Hi Donna,
It's lovely to receive a question from someone who lives locally to me and i'm glad to hear that you have just returned from an enjoyable stay at Walt Disney World as well as Disney Cruise - I am so jealous!
On the USA version of the Walt Disney World website, the Disney Dining Plan can only be purchased as part of a
Magic Your Way Vacation Package which includes Room, Tickets and the Dining Plan. If you decided to book your trip this way, you would be required to add at least a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket in order to purchase a Dining Plan .
On the UK version of the Walt Disney World website, Dining Plans are available exclusively to Guests of
Disney Resort hotels and must be booked in advance along with your Disney Park Ticket. If you decided to book your trip this way, you would be required to add either a Ultimate Ticket or Premium Ticket. Disney's 5-Day Premium Ticket would be your least expensive option but would cost far more than a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket from the USA version of the website.
When the time comes, I would recommend pricing up your 2014 holiday both ways to see what the difference is. As you already have Tickets, I would suspect that it will work out less expensive to book direct via the USA version of the Walt Disney World website in US dollars.
If I can be of any further help, please don't hesitate to ask me another question.
Wishing you a magical holiday filled with memories which will last a lifetime!