other words, is there a pattern to it so I could maybe book my wedding vacation around that time?

Thank you

 

[wideeyes]

You can book though Disney UK or a Tour operature for the UK free dining. It is avilable now for next August to begining of October and you have to book before november. You have to buy ticket and room package to get the free dining.

The USA free dining is released around March/April I think for August/September and you still have to get a room & ticket package however you can just get a 1 day base ticket to qualify for the DDP. Howver if you get the free dining plan you will not be able to get any AP discounts on your room as you have to pay full rack rate for free dining.

 

[meryll83]

1. various travel agents also offer the free dining, i believe it's the main ones like thomas cook and virgin, but there are others.

2. you have to buy at least a one day ticket, to make up the ticket and room package to be eligible for free dining. however, in the uk, i think the minimum ticket you can add on is a 7 dayer. (see below for tip)

3. the free dining offer to the uk is always this time of year, however the us will get this offer early next year (for the same travel period). if you book via the us disney site, or travel agent such as dreams unlimited, here you could book a room and ticket package with a room for as long as 3 weeks, but only have to buy a 1 day park ticket to be entitled to the free dining