Free dining or wait for possible room only offer?

[AshleeH]

What discount for a family of four at a value would be cheaper than FD if the family plans on dining at 1TS and 1CS each day? People go nuts because for them it saves considerable costs. For 2 people at a DLX a 30-40% off could be a better discount.

Check Facebook and you'll see this isn't always true. At various Disney sites, a few hundred people have commented today that FD would cost them anywhere from $100-$1500 more (depending on the person commenting) and it wasn't worth being on hold for 2-4 hours to find that out. And many others have commented that they're now paying $100-$250 more than they were yesterday, but they got a room upgrade, so they found it to be worth it. Free Dining is not free. Disney is making a lot of money off of these promotions.

 

[Huff]

Check Facebook and you'll see this isn't always true. At various Disney sites, a few hundred people have commented today that FD would cost them anywhere from $100-$1500 more (depending on the person commenting) and it wasn't worth being on hold for 2-4 hours to find that out. And many others have commented that they're now paying $100-$250 more than they were yesterday, but they got a room upgrade, so they found it to be worth it. Free Dining is not free. Disney is making a lot of money off of these promotions.

You misunderstood my question. For a party of 4 people in a value who dine 1TS and 1CS each night, what discount would be better than FD? Simply put, there isn't any. Your comments are true that for some depending on size of party and resort there are other deals better than FD, especially 2 people in a DLX when there is a 30-40% discount. That would save more than FD. FD also isn't a good deal for those that do not go to TS each night.

For us, being 4 in a value here's the math. FD at a value for 10 nights = $1765 savings.
30% discount (Haven't seen that high yet for values) would be $140/nt times 30% = $42 X 10 nights = $420.
This is why people love FD so much.

 

[AshleeH]

You misunderstood my question. For a party of 4 people in a value who dine 1TS and 1CS each night, what discount would be better than FD? Simply put, there isn't any. Your comments are true that for some depending on size of party and resort there are other deals better than FD, especially 2 people in a DLX when there is a 30-40% discount. That would save more than FD. FD also isn't a good deal for those that do not go to TS each night.

For us, being 4 in a value here's the math. FD at a value for 10 nights = $1765 savings.
30% discount (Haven't seen that high yet for values) would be $140/nt times 30% = $42 X 10 nights = $420.
This is why people love FD so much.

Yes, it works out fine for you - not every standard family of 4. But if you want an example: Some don't choose to eat that many meals on their trip, with the Florida heat and the amount per serving, it's cheaper to split meals and get a room discount than it is to sign up for FD and pay rack rates. And in my original post, I said it isn't the case for everyone - clearly it works for you and that's fine, but others find it a waste. Just as many find the dining plan a waste, many find staying on property is overpriced, some hate Tower of Terror and some can't stand Space Mountain. If you're looking for everyone to agree that one way of traveling to WDW, it won't happen. Every family has different priorities and tons of people don't know that "Free" dining is not that - and those people will end up losing money if they're not informed to do the math and make sure it's the right fit for them.

 

[Huff]

Yes, it works out fine for you - not every standard family of 4. But if you want an example: Some don't choose to eat that many meals on their trip, with the Florida heat and the amount per serving, it's cheaper to split meals and get a room discount than it is to sign up for FD and pay rack rates. And in my original post, I said it isn't the case for everyone - clearly it works for you and that's fine, but others find it a waste. Just as many find the dining plan a waste, many find staying on property is overpriced, some hate Tower of Terror and some can't stand Space Mountain. If you're looking for everyone to agree that one way of traveling to WDW, it won't happen. Every family has different priorities and tons of people don't know that "Free" dining is not that - and those people will end up losing money if they're not informed to do the math and make sure it's the right fit for them.

Hmm, I never said the FD was the best deal for everyone in every situation! I said it wasn't!! Sheesh! But I did say that for many FD is by far the best deal they can get. Dining out is a big part of our Disney trip that we enjoy. By all means, do the math and see what deal works best. For us and many like us FD saves far more than any other discount Disney has ever offered. I do wish we could afford a DLX and not worry about it! lol

 

[epcotfan]

whoops...nevermind...I can't read.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Well I made my decision. I decided to take the leap and do a free dining package at Beach club for Dec. I think it's a pretty good deal, not as good as if it was a 30% off room only deal but there is no guarantee that there will be one of those to come.

Never done a dining plan before so I will have to figure out the ins and outs of it. Things like it says it is 2 meal credits to have a pizza to room, but is that 2 total, i.e. I use one of mine and my wife uses one of hers row is it we each have to use 2 meaning it's actually 4? So many of those type questions I have at this point.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Well I made my decision. I decided to take the leap and do a free dining package at Beach club for Dec. I think it's a pretty good deal, not as good as if it was a 30% off room only deal but there is no guarantee that there will be one of those to come.

Never done a dining plan before so I will have to figure out the ins and outs of it. Things like it says it is 2 meal credits to have a pizza to room, but is that 2 total, i.e. I use one of mine and my wife uses one of hers row is it we each have to use 2 meaning it's actually 4? So many of those type questions I have at this point.

If you order pizza order from Pizza Hut etc!!! You'll save money and the pizza for room service isn't very good.
Also- we did order room service twice- once breakfast, one late dinner while watching the EWP and Wishes.. I payed OOP bc it is actually better than wasting all of those credits.

I took the 30% off as opposed to FD in 2015. But I purchased the DDP.