looking at prices today

[cannmom]

Looking at prices today and crunching numbers for hypothetical discounts. We are a family of 3 all of us considered adults in the magical world of Disney. Free dining was a better deal for us at Wilderness Lodge and PO Riverside. A 30% discount was better at the Polynesian, but only by about $5 and free dining and 30% discount was the exact same price for Yacht Club!

I know people say that a % off discountis usually a better deal than free dining at Deluxes. I guess that's with larger families. Hoping for a 40% off pincode.

I had really hoped to stay at the Poly, but it's $1000 more than YC, $1500 more than WL, and $2500 more than POR. I don't know if I can justify the difference in price. I was thinking about a more relaxed trip with more pool time so definitely want a great pool. We have stayed at Beach Club and thought a new resort would be nice, but for that difference in price back to Storm-Along-Bay we go.

Now all that's left to do is talk DH into going again. Wish me luck!!

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

Whenever we start to plan a trip I lay out a spreadsheet itemizing all the costs. I usually do it with 2-4 different hotels and without fail I always include the Polynesian with hopes that "maybe this trip!".

But alas, for our 10 day stay (with free dining) the Poly priced out at $5,100 and POR at about $2,000. In my world at least, there is no way I can justify the $3,000+ difference.

For us, generally staying at moderates, and now with 3dd, one about to turn 10 before our next trip, that means we have (for dining/tix purposes) 3 adults and 2 children. With free dining that amounts to about $200 per day in savings ($2,000 on a 10 day stay) while a 30% discount would probably only save us about $60 per day max. So $2,000 vs. $600, again, a pretty easy call on our end to go with free dining rather than hope for a really good room discount.

I think in general, the DDP becomes a better value for families (especially larger ones) that stay in moderates and to some extent the values. As you progress up to the Deluxe resorts a 40% room discount at the Poly (probably a $160 savings) makes you do the math much more closely to see if one provides better value.

Good luck.

 

[nervous1sttimer]

Do families have to "hope for a really big discount"? Can't we book a FD offer and then change it to a 40% code instead if it gets offered? Or are you stuck with FD once you make the reservation?

 

[luvallprincesses]

It also depends on your eating style. We are 3 adults and 1 child and staying at a deluxe with a discount of 30%+ is better than free dining since we do not want to do a TS meal every day. Paying OOP is much better for us with doing only 3 TS meals over 9 days. So it is resort level, family size, and eating style that makes the difference.

 

[luvallprincesses]

Do families have to "hope for a really big discount"? Can't we book a FD offer and then change it to a 40% code instead if it gets offered? Or are you stuck with FD once you make the reservation?

Yes, we booked the free dining with a pin for now and certainly hope to change to a room discount (soon!).