true value of free dining

[kermit116]

Has anyone run the numbers on how much of a value free dining really is for two adults? I think there used to be a breakdown of this in the Passporter books, but I'm also sure someone on here has done the numbers.

My husband and I went to WDW on free dining once before. We felt we made it worthwhile because we got reservations at mostly the more expensive table service restaurants, and because we generally ordered more expensive items on the menu.

Is there anything on the WDWinfo site that has this breakdown?

I'm trying to decide if the free dining will make it worthwhile for us to bear the heat at the end of August, or if we should try to plan a trip elsewhere and wait to go to WDW at the times we traditionally prefer (when the weather is cooler).

 

[CarolynFH]

We didn't run the specific numbers, although I think DH and I did look at several online menus and pick out what we'd be likely to eat.

But the deciding factor for us is that we almost never eat dessert, but we do eat salads or appetizers. Having to pay extra for those items and then getting (and of course having to eat ) dessert means that for us, the DDP is not worth the cost.

We get the Tables in Wonderland card instead - essentially the 20% discount pays for the 18% tip and gives us a 2% discount on the food AND the beverages, which is a better deal for us.

 

[CarolynFH]

Oops, just noticed you asked about free dining, not DDP! We're DVC members and always stay on points, so we're not eligible for free dining. However, our understanding is that to get free dining, you have to pay rack rate for your hotel room - and that's a more complicated calculation that we've never been curious enough to do, but we suspect that at best it's a break-even deal for you, if as you say you usually eat at the more expensive restaurants and order more expensive items. We doubt that Disney will set themselves up to lose money on the deal.

 

[cmhguy]

We are going end of May 8 days with current room only discount - for a moderate 25%. Last year, we received a PIN for free dinning during this period - free quick service at a mod. We upgraded to the DDP.

I did the math in case I received the same PIN this year (which so far no luck...) For the same offer QS and upgrade to the DDP, it was a savings of $135 over our room only discount and paying for the DDP OOP.

For people not interested in the DDP, the room only offer is a significant savings at a moderate.

If pixie dust really struck hard and we received free DDP with our moderate room rate, the savings was around $422.

The rack rates may be different for Aug as opposed to end of May - you'll have to look at that to determine the benefit. I don't think I've seen any room only discounts yet for Aug.

 

[minnie mum]

cmhguy hit the nail. The calculations on using the DDP are different than those for free dining.

When calculating whether or not to use the DDP, you need to look at your preferred dining patterns and see if they fit well with what the dining plan offers. Like a PP, we prefer appetizers to desserts, and often would rather have a glass of wine or beer with our dinner. So we're not a good fit. Others have no problem with the TS parameters, and can save substantially with it- especially if they want a lot of buffets, dinner shows etc, which tend to be a little spendy when paying OOP.

With free dining, you have to look more closely at alternate types of discounts available. Especially room discounts. FD requires you to pay rack rate for your resort, and a minimum number of ticket days. Room only discounts give you a great deal on your resort costs, but you either pay OOP or purchase a dining plan. But you can buy your own tickets (at a discount) from other sources. Depending on whether you are staying at a value, mod, or deluxe, and how many adults/children are in your party, a room-only discount might be a better deal (especially true with the deluxes, occasionally with the mods, and seldom with the values). I'm not aware of any links that can provide a formula for this. You'll just have to open up a spreadsheet and do the Disney math that is specific to your family's preferences.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

The savings is really going to vary so much per family/person b/c we all use our credits for different things. While I know some people question the savings since you wind up having to pay tax and gratuity on any TS dining you do- if you're a family that likes TS meals and were already figuring this into your expenses- free dining is a savings. I mean- if I go to Akershus with my kids for dinner ($46.85 per adult), spend about $15 on myself at Sunshine Seasons for a CS lunch, and grab a Napoleon for nearly $4 in France....I'm looking at $65.85~ per adult for the day before taxes and gratuity...so I'd be saving on DDP even if I didn't have it free...and I'd be saving more w/free dining.

Of course, I'd rather a 35-40% off room discount any day over free dining as that's a greater savings than free dining for us.

 

[kathy884]

This is just me, of course, but as much as I love Orlando -- I wouldn't do summer again, as I don't like all that heat and humidity. It's still a good time, but I soooo much prefer other times of the year better. My preference would be shorter / more modest trip when it's cooler vs. a summer heat/humidity trip no matter how great a deal.

 

[txnana]

Two of us are doing 14 days during the food and wine festival and we upgraded to regular dining plan from free qsdp and looked at the menus of where we have adr's and our savings on free dining is about 441$ each. For us, there will be some out of pocket appetizers added but the rest of the plan covers what we would ordinarily do while at wdw.