Is Free Dining or 40% better during F&W?

[Metsoskil]

I'm thinking of taking DW on a 3 day trip on the last weekend of Sept. for her birthday. We've both always wanted to do Food & Wine, and a trip without kids would be great. I received the PIN codes for both 40% off and free dining. We will have APs and the TIW card.

When I first ran the numbers, it seemed that with a POP stay, free dining would only be about $30 more, but we'd get 2 one day passes to use toward our next AP.

Now that I'm thinking about it, though, I don't know if I want to be locked into table service and CS meals if we want to eat our way around the WS. We do want to do a romantic dinner one night (probably Thurs., since F&W doens't start until Fri.)

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Karlzmom]

Wow, that's a bit tougher to figure out than just the straight $ factor.
We are going to be there at the opening of F&W also...using the 40% [which for YC is MUCH better than FD]

I think you are wise to consider that you will be eating 'round the world and should not only factor in the $$ spent on the "samples" [admit it, you are going to want more than what the # of snacks you have allotted will buy you!] Also consider, that to have a large # of snack credits available, you will have to skip any snacks on the other days (or pay OOP). Also, you are on cue with the concern about whether or not you want to actually sit down and eat after you've.....well, EATEN! From my perspective, the 40% is a better deal even before you factor in that the "free dining" is more expensie. Good Luck!

 

[RMAMom]

We love the F&W festival and have been lucky enough to go for the last two years.

It took DH and I two afternoons to eat our way around the world this past October. On both of those days we didn't need a lunch or dinner. I would definitely go with the 40%.

 

[Kteacher]

I agree-you'll want to snack and drink around Epcot . You might also book one of the F&W Festival hard ticket events-, so you may end up not using all your meal credits. The F&W Festival is great

 

[B-Ride]

For F&W I would think Free Dining would be wasted. I would go with the 40% PIN and book the Polynesian so you can save even more.

 

[thunderbird1]

I'd take the 40% at a moderate or deluxe, but purchase the QSDDP to go with it. QSDDP comes with 2 snacks per person per day--perfect for snacking around the F&WF for a couple of days. Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[MickeyNicki]

For DH and I the 40% off during F&W is so much better.....we usually go for 9-10 days and spent alot of time at the F&W so we like to be in an Epcot resort...the 40% off code makes it much easier for us to stay at the BC

 

[mickeybrat]

I really think it depends on where your staying, who's going and where you want to eat during your trip. (agree with posters above about snacking)
My son and I have used both promos and the 40% always gets us a "deluxe" trip! The DDp is the same price no matter where you stay, so I think 40% is better.

 

[septbaby]

I'm going to assume a 2 night 3 day trip at Pop:

40% off is $120 savings. Now if you wanted to take her to an upgrade hotel (Mod or Deluxe) the savings.

Free Dining is worth $160 in savings.
Since you essentially will buy the AP again the cost of the 1 day base tickets is a moot point. You'll spend that money anyway later and get it all back in terms a credit upon renewal.

I think Free Dining is a better deal because it is easy to spend more than the $40 per day to eat. As you are celebrating her bday your TS meals will probably cost more than that.

I just noticed two kids in your photos. If the kids come on the trip add $44 to the Free Dining Savings, so now its over $200.

 

[Metsoskil]

I'm going to assume a 2 night 3 day trip at Pop:

40% off is $120 savings. Now if you wanted to take her to an upgrade hotel (Mod or Deluxe) the savings.

Free Dining is worth $160 in savings.
Since you essentially will buy the AP again the cost of the 1 day base tickets is a moot point. You'll spend that money anyway later and get it all back in terms a credit upon renewal.

I think Free Dining is a better deal because it is easy to spend more than the $40 per day to eat. As you are celebrating her bday your TS meals will probably cost more than that.

I just noticed two kids in your photos. If the kids come on the trip add $44 to the Free Dining Savings, so now its over $200.

Thanks. No kids for the DW's birthday trip. I agree that the cost of the 1 day tix is moot. We'll just apply it toward the cost of the next APs. We're probably staying at a value, since we don't plan to spend a whole lot of time in the room (although I may spring for POFQ). The trip will be 3 nights: Thurs. through Sun.

I agree that in most cases FD would be the better deal, but going to F&W is what throws the monkeywrench in. I don't want to pay for meals when I'm not going to be hungry. I'm leaning toward the 40% more and more, but since we've never been to F&W, I'm relying on the collective experience of DISers.

 

[septbaby]

I was mistaken for Rates at that time of yr (I assume std rooms)

40% savings at a Value is $33 per night

40% savings at POFQ is $60 per night

Free Dining for 2 Adults is $80 per night
You'd have 6 snack credits for F/W,
Not sure if stands will take CS for a multi item purchase(might be another good thread for you to start)

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Staying at Pop I'd go with the free dining.

You have snack credits to use on the more expensive items at the F&W and you can have a really nice dinner the night before at a 2 credit restaurant like Flying Fish, California Grill or Yachtman Steakhouse. Use your counter service credits for breakfast (since the F & W doesn't open until 11am).

2 nights 40% at Pop will save you about $70. 1 nice dinner (at a 2 credit restaurant) and 6 samples at the F&W will cost more than that.