How late can I add dining package?

[Mom+4]

I am planning a surprise Christmas trip for our family (6 of us) 12/19 - 12/26. I currently have 2 rooms booked room only at POP with AAA rate. Given that my DH LOVES to eat, I would like to add the dining plan, but won't know if I can afford it until probably late November, after the 45 day final payment date for packages. Can I add the dining plan at that time, and if so, do I have to pay for it immediately, or when I arrive, or what? I know that I would have to add park tickets too, which is fine, and maybe lose my AAA rate. I'm just not sure how adding the dining plan would effect my payment with WDW. The other option would be to see if AAA could get me a package at that time. Any idea how that works? I'm so confused.

Thanks for any answers.

 

[Manda]

I'm the same situation at the moment. I have room and tickets booked at AAA rate through my travel agent (not a AAA agent). She said I could add the dining at any time, but you have to get it as a package. So, to get the AAA rate on it, you have to book a AAA package through AAA. So, the ressie she worked on for me would be cancelled (technically) and rebooked through the AAA agent. So, my travel agent (and friend) would lose her commission. But, I can add it at any time without a problem.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I'm another one going in December. We currently have AAA discounts and tickets (through Disney, not AAA). I want to add the dining, too. I was kinda waiting to see if the free dining was going to be extended. It seems it would be a big hassle to cancel my Disney ressies, get a package through AAA, then if free dining comes out I would have to cancel my package with AAA, then rebook with the free dining.

I wasn't aware that there may be a "deadline" as to when I can add the dining. I thought I could just wait until the last minute to do that.

Mary