Room only discount vs. Free Dining

[Mrs D]

Ok, I've done the math a million times, but I keep feeling like I'm leaving a million dollars on the table. Please confirm that I am going to get a better deal by keeping my room only discount.
Here are the details: we have an airline employee discount (i figure it to be able 35%). Staying at 1bdrm VWL 9/7 -9/12 3 adults 1 child (3) and 1 infant (1). We are paying $1669 inc. tax & insurance. I am thinking of purchasing tickets through Undercover Tourist (mousesavers rate). We will do Chef Mickeys Breakfast (11am-our lunch), Biergarten, Narcossee (date night for only hubby & I - others will likely eat counter serve), maybe Ohana, and maybe Whispering Canyon for lunch. We're doing breakfast in the room (buying Eggo's, water, juice boxes, diapers, etc from garden grocer) and counter serve for other meals not mentioned.

Is it worth it to keep my room discount or go with the dining plan?
Also, my Aunt will be joining us beginning 9/8. She is a Florida resident. I could pay for her Disney Dining Experience membership to receive that 20% discount. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

(BTW, In laws are staying in a separate studio - so I'm not figuring them into the equation)

 

[eliza61]

Ok, I've done the math a million times, but I keep feeling like I'm leaving a million dollars on the table. Please confirm that I am going to get a better deal by keeping my room only discount.
Here are the details: we have an airline employee discount (i figure it to be able 35%). Staying at 1bdrm VWL 9/7 -9/12 3 adults 1 child (3) and 1 infant (1). We are paying $1669 inc. tax & insurance. I am thinking of purchasing tickets through Undercover Tourist (mousesavers rate). We will do Chef Mickeys Breakfast (11am-our lunch), Biergarten, Narcossee (date night for only hubby & I - others will likely eat counter serve), maybe Ohana, and maybe Whispering Canyon for lunch. We're doing breakfast in the room (buying Eggo's, water, juice boxes, diapers, etc from garden grocer) and counter serve for other meals not mentioned.

Is it worth it to keep my room discount or go with the dining plan?
Also, my Aunt will be joining us beginning 9/8. She is a Florida resident. I could pay for her Disney Dining Experience membership to receive that 20% discount. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

(BTW, In laws are staying in a separate studio - so I'm not figuring them into the equation)

A 1 bedroom villa at WL runs ~425/night for your time frame plus tax. so for your 5 night stay the difference is already $500 bucks. I would spring for the 20% DDE card to save even more. I use it all the time and it covers 10 people plus gives you the discount on adult beverages (I like a glass of wine or some times a beer). I'm not a big fan of the DDP plan some one else can help you there. I think the general rule of thumb is you save more with room discounts especially at the Deluxe resorts.

 

[disneyfan55]

A 1 bedroom villa at WL runs ~425/night for your time frame plus tax. so for your 5 night stay the difference is already $500 bucks. I would spring for the 20% DDE card to save even more. I use it all the time and it covers 10 people plus gives you the discount on adult beverages (I like a glass of wine or some times a beer). I'm not a big fan of the DDP plan some one else can help you there. I think the general rule of thumb is you save more with room discounts especially at the Deluxe resorts.

I agree. The only way the free dining is really worth it to me is at a Value Resort. The DDE would be great if you are an AP holder or FL resident.

 

[Mrs D]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I swear I redo the math every day! I have figured we will likely break even paying for food out of pocket, maybe even save a little. Since the DDE is an option, I think that's the better way to go. I think I keep getting caught up in free dining mania!

 

[RFrank9504]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease. I swear I redo the math every day! I have figured we will likely break even paying for food out of pocket, maybe even save a little. Since the DDE is an option, I think that's the better way to go. I think I keep getting caught up in free dining mania!

I got 40% off my room when i called-I have an AP, i called to see if i upgraded with a 1 day base ticket (which is applied to AP renewal) for the 4 of us if it made sense. Nope! It came out be about $1,000 more-for a 5 day stay. We wont be eating $1,000 worth of food-so the "free dining" wasnt worth it for us. We too went with the DDE.
However, I have had the "free dining" a few years ago when we were NYers and it really did pay off-we looked at a receipt from the Royal Dreams Dining-6 of us (we paid for my cousins to come ) was over $750.00. That was 1 meal-I am thinking we probably ate about $1600 worth of food that week-maybe more counting snacks.

 

[krmlaw]

I just got a code for 30% off, and have free dining booked. I had disney run both, and free dining came to $300 less than the room only discount. Disney will run it both ways for you if you ask ... they were great for me.

 

[Disney Fool]

I was booked with free dining also, but at a deluxe. I got the 30% off on a bouce-back. same resort, same room, it came to $1,000 less. I have an AP, and if the value season discount is bigger than 30%, guess what I'm gonna do.

 

[larryz]

I've got three nights at the GF with a 40% discount...but it's in December, so free food doesn't apply. I wish it did!