Is it worth switching from bounce back to free dining?

[KMP12]

We are going in May on BB offer. To switch to free dining its around $1000 more. That also includes upgrading our dining plan to standard. We typically to 2-3 character meals so we are thinking it may be worth it...thoughts?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Map out your anticipated dining locations, pull up the menus & pick out what your family would likely order and see what the total is to get a feel if it’s a deal for you or not.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It really depends on your personal touring style. For our family it’s not worth the extra $, even for the QSDP. It would cost us more than we pay for food.

We had FD last year and had so many credits left over that we started buying meals for 2 families we knew that were visiting WDW at the same time we were.

 

[Brownsfan]

I had BB booked for CBR for the last week of June with DDP for 2 adults and 11 yr old so adult. Did the math and FD would save $150 with the added park hopper which I didn't have before. Unfortunately free DDP was not available for CBR so I switched to LM AOA with full DDP upgrade saved $450 and now have the advantage of park hopper which we will use all 3 days of park tickets. 6 night stay.

 

[KMP12]

I had BB booked for CBR for the last week of June with DDP for 2 adults and 11 yr old so adult. Did the math and FD would save $150 with the added park hopper which I didn't have before. Unfortunately free DDP was not available for CBR so I switched to LM AOA with full DDP upgrade saved $450 and now have the advantage of park hopper which we will use all 3 days of park tickets. 6 night stay.

We are looking at about $1000 more which would include the regular dining plan (we do a few character meals) and park hopper. Park hopper would a fun bonus to have.

 

[vinotinto]

Last summer, I had a BB and FD packages booked, and after doing some initial math, the BB saved us a LOT for 4 Disney "adults" (by a lot, I mean more than $1000)! Disney had already released their special 4 Day Magic Ticket, so I dropped the package tickets, made my BB a ticketless package and purchased the 4-day magic tickets. They released these tickets in March, for stays April through September, so maybe wait until March to make a decision?

Also, make sure to price out not just generally where you are going to eat, but also, if you currently have a package with tickets on the BB, price it out with a ticketless package (dropping the tickets) and purchasing the tickets from UC. If it's about the same, I prefer to not have the dining plan, because it gives us more flexibility on where to eat (for example, having a lighter meal with an appetizer or at a lounge if we're not too hungry). But, again, if the 4-day Magic Ticket would work, I would wait until March.

 

[SG131]

There is no one size fits all answer. $1000 over how many days? Typically, no, the dining plan is not cheaper. Sometimes with a lot of character meals and a lot of alcohol then the math may work in your favor. But your best bet is to take a look at where you plan to eat and calculate where you stand.

 

[Mle8308]

Remember to factor in tips for TS dining, too. Add at least 18%.

 

[vinotinto]

There is no one size fits all answer. $1000 over how many days? Typically, no, the dining plan is not cheaper. Sometimes with a lot of character meals and a lot of alcohol then the math may work in your favor. But your best bet is to take a look at where you plan to eat and calculate where you stand.

It saved us over $1000 over 4 nights. It saved us almost $300 per night to do a ticketless BB package over FD with the 4-day magic ticket. We ate at all of our favorites! But, without the Magic Ticket deal, it would have been closer to a wash.

EDIT to add: we don't have kids ages 3-9.

 

[KMP12]

Last summer, I had a BB and FD packages booked, and after doing some initial math, the BB saved us a LOT for 4 Disney "adults" (by a lot, I mean more than $1000)! Disney had already released their special 4 Day Magic Ticket, so I dropped the package tickets, made my BB a ticketless package and purchased the 4-day magic tickets. They released these tickets in March, for stays April through September, so maybe wait until March to make a decision?

Also, make sure to price out not just generally where you are going to eat, but also, if you currently have a package with tickets on the BB, price it out with a ticketless package (dropping the tickets) and purchasing the tickets from UC. If it's about the same, I prefer to not have the dining plan, because it gives us more flexibility on where to eat (for example, having a lighter meal with an appetizer or at a lounge if we're not too hungry). But, again, if the 4-day Magic Ticket would work, I would wait until March.

Totally forgot about that offer! I hope it comes out again that would save us a ton with a BB room and ticket deal