Bounceback or Code Rate?

[pianoronni37]

I have a predicament!

So we already have our bounceback booked from 9/26-10/02 with free dining at Pop Century. Altogether it was only $1233! Great deal for 6 nights 7 days...

However, I received a PIN code for the value resorts at $535 per person (5 days, 5 nights) and a $500 gift card if I go from April through June.

Which of these is the better deal? Free dining is always great, and it saves more $$$ than just spending cash... but a $500 gift card is really tempting, and I might rather go in April when it's a bit cooler than in September...

Help me decide, seasoned DISers!

 

[rt2dz]

Every time I run the numbers, paying rack rate at a resort with free dining costs me more than a good room discount and paying OOP for dining.

However, we are AP holders and have a TIW card (20% discount) and stay deluxe or in a cabin. Until 2009, we also have had one under 3, so his meals had to be paid for OOP anyhow (unless a buffet).

What you need to do is price the vacation (including OOP costs) both ways and see which costs you less. Then way the intangibles, such as time of year--crowds, weather, etc.

 

[pianoronni37]

So I called and here's the deal:

Code Rate---
For 5 nights and 6 days from 4/25-4/30 including:
5 Day Base Tickets
Preferred Room at Pop Century

The total package cost is $1136
plus a $500 gift card...


Bounceback Rate---
For 5 nights and 6 days from 9/26-10/01 including:
6 day Park Hopper Tickets
Preferred Room at Pop Century
Dining Plan

The total package cost is.... $1136.

So the real question is, what works out to be a better deal, $500 in my pocket at Disney or free dining?

My man and I sure love our food, but we love the signature restaurants, and free dining can only get so many of those...

Help!

 

[Karlzmom]

So I called and here's the deal:

Code Rate---
For 5 nights and 6 days from 4/25-4/30 including:
5 Day Base Tickets
Preferred Room at Pop Century

The total package cost is $1136
plus a $500 gift card...


Bounceback Rate---
For 5 nights and 6 days from 9/26-10/01 including:
6 day Park Hopper Tickets
Preferred Room at Pop Century
Dining Plan

The total package cost is.... $1136.

So the real question is, what works out to be a better deal, $500 in my pocket at Disney or free dining?

My man and I sure love our food, but we love the signature restaurants, and free dining can only get so many of those...

Help!

Here's how I'd figure it:

1) what will the cost of the dining plan be if you paid OOP for it? Is it less than $500? [make sure you factor in any "extras" that you'd pay for on top of the DDP] If so, than take the $500, pay the cost of the dining plan and extras, pocket the difference. If this total is more than $500, then go with the dining plan.

2) if you weren't on a dining plan, what would you really spend on food? I don't find the dining plan to be that great of a deal b/c I don't eat the way they have it set up. You may find after looking over the menus that the estimated cost is less than the dining plan costs, and if so the amount of the $500 you'd pocket would be even larger than paying for the dining plan.

The only real wild card in this is the park tickets...will you "hop"? If so, add in the PH fee to see what the actual cost of each package is...

Good luck!