Tell me if I am missing something

[tfiga]

My whole extended family is going and we have off-site condos but are planning on spending our whole time at Disney. I am considering booking a room but not staying on site if free dining is offered. Doing the math it will be cheaper to pay for the room than pay for all of our meals oop. I need to buy tickets so it is a wash there...Am I missing something or does this make sense?

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

You could do this, however, you would only get meals for the allowed amount of people per room. You would also have to pay extra for extra adults "in the room" for the adult dining credits. You would also have to buy 1 day tickets for each person in the room. You'll probably end up paying more to get Free Dining than what you would spend if paying OOP. This deal is great for those staying on property though.

 

[CanadianGuy]

You'll need to purchase enough resort room space for everyone you want on your dining program.

And let me know when you're going.. I'll be happy to fill your space in the room you're not using.

Knox

 

[jamounger]

You couldn't book more than the room max in the room. i don't know how lived in it would have to be. I thought i read about a guy from Australia doing this last year.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

You'll need to purchase enough resort room space for everyone you want on your dining program.

And let me know when you're going.. I'll be happy to fill your space in the room you're not using.

Knox

Good idea CanadianGuy! We'll take 2 rooms! CBR for us please!

 

[tfiga]

I am sorry my last post was confusing. I was just going to book a room for my immediate family my husband, me and two children 5 and 7. The rest of the family is planning on paying oop for their meals...We each have our own condos and are responsible for our own costs...I was thinking for my family of 4 it would work. Any thoughts?

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

It would work, but you would still have to pay for the room, however many nights and one day tickets for each to get the Free Dining. I believe the rumored rate is $455 per adult for 5 nights/ 6 days at a Value, tickets and Free Dining. Not sure what the rate would be for children.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Can't see why that wouldn't work.. Pay for the value room and put your park tickets however long you want in the package..

You're good to go I think.

Knox

 

[tfiga]

thanks.

 

[scanmom]

I think if it is cost efficient over paying OOP, then that would be a great idea. Plus, you could swim at the resort... and just use the room for bathing suit charges! But, I am not convinced it would save any money over just paying OOP for your meals.Take a look at www.allearsnet.com and check out the menus and prices for the places you would eat,and see which way it comes up cheaper!!

 

[CarolA]

So you are saying that you would normally spend over $1,000 on food for this trip (not counting what's eaten at your condo)? That's a lot for a five day stay where you have a condo and would normally be expected to save by having some meals there.

 

[gigi1313]

for five nights at ASSp w/1 day base tix for a family of four (2A/1Jr/1C) the total would be about $750... which is about $150/day... depending on how you eat, it could save you some money, but not a lot...
probably not worth the hassle of having to go there to check in and out and stuff...
why not give up the condo and stay onsite?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Basically the OP has to buy tickets anyway.. so they're going to use the tickets.. so .. that much makes sense.

I'm sensing the condo is taken care of already.. so that's not likely to change.

And frankly.. if you factor room cost at 150$ per day .. for a family to eat at WDW .. you could easily recoup that with one good TS per day... nevermind the CS... which would obviously add up as well.

The math works.

And only one person from the party has to show up to 'check in' and there is no check out required if they choose. Easy as pie.

I'm actually quite impressed with this plan. They're paying for the room, it's perfectly legit.. They'll be using the tickets and in the parks.. Why not?

Knox

 

[Momto8]

I remember someone talking about doing this last year or the year before. I remember that someone mentioned that there was a problem with Mousekeeping reporting that no one was in the room and their reservation was canceled. I think this actually happened to someone but can't remember for sure.

Does anyone else remember this? I know I read about it but I just can't remember the details and what happened.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

And only one person from the party has to show up to 'check in'

Have they changed this? I thought they now required everyone to be present at check-in.

 

[tinaluis]

I remember a problem last year too. I don't think it's that the room was canceled, but Mousekeeping took some of their belongings (I think it was a Gameboy or something similar) because they "assumed" the belongings were abandoned. The person and her family would go to the room to swim and nap, but slept overnight at a condo (I think it was DVC). Perhaps someone who remembers the exact details or the OP herself might answer this post.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Have they changed this? I thought they now required everyone to be present at check-in.

Well .. that wasn't the case when we checked into Pop on Feb 25th. But that doesn't mean such a policy exists.. (or doesn't)

Knox

 

[Momto8]

Well .. that wasn't the case when we checked into Pop on Feb 25th. But that doesn't mean such a policy exists.. (or doesn't)

Knox

I think they only require everyone at check in when it is free dining, not when you pay for the DDP. I know our reservations said that last September. I guess there were some that were saying there were more in their rooms than there were so they could get more vouchers for table service.

 

[Momto8]

I remember a problem last year too. I don't think it's that the room was canceled, but Mousekeeping took some of their belongings (I think it was a Gameboy or something similar) because they "assumed" the belongings were abandoned. The person and her family would go to the room to swim and nap, but slept overnight at a condo (I think it was DVC). Perhaps someone who remembers the exact details or the OP herself might answer this post.

I knew I remember reading something about this before. I just couldn't remember the details. I must have been having a senior moment here!

 

[twinspluscade]

I am sorry my last post was confusing. I was just going to book a room for my immediate family my husband, me and two children 5 and 7. The rest of the family is planning on paying oop for their meals...We each have our own condos and are responsible for our own costs...I was thinking for my family of 4 it would work. Any thoughts?

I think it probably could work, however, IMHO...it would be more hassle than it's worth. Since your kids are only 5 and 7, they eat pretty cheap anyway (providing you always order off the kid's menu for them). Now if you had two kids over the ages of 9 I'd say it would be worth it!