Help! Need to decide today

[irish dancer]

We are planning a trip 11/28-12/3/06. With all the talk of the price increase we are going to book today. Last year we had APs due to a few trips but this year we will not so we are not going to renew. We also used to be DVC so we haven't book any kind of pkg before. I have two questions:

1. Should we book the full MYW tix and room as a pkg direct from Disney or do room only and tix from other source?

2. We were seriously considering the Dining Plan. If so, we'd have to book the package but should we book it now with the DP or add it later?

DH says just book it all now but I'm a nervous Nelly. We are not getting the insurance so we can cancel before 45 days out without losing any money right?

Ugh, planning a vacation shouldn't be this hard!

 

[NC State]

I would like know as well, we're planning to go in October '06.

Second, question, my parents are planning to go with us. If we book under two different names can we still book AS together?

 

[disneyaggie]

I called about the Dining Plan myself yesterday. It is currently $50. It goes up rather today or tomorrow to $60. Here is the catch: Unlike the AP (which is activated the moment you use it, no matter when that is), the DDP starts the very day you purchase!

Since I am not planning on going to WDW for a few months, I felt that it would be a waste (for me, that is) to purchase a dining plan that will go unused for months.

 

[Terk-1]

I recently booked my trip to WDW around the same time you're going, so I think I may be able to help.

I used to have an AP, but as I was not going to WDW this year (went to DL), decided to let it expire at the end of 2004.

After pricing things out (pieces versus package), decided to book a Magic Your Way package through AAA and did the dining plan. For $35/day, it was totally worth it! You could spend that for just one dinner!!

 

[markwake]

After pricing things out (pieces versus package), decided to book a Magic Your Way package through AAA and did the dining plan. For $35/day, it was totally worth it! You could spend that for just one dinner!!

I agree. With two teenagers and a 9YO DS (and my voracious appetite) the dining plan is a GREAT deal.

 

[goofy4tink]

I called about the Dining Plan myself yesterday. It is currently $50. It goes up rather today or tomorrow to $60. Here is the catch: Unlike the AP (which is activated the moment you use it, no matter when that is), the DDP starts the very day you purchase!

Since I am not planning on going to WDW for a few months, I felt that it would be a waste (for me, that is) to purchase a dining plan that will go unused for months.

I believe you are talking about the Disney Dining Experience card. It is very different than the Dining Plan. Only Florida residents and AP holders can get the DDE card, which then allows you 20% on most meals. The Disney Dining Plan is about $38 per person, per day and is available to those who book a package (at least that's my belief).
Now, as far as what is the best way to go...if you want hassle free vacationing then maybe you would be better off just buying the whole deal now...room/tickets/DP. If you can commit to spending a bunch of time, researching stuff here online, then you could book everything seperately. Sometimes you can get a nice resort discount that way...but nothing is definate. Yes, the ticket prices are going up, but I really don't think it's enough to get all in an uproar over...a vacation to WDW is expensive. If the price of the tickets is going to be an issue then you can always try to forgo one of the more expensive meals to offset the ticket cost.
But, usually if you book a package you will be spending the most money. It's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[srfrgrl07]

I called about the Dining Plan myself yesterday. It is currently $50. It goes up rather today or tomorrow to $60. Here is the catch: Unlike the AP (which is activated the moment you use it, no matter when that is), the DDP starts the very day you purchase!

Since I am not planning on going to WDW for a few months, I felt that it would be a waste (for me, that is) to purchase a dining plan that will go unused for months.

Just to clarify, I think you are referring to the Disney Dining Experience card that is available to Annual Passholders and FL residents.

I believe the OP was interested in the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package as they are not renewing their Annual Passes this year.

 

[irish dancer]

Thanks everyone! Well, we took the plunge and booked the whole MYW with Dining Package. Now I've got to get dates on the calendar and figure out where we'll eat.

The ticket increase wasn't the whole reason we booked, we've known our dates for quite a while now and just hadn't made the reservation. Now the fun starts, planning.