DisBride2007
<font color=royalblue>I was satisfied with the onl
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
- Messages
- 602
As I posted earlier, DH and I want to go back to WDW around Labor Day this year since it is most convenient for us to take off work around that time. This happens to fall during the Free DDP time period. Now, we are annual passholders and have the DDE card, so we have never considered using the DDP. Now that it's free, I have this nagging thought in the back of my head... "But it's FREE..."
Here are the issues.
1) We strongly prefer to stay off-property. We have gotten a 2BR condo in Windsor Hills for $109 a night, which is much, much, MUCH quieter than the resorts (our #1 concern when we go on vacation is being woken up by screaming outside our door). We cannot stand noise when we are trying to sleep and we have found the Caribbean Beach resort and POR (which are comparable to the nightly cost of the 2BR condo - which also has a kitchen and washer/dryer) to be too noisy for us.
2) Obviously we will have to rent a car to stay off-property and "technically" we would not to stay on-property. However, last time we stayed on property and relied on Disney Transportation we were miserable. We swore we would never visit again without a rental car (also, we really enjoy eating at the different hotels, and it's hard to get from resort to resort via Disney Transportation). So this cost is pretty much a wash. I think we'll rent regardless of where we stay.
3) Being AP holders, we do not need to buy tickets for park entry. I understand that you need to purchase a "Magic Your Way" package to receive the free DDP. Do you have to purchase a ticket for every day you would be in the park, or could you just purchase a 1-day ticket (times 2 people)?
4) Can you get the AP discount on hotels during this time? We would probably consider the Beach Club which is $315 a night but w/ the 20% discount we could get it down to $252 a night. Still more expensive than the condo but we'd be getting free food (let's say approximately $100 per day for the two of us for simplicity's sake). Or has anyone stayed at a less expensive resort that was actually somewhat quiet?
Any other AP holders struggling with this dilemma? The truth is we really prefer to stay off-property, that's just our preference because it's so much quieter and we get the additional kitchen and laundry facilities. I just can't silence this "BUT IT'S FREE!!!" thought and feel like a sucker if we pay OOP during that time, ESPECIALLY considered we have tried to get ADR's and we are shut out of a lot of places we wanted to go.
Any advice is appreciated.
Here are the issues.
1) We strongly prefer to stay off-property. We have gotten a 2BR condo in Windsor Hills for $109 a night, which is much, much, MUCH quieter than the resorts (our #1 concern when we go on vacation is being woken up by screaming outside our door). We cannot stand noise when we are trying to sleep and we have found the Caribbean Beach resort and POR (which are comparable to the nightly cost of the 2BR condo - which also has a kitchen and washer/dryer) to be too noisy for us.
2) Obviously we will have to rent a car to stay off-property and "technically" we would not to stay on-property. However, last time we stayed on property and relied on Disney Transportation we were miserable. We swore we would never visit again without a rental car (also, we really enjoy eating at the different hotels, and it's hard to get from resort to resort via Disney Transportation). So this cost is pretty much a wash. I think we'll rent regardless of where we stay.
3) Being AP holders, we do not need to buy tickets for park entry. I understand that you need to purchase a "Magic Your Way" package to receive the free DDP. Do you have to purchase a ticket for every day you would be in the park, or could you just purchase a 1-day ticket (times 2 people)?
4) Can you get the AP discount on hotels during this time? We would probably consider the Beach Club which is $315 a night but w/ the 20% discount we could get it down to $252 a night. Still more expensive than the condo but we'd be getting free food (let's say approximately $100 per day for the two of us for simplicity's sake). Or has anyone stayed at a less expensive resort that was actually somewhat quiet?
Any other AP holders struggling with this dilemma? The truth is we really prefer to stay off-property, that's just our preference because it's so much quieter and we get the additional kitchen and laundry facilities. I just can't silence this "BUT IT'S FREE!!!" thought and feel like a sucker if we pay OOP during that time, ESPECIALLY considered we have tried to get ADR's and we are shut out of a lot of places we wanted to go.
Any advice is appreciated.
IF you stay value or moderate and book a TS meal for each night of your stay and just do a 1 day ticket for each member of your party and are willing to tolerate disney transportation, then the free dining promotion is absolutely the way to go. If you want to stay deluxe and rent a car and don't have all your ADRs anyway, then free dining isn't a savings for your family. No big deal- sounds like you'll have a great time anyway- you love visiting and you've gotten a great deal on nice accommodations! Enjoy your trip and don't worry that the folks at the table next to you may be eating for "free." 
