DVC Stay v. Free Dining

[rlduvall]

I have posted this on the Resorts Board, but I thought I would also post it here:

I am so torn and I need my fellow diser's opinions. Last year I went to Disney with my bestfriend during Free Dining (9/19 to 9/26). We stayed at Pop Century - which was "okay." All that food was so much fun - something I had never done before. It was pretty hot and love bugs were everywhere, but it was a great $$$ deal.

Now, my DH and I own a small DVC contract. With DS (7 years old) in school, I have to plan my vacations more carefully. I didn't realize it was a big no-no to take children out of school for Disney. Heck, that's the main reason I had him.

My dilemma:

1) If FD does come out - stay at Pop (Labor Day) 9/1/07 to 9/8/07; DS only misses 3 days of school - total package deal = $1,290., or;

2) Stay at OKW in a studio (Fall Break) 10/14/07 to 10/21/07 - using our points Sun. - Thurs., stay at Pop Fri./Sat. night - purchase DDP; DS only misses 2 days of school - total package deal = $1,470.

No. 1 is cheaper than No. 2 and we save our points for another trip. Of course, OKW is probably nicer than Pop, but Pop is not bad. Naturally, I have weighed the pros and cons of each, but I would love to the hear the professional's opinions.

TIA

 

[Deb & Bill]

But there is no guarantee about free dining in late Aug and/or Sept like last year. Bookings are up as are dining reservations. No real hurricanes last year and who knows about this year.

 

[daisyduck123]

My family would go with Option #1....I'll always take the scenario that will leave me with more points for another trip!!

 

[sunshinegirl]

I'd probably go with #2 only because I love being there in October.

 

[CarolA]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

 

[Starr W.]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

I remember someone saying they did DDP for a week and gained 10lbs!.

 

[Slakk]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

We did DDP once and I literally was sick from eating all that food. We are NOT doing it again!

 

[Boston5602]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

For Me DDP in

Feb 06
+Aug 06
+Jan 07 = weight watchers April 2007


No more

 

[Starr W.]

They are going nuts over on the resort board waiting(or salivating) for the free dining announcement. It could be any minute as the WDW travel site is down for an update!

Well I shouldn't laugh as I am that way about airfare(I check about 5x day).

 

[LakeAriel]

Though the DDP free or not, is a whole lot of food, the many miles of extra walking keep us from gaining any weight while at Disney..

Thank goodness!

 

[Starr W.]

Though the DDP free or not, is a whole lot of food, the many miles of extra walking keep us from gaining any weight while at Disney..

Thank goodness!

No DDP on 6 day trip= 4lbs lost. And I did get a dessert a couple of times.

 

[daisyduck123]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

The food is there, but no one is forcing anyone to eat all of it.

We always do the DP, and we never gain weight from it.
MODERATION is the key.

(It also helps that I'm a salad lover & when we're at the buffets I fill my plate with that first).

 

[mla973]

I think you'll want to consider how much you would enjoy Pop after staying at OKW at the beginning of the week. With split stays, I've always heard advice that says to stay at the nicer place last - that way, you're not disappointed. (Although, we have not split a stay, so I don't know from experience.)

Regarding choosing 1 or 2... if you go with 1 and save the points, will you be sure to use them another time?

 

[MIDisFan]

But there is no guarantee about free dining in late Aug and/or Sept like last year. Bookings are up as are dining reservations. No real hurricanes last year and who knows about this year.

Do you think a lot of people booked rooms for August - October in anticipation of free dining?

 

[rlduvall]

I think it depends on your eating habits. (And does ANYONE need to eat a sitdown meal with appetizer and desert everyday? If you do this often enough chances are you won't fit into your clothing unless you are a teenage boy!)

Actually, when my friend and I went last year on Free Dining, I got so sick of food. I was never truly hungry when I ate, which is something I enjoy. If we decide to go in October, I am even debating if I want to purchase the DDP. BUT, it is such a great deal I would only save about $140. if I didn't do it. I know, I know, I don't have to order everything and eat it all . . .but I do!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you think a lot of people booked rooms for August - October in anticipation of free dining?

There are lots of threads on the DDP board about this. So many people have already made reservations that they want to modify if free dining comes up. And tons are already making ADRs for the time hoping for free dining.

 

[rlduvall]

Well, I actually had help making my mind up today. I asked DS's schoolteacher for this year which timeframe would a teacher find least disruptive. She said definitely the 2 days before Fall Break (10/15 and 10/16) because around Labor Day (school starts 8/16) they are still doing assessments on the children and Fall Break they will all be settled in, no testing and that is a short fluff week anyway. I think I should work with the school system as much as possible.

Weather should be nicer so I am not disappointed at all. I just wish I could be more decisive sometimes. Still unsure about purchasing DDP, though. DDE wouldn't work because we don't have APs.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

 

[MIDisFan]

There are lots of threads on the DDP board about this. So many people have already made reservations that they want to modify if free dining comes up. And tons are already making ADRs for the time hoping for free dining.

That is what I have seen but I wonder if they hurt there own chances of getting free dining. I can't see Disney offering it if bookings are up.

 

[disneybride96]

And tons are already making ADRs for the time hoping for free dining.

So...that's why I'm having trouble with some ADRs for September.
Darn it free dining, anyway!