so based on FREE DDP, what is your resort choice?

[FINFAN]

And did you change your orig choice to save money, or spend about the same pre-dining to stay in a mod or higher?

We went with same $$$, switched to CR...but were previously booked at the Dolphin so we didn't want to lose the deluxe stuff we like...however, I am TOTALLY rethinking it and can't ignore $1300 savings if we booked the whole trip at POP. Problem is the sleeping arrangements..would need 2 rooms and that pretty much puts us back into CR cost...but we would have 2 bathrooms at POP, but monorail/walk to MK at CR....
PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS!
It is a trip to celebrate our 20th tho...enought to justify cost? Could just MAKE the kids share the bed even tho they hate it, and take ANOTHER trip pn the 1300 later.....I mean, what fun is saving the $$$$$?


Pam

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We moved from POR-->2 Rooms at Pop-->Wilderness Cabins-->Contemporary Resort.
It wasn't much difference, I think maybe $50-$60 more, but we're saving $950 on dining.

 

[minnie61650]

double post. S

 

[minnie61650]

We moved from POR-->2 Rooms at Pop-->Wilderness Cabins-->Contemporary Resort.
It wasn't much difference, I think maybe $50-$60 more, but we're saving $950 on dining.

We downgraded from All Star Music suites to a king room at All Star Music and
saved lots of $$$$$$. Once I stayed at the All Stars I just don't to want to stay at the mods or deluxes.
I am 55 years old and travel several times a year. I often stay at 4 star hotels.
So the deluxe resorts do not have anything special for me.
All Star is like being in the heart of the Magic and that is where I want to be.

Sadly the New Family suites and all the suites at the moderate and deluxe resorts are exempted from the free dining plan.

I am kinda bummed. I really wanted to try out the new family suites but since it will be only dh and I this trip we opeted for a king room and the free dining.

For more info about the New Family Suites click on mt FAQ thread.
Feel free to post any co,,ents or questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409

Thanks!

 

[mommykds]

We were already booked at BC..the free dining is just an added bonus.

 

[magicmouse2]

I had wanted to try ASMU family suites, but not available so I went for 2 rooms at POP. IMHO the kids will probably be more comfortable in proper beds at POP as oposed to sleeper sofas at ASMU.

 

[kizmac]

We were already booked at POR so we just kept that and are thrilled to save the money! I thought about moving up to deluxe for about a second but no, we love POR & hardly spend time at the room so money saved means more shopping for us! YAY! Can't wait to load up on some Mr. Potatoe Head parts!

 

[Mickeefan]

We were already booked at POP, so we're staying there. The FREE dining just makes our trip that much cheaper.

 

[pooh2001]

I would do Deluxe - WL or AKL or CR wing for less expensive then upper prices Y/BC or Poly.

You feel like you still have the deluxe feeling of the Dolphin.

Enjoy !

 

[MarksMom2006]

We have been at CBR the whole time. But when you take the 420 off that we just saved...much sweeter!

 

[newholidayx2]

we didnt change the resort when we added on the DDP. We are booked at VWL 8/12-17, AKL 8/17-20 (added on the DDP) and BCV 8/20-26

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

They won people like me.

I had planned two weeks at Sheraton's Vistana Resort offsite (which we love and I will miss DEARLY). We were going to save some money and cook some in the condo, but about three sitdown meals (Alfredo's, Le Cellier and Biergarten) were planned also.

So instead of Disney getting about $350 from us, they just got $1879 for one room at POR, 1 day base tickets (we have AP's) with free dining for 10 nights. They might lose money from the food but they are making it at the resort. And.............we have one day tickets for next year which we might think about turning into multiple day passes.

Bravo, Disney!! You did it! I just couldn't resist this even though the five of us will be jammed into one room.........heaven help us if there is a hurricane and we have to wait it out in that room.........

Maybe I should check into bringing some medication....

 

[laurabelle]

Since this was completely unplanned, we decided to go with POP! We're all excited to be trying it, especially the kids!

 

[catsrule]

moderate, POFQ.

 

[magsmom]

We are staying on DVC points for 9 nights at BWV and are paying for the dining. This had aready been arranged and paying for the dining is still a good deal through DVC, considering BWV is so close to Epcot and the studios. I have banked points from last year that I have to use.

We originally booked at the Dolphin for our last weekend (did not want to pay high points). I now have a reservation at POFQ for the same $ as the Dolphin including the dining.

DH and I looked over our entire vacation and it's a very good deal to come down a few days early, so we also have a reservation at ASMo (we're saving money on our last weekend on food, right? )! So we are splitting out stay!

 

[DizznyChick]

we had reservations at the swan but rescheduled at pop with free dining
im also going on the ladies trip with the free dining at cs
so im thinking of not renewing my ap-not sure yet though

 

[LisaRN]

I am staying as planned before.. WL Concierge..I just added on a night with the savings

 

[disneyboundinne]

They won people like me.

I had planned two weeks at Sheraton's Vistana Resort offsite (which we love and I will miss DEARLY). We were going to save some money and cook some in the condo, but about three sitdown meals (Alfredo's, Le Cellier and Biergarten) were planned also.

So instead of Disney getting about $350 from us, they just got $1879 for one room at POR, 1 day base tickets (we have AP's) with free dining for 10 nights. They might lose money from the food but they are making it at the resort. And.............we have one day tickets for next year which we might think about turning into multiple day passes.

Bravo, Disney!! You did it! I just couldn't resist this even though the five of us will be jammed into one room.........heaven help us if there is a hurricane and we have to wait it out in that room.........

Maybe I should check into bringing some medication....

Just wondering...is it still worth it to take the dining plan if you lose the ability to use your annual passholder discounts on the rooms? I know that for a deluxe room, the discount for annual passholders can be more than $100 off of the rack rate. This is all assuming that in order to get the free dining you have to purchase the rooms at rack rate - is that correct? Not sure that you save SO much money by going with rack rate/free dining as opposed to annual passholder discount and no free dining.

 

[FINFAN]

Yes, you do have to pay rack rate, and since it is way before an AP rate will be announced for fall, it is basically holders choice...I am not familiar w/history of AP discounts as we have had AP's...usually 18-24 months between trips....but then I guess it all comes down to your eating style. If you will eat over the $100 est savings each day, and larger families will, probably worth it and for character meals.
Is 8/13 earlier than a normal release for an AP discount? For some with school issues if this allows them to take advantage then I would think it is the way to go, maybe just don't go deluxe. I have to admit we "upgraded" our vacation based on DDP promo, but is it the smartest choice...still debating that one. Doing 2 rooms value is a smarter financial move, but since connecting rooms cannot be guaranteed and we have a VERY late night flight, it can be a risky move. We may have to "suffer" with the deluxe accomodations to rest easy!


Pam

 

[MyGoofy26]

We didn't have any set plans but had been in the process of discussing going in late Sept. early Oct. when this popped up. Just solidified the plans. We were going to stay Moderate but looking at the price of a value (although I swore to myself I'd never stay value again) it was too good to pass up, especially since I want to spend part of this trip doing the DVC tour and *hopefully* buying in while I'm there or soon after. Money saved means more money for a downpayment!

So for 4 nights for 2 adults at a value and one day passes with free dining ... $486.

The "savings" from downgrading hotels and the free dining plan (we would have paid for it anyway) is nearly $600. We saved more than we're spending.