Offsite 3 bdrm or Free Dining?

[TheLittleRoo]

It would be $2300 for lodging, tickets, and meals (mostly CS, maybe 1-2 character meals) and parking if we did the 3 bdrm offsite condo in April.

It would be around $2600 + $120 for tips (?) if we go during free dining and stay at a moderate (POR due to our family of 5).

My gut instinct is to go for free dining, and really enjoy the parks AND the food. But August 28 - Sept 5 crowds versus April 18-25 crowds? And the weather? WWYD?

ETA: our kids are 14, 7, and 4. The oldest starts HS next year, so we can't ever pull him out for a week like we can now in April of his 8th grade year.

 

[JenLanDisney]

I think your April dates may overlap some April vacations like Massachusetts' schools. This would affect the crowds. I think the weather, though, is much better in April than Aug/Sept. The humidity just kills me.

We are a family of 3, but even then we like to have a condo to spread out in.

It's a tough call.

 

[ceecee]

I would do the September with the free dining.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I vote for free dining. The weather will be soooo hot but the crowds should be lighter. The food will be amazing, and when you're at disney you don't spend that much time in the room anyway, right?

 

[csss31399]

We are a family of five. We have done both of the scenarios you are asking about. I really think that it comes down to what type of trip you want to take. In the free dining vacation, you do go, go, go and are never in the room and in the off-site house, we spend some time relaxing and don't have to run the kids to the pool all the time because it's right outside the living room.

The first time we went to Disney, we did free dining and it was great, but since we have been a few times, I like to take it easier.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[EMom]

I'm from Texas and I'd put a gun to my head before I'd go to WDW in the heat of August. And that's from someone who LOVES free dining. I'd go for April. But if you're okay with hellish heat, do August.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I'm from Texas and I'd put a gun to my head before I'd go to WDW in the heat of August. And that's from someone who LOVES free dining. I'd go for April. But if you're okay with hellish heat, do August.

Girl, I lived in HOUSTON for 13 years! I can deal with heat.

I may not LIKE it... but I can manage. It's the dang love bugs that really put me off on August! Ick.

 

[powellrj]

We are a family of five. We have done both of the scenarios you are asking about. I really think that it comes down to what type of trip you want to take. In the free dining vacation, you do go, go, go and are never in the room and in the off-site house, we spend some time relaxing and don't have to run the kids to the pool all the time because it's right outside the living room.

The first time we went to Disney, we did free dining and it was great, but since we have been a few times, I like to take it easier.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I agree. If you are planning to go,go,go all the time and never be in your room I would go for the free dining. If you plan on spending anytime in your room I would go with the off-site.

We did free dining a few years ago and stayed at POP. While it was nice, we missed the room we get in a condo. This trip we are in a 3 bedroom condo because the thought of all of us in one room for a week is scary. Heck, I am dreading the drive down with all of us in the same car for 2 days! At least both kids have downloaded lots in their ipods and we are taking the DVD player and DS will be driving part of the trip so I hope they can get along for a week!

 

[HM]

Do the free dining. You'll really enjoy it.

I have found that April can be just as hot as Sept. There are no guarantees you'll have better weather. And although I've stayed offsite before, driving back and forth wasn't a fun part of our trip. I like to let Disney buses do my driving on vacation.

 

[MKCP5]

the best thing about august is that there is no one there!!! virtually no lines, easy in and outs, it's great. It is HOT, but everything is A/C anyways!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I would do the free dining plans that you have. It will be hot during that time but it is manageable. We like to stay on site whenever possible. And during that time, most kids will be back in school.

 

[wall*e2008]

It will be hotter for the September trip, but the crowds will be smaller. I am not a huge fan of free dining, but that is what I would pick due to the smaller crowds.

 

[clutter]

My dd is 6th grade. For the last few years, I haven't wanted to pull her out of school for more than a couple of days, so for a longer trip our choices have been Christmas, Spring Break or summer. We've tried them all! Late August is the absolute best (the later the better), crowd-wise. And I have yet to hit a hot day in August that was worse than a heat spell we were in in May 2003. That was melting hot even at night!

So no matter where you stay, I'd vote for August.

 

[Donnainnj]

You might also want to consider 2 rooms at a value. The price would almost be the same as POR with the trundle fee. That way you get free dining and a little extra room. Our family likes to have a little extra room, especially the two bathrooms.
Donna