Applying the Free Dining Promotion after booking questions.

[scard192]

Well, let me share my super-preliminary budget numbers to show you guys and gals what I'm working with here.

These are five sample budgets I worked up on our dates and with the number of tickets we're looking to purchase. The only cost not included in these numbers is the Photo Memories what-cha-ma-dinkie and airline tickets, which I would be booking outside of Disney anyway.

Disney's All-Star Sports or All-Star Music Resort
5-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Option
$1,600.78
Disney Dining Plan Upgrade Fee $261.10
$1,600.78 + $261.10
$1,861.88

Disney's Pop Century Resort
5-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Option
$1678.10
Disney Dining Plan Upgrade Fee $261.10
$1,678.10 + $261.10
$1,939.20

Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Not Eligble for Free Dining Offer
5-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Option
Disney Dining Plan
$2,666.64

Disney's Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach Resort
5-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Option
Disney Dining Plan (FREE)
$3,097.52

To begin with, Coronado Springs is just too expensive. After airfare, possible photo memories and other incidental required purchases, we'd be looking at close to $4,000 for the trip after taxes. That's $2,000 for person and frankly way more than I was looking to spend on the trip.

The $1,800 All-Star resorts are looking great, especially in comparison to Pop Century's "non-free dining" price. $800 is a large chunk of money, and that $800 saved would cover airfare, the photo package, and a handful of other things. After seeing a $800 difference, I'm more or less determined to try to get it.

Though now I'm frankly more confused than ever. Do I book now and pay the extra money for the privilege to get the rooms we want, or do I wait it out and potentially miss the room rates I like and not get free dining in the process.

Holy shlamoley is this stressful.

you should probably add in more to cover the ticket price increase that is coming soon.

I am trying to plan my budget for November 2016. Hoping for FD at POP but used the SPD discount and added another 15% to cover increases. I think this will give an idea how much I need to save.

 

[mjallemand]

So what would a "SPD" discount be?

 

[donp]

So what would a "SPD" discount be?

Stay, Play and Dine. This is usually offered for January and February and comes out in October. I think that the gist is that you pay for the child price for FD, but get upgraded free to the Adult Dining Plan. So, a big break on the Dining Plan cost, but not as good as FD.