Whats a better deal 4/3 or free dining

[thesaurinis]

I am considering taking my son to WDW and was wondering which would be a better deal for us. The buy 4 get 3 nights free or free dining. My son will be 6 by the time we go. There is a possibility the DH might go but not sure yet.
Thanks for any tips

 

[Sandisw]

I think it depends. The free dining will save you about $40.00 per night ($70.00 if your DH goes) so for a week you are talking a $280 - $490.00.

If you are staying deluxe, I think that the 4/3 deal works out better. If you are staying value or moderate, then free dining might be the better option.

 

[thesaurinis]

Thanks. If its just my son and I we will try a value resort, but if DH goes we will stay at POR since he liked it there last time. Still trying to decide because we can go anytime this summer.

What is a good time in the summer to go?

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Not sure but it depends on when you go. Does your free dining begin in mid August? I received a pin for free dining that begins 8/16 but already had booked free dining on bounceback last year. You would have to do the math and it would change if you stay at a moderate and your husband goes with you, or if you stay at a value with just your son. If all three of you go wouldn't it be a larger savings to do the free dining? But since you are staying moderate if your husband goes it may come out about the same savings wise. If you all 3 go value it would definitely be better to do free dining I think since you would save nearly $90 per night on free dining. And it depends also on if you go during regular or value season too. Good luck..

 

[weHEARTmickey]

Our AAA agent gave us "rack room" quotes (minus their discount) so I did a few scenarios from there. I just realized that we can't use a AAA discount in addition to the FD or 4/3, so these will be somewhat off. FD definitely looks like the winner in our situation!

POP Century starting Sat, 9/19/09 for 2 Adults/2 Children
MYW+Waterpark+Basic Dining (no Park Hoppers)
Total Dining Per Night=$101.96
(Dining Costs $39.99 per adult & $10.99 per child)
______________________________________________

8 days / 7 nights before discounts=$2392.22
Dining Cost=$713.72
Total w/ FREE Dining=$1678.50
Per Night Cost (w/out dining)=$239.79
4/3 offer=$959.14
4/3 offer plus dining=$1672.86
______________________________________________

9 days / 8 nights before discounts =$2572.94
Dining Cost=$815.68
Total w/ FREE Dining=$1757.26
Per Night Cost (w/out dining)=$219.66
4/3 offer=$878.63+$219.66=$1098.29
4/3 offer plus dining=$1913.97
______________________________________________

10 days / 9 nights before discounts=$2753.66
Dining Cost=$917.64
Total w/ FREE Dining=$1836.02
Per Night Cost (w/out dining)=$204.00
4/3 offer=$816.00+$408.00=$1224.00
4/3 offer plus dining=$2141.64
______________________________________________
This one was tricky, & possibly not accurate!!!
11 days / 10 nights before discounts=$2934.38
Dining Cost=$1019.60
Total w/ FREE Dining=$1914.78
Per Night Cost (w/out dining)=$191.48
4/3 offer=$765.92+$574.44=$1340.36
4/3 offer plus dining=$2359.96

I'm certainly not known for my math skills, so you can take this with a grain of salt.