Am I silly to even consider the Free Dining?

[kaguilbeau]

All of our trips (going on 8) to WDW have been 'practical'. If we took the camper, we might've eaten out only once. If we stayed in a hotel, we ate out of the ice chest. With 4 kids, it was the way it was to be.

Ever since I've heard of Free Dining, I've wished I could go during that time. Now I see it has opened up for the period we'll be there (mid-Dec). But our reservations are for the campground (which isn't included in the Free Dining promotion). Our plan was to eat out two table service meals and the other meals at the camper.

Now my mind is spinning with the thought 'what if I spent three nights in a moderate just to get Free dining then switch to the campground for the last 4 nights'. We'll only have 5 of us this trip, so we could stay at POR again.

Part of me says, why not - the other part says I'm being ridiculous. The thought of being able to eat at three table service restaurants and not have to watch the price of the entree is very tempting.

Have any of you split your stay with the campground in order to participate in the Dining plan?

Just go ahead and get it over with - say I'm being silly.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

You're being silly.


A few free meals isn't worth the hassle of moving, IMO.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Have you "crunched" the numbers? How much is the total staying at POR vs. the total at the Fort? Of course I'm prejudice towards the Fort, especially during December with all the Decorations. That has to be worth a few free meals.

 

[kaguilbeau]

You're being silly.


A few free meals isn't worth the hassle of moving, IMO.

Yea, and I really don't need to be obsessing over free food. Actually, I could stand to skip a few meals

 

[auntie]

I don't see anything wrong with treating yourself to a few meals out. There are a couple of threads with people dealing with the same decision. They like the Fort..but it's almost as much as the values to be sure..and with free meals figured in, it doesn't make sense to pass up the free dining if you're visiting during that time period.
I see you are five and that means a moderate..but still..I think your idea has merit...a few days of both. I think you kind of have the best of both worlds there. Some free meals, that mom doesn't have to prepare..and then the Fort.
We've had split stays between two resorts a few times..and it's not a big deal. I would imagine if you are visiting the Fort second..it wouldn't be much of a problem.
In any case..I don't think you're crazy to consider doing it.

 

[spare+a_pair]

We are booked with FD in Dec at a cabin at the Fort. We had already booked the trip and knew we were staying here and when FD was released yesterday, I added it on. Saved our family of 5 about $900

I know that POR is smaller, and less expensive, but you could get the best of both worlds by staying at a cabin

 

[Born 2 Fish]

We have never split up our stay CG/hotel just for thr free dine,,,we have how ever stayed at hotel to get the free dine several times. I, for one, like the free dining,,but we also are Fort fanatics,,so it depends on our mood at the time as to where we'll stay,,the Fort or hotel w/free dine plan.

We generally know when we'll be hungry, and we have our parks etc figured out for what days we'll be there, so we make ADR's accordingly,,if it turns out we don't want to eat wat the time a ADR comes up we simply cancel it and use the dine credit elsewhere. Some folk feel that you find yourself doing Disney around the Dine Plan,,we really don't have that problem.

Besides,, if you stay st POR you can still bring your fish'n poles,,they have fish'n holes at that hotel.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Personally, I don't think you're being silly at all. In fact, I faced the same dilema when I booked my trip, only it was the other way around. I booked at Pop w/ FD, but soooo badly wanted to stay at the Fort! We had done the DDP our previous 3 trips and our family enjoyed it. I wasn't crazy about the idea of "cooking" on vacation, but I really like the idea of saving enough money by staying at the Fort and cooking to have enough money for 2 vacations. (We are planing on going back in January 2010.) I have budgeted for 2 meals out so my family will be happy, however they really LOVE camping food too!

What does your husband think? Is he okay with splitting the trip up? I know others on here have done it. I say go with whatever your pocketbook will allow. That's usually what makes the decisions in our house.

 

[PrincessNP]

I agree with FlaFort Campster.....you should do the math and make sure that it will reaaly be worth it from that standpoint. The DDP is great but quite frankly it requires you to eat alot of food! If you cannot eat "your monies worth" I would say forget it.

Everything that is "free" is not "worth it".

 

[Rhonda]

I don't think you're being silly. But, I would do it the other way around. I would camp for the first few nights, then move over to POR for the rest of the time. That way, after the "work" of camping (making your own meals, etc.) you can relax for a couple of nights and feel spoiled!

 

[kaguilbeau]

Thanks everyone for the opinions.

What does your husband think? Is he okay with splitting the trip up? I know others on here have done it. I say go with whatever your pocketbook will allow. That's usually what makes the decisions in our house.

I think this is going to be the kicker. Knowing DH, he is going to think splitting the trip is too much 'sugar for a dime' as my momma used to say. He likes the campground and the freedom to come back and relax while me and the older kids stay at the parks. Plus we would have to overnight the dogs at the kennels for three days. Even if it were a cost savings to do FD - I don't think he is going to want to.

Kim