If Free Dining comes through...

[FrugalFashionista]

We are thinking pf switching from Pop to a Moderate or even a Deluxe if our dates fall in Free Dining.

Do you have any suggestions?

The only reason we are discussing a Deluxe is to be closer to Poly and MK for our ADRs...not sure if that's worth it or not.

 

[Missytara]

We are thinking pf switching from Pop to a Moderate or even a Deluxe if our dates fall in Free Dining.

Do you have any suggestions?

The only reason we are discussing a Deluxe is to be closer to Poly and MK for our ADRs...not sure if that's worth it or not.

I would wait to see what is available, before you ask suggestions, focus on something and find out it is not available under free dining.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We are thinking pf switching from Pop to a Moderate or even a Deluxe if our dates fall in Free Dining.

Do you have any suggestions?

The only reason we are discussing a Deluxe is to be closer to Poly and MK for our ADRs...not sure if that's worth it or not.

If that is the only reason you are considering upgrading to a Deluxe, then save your $$$. The price difference is significant and it is definitely not worth paying it to be close to an ADR.
We have stayed at POP several times and enjoyed our stays. We love AKL but our October trip is a *bonus* one this year...so a Deluxe is not in the budget. We have stayed at POFQ and CSR previously. We liked them, but didn't love them. I am planning on trying CBR for this time. Hoping to find a Mod we love.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I was looking at POR and CBR (I like the Pirates theme) but those are double beds so I might as well stay at Pop!

We are going Dec 14-18 so I'm not sure pools would play a big part in the decision either.

 

[mickeynut1]

We are thinking pf switching from Pop to a Moderate or even a Deluxe if our dates fall in Free Dining.

Do you have any suggestions?

The only reason we are discussing a Deluxe is to be closer to Poly and MK for our ADRs...not sure if that's worth it or not.

Our favorite resort is the Poly, but we also love many others. I think the WL is a great deluxe for the money (we've stayed there twice, with one time being with FD) and it's cheaper than the monorail and Epcot resorts. With that said, the deluxe resorts are worth it to us, but only you can decide if it's worth it for you. If you want a deluxe but also want to keep the cost down a little, the WL is a great choice, IMO .

 

[Princess Katherine]

Poly is great and I would definitely say its worth it! You would have a great time, but sometimes conserving your money could mean well for the future. Have you considered WL?

Katie

 

[FrugalFashionista]

That's one I haven't looked at yet but will now with yours and the PP suggestion. This is my kids first visit so I am trying to make everything about it fantastic.

Grandparents are chipping in a little which is why I am even considering a Deluxe. If it was just us on FD a mod would be our max.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I was looking at POR and CBR (I like the Pirates theme) but those are double beds so I might as well stay at Pop!

We are going Dec 14-18 so I'm not sure pools would play a big part in the decision either.

POR has queen beds now

 

[FrugalFashionista]

POR has queen beds now

I just reread that. Yes POR has queen beds but CBR Pirate rooms are still doubles

I really like the Princess and the Frog rooms at POR

 

[mommyof3princess27]

We love POR!!!!!! Our first trip we stayed at the Poly and I loved it! BUT our fav is still POR because Poly isnt in the budget every time...sadly. YOu will have fun no matter where you stay. If free dining is offered, at a value you will get qs and sometimes its cheaper to upgrade to a mod with free reg dining then to upgrade to the reg dining plan at a value....

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I just reread that. Yes POR has queen beds but CBR Pirate rooms are still doubles

I really like the Princess and the Frog rooms at POR

We just stayed in the Royal Rooms in June and they are beautiful.

 

[Nohal]

I think staying at Pop would be fun for the kids especially if it is their first visit. Maybe consider AOA instead of Pop. Moving to a deluxe just to be near your ADR's is a waste of money. If free dining comes out QS is what the values get but you can always upgrade to the DDP. I'm sure no matter what you decide you will all have a great time.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

We just stayed in the Royal Rooms in June and they are beautiful.

The Royal Rooms are probably my front runners. They seem to be the best of both worlds.

 

[lovesdumbo]

If you do decide to look at deluxe resorts you should look at other discounts too. Sometimes a room discount beats free dining. Free dining isn't really free.

When are you think of going? Who is in your party? 2 adults? How many/how old are the kids? You could calculate what % off free dining would equal.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

If you do decide to look at deluxe resorts you should look at other discounts too. Sometimes a room discount beats free dining. Free dining isn't really free.

When are you think of going? Who is in your party? 2 adults? How many/how old are the kids? You could calculate what % off free dining would equal.

We are going Dec 14-18. DS is 6 and DD is 7 plus me and DH. I would love to calculate the savings but I'm not sure how.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Another thing to keep in mind...

If you are at a value and get free dining, it's only the QS plan, not the full plan. You can pay to upgrade, though, but it's about $18 per night for adults, not sure about kids.

For us, with a family of 4 adults, once we added the upgrade---definitely wanted the regular plan---the difference between that cost and the moderate was less than $100 for our whole 6-night stay.

Yours will be a little different with having kids and not all adults, but it does make the difference seem less!

As for paying for a deluxe, unless you spend a lot of time in the room and take advantage of all the amenities, probably not worth it!

 

[lovesdumbo]

We are going Dec 14-18. DS is 6 and DD is 7 plus me and DH. I would love to calculate the savings but I'm not sure how.

Free dining would save you about $155/night [$58.66 per adult + $18.88 per child 3-10 years old].

Your dates are peak season. Garden view at Poly is $558 + 12.5% tax=$
$627.75 week night. Free dining would save you 25% ($155/$627.75). You can often get 30% room discount at deluxe so you would have to see what might be offered for room discounts.

If you were to get a garden view room at POR with a full price room at $221 + 12.5% tax=$$248.63. Saving $155 with free dining here would be a 63% discount. You wouldn't find a room discount that high.

At the value resorts you would get free quick service worth about $110 [$39.64 per adult + $15.75 per child]. A standard at Pop would be $145 + 12.5% tax =$163. So free dining here would save you 67% ($110/$163). You could pay the $40 per night difference to upgrade to reg DDP so you would be paying about $203 per night compared to $248 per night for a moderate that gets you reg DDP.


I really love the Poly but I don't think I could pay over $600/night for a room there.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Free dining would save you about $155/night [$58.66 per adult + $18.88 per child 3-10 years old].

Your dates are peak season. Garden view at Poly is $558 + 12.5% tax=$
$627.75 week night. Free dining would save you 25% ($155/$627.75). You can often get 30% room discount at deluxe so you would have to see what might be offered for room discounts.

If you were to get a garden view room at POR with a full price room at $221 + 12.5% tax=$$248.63. Saving $155 with free dining here would be a 63% discount. You wouldn't find a room discount that high.

At the value resorts you would get free quick service worth about $110 [$39.64 per adult + $15.75 per child]. A standard at Pop would be $145 + 12.5% tax =$163. So free dining here would save you 67% ($110/$163). You could pay the $40 per night difference to upgrade to reg DDP so you would be paying about $203 per night compared to $248 per night for a moderate that gets you reg DDP.

I really love the Poly but I don't think I could pay over $600/night for a room there.

Thank you thank you thank you! This is what I need. Numbers speak volumes!