Is this Disney Visa Deal Better Than What I Already Have?

[sullins5]

I called and she informed me of the free 'quick service' dining. We are a couple with a 10 yr old staying at CBR. I booked with a AAA discount for 144 a night, but if I switch over, my room goes up. What do ya'll think? We are also going to eat at Cinderella Castle and Chef Mickey's.
Having never done the FD before, is it worth it? And we are only buying 5day MYW tickets...no park hoppers since each of our days is already planned.

Any thoughts toward this for all you veterans?

Celebrating our 25th at CBR Oct 6-12th....

 

[HLAuburn]

Hey neighbor!

If you book free dining with the Disney Visa, moderate resorts get the "regular" dining plan, not quick service (that's just values).

I'm pretty sure your 10 year old pays an adult rate, right, so it seems like free dining would be the way to go...that's about $120 for "free" each night of stay, and there's no way a room discount can beat that!

 

[sullins5]

The cm told me 'quick service' but that's great news. So basically it's a 40. value per person per day? She said they would refund my reservation monies, but I wonder if I get to still keep my dining ressies? Would you happen to know that too?


CBR for our 25th Oct 6-12...

 

[AJA]

As long as you get the regular dining plan (not quick service) then yes I think it would be very good for your family. With a 10 year old, you have three adults (at least in Disney's eyes lol) if you paid for the dining plan that would be a savings of around $120 per night, now if you weren't planning any character/table service meals it might not be worth it but since you're planning on a few of the big ones anyway I would go with free dining and pay the rack rate for the room.

ETA -yes you keep your current dining ressies!

 

[floridascgirl]

I just called and priced out this newest offer and it ended up not being a deal for us. We had a super room rate at AKL and if we were to book the "free dining", we would lose this great rate. The actual final difference came to only $9 savings off the regular price of the dining plan per person. Since this isn't really "free" and my DH doesn't care for the dining plan (he says that I become too militant about when/where we eat), we stayed with what we had. Congrats to those of you who ended up getting a better deal!

 

[FINFAN]

I just called and priced out this newest offer and it ended up not being a deal for us. We had a super room rate at AKL and if we were to book the "free dining", we would lose this great rate. The actual final difference came to only $9 savings off the regular price of the dining plan per person. Since this isn't really "free" and my DH doesn't care for the dining plan (he says that I become too militant about when/where we eat), we stayed with what we had. Congrats to those of you who ended up getting a better deal!

I kinda agree with your DH's thoughts...when we did FD in August 3 years ago, we went all out, did the Poly, FD...kinda went for DELUXE RESORT/DELUXE EATS..11 day total trip. Anyway, we found that we got far less done than usual, spent a LOT of time just getting to/from our ADR'S and we did plan to eat in the locations we were at MOST of the time...and the crowds were crazy. We were there for 2 days before FD started and it was awesome, then the crowds came in masses...We do not regret doing it as we did get to experience some awesome restaurants that we would never have eaten at or spent on, but back then the tip and an appetizer each was included in the plan, so we were able to stretch the plan out to cover all meals by sharing and using CS for breakfast...not sure that we could do that now. Plus our DS, thinks that chicken fingers are a gourmet meal...even tho he is an adult fee, does not eat $40 a day...not even a snacker. We had a ton of credits left over that we used to bring candy/non-perishables home and gave about 5-6 away as well. We also found ourselves giving desserts away to other tables too. It took a lot of time to eat at those TS meals, and not any fault of the servers, they were hoppin'! But just the normal time it takes. We also like to schedule our TS in the afernoon, for a A/C/break type meal, and a lot of time those prices are less than dinner anyway. I guess you just have to go with what is best for your family. That being said, we dod have CSR booked w/FD for Deccember, but I think it is doubtful we will stya that plan...Christmas crowds, more FD being released...and to be honest, there are some restaurants that we would like to try that are NOT on the DDP...like Fultons, and I KNOW we would not pay OOP during a trip we have FD for.

 

[sullins5]

I'm not sure what happened, but when I called back and got my quote, the first time it was 1995. for CBR, 5day MYW basic tickets, and DV Free Dining...then when I called again to definitely book it, still not sure whether it was that great a deal, the new quote was for $1860. Still cheaper than I had with my AAA discount, 2 character meals, and 5 day tickets. Not sure how that happened...but pixie dust def hit the Sullins' family!

We'll try the free dining this time, and see how we like it!

CBR for 25th Anniversary Oct 2-12th
Free Dining First Timers
MNSSHP First Timers
Lunch at Cinderella Castle First Timer
Dinner at Chef Mickeys Repeaters!
So Pumped!

 

[HLAuburn]

Good deal! Glad it worked out....I think you'll like the dining plan.

 

[kat3668]

The free dining pin did'nt work out for me..... It brought my price up over $600.00 for the week..... no way I could ever eat enough to make that worth it.

 

[Gr8dan2]

Maybe a 'deal' is all relative--- Visa FD last fall was really good-- discount on room rate and free dining. We stayed at POR for 6 nights over Christmas last year, 3 adults 2 children, and it cost us less than $1500 (just the required 1 day ticket since we're passholders). Today I called to switch our passholder rate to visa + free dining and i was taken back when I was quoted $2100+ for 7 nights (so 1 additional night, yes, but almost $700 more than over Christmas 2008). Not a deal-- it added $1100 to our passholder rate room to go 'free' dining. which was about the same as passholder+dining.

I know its a good deal for some, but for us and the way we eat, we only do dining when its the best deal to do it.