general dining plan ??

[disneyred]

I was thinking of Paying for the dining plan this sept.. so I called WDW for exact costs.. i was so surprised I had to pay for at least one day base ticket to the parks also.. is this correct ?? i looked at the website and saw no mention of this ??
maybe i am wrong ,,, i thought I could choose to pay for dining plan even if there was a room discount ? can someone clarify for me?

 

[plutolovr]

Dining Plans can only be purchased as part of a Magic Your Way Package which includes room and tickets (at least 1-day). Free Dining packages require you to purchases 2-days worth of tickets.

The only way around this is to be an AP holder and book an AP discounted room with Dining or stay at a DVC resort on points.

 

[sissy_ib]

I was thinking of Paying for the dining plan this sept.. so I called WDW for exact costs.. i was so surprised I had to pay for at least one day base ticket to the parks also.. is this correct ?? i looked at the website and saw no mention of this ??
maybe i am wrong ,,, i thought I could choose to pay for dining plan even if there was a room discount ? can someone clarify for me?

This is correct. The dining plan must be part of a package. The ONLY exceptions are DVC stays on DVC points, AP holders and military members. You can book a room discount as part of a package.

 

[disneyred]

thanks for the info... i always thought I could BUY dining plan anytime I wanted... without buying park tickets...

do you have a link referring to this ?? i read up on the WDW site and it never mentions buying a park ticket to go with the dining plan... maybe I am just not understanding this part...
thanks for all the tips here.

 

[sissy_ib]

thanks for the info... i always thought I could BUY dining plan anytime I wanted... without buying park tickets...

do you have a link referring to this ?? i read up on the WDW site and it never mentions buying a park ticket to go with the dining plan... maybe I am just not understanding this part...
thanks for all the tips here.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/

Available Disney Dining Plans

To take advantage of a Disney dining plan, you must purchase one of the following Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that include a Disney dining plan.

 

[Cafeen]

I was thinking of Paying for the dining plan this sept.. so I called WDW for exact costs.. i was so surprised I had to pay for at least one day base ticket to the parks also.. is this correct ?? i looked at the website and saw no mention of this ??
maybe i am wrong ,,, i thought I could choose to pay for dining plan even if there was a room discount ? can someone clarify for me?

This is correct. To qualify for the dining plan (paid) you must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Purchase a Magic Your Way package through the Walt Disney Travel Company. This package is tickets, room, and the optional dining plan (any level). Sometimes a room only reservation (including a room only discount) can be converted to this type of package, allowing you to purchase a dining plan.
• Purchase an AP Ticketless package. This is similar to above, only an AP is needed in place of park tickets. In this case, only one adult on the reservation requires an AP. AP Ticketless packages must be booked at either rack rate or the AP discount (again, the room must be booked through the WDTC as above). You cannot combine a general public room discount with an AP Ticketless package!
• DVC Member/Renter staying on points. There is no ticket/AP requirement for this case

In the case of the first two, converting a room only to whichever package type applies changes the reservation into an actual package. This then changes the deadlines and change fees as applicable. For example, if going from a room only to a package, there is a minimum deposit of $200 required as soon as you book (if you've already put down more on the room, it'll cover it) and the trip must be paid off by 45 days before check in (a huge difference vs. room only). You may add (or remove) a dining plan to a package any time before 72 hours before check-in. Note that change fees may apply to changes made within the 45 day window. (And commonly apply both ways starting at about 7 days out, even if increasing the package cost).

In the case of DVC, the plan may be added up to 48 hours before check-in, but must be paid for in full when it is added.