Hiya Kelly!
Welcome to planDisney, and thanks for sending us your question. As a "Disney Mom" who goes to Walt Disney World more often than my family does (no shame in my game!) I've often debated about doing as you described. Aaahh... treating yourself to an Annual Pass. Sounds like a Fantasmic idea to me!
I believe what you are describing is a
Disney World Special Offer that includes a free dining plan. These promotions are always so exciting and popular! They do however come with specific requirements, which typically include that each guest on the reservation purchase a theme park ticket (often with park hopper option). So in this case, even as an Annual Pass holder, to be eligible to receive the free dining offer you would need to purchase a theme park ticket.
But there are other money saving options! I would look for a room-only discount deal (or even an Annual Pass room discount), and see if that could possibly align with your vacation dates? If you wanted to use your Annual Pass, you could make a Disney Resort room-only reservation, then purchase theme park tickets separately for the rest of your family. You could even call Disney Reservations and
have a Cast Member add a Dining Plan to your reservation, as described by my fellow panelist Donyell.
Kelly, I would get out the trusty spreadsheet and compare some numbers on your pixie-dusted vacation options! Of course, I am a Disney Planning Nerd, who does these kind of things for fun. If it helps, take a look at the
daily Dining Plan costs and decide what works best for your family. Some families set that money aside, charge all Disney dining and snacks using their MagicBands or
MagicMobile... then settle up their room charge balance at the end of their trip. I've found my family's out of pocket dining costs are often very similar to purchasing the Dining Plan.
No matter what you decide, you can't go wrong with your magical family trip to Walt Disney World! Wishing on star that you have the best trip ever. Please
visit me again if I can help answer any additional questions, or offer dining or park advice!
Have a magical day,
Tami