Do you have to book a "package" to get the DDP

[jenrose66]

I'm planning on going to Disney from 10-3 to 10-10. Last time I went I got the Dining Plan and tickets through Disney. This time I'm planning on getting a room only reservation and getting my theme park tickets through Undercover Tourist that are in the Mousesavers newsletter because I'll save about $120. Now, I've never been to Disney in October, and I'm wondering if they are going to offer free dining. If they do offer it, would I have to buy my tickets through Disney in order to get the free dining? I'm wondering if that would be a better value...you know, getting free food my whole trip instead of saving the $120 on park tickets. At the same time, if they don't offer dining, I don't want to pay more for tickets if I don't have to. Oh the dilemma! Thanks for your insight

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want the DDP, you must book a package complete with tickets.

However, free dining has not been offered in Oct before. There is no guarantee that it will be offered any different than it already has been offered for this year - UK and bounce back.

 

[plutolovr]

However, free dining has not been offered in Oct before. There is no guarantee that it will be offered any different than it already has been offered for this year

Actually, that's not correct. In 2005 when free dining was first introduced, the last check-in day was October 8. The reason I know this is because I originally had reservations beginning Oct. 11 and changed them to the 8th to get free dining for our trip.

 

[n2mm]

I believe for the folks who have already booked the free dining (UK and bounce back), they were able to book up to Sept. 29. To the OP: your reservation must begin during the promotion in order to participate. So if you want it for early October you must start it by the last day fo the promotion.

BTW--you must book a package in order to get the DDP. You can not add the DDP to a room only reservation.

 

[aubriee]

I believe for the folks who have already booked the free dining (UK and bounce back), they were able to book up to Sept. 29. To the OP: your reservation must begin during the promotion in order to participate. So if you want it for early October you must start it by the last day fo the promotion.

BTW--you must book a package in order to get the DDP. You can not add the DDP to a room only reservation.

True, I'm an AP holder, but used the free dining for the last two Sept's. I had to give up my AP room discount, pay rack rates, and buy at least a one day MYW ticket through Disney in order to get it. I have it again for Sept 29-Oct 7, '07, because I booked it via the bounce back program when I was there this past Dec. Again I can't use an AP room disccount and had to buy one day tickets for each of us in order to get it.

 

[n2mm]

True, I'm an AP holder, but used the free dining for the last two Sept's. I had to give up my AP room discount, pay rack rates, and buy at least a one day MYW ticket through Disney in order to get it. I have it again for Sept 29-Oct 7, '07, because I booked it via the bounce back program when I was there this past Dec. Again I can't use an AP room disccount and had to buy one day tickets for each of us in order to get it.

We too are AP holders and former CM and in 2005 gave up CM discounted rooms to get the free dining and last year gave up the AP discounted rooms and paid rack rate at Pop to get the free dining. I used my one day ticket in October 2006 to renew my AP and hubby will use his one day ticket in April 2007 to renew his AP (we find it easier to have our APs expire 6 months apart from each other). We all plan to do this again if the free DDP is offered to the GP in April. There are 5 AP holders in our family and the free DDP is still the best way to go. (Also DVC members too! so plan to do a split stay). If the free DDP is not offered, we will most likely either book our rooms with the AP discount for August, or stay at Universal a couple of nights before moving to the BCV that we have reserved.