cancel DL for WDW b/c of free dining and curiousity?

[ZeusNike]

We did WDW in Sept 04 and had to clear out because of the 2nd hurricane to hit there in a month. There is a good reason why they offer the free dining plan when they do! Our visit was shortened to 5 days which was not enough by a long shot, in fact I don't know that the 7 days we had planned would have been enough either. We can do DL in 3 days (4 is better, I agree). We will definitely go back to WDW but I doubt we will visit at that time of year again. It was hot and very humid and it rained like nothing I have ever seen before at least part of every day (I live in Vancouver, BC so that is really saying something...also known as "raincouver"). One day there was standing water in Epcot that was over my ankles - and it happened in about 20 min. Fort Wilderness was very cool (we went there to see the Hoop Dee Do Review) but it would be pretty messy in a tent at that timeof year. All that being said, we loved WDW had a wonderful time despite the pesky hurricane!

For what it is worth, I would stick with DL in September! (of course now we are going on a Carribean cruise in October....hurricane season once again.... )

 

[Amy&Dan]

(of course now we are going on a Carribean cruise in October....hurricane season once again.... )

The good news is that the cruise ships are mobile, they can sail a different route to avoid the hurricane. We went on a wonderful cruise in September, just right after Ernesto, no problem. Of course you have to get in and out of the port in FL but even that can be moved. WDW stays put during a hurricane unfortunately!

 

[bumbershoot]

And see, there goes my bizarro writing again. Can you SEE why DH and I have problems communicating?

I meant to say, "since there's no free dining with FW other than the cabins, and we actually WANT to do that at some point, we wouldn't tent camp on this potential September trip".

Trust me, and I know I didn't say this, but I grew up in San Jose, CA (hot hot hot but dry), THEN moved to WA at the same time my mom moved to Miami...then they moved to Virginia while I moved to South Carolina! The South and I are like this. picture crossed fingers or whatever the finger thing is with "like this" (I only moved back out here b/c I missed Mt Rainier so much)

And DH lived in Asia, through typhoon season and all the muggy 100 degree'ness that entails! Even though he's only lived in WA in the States, he's spent a good amount of time in humidity.

Ah but then we get to DS, who has only lived in WA. Yikes. Gotta remedy that!


But yeah, I didin't mean that we'd camp in September. Sorry to worry everyone so needlessly, thanks to my "interesting" way of writing.


When one is looking at disneyworld.com, and booking (or looking to book) through them, is that "rack rate"? I checked on Monday (purposely, to compare, and NO I don't have a Disney Visa so it wasn't available to me at the time), and the price for the hotel and ticket packages I was looking at is exactly the same as it is now through the Free Dining link, only, of course with Free Dining.


And I think the ONLY way we'd go with a dining plan is if it were free...we just don't eat that much normally (though you wouldn't know it to look at me and DH, oddly, I think we have the metabolisms of beluga whales or something) and can't justify the cost. I was crazy when I first booked Disneyland, and included THEIR dining plan, until I re-found the Dis and was made aware that it's NOT a good deal, and you might actually have to spend more in order to use all the vouchers. I know that with WDW it can actually be a deal, but it never would be for us (until DS gets older and eats even more as he grows), so we don't consider paying for it. Yet.



Thank you all for such good advice!!!

 

[faindrops27]

Ok, now. Here is my .02

I agree with the other posters, who talked about the heat. It is very hot. And those love bugs in August/Sept. Whew. They are problematic. To say the least. But, I will continue to go to WDW. For free dining. Yes, it is so much food. But, I love to eat, so it isnt a problem for me. There were times. I would skip the appetizer, and or dessert. You can order, anything you want. I love the Free DDP. Because, I get to go to different restaurants every night. My family would probably never get to go to. So just for that fact. I love it!!

Amy&Dan, you do have alot of valid points. About the cost of the Free DDP. But, for someone like me. I think the Free DDP pays for itself. Last year, I took my ds13 on a trip to WDW with the free dine. We stayed value. paid around 1200, for the both of us for 7 nights, inclusive of 7 day park hoppers. The total for all of our "free food" totalled 923. So the balance is 277. Now, what about my tickets. And, just how much am I paying for that room? The way I see it. Is they pay me to come to eat. In all of my 17 trips so far to WDW. I have yet been able to find a better value, than the "Free DDP". I absolutely love it. And will always try for it, as long as it is offered. Inspite, the intense heat, and those frantic love bugs.

I however say when you go for the Free DDP. You should at least go for 7 to 8 nights.. That way you will have time to tour, and the time it takes to get to your table service meals. Whatever, you choose, this year or next. Enjoy yourself immensley!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you, too! Excellent thoughts.

This cracked me up in your signature: "I get to go to Disneyland, and Universal Hollywood. Alone!!What sheer happiness!! I have'nt been to Disneyland in over 20 years!! Dance banana dance!!"

That would be SO much fun, to go alone. I love going places alone, where I don't have to share the experience or worry if someone else is having fun or not. Over the summer DH and I each went to see matinees of POTC 2, one right after the other, and it was just lovely to be in a theater for a couple hours while DH took care of DS while I drooled over J.Depp (er, enjoyed his talented acting, that is). Enjoy!

 

[rentayenta]

I am in the same boat. I have been wrestling with cancelling our December 2007 trip to Disneyland and trying to go to WDW this September for the first time because of free dining. It's a tough choice. I have made pro and con lists ad nauseum but for financial reasons and a family vote, am leaning towards keeping plans the same.


We can either do Disneyland for 7 nights this December and put in sprinklers and grass (just built a new home on a half acre) or do WDW this September for 10 nights and look at dirt until next year.


We were originally planning May 2009 for our first trip to WDW for my 40th and that is still the plan regardless of any changes for this year.

 

[faindrops27]

Thank you, too! Excellent thoughts.

This cracked me up in your signature: "I get to go to Disneyland, and Universal Hollywood. Alone!!What sheer happiness!! I have'nt been to Disneyland in over 20 years!! Dance banana dance!!"

That would be SO much fun, to go alone. I love going places alone, where I don't have to share the experience or worry if someone else is having fun or not. Over the summer DH and I each went to see matinees of POTC 2, one right after the other, and it was just lovely to be in a theater for a couple hours while DH took care of DS while I drooled over J.Depp (er, enjoyed his talented acting, that is). Enjoy!

Hiya Bumber,
Well, to be honest. I was nervous going by myself. Because, I always have a little partner to go with. With 3 children, going anywhere solo. Is a feat in itself. But, my husband, had a convention to attend in hollywood. And then,
. Eureka! California= Universal hollywood,& Disneyland! I decided I would tag along. And while he is busy doing the convention stuff. I would be busy off on my own. Doing the Universal, and Disneyland stuff! My mother, and father, offered to watch the 3 stringbeans, so we were all set! Seems, like a win, win situation to me! I will go to Universal, arrival day, then head over to Disneyland the next day, and stay in my own hotel, there. For 2 nights. Then, back to hollywood, for one more day at Universal, and then home. A short little 5 day trip. But, anything Disney is so worth it,( even the almost 6 hours on a plane, it will take me to get there) I am so obsessed, with Disney!

A warning, about free dining. When, and if you do, do the free dining. I think. I'm pretty sure you will be hooked for life. I was thinking about buying into DVC. But, now. I have lost interest. Because the value of the Free DDP. Is just such a good value. To me, it is worth it's weight in gold!

Have a great day, and a magical vacation!! Whatever decision you arrive at, anything Disney, can't be beat!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I love planning, but I HATE decisions! For those who believe in it, I'm a TRUE Libra.

Really??? I can use that as my excuse??? I can't wait to tell DH! "It's not my fault, it's because I'm a Libra!"

I don't follow astrology, but I think it's funny when something about it really fits to a 'T'. And BOY, does this fit!

My feeling on your original topic is that you can't go wrong. Either you go to DL and have a fabulous time, or go to WDW and have a fabulous time!

ETA: Just realized I made absolutely NO DECISION there! HA HA HA!!!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I am in the same boat. I have been wrestling with cancelling our December 2007 trip to Disneyland and trying to go to WDW this September for the first time because of free dining. It's a tough choice. I have made pro and con lists ad nauseum but for financial reasons and a family vote, am leaning towards keeping plans the same.


We can either do Disneyland for 7 nights this December and put in sprinklers and grass (just built a new home on a half acre) or do WDW this September for 10 nights and look at dirt until next year.


We were originally planning May 2009 for our first trip to WDW for my 40th and that is still the plan regardless of any changes for this year.

Keep the DL trip and put in grass!!! Then you have the best of both worlds, a fabulous trip and an upgrade at home, which lets face it, you do have to live there the other 358 days after your 7 day trip!! But you still get a trip to DL at one of the best times of the year!!!

Andrea

 

[bumbershoot]

Really??? I can use that as my excuse??? I can't wait to tell DH! "It's not my fault, it's because I'm a Libra!"

I don't follow astrology, but I think it's funny when something about it really fits to a 'T'. And BOY, does this fit!

My feeling on your original topic is that you can't go wrong. Either you go to DL and have a fabulous time, or go to WDW and have a fabulous time!

ETA: Just realized I made absolutely NO DECISION there! HA HA HA!!!

Oh I've been using it since my mom told me about it.

In HS I dated another Libra, and figuring out what we were going to do on a date was torture. We could see all sides to ANYTHING. "Where do you want to eat, Italian?" "That sounds good, oh wait, what about Chinese?" "I could go for that, oh but what about Bob's Big Boy (burgers)?" "Man I could go for that, oh, but what about that sandwich place you worked at?" "Yum, but then, lasagna sounds good, how about Italian?"

We broke up for other reasons, but not having to deal with that anymore was a BONUS of the breakup.


And for extra fun, my hubby is on the cusp of two signs. And our son is a Gemini (AKA "the twins"). There are 6 of us living in this house, and only 3 bodies!

Even if you don't believe in it, it's still amusing.

....then get into the hubster being Korean, so we've also got Chinese astrology from his mom's side...he and I shouldn't even have TRIED a relationship from our Chinese signs... Remember how I mentioned our communication "skills"?

This is what one site says, and it's what his mom tried to tell us from the first time she met me and determined that I'm a Rooster:

Rat +_ Rooster
It's just not worth it…there are too many conflicts.




**********
So anyway! The travel agency got back to me, and they have the same deal as booking through disneyworld.com. Of course they would book ADRs and such, but since the money isn't better, we've decided to maybe add a day to Disneyland, go in December and see the December stuff, and just plan WDW another time for when we don't have a pesky HS reunion taking up half of DH's vacation!

Lucky for us he's 3 school years younger than me, and there's TIME! (then again, we don't have to travel to his reunion, we're only 90 minutes away!)

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy&Dan, you do have alot of valid points. About the cost of the Free DDP. But, for someone like me. I think the Free DDP pays for itself. Last year, I took my ds13 on a trip to WDW with the free dine. We stayed value. paid around 1200, for the both of us for 7 nights, inclusive of 7 day park hoppers. The total for all of our "free food" totalled 923. So the balance is 277. Now, what about my tickets. And, just how much am I paying for that room? The way I see it. Is they pay me to come to eat. In all of my 17 trips so far to WDW. I have yet been able to find a better value, than the "Free DDP". I absolutely love it. And will always try for it, as long as it is offered. Inspite, the intense heat, and those frantic love bugs.

First of all, your food receipts may have added up to $923 but that would be the OOP cost, the not the DDP cost. So even if you had paid for the DDP your total would only be $517 (36.99 a day for each of you = $517) not $923. The DDP, free or paid will always save you money if you were to order the exact same items and pay for them. Of course I don't know of anybody that would actually order that much food, but hey if its free or you paid for it, why not at least have fun or die trying!

Here is how I base my math. Pop Century full rack rate is around $119 a night I think for a non preferred room. I have gotten rates as good as $49 a night and have never paid more than $69 to stay at Pop off season. So lets say you paid $69 a night to stay at Pop here is what that trip would cost you and your 13 year old. I am using rough estimates, I think the DDP was like $36.99 a day per person last year.
Room: $75 a night with tax for a total of: $525
Tickets: $400 total
DDP: $517
Total: $1442

So yes you definitely saved over a couple of hundred bucks for sure, but not the $36.99 a day x 2 that the term "free dining" implies let alone the OOP cost of $923. To be honest, I would rather pay that $250 extra and go during other off season times like the end of April into early May or times in October, November, December, January, February and avoid that heat and hurricane worry. I just want people to realize that the free dining is like any other deal, there are strings attached and things to consider.

And one more thing, if anybody is considering a trip during the free dining, best to book it soon. They have only so many of those packages available. I just saw over on the resorts board someone only be able to stay at All Star Sports since all the free dining rooms at the other three values were gone. And another thread where Riverside was the only mod available on the moderate level.

I also have to add that I would not forgo buying DVC based solely on Free Dining. The savings you earn by owning DVC are far more than free dining (for as long as they even offer that) will be. One of the expert number workers over on the DVC board could spell that all out. If staying at a value works for you, free dining or not that is great. However, comparing value stays to DVC stays is not really the comparison you want to make, free dining or not. Also, free dining is an offer that may or may not continue. Being locked into the pricing you pay at the time of buying your DVC contract for up to 50 years is one of the things that makes DVC very appealing since resort rates will go up at all the WDW resorts of all levels.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Here is how I base my math. Pop Century full rack rate is around $119 a night I think for a non preferred room. I have gotten rates as good as $49 a night and have never paid more than $69 to stay at Pop off season.

The entirety of the check in dates for this free dining promotion occur during value season. The rack rate for a standard room at a value resort during value season is $82 this year according to Mousesavers, not $119. We've done the free dining both years and in both years, we paid value season rack rate.

 

[faindrops27]

First of all, your food receipts may have added up to $923 but that would be the OOP cost, the not the DDP cost. So even if you had paid for the DDP your total would only be $517 (36.99 a day for each of you = $517) not $923. The DDP, free or paid will always save you money if you were to order the exact same items and pay for them. Of course I don't know of anybody that would actually order that much food, but hey if its free or you paid for it, why not at least have fun or die trying!

Here is how I base my math. Pop Century full rack rate is around $119 a night I think for a non preferred room. I have gotten rates as good as $49 a night and have never paid more than $69 to stay at Pop off season. So lets say you paid $69 a night to stay at Pop here is what that trip would cost you and your 13 year old. I am using rough estimates, I think the DDP was like $36.99 a day per person last year.
Room: $75 a night with tax for a total of: $525
Tickets: $400 total
DDP: $517
Total: $1442

So yes you definitely saved over a couple of hundred bucks for sure, but not the $36.99 a day x 2 that the term "free dining" implies let alone the OOP cost of $923. To be honest, I would rather pay that $250 extra and go during other off season times like the end of April into early May or times in October, November, December, January, February and avoid that heat and hurricane worry. I just want people to realize that the free dining is like any other deal, there are strings attached and things to consider.

And one more thing, if anybody is considering a trip during the free dining, best to book it soon. They have only so many of those packages available. I just saw over on the resorts board someone only be able to stay at All Star Sports since all the free dining rooms at the other three values were gone. And another thread where Riverside was the only mod available on the moderate level.

I also have to add that I would not forgo buying DVC based solely on Free Dining. The savings you earn by owning DVC are far more than free dining (for as long as they even offer that) will be. One of the expert number workers over on the DVC board could spell that all out. If staying at a value works for you, free dining or not that is great. However, comparing value stays to DVC stays is not really the comparison you want to make, free dining or not. Also, free dining is an offer that may or may not continue. Being locked into the pricing you pay at the time of buying your DVC contract for up to 50 years is one of the things that makes DVC very appealing since resort rates will go up at all the WDW resorts of all levels.

Amy&Dan,
Wow, when did this become a debate between what your opinion is, and what mine is, concerning the Free DDP? To the point that you felt the need, to give a math lesson? Hmm, I am wondering where this is all coming from. I stated my opinion, you stated yours. No, need for debate. And there is definately no need to infer. That I am comparing a value stay, with DVC ownership. Yes, there may be a "catch" to the free DDP. But, it is ok for me to appreciate the value in it. And even though you perticularley would rather go in April, or the other months listed. That is just fine. Your choice, I have a choice also. And, I happen to love the Free DDP. If you like it, or you don't whatever floats your boat, is what I always say. So, why not embrace that same attitude? Also, you may not personally know anyone who can order all of that food, but plenty of people do. And you know what, that's ok.

Bumber,
There are plenty that love the Free DDP that is being offered. Because, I think most people see the tremendous value in it. So again, whatever you choose. You have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[rentayenta]

Keep the DL trip and put in grass!!! Then you have the best of both worlds, a fabulous trip and an upgrade at home, which lets face it, you do have to live there the other 358 days after your 7 day trip!! But you still get a trip to DL at one of the best times of the year!!!

Andrea

Thank you Andrea, you are so right! I would have another 358 days of looking at dirt and when you put it like that, the decision is a no brainer! It's just so hard not to get caught up in the magic of free dining. WDW can wait until 2009 when it's more affordable and plus I will have waaaay more time to plan!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy&Dan,
Wow, when did this become a debate between what your opinion is, and what mine is, concerning the Free DDP? To the point that you felt the need, to give a math lesson? Hmm, I am wondering where this is all coming from. I stated my opinion, you stated yours. No, need for debate. And there is definately no need to infer. That I am comparing a value stay, with DVC ownership. Yes, there may be a "catch" to the free DDP. But, it is ok for me to appreciate the value in it. And even though you perticularley would rather go in April, or the other months listed. That is just fine. Your choice, I have a choice also. And, I happen to love the Free DDP. If you like it, or you don't whatever floats your boat, is what I always say. So, why not embrace that same attitude? Also, you may not personally know anyone who can order all of that food, but plenty of people do. And you know what, that's ok.

Bumber,
There are plenty that love the Free DDP that is being offered. Because, I think most people see the tremendous value in it. So again, whatever you choose. You have a wonderful vacation!!

No debate, I was simply stating what my TA told me! Again, I love the DDP and if it was free I would love it probably even more. I am just trying to state that there are other off seasons times to go when you can also save quite a bit of money, even if you have to pay the DDP. And the reason I was posting all of this was due to a pm I received from another poster regarding this thread. I am not trying to justify or not justify anything you, or anyone else is doing. And my TA told me that the rack rate they charge you during free dining is the not the value rack but the premier rack. But obviously she is wrong if others have gotten the value rack rate during the free dining. I am really just trying to put more than one side to the question. Guess we can no longer do that on the dis without getting people upset. I agree, lets just all enjoy our vacations.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think we all have our versions of fuzzy Disney math.

I checked to see what the rate was through disneyworld.com, on Monday, before I could get free dining. And the rate for 3 nights and 4 days of tickets (not parkhopper, no water parks, the tickets would expire) was the same with no dining as with free dining when I checked on Thursday.

Then when I found the rate, for the same hotel, adding on two nights, the rate went up by 201.30. Adding one MORE day to the end of THAT only increased it by 92.66.


Those increases and the totals I got *included* the tickets...

But I don't know how much tickets usually cost, so I just go by the total.

If I were fine with the total for the tickets and hotel, adding on free dining would be MOST excellent.



But we're just going to stick with Disneyland this trip, as we've learned in our years of awful communication that something like this, where it *sort of* falls in our laps but causes lots of hard questions, is NOT worth doing. Now, if we won 3K (pay for trip plus airfare plus LOTS of extras) in a contest on the same day Southwest opened their dates through September, while Robert's job gave him an extra week of vacation AND my California family announced that they were also planning on going go DisneyWORLD....THEN we'd have done it.

That didn't happen, so we're sticking with our first plan.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well you are going to have a great time at Disneyland and WDW will be there for another time! I think it can get very confusing doing Disney math esp. when you are trying to price out the components of a package. My all time favorite was when I added a day to a package and when it was repriced it ended up being cheaper. No idea how that happened but needless to say I didn't mind one bit! I guess I didn't do a very good job trying to add some points to ponder (judging by that dressing down I received) but I was just really trying to stress that you can get some awesome deals to WDW even if you can't make it during Free Dining. I saw someone over on the Restaurants board saying Free Dining is really just a hotel discount by a different name! Not sure I agree with that but I think I am not the only one who sees free dining as merely one of many different type of discounts Disney offers all through the year.

Enjoy your planning and your trip to Disneyland!

 

[bumbershoot]

Talking about confusing math! I've been trying to price out party supplies for DS's birthday. Each place has a different package of the same "theme". Not all places have all components. Shipping varies like crazy.

Then you throw in the "rewards" sites, and how very much I want to use a rewards site (but can't, dagnabit, b/c the sites just don't have enough on them) to buy these things, and my head is whirling!

Why can't they all make their packages the same and carry the same items? OK OK I know why, b/c then it would be easy for people to just choose the cheapest.

I actually really need to get back to DS's little party planning now. It comes before Disney, after all!



Thanks to ALL of you for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kingsdaughter]

We went on our 1st WDW trip Dec 2006 for 8 days stayed at the Poly . We paid for the DDP & would definately pay for it again.It was so worth it We would never of experienced most of those restaurant if we hadn't done the DDP. We still talk about some of the experiences we had while we were dining.That was a big part of our trip.It is so much food though we thought we were going to die at times .
I will be heading to DL next month with just my cousin & my friend with no kids (ds15 ,dd13, dd7) I am so excited.My other kids know & are happy for me but I haven't told my dd7 yet.I don't know how I will do that yet.

Anyway I hope you all have a wonderful on your next Disney trips

 

[princesssonny]

I have also been to WDW the last two years with the free dining plan and let me just say that even with paying rack rate at a Value Resort you still come out ahead (if you have 1 room with 3 or 4 people in it). It does not save money if you stay at a deluxe or higher resort with having to pay rack rate. For me personally, I have stayed at both All Star Music and Pop and both are fine. I have been planning and planning for our first trip to DL which we leave for at the end of May woohoo. Then, my Travel Agent lets me know about free dining again and it is just too good to pass up so we booked a week at WDW as well (we are driving though). I feel so fortunate to be able to visit both in one year and go to the Halloween Party for the third year in a row it is really fun. I don't know if I would count on the free dining definitely happening again next year. Each year they have changed it with the book it by dates and now the window of stay dates is smaller and they only have a "limited" amount of rooms available for the discount. The first year I think everyone there those 7 weeks had free dining. Anyhow, I am a huge advocate for the DDP and I would buy it if it wasn't offered for free. It is so nice to take a vacation and all you have to buy are souveniers lol. As for the age of your son I took my son for the first time at 2 1/2 we were there for 12 days and also went to Sea World, Universal, Busch Gardens, and even had time for Cocoa Beach. He rode everything (that he was tall enough for) and loved every minute of it. I think any time is a good time to go as far as age. He may not remember, but you will and he will certainly enjoy the moment. This is just my opinion.


P.S. To anyone deciding to book they are filling up fast and the only resort I could get was Sports as someone else noted, but a good tip to know is that the three All Star resorts share busses and Sports is the first pick up. Very good in the morning since often you can wait up to 30 minutes just to get on a bus.