Free dining plan??

[LisaS]

Now THAT is very good to know!! I guess as a "newbie" I assumed (yes, I know what happens when I assume) that the passes are from Jan-Dec, but from your post I take it that they are for one year from the date of purchase? We are planning a trip in June of '09 and then in April of '10 so we would be able to use a pass for both trips?

If you purchase the AP at WDW, it is good for one year from that date. If you purchase your AP in advance and have a voucher mailed to you, your AP is good for one year from the day you exchange your voucher for your AP. If you purchase in advance and choose the "will call" option, your AP is good for one year from the day you pick up your AP.

 

[ILuvMulan]

Sorry, a couple more "newbie" questions. What is the DDE/TIW card? and when do the Annual Pass rates usually increase (sounds like we just missed it)? Do we call MS to get the vouchers and is there a time limit that you can hold on to those before activating them?

To the original poster... I hope all of these questions are helpful to you as well.

 

[LisaS]

Sorry, a couple more "newbie" questions. What is the DDE/TIW card? and when do the Annual Pass rates usually increase (sounds like we just missed it)? Do we call MS to get the vouchers and is there a time limit that you can hold on to those before activating them?

The DDE/TIW card is a dining discount card. It used to be called the Disney Dining Experience (DDE) and was recently renamed Tables in Wonderland (TIW). It is available to AP holders and Florida residents for $60 and is good for one year. It gives you 20% off at participating restaurants. An 18% gratuity (based on your total before the discount) is added to your bill automatically. There is more information here.

I think the last two AP price increases have been in August but I'm not 100% certain about that. If you want to purchase your AP in advance and have a voucher mailed to you, you can order it through MS or online through the members' website. Vouchers never expire.

 

[Caskbill]

Just to clarify, the AP is not for 1 year, it's for 366 days. Thus it's good on the date you purchase it, and is still good on the same date the next year.

We have our vouchers already paid for and will activate them on Dec 31st, 2008 for NYE. That way they're still good the next NYE, 12/31/2009.

This time we have most of our DVC stays booked mostly for January. (Actually first stay is Dec 30th) Next year we'll book stays more in December, up through the 31st. With stays in May/June 2009, we'll get plenty out of our AP's.

Basically for us one year is a 'heavy' Disney year, and the next is a 'light' year. During the 'heavy' year it's probably 75% Disney and 25% other. During the 'light' year it's about the opposite, and we'll spend more time at SW, USF/IoA, and even KSC and Tampa's BG.

 

[ILuvMulan]

LisaS, thank you for the link, that was a great help.

I am so glad that I found this board. I love learning all of the different ways to get the most out of our time and money at Disney. I appreciate how willing you all are to "share you secrets".