Please help. Would this hotel / ticket / dining plan combo work?

[Katholicchik]

Ok this is weird, so stay with me.

I'm a FL resident. We will be able to stay with my parents for part of our stay. I want to spend 4 days in the parks total. I am thinking of purchasing a 2 night stay at a Disney Resort with the dining plan. My idea is this:

Monday: We are planning on traveling / staying with parents.
Tuesday: MK early and all day, spend night @ parents.
Wednesday: Doing HS early, checking in at Disney hotel at 3pm (Night #1), using Dining plan that evening at HS.
Thursday: Doing MK, using dining plan. (Night #2 at Disney hotel)
Friday: check out, do Epcot while using dining plan for the rest of day until midnight

OK so here are my questions:
1) Can I buy the four day Disney FL resident priced tix if I do the dining plan?
2) Must I purchase the dining plan with the tix / hotel or can I hold off to see if there is free dining by then? Then purchase / add it later?
3) Or if no for #1, would this work: A 1 day Magic Your Way ticket, 2 night hotel with dining package + separate 3 day FL resident tickets?
4) If I did the scenario in #3, can I still book out 180 days for all days of my trip for restaurants?? Or just the last 3 nights (or middle 2)?
5) What days can I reserve FP+ 60 days advance for -- Wednesday and Thursday or Wednesday through Friday?
6) Goodness, could this be any more confusing -- or am I thinking in circles? I tend to do that.

Anyways and regardless, thank you, thank you, thank you in advance for thinking for me on this. I much appreciate it. I keep getting so confused, and I don't want to let the whole family down screwing this up -- I want to be sure to get 180 day advance rez for a few resturants. Thank you!

 

[supersnoop]

Florida resident passes won't qualify for "free" dining, and "free" dining requires a multi-day (two, maybe more) ticket. If you're holding out for "free" dining, you'll want to book your full ticket with that package. Yes, you can use the tickets from the package up to three days before you check in.

If you're paying for the dining plan, you'll have to call and book a "ticketless" package and buy your Florida passes separately.

All restaurant reservations can be booked at 180 days. If you have an onsite reservation, you can book for the duration of your trip at 180 days from check in.

The answers above should answer your questions and provide context. I'm afriad answering the questions individually would miss some important points. But:
1. yes
2. yes
3. n/a
4. n/a
5. wed-fri
6. circles

 

[Katholicchik]

Ok for #1 -- I added stuff to my Disney cart and without at least a 1 night Magic Your way ticket it won't let me do the dining plan. Is it different if I call and ask for a ticketless dining package.

Also thank you Supersnoop--I didn't realize you needed a 2 day ticket package for the hypothetical free dining plan (to clarify it is regular magic your way ticket and not for the florida resident tickets right?).

And for #4 I can only reserve 180 days in advance from check in right?
#5 thanks!
#6 I know, I know!

Florida resident passes won't qualify for "free" dining, and "free" dining requires a multi-day (two, maybe more) ticket. If you're holding out for "free" dining, you'll want to book your full ticket with that package. Yes, you can use the tickets from the package up to three days before you check in.

If you're paying for the dining plan, you'll have to call and book a "ticketless" package and buy your Florida passes separately.

All restaurant reservations can be booked at 180 days. If you have an onsite reservation, you can book for the duration of your trip at 180 days from check in.

The answers above should answer your questions and provide context. I'm afriad answering the questions individually would miss some important points. But:
1. yes
2. yes
3. n/a
4. n/a
5. wed-fri
6. circles

 

[Katholicchik]

IDK what to try.

The way I figured it (#3) My total for 2 adults, 2 kids, for Deluxe dining plan and hotel for two days + 1 day park ticket and 3 day FL resident tix for all of us comes to just under $2000.

What if I reserve the 2 day hotel, 3 day FL resident tickets now. Then if they announce free dining plan add it plus the two day park ticket? If they don't do the free dining, do the dining and add 1 day ticket later? Would that work / solve my problems?

 

[Katholicchik]

Ok here is what I'm working with:

(For family of 2 adults, 3 kids)
1: Disney 2 day ticket, 2 nights hotel, 3 day FL tickets (1794) + free dining deluxe upgrade (196) = $1990
2: Disney 1 day ticket, 2 nights hotel, 3 day FL ticket + deluxe dining plan full price = $1962

I think I will go ahead and book option 2 because a) less hassle b) no guarantee of free dining c) cheaper regardless.

I will only book 2 nights hotel, dining plan, 1 day park ticket magic your way single park. Disneyfoodblog said you can do less tickets than nights stay and still get the dining plan per full nights stay.

That way I can wait until 60 days out from trip date to spend the cash on the 3 (maybe 4) day FL resident tickets but still reserve Fastpass+ for all days of my trip. Hopefully I won't confuse the system with combo tickets. Should be legit right?

And I can still reserve all restaurants for dining plan 180 days in advance.

Ok I think I got this.

 

[purple figment]

You have to call to book a ticketless package; it cannot be done online. Even without tickets it is still a package so all the rules of a package apply ($200 deposit, final payment due 45 days before arrival date, any changes made within 45 days of arrival may incur a $50 fee, if you cancel within 45 days of arrival you lose the $200 deposit). If you pay for the dining plan you can do the ticketless package and you can buy the FL 3 or 4 day tickets.

Free dining has some additional requirements - room at rack rate, at least a 2 day ticket for everyone 3 years and older in the room, and a minimum of 3 nights stay.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Hold everything....Florida resident here...even if you have to purchase a regular price ticket to get free dining or a package you can still upgrade to a 4 day florida ticket. Even with free dining..been there done that. You dont need to buy a 1 day regular price and a separate Florida ticket....scrolling back to read your other questions..

 

[DisneyWisher]

A Florida 4 day is 222.59 (ages 10 & up) 207.68 (ages 3-9) since a regular priced 2 day ticket is cheaper it can definitely be upgraded. What are your dates? Last Sept I was considering free dining but since you pay rack rates it wasn't worth it. florida resident and passholder rates were $80 a night cheaper for value hotels. Have you thought about seasonal passes? There are blackout dates and parking isnt free (though we have had CMs not charge us) when staying off site but its $350 a person (park hopping included)and you can pay on payment plan. I just renewed again. But you might make more use especially since you can stay at parents house. Dining can be added to a passholder hotel reservation..not free but you can add it. Personally I dont find dining plan worth it.

 

[DisneyWisher]

You can still book your dining reservations without booking your hotel...dont book the package until the discount rates are released (definitely will release more than 60 days out) to see what is best option.

Please feel free to inbox me if you have questions. We go 3-5 times a year, I live in Sebring which is about an hour south of Disney, we still stay on site, make an afternoon of it if taking someone to Airport. I've been a Seasonal passholder since 1996 I would buy a 3 day pass (use to allow upgrade with 6 months) and on next trip upgrade to SP. Before all changes to free dining i'd buy a 1 day ticket and upgrade to 3 day fl ticket and then on next trip upgrade to SP.it spread out the cost. Now I do payment plan since I've just renewed, its about $25 a month. When first time its about $112 down and $20 a month per person. As a passholder you can add dining to your discounted room rate. I'd really consider SP, it would be $94 more for ages 10 up and $106 ages 3-9, ask yourself what are chances of coming back within the year (black out dates 6/8/15-8/13/15, 12/17/15-1/1/16, 3/19/16-4/1/16, 6/6/16-8/11/16..basically summer, christmas and easter. If you use for first time 10/1/15 its good til 10/1/16.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Ok here is what I'm working with:

(For family of 2 adults, 3 kids)
1: Disney 2 day ticket, 2 nights hotel, 3 day FL tickets (1794) + free dining deluxe upgrade (196) = $1990
2: Disney 1 day ticket, 2 nights hotel, 3 day FL ticket + deluxe dining plan full price = $1962
Both of these options you're wasting a ticket (=money) since you can upgrade to a Florida ticket. If you are set on booking option 2 I'd buy a 2day pass, you can upgrade at guest services. Book your FP for MK first, 7DMT is hardest to get. Once you upgrade ticket then make FP for remaining days.

I think I will go ahead and book option 2 because a) less hassle b) no guarantee of free dining c) cheaper regardless.

I will only book 2 nights hotel, dining plan, 1 day park ticket magic your way single park. Disneyfoodblog said you can do less tickets than nights stay and still get the dining plan per full nights stay.

That way I can wait until 60 days out from trip date to spend the cash on the 3 (maybe 4) day FL resident tickets but still reserve Fastpass+ for all days of my trip. Hopefully I won't confuse the system with combo tickets. Should be legit right?

Yes I'm passionate about Florida pricing and getting most bang for my money. My kids are adults and they tell their friends to call me before making reservations..haha funny story when kids were younger we were at Disney found out my brother and his family went to water park for the day (brat never told me, my mom did) found out he was in the lobby of ASsp to get a room (just walking in, no reservation) I called him asked if they would give him Florida rate, they said no it had to be done over the phone through central reservations. But they called and gave the phone to him. He saved $55. We later met at Polynesian bought food from Capt Jacks took to beach and watched MK fireworks. All the kids loved it. Best brother compliment "you really know your Disney stuff" heck yeah I do. DIS helps me learn more!!

 

[Katholicchik]

Hold everything....Florida resident here...even if you have to purchase a regular price ticket to get free dining or a package you can still upgrade to a 4 day florida ticket. Even with free dining..been there done that. You dont need to buy a 1 day regular price and a separate Florida ticket....scrolling back to read your other questions..

AH! Thanks! Pricing this trip is making me loony.

 

[Katholicchik]

A Florida 4 day is 222.59 (ages 10 & up) 207.68 (ages 3-9) since a regular priced 2 day ticket is cheaper it can definitely be upgraded. What are your dates? Last Sept I was considering free dining but since you pay rack rates it wasn't worth it. florida resident and passholder rates were $80 a night cheaper for value hotels. Have you thought about seasonal passes? There are blackout dates and parking isnt free (though we have had CMs not charge us) when staying off site but its $350 a person (park hopping included)and you can pay on payment plan. I just renewed again. But you might make more use especially since you can stay at parents house. Dining can be added to a passholder hotel reservation..not free but you can add it. Personally I dont find dining plan worth it.

Yeah we used to have annual tickets but it's gotten too expensive with the kids. Sad day. Plus DH rarely gets vacay time off work. I took the kids on my own a year back and it was so way too much to be in MK with 3 littles! If you ever saw a mom with two fighting kids and a screaming baby aaaaall by herself in line--that was me. Ha.

I'm hoping when I call they can tell me what's cheapest and end up changing around my tickets anyway later if there's free dining. I doubt it but hopefully.

 

[Katholicchik]

Yes I'm passionate about Florida pricing and getting most bang for my money. My kids are adults and they tell their friends to call me before making reservations..haha funny story when kids were younger we were at Disney found out my brother and his family went to water park for the day (brat never told me, my mom did) found out he was in the lobby of ASsp to get a room (just walking in, no reservation) I called him asked if they would give him Florida rate, they said no it had to be done over the phone through central reservations. But they called and gave the phone to him. He saved $55. We later met at Polynesian bought food from Capt Jacks took to beach and watched MK fireworks. All the kids loved it. Best brother compliment "you really know your Disney stuff" heck yeah I do. DIS helps me learn more!!

Excellent Yes I'm learning SO much here and I thought I was a Disney pro! So much info and so many changes...

 

[Katholicchik]

We really want dinner at Be Our Guest and Breakfast at the Castle. You think waiting and booking day by day (that's what I'd do without the hotel right?) will be ok?

And some blogs I've been reading said that if you book a hotel now you're more likely to be able to get a free dining package and that people are booking now in hopes that free dining will be released later, but I'm not sure the logic behind that really.

Anyway, thinking the dining plan even if free probably will not be worth it if I have to pay for the set ticket prices. I spent an hour last night adding up all the restaurant costs and best menu option. haha

You can still book your dining reservations without booking your hotel...dont book the package until the discount rates are released (definitely will release more than 60 days out) to see what is best option.

Please feel free to inbox me if you have questions. We go 3-5 times a year, I live in Sebring which is about an hour south of Disney, we still stay on site, make an afternoon of it if taking someone to Airport. I've been a Seasonal passholder since 1996 I would buy a 3 day pass (use to allow upgrade with 6 months) and on next trip upgrade to SP. Before all changes to free dining i'd buy a 1 day ticket and upgrade to 3 day fl ticket and then on next trip upgrade to SP.it spread out the cost. Now I do payment plan since I've just renewed, its about $25 a month. When first time its about $112 down and $20 a month per person. As a passholder you can add dining to your discounted room rate. I'd really consider SP, it would be $94 more for ages 10 up and $106 ages 3-9, ask yourself what are chances of coming back within the year (black out dates 6/8/15-8/13/15, 12/17/15-1/1/16, 3/19/16-4/1/16, 6/6/16-8/11/16..basically summer, christmas and easter. If you use for first time 10/1/15 its good til 10/1/16.

 

[DisneyWisher]

We really want dinner at Be Our Guest and Breakfast at the Castle. You think waiting and booking day by day (that's what I'd do without the hotel right?) will be ok?

And some blogs I've been reading said that if you book a hotel now you're more likely to be able to get a free dining package and that people are booking now in hopes that free dining will be released later, but I'm not sure the logic behind that really.

Anyway, thinking the dining plan even if free probably will not be worth it if I have to pay for the set ticket prices. I spent an hour last night adding up all the restaurant costs and best menu option. haha

Yes you'd have to book day by day if you dont have a hotel reservation. I booked our trip next week in January about 70 days out and I had no trouble booking Chef Mickeys for breakfast.

The problem with booking a package and then wanting to apply free dining is you have to speak to a CSR and they only allot a certain amount of rooms at each hotel. I read somewhere the either POR or POFQ arent going to even off it since they are already booked up. Not sure its true but scary thought.

Buy the regular 2 day ticket with the package and upgrade to FL resident ticket at park (will cost $14-18 more per ticket depending on ages) just make sure to book your MK FP in advance. Since you are staying at parents just go to guest services and ask them to remove the ticket to give to you in advance.

 

[mzscott81]

I noticed that you want to say at Disney 2 nights but you want to use the dining plan 3 days. The dining plan gives you credits for the # of night you stay. So 2 nights equals 2 days worth of dining credits. I only know because we were there a few weeks ago and stayed 2 nights but got 3 day tickets so I made ADRs for all 3 days thinking that I had the dining plan all 3 days but didn't.

 

[DisneyWisher]

MzScott is exactly right...For a 2 night stay you get a total of 4 qs meals and 2 snacks (quick service meal plan) 2 TS meals and 2 QS meals 2 snacks (this is the regular dining plan) and for Deluxe DP you'll get 6 TS credits and 4 snacks. All credits can be used between check in and midnight on checkout day. You'll also get refillable mugs.

 

[Katholicchik]

MzScott is exactly right...For a 2 night stay you get a total of 4 qs meals and 2 snacks (quick service meal plan) 2 TS meals and 2 QS meals 2 snacks (this is the regular dining plan) and for Deluxe DP you'll get 6 TS credits and 4 snacks. All credits can be used between check in and midnight on checkout day. You'll also get refillable mugs.

ok thanks, this is what I was planning on. As long as I can spread it out over check-in evening and the whole day check-out that's great that its only 2 nights of credits.

 

[Katholicchik]

when you say upgrade to FL Resident tix, do you mean add tickets for more days?

Buy the regular 2 day ticket with the package and upgrade to FL resident ticket at park (will cost $14-18 more per ticket depending on ages) just make sure to book your MK FP in advance. Since you are staying at parents just go to guest services and ask them to remove the ticket to give to you in advance.

 

[DisneyWisher]

when you say upgrade to FL Resident tix, do you mean add tickets for more days?

You would be changing it from a regular priced ticket to a Florida Resident price ticket (still just 1 ticket). A regular priced 2 day ticket (ages10&up) is $204.48 (ages3-9) is $190.64. Florida resident price for a 4 day ticket is (10&up) $222.59 and (3-9) $207.68....what Disney will do (in person only) is use the price you paid for the 2 day ticket and apply to your Florida resident ticket. You dont need to buy more than one ticket a person. This will limit you to only making FPs to 2 days until you've upgraded to 4 days. You dont want to buy more days on a regular priced ticket because Disney wont refund the difference.