discount experts please help me with my math?

[barefootMom]

?
I know some of you will know right away which is the best discount for me while I cannot seem to figure it out...we are going the first week of Feb. and I can either use the free dining promo OR the Disney visa discount (i know I am lucky that my dates fall where they do).

4 people are going (3 of which are over 10 for dining plan info.)
We are interested in either Poly or WL or possibly a villa at WL. (would ultimately love to do club level at either place but feel we shouldn't spoil ourselves that much!)

We would probably take full advantage of the dining plan if we do get it free but aren't the types that would probably buy it otherwise.

Which scenario is the best deal at which resort? help??!!!

 

[lvloopingbag]

Knowing your dates would be helpful as weekend pricing can be higher than week days...

 

[barefootMom]

We are going to be there from Sat. -Sunday Jan. 28-Feb. 5.
Also, I really would prefer to stay at the poly since we have never stayed there before so if it is too much to compare both places, help me figure out the poly since I think the Visa discount is only 30% there?

 

[padawans]

Just price the room out at rack rate and subtract 30%. Thats your saving off the package. Price out another package with no dining. Thats your price were free dining.

 

[JanetMom]

I like math and planning Disney vacations, so here is my take on this.

I think you will come out almost even, depending on your eating styles. So if you think you will eat a lot, go with the free dining since you could make the most out of those meals. If you are lighter eaters and the dining plan seems like a bit of a pain, then go with the room discount.

Here is my math. I priced it out at 8 nights for 3 adults and a child.

Poly Garden View room - $3971. 30% off this would be $1191

Villas at WL Studio - $3195. 35% off would be $1118.25

Based on the assumptions below, I estimate your free dining to be worth $1312

I priced the dining based on the following:
8 nights for 3 "adults"
$3 for snack/day (8 nights x 3 adults x $3 = $72)
$15 for lunch/day (8 x 3 x $15 = $360)
$30 for supper/day (8 x 3 x $30 = $720)
I wasn't sure of the age of the little one or how much they eat so I estimated $20/day for everything (8 x $20 = $160)

$72+360+720+160= $1312

So based on all this being right you could save approximately $200 with the dining plan, but that all depends on if you take those exact rooms and on how you eat.

Think about if you will really spend that much on food if you don't use the dining plan. Would you eat a $30 supper each day or would you be more likely to have two counter service meals?

Think about your room type. If you upgrade your view or move to a CL room, the room will cost more so the %savings on the room discount will be more, making the room discount the better choice.

These are just my thoughts.

Have fun making your decision!

 

[wdw4rfam]

I think free dining is going to be better. The thing with room discount is- you have to take rack rate before taxes, and take the 30%- not the rate you pull up- that includes tax. That week is already a pretty low rate- so I think free dining is better because you have 3 "adults".

 

[JanetMom]

I think free dining is going to be better. The thing with room discount is- you have to take rack rate before taxes, and take the 30%- not the rate you pull up- that includes tax. That week is already a pretty low rate- so I think free dining is better because you have 3 "adults".

Good point - my math was based on the rate I pulled up which includes the tax. That does give free dining an extra advantage.

 

[Moomduck1]

I think if you are trying to save money, you should go with the 30% off rack rate at the Poly. You know right up front you are saving a lot of money. If you go with the free dining, you may or may not save money, depending on how you eat. Why worry about it? The only times that we have ever used the free dining plan is when we were staying 3 nights or less and we were planning on expensive sit down meals. If we aren't eating at very expensive restaurants, we cannot get the free dining to work out cheaper. And that's with 4 adults in a room.

 

[barefootMom]

thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me!! but am i understanding that if I stay at the Poly (vs. WL) that the room discount might make more sense because the rates are higher? or is that where you say it is almost a break even? What if I did stay Club Level and got rid of the dining? would people do that or is that just plain stupid!? (yes, I know it would really only replace breakfast each day and I wouldn't fool myself into thinking I wouldn't be paying oop for meals...just toying with the idea)....what would you all do?

 

[JanetMom]

thanks to all of you for taking the time to help me!! but am i understanding that if I stay at the Poly (vs. WL) that the room discount might make more sense because the rates are higher? or is that where you say it is almost a break even? What if I did stay Club Level and got rid of the dining? would people do that or is that just plain stupid!? (yes, I know it would really only replace breakfast each day and I wouldn't fool myself into thinking I wouldn't be paying oop for meals...just toying with the idea)....what would you all do?

If you go for a CL room the room discount is the way to go since the room rate is much higher, therefore the discount is more.

We are going next March, staying club level at the Yacht Club. We plan to use the CL for breakfast and snacks, but will still need to eat lunch and supper elsewhere.

At this time we are booked with free dining. We would rather not deal with the dining plan decisions but are happy to get the discount so were thrilled when free dining was offered. If a room discount comes out we will switch since at the CL rates, a room discount would likely save us several hundred more.

 

[gigi1313]

if you opt to go CL, you can definitely save some $ on food (b'fast... snacks... soft drinks... a beer or cocktail...) but only if you plan to spend time at your resort... if you are doing what my dh calls the "disney march" and are in the parks all day, the snacks at the resort won't help you save $...

definitely re-do the math on the room only discount, as the higher the room price, the more you "save" (or don't spend!) w/the discount!