Resort/Dining Plan/ Annual Pass Question

[Megara5115]

Hello!

We are planning a 14 day stay onsite in May. We were originally planning to do one of the packages with resort, Disney dining and 10 day passes but then realized that if we want to go to the parks on any extra days, it will basically cost more than just getting an annual pass.

My question is, if we book an resort room and have the annual passes are we no longer eligible for the dining plan?

I know this is sort of a mix of topics questions but since it has to do with resort booking I am hoping you guys can help- any feedback is appreciated as always. Thank you!

 

[WDWFan06]

If not, I would look into purchasing Tables in Wonderland card. It may even be a better option for you.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello!

We are planning a 14 day stay onsite in May. We were originally planning to do one of the packages with resort, Disney dining and 10 day passes but then realized that if we want to go to the parks on any extra days, it will basically cost more than just getting an annual pass.

My question is, if we book an resort room and have the annual passes are we no longer eligible for the dining plan?

I know this is sort of a mix of topics questions but since it has to do with resort booking I am hoping you guys can help- any feedback is appreciated as always. Thank you!

You can book an AP + Dine package (room + DDP, without having to buy tickets). This is considered a ticketless package. Keep in mind that although you don't have to buy tickets, it is still considered a package and follows the package deposit requirements and cancellation policies. Packages require a $200 deposit with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival. If you cancel after the 45 day mark, you will be charged a $200 cancellation fee. With that said, if you book RO now and want to change to a package later, the RO will have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new deposit. RO and packages are different reservation systems, so money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

HTH

 

[figment_jii]

You can also purchase the package as planned (resort, DDP, and 10 day tickets) and then upgrade the tickets to AP once you get there.

Otherwise, as folks have said, if you get an AP, you can book a ticketless package (room plus dining). You will need to show proof of the AP soon after arrival and I think you have to book by calling because you will not have access to the AP webpage until after your AP is activated.

 

[Megara5115]

Ok that is great too know... I knew I was in the right place!

A couple more questions based on that:

1. Is the annual pass activated upon first usage (like if I purchased it in September would the year not start until our first use in the end of april when we get there)?

2. If we pay for the annual pass (in September let's say) we can just do a deposit after that for room & dining? I had no idea you could just do a deposit until 45 days out! In that case just the annual pass would have to be paid in full?

Thanks again this is my first trip to Disney and we are actually getting married on site during this trip as well so I am really getting into the planning ;-)

Thank you again - advice is always welcome!

 

[figment_jii]

1. Is the annual pass activated upon first usage (like if I purchased it in September would the year not start until our first use in the end of april when we get there)?

Correct, the AP expiration date would be based on the first date you used the AP to enter a park, not the date when you bought it.

2. If we pay for the annual pass (in September let's say) we can just do a deposit after that for room & dining? I had no idea you could just do a deposit until 45 days out! In that case just the annual pass would have to be paid in full?

I'm not quite sure I'm following this question. Regardless of the type of package, the rules are the same. When you reserve the package, you have pay the deposit (I think it's $200) and then the full price of the package is due 45-days in advance of arrival. If you modify or cancel the package after that, then you may be charged a cancellation/modification fee (I've heard everything from $50 to $200 depending on the CM on the phone). If you cancel within one day of arrival, you will be charged the entire price of the package.

No, the AP does not have to paid in full or even active. You can book the AP ticket-less package without a valid AP, but you will need to show proof of the AP at some point soon after you check in (I don't know if it's with a day or two or something like that).

 

[Megara5115]

Thank you so for taking the time to explain this all to me. You have really saved me a lot of time and stress trying to hunt down the info otherwise. This had been an enormous help! Thank you so much!

 

[snorkelyn]

You can also purchase the package as planned (resort, DDP, and 10 day tickets) and then upgrade the tickets to AP once you get there.

.

This is what we did. We booked a 10 day package with free dining plan and park hoppers last September. Paid a $200 deposit. The balance was due 45 days in advance. Than, once we checked in and went to the parks, we upgraded our 10 day park hoppers to annual passes. We had to pay the difference in cost and *voila*. Done. Very easy. And we kept our free dining plan intact for the remainder of the trip. People do this all the time. The CM are very familiar with upgrading the tickets to passes.

Fast forward to a trip we took AFTER we had the annual passes...we booked a room only with dining added. I paid 1 nights deposit on the hotel, and the balance was due upon check in. We used an annual pass discount rate on the room, and added dining to it at the time of booking (Dining must be added at the time of booking for annual pass room only rates).

I hope this helps.

 

[Disneylover99]

This is what we did. We booked a 10 day package with free dining plan and park hoppers last September. Paid a $200 deposit. The balance was due 45 days in advance. Than, once we checked in and went to the parks, we upgraded our 10 day park hoppers to annual passes. We had to pay the difference in cost and *voila*. Done. Very easy. And we kept our free dining plan intact for the remainder of the trip. People do this all the time. The CM are very familiar with upgrading the tickets to passes.

This is what we did as well. Very easy! And just to add....your FP reservations will remain intact as well when you upgrade to the AP.

 

[jcjen519]

You can book an AP + Dine package (room + DDP, without having to buy tickets). This is considered a ticketless package. Keep in mind that although you don't have to buy tickets, it is still considered a package and follows the package deposit requirements and cancellation policies. Packages require a $200 deposit with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival. If you cancel after the 45 day mark, you will be charged a $200 cancellation fee. With that said, if you book RO now and want to change to a package later, the RO will have to be cancelled/refunded and a package booked, requiring a new deposit. RO and packages are different reservation systems, so money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

HTH

we've done this quite a few times. if you do buy the AP you may be able to get a better discount on your room then without since you have access to the ap discounts.

as far as having to show an ap at check in we never have been asked. I realize thats not the rule but if you bought the ap and then booked but didn't activate the ap before check in i don't think you'd have a problem. although technically that is not what the rule says.