Torn on what to do

[randy2005]

Right now I have a package booked for AoA Little Mermaid room end of August with park tickets and dining plan for $3650.00.

I was going to save money and stay off site saving about $1500.00

I can book the Beach Club (my dream place to stay) with park tickets but no dining plan for $2600.00.

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks

 

[Marla1106]

I'd go with BC and no dinning plan. I think I can eat cheaper at Disney without the dinning plan. I looked up menus of places we are likely to eat, and priced what a few meals will cost us.

But, we don't do any character meals or anything like that. My boys like the characters but are content to wave at them.

 

[sydneysmom]

If you added dining to the BC reservation, wouldn't the price be about the same as what you were paying at AOA? Personally, I'd go w/ the BC. You can literally walk (or boat) to Epcot, take the boat to HS. You've cut taking buses to 2 parks. You also have alot more freedom to do more things at night within walking distance. If you've got park hoppers, you can walk through Epcot and take the monorail to MK. (or snack around the world for meals....) there are limitless options!

 

[randy2005]

With this discount you can not add the dining plan on which is ok. I priced out the Beach Club and park tickets on the website and it was $4427.78 so a huge discount. I am really tempted to book it

 

[Mama Moose]

Stay at your dream resort.
If you like to eat at a lot of the pricier places, buy a TiW discount card and save 20% on your food costs and order what you want and not what Disney tells you to.
Have fun!!

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the others to book the BC. The BC is a beautiful resort and you can't beat being within walking distance to both Epcot and DHS.

 

[jollygreengirl]

Definitely BC. It'll be a completely different trip for you. We have been to WDW numerous times and have only done the DDP once. IMO BC with no DDP is a better deal. Anyway, you will adore BC. The pool alone makes it the clear winner, let alone the awesome location. I have stayed in that area twice and it's really, really fabulous. Walking through World Showcase in the morning before the crowds is so beautiful and a totally difference experience than the rest of the day.

 

[MyOtherSS]

Go for the Beach Club, I've always wanted to stay at a boardwalk resort because of the convenience of Epcot and Hollywood studios. You can probably eat cheaper without the dining plan if you watch the prices. You only go around once go for your dream resort!

 

[dansdad]

BC all the way for the same reasons already mentioned.

 

[randy2005]

Thanks everyone. I am going to book the Beach Club and we will just pay for our meals out of pocket. Can I get the TiW card if I don't live in FL? I thought it was for FL residents only

 

[dansdad]

Thanks everyone. I am going to book the Beach Club and we will just pay for our meals out of pocket. Can I get the TiW card if I don't live in FL? I thought it was for FL residents only

According to their website, you have to be a FL resident, an annual/season pass holder or a DVC member.

 

[randy2005]

Just cancelled AoA package and booked BC. So very excited. Doing the happy dance

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Right now I have a package booked for AoA Little Mermaid room end of August with park tickets and dining plan for $3650.00.

I was going to save money and stay off site saving about $1500.00

I can book the Beach Club (my dream place to stay) with park tickets but no dining plan for $2600.00.

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks

Definitely Beach Club with no dining plan. We have done the dining plan many, many times and I really don't think it saves money. We tend to eat too much, practically force feeding ourselves to get the most food for the price, stuffing dessert in when we really don't have room for it. Then end up walking around miserably stuffed and too full to have all the great treats around the parks. My kids have to order adult meals, which they barely eat, so that is more food waste for us. My 11 year old is much happier with Mickey shaped macaroni and cheese. Also I feel the single table service restaurant food quality is mediocre at best for the price you pay. We still eat at these restaurants, but often splitting entrees and having the kids eat off the kids menu. I like to save room for a Dole Whip or something from the Karamel Kuche!!! If you want the benefit of pre-paying for meals just buy some disney gift cards from time to time and stick them in an envelope. By the time you get ready to go on your trip you'll have a nice little chunk of money saved up for food.

The Beach Club is a fantastic resort! One of my favorites! Awesome pools, super close to Epcot, tons of great places to eat, nice night time atmosphere, I would highly recommend it!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Just cancelled AoA package and booked BC. So very excited. Doing the happy dance

Good decision!

 

[El Perro]

Just cancelled AoA package and booked BC. So very excited. Doing the happy dance

You did the right thing.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I did calculations on our last trip, kept all the reciepts, and we most definitely did come out on top of the dining plan. We saved a ton of money. Of course we always go when its free dining. Since we stay at values, the room discounts is a joke.....free dining is a much better deal. If I paid for food OOP i'd be broke. We did a room only reservation for a few days before our actual vacation pkg/DP pkg started, I paid OOP for food, and OMG we spent a fortune in those 2-3 days. Thats just us. Lol.

OP, I think the answer depends on your family, how many ppl you have, and how you guys eat. Although if you've always wanted to stay at BC, i'd go for it. Its a gorgeous resort.

 

[Jasperann]

With this discount you can not add the dining plan on which is ok. I priced out the Beach Club and park tickets on the website and it was $4427.78 so a huge discount. I am really tempted to book it

You can add the dining plan, I was pricing the vacation that we have now out with the new discount and it was allowing me to add on the dining plan.

 

[Debrn]

I have found that dining plan is not worth the $ for my family,my kids are not huge aters, and I like the freedom of not having to make so many reservations makes our stay much more relaxes. I have an annual pass and get TIW card so I save 20% on alcohol and sit down meals.
I think BC is a great choice.

 

[milmore104]

Absolutely go w/ BC. We usually book FD but on our last trip we went w/ BC and paying OOP for food. It worked out great for us. We saved $ and had a more relaxed trip. As we were trying to fulfill all our dining credits. But a word of warning. You are going to get hooked on BC. The ease of walking to the 2 parks is FABULOUS!!!

 

[randy2005]

I have found that dining plan is not worth the $ for my family,my kids are not huge aters, and I like the freedom of not having to make so many reservations makes our stay much more relaxes. I have an annual pass and get TIW card so I save 20% on alcohol and sit down meals.
I think BC is a great choice.

I see you are in MA, same as me. How did you get the TiW card?