Free dining - AOA and AS family suites ??

[Cindabella's Mom]

It's my turn for a free dining question. We are hoping to go this year 9/28 to 10/5. Due to a friend going along this time, we are looking at either the AOA suites or the AS family suites versus two rooms at the other value resorts.

Based on the way my 6'4 200 pound son eats and husband wanting a sitdown meal every evening, free dining is the discount I would love to get.

IF free dining is offered for my time period, does anyone know if AOA or the family suites are eligible for this discount? I've tried searching and am not having any luck. Thanks all!

 

[Blessedwithboys]

In the past yes! Both the AOA suites and ASMu sites were included in (at least years) FD promo. The only thing not included in the promo from those two resorts are the LM rooms at AOA

 

[smitch425]

It's my turn for a free dining question. We are hoping to go this year 9/28 to 10/5. Due to a friend going along this time, we are looking at either the AOA suites or the AS family suites versus two rooms at the other value resorts.

Based on the way my 6'4 200 pound son eats and husband wanting a sitdown meal every evening, free dining is the discount I would love to get.

IF free dining is offered for my time period, does anyone know if AOA or the family suites are eligible for this discount? I've tried searching and am not having any luck. Thanks all!

They should be eligible, but you will only receive the QSDP for free. You would have to pay the difference between plans to upgrade to the regular DDP.

 

[nu2dvc]

Am I the only one who thinks that the AoA suites should offer the regular DDP (not QS DDP)? I mean, the rooms are more expensive than the mods, so why not include them among those who receive the sit-downs in addition to counter service?

 

[aaarcher86]

Am I the only one who thinks that the AoA suites should offer the regular DDP (not QS DDP)? I mean, the rooms are more expensive than the mods, so why not include them among those who receive the sit-downs in addition to counter service?

Because they're roughly the same price as getting 2 value rooms which would be your only other option. It's just a convenience to be in 1 suite.

Two standards is a little bit cheaper. Two preferred rooms is more expensive. It's really only a difference of a few bucks.

 

[smitch425]

Am I the only one who thinks that the AoA suites should offer the regular DDP (not QS DDP)? I mean, the rooms are more expensive than the mods, so why not include them among those who receive the sit-downs in addition to counter service?

The suites at AoA are bigger and hold more people than rooms at the mods, so it makes sense that they are more expensive. They are still part of a value resort, so they will (and should) only get the QSDP for free.

 

[nu2dvc]

Disagree. My reasoning is that a family suite is being filled by two adults and a few kids. Two rooms at a mod will be likely be filled by four adults and some kids. So overall, Disney is not losing out or giving away any more by giving the family suite peeps the basic DDP. In fact, the opposite is true. They are making the same amount of money on the AoA room as they are from a mod room (actually much more) so why not give the same benefit.

I personally don't care. We have DVC and don't even do free dining when it is offered, just my observation & opinion.

 

[smitch425]

Disagree. My reasoning is that a family suite is being filled by two adults and a few kids. Two rooms at a mod will be likely be filled by four adults and some kids. So overall, Disney is not losing out or giving away any more by giving the family suite peeps the basic DDP. In fact, the opposite is true. They are making the same amount of money on the AoA room as they are from a mod room (actually much more) so why not give the same benefit.

I personally don't care. We have DVC and don't even do free dining when it is offered, just my observation & opinion.

Actually, the family suites are often filled with parents and grandparents of only one or two children. I have seen posts of 6 adults sharing a suite as well. From Disney's standpoint, they would be looked at negatively if they offered one dining plan to some guests and a different one to others when they are all staying at the same resort. It just doesn't work that way. Many families enjoy the flexibility of the QSDP, and for those that like the regular DDP, they always have the option to upgrade. It's a win/win for everyone, including Disney.

 

[nu2dvc]

There may be instances of multi-generational families sharing a family suite, but it is not the norm at all. I am a Travel Agent and book them all the time. Never once in my own experience with more than a nuclear family in them. Most grandparents don't want to sleep in a pull out/pull down double-sized bed. And a party of 6 adults is even less likely. Not saying it doesn't ever happen, but certainly far from the norm.

Sure they can upgrade to the regular dining plan, but my initial point was that the overall cost being put out by a family in the suites is fairly comparable to the cost being put out by a family in a mod and as such they should be compensated with the same promo when applicable.

 

[smitch425]

There may be instances of multi-generational families sharing a family suite, but it is not the norm at all. I am a Travel Agent and book them all the time. Never once in my own experience with more than a nuclear family in them. Most grandparents don't want to sleep in a pull out/pull down double-sized bed. And a party of 6 adults is even less likely. Not saying it doesn't ever happen, but certainly far from the norm.

Sure they can upgrade to the regular dining plan, but my initial point was that the overall cost being put out by a family in the suites is fairly comparable to the cost being put out by a family in a mod and as such they should be compensated with the same promo when applicable.

But it isn't the same. A family of 6 would require 2 rooms in a mod. That is more expensive than one suite. Example:

6 people (2 adults, 4 children) staying 4/12-4/16/13 pays the following:

2 rooms at CBR= $1804
1 suite at AoA= $1492

Not trying to argue at all, just providing info. The cost to upgrade to the regular DDP at AoA could make it comparable to two rooms at a mod, however. That is when families need to make their own personal decision to switch to a mod or stick with a value. The great thing about Disney is that there are multiple options. It all comes down to doing the math and picking what you like best.

 

[nu2dvc]

Sure, with your example of a family with 4 kids (not very common) the mod comes out to slightly more.

But my point is that the bulk of people who book the family suites are not really larger families, they are 4 and 5-person families who just want more space and a second bath.
I know because I book these rooms personally, not just read about it on the DIS. If ya don't believe me, go check out the AoA reviews that are right here on the DIS. They generally mention who is in their travel party, and you can see the make-up of the families who book the rooms. So it seems to me, from both personal experience and from reading those types of reviews that most of the people booking the family suites are not 6 adults, or even 4-children families, they are families that could book a standard room at a mod but choose not to. I don't know, just bugs me that rooms at a value resort (that are certainly no "value"... you can book a big villa at non-disney resorts for cheaper than these) where the cost of one night is over the cost of one night at a mod aren't awarded the same dining plan when disney is offering free dining, despite the fact that they potentially hold more people.

Dunno, it was just a thought