Should I book now?!! So confused...

[Mrs S]

Hoping someone experienced here can help...please! So, finally, after years of debating and saving we're planning to go to WDW next year. When do I book? Is the current free dining plan a really great saving? Or should I be holding out for free days and nights?! Or is it a case of jump at something and hope it's the best offer I could have got? I'd really appreciate your thoughts, thank you!!

 

[k8Davies]

I think the free days and nights offer ended on the 28th and not sure when it'll be out again.

I think the free dining is a saving depending on what you do, as our last trip in November most of our spending money went on eating out and Disney restaurants (as we stayed in the Swan) so having the dining on the next trip will really help.

Actually even if it didn't save us any money I would still would get the dining for my trip as we are taking my FIL and I think he would have some sort of fit if I told him Chef Mickey is around $50.

Although on the trip I'm sure he'll find plenty to moan about, he's a nice enough person but does like a moan, the price of Disney food hopefully now will not be one of the subjects - and that my friends is worth a lot - well to me anyway lol

 

[Mrs S]

Thanks so much for replying! Yes, thinking about it the cost of dining would be a LOT wouldn't it? I guess waiting for future offers also runs the risk of not getting in the hotel etc that we'd want. And of course there's no guarantee of getting another free days and nights offer....hmmm. All so exciting though!!!!

 

[Tash87]

Ooh that's a tough question. The free nights and discount on tickets was a good offer if you wanted to go THiS year.

I have been researching over the last few weeks and it does work out that the 'free' dining IS actually free. We had it on our last trip and it was really good! We actually ate decent healthy'ish meals which we've never done out there before.

We've even said that we would pay for the dining package if we got a good deal on hotel etc.

On your original question I've been 5 times and still don't know when is a 'good' time to book lol If you're happy with the deal on now....book!!!

My hubby has said that when we go again he will ONLY stay at Grand Floridian so trying to get a good price for that is near impossible

 

[Mrs S]

I was so tempted just to book for this year on that offer but there was no way it was affordable!! The Grand Floridian looks AMAZING! Can I ask which other hotels you've stayed at that you've liked?

 

[Tash87]

It was a good offer but I couldn't save that much money in a short amount of time. I'm going to keep an eye on prices when virgin holidays and travelcity release the free dining next week and see what price they come out inc flights.

Last year was the first time we stayed on Disney property and we have now truly ruined it for ourselves as the only place we want to stay at is GF . I've always wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge too and even though it's cheaper, I keep thinking ' what if we regret it and wish we went GF '

I see your son is 7? My daughter was 7 when we went last year and she had the time of her life!

 

[Mrs S]

Yes, we just couldn't scrape the money together in time either!!! Good idea to look at packages, I might follow your lead there. I've been to Disney Paris before and was kind of the same with the "pink hotel" there - none of the others lived up to it afterwards to goodness knows what I'm going to be like with the Florida options!! I'm thinking I'd like to be on the monorail (if I can possibly afford it) sounds like it's a really quick way to get around? Thanks so much for your help. I think I'll be following this board closely from now on!!

 

[london75]

Thanks so much for replying! Yes, thinking about it the cost of dining would be a LOT wouldn't it? I guess waiting for future offers also runs the risk of not getting in the hotel etc that we'd want. And of course there's no guarantee of getting another free days and nights offer....hmmm. All so exciting though!!!!

The saving on dining varies, would you eat that much food if it weren't "free". We're doing it this year as a treat, it's the only way I can justify having steaks but there are better deals to be had. The last couple of years we've stayed at the grand Floridian and paid for all food for less than a free dining room at old key west or similar. Yes we had fewer sit down meals but in reality they can dominate a trip to the point it feels like it revolves around food. Pm me if you want details as it's not a dis approved company that does that room rate at gf!

 

[MrsIncredible1974]

We love the DDP especially when it's free! It's just a way of knowing that our food bills are covered from day one. But we are a family of foodies
Realistically, upgrading the free QSDP to DDP costs us £50 per day. Could a family of 4 eat in Florida for £50 per day? Including the "mum, can I have...?" incidents.
We tend to do most of our character meet and greats during meals to save time in the parks etc. Plus, it's great to actually sit down as a family for an hour a day, chill out, laugh, recap and plan what's next. And the fact that there is a steak for DH, options for the girls and time off my feet in an air conditioned room for me is well worth the price.

 

[Tash87]

We did most of the character dining options when on the dining plan last time including Cinderellas Royal table. Which is worth soo much money on its own. We even came home with hundreds of dollars worth of snacks which was great!

When we don't have the dining plan we eat 'cheaply' taking into account the cost of each meal so it was lovely to be able to eat healthier meals and not even think about the cost. We did work out how much we had 'spent' on meals on the dining plan even if we payed for it worked out to be cost effective

 

[Mrs S]

It does sound good, and having most food paid for before you go sounds very appealing. I think I'm just scared to book now on this deal and then see something with free days/nights coming up nearer the time that would be cheaper...but then I suppose you wouldn't necessarily get your first choice of hotel etc?! Thanks so much everyone for all your help and info!