I need help...AP vs. Free Dining question

[kelscross]

We are planning to go to WDW in September. Our original dates were Sept 29 for 7 nights. With all of the talk about possible free dining we would be able to be flexible with our dates in September in order to take advantage of an offer if it becomes available.

Here's what I'm trying to figure out. IF they offer AP rates during that time frame we can take advantage of that as my mother is an AP passholder and she always travels with us as a mother/daughter/granddaughter vacation.

We haven't booked yet, however I was wondering which is better usually? Paying full rack rate at the resort and getting the free dining for my children (6 and 7 at the time of travel) and myself, or using the AP discount and paying for dining? We usually do a character meal a day for the kids so we always have one sit down meal a day even when we pay outright for dining.

I know there is always a possibility that they won't offer either promotion, however we will still go irregardless of a promotion or not a promotion and we will probably go ahead and pay full rate at the Poly if we have to as that is our favorite resort. It would just be nice to save some $$, which we never pocket it just allows us to do more things like the boutique for the kids and maybe a dinner show or something.

So, again, long story short, which is usually the better deal do you think?

Thanks

 

[Disney Fool]

I've wrestled with this often. if the AP discount is low enough, I'd go with that. The Free Dining is not discounting the room at any great rate. Some, though, feel that the Free Dining is worth it. I'm one of those rare folks who will not eat all that food, every single day. It's hard not to jump on the bandwagon with everyone else, but I still save an awful lot with the AP and I'm still waiting for a slash for the value season for deluxes. If you plan on staying at a Value during value season, the dining plan may be a good choice. I also think the Disney Dining Experience card is worth it's weight in gold, since it also discounts alcohol, and up to six of your guests at the table. You have to have an annual pass to purchase this ( or a Florida Res. proof). I may go that route once I see what AP discounts are out there. Hope this helps.

 

[teacher100]

I'd rather have the room discount. My kids are picky eaters and we eat 2meals in the room and mostly counter service. Not to mention sit down meals take a lot of time. For those who like the restaraunts however I can see where the dining plan would be the better deal. I guess it depends if you want or can eat all that food.

 

[mylightshines]

Two adults and two children on DDP = $100. So I would say that if the AP discount is less than $100, go with free dining. Also remember that your tax and gratuity are included. We were just there last week and it's hard to eat on less than $38 a day.

 

[kelscross]

Thanks for your replies. It helps alot. We do eat a counter meal a day and a sit down meal per day (character meal usually). However, we've never had the dining plan discounted or not, and after looking at Deb's site with the menus and prices even paying for the dining plan would be a savings for us IF we ordered a dessert with our counter meal AND a dessert/appetizer with the sit down meals. We don't usually do this as a normal practice, and at the counter meals many times I buy one for myself and one for my children and they share as they are very small eaters. So, I'm not sure if even paying for the dining plan outright would be much of a savings.

It's funny when we first starting going to Disney regularly it was the resort choice that was so undecisive...now throw in the dining options, the possible discounts....sheesh

 

[riaesq]

A few trips ago I crunched numbers over and over again trying to make this decision and came out just about even. With an AP and DDE it definitely can be a wash. We went with the room discount instead- and were happy we did. We would never eat all the food on the DDP otherwise- and we don't have the willpower to resist dessert if it's free. It could also be a lot of time lost from other things you'd like to be doing.