"Free Dining" Package - Booking Questions

[I_Love_Disney]

Hi there! We are hoping to book the "Free Dining" package when it opens to the public on Thursday.

I have an AP, but my friend does not. Our plan is to book 11 nights, with 10 days in the parks.

If we are to share a room, do I need to get a 10-day park pass as well? To qualify for this deal, I believe you need to buy at least 1-day park pass. So it looks like I may need to book separately?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Angela

[CleveRocks]

Hi there! We are hoping to book the "Free Dining" package when it opens to the public on Thursday.

I have an AP, but my friend does not. Our plan is to book 11 nights, with 10 days in the parks.

If we are to share a room, do I need to get a 10-day park pass as well? To qualify for this deal, I believe you need to buy at least 1-day park pass. So it looks like I may need to book separately?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Angela

Book the package with a one-day park ticket for each of you. After you both check-in, have your friend upgrade his/her ticket from 1-day to 10-day.

When booking a package, everyone in the room must book the same package. However, once the package is "exploded" (in Disney-speak, meaning once check-in is completed), each individual is free to upgrade their own ticket as he/she sees fit.

[SBETigg]

All room occupants have to be on the same travel package to take part in the free dining. I don't think you can do 11 nights. I think they cut off Magic Your Way packages at ten nights, so the eleventh would be a whole new travel package.

You only have to book a one day park pass for each of you, but then the friend will lose money because it will be more expensive for her to book the remaining ticket days separately outside the package. You'll have to work out if it makes sense to book this way or not.

[CleveRocks]

You only have to book a one day park pass for each of you, but then the friend will lose money because it will be more expensive for her to book the remaining ticket days separately outside the package. You'll have to work out if it makes sense to book this way or not.

The statement I highlighted in bold is not accurate.

Tickets can be upgraded within 14 days of first use. When you book a package with a 1-day ticket, after the reservation is exploded that ticket can be upgraded or added to, even if others on the package do not do so.

Under no circumstances would the friend have to buy separate tickets -- he/she can simply upgrade the existing ticket.

Buying a 1-day ticket and upgrading it to a 10-day ticket costs EXACTLY THE SAME as buying a 10-day ticket from the start. Exactly the same cost to the penny.

[I_Love_Disney]

Thank you for the quick responses. They are very helpful!

I guess my main concern now is the amount of nights they will allow us. We will only be spending 10 days in the parks, but were hoping for 11 nights.

Thanks again!!
Angela

[SBETigg]

The statement I highlighted in bold is not accurate.

Tickets can be upgraded within 14 days of first use. When you book a package with a 1-day ticket, after the reservation is exploded that ticket can be upgraded or added to, even if others on the package do not do so.

Under no circumstances would the friend have to buy separate tickets -- he/she can simply upgrade the existing ticket.

Buying a 1-day ticket and upgrading it to a 10-day ticket costs EXACTLY THE SAME as buying a 10-day ticket from the start. Exactly the same cost to the penny.

That's great information, thanks for correcting. I realized it after I went back and saw your post above mine. I had no idea you could do that with a package, when they insist that everyone be on the same package. So you can book it and then change the ticket. Very good to know.

[CleveRocks]

That's great information, thanks for correcting. I realized it after I went back and saw your post above mine. I had no idea you could do that with a package, when they insist that everyone be on the same package. So you can book it and then change the ticket. Very good to know.

Cool. Just note that you can change tickets by adding to them but never by trying to "downgrade" them in any way.

[CleveRocks]

Thank you for the quick responses. They are very helpful!

I guess my main concern now is the amount of nights they will allow us. We will only be spending 10 days in the parks, but were hoping for 11 nights.

Thanks again!!
Angela

We're just full of good answers today! I predict a smile coming to your face in about 11 seconds.

You know that one-day ticket you have to buy as part of your package? Your friend can use
THAT ticket for his/her 11th day. You have an AP, so you have no use for the ticket (unless you'd want to use its value to renew your AP ... so I guess it DOES have value for you). It's perfectly acceptable to have your friend use the ticket ... USED Disney tickets are non-transferable, but unused tickets are transferable.

I see your smile already!

[I_Love_Disney]

Wow... you are good!!! I was indeed smiling by the end of your response!

I alway say, half the fun in going away on vacation is the planning!!! I can't wait!

Thanks again!
Angela

[Strmchsr]

One issue here, and I'm not certain of the answer, doesn't the "free" dining promotion only go a max of 10 nights?

[disneymaster]

Since this tread is full of good info, I figured I would ask a question and see what kinda smile I can get on my face

I am an AP holder and want to book a solo trip for 10 nights. So, I have to book the room, ticket, and dining all as a package from what I understand. I know that since I am an AP holder I only need to buy 1 day ticket and use my AP to get into the parks.

I have never used the dining plan before and I know that it "pools" all your stays into one so you can use 2 snacks in one day and you are told after each purchase what points you have left.

However, what I don't udnerstand is the one day ticket thing. I thought that since you are in a package plan that ticket will just expire after you check out even if you never used it. If thats not the case, I see that you can apply that ticket to an AP renew. How would you go about this? I know you get a cheaper renew when it comes time so do I just call Disney with my discount offer and tell them I have a non used ticket that I would like to apply to the pass. I would hate to buy a 1 day ticket and just have it go to waste so appling it to an AP renew would be great!

Thanks for getting back with me.

[CleveRocks]

I don't know the mechanics of how you go about doing it, but I do know that it can be done. The ticket most certainly does not expire after you check-out. MYW tickets don't work that way. It's not like the pre-2005 "length of stay" park hoppers.

Unused tickets do not expire ... until you start to use them.

[WishingStar2006]

and you can book up to 14 consecutive nights now so you're 11 night stay, with free dining, is do-able....ENJOY!