What's a better deal: Free Dining or 4/3

[rance]

In comparing both promotions has anyone priced out both options for a deluxe resort?I'm thinking the free dining is better deal, but that's just a guess.
Curious what others experience has been.
Thanks

 

[phyllis1966]

I think you need to price it out for your family specifically. The last time I priced it out for our family of 3, the 40-something % we got off the room at the GF was way more of a discount than the free dining offer for us.

 

[WDSearcher]

It kind of depends on how you dine when you visit WDW. In my family, having the extra days would be the better deal, simply because I don't think we'd ever use all of the FD credits. We're not necessarily a TS kind of group -- maybe once or twice on the trip, but certainly not every day. And we do really simple breakfasts, so we'd probably not be using those to their full value either.

So for us, it's not so much what costs less but what fits best!

 

[Dr. M]

I would guess that the 40% off of a deluxe room would be more of a savings than the free dining. However, if you are like us, family of 6, staying in 2 rooms at a value resort, the free dining is a much better deal ( the difference of saving $80 per day on rooms vs. about $150 per day of free dining). It's a no-brainer for us. Now if we were staying at 2 rooms in a deluxe hotel, 40% off of 2 rooms would be around a savings of $240 per day--way more than the $150 we'll be saving with free dining. In the past, we've found that it was a smaller savings (about 30$ per day) when we compared free dining to 40% off of the moderate resorts.

 

[tlenzendorf]

For us as a family of 5 it was $800 less +1 extra night to do the free dining. That being said then we switched from POR to Ft. Wilderness cabins and spent that savings right up

 

[pooh's honey]

I think it depends on your party size and age ranges. I know for myself and hubby free dining is always cheaper than 40% off. But I also know people with 2 or 3 children that the 40% is more useful for. Have fun planning

 

[DougK]

For us as a family of 5 it was $800 less +1 extra night to do the free dining. That being said then we switched from POR to Ft. Wilderness cabins and spent that savings right up

How did you like the cabins? Did you get a golf cart during your stay? We were thinking of staying there later this year.

 

[JPN4265]

For us, the 4/3 deal is much better.

 

[grimley1968]

For us, 4/3 would have been waaaaayyy cheaper than free dining, adding up total bottom line pricing for a trip. No matter which resort I priced it out for, 4/3 was always less for us. Unfortunately, we couldn't go during the 4/3 window, so we're stuck with free dining, which isn't that huge a discount when you consider you have to pay rack rate for the room to get free dining.

 

[tlenzendorf]

How did you like the cabins? Did you get a golf cart during your stay? We were thinking of staying there later this year.

We don't leave til August, but we are getting a golf cart. I am looking so much more forward to it than I was to POR. It just seemed like for 5 the space is going to be so nice, plus we love camping. A cabin fits our bill.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Codes and Rates board.

 

[MK2010]

I would guess that the 40% off of a deluxe room would be more of a savings than the free dining. However, if you are like us, family of 6, staying in 2 rooms at a value resort, the free dining is a much better deal ( the difference of saving $80 per day on rooms vs. about $150 per day of free dining). It's a no-brainer for us. Now if we were staying at 2 rooms in a deluxe hotel, 40% off of 2 rooms would be around a savings of $240 per day--way more than the $150 we'll be saving with free dining. In the past, we've found that it was a smaller savings (about 30$ per day) when we compared free dining to 40% off of the moderate resorts.

I have a family of six (10,8,7, & 5 at time of travel + two adults). Do you find it to be cheaper to get two rooms at a value resort rather than the family suite? I was wanting to go in May 2010, but I'm thinking we'll have to postpone until free dining for 2010.

 

[marcielm]

I have a family of six (10,8,7, & 5 at time of travel + two adults). Do you find it to be cheaper to get two rooms at a value resort rather than the family suite? I was wanting to go in May 2010, but I'm thinking we'll have to postpone until free dining for 2010.

It is a little bit cheaper to do 2 rooms over a family suite (difference of about $20 a night). BUT you are not guarenteed to have those 2 rooms connecting. I depends on if you are okay with having 1 adult & 2 kids in each room, or if you really want to be with your spouse. Plus, in the family suite, the bedroom has a queen size bed (vs. 2 full size beds in the reg. rooms). Throw in the kitchen, & I think it is definitely worth the extra money each night.

As for next May, be sure and try to get on the mailing list (request the planning dvd, etc) and you might get lucky with a PIN or some great discounts during that time. This past May there was a spring room discount. When we went we had a "kids eat/stay/play for free" which was good for kids ages 3-9... for your family next year that could be a great deal (based on this year's prices, it is almost the same as free dining for your whole family!)

 

[MK2010]

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[Stitch2244314]

The free dining is a much better deal if you're staying at a value. It's about even if you're staying at a moderate-- both free dining and 4/3 turn out to be about the same. If you're staying a deluxe resort, then the 4/3 deal is better.

 

[Minder]

OK The real answer to this is really rather complicated, and takes a bit of Math.

I did a Spreadsheet with average prices based on Resorts and Seasonal rates. This is not exact but it will let you compare.

Rack Value Moderate Delux
Value $82 $149 $280
Regular $105 $170 $325
Peak $125 $195 $360
Holiday $145 $219 $435

4 day price
$328 $596 $1,120
$420 $680 $1,300
$500 $780 $1,440
$580 $876 $1,740

7 day price
$574 $1,043 $1,960
$735 $1,190 $2,275
$875 $1,365 $2,520
$1,015 $1,533 $3,045

Save
$246 $447 $840
$315 $510 $975
$375 $585 $1,080
$435 $657 $1,305
Now the Dining plan offer is worth about $40 per person per day.

Thats $280 per person
2 ppl = $560
3 ppl = $840

So if your Resort/Season saving number is higher than the meal plan savings for the # of people in your party, then take the 4/3 otherwise take the Meal plan PIP

Long story short, at a value resort with 2 or more ppl you are always better off with the meal plan. Same goes for a Moderate resort in the Value season.

For everything else, take the 4/3