What would you do?

[want2bamommy]

Hi! I've been tentatively planning our trip for April 2012 for a few weeks now. I can't book anything yet because my hubby is in Afghanistan so we won't know exactly when we can go for a couple more months.

Disney has two great deals for Military members which are 30% off at the Value resorts and 4 day hoppers for $138/pp. We are planning on 7 nights at the Pop and having some down days for DTD, the pool, etc.

Due to that plan we couldn't do the QSDP. Then I wondered what the price difference would be if we bought 1 day tickets so we could add the QSDP.

The difference is just about $600 for the week (2 adults and our daughter will be 18 months then so will eat off our our plates). Would you just add the 1 day tix and the QSDP or stick with the 30% off hotel, 4 day tickets and pay OOP for all meals? We were planning on a light breakfast in the room and eating at the parks/resorts.

Sorry if this got too long.

Thanks for all opinions shared

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

The tough part is that the value of the dining plans really depends on the individual family. QSDP at full price isn't worth it for us (two adults, 1-year old, infant) and regular dining ends up being close.

For what it's worth, I get the impression from the discussion on here that you can add the dining plan when using the military room-only rate without adding park tickets. If you haven't called and asked already, you should.

I hope this helps!

 

[want2bamommy]

For what it's worth, I get the impression from the discussion on here that you can add the dining plan when using the military room-only rate without adding park tickets. If you haven't called and asked already, you should.

I hope this helps!

I will definitely call and find out when I'm ready to book. Thank you!

 

[POOHsie]

You know Disney has the military discount on hotel rooms, 30% Value, 35% Moderate, 40% Deluxe. And Disney has the 4-day Armed Forces Salute tickets for $138. You can add water parks to these tickets for another $27. If your base can't do it, Disney can, but you'll pay 6.5% tax. There is a Disney-military resort+dining package also. You choose the resort, you get your own tickets ($138 Salute), and you can buy the QSDP for $34.99/night. In your case, you are staying 7 nights at Pop, you get the QSDP for 7 nights x $34.99 x 2 people. The military resort+dining package has no requirement to purchase a park ticket from Disney. You must show your military ID card at check-in.

Here is a link to resort rack rates for 2012. You can figure your 30% off for Pop Century. Add 12.5% room tax to total (excluding dining plan cost). You can see that April 15th to May 31st is a great value season. http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2012.html

 

[want2bamommy]

you can buy the QSDP for $34.99/night.

Thanks. I'm thinking that really isn't worth it for us. I can't imagine us spending $70 on food everyday. Plus we did want to do 2-3 of our favorite TS restaurants which I hadn't thought about until now. I think we'll be better off paying OOP.

 

[sharonabe]

One more fly in the ointment.....I think you have to buy a 2-day ticket to get free dining.

 

[want2bamommy]

One more fly in the ointment.....I think you have to buy a 2-day ticket to get free dining.

I went online earlier and was able to price a package with 1 day tickets and the dining plan. When I didn't have any tickets it didn't list the DP as an option but once I added 1 day tickets it was available. Not going to do it though. Thanks!

 

[POOHsie]

I went online earlier and was able to price a package with 1 day tickets and the dining plan. When I didn't have any tickets it didn't list the DP as an option but once I added 1 day tickets it was available. Not going to do it though. Thanks!

Online info won't show the military-dining package. You have to call for that. As I say, you don't have to buy any tickets because there is already a Disney military ticket (Salute) for military guests, which makes the military-dining package an exception to the regular rules of Disney Dining Packages. Call Disney reservations and check it out. I have done a few military-dine packages, the latest was last Fall.

You can also purchase the regular DDP which includes 1 CS, 1 TS, 1 Snack, and 1 Refillable Mug for $51.54/night. You mentioned going to a few TS restaurants, that's why I mention it.

 

[want2bamommy]

Online info won't show the military-dining package. You have to call for that. As I say, you don't have to buy any tickets because there is already a Disney military ticket (Salute) for military guests, which makes the military-dining package an exception to the regular rules of Disney Dining Packages. Call Disney reservations and check it out. I have done a few military-dine packages, the latest was last Fall.

You can also purchase the regular DDP which includes 1 CS, 1 TS, 1 Snack, and 1 Refillable Mug for $51.54/night. You mentioned going to a few TS restaurants, that's why I mention it.

Thanks, I know about needing to book or get info for the military discounts over the phone. I was just responding to a previous poster who mentioned that you needed 2 day tickets to add a dining plan (non-military).

Oh boy, now I'm seriously thinking about adding the regular dining plan, haha! Really $52/day each isn't too bad. Especially if we do a lot of character meals which we love. Thanks!!!! More to write down in my notebook, haha.

 

[want2bamommy]

You can also purchase the regular DDP which includes 1 CS, 1 TS, 1 Snack, and 1 Refillable Mug for $51.54/night. You mentioned going to a few TS restaurants, that's why I mention it.

I have to tell you that I'm really glad you posted this because I'm definitely going to purchase the regular DDP. I'm looking over my notes and even with paying the tips for the TS meals I'd rather stick with the plan. I was on it once before and enjoyed the freedom of not worrying about how much we were spending on food.

Thanks so much! Oh, on a side note I *think* I just saw that the mug isn't available on the Regular DDP but is on the QS and the Deluxe. Allears seems to confirm that too so I thought I'd add it in case anyone else is reading this.

Thanks again!

 

[POOHsie]

I have to tell you that I'm really glad you posted this because I'm definitely going to purchase the regular DDP. I'm looking over my notes and even with paying the tips for the TS meals I'd rather stick with the plan. I was on it once before and enjoyed the freedom of not worrying about how much we were spending on food.

Thanks so much! Oh, on a side note I *think* I just saw that the mug isn't available on the Regular DDP but is on the QS and the Deluxe. Allears seems to confirm that too so I thought I'd add it in case anyone else is reading this.

Thanks again!

Allears was referring to the 2011 Dining Plans. The Refillable Mug is new to the DDP for 2012. I think it's because the DDP price went up, so they threw the mug in to keep the grumbling down. Here's a quick blurb from the Mom's Panel. Note what is said, more restaurants are yet to be added to the 2012 restaurant list. Probably will be about the same as the 2011 list. Know that in 2012 the QSDP will only have 1 Snack credit/day, down from 2 in 2011.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=1&qid=134114&pid=46&cid=85
Q. For the 2012 DDP, is the information correct? It says that a guest can only have one table service or one quick service meal per day. The QS and Deluxe plans both have more meals with them. -- Asked by Cindy from MN on 6/21/2011

A. Hi Cindy! You can see the new Disney Dining Plan brochure for 2012 vacations by clicking here. The regular Dining Plan gives guests 1 Table-Service and 1 Quick-Service and 1 Snack per person per night. In addition, in 2012 each guest will receive a resort refillable drink mug with the Dining Plan. The brochure contains a preliminary list of restaurants on the Dining Plan, but it's likely that additional restaurants will be added as we get closer to 2012.

The more expensive Deluxe Dining Plan gives guests credits for three meals each night of their vacation, while the Quick Service plan includes credits for two counter-service meals. (You can view the brochures with details of those plans by clicking the links.)

If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to visit us here at the Moms Panel! We're happy to help! -- Answered by Amanda A., NC

 

[POOHsie]

want2bamommy: You mentioned staying at Pop for 7 days and using a 4-day Salute ticket for $138. I mentioned you could add Water Park Fun & More option to that for $27+tax.

Alternately, you may not know that you can buy TWO 4-day tickets for each of you. You are allowed a total of twelve 4-day tickets during this offer, tickets must be used by Sept. 30th, 2012.

So you could actually buy eight days of ticket entries for this April trip, you are not limited to just one 4-day ticket each. As an example, you could get two 4-day with Park Hoppers, and two 4-day with Water Park Fun & More. That would really give you a fulfilling Disney vacation!

 

[sharonabe]

I went online earlier and was able to price a package with 1 day tickets and the dining plan. When I didn't have any tickets it didn't list the DP as an option but once I added 1 day tickets it was available. Not going to do it though. Thanks!

Sorry, I thought you were talking about FREE dining.

 

[want2bamommy]

Allears was referring to the 2011 Dining Plans. The Refillable Mug is new to the DDP for 2012. I think it's because the DDP price went up, so they threw the mug in to keep the grumbling down. Here's a quick blurb from the Mom's Panel. Note what is said, more restaurants are yet to be added to the 2012 restaurant list. Probably will be about the same as the 2011 list. Know that in 2012 the QSDP will only have 1 Snack credit/day, down from 2 in 2011.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=1&qid=134114&pid=46&cid=85
Q. For the 2012 DDP, is the information correct? It says that a guest can only have one table service or one quick service meal per day. The QS and Deluxe plans both have more meals with them. -- Asked by Cindy from MN on 6/21/2011

A. The regular Dining Plan gives guests 1 Table-Service and 1 Quick-Service and 1 Snack per person per night. In addition, in 2012 each guest will receive a resort refillable drink mug with the Dining Plan. The brochure contains a preliminary list of restaurants on the Dining Plan, but it's likely that additional restaurants will be added as we get closer to 2012.

I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was different for 2012. Thanks so much for posting that. I have bookmarked it.

 

[want2bamommy]

Alternately, you may not know that you can buy TWO 4-day tickets for each of you. You are allowed a total of twelve 4-day tickets during this offer, tickets must be used by Sept. 30th, 2012.

So you could actually buy eight days of ticket entries for this April trip, you are not limited to just one 4-day ticket each. As an example, you could get two 4-day with Park Hoppers, and two 4-day with Water Park Fun & More. That would really give you a fulfilling Disney vacation!

As much as I would love that, DH is itching to do Universal Studios so we are doing 2 days there (staying onsite one night) and going to SeaWorld during one of days at the Pop. I think we probably will add the water parks and more though. That's a good idea. Thanks!

 

[POOHsie]

As mentioned before, your base may not offer the Salute tickets with PH and WPF&M together. In that case, if you are at WDW, don't waste precious time going over to Shades of Green just to save the tax expense. Add the WPF&M right at a Disney ticket outlet (not your resort). 6.5% tax on $27 is $1.76.

Here is Disney info on the Salute tickets by Cheshire Figment, a Disney Ticketing Agent. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=29574052&postcount=17

My nephew had a break from Afghanistan just a few weeks ago. He went back last Saturday, and we are all praying for his safety. Same prayers for your husband, until he gets home to you and DD.