FD vs Florida Resident/passholder discounts

[lshanks07]

Hey guys!

You have wonderful insight and knowledge. We are a family of 5 (2 small 1 teen), in your experience would you choose free dining or florida resident/passholder discounts. Can you explain why?

Thank you for your time!!

 

[raven69david]

I enjoy the Florida Resident discount versus FD as I can save more on the cost of a room, especially on a Deluxe, than we can on food savings w/ FD. I've done many comparisons in the past and FD does not work for us. I'd rather save 35 to 45% off AKL than get FD. The savings is unbelievable when you do the numbers, as we have. No way I'd ever choose FD unless we got the discount and FD together. Since the economy is rebounding and park attendance/hotel bookings are up, fat chance of that happening anytime soon.

 

[lshanks07]

Thanks Raven69David..... I have done some comparisons myself... I just wanted confirmation..... Thank you for your help!!

 

[ilovepete]

I've done the numbers lately and I think it depends on what hotel and how many people are in your party. And also what discount they are offering. When do they offer the 45%? I haven't seen that one, but that would definitely be a better discount!

 

[ashg8r]

I ran the numbers when we spent 5 nights at POR in Feb 2011 - believe it was 30% with room only, or FD. 2 adults and 1 child under 3, and knowing that we wanted lots of character dining (almost all TS was characters) it definitely worked out better for FD. If DD had been 3 or older it would have been an even better deal.
This Dec we're staing deluxe, and I'm pretty sure we'll only be interested in a room only discount (and will probably book whichever is cheapest, other than SSR) as we're going to be eating mostly signatures, and will be less cost effective to do DDP, even if it's free.