Least expensive way to get the DDP....

[TheLittleRoo]

We are a family of 5 (42, 38, 12, 5, and 2) who LOVE the DDP, but we are looking for ways to save money this trip.

So... as I understand it, you can only buy the DDP if you 1) stay onsite 2) pay rack rate or get a package-eligible code 3) buy at least a one-day MYW ticket. Now, I know I can take these 4 one-day MYW tickets and apply them to my AP, for example. But do we all have to buy the same # days on our base tickets too? What if I have an AP, and they don't?

My head is spinning with possibilities but is there some magic trick to maximizing the savings on this plan, because I'm ALWAYS learning new things here and I KNOW someone has figured out how to out-fox the mouse on this one...

I have one theory but it's not completely developed in my head yet.... PM me too if you don't want to post your "secrets"!!

Anyone?

 

[Allison]

Just to clarify-You cannot take 4 tickets and combine it to one AP. You can only upgrade 1 ticket to 1 ticket, not 4 to 1.

You can buy 1 day tickets for everyone and then upgrade each of them to a different number of days or an AP if you would need to.

 

[n2mm]

Yes the one day tickets can be turned into the ticket that best suits each of your needs. For example, we are a party of 9. 2 of us will save our one day tickets to use later to renew our APs, 3 of our party will apply their tickets to new DVC discounted APs, 2 of our party will apply their one-day tickets to 4 day tickets; and the last 2 will apply their one day tickets to 10 day tickets w/hopping and expire. This is exactly why we are buying one day tickets, because we all have our own agendas.

 

[JimMIA]

The two suggestions for "cheap" DDP that come to mind are free DDP and a DVC rental.

IF Disney offers free dining this Aug/Sep, your cheapest option would probably be to book a AAA package with free dining at a value resort.

The other option is to rent a DVC ressie from a DVC owner. There are a million ins and outs with that, but at least you would not have to buy ANY park tickets. I believe DVC is the only way you don't have to buy park tickets.

You'd need to research thoroughly over on the DVC Rent/Trade board and the DIS DVC Operations board, but it might be an option. A DVC ressie is nothing like a regular hotel ressie, and you need to be very sure you understand the differences. It might work well if you can plan far in advance, and make plans without having to change/cancel them at a later date. If your plans are subject to change, a DVC stay is probably not a good fit for your family.

 

[bicker]

I believe the two options Jim outlined are the only ways to secure "cheap" Dining Plan arrangements. The Dining Plan is a standard priced product, never discounted (because it has dining discounts built into its structure). Paying full price for the Dining Plan is often the best folks can do, financially, with regard to Disney dining on-property.