Is free dining better than an AP rate?

[kathyg]

Please help....I'm so confused and I just can't figure this out.

We're going last week in August staying at a moderate with free dining. But.....I really want to stay at the Poly and can't afford rack rates. So for all of you experts, which is a better deal...free dining or AP rate?

We generally do TS for dinner every night, some signature restaurants. CS for lunch and either CS, snack or sit down for breakfast. It's just two of us.

So what would you do?

Thanks for your help!

 

[RFrank9504]

I dunno-I priced it too its confusing and my AP/FL ressie rate was $150 cheaper no free dining. We booked September3~8 at AKL savannah view, bunk beds, FL/AP dining plan 4A, 2K (7&5) CLub Level...it was $1762.00 (awesome) I then saw the ad for free dining so I requested a quote from dreams unlimited.
The got me a quote for AKL CL, no bunk beds, was told savannah views CL cannot be guranteed, but requested (hmmm-really because my rservation itinerary say savannah view), free dining 1 day MYW base tickets for like $1912.00-so we replied we are FL resident APs we dont need 1 day bases-they offer dining now for FL residents w/o adding the 1 day ticket. And they said no it has to be a 1 day ticket...I called Disney and they said I had no MYW tickets on my reservation-I didnt need it I wasa FL/AP. It was almost like I knew more about this that the TA. So we said please cancel the hold we'll keep the reservation for disney direct. However I still think I need to call disney and modify my reservation to get the free dining. Its not like we got a special pin code or anything. I'm calling today after work-I'll let you know what they say.

 

[shoes99]

To get the free dining, even if you are a AP holder, you must book at least a one day park ticket for all members of your party. Ne exceptions.
Your only other option is to wait for the AP rates or FL resident rates, and pay for your dining plan.....then you don't have to buy a one day ticket.
As far as "what is better", you have to work the numbers and see what is best for your party.
I booked the BLT standard room at rack rate with free dining, but am waiting for AP rates for check in for Sept 3rd for a monorail resort for 3 nights pre-cruise.

 

[disneyfan55]

My opinion on this is that free dining is worth it in the Value resorts even with 2 adults. We had an AP rate of 54/night last Sept. The rack rate was 82/night and no way could we both eat for the 28/night difference even at CS. We gave up the AP rate for free dining and someone else joined us as well and with 3 in the room it can't be beat! The moderates may or may not be worth it depending on the number of people in the room as well as what the AP discount is. With the Deluxe hotels, the AP rate is almost always a better deal. You have to look at the total difference and what you might spend on dining. Even with the Tables in Wonderland card and 20% off that you can get with the AP, you have to figure what's best for you. We are going next week on a PIN offer of a free $500 gift card (rack rate in a value). To us, we feel that it will be much better than free dining since we have Tables in Wonderland and will save 20% in most places we eat. At the values, the food court is included as well so well worth it. We can get 1 appitizer and no dessert and eat at a few of the higher end TS (2 on DDP) and still have money left over. We will also do the HDDR at 9:30 and enjoy 20% off and not us up 2 TS. Just our experience. Hope it helps you decide.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Also remember, the Free Dining is the 1 snack, 1 counter service meal and 1 table service meal each night of your stay. If you're looking at more than 1 TS or signature restaurants then you'll end up having to pay out of pocket unless you upgrade to the Deluxe Plan and pay that difference. I think it's around $32 per night per person.