Help please! off site or Free Dining??

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

I'm really confused and in a pinch. Due to low airfare, we booked flights to WDW this September. I though we would stay off site but now with free dining...I'm thinking it would be cheaper to stay on WDW property and get free dining and no car rental..am I right? What would you do?? Thanks!

Karen

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hi Karen,
Free dining is a great deal. I do know however, that if you want one of the value resorts, they are going fast. My friend booked free dining about 2-3 weeks ago and all that was left was ASMusic and ASSports. So I'd call asap to see what rooms are available as this may make or break your decision to book onsite.
Good luck

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I think I read on your other thread that you have 6 people. Free dining would save you TONS of $$ if you could get connecting rooms.

 

[spiceycat]

hey I am doing both - offsite for most of it.

but 3 nights - All Stars Sports.

Pop only had preferred rooms.

 

[SB in KY]

The free dining is a great deal, but you will be sacrificing space in the trade probably...still you cannot beat the convienece of staying onsite with little ones, so I would call and book ASAP if you decide to take advantage of that offer...if it is not available for your dates then enjoy the space at a nice place off site.

 

[CarolA]

OK. As I recall you have triplets around age 4?

IMHO, ignore "free dining" LOL! Free dining is nice if you can do a sit down meal every day. I see a few problems with this.

One, I think you have a short trip planned. So I have a feeling we are looking at the "commando" approach. Do you want to spend an hour to an hour and a half every day at your sit down meal?

Two, are your little ones used to resturants? If not, dragging them away from "fun stuff" for a sit down meal may be a disaster. (And there is no "Disney magic" that suddenly makes kids WANT to sit quietly at a resturant LOL!)

We took my niece and nephew at ages 3 and 4. They hated EVERY meal except one. (They behaved fine, but you could tell they wanted to be "playing" My brother has them well trained) Chef Mickey's where they could meet the characters. LOL! They would rather be "riding". We quickly adapted and reminded ourself that at that age you have to remember the trip is "all about them"

Now if you decide on on-site and can get free dining Take it, but make your decison about where you would be happiest first. If you think you will be miserable cramped into a hotel room with your kids then don't worry about free dining, find yourself a condo/home. If you think that will be fine and you would rather use Disney transport etc then see if you can get Free Dining. And then don't stress about "using all the credits" So you don't use all the sit downs, who cares? It's not like you are out cash!