Is free dining different than S/P/D? How much so?

[mommymanda]

I think I know this, but looking to clarify.

We've travelled a few times at the end of August, which means we've had a free dining package and it works well for us.

In an unexpected surprise we may be returning at the end of Aug. 2018.

This time a few family members may be joining, and I'm trying to get price ideas for them. I can currently look up RAK rates for August...which you would assume with "free dining" that would be my cost. However I know that is not really the case.

Will I get a better estimate using a S/ P/D quote from the spring sales? That price currently comes up nearly $1300 higher than what we payed last visit, but that was 2 years ago, so I guess inflation could be to blame.

Since we always plan the same time and our trips are roughly the same amount I don't pay much attention to other deals. Now that I'm trying to help others I am realizing dining discounts come in various packages.

Any tips for me to get the closest estimate? Some family members may veto the Disney idea if cost is too high.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

No its not the same.
SPD is giving your a DISCOUNT not FREE dining.

I've used rack rate + tickets to determine pricing for FD before and it has worked to my knowledge so that's the round about price I'd go with.
Remember the values and mods tend to only get QSDP so if you want to stay in one of them and get the DDP you'll have to determine the difference in prices and add that to your total.

 

[mommymanda]

No its not the same.
SPD is giving your a DISCOUNT not FREE dining.

I've used rack rate + tickets to determine pricing for FD before and it has worked to my knowledge so that's the round about price I'd go with.
Remember the values and mods tend to only get QSDP so if you want to stay in one of them and get the DDP you'll have to determine the difference in prices and add that to your total.

Oh yes I forgot moderates are now QS (S/P/D had DDP for mods), so will need to factor the upgrade cost. Did you still have to have park hopper to qualify last year?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Oh yes I forgot moderates are now QS (S/P/D had DDP for mods), so will need to factor the upgrade cost. Did you still have to have park hopper to qualify last year?

Yes for this year you needed at least a 2 day park hopper.
I booked a bounce back free dining offer on my last trip a couple months ago and the offer was for free dining with 2018 dates and again a 2 day park hopper was the minimum ticket you could get to qualify so I'm assuming when free dining comes out for 2018 that is what will be required.

 

[MamaJessie]

The discount off the qsdp with s/p/d wasn't as good as free dining, but I did not have to upgrade to a hopper and Jan is a little cheaper than Oct so it still worked for us.