Please help with Disney math

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I followed the advice on this board & got a pin! 40% off deluxe; 2 of my nights are not included in the promo.

But of course I'm still not convinced I have the best deal . . . please look at my figuring and tell me what you think:

It's me, my husband, and son >10. Contemporary tower, MK view 10/3 - 10/10. 7 nights/8 day hoppers with DP. Apparently this is the first year they have raised room rates for Columbus Day weekend.

Here's the rack rate:

5 nights @ $500 + 2 nights @ $520 X 12.5% tax = $3982.50
3 8-day hoppers = $923.37 incl. tax
dining plan for 7 nights = $881.79 incl tax?
For a total of $5787.66; my original package was within ~$5 of this.

With the 40% off code I come up with:

5 nights @ $300 + 2 nights @ $520 (blackout dates) X 12.5% = $2857.50
3 8-day hoppers = $923.37 incl. tax
dining plan for 7 nights = $881.79 incl tax?
For a total of $4662.66; package quoted is $4666.11

However, let's consider an AP rate of 40% off - do they have blackouts other than the major holidays? Earlier in the year the AP rate was 45% off for my length of stay at a deluxe. So just for comparison,

1 AP @ $520.79 incl. tax
2 8-day hoppers from UC = $585.90 incl. tax
7 (5 @ $500 & 2 @ $520) nights @ 40% off rack + 12.5% tax = $2389.50
7 nights dining plan $881.79 incl tax?
For a total of $4377.98

So IF blackout dates don't apply to AP rates, going the AP route is a better deal, right? And then I would have 51 additional weeks to go back for free!!!!

Have I missed something? Any other scenarios to consider?

Question - assuming the elusive FD is offered, that's just a savings of $881.79 in our case, correct, because you have to pay rack rate for the room? Under what circumstances is that ever a good deal?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

You could also run the free QSDP option (rumor that is what its gonna be for fall) plus add the price to upgrade to regular dining plan ($10/adult $2/child).

Then you could run the kids stay play and eat free visa offer. Or just the kids stay and play offer.


Ok I'll quit being mean, put your calculator down, those offers both expire before your time I think. AP rates do include some blackout dates but not as many as general public offers. This easter the blackout dates were not there for AP's, I can't remember about Christmas but i know they were not blacked out on Presidents Day either this year (we went on AP rate). I have ran the #'s for months for our May trip. Regular rate, Free DDP, Free QSDP, Pin for 35% off Mod, kids stay and play free, kids stay play and eat free, and the 40% of AP rate. Everytime something comes out I start calculating and everytime the AP rate at 40% on moderate beats it. Sometimes only by a $50-100 but it beats it. So I'm retiring my calculator.

I have always been on the fence about free dining being a better deal than % of, but now I am convinced that 37% off is the key deal, it its 37% or more then the room discount is usually the best day. I would think this would also always ring true in the Deluxe resorts as well. I would go for the AP, its gonna pay for itself in one use of the room discount at a deluxe, plus you will have a ticket to use if you return in the next 12 months and it already includes 'hopping'. Be warned though: the downside of an AP is more frequent trips, you can hide your AP in a 5 in thick safe under ground and you will still hear it calling: take me to Disney, take me to Disney!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Question - assuming the elusive FD is offered, that's just a savings of $881.79 in our case, correct, because you have to pay rack rate for the room? Under what circumstances is that ever a good deal?

It's an excellent deal if yo uare in the values, even one adult in a room is like a $41 a night savings, considering most rooms in the values run less than $90 during value season when FD is offered the room discount would need to be 50% to beat it. My SIL's family stayed in an ASMu suite last year with 4 adults and 2 kids, they got free dining which was worth $190 a day. You can't beat that savings!

But looks like they are phasing out free dining in values, the last promo last year was Quick Service plan only and rumor has it this year thats all anyone will get offered regardless of resort.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

It's an excellent deal if yo uare in the values, even one adult in a room is like a $41 a night savings, considering most rooms in the values run less than $90 during value season when FD is offered the room discount would need to be 50% to beat it.

When you put it that way, I can totally see how that's a great deal!

We've never been able to go during free dining, but normally we stay in values so I'll hope for the future. A trip like this happens for us every 10 years or so. My husband has been to WDW a few times but has never stayed in a Deluxe, so I hope I'm not creating a monster!

Thanks for your replies!