Cost of Disney with Free Dining

[trouttigger]

Ok - Please share if you dare - The cost of your Disney vacation, number of persons, number of days, if you went during one of the lowest rate times, had free dining and stayed at a value resort.

I am going to be on the lookout for a good deal later this year if we have the fabulous time that I think we will in January.

We travel a lot, so accommodations is the best place for me to start saving money.

Thanks for sharing,

[mjones73]

Ok - Please share if you dare - The cost of your Disney vacation, number of persons, number of days, if you went during one of the lowest rate times, had free dining and stayed at a value resort.

I am going to be on the lookout for a good deal later this year if we have the fabulous time that I think we will in January.

We travel a lot, so accommodations is the best place for me to start saving money.

Thanks for sharing,

You can price out a value during your planned travel period via the disney site and get an exact figure for all of 09.

The cheapest rates are during the value periods which are Jan. 1 - Feb. 13; Aug. 3 - Oct. 1; Nov. 30 - Dec. 18

[DanaAustinChelsea]

Ok - Please share if you dare - The cost of your Disney vacation, number of persons, number of days, if you went during one of the lowest rate times, had free dining and stayed at a value resort.
,
We (me, DD18, DS12) stayed at POP for 11 nights with free dining for $1742 including 10-day (non-hop, non-waterpark & more) passes. Airfare on SW airlines was about $900 RT from Portland OR.

[cepmom]

DH and I just stayed at Pop for 4 nights, 1 day base tickets with free dining for $524 (12/17 - 12.21)

[NJRA]

We stayed at the allstar music for 11 days in November. There were 4 of us, Myself, DH, DD, DS, we had 10 day park hoppers and the dining plan our total came to $2300.00 I feel like we got a great deal. We are already thinking of going again in 2009. Maybe September or October. But it all depends on our money situation, and what kind of deal we can get. We have our fingers crossed!!!

[catne]

Summing up the numbers, Free Dining costs from our September 2008 trip:

Cost of our rack rate Value Resort room for 6 nights & Free DDP: actually cost us $492.00+ tickets

IF we had not had free dining, the cost of discounted Value Resort room (AAA rate) and we had to pay for DDP it would have cost us $837.48 + tickets

Cost of discounted Value Resort room, skip the DDP entirely and pay cash for all the food we ate would have cost us $1013.05 + tickets

This was for 2 adults, staying at a Value resort, preferred room. (Park tickets not included in figures above, of course...that's where they really get you :rotfl: )

[BabyRN]

Ok - Please share if you dare - The cost of your Disney vacation, number of persons, number of days, if you went during one of the lowest rate times, had free dining and stayed at a value resort.

I am going to be on the lookout for a good deal later this year if we have the fabulous time that I think we will in January.

We travel a lot, so accommodations is the best place for me to start saving money.

Thanks for sharing,


Just get a quote on where you would want to stay within the free dining period, and don't put in anything for a dining option. That will give you the cost of your trip.

[pianoronni37]

My husband and I have booked a bounceback for September 2009, 5 nights 6 days, 6-day tickets with park hopper, preferred room in Pop Century, free dining, total cost = $1136.00! Not bad for a basically all-inclusive vacation!

[dancin Disney style]

We stayed at POFQ last year for free dining and our total cost was approx. $2700. That was for 3 adults and 1 child for 7 nights during free dining plus 1 extra night. We had 1 day park tickets plus the waterpark option.

The $2700 was every single penny that we spent. So transportation to FL, accommodation, food, tickets, tipping and spending money.

We would have stayed at a value hotel but I booked kind of late and they were all sold out. The price difference was about $400.

[NC State]

Sept 2008
2 Adults 9/5-9/13 = 8 day base tickets and a standard room at Pop $1214.32 (free dining)

Oct 2009
2 Adults 10/2-10/10 = 8 day base tickets and a standard room at CSR $2272.50 (BB free dining)

[Momto8]

We stayed 10 nights at POP last September 18-28, 2 adults, standard room, 10 day PH tickets, for 2 adults w/free dining - total cost $1,504. We have the same package at POP again (10 nights for 2 adults, 10 day PH tickets, free dining) for next Sept. 17-27 for $1,540.

[mbanks21]

Yeah I never got this. If you want to know what the cost is go to the website and price out a package without dining.

[trouttigger]

Yeah I never got this. If you want to know what the cost is go to the website and price out a package without dining.

So, it really is the hotel rate for the value season plus tickets for the parks covering the same period. Anyone disagree?

[mbanks21]

What else would it be? You pay rack rate for the room and tickets. The basic dining plan is added for $0

[cocowum]

So, it really is the hotel rate for the value season plus tickets for the parks covering the same period. Anyone disagree?

Yes, that's correct. :goodvibes

[dancin Disney style]

For those that booked a bounceback....what DDP did they give you for next year?

I'm just curious because we were not going in 2009 but if we could get free dining I know that DH would agree to an adults only trip in September. However, I know he will only agree if we are getting 1 TS every day. The restaurants converted him from a WDW hater to a WDW lover.

[PrincessSuzanne]

For those that booked a bounceback....what DDP did they give you for next year?

I'm just curious because we were not going in 2009 but if we could get free dining I know that DH would agree to an adults only trip in September. However, I know he will only agree if we are getting 1 TS every day. The restaurants converted him from a WDW hater to a WDW lover.

I got the regular DDP for Sept 2009, 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack per night. They were offering the Deluxe plan at a discount, I think like $20/night for adults, not bad if you want to devote that much time to eating and we don't. We will probably do a couple of 2TS restaurants this time, to maximize park time as we would normally do on a short trip, but free dining was such a great incentive. The CM didn't even mention the new QS dining plan, but we didn't want that one anyway.

I forgot to add that we are currently booked at AS Music in a Family Suite (we were taking others with us until today) and we are booked for Sept 20-26, 1 day base ticket (we will have AP's) for $1610. I plan on shaving a few days off and changing to either WL or POFQ, as soon as a room there is avail.

Suzanne

[disneynuts777]

For those that booked a bounceback....what DDP did they give you for next year?

I'm just curious because we were not going in 2009 but if we could get free dining I know that DH would agree to an adults only trip in September. However, I know he will only agree if we are getting 1 TS every day. The restaurants converted him from a WDW hater to a WDW lover.

Booked the bounceback for FD 2009. It was the basic DDP...1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack. We upgraded to the deluxe dining ...3 TS or CS and 2 snacks plus the refillable mug at a cost difference of $32 per adult and $11 per child per night. So this August seven of us (6 adults, 1 child) will be staying at SSR in a two bedroom villa for 8 nights with tickets and deluxe dining for for $5600.00.:dance3:

[trouttigger]

What else would it be? You pay rack rate for the room and tickets. The basic dining plan is added for $0

My imagination is not as creative as theirs. Could be that you MUST have park hopper and water park options. Could be that you MUST include something else that I never thought of. :confused3 Could be the hotel rate that they made up for those who have free dining included.

Thanks for clarifying that it really is just rack rate for room and tickets.

[kimgof]

We stayed at POR for 8 nights this past Sept. for free dining. 3 adults, two kids, 5 day park hopper passes , no extras added and then I purchased MNSSHP tickets also. It was like $2800 for the whole thing. While we were there we booked a bounceback for August 09 for 8 nights at the Poly for all of us with the same 5 day park hoppers for $4500. You can't beat free dining. :goodvibes

[NC State]

For those that booked a bounceback....what DDP did they give you for next year?

I'm just curious because we were not going in 2009 but if we could get free dining I know that DH would agree to an adults only trip in September. However, I know he will only agree if we are getting 1 TS every day. The restaurants converted him from a WDW hater to a WDW lover.

When we were at WDW back in Sept '08 our BB offer was for the regular DP for Oct 2-10, 2009.

[eeyorepixie]

14 days:cool1: Aug.23-Sept.6,2009 bounceback free dining. 10 day parkhopper and waterparks tix. Family of 5-2 adults & 3 children. No insurance. POR

Drumroll...

$4,035.00:rolleyes1

[Hyonlyf]

A some point didn't they drop the required park ticket purchase for AP holders? I could swear I recall the Dec free dining allowed them to opt out of park tickets? Hope they do that for Sept free dining.

[madge]

What else would it be? You pay rack rate for the room and tickets. The basic dining plan is added for $0

my October 2009 bounceback rate with free dining is $120 cheaper than rack rate without the basic dining plan added. Is that because it's a bounceback reservation?

[utkscvol1]

We booked bounceback for 2009. Dates are Sept. 11-Sept 21. Pop century with the basic dining plan. 3 adults-1child 1 child is 12 so she counts as adult. 10 day park hoppers with water park and ins to the tune of $2600
Dh dreaded our vacation last year and kept saying after this year we aren't going back. Two days into our 2008 vac. with free dining he said if they offer us bounceback I say we take it and we did. He's actually looking forward to this year!:banana:

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

We booked for September 2009 and we are PRAYING for free dining. Right now our cost was $4300.00 for 8 nights/9day base tickets and an ASMu suite and 1 preferred room for 11 people (6 adults, 4 kids, 1 under 3).

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I got the regular DDP for Sept 2009, 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack per night. They were offering the Deluxe plan at a discount, I think like $20/night for adults, not bad if you want to devote that much time to eating and we don't. .

Suzanne

Was the discounted rate through Disney or a travel agent?

[utkscvol1]

I'd be surprised if they didn't offer it to the public this year. Esp. with the economy being so bad. The fact that they offered the bounce back makes me hopeful for everyone else.

[mbanks21]

A some point didn't they drop the required park ticket purchase for AP holders? I could swear I recall the Dec free dining allowed them to opt out of park tickets? Hope they do that for Sept free dining.

No they didnt. You can pay for the DDP with an AP and no tickets but with FREE DDP you had to have a package with at least a one day ticket for everyone

my October 2009 bounceback rate with free dining is $120 cheaper than rack rate without the basic dining plan added. Is that because it's a bounceback reservation?

What resort did you book? There were discounts WITH free ddp but not discounted rooms by themselves

[connie1042]

Here is a good deal. We are going on the bounce back from last year. I had POP booked , but changed to CBR. Now the military has come out with the special ticket, so my husband gets his free (5 day PH$WP) and I only have to pay $125.00) for mine. Will get the WP for 25, will not use the PH. So we got free dinning and cheap tickets. Paying 1173 for 7 nights with free dinning, and tickets will cost us $125.00 for a total of $1298.00 I am really excited.

[tkitty]

Here is a good deal. We are going on the bounce back from last year. I had POP booked , but changed to CBR. Now the military has come out with the special ticket, so my husband gets his free (5 day PH$WP) and I only have to pay $125.00) for mine. Will get the WP for 25, will not use the PH. So we got free dinning and cheap tickets. Paying 1173 for 7 nights with free dinning, and tickets will cost us $125.00 for a total of $1298.00 I am really excited.


That IS a great deal! Good for you!:thumbsup2

[dancin Disney style]

14 days:cool1: Aug.23-Sept.6,2009 bounceback free dining. 10 day parkhopper and waterparks tix. Family of 5-2 adults & 3 children. No insurance. POR

Drumroll...

$4,035.00:rolleyes1


That's a pretty sweet deal.

We stayed last July for 14 nights. I booked everything a la carte myself and our total cost was $4800 and that was only 5 day premium tickets that we got though our convention at approx. half price. We stayed at POP in a preferred room and had half of our lunches in the room, all breakfasts in the room and then we ate mainly CS type meals for dinner.

[victorandbellasmom]

We booked the bounceback free dining for this August 2009. We're staying 10 nights/11 days with 10 day base tickets at Pop century for 1903.56. 2 aults,1 junior and 1 child. We thought it was a great deal, as we're saving $1,310 on the free dining plan.

Now we just need to find inexpensive airfare.:rotfl:

[PrincessSuzanne]

Was the discounted rate through Disney or a travel agent?

No, that was direct through Disney, with the bounceback offer in our room at CBR. I was wrong about the discounted amount, I think someone posted the correct amount. The discounted amount for the Deluxe dining is $32 for adults and $11 for children. They have always offered the Deluxe Plan at a discount when they offer the Basic Dining for free.

Suzanne

[mousiemom]

just let me say everyone should experience free dining, i am so spoiled on it. we've done 3 trips now and we've been to the best restaurants. our last trip was @ all star movies 12/15-20 and we have AP so we had to buy the 1 day base tickets (2A/1c) and our total was : 6 nights w/preferred rm & free dining - $680 i'm looking forward for free dining in sept!!!
mousiemom

[disjacksons]

When do they usually offer free dining? Sept only? We are going the last week of October. Could they possibly offer it then?

[disjacksons]

Oh , and BTW I got a pin code. Can you use that with the free dining? Thanks!

[PrincessSuzanne]

When do they usually offer free dining? Sept only? We are going the last week of October. Could they possibly offer it then?

It usually begins the last Sunday in Aug and runs through at least the first week of Oct, I don't think it runs later than that.


Oh , and BTW I got a pin code. Can you use that with the free dining? Thanks!

No, one or the other. Disney only allows one discount at the time.

Suzanne

[disjacksons]

Thanks for the info!

[dancin Disney style]

When do they usually offer free dining? Sept only? We are going the last week of October. Could they possibly offer it then?


The last few years it has been offered from approx. Aug. 24 - Sept.24.

The have offered it to Disney Visa holders first and then it opened up to the general public in April with the booking deadline mid June.

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

We are going in September hoping for free dining. If we offered a bounceback, how much do you have to pay upfront? Is it a deposit or basically the entire package price?

[dancin Disney style]

We are going in September hoping for free dining. If we offered a bounceback, how much do you have to pay upfront? Is it a deposit or basically the entire package price?

It is the standard $200 deposit. It is exactly the same rules as with any other package.

[DWFan4Life]

Here is a good deal. We are going on the bounce back from last year. I had POP booked , but changed to CBR. Now the military has come out with the special ticket, so my husband gets his free (5 day PH$WP) and I only have to pay $125.00) for mine. Will get the WP for 25, will not use the PH. So we got free dinning and cheap tickets. Paying 1173 for 7 nights with free dinning, and tickets will cost us $125.00 for a total of $1298.00 I am really excited.

Nice, this really a great deal. We booked for December 2009, is there a free dining for that month? I hope so...:rotfl:

[mousiemom]

surprisingly, this past dec they offered free dining for certain dates. we went dec. 14-20 but i know they didn't offer the holiday weeks. almost all free dining dates are during value season. i'm booking my sept trip for 9/6-9/12 cause every year they offer the free dining during this time. i can't wait!!
mousiemom