Which discount to use?

[savannahjean85]

I am trying to figure out what would be the best deal for my family when they come down. I would like for them to do they dining plan because to me it is less of a hassle because I would not have to be with them to use it. If they use the discount for the military they get up to 40% off the room and the dining plan (for regular price).

If I stay in the room with them they could get 50% off but not the DDP (I am guessing)?

So what I am asking is if we the CP discount it is only the room but we can not get the DDP? (I know we get a discount off TS restaurants but I figured the DDP is a better deal) Just trying to figure out which will be the best deal. TIA

 

[jewjubean]

With the free dining plan you only have to purchase "one" ticket. If you booked the trip buying only one ticket and the free dining ti would be a good deal..they would save a bunch of money..i priced out my cousins for a 5 day trip for 2 people and it would only be like 500 bucks...its all about how you work it!

 

[BabyPiglet]

I'm pretty sure you can only get the dining plan if you pay full price for a room, and by one park ticket.

I'd go with the free dining (that's what my family is thinking).

 

[fall08CP]

Sometimes there is a promotional for the 50% off the room and an additional 50% off the dining plan. Other times they do not allow the dining plan at all. I have been able to take advantage of the room + ddp offer in June, December, and May. You have to keep your eyes open for it on the Hub and call right when it gets released as it fills up quickly.

 

[savannahjean85]

Sometimes there is a promotional for the 50% off the room and an additional 50% off the dining plan. Other times they do not allow the dining plan at all. I have been able to take advantage of the room + ddp offer in June, December, and May. You have to keep your eyes open for it on the Hub and call right when it gets released as it fills up quickly.

So could you get the DDP if not booking a package, just using the CP discount for the room?

Because I was leaning towards the military discount because you did not have to book a package; you could do a room only and still add the DDP on (the ddp was not discounted still full price). I know normally you have to do a package to get the DDP and they were doing a special offer for military.

 

[Berlioz70]

What are you considering a package?

The dining plan is linked to nights in a resort. Stay 5 nights, you have to get 5 days (or none). However, to get the DDP you have to purchase ONE ticket per person... UNLESS you're DVC.

If you get a CP discount on the room, then you cannot get free dining, but you may get a discount on the DDP (as stated).

So I guess I'm curious what you consider a package.

 

[savannahjean85]

What are you considering a package?

The dining plan is linked to nights in a resort. Stay 5 nights, you have to get 5 days (or none). However, to get the DDP you have to purchase ONE ticket per person... UNLESS you're DVC.

If you get a CP discount on the room, then you cannot get free dining, but you may get a discount on the DDP (as stated).

So I guess I'm curious what you consider a package.

I consider a package when you book your room and buy your tickets together at the same time, that is the only way you can get the DDP. If you buy your tickets and room separately then you can not get DDP. For example say you already have your park tickets so you just book a resort room normally you can not add the dining plan; you would have to buy at least one base day theme park ticket with the resort room to get the DDP.

The military discount I mentioned is considered special because they have a special deal on tickets. Since the tickets wouldn't be purchased as apart of a package they also offer a room discount. This room discount has a option were you can add the dining plan (though it is not free, you still pay $40 per adult for each night you book the room). For the military deal you are not buying the tickets and room together.

I did not know you could book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP.
I don't care about getting a discount/free DDP, just being able you add it to a CP discounted room, because normally you can not add DDP if you are only booking a room. I was unsure how it would be with the CP discount.

So just to confirm:
You can book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP (paying full price)? TIA

 

[glendalais]

I did not know you could book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP. I don't care about getting a discount/free DDP, just being able you add it to a CP discounted room (not package), because normally you can not add DDP if you are only booking a room. I was unsure how it would be with the CP discount.

Generally, the Disney Dining Plan and other Magic Your Way Meal Plans may only be booked with "Rack-Rate" Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way Vacation Packages. This specifically excludes rooms booked with the Discount extended to Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company.

On occasion, the Walt Disney World Resort will offer a discounted Disney Dining Plan that can be used in conjunction with the discount on Resort Hotel Stays extended to Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies. Generally, these offers are only available to Florida-Site Cast Members and Employees.

 

[savannahjean85]

Generally, the Disney Dining Plan and other Magic Your Way Meal Plans may only be booked with "Rack-Rate" Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation Packages. This specifically excludes rooms booked with the Discount extended to Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company.

On occasion, the Walt Disney World Resort will offer a discounted Disney Dining Plan that can be used in conjunction with the discount on Resort Hotel Stays extended to Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies. Generally, these offers are only available to Florida-Site Cast Members and Employees.

So maybe just depending on the time/situation?

 

[glendalais]

So maybe just depending on the time/situation?

Yes. It generally isn't available, though sometimes it is.

 

[Berlioz70]

I consider a package when you book your room and buy your tickets together at the same time, that is the only way you can get the DDP. If you buy your tickets and room separately then you can not get DDP. For example say you already have your park tickets so you just book a resort room normally you can not add the dining plan; you would have to buy at least one base day theme park ticket with the resort room to get the DDP.

Your last sentence is correct... You only need a resort stay to get the dining plan, and then a one day ticket. My family booked a seven night trip, with seven days on the DDP, and then just a ONE day ticket. I will get them free in all the other days. They are visiting during the 4/3 deal, which is a much cheaper option than getting my CM discount on the resort.

If you are a DVC member then you do not need to purchase any tickets at all, just the resort and DDP.

The military discount I mentioned is considered special because they have a special deal on tickets. Since the tickets wouldn't be purchased as apart of a package they also offer a room discount. This room discount has a option were you can add the dining plan (though it is not free, you still pay $40 per adult for each night you book the room). For the military deal you are not buying the tickets and room together.

So you'd get a special on the resort and then add the DDP (full price)? Then separately you get a special on the tickets? Are you planning on using your maingate at all?

I did not know you could book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP. I don't care about getting a discount/free DDP, just being able you add it to a CP discounted room, because normally you can not add DDP if you are only booking a room. I was unsure how it would be with the CP discount.

I'm pretty sure you can. I never actually tried, but I've never heard that you can't. I will check with my friend who is a resort GSM. We considered adding it for my in-laws but didn't do it within the allotted time, but they said we couldn't because of the timing, not because it was a CM room. My guess (with the economy) is that a discounted Cast DDP would probably be available.

 

[DwightKSchrute]

I did not know you could book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP.
I don't care about getting a discount/free DDP, just being able you add it to a CP discounted room, because normally you can not add DDP if you are only booking a room. I was unsure how it would be with the CP discount.

So just to confirm:
You can book a room with the CP discount and add the DDP (paying full price)? TIA

I believe it depends on the season.

I stayed with a group of my friends at All-Star Sports during my professional internship. We got 50% off our resort rooms and we were able to add on the Disney Dining Plan.

But I don't think the DDP is always offered (even at full-price) for Cast Members to add onto their reservations.

 

[savannahjean85]

So you'd get a special on the resort and then add the DDP (full price)? Then separately you get a special on the tickets? Are you planning on using your maingate at all?

Well with my sister Kelsey and my mom (both army retired) I would not have to use my maingate pass because the military ticket special is were active duty and retired military members get a 5 day park hopper w/ waterparks option for free. In addition the military member can buy up to 5 guest tickets for $100 this ticket would be a 5 day base ticket that can be upgraded to add park hopper or waterparks.
But to just go ahead and save $300, I was going to use my maingate for my other sister and my sister's better halves.

So I think I will go ahead and have my sister book the room with the military discount and DDP, to just have a secure situation.

 

[Berlioz70]

So I think I will go ahead and have my sister book the room with the military discount and DDP, to just have a secure situation.

Based on your info - I'd do the same thing!

I did want to follow up on adding the DDP... here is what my friend told me:
"Of course! The [one-day] ticket may not even be necessary. Since Cast Members have tickets and assuming you are staying in the room. There are sometimes discounts for Cast Members on the dining plan, it just depends on the season that was booked. As long as it is within 48 hours of arrival they can add the dining plan. I think you have to call and have it added, unless you cancel then rebook online, however you run the risk of loosing the room/discount you had previously."

I saw her today and she mentioned that you may have to be with the company for X amount of time to add the DDP (if it's not on a special), but she knows it can be added.

Hopefully that info will help someone else out there!

 

[glendalais]

Based on your info - I'd do the same thing!

I did want to follow up on adding the DDP... here is what my friend told me:
"Of course! The [one-day] ticket may not even be necessary. Since Cast Members have tickets and assuming you are staying in the room. There are sometimes discounts for Cast Members on the dining plan, it just depends on the season that was booked. As long as it is within 48 hours of arrival they can add the dining plan. I think you have to call and have it added, unless you cancel then rebook online, however you run the risk of loosing the room/discount you had previously."

I saw her today and she mentioned that you may have to be with the company for X amount of time to add the DDP (if it's not on a special), but she knows it can be added.

Hopefully that info will help someone else out there!

Interesting.

I know a group of DLR CMs who just got back from WDW and were repeatedly told by Cast Reservations that adding a DDP onto their reservations was "simply impossible" or something along those lines. And one of these CMs has been with Disney for nearly 15 years! (hence why they went to WDW).

I've also never been able to add a DDP onto my reservations when I visit WDW, and certainly not for a lack of trying.

Interesting....

 

[Berlioz70]

Interesting.

I know a group of DLR CMs who just got back from WDW and were repeatedly told by Cast Reservations that adding a DDP onto their reservations was "simply impossible" or something along those lines. And one of these CMs has been with Disney for nearly 15 years! (hence why they went to WDW).

I've also never been able to add a DDP onto my reservations when I visit WDW, and certainly not for a lack of trying.

Interesting....

That is interesting... I wonder if you have to be Florida based to add the DDP?? I'm not sure.

 

[fall08CP]

I'll re-state what I said earlier, hopefully it will be clear this time:

• Cast members usually may not add the dining plan onto their discounted rooms
• OCCASIONALLY, Disney will offer a promotional time that they can get a discounted dining plan
• You do not have to purchase any tickets to get the discounted dining plan
• They announce it only a few weeks before you can use it (ie they announced it in April to be used in May)
• If there is no promotional dining plan, you cannot add ANY dining plan, regardless of the cost
• You can book your discounted room and add the dining plan promotion later if it is announced

Clear?

 

[Berlioz70]

I
[*]If there is no promotional dining plan, you cannot add ANY dining plan, regardless of the cost

That's what glendalais had said as well... but my friend (who is a GSM at resorts) said they can be added. But maybe she's like other managers and has no idea what she's saying? I can't say we talk about Disney when we're together, so I'm not sure how reliable she is with her information.