Free Dining at a Mod vs Other Discount - Am I missing something ?

[jods]

I just priced dvc rental with my fd bb. Same price give or take 20 total. With the rental I'm in a BC studio with the bb I'm in a regular room. My ods is 13 and tall. Pull out couches are not comfortable to him. I didn't add in the hopper to the dvc either so my BB is actually cheaper.

 

[IrishNYC]

I just priced dvc rental with my fd bb. Same price give or take 20 total. With the rental I'm in a BC studio with the bb I'm in a regular room. My ods is 13 and tall. Pull out couches are not comfortable to him. I didn't add in the hopper to the dvc either so my BB is actually cheaper.

Pullouts are another reason I would hesitate to consider DVC rental, too. I hated sleeping on my grandmother's pullout as a kid, I don't want to sleep on a pullout on vacation as an adult, and I don't want to subject my kid to it, either.

 

[mrzrich]

I priced out free dining at OKW vs the "Enchanted" Package offer. I got the same tickets and the same dining plan and the Enchanted package came out $219 cheaper.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm surprised more people don't rent DVC points. I have a trip planned in the fall renting DVC, so just out of curiosity I priced out a free dining package for the same time.

10 nights, 10 day park hoppers for 2 adults and 1 child (I also have 2 under 3). For the same price I could either stay...

@ POR in a preferred room with free QS dining plan

Or

@ the Poly in a studio with $30 per day to put towards food

Same price, no brainer. I know renting is not feasible for everyone. And I could see free dining being worth it for bigger families who eat a lot, but I really don't see that much benefit for all the drama.

(Edited to correct my math)

Renting points is not always as easy as it may seem on the boards. First, low season for DVC is not the same as a value season for resort rentals. Also, you better have your dates locked in because it is not always possible to make changes once you book. You also pay in full for the most part. No paying as you go. I am not sure you can book a ten day stay all at once either, but am not positive.

I think that FD works well for many families, and RO or renting for others. There is so much more to consider than the upfront cost, and that is what makes these choices so personal. Not one of us can help someone make the best choice unless we knwo the family dynamic which includes the number of people, their ages, how they like to travel, and how they want to dine.

My family is fine sharing space so in general the FD is the best discount for us. I also do not want to be locked into my dates too far in advance, like daily service and do not want to skimp on towels, and do not do laundry, so renting probably will not be our best bet. For others, my travel preferences would be a nightmare.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Ah yes, another opportunity for the free dining haters to come out in force.

Add the price of the tickets with park hopper to get a true comparison.

Sometimes free dining is a great deal. Sometimes it isn't. It depends on how many in your party, how you eat, where you stay.

I don't see anyone hating on anything.

 

[DisFanDad]

Hey all, for the record just note that I did note the difference with and without tickets, that was part of what was surprising. Was that essentially even if you remove the price of the tickets I was still getting a, slightly, better deal booking an RO and adding the dining.

Anyway, just thought I'd share the experience. I know what its like to miss out on the FD and feel super bummed and disappointed.