Should I??? Which scenario is possible and best deal?

[weesignlanguage]

Hey guys!

My family (dh, ds-4yr, and myself) are booked room only for Jan 1-6 at the Pop for a standard room. We are AP holders and are hoping for a discount...we shall see. If we get the discount, we are going to get the dining plan added to our AP ressie.

Tonight, I had an afterthought of sorts. What if I changed our dates to Dec. 19-24 instead? I am a Disney Visa holder and honestly, haven't paid a bit of attention to the Free Dining offer b/c we had Jan. dates.

But now, I wonder...which would be the better deal? Which dates would even be possible at this point? We realize all the good TS meals are gone but we would be fine w/ CS w/ FD! Could we even get the Dec. room at a Value (prefer Pop or ASMo) this late in the game?

I didn't know how to figure out this FD offer b/c I hear it has a room discount with it. Any help? Advice?

 

[karliebug]

you never know until you ask. It is certainly worth a phone call. I would call and ask.

 

[disneyfan55]

For me there wouldn't be a choice. I love the Christmas decorations at WDW. I was lucky enough to visit 1 time with decorations up. We, as well, are AP holders. We had a rate of 54/night at ASMu starting Sept 28. When the FD came out it ended up being less expensive for the 2 of us to change to the Visa FD offer. In reality it ended up costing about 193 for the 2 of us for the 6 night stay. (we still have the value of the 1 day passes for future use, money in the bank!) Then my daughter ended up coming as well so a no brainer. It was 60 for her and that included all her food!! Even if you will get a great rate in Jan with AP, if you are at a Value, the Free food is worth it and you will get a down payment (the 1 day passes) for a future ticket and see WDW with all the Christmas decorations!!


As far as the room discount with the FD offer, I found that the Value season rate was given for the entire time even though it should have only been some of the days. Basically you can figue 1 day passes (adult about 80 pp) and the rack rate for the room. And don't forget the 1 day passes are good forever if not used.

 

[cepmom]

call and ask...I had a standard room only at Pop also but for 12/17 - 12/21. Had pretty good rate of $59 per night for 2 nights and $79 per night for 2 nights; $310 total including taxes. My budget for food was $250 ~ all CS meals, hadn't planned on any TS, but thought maybe we'd squeeze one in. Then I decided to look into the Disney Visa free dining. The total for the free dining package is $512.This includes (2) 1 day base tickets; it's just DH and I this trip.

So even after I add in the tips required for the free dining meals, it's only about $50ish more than my original budget. Now we get (2) extra admissions and 4 TS meals we wouldn't have otherwise done. That and the Xmas decorations.....it couldn't get much better!!!

I just booked the other day and while my first picks for ADR's weren't available (Coral Reef, LeCellier) I was still able to get others that we wanted to try. We got The Wave, Tutto Italia, Whispering Canyon and Kona Cafe. Just call!!

 

[weesignlanguage]

What about crowd levels? What will the difference be between going Dec. 19-24 and Jan. 1-6???

I am about to call and get the quote w/ free dining for the Dec. time. I'll post info later! Thanks so far for some great advice!

 

[disneyfan55]

What about crowd levels? What will the difference be between going Dec. 19-24 and Jan. 1-6???

I am about to call and get the quote w/ free dining for the Dec. time. I'll post info later! Thanks so far for some great advice!

I haven't been to wdw either of the weeks. I would base my choice on the decorations and free dining. I would think that the week before Christmas wouldn't be quite that bad. Many seem to go for the actual Christmas week. That's when schools and some places of employment are closed for the holiday.

 

[cepmom]

What about crowd levels? What will the difference be between going Dec. 19-24 and Jan. 1-6???

I am about to call and get the quote w/ free dining for the Dec. time. I'll post info later! Thanks so far for some great advice!

12/19 should be okay but I would expect crowds to pick up starting 20th/21st leading into Xmas week. 1/1 - 1/4 will probably be crowded as well. It's a toss up. If you can get free dining and be able to see the Xmas decorations, Osborne lights etc, it may be worth switching to December. Let us know how you make out after you call Disney!

 

[weesignlanguage]

So, will I not be able to see the Christmas decor in the parks Jan 1?? We were really hoping it would be still up...and the lights??

 

[cepmom]

I think the decorations will mostly still be up on the 1st...I thought I read that the last day for Osborne lights is 1/4. What I meant ws that getting free dining and being able to see all the lights etc would be a win-win, you know? Did you call for a price?