Help!! I need some advice (=

[xsarachireex]

I am planning a trip for September 2017 with my 2 year old daughter (turning 3 during our trip) and thinking about purchasing an annual pass for myself (she will still be free this trip) so I will be able to afford another trip next fall.

My question is...

Will I be better off going ahead and buying the AP and doing a room only discount + adding on a dining plan (I like the all inclusive feel.)

or

Should I try to get free dining and upgrade my tickets to the AP?

We will do a value resort (we did AS Movies this past September) and we do use Memory Maker.

Thanks in advance!

 

[supersnoop]

Will I be better off

How do you define "better off?"

You'd be ahead financially if you skipped the dining plan.

 

[xsarachireex]

True, but I like having it paid up front and it only costs for me since she is under 3 and we split meals. I try to keep things as simple as possible considering it is just me and a toddler (=

 

[Marionnette]

True, but I like having it paid up front and it only costs for me since she is under 3 and we split meals. I try to keep things as simple as possible considering it is just me and a toddler (=

Calculate what you would pay for the dining plan and then purchase that amount in Disney GCs. Use those GCs to pay for your meals. I can pretty much assure you that an AP discount on room-only will far exceed what you would pay for a *free* dining package for one adult and an under-3 toddler. And using GCs instead of a dining plan allows you the luxury of eating what you want, when you want, instead of being tied to "Dining Disney's Way".

 

[xsarachireex]

That is a great idea! Thank you!

 

[loves to dive]

The best advice is to just run the numbers. You can never be guaranteed that free dining is going to happen and while the dining component is free you are paying rack rate for a room so it's not always a great deal. I have an AP and have had one for a number of years but each year I decided to renew it or not based on the numbers. We always park hop so I just figure out how much Phs are for trip one and if I know I'm taking another trip, how much they would be for trip two. We don't use memory maker but if you do, factor that in. You can always buy the dining plan as an add on to a room only discount if it makes you feel better to have it. If you are sharing meals and not doing a lot of character meals or buffets, you might think about buying gift cards for the amount of the dining plan and use those, you have the comfort feeling of having pre-paid but might save some money, especially if you buy visa or mc or am ex since those can be used outside Disney.

 

[kymom99]

I don't think free dining would be a money saver if just one person gets it. Having 4 in your room reservation might make it worth paying rack rate but not just one