Free Dining or 40% off pin code...?

[*TheWigs*]

We are going to WDW Nov 28-Dec 2..we have booked at the Contemporary with 40% off room pin code. Just saw Free Dining was extended and I think we are within the new dates. I'm TERRIBLE at figuring "the better deal"-that's usually my DH job We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Any help with figuring out which is a better deal is appreciated! Also...I booked my own vaca thru WDW so how would I go about changing to FD vs the 40% off? Would I lose my dining ressies? We got LeCellier and that's one I DON'T wanna give up!! Thanks DISers!!

 

[MusiqChic99]

I called last night with figures for WL with the 40% pin. It looked to me that FD would be a much better deal for us. I think the FD really helps when you have more adults going. Definitely a better deal then.

 

[tkbbmom]

We were booked w/ 40% off pin at AKL and by changing to free dining it was over $1000.00 savings --we're a family of 6 and oldest is over 18 so that's 3 adults and 3 kids.

 

[taylor3297]

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children and will be staying at the Poly. Though our dates are blacked out for FD, my TA said the 40% off the room was a better deal since we were saving more a night then what it costs us for free dining.

So if you can tell me how much a night your room is and let me know if your kids will be paying kid prices for the dining plan, I can figure which is better for you. Though my TA did the figuring for us, I used to be a math teacher so I can handle figuring for you. Just send me a PM.

 

[disney777]

I always go online and pretend to book the offers I'm trying to compare. (Just don't complete the reservation) That gives you the total cost of each package.

 

[Marty Moose]

I always go online and pretend to book the offers I'm trying to compare. (Just don't complete the reservation) That gives you the total cost of each package.

This is what I do too!

Just go to the website and plug in all the same info as your current ressies (minus dining) to see what the rack rate for your room & tickets would be! Just be sure EVERYTHING is the same (# & age of guests, whether you are opting for park hoppers, etc..)

 

[*TheWigs*]

Ooops! We are staying until 12/4 not 12/2! That makes a difference in the figuring...thanks for the replies!

 

[dawnmommy]

since both of your children are under the age of 9, and you are staying at the Contemporary Resort, it is most likely that the 40% off is a better deal. Free Dining saves you right around $108 per day

even if you had the very very cheapest room at CR (Garden Wing, Standard View - there aren't many of them), the 40% off PIN saves you around $114 per day. If you are in the Tower, you are saving a minimum of $160 per day with the 40% off pin

hope this helps

 

[megwilliams]

A general rule of thumb is, with a higher tier deluxe, 40% off is a better deal. With mods and values, the FD is better. AKL and WL are in the middle and either way is just about the same amount (at least, this is what I've discovered).

We changed our ressie to BWI last month and while were on FD at CSR, it was $300 less to go for the room-only discount, rather than the FD at BWI.

The easiest way for me to figure stuff out is just to call CRO. You can fiddle with the online ressies, but it's simpler to call, even if it is a PITB.

The CMs are usually pretty good at helping you go through all your pricing options (if prompted, they won't automatically do it). I just hate calling and wish you could do everything online.

Also, there should be no problem with your ADRs if you change your reservation.

 

[fsmith2845]

We are going to WDW Nov 28-Dec 2..we have booked at the Contemporary with 40% off room pin code. Just saw Free Dining was extended and I think we are within the new dates. I'm TERRIBLE at figuring "the better deal"-that's usually my DH job We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Any help with figuring out which is a better deal is appreciated! Also...I booked my own vaca thru WDW so how would I go about changing to FD vs the 40% off? Would I lose my dining ressies? We got LeCellier and that's one I DON'T wanna give up!! Thanks DISers!!

Hey we will be there around the same timeframe.. we've booked at SSR for a week arriving on Nov 27 thru Dec 4th (traded RCI points to DVC). Unfortunately since we are at the DVC resort, we can't take advantage at all.

But we'll have a great time at the World and enjoying the Christmas decorations and cooler weather..

 

[YanksWinAgain]

We saved $150 with Free Dining over the 40% off PIN for a Poly stay 8/17-8/24. There are five of us (four at the adult level and 1 at the kids level).

I had the 40% PIN in the reservation and called the reservation line and they priced it with the free dining - and told me it was cheaper so they swapped it for me.

 

[lilclerk]

Not sure what room category you're in, but I just ran some numbers.
40% off a Garden wing room with 7-day base tickets and basic dining will be $3,047.02
Rack rate of a Garden wing room with 7-day base tickets and free basic dining will be $3,192.44

So you'll be saving a little over $140 with the room discount, unless you're in a more expensive room and then you'd save even more