Okay. Let's Talk FD and APs?

[AliceandAriel]

I'm trying to get a grasp on all thing FD and DDP related before our big trip in October 2014. Here's where I'm a little lost and would love some answers;

1- I plan on obtaining an AP this February. I know AP holders can save on rooms at certain dates, and my goal is to get a room on discount in October. If FD is offered during the time of my resort stay, as an AP holder, can I still partake in it?

2- Running with question one, if we can take advantage of FD, can we upgrade to a higher DP if desired? We typically stay at values, and they only offer QSDP, we'd like to buy the upgrade for DDP.

 

[Disneylover99]

1. Yes you can still get fd but you would have to buy park tickets to use at a later date. It's usually a minimum of 2 day park tickets with the free dining package.

2. You can stay at a value and upgrade to TS meals. You just have to pay the difference in price between the QS and TS dining plan.

 

[AliceandAriel]

1. Yes you can still get fd but you would have to buy park tickets to use at a later date. It's usually a minimum of 2 day park tickets with the free dining package.

2. You can stay at a value and upgrade to TS meals. You just have to pay the difference in price between the QS and TS dining plan.

1- So if I understand you right, if I wanted to take advantage of FD, I'd probably have to buy 2-day park tickets? Even if my stay would be 7-10 days, 2-day park ticket purchase would allow me the FD?

2- Yay! Figured this was possible, but I always like to double check.

 

[sharonabe]

And just to add on to the PP, you won't get your AP discount on the room. Free dining means you pay full rate on the room and buy the 2-day tickets. You don't have to use the tickets and can use them later towards renewing your AP or just use them later.

 

[AliceandAriel]

And just to add on to the PP, you won't get your AP discount on the room. Free dining means you pay full rate on the room and buy the 2-day tickets. You don't have to use the tickets and can use them later towards renewing your AP or just use them later.

I can use the 2-day tickets towards renewing my AP the following year?

Sounds like I need to figure out if the AP is worth it- or if FD is worth it more. Good thing I like number crunching for fun!

 

[sharonabe]

As an AP holder, you can also purchase the TiW card which gives you a discount as well. With two trips planned in the same year, you may want to do some number crunching along that line as well. The TiW discount coupled with a room discount may be better than DDP.

 

[AliceandAriel]

As an AP holder, you can also purchase the TiW card which gives you a discount as well. With two trips planned in the same year, you may want to do some number crunching along that line as well. The TiW discount coupled with a room discount may be better than DDP.

To my understanding, TiW seems... odd. You get 20% off your total bill, but 18% gratuity is auto-added. So doesn't that mean you're really only getting a 2% discount?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

To my understanding, TiW seems... odd. You get 20% off your total bill, but 18% gratuity is auto-added. So doesn't that mean you're really only getting a 2% discount?

Only if you don't plan to tip. We think TIW is a great deal, because we would tip that much anyway. TIW also gives the discount at resort food courts at resorts that don't have a TS restaurant. Value resorts would apply. You get the full 20% discount there, because tipping isn't necessary.

 

[AliceandAriel]

Only if you don't plan to tip. I'm sure that's not the case, so you will still get a discount. TIW also gives the discount at resort food courts at resorts that don't have a TS restaurant. Value resorts would apply. You get the full 20% discount there, because tipping isn't necessary.

Oh no, I tip, most definitely. (One of my friends doesn't, trust me, he gets an earful every time.)

But I didn't think about it like that. More number crunching ahoy! Now I'm actually curious about TiW.

 

[Disneylover99]

1- So if I understand you right, if I wanted to take advantage of FD, I'd probably have to buy 2-day park tickets? Even if my stay would be 7-10 days, 2-day park ticket purchase would allow me the FD?
.

Yes! That's right.

We have an AP and we took advantage of free dining a few weeks ago. We were going to save about $50 per day going with the room discount at a moderate. Our family of four cannot eat for $50 per day so for us, free dining was worth it. We know we will use the 2 days down the road at some point.

 

[AliceandAriel]

I'm coming back here to keep asking my AP/FD related questions because making a million threads seems counterproductive.

1- What (if any) places for food accept the AP discount? (I've seen it mentioned before in TRs.) Is there a link somewhere with the list that I can reference to?

EDIT: Pretty sure I found my answer... unless someone has more info other than this site?: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/p...2013-benefits-and-discounts/dining-discounts/

 

[TDC Nala]

To my understanding, TiW seems... odd. You get 20% off your total bill, but 18% gratuity is auto-added. So doesn't that mean you're really only getting a 2% discount?

Most people say this, but it is incorrect.

You don't calculate by subtracting the percentage of the gratuity from the percentage of the discount.

You calculate by adding up what the cost of the meal would be (including tip) with and without the discount.

A $100 bill plus 18% tip is $118. That's what you'd be paying without the discount (not including tax).

A $100 bill that is discounted 20% is $80. Plus the 18% tip on the undiscounted total ($18) is $98 (not including tax). That's a $20 difference and it's a good bit more than a 2 percent discount.

Even if you paid a 15% tip you would still come out ahead using TIW with an 18% tip.

Take careful note of the AP discounts. At some restaurants they apply only at lunch, and/or on weekdays.