New to DDP

[bubba's mom]

Hey all I need a little advice...I'm not real familiar with the DDP and I have a question. Can you purchase that separately or do you have to purchase it with a room/package? My DSIL had a travel agent quote her DDP, room and tickets and I'm helping her figure prices a la carte (already found a better room deal). She wants the DDP, but I'm not sure what to tell her with that...oh, and she doesn't belong to AAA. (I told her it might be worth her while to join). Thanks for the advice!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

The only way to get the dining plan is to get it with a package. You must get a room, and park tickets to order the dining plan add on. Everyone in the room must be on the dining plan.

 

[bicker]

From the FAQ:

...you must be staying at a Disney hotel and book a package, or be staying at an on-site DVC resort and staying on DVC points. ... With the exception of guests staying at DVC resorts on DVC points, you must at least purchase a basic one day admission ticket, but you do not have to purchase a ticket that matches the number of nights you are staying.

While some direct-from-Disney and some AAA packages from AAA qualify for the Dining Plan, more heavily discounted packages from either don't qualify, and packages from other sources don't qualify for the Dining Plan.

 

[bubba's mom]

Well....if one doesn't purchase the vacation thru AAA, where else is there besides Disney itself? (Altho, at Disney website, I managed to get her "package" for $300 less than the TA quoted her). So, if she booked her room and DDP and 1 day park admission thru the Disney website, could she purchase the remaining park tix thru somewhere else? (This is all so confusing to me )

 

[n2mm]

Well....if one doesn't purchase the vacation thru AAA, where else is there besides Disney itself? (Altho, at Disney website, I managed to get her "package" for $300 less than the TA quoted her). So, if she booked her room and DDP and 1 day park admission thru the Disney website, could she purchase the remaining park tix thru somewhere else? (This is all so confusing to me )

Not a problem. She can just take her one day ticket to any guest relations (2 at each park and one at downtown disney) and she/they can upgrade the value of the ticket ($71) to any other type of ticket. We do this several times a year now and upgrade/renew our annual passes. This is a nice option because everyone doesn't have to get the same ticket, plus, in our case, we put it away until we need to purchase a new AP.

 

[Lewisc]

Well....if one doesn't purchase the vacation thru AAA, where else is there besides Disney itself? (Altho, at Disney website, I managed to get her "package" for $300 less than the TA quoted her). So, if she booked her room and DDP and 1 day park admission thru the Disney website, could she purchase the remaining park tix thru somewhere else? (This is all so confusing to me )

I doubt you'll save any money purchasing a one day base ticket with a package and then purchasing the remaining days from a vendor like ticketmania.

Any TA can book a package including dining but only a AAA TA can combine dining with a AAA room discount.

The TA shouldn't have a higher price than the Disney website. Either the TA is adding a booking fee, is including travel insurance or the TA is including tax.

 

[bicker]

packages from other sources don't qualify for the Dining Plan

Well....if one doesn't purchase the vacation thru AAA, where else is there besides Disney itself?

The one that comes to mind is Virgin Atlantic, but I'm sure there are many others. Again, as I recall, packages from such sources don't qualify for the Dining Plan.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks you guys.... I'm telling her she HAS to get AAA (cheap enuf) and it will save her $1,000......