So I ran some numbers Free Dining vs. % off code...

[chocovrdmicears]

Something to consider ... over at the UK site, they are offering DDP for this fall only for deluxe. Value and Mod only get QSDP. Our deal usually varies from theirs and it may have always been offered this way on the UK site, but it is something to consider.

Thank you for the information. This just adds to my "We need to do a Deluxe Resort this time" pitch to DH.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Are you comparing costs of room, tix and food for BOTH choices? If not, the clear winner would be free dining as food is included.

 

[Hyonlyf]

I had a free dining PIN emailed to me during the summer for this Dec that gave us the regular dining plan even at value resorts! I am praying they offer that deal again, it was a tremendous value for my family.

For us, the free dining was a $160 daily value, whereas a 40% room discount at ASMU would have only been about $42 a day.

This deal is good for UK visitors (from UK Disney site)
Save 47% when you book your accommodation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This incredible offer is available for all bookings made before 2 August 2010 and for hotel stays between 01 August - 18 November 2010. If you would like a hotel + tickets package, this room discount can be booked in combination with the FREE Disney Dining Promotion. based on:2 adults and 2 children staying 14 nights in a Studio accommodation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs or Disney’s Old Key West Resort and the 14 day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7 day Premium Ticket for 2 adults and 2 children and Free Disney Dining Plan for all members of the family Stay dates 1 August – 30 September’10 Book by 2 August’10

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Are you comparing costs of room, tix and food for BOTH choices? If not, the clear winner would be free dining as food is included.

Yes. I included the cost of dining (free or not) in both numbers.
My free dining #'s were room (full price) and tickets (full price) - no dining.
My % off #'s were room (-40% for deluxe or 20% for Value), tickets and the prices of the regular dining plan.

 

[Tara922c]

We had the 40% off code, and used it. It dropped our price by about 1000. If we were to have free dining, our price would drop by 588. The 40% off is even better than the 750 gift card we would get if we went that route. Now if we were a family of 4 (right now we are two adults and a 2 year old), then the free dining would be better. If were were staying value, then free dining would def. be the better deal. I think it just depends on your groups size, and the resort you want to stay at.

 

[YanksWinAgain]

Completely free Reg dining would save us $1259.65 ($965.65 for Quick). The 40% PIN is saving me about $1,031.87 at the Poly. I figure a bird in the hand with the PIN is a good deal and we are pulling the trigger (prob will call tomorrow).

One thing I did was flip my 9 1/2 year old up to a 10 year old (i.e., an adult) since I don't see her being satisfied with "kids meals" the whole time.

 

[zoie101]

I to have done the math hopefully correctly.
family of 5 was cheaper for a deluxe with 40% than free dining at a mod.
the space in a deluxe room is priceless!

 

[heaven2dc]

I know this isn't the same comparision but thought I would share what I've learned over the past couple of years. If I'm doing the math right, I am saving mucho $$ by renting points and paying for the basic dining plan for our trip next year (11/28-12/3/10) vs getting the 40% off code or free dining.

Here's my math:

BWV 2-bedroom villa plus 2 studios for 9 of us (boardwalk view) = $3010.00
Dining Plan for 8 adults, 1 child = $1779.55 (plus tax, I think)
Grand Total = $4,789.55

Same resort/same rooms with 40% code = $3,900 plus DDP = $5,847.55

Same resort/same rooms w/o code but free dining = $6,780.00

Thank you to my DVC owner for getting us the boardwalk views plus saving me lots of $$ (notice I said me since I'm paying for all of this )

 

[zoie101]

I am so nervous about renting points...... I have considered it several times but just cant seem to comit.

 

[dburg30]

I am so nervous about renting points...... I have considered it several times but just cant seem to comit.

There is a huge level of trust involved, no one at all can dispute that. But many people rent points and I personally havent read many horror stories from here. Not saying it doesnt happen / cant happen etc etc.

 

[Rita007]

OOOOOOhhhhh I forgot about the change to quick service dining at the values!!! I was comparing a family suite with free dining, vs. a wilderness cabin with a pin. 40% pin might be better all around if its only quick service. Sigh. More numbers to crunch. Sigh.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

OOOOOOhhhhh I forgot about the change to quick service dining at the values!!! I was comparing a family suite with free dining, vs. a wilderness cabin with a pin. 40% pin might be better all around if its only quick service. Sigh. More numbers to crunch. Sigh.

Ahhh. But crunching numbers is sooo much fun. Please feel free to post your Disney math when you are done!

 

[Rita007]

We are checking in August 16 so I hope/think that it should be regular dining plan. I chose 10 table service and priced it out...$780 just for that so free dining is definitely a great deal for our family even if we have to pay rack rate for the suite and buy a 1-day ticket.

Love the dining plan...takes so much hastle out of everything. My hubby is a tad on the "frugal" side, and with the dining plan he eats what he really wants, instead of looking for the cheapest thing on the menu!!!!

 

[Rita007]

hmm slow upload

 

[noahdove]

I did the same thing early last year for my August trip. I needed to see it in front of me to make my decision. Good luck