HELP!! Which is the better deal??

[QueenofPrideRock]

So, I got my second pin ever from Disney. But since my family is in the middle of moving, my sisters are super busy, and I'm off to college in the fall, I need to figure out if it would be feasible for us to take advantage of it at this time.

We wouldn't be able to travel until September, so that means free dining is a possibility too. If free dining is the better deal, it'd be much easier for us to wait until 2010. (Not for me so much, but financially for my parents!)

So, the pin is for $89/night at "select Disney moderate resort" for most nights 8/9/09-10/1/09 and $139 at WL or AKL (I don't know if this includes any other deluxes). There are five of us, but even two rooms at AKL works out to be cheaper than one room without the pin!

On the other hand, you've got the free dining offer. I'm trying to crunch the numbers but it's a little harder since the pin is not a package.

In short: would the pin offer substantial enough savings to warrant trying to take advantage of it during a pretty hectic time for my family? Or should we hold off and hope for free dining next year?

Thanks!

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

If you stay at the Deluxe resorts the discount is worth more than the dining. but the others the dining may save you more. It certainly will if you stay at a value resort.

 

[chicagochris]

Yeah, the savings depends on two things: What level resort you want to stay at, and if you want the dining plan.

The room discount is definitely a better deal if you are staying in a deluxe resort.

Example: I had booked a seven night stay for three adults w/park hoppers and free dining at the Boardwalk Villas. When my TA applied the new pin for me (same one you got), I saved another $200+ on the total package price.

You can work out the savings on your own if you take the promo rate, and then add tickets and dining (39.99/night per adult) to it. Compare that price to a free dining quote for the same nights at the same resort, and see what's cheaper for you.

 

[poohfan]

I was trying to work this out last night. And it definately depends on the level resort

The discounted room rate is on a standard room.
Value = $59 vs. $97 = $38 savings
Mod = $89 vs $140 = $51 savings
Deluxe (AKL & WL) = $139 vs. $240 = $101 savings

Free Dining is worth $39.99 per person

If 2 people (all over 10) are going w/ the free dining then the savings of free dining is $80 - in this situation free dining is the better deal if you're staying at a value or mod. The room discount is a better deal if you're staying at a deluxe.

If 4 people (all over 10) are going w/ free dining then the savings of free dining is $160. In this case the free dining is a better value all the way around.

Hopefully this logic is right because that's what I used to decide to stick with my room at POP and free dining.

 

[arthur06]

I was trying to work this out last night. And it definately depends on the level resort

1. The discounted room rate is on a standard room.
Value = $59 vs. $97 = $38 savings
Mod = $89 vs $140 = $51 savings
Deluxe (AKL & WL) = $139 vs. $240 = $101 savings

2 Free Dining is worth $39.99 per person

If 2 people (all over 10) are going w/ the free dining then the savings of free dining is $80 - in this situation free dining is the better deal if you're staying at a value or mod. The room discount is a better deal if you're staying at a deluxe.

If 4 people (all over 10) are going w/ free dining then the savings of free dining is $160. In this case the free dining is a better value all the way around.

Hopefully this logic is right because that's what I used to decide to stick with my room at POP and free dining.

I got the code also! And just booked yesterday for free dining at POP. Now I am trying to decide if I want to switch or not!

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

So would dining still be a better deal with two rooms at a mod? Because there are five of us, so that's what we'd need to do. Or a deluxe. (My mom refuses to stay at a Value. We're snobs like that I guess. But hey, if my parents are willing to pay the extra $$$, I'll take it!)

I think I might be warming my dad up to the idea of a 2009 vacation, even though he's currently Mr. "We Were Just There!" See, he's never stayed at an Epcot resort and it's his favorite park...

 

[poohfan]

If you were going to get 2 rooms at a mod and they usually cost $140 / night but with the discount you'd save $51 per room (140 - 89) then you'd save $102 per night.

If you still plan on getting the Basic Dining plan at a cost of $39.99 per night you stay (let's say $40 to make the math easier) for 5 people that's $200 per night you stay.

So the free dining is the better deal... I'd rather save $200 a night vs. $102 a night.

But if you were only getting the dining plan because it was free then you'd have to figure out how much you'll spend on food and do the comparison of discounted room + food budget vs. undiscounted room + free dining.

 

[cjnix29]

Man, I am so hoping for a room code! I got the free dining, but for us, the dining plan is too much food, and too restrictive on how we like to tour the parks. Good luck with what you decide!