Opinion needed on changing ressies to free dining

[disneynovic]

Here's my dilemma: We are booked at a vacation house for Nov. 15-22. But free dining is looking really good, and comparative to what we would be paying anyways. I've budgeted just over $3000 for our trip down(driving, house, 3 day tickets, no hopper, no waterpark and food) vs staying in a family suite in ASMU is $2800 on free dining with 5 day tickets, no hopper, includes waterpark. There are five of us, and I think it will be approx. $600 in gas return. If I go the last week of Aug., I don't have to take the kids out of school, one in grade 10, one in grade 7 starting a new school, and a grade 2, but the heat may be unbearable! PLUS, DH really doesn't want to stay in a small hotel room, but doesn't know about the family suites. Are they much bigger? What to do, what to do!!!! I'm really struggling, and would appreciate any opinions anyone might have, before I talk to DH about changing things.
Thanks in advance,
Deb

 

[Salome]

Well, I think you got more for less with the free dining...
You are on site, more days, waterparks (they are fantastic!), good food miam..and you don't get kids out of school...
It will be hot but there's so many places and attractions with a/c you will be fine!
This year is our third free dining trip and we also drive from Ottawa.
Go see the menus on allearsnet.com, so many places to choose!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The family suites were not eligible for free dinning last year. I expect they won't be eligible this year either.

 

[Debbie]

Actually, I've read on other threads that, while they are few and far between, some people have gotten the family suites with the Free Dining.

 

[tigger2on]

as well as booking a room at any DVC resorts as long as you are not usuing points!

 

[Tinkergirl1]

We are doing free dining at POP Aug 25 - Sept 2. We were already booked to go at the end of November but we saved about $1,100 by changing to end of August. I can't justify the money difference. Our oldest daughter is in grade 12 so she won't miss school either. We went to free dining in August 2006 and absolutely loved it! It's hard to know what to do.

 

[Step]

Family Suites can be booked. I got one for Sept 1-8 with free dining.

However, most are already sold out, thus "not available". I think someone was saying august 27-31 was sold out when they called.

 

[Questforthemouse]

My SIL called on Thursday at 1:30pm and was told Family Suites were not available for free dining. Not sure if they were all sold out or weren't part of the free dining pool for the weeks she was going. She had already booked the Family Suites last month so she switched to 2 standard rooms at POP to get the free dining deal.

 

[LauraLap]

I'm just curious, what are the crowds like at the end of August? It must get pretty busy!

 

[Questforthemouse]

I'm just curious, what are the crowds like at the end of August? It must get pretty busy!

Actually, park attendance drops siginificantly during the last week of August as Florida schools (and most of the south east) open their doors by the third week of August.