What Would You Do?

[PFopma]

We have hotels booked for Sept 2-9 for 2 adult and two children ages 11 and 14. 4 nights at The Dolphin for the teachers rate of 129 + tax and 3 nights at the Poly for AAA rate of 269 + tax. Is it worth switching over to a Package for the Free Dining?

We've never stayed at the Dolphin and it has been a long time since we stayed at the Poly. We usually stay at one of the moderates and was thrilled that we could afford to "upgrade" this trip. Is the savings significant enough with the free dining to change our plans?

Pat

 

[Epcot242]

I would stick with what you've got now. While the free dining plan is nice, you'll have more freedom if you don't do it. Plus since it's been a while since your last Poly trip, I would stay go with your original plans. Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

[dandave]

Well, you're only saving around $46 a night at the Poly with your AAA discount. Booking the package at rack rate would give you $152 worth of dining a day. so, basically you would save over $100 a day for that portion of your trip with the free dining package.
If it were me and it were possible... I would book the package at the Poly first buying whatever ticket I needed then. Then, switch over to the Dolphin.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

My advise would be to crunch the numbers. Every family is different with regards to their expectations from their vacations. What seems like a small difference in price to me might be a large sum to someone else.

Take the cost of your accommodations, tickets and estimated food budget for the vacation that you currently have planned. Then get a quote for the same number of days at the WDW resort of your choice. Compare the two totals. Youmight find out that when you take food costs into account, that the AAA discount at the Poly is not such a bargain when compared to free food.

I know that was my case. I normally budget $135/day for food for my family of 2 adults and 2 teens. I had a room booked at the Poly at a $92/night discount off of the rack rate. And I also had 10-day premium passes already purchased. When the free dining came out, I cancelled the AAA room-only ressie, downgraded my room one level (so I won't be seeing the castle from my balcony) and booked the package with 1-day MYW passes.

When all is said and done, I am paying the same price for the package as I would have for the room-only ressie. I get to upgrade the 1-day passes on a trip to be determined later and I'm saving $135/day, which is what I would have budgeted for food. So for us, it worked out better to go with the free dining package. Your mileage may vary.