Wow - thanks for all the replies... I hadn't checked this thread in a few days.
Are you 100% sure he can't use the receipt from your moderate room and expense it at the same rate he would have paid for the conference hotel room?
I am not 100% sure... I wish I had a better answer for you.
My understanding is that the only thing you would have to make sure of doing is having all 3 of you check-in at your Free Dining resort. I just learned that by reading another thread that indicated that Disney had cut down on "phantom" guests by making sure everyone is in at check-in. So, yes, you would all have acces to each other's dining credits.
This makes sense... so if my bff can't be there for check in (due to being at the Disney conference) - I wonder if she can show up at a later time?
I understood that the $588 included the OOP meals budget, it just did not include airfare. But, you are right if the $588 did not include any budget for meals, then the FD is a no-brainer.
Yes, the $588 did include my budget for meals, not airfare. You read it right.
Ohh ok, I may have missed that $588 included the meals. If that's the case, and OP wasn't underestimating the cost of food at WDW, then I suppose it's a trade off. I know when I'm not on the dining plan, I watch what I order due to cost - rarely get dessert, might go with a burger rather than a steak, etc. If OP might do that too, then dining plan may be the way to go. If $588 included meals overestimating the prices and not holding back on ordering, then I would go that route because there would then be no restrictions at all.
I don't believe I was underestimating the cost of food at WDW... I planned for us to bring a quick breakfast (pop tarts... cereal... that sort of thing), doing mostly counter service meals - and 2 nicer sit down meals during our stay. Also one full snack and beverage per day - if we pay OOP. However, I would be watching my pennies, and ordering burgers rather than steak and skipping dessert, for the most part. I think FD is the better deal just because we could eat with out restrictions.
I had a room booked during FD last year for 4 people at POFQ. I was the lead person on the reservation with my sister, BIL and nephew listed on the room as well. Nephew and I were arriving 4-5 days earlier than sister and BIL. I explained that to Disney and they booked all 4 of us in the room for the entire stay with FD for 4 for each night. I had to pay an upcharge for having an extra adult in the room.
Okay...getting to the point here. BIL wanted to get a separate room for when they arrived. Sister called to make the reservation and was told that she already had a reservation for those dates. So, seems they can track things like that since they ask for the address of each traveler. But, they did go ahead and let my sister book a second room only room. Can't say what would have happened at check in since in the end my sister got a nice rate at a DTD hotel and they stayed at a Doubletree rather than on-site.
If you do go with the FD, you might want to look into the signature restaurants as a way to use up all of your credits.
That being said, I love the Beach Club and would jump at the chance to stay there for the 4 nights.
That's very interesting - thanks for letting me know that.
I did plan ahead, just in case we luck out and there is still FD rooms avail when we are able to book, and I booked all of our ADRs - we didn't get any fabulous ADRs, but they weren't horrible either. There weren't any signature ones left to be had, but I am not checking constantly either. Thanks for the idea, and I will continue to check for these dates.
I've never stayed at the Beach Club - their pool looks awesome though - and it looks like it's a water park in itself.
I think it would be a fun hotel to stay at, as well.
Again, thanks for all the replies and brainstorming - it's really helped me a lot.
D~
