Room vs Dining Pin - which is better?

[jacksg@l]

I got a 35% discount off value and moderates and 40% off deluxe pin earlier this year. I bucked the odds and let it expire. A couple of weeks ago, I got a free dining pin. I have 3 adults and 1 15 year old. I am wondering if I did the wrong thing by waiting and not hopping on the room deal......

 

[Mrs D]

I got a 35% discount off value and moderates and 40% off deluxe pin earlier this year. I bucked the odds and let it expire. A couple of weeks ago, I got a free dining pin. I have 3 adults and 1 15 year old. I am wondering if I did the wrong thing by waiting and not hopping on the room deal......

It depends on the level of resort you want to stay at and your travel dates. Let us know your dates and resort choice and we can help.

Really you have to do the math on all available options to see which is the best for you.

I had booked free dining for this June when it was offered last year. For some reasons it didn't occur to me that now that DD is 3 the kids stay/play deal would be the bigger savings. Good thing it finally dawned upon me last week. I did the math and sure enough same room, same tickets (for the adults) and paying for the dining plan with the Kids stay/play deal saved me about $90!

Also I always say a discount in hand is worth two in the bush. If you are going and can get a discount book it, you can change it if a better deal comes out.

 

[jacksg@l]

I wanted to go at the end of May and stay at one of the moderates with 3 adults and a 14 year old. I was wondering if it would be cheaper to go at that time instead of in later in the summer

 

[jemmouse]

I believe it is cheaper to go at the end of the summer. We are a family of 3, it is cheaper for us now to buy our own food. My DS10 doesn't want to do as many character meals but when he did itnwas definately better to take dining plan.

 

[woody5]

Well you are four adults by Disney standards and pricing. The cost of a moderate over summer is $190 per night. Dining is $31 per person per night for QSDP or $48 per person per night for DDP. You didn't state which free dining pin you had received. In either case: 4*31 = $124 savings per night with QSDP or 4*48 = $192 savings per night for DDP (more than the cost of the room). The 35% off equates to $67 per night. The free dining pin is a much better deal for you. There is no way four adults can eat for $67 per day.

 

[speedo]

Well you are four adults by Disney standards and pricing. The cost of a moderate over summer is $190 per night. Dining is $31 per person per night for QSDP or $48 per person per night for DDP. You didn't state which free dining pin you had received. In either case: 4*31 = $124 savings per night with QSDP or 4*48 = $192 savings per night for DDP (more than the cost of the room). The 35% off equates to $67 per night. The free dining pin is a much better deal for you. There is no way four adults can eat for $67 per day.

I found the same result as you when I did the math. The free dining plan is a better deal if we use all our meal and snack credits. (We are two adults staying at a moderate with free QSDP.)

I think the amount of the the QSDP went up for 2011 - it is listed as 34.99 on WDWinf: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm. That makes the savings even higher.

 

[Mrs D]

Ok, I tried to reply last night but the Disney site wasn't working so I couldn't get the quotes.

Here we go:
Looking at room rates & Seasons-I selected Port Orleans for this comparison- the entire month of May is Regular season and shows rates of $175 for weeknights and $190 for weekends. You then go into Summer season ($$185/$200). On Aug 14th you go into Value season with rates at $159/$169. You can see rate charts at mousesavers.com.

Using the dummy dates of May 9-14 (5 nights) at Port Orleans French Quarter in a standard room with 6 day base tickets and QSDP (this is for an equal comparison, although you may pay the difference to upgrade your free dining)

Current % off Room Discount with tix & QSDP - $2620.77
Free Dining with tix & free QSDP - $2121.13

Now if should go Aug 15-20 your prices would be (same scenario- POFQ standard, 6 day base & QSDP)

Current % off Room Discount with tix & QSDP - $2499.00
Free Dining with tix & free QSDP - $2025.52