RO discount vs free dining....help!

[MichelleB]

We are DVC members so I have to admit that I've not booked a room outside DVC in 18 years. This year, we're wanting to use our points for a special trip so I'm looking at paying cash to go in October for MNSSHP with my daughter and again for a quick weekend in Nov when DS will march in the parade with his marching band. Many talk about free dining and room only discounts. Which do you find better? We will have an AP starting in 2 weeks when we go on a trip in May. I would like to stay at AoA but see that the discounts typically only apply to the suites (is this true with free dining as well?) which we wouldn't have so now I'm looking at potentially POP. I've stayed at All Star Movies once before and then visited Music but not stayed and liked Movies better. How does POP compare?

 

[Marionnette]

We are DVC members so I have to admit that I've not booked a room outside DVC in 18 years. This year, we're wanting to use our points for a special trip so I'm looking at paying cash to go in October for MNSSHP with my daughter and again for a quick weekend in Nov when DS will march in the parade with his marching band. Many talk about free dining and room only discounts. Which do you find better? We will have an AP starting in 2 weeks when we go on a trip in May. I would like to stay at AoA but see that the discounts typically only apply to the suites (is this true with free dining as well?) which we wouldn't have so now I'm looking at potentially POP. I've stayed at All Star Movies once before and then visited Music but not stayed and liked Movies better. How does POP compare?

Rumor has it that there will be no *free* dining in October of this year. Even if it were offered, you would have to purchase tickets as a part of the package. LM rooms at AoA are rarely included in any discounts because they sell out at rack rate. And the scuttlebutt is that *free* dining will require a minimum 4-night stay.

For your situation (traveling in Oct. or taking a quick weekend trip in Nov., already have APs), I would think that a RO discount will be the better option. It may be the only option. And given the many posts about the lack of availability in October, even a RO discount is not looking good.

 

[MichelleB]

Rumor has it that there will be no *free* dining in October of this year. Even if it were offered, you would have to purchase tickets as a part of the package. LM rooms at AoA are rarely included in any discounts because they sell out at rack rate. And the scuttlebutt is that *free* dining will require a minimum 4-night stay.

For your situation (traveling in Oct. or taking a quick weekend trip in Nov., already have APs), I would think that a RO discount will be the better option. It may be the only option. And given the many posts about the lack of availability in October, even a RO discount is not looking good.

Thank you! We are going in December using points so if I have to purchase tickets, we could use them then. However your input makes me think I'm going to warch more for discounts instead of dining. It's always helpful to get advice.....thanks!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

LM rooms have not been included in any discount since the year AoA opened. With an AP, I would recommend looking at room-only discounts and AP discounts when they are released. And, if you can be flexible with resorts, your chances of getting a discount will be much better.