WWYD? Annual Pass or hold out for FD

[bankgirl05]

I am trying to convince my DH that if we take a trip this summer,(1st or 2nd week of Aug.) purchase an AP(2 adults, 2 children), stay at a value or Mod. that we can then use that annual pass in Feb2013 to add on WDW "before" days to our 4 night cruise.

We are already planning on driving in Feb. so airfare won't be an issue then, and right now I can get airfare for the 4 of us (in Aug) for less than $500.

Even if I can convince him to take this almost spur of the moment trip, is it really worth the AP? or should I just book a package and hold out for free dining in Feb.

Does the annual pass allow me to use the DDP?

I am also considering renting DVC??? not sure how this works with dining plans either though???

 

[sherreis]

If you rent DVC you don't need to have park tickets in order to qualify for the DDP, so, calculate what the difference would be. This past trip we took, 2 of us had APs (DS16 and I went for a mother/son trip in January) and 2 had park-hoppers from the YES program. We bought a Tables in Wonderland card and DH says that it saved us money compared to the DDP. It also allowed us to eat less food and we came home feeling better. You can't rent DVC and get free dining.

We have always played around with prices of the restaurants that we would want to eat at and then compared with rack rate of resort or discounted resort room and pay for dining on our own. So many choices!!! We use allearsnet.com to play around with the prices.

Good luck!

 

[Marionnette]

I am trying to convince my DH that if we take a trip this summer,(1st or 2nd week of Aug.) purchase an AP(2 adults, 2 children), stay at a value or Mod. that we can then use that annual pass in Feb2013 to add on WDW "before" days to our 4 night cruise.

We are already planning on driving in Feb. so airfare won't be an issue then, and right now I can get airfare for the 4 of us (in Aug) for less than $500.

Even if I can convince him to take this almost spur of the moment trip, is it really worth the AP? or should I just book a package and hold out for free dining in Feb.

There's no way of know whether Disney will offer free dining in Feb. 2013 or, if they do, whether your dates will be blacked out (President's Weekend, spring break, etc.). You really just have to gamble and take your chances.

Does the annual pass allow me to use the DDP?

Yes, you can still book a free dining package when you have an AP but it doesn't absolve you of the rules that apply. That usually means buying 2-day park passes for everyone in your family and paying the rack rate for the room.

I am also considering renting DVC??? not sure how this works with dining plans either though???

If you rent DVC points, you have to pay the owner for the dining plan that you choose (same price as if you were adding a dining plan to a Disney package). The owner then adds the dining plan to your reservation and pays for it. Dining plans must be added by the owner at least 72 hours prior to your arrival day. Most owners will also require a down payment from the renter when the reservation is made and full payment well before you arrive. Since they have to pay for the dining plan when it is booked, they will also require you to pay them for that up front. Refunds and cancellation policies vary from owner to owner and differ from Disney's significantly. Make sure that you understand the owner's policy before you agree to rent points.

 

[HM]

How many nights is your first trip? If its 7 or more, then get the AP, otherwise just get regular tickets for that trip and pray/hope for FD in February or a good discount with regular tickets again.