The Free Dining Myth

[wdwmaw]

"Free" dining will actually cost us about $100 more on our trip.

I really want to see your math. I just can not figure out how that is. Now if you were staying at a deluxe with 40% I can see it but you say you are at POR with AAA.Here is what I come up with ~

Savings
AAA=$203.55 without tip
Free dining=$387.70 (with tip$262.70 savings)

I just did 2 adults free dining would save you $77.54 per day
AAA would save you with 20% $33.53 per night
Tix on 5 day hopper through discount broker is a savings of $17.95 per adult so that is a total of $203.55 for 5 nights at POR with 5 day hoppers for 2 and you would still have to leave a tip..
The dining plan would yield a savings of $387.70. Even if you left $25 for each of the 5 sit down meals ( that is the ave. we will be leaving for the 4 adults in our party) then you would still yield a savings of $262.70. Then again I am assuming you are eating at sitdown resturants.
I am not trying to be a meanie, just want to know your secret.

 

[adisneymama]

We have a trip booked for the end of August. Right on the edge of when free dining has usually started in the past. I have already booked POR at the 40%. IF free dining is offered during our stay it would be cheaper for us to pay rack rate and take the free dining than to use the 40% off and pay for dining. It isn't a huge difference, just over $100 I think, but that is a lot of the guys! LOL!

 

[TDC Nala]

Yeah, that Free Dining, what a rip off . . . it only saved us about $1300.00 on our last trip! And to think it will only save us around a $1000.00 this year cause we have to pay for our tips . . . it almost makes me want to not go . . .YEAH RIGHT!!! FREE DINING ROCKS!!!

With so many children, it's not surprising that it saves you money. It wouldn't save me any money this year. Last year it might have. I can do far better with a DVC room and a DDE card than I can even purchasing the dining plan with DVC. I won't be using the plan again, free or not. With tips not included it is not worth it for me to use it at all. And the deluxe is way too much for me.

A lot of travelers see "free" and they think that's it, when in reality they'd get a better deal using a room discount and buying the dining plan (probably not if they have four children, though) or not using the dining plan at all, if they don't normally eat all the food the dining plan provides.

 

[momto2inKC]

I free dining!! Last year we saved just over $800. We booked bounceback and dh will be joining us, so this time we're saving about $1200!!!! We stay at Pop, so the other discounts don't come near saving us what free dining does. We'd save around $30 a night with a room discount compared to $130 a night with free dining.

 

[Albertan mom]

When we got home from our 2006 Free Dining trip, I added up all of our receipts.
We ate $1750.00 worth of food.

For FREE!

That rocks.

 

[MightyMom]

A lot of travelers see "free" and they think that's it, when in reality they'd get a better deal using a room discount and buying the dining plan (probably not if they have four children, though) or not using the dining plan at all, if they don't normally eat all the food the dining plan provides.

I don't have the word "SUCKER" tattooed on my forehead. I know nothing in life is really "FREE".

The way I see it. I was going to pay rack rate (I don't have a room discount pin/code) and pay for the dining plan anyway.... so if Disney wants to give me the dining plan .... I'll take it! In everyday life I am a bargain hunter.... but I've yet to figure out a way to save any money at WDW! I guess I'm just not as bargain savvy as I thought!

My older son is physically disabled (uses a wheelchair) and my little one has autistic behaviors. Being extremely scheduled is important to our family..... it keeps us sane. Being on the dining plan is one less thing for me to worry about.

 

[beroh2253]

Well almost free doing the Hoop OOP, and I know got to pay for the Room and get some tickets but the food is Free and I never get the 40%


Sept. 08 Bounce back @ POP 2008

San Angle
Coral Reef
Spoodles
Chefs De France
Hoop De Doo OOP
Capt. Jacks
Le Cellier
Crystal Palace for breakfast

All booked

 

[DizDragonfly]

I found (using the WDW site) that by plugging in my dates during free dining, the room rates are somehow higher than normal.

How does that happen?

What resort are you getting a quote for? The values are $82/night during free dining. I wasn't aware it could get any lower without a discount code of some kind.

 

[sassyat30]

I really want to see your math. I just can not figure out how that is. Now if you were staying at a deluxe with 40% I can see it but you say you are at POR with AAA.Here is what I come up with ~

Savings
AAA=$203.55 without tip
Free dining=$387.70 (with tip$262.70 savings)

I just did 2 adults free dining would save you $77.54 per day
AAA would save you with 20% $33.53 per night
Tix on 5 day hopper through discount broker is a savings of $17.95 per adult so that is a total of $203.55 for 5 nights at POR with 5 day hoppers for 2 and you would still have to leave a tip..
The dining plan would yield a savings of $387.70. Even if you left $25 for each of the 5 sit down meals ( that is the ave. we will be leaving for the 4 adults in our party) then you would still yield a savings of $262.70. Then again I am assuming you are eating at sitdown resturants.
I am not trying to be a meanie, just want to know your secret.

Here's my math.

Prices w/package and free dining discount
room ~ $839
tickets for five days (b/c you have to have at least a one day base ticket and I'm not buying tickets at two different prices) $547.42

Total of this package with "free" dining ~ $1387.82

Prices with AAA discount
room ~ $670.55
4 day hoppers ~ $517.90

Total of this ala carte options ~ $ 1188.45 ~~~~Difference of $199.37

For the days we need it, the price of the DDP for two adults would be $320.
We would be required to have the DDP for the day we arrive, even though we don't get in until 9pm or later that evening...so a wasted day of credits.

Once you add in tip ($100) and the wasted day of the plan, it isn't worth it to me. I'd rather eat whatever I want and not have to stress over whether something is on the DDP or not and the same goes for snacks...if I want a certain snack, I'll have one, and I won't have to worry about whether it's covered or not.


I'd rather spend a hundred dollars or so OOP for my peace of mind and better service.

 

[Madformickey]

Here's my math.

Prices w/package and free dining discount
room ~ $839
tickets for five days (b/c you have to have at least a one day base ticket and I'm not buying tickets at two different prices) $547.42

Total of this package with "free" dining ~ $1387.82

Prices with AAA discount
room ~ $670.55
4 day hoppers ~ $517.90

Total of this ala carte options ~ $ 1188.45 ~~~~Difference of $199.37

For the days we need it, the price of the DDP for two adults would be $320.
We would be required to have the DDP for the day we arrive, even though we don't get in until 9pm or later that evening...so a wasted day of credits.

Once you add in tip ($100) and the wasted day of the plan, it isn't worth it to me. I'd rather eat whatever I want and not have to stress over whether something is on the DDP or not and the same goes for snacks...if I want a certain snack, I'll have one, and I won't have to worry about whether it's covered or not.


I'd rather spend a hundred dollars or so OOP for my peace of mind and better service.

Why are you comparing 5 day tickets and 4 ay park hoppers???
And when you check in late you will not lose your credits, they carry over for your entire stay!!! so you get more meals for less days. you could do a signiture meal for 2 credits and i believe some of those may include tip?? have to check that to be sure.

 

[sassyat30]

Why are you comparing 5 day tickets and 4 ay park hoppers???
And when you check in late you will not lose your credits, they carry over for your entire stay!!! so you get more meals for less days. you could do a signiture meal for 2 credits and i believe some of those may include tip?? have to check that to be sure.

Because if we get the free dining, I'll be buying five day tickets, as we need to at least get a one day ticket for having the package, and I refuse to buy tickets twice...

I know we won't lose those credits ~ they'll be wasted. We have no desire to eat at a signature restaurant...too much hassle transportation-wise.

Honestly, I don't know why people are jumping all over me because I'm choosing not to get free dining.

Do I need to stomp my feet and have a tantrum so people leave me alone about this?

 

[wdwmaw]

Because if we get the free dining, I'll be buying five day tickets, as we need to at least get a one day ticket for having the package, and I refuse to buy tickets twice...

I know we won't lose those credits ~ they'll be wasted. We have no desire to eat at a signature restaurant...too much hassle transportation-wise.

Honestly, I don't know why people are jumping all over me because I'm choosing not to get free dining.

Do I need to stomp my feet and have a tantrum so people leave me alone about this?

I am really sorry that I have offended you. I truly hope you forgive me. I have been on here following free dining like everyone else and I have noticed you asking when people could book free dining and I think you had even said that you had made some dining plans. I truly only had your best interest in mind. I did not want you to book somthing then wish you had gone the free dining route. You had even posted in another thread that you were in some fashion a "math-geek". I really thought you wanted our help and I just wanted to lay out the math for you. I had remembered you and thought possibly someone gave you the wrong math. With the info you are giving is all I had to go on and just hate to see you spend more than you have to.I am sorry and hope you and your mom have a wonderful trip

 

[eeyoregon]

Not only must you go during a slow time, but you must buy a room/tickets package at rack rate. Depending on whether or not you are eligible for room discounts, a case can be made that "free dining" is not actually "free."

and remember, this year you must pay your own tips.

It's the DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can NOT beat the following equation:

You get a room at Value Resort for $79 a night (and you have a good chance of being upgraded to a moderate or DVC property at no additional cost).

+

Then you buy park tickets that never go on sale anyway which you HAVE to have or just buy a 1 day ticket to qualify for the package if you already have non-expiring tickets or AP.

+

FREE FOOD for the length of your stay.

=

ONE SUPER CHEAP, SUPER FUN, SUPER GOOD DEAL!

Makes my heart twitter

 

[sassyat30]

I am really sorry that I have offended you. I truly hope you forgive me. I have been on here following free dining like everyone else and I have noticed you asking when people could book free dining and I think you had even said that you had made some dining plans. I truly only had your best interest in mind. I did not want you to book somthing then wish you had gone the free dining route. You had even posted in another thread that you were in some fashion a "math-geek". I really thought you wanted our help and I just wanted to lay out the math for you. I had remembered you and thought possibly someone gave you the wrong math. With the info you are giving is all I had to go on and just hate to see you spend more than you have to.I am sorry and hope you and your mom have a wonderful trip

Um, you must be thinking of someone else...I am as far from a "math-geek" as you can get. Which is why I have a BA, not a BS....

Yes, I had asked about free dining in the past, but once I looked it over and priced out the differences, I feel it isn't worth it for us.

And, yes, I've made ADR's for the places I'd like to eat, regardless of cost. I'm on vacation and will eat where we want to.

 

[sassyat30]

It's the DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can NOT beat the following equation:

You get a room at Value Resort for $79 a night (and you have a good chance of being upgraded to a moderate or DVC property at no additional cost).

+

Then you buy park tickets that never go on sale anyway which you HAVE to have or just buy a 1 day ticket to qualify for the package if you already have non-expiring tickets or AP.

+

FREE FOOD for the length of your stay.

=

ONE SUPER CHEAP, SUPER FUN, SUPER GOOD DEAL!

Makes my heart twitter

I wouldn't plan or even count on being upgraded and you can buy tickets cheaper than through Disney...but you're required to purchase at least a one day ticket to get "free" dining. ...which obviously ups the cost, if you're only buying one day.

 

[WOODY13]

[

QUOTE=sassyat30;24137224]I found (using the WDW site) that by plugging in my dates during free dining, the room rates are somehow higher than normal.

Just a question, everything I have seen says that Sept is value season so I don't get how the rates could be higher? Value season has the cheapest rates of any time. Also I'm not sure what you mean by buying tickets twice? I am just curious about these things as I would like to get the best deal possible. I am not trying to jump on you I just am trying to be clear on these things. I understand not getting the dining plan it is not for everyone.

 

[sassyat30]

[

Just a question, everything I have seen says that Sept is value season so I don't get how the rates could be higher? Value season has the cheapest rates of any time. Also I'm not sure what you mean by buying tickets twice? I am just curious about these things as I would like to get the best deal possible. I am not trying to jump on you I just am trying to be clear on these things. I understand not getting the dining plan it is not for everyone.

That was a mistake on my part.

Blame it on the WDW site. When I plugged in my dates, it was showing a higher price than the value price.

What I meant by buying tickets twice was to take advantage of the free dining promotion, you have to buy at least a one day base Magic Your Way ticket for every person in your party. Of course, just buying a one day ticket is more expensive than buying multiple days.

Because I buy my tickets cheaper through a ticket-broker, I wasn't going to buy a one day ticket through Disney and then buy a three day ticket through the ticket broker.

Does that make more sense?

 

[smartestnumber5]

It's the DEAL OF THE YEAR! You can NOT beat the following equation:

You get a room at Value Resort for $79 a night (and you have a good chance of being upgraded to a moderate or DVC property at no additional cost).

+

Then you buy park tickets that never go on sale anyway which you HAVE to have or just buy a 1 day ticket to qualify for the package if you already have non-expiring tickets or AP.

+

FREE FOOD for the length of your stay.

=

ONE SUPER CHEAP, SUPER FUN, SUPER GOOD DEAL!

Makes my heart twitter

This is pretty much how I looked at it the past two years when we did free dining (well we never counted on an upgrade and didn't get one.

We stayed at Pop for rack rate (I think $82 a night then?) for 9 nights = ~ $826 with tax. We had APs, so we bought one day tickets for two adults = ~$145. For a total of ~971. And we ate over $1000 worth of food which we paid nothing for.

The best discount we could have gotten was the AP discount of probably $60 a night and saved $198. And we wouldn't have needed to buy the $145 1 day tickets. So we could have saved $343 on the package of room/tickets. But then we would have had to pay OOP for food. Eating 1 TS meal a day (which we do whether or not we have the DDP) we generally would probably spend at least $80 a day, which would be $720. So we saved almost $400. Plus, the $145 for 1 day tickets isn't totally wasted. We still have those tickets and could use them for park admission (although that would be a very expensive price for just one day in the park). We will likely use them to upgrade to AP passes in the future, which I believe will save us the full price of the 1 day ticket off the cost of the AP pass. So in a sense those tickets didn't cost us either, since we essentially just paid off 1/4 of an annual pass a few years before we'll get the pass.

We have the bounceback free dining booked, but the dates aren't going to work for us this year .

 

[wdwmaw]

[

Just a question, everything I have seen says that Sept is value season so I don't get how the rates could be higher? Value season has the cheapest rates of any time. Also I'm not sure what you mean by buying tickets twice? I am just curious about these things as I would like to get the best deal possible. I am not trying to jump on you I just am trying to be clear on these things. I understand not getting the dining plan it is not for everyone.

Wooday~
Sept. is value season and you will not find Disney any cheaper during value season. The biggest discount disney offers is a 40% pin that a select few get and that will yield you a savings of $32 per night. So on 5 days you will save $164. Free dining will save you $379.90 over the same 5 day vacation. Trough a ticket broker the most I have ever seen saved on a 5 day hopper ticket is $17-20 per ticket. Thats $40 per vacation for 2 . She did not need to buy tickets 2x if she had just booked a room only with AAA discount the first night. On a five night stay with 5 day hoppers for 2 adults here is the break down savings

$794.65 ~ 40% with tickets bought seperately and no food (saved $204)
will have $220.85 for food to break even
$ 1015.50 ~ room, tickets and food (saved $379,cost of ddp)
$886.90 ~ 20% with tickets bought seperately and no food (saved $92)
will have $92 for food to break even.

Just depends on how much food you do plan on eating or whether or not you have a DDE card.

 

[skater]

Because if we get the free dining, I'll be buying five day tickets, as we need to at least get a one day ticket for having the package, and I refuse to buy tickets twice...

I know we won't lose those credits ~ they'll be wasted. We have no desire to eat at a signature restaurant...too much hassle transportation-wise.

Honestly, I don't know why people are jumping all over me because I'm choosing not to get free dining.

Do I need to stomp my feet and have a tantrum so people leave me alone about this?

This really tickles me for some reason. I have been known to stomp my feet a few times myself when having difficulty being understood. Hope you have a great vacation!