Free Dining Question....

[PrinceOfPeace]

I'm considering Free Dining for Sept. Is there somewhere I can be directed to so I can find out what costs/prices are ideal for each meal and snack to make the FDP worth it? For example: in order to break even a snack would need to be at $3, lunch at $10, dinner at $20. However, I don't want to break even...I want to maximize! Hope I am making sense!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I'm considering Free Dining for Sept. Is there somewhere I can be directed to so I can find out what costs/prices are ideal for each meal and snack to make the FDP worth it? For example: in order to break even a snack would need to be at $3, lunch at $10, dinner at $20. However, I don't want to break even...I want to maximize! Hope I am making sense!

I totally understand wanting to maximize--if you're paying for the plan. If you're getting it for free, try to focus less on breaking even. This is the time to go to exactly the places you want without worrying about price. Order exactly what you want off the menu--whether it's more or less expensive. The beauty of free dining is not worrying about what things cost!

No, I wouldn't "waste" a snack credit on something only costs $1.49, if I thought I could use it later on something that cost more. But I also won't book the most expensive TS restaurant just because it's expensive! It needs to be the place my family WANTS to eat. Getting my money's worth if no one's eating food they like isn't worth it!

 

[sharonabe]

I agree with PP....it's free, so you don't really need to maximize.

But since you asked for a breakdown, here's mine.

If you have the regular dining plan (1 Quick Service, 1 Table Service, 1 Snack) then it's $15 for QS, $35 for TS, and $5 for snack to break even. Anything you spend OVER any of those would be maximizing.

If you have the QS dining plan (2 Quick Service, 1 Snack), then it's $16 for each QS and $5 for snack to break even.

Both of those are for ADULTS. Kids pretty much maximize without any effort at all, but buffets are the best way to maximize their TS credits.

I'm not including the refillable mug into the equation, but consider those to be a free souvenir. If you're going to be at your resort to use them often, then the breakdown would be a little different.

 

[Cafeen]

I agree with PP....it's free, so you don't really need to maximize.

But since you asked for a breakdown, here's mine.

If you have the regular dining plan (1 Quick Service, 1 Table Service, 1 Snack) then it's $15 for QS, $35 for TS, and $5 for snack to break even. Anything you spend OVER any of those would be maximizing.

If you have the QS dining plan (2 Quick Service, 1 Snack), then it's $16 for each QS and $5 for snack to break even.

Both of those are for ADULTS. Kids pretty much maximize without any effort at all, but buffets are the best way to maximize their TS credits.

I'm not including the refillable mug into the equation, but consider those to be a free souvenir. If you're going to be at your resort to use them often, then the breakdown would be a little different.

^^ Agree, though I usually would use a $3 snack when figuring my costs, toss another $1 onto QS and TS each. Also remember (to the OP now) that these are POST-TAX numbers, since the dining plans cover the tax (included likely)

 

[navywifetill2002]

I'm considering Free Dining for Sept. Is there somewhere I can be directed to so I can find out what costs/prices are ideal for each meal and snack to make the FDP worth it? For example: in order to break even a snack would need to be at $3, lunch at $10, dinner at $20. However, I don't want to break even...I want to maximize! Hope I am making sense!

I am guessing your break even numbers are based off the room only discount you don't get to take since you're going to use FD (our room only discount last year was only $10 a night so between the 3 of us we needed to each spend more then $3.33 a day...taking the FD was a no brainer for us). Allears.net has great menus with prices that may help you out. There is also an awesome calculator on Seeyoureelsoon that you plug in where you are eating and it tells you the value of the plans for your choices.

 

[disneydacey]

For us, unless we are giving up a room only discount at a deluxe resort free dining is always the better option IMHO.

 

[darnheather]

Comparing the 20% discount on a room versus the free dining, the free dining was a clear winner with us coming out ahead nearly $700. I based our ADR's on the menus and for character meals the characters rather than price.

ETA: Here are good blog posts about getting the most out of the DDP. Table Service and Counter Service

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I took the OP's question to mean they were trying to basically get the most bang for their buck with the DP--in other words, where are the most expensive items for each the credit levels. But maybe I was completely off in that reading of the post.

Are you trying to compare the value of free dining to value of another kind of discount?

 

[julie4423]

FD is worth it unless like a PP said, you are getting a big discount at a deluxe. I have a family of 6...FD will always beat any discount. As for making the most of it, the only "rule" I hand out is that you don't use a snack credit unless pretax cost is $3.95 or more. However, we are huge eaters that always end up with more snacks and food than DDP gives out. Some would say use your snack credits for every snack or you will have leftovers. That's never gonna happen with us. lol The highest priced meals from our last trip were Tutto Italia and Akershus for TS, and WPE and Mexico CS at Epcot. So, you could look at those as a good bang for your buck.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

You all helped....,thank you!