Question about Free Dining offer

[sherezada]

What do they base the amount of free dining days on? Length of stay or number of park ticket days?

Example: If I book the hotel for 6 nights but get only a 4-day park ticket will I get 6 days of FD or 4?

 

[khurley23]

You'll get 6

 

[sherezada]

Thanks. Another (possibly ethical) question: Would I run into issues if I make a room reservation for 2 adults and 1 child but bring a second child into the room? My youngest is 3 and I think the dining plan would be wasted on her. I could get a better priced ticket for her on the military base.

 

[disney world dreamer]

the dining plan is based on the number of nights you stay.
this is regardless of whether you pay for it or get it for free with the free dining promotion.

yes you would run into issues even if they don't "catch" you at the resort.
since she would not be on your reservation you could not book FP+ for her until 30 days out and only one day at a time where as everyone else in the room can book at 60 days out for length of stay.
and you'd have to purchase a magic band if you want one for her where as everyone else in the room would get one at no cost.
and if you did buy her one it would not work to open the room.
also magical express is only for resort guests and each guest must be accounted for so if you planned on using DME she can't go on.
plus then you'd have to purchase her meals out of pocket.
i doubt that saving some money on a ticket would really be worth all the potential hassle nor do i think it would really save you any money in the end with buying a magic band and paying for food out of pocket.

 

[sherezada]

Thank you for your reply. In regard to what you mentioned:
1)FPs don't worry me too much, as I already know she's too short to ride many of the high-coveted FP attractions (we would have to rely on RS anyway).
2) We have magic bands from the trip we just go back from (can we re-activate it for her ticket?).
3) She's 3, so I'm not concerned about allowing her to open the room with her band.
4) We'll be driving down so it is unlikely we will use Disney transportation (we did not use it this time around either).
5) In terms of meals, that's my point-she doesn't ever eat her own meal. She either shares a meal with her brother or eats from ours, so we don't see that as an added expense.

However, I don't disagree that keeping her out of the reservation might be more hassle than it's worth.

 

[Sarahbelle341]

Dining credits aren't assigned to any particular person so you could use her credits for the rest of you guys to have lunch on departure day or something.

 

[aaarcher86]

Dining credits aren't assigned to any particular person so you could use her credits for the rest of you guys to have lunch on departure day or something.

Yes, but they'd be child credits.

OP - it's ethical, so I guess it depends on your personal morals. If it's free dining, up your 3 year old to a 10 year old, pay the $20 ticket difference, and then you'll have a bunch of extra adult credits to spread amongst you.

Not a big fan of sneaking around, myself. If it'd be a waste on her, do the math and pick a discount that would work best for your family.

 

[sharonabe]

You mention that you can get her a military ticket. I'm assuming you mean the Salute tickets. If this is so, you might want to do the math before you do free dining. With the park hopper added to the deal, the room discount plus Salute tickets (which include PH), might be a better deal for you all around than paying rack rate and full ticket price for free dining.

Remember, though, any character or buffet meals you do, she will be charged for them no matter what she eats. So if these are in your plans, then doing free dining for everyone may still be the best bet.

 

[sherezada]

You mention that you can get her a military ticket. I'm assuming you mean the Salute tickets. If this is so, you might want to do the math before you do free dining. With the park hopper added to the deal, the room discount plus Salute tickets (which include PH), might be a better deal for you all around than paying rack rate and full ticket price for free dining.

Remember, though, any character or buffet meals you do, she will be charged for them no matter what she eats. So if these are in your plans, then doing free dining for everyone may still be the best bet.

I wish I was eligible for salute tickets! Unfortunately I'm only elegible for the regular discounted tickets. But yes, I'm doing the math (taking into account what we spent during our recent trip, current costs of individual items vs FD package, etc.

I forgot about that detail re: buffets/character meals. Those are our preferred meals, so it is an important factor. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

So many variables to consider! My head hurts.