Park tickets and DDP

[DisneyBliss7]

I know we have to be staying on Disney property to get the DDP but do I have to purchase our park tickets through Disney in order to get the DDP? The reason I'm asking is b/c we have AAA and get a discount on our park tickets but I didn't know if that would interfere w/ adding the DDP.

 

[TDC Nala]

In general, guests wishing to purchase DDP must buy a package reservation including a room and at least 1 day park tickets for everyone in the party age 3 or over.

There are a couple of exceptions. Annual passholders and those eligible for the military room discount may purchase ticketless packages. DVC members booking through Member Services may add DDP to their reservations (DVC does not book packages).

If you don't fall into any of these categories, you must purchase at least one-day tickets as part of a package through Disney to add a dining plan.

You can check into whether you would have access to any discounts if you book your package through the AAA travel agent. Or you could look into renting DVC points, that is not a package and you may buy tickets separately. However, there are some caveats to renting points, the biggest one generally being that it is difficult to cancel the arrangement.

 

[DisneyBliss7]

We are debating if we are going rent points through a DVC owner or stay at AoA...We have to decide in two weeks. So what you are saying is that if we rent points through a DVC owner we can add the DDP and buy tickets through AAA..? But if we stay at AoA we have to add the DDP and our park tickets to the package b/c they won't add the DDP if we don't have park tickets.

 

[TDC Nala]

So what you are saying is that if we rent points through a DVC owner we can add the DDP and buy tickets through AAA..? But if we stay at AoA we have to add the DDP and our park tickets to the package b/c they won't add the DDP if we don't have park tickets.

Specifically, if you book at AOA you will not be eligible for the dining plan unless you purchase a package with at least 1 day park tickets.

You could purchase the 1 day park tickets and hold them until another visit. Not sure that would work in this situation, if your only reason for doing it is to buy slightly discounted tickets elsewhere.

If you do a DVC rental then you will not need to purchase tickets through Disney at all. Remember you will need to coordinate the addition of the DDP with the member you rent from, since they have to add it for you.

 

[DisneyBliss7]

Specifically, if you book at AOA you will not be eligible for the dining plan unless you purchase a package with at least 1 day park tickets.

You could purchase the 1 day park tickets and hold them until another visit. Not sure that would work in this situation, if your only reason for doing it is to buy slightly discounted tickets elsewhere.

If you do a DVC rental then you will not need to purchase tickets through Disney at all. Remember you will need to coordinate the addition of the DDP with the member you rent from, since they have to add it for you.

Thanks

 

[raraavis]

In general, guests wishing to purchase DDP must buy a package reservation including a room and at least 1 day park tickets for everyone in the party age 3 or over.

There are a couple of exceptions. Annual passholders and those eligible for the military room discount may purchase ticketless packages. DVC members booking through Member Services may add DDP to their reservations (DVC does not book packages).

If you don't fall into any of these categories, you must purchase at least one-day tickets as part of a package through Disney to add a dining plan.

You can check into whether you would have access to any discounts if you book your package through the AAA travel agent. Or you could look into renting DVC points, that is not a package and you may buy tickets separately. However, there are some caveats to renting points, the biggest one generally being that it is difficult to cancel the arrangement.

i was told we had to book at least a 2 day base ticket with our room package in order to get free dining. we bought the rest of our tickets through the military to get a discount. would have definitely only gotten a 1 day ticket instead of 2 if that was allowed.

is the 1 day ticket requirement you mentioned to add the ddp in general, and the 2 day ticket is required for the free ddp promotion? is that the difference? thanks!

 

[Cafeen]

i was told we had to book at least a 2 day base ticket with our room package in order to get free dining. we bought the rest of our tickets through the military to get a discount. would have definitely only gotten a 1 day ticket instead of 2 if that was allowed.

is the 1 day ticket requirement you mentioned to add the ddp in general, and the 2 day ticket is required for the free ddp promotion? is that the difference? thanks!

Yep. 1 day for paid (outside of DVC/AP/Military exceptions). 2 days for free (no exceptions).

 

[TDC Nala]

The OP didnt say anything about free dining. They wanted to purchase the dining plan. In their case it is 1 day park tickets.

Yes, if free dining is offered and you're eligible, it's 2 day park tickets. And as noted, there are no exceptions to that requirement for free dining.

 

[raraavis]

Yep. 1 day for paid (outside of DVC/AP/Military exceptions). 2 days for free (no exceptions).

The OP didnt say anything about free dining. They wanted to purchase the dining plan. In their case it is 1 day park tickets.

Yes, if free dining is offered and you're eligible, it's 2 day park tickets. And as noted, there are no exceptions to that requirement for free dining.

thank you both! i thought that is the case, but i just wanted to check.