40% Room Only Discount or Free Dining?

[CKMommaof3]

We are a family of 5 (DKs are 9, 7, 5) looking at a trip to the Poly in Sept 2011 for 10 nights. I am just wondering if anyone knows of a spreadsheet that will do the math for me to figure out whether a 40% room only discount or the free dining will be a better deal for us. Thanks!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

We are a family of 5 (DKs are 9, 7, 5) looking at a trip to the Poly in Sept 2011 for 10 nights. I am just wondering if anyone knows of a spreadsheet that will do the math for me to figure out whether a 40% room only discount or the free dining will be a better deal for us. Thanks!

Generally, the room discounts on a deluxe turn out to be a better deal than free dining... however, I think most calculations are based on a family of 4. The only discount for Sept 2011 out right now is free dining though, so there isn't much deciding to do right now

 

[mrsxsparrow]

Okay I did some calculations because I finally finished planning my vacation so now I don't know what to do with myself

Rack rate for Poly in a standard view room for most (or all) weekdays in Sept. 2011 is $385. IF they release 40% discount you'd save $154 a day, a little more on weekends.

Dining plan for 2 adults and three kids would be $127.95.

SO if you have a pin, or a room discount comes out, looks like you'd be better off with the room only discount.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I agree with the pp. Just did the quick math.
Free Dining saves your family: $127.95 per day
40% off room saves your family: $153.00 per day.

 

[CKMommaof3]

for the quick replies. Looks like we may call to see if we have a PIN if not we'll book with the FD while there is still availability and can change later if a better discount comes along. Time to start planning dates!

 

[su_A_ve]

OP - you say one of your kids is 9. Will he/she be 10 then? If so, it would be considered an adult and bigger discount with FD.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

OP - you say one of your kids is 9. Will he/she be 10 then? If so, it would be considered an adult and bigger discount with FD.

I didn't think about this. If you get the dining plan with three adults and two kids, it would be about $162 a day, which would be a bigger savings than the room discount, even on weekends.

IF your child will be 10, and IF there's another 40% discount, and IF you're looking to book just the garden view, looks like you're slightly better off with the free dining.

Otherwise, I'd stick with the room discount (if one is available!). If you're looking to book a better view, the room prices go up about $100 per night to get lagoon view. Then you're looking at rack rate of $485 per night, and a 40% discount would save $194 a night.

Btw, I LOVED this question. I recently finished all my own calculations and I don't know what it is, but figuring this stuff out is like a new obsession. I think I'm going Disney-planning crazy