Help me decide

[choirfarm]

Ok..after TONS of research and questions here are my options:

Current trip: room booked so far
October 2008
6 nights at 40 % off: 805
Eating for 6 days 75 dollars a day %450
1 night extra hotel approx 100 ( can't extend with 40% and can't do it earlier)
Kennedy Food $50
Kennedy Space Center Tickets 166.75
6 day undercover tickets 1043.75
Total $2, 615.50

September Trip With Free Dining
Hotel on the way- 75
7 nights Rack Rate, 2 rooms at value, tips at 15 dollars a day $1,400
6 day Disney tickets through the package $1,131
Kennedy Tickets 166.75
Total $2,772.75

September Trip without free dining
Hotel on the way 75
7 nights at 40 percent off $776
Eating 8 days at 75 a day $600
6 Day Undercover tickets 1,043.75
Kennedy Tickets 166.75
Total $2,661

So...it looks like I should switch to September regardless of whether or not they offer free dining. We can stay an extra day and actually take a leisurly way to get there. In October I have a big choir concert the night of Oct 26th and so we would leave at like 4am Monday and drive straight through to check in on Monday night. We have to leave on Sunday and switch to some as yet found hotel. On the other hand, I have us leaving on Friday in the September plans and driving as far as humanly possible and then getting there early on Saturday, checking in and spending the day at Epcot. I thought 6 day tickets would be good as we will be spending 1 day at Kennedy. So it would be a more leisurly trip. On the other hand, the trip calendar says the October week will be deserted with lots of 3 and 4's. The Septembers range from 4, 5 and 6's. Will the difference in crowds be a factor?

I guess the last thing is the free dining option. The cost is pretty close. Actually, probably the same as the extra 120 dollars or so would go toward the sandwhiches, breakfasts I would buy at the grocery store to fix in the room. I'm leaning toward the free dining as we would probably eat better and try places... I just don't know about being so regulaed with time and having to eat somewhere at a certain time. My dh is notorious for last minute plans and lets just do this kind of person. I don't know if all of the planned sit downs would cramp our style or be nice breaks. With gas and one souvenier for each of us (family of 5: children 13, 11, and 6) it should come close to my $3,000 budget for the trip. What do you think?

Christine

 

[wezee]

My only question is....how is a family of 5 going to eat at WDW for $75 per day? I'm not sure that DH and I could even do that!

 

[choirfarm]

Cold cereal, pop tarts, etc. in the room for breakfast. Make sandwiches to bring into the park. Then one counter service meal for the 5 of us around $50 dollars or so. One day my daughter and I will do a princess meal and we might occasionally get an ice cream or whatever. But we drink water, so we will just bring our containers to refill. We will also get the refillable mugs. So that is why I padded it for a little more than that. We actually might be able to eat for less if we split some CS meals. So that is how I got the 75 dollar a day figure.

Christine

 

[choirfarm]

So we can go to resteraunts outside of Disney to eat. The Golden Coral, chili's or whatever. We normally spend 30 to 35 dollars as a family when we go out to eat. We all only drink water unless it is included in the kid's meal. My oldest is 12 and so he is about to HAVE to have an adult meal, and he does sometimes but often we just get a couple of big adult meals and just split it between us.
Christine

 

[Disneychix]

I would do the DDP for the $100 or so extra Dollars. It's way better food than what you described without the DDP. My DH doesn't like to have everything planned as well but you only need to plan the TS meal, the CS is free to use anywhere. It really isn't too bad to plan all your TS meals.
Do it and enjoy all that food for only $100!

 

[choirfarm]

Ok..the cancellation policy is another factor. We can change plans up to 6 days ahead of time with just a room. If we do the package with dining then we might lose 100 dollars if we cancel or 50 dollars if we change within 45 days. Both of our fathers have major health problems, so... Any thoughts anyone?
Christine

 

[wezee]

I would definantly go with Sept., and try for the free dining. The amount of food, quality and variety of food( without sharing) will be so much better...especially if you think it will only cost an additonal $100 or so. I realize everyone has to save their hard earned $$, but being on vacation deserves a splurge!!!