Why I just cancelled my free dining trip

[kydisneyfans]

We were scheduled for a week at AS Movies with free dining. The package total was just under $1200 including the junk insurance they threw on the package without us knowing about it. After a family discussion last night, we decided to cancel the current ressie and rent through Skyauction. Our 2 bedroom condo now cost just under $300.

Our advantages:
-We now have space and more than 1 TV.
-We have a fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and even a kitchen table.
-We no longer have to spend time trying to make ADR's at Disney as I really don't know what I'll be hungry for at dinner time on Friday, Oct 9. We were going to need tip money anyway which was actually higher than the total cost of a comparable offsite meal.
-We are no longer tied to a vacation "schedule", that is relief.
-No stand up rides on overcrowded Disney busses.

Yes, we need money to park, it may use a few gallons of gas and take an extra minute or 2 to travel, but I feel relief now that we are no longer on site. The big difference is, I now have $900 in my pocket that wasn't there 30 minutes ago.

 

[The Hendies]

Good for you! Hope it all works out! What about your park tickets? Were they included in your original $1200? We have stayed off site most of our trips, and have never regretted it. Don't get me wrong, we loved staying at POP when we did, but it really doesn't matter to me! As long as I get to spend time in WDW!

 

[singnring]

Congratulations on a great deal!

We too have conidered staying off property at a larger rental of some sort.

Last year we made a 3 day trip and stayed at Comfort Inn on Palm Parkway.

We even considered cancelling our Sep FD this year to rent a condo for $375/wk. We only chose against it because DD24 has never experienced on site and is as giddy as a school girl about it.

We will consider it again anytime we find a great deal.

Staying on property only goes so far for me. I definitely prefer the atmosphere, but sometimes it just gets too cramped being in a hotel room!

Hope you have a grat trip! I am sure you will enjoy it whether on property or off!

 

[Cmbar]

Good for you... You didn't mention the cost of tickets. I assume your ASM package had tickets. Did you get that for free somehow? You must be driving down since you didn't mention a rental car cost either. How long is your drive down? How long was your trip? How many days did you book at your condo? How much was the room at ASM that you are comparing the SKYauction accommodations to ASM (which you definitely can't compare in size). And how much do you plan on spending on dining on your trip? Without know how many is in your family, I don't really see how you have made a deal?

We stayed offsite a few times. Even money in our pocket was not enough to encourage us to ever do it again. Some people really love the "freedom" you speak of. I have planned many trips for people and some don't want to plan a thing. Nine times out of ten they come home hating their trips to Disney. Since it sounds like you are a pro at Disney I am sure you won't have any problems doing it on the fly. We actually did the counter service meal plan and found that was much better for us than the regular dining.


I hope you enjoy your accommodations, you certainly will have more room than at All Stars. For us, if we are going to Disney we are staying at Disney. What is the point otherwise? But that is just our opinion. Enjoy your trip.

 

[BareNakedLadies]

Considering the cost of 7 days of park passes beginning at $670 for a family of 3, $870 for a family of 4, and so on, + the cost of meals (onsite or offsite) $900 won't last too long. It's really hard to beat the value of the free dining or buy 4 nights/get 3 free plans that Disney offers.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I have to do the DlxDDP, I used to spend too much on food. My last trip w/o the plan just my DD (3 at the time) and I we spent $800 on food and snacks alone. I guess you can cook or eat fast food to be cheaper. Just a friendly heads up that you will spend a lot more then you think on food. You also have to budget $10 a day for parking at the parks now too.

 

[cglaura]

Another plus is it will be easier with a car to try other parks, Universal, Sea World etc.

Not sure when your trip is, but if you have time, sign up at mousesavers.com for the newsletters. They come out around the 15th of the month and have links for an extra discount on tickets from undercovertourist.

For universal there are 7 day $99 tickets linked from the frontpage of the DIS.

I *think* the actual sea world site has the least expensive for there.

I've always been tempted to do this, but my biggest draw, as I'd be driving alone w/ dd, is the buses. The thought of navigating all that myself scares the bejeepers out of me. Though I'm sure once I did it I'd be like, why was I so scared!

I once got stuck on an exit lane of 95N on my way from NC back home to NJ and found myself in the heart of DC. DD was like, hey, are we supposed to see the White House? Huh, what???? Holy cow, was that scary. I just kept looking for anything important sounding or anything North or North East. Finally found George Washington Pkwy, and found my way back to 95. We still are amazed we got home safe, I went down some scary looking streets that day.

If you are concerned about the price of food, depending on your normal appetites, the cs meals are easily shared, and you can get free cups of ice water.

We usually have breakfast in the room (granola bars, oatmeal, etc.) and spend about $30 per day on food in the parks. Two split CS meals around $8 each, and 2 snacks each, usually around $2.50, some days a little more (funnel cakes!). So $16 on meals and around $10-15 on snacks. We only eat about 2 or 3 TS meals for a 2 week trip, so those days are around $80 - $100 depending on where we go.

 

[BareNakedLadies]

Unless cancelled within 14 days of booking, the insurance is non-refunable.

 

[Meteora]

For us, if we are going to Disney we are staying at Disney. What is the point otherwise? But that is just our opinion.

I think the point is to have a great time, to spend time with your family, and to relax and enjoy time away from the daily grind. For some people, this involves the "magic" of onsite accommodations. For others, it does not, as noted.

As for food, if you're willing to pick up a few things at a local supermarket, eat some inexpensive meals, and have leftovers for lunch the next day, you can do dining in Orlando for a very reasonable amount of money. We have never had a problem doing CS in the parks depending on our mood and grabbing dinner elsewhere later. To be perfectly honest, there aren't a lot of TS IN the parks that we really enjoy, though there are quite a few at the resorts.

Rental cars are obviously more expensive than free transportation, but for the extra money, they do allow you to come and go on your own schedule without waiting, and they always have a seat just for you. Even when we stay onsite, we like to have our own car.

 

[bluejasmine]

Well thats great! I dont mind spending a bit more to stay "in the magic" we have done wdw trips off site and it just wasnt the same for us. We as a family dont spend much beyond movies and dinners out on the wkends so we dont mind spending some on vacations, now I have never stayed at a deluxe resort and the 4 times Ive had the dining plan it was free so we are by no means rich.

 

[brymolmom]

I am guessing since you don't mention tickets being extra that you're AP holders....and that you're close enough to drive since you don't mention car rental price.

When you factor in the fact that we fly in and need to rent and buy gas, plus the cost of tickets (not AP holders) and the cost of food (even if you spend less than the dining plan would cost - still gotta figure a few/several hundred) - Free Dining always works out for my family to be less expensive than offsite. It is the ONLY deal that works out that way for us.

 

[boakl]

I have stayed on many, many times and while it does have a certain magic, we have found that as a family, we are MUCH happier and better rested when we keep the sleeping arrangements the same as they are at home. If nobody's sleeping well, nobody's having fun, and isn't that the point of this exercise? I will never forget sitting outside on the balcony at the BC on freezing cold December night waiting for a three year old to fall asleep. Not vacation magic at all!

I like waking up earlier than the rest of my family, having my type of Starbucks in the coffeemaker ready for me and having a cup of coffee ALONE in my pajamas every morning --- not happening at a resort.

My kids like toaster waffles 2.79 for a jumbo pack at Publix, I will even buy the 2.09 Mrs. Butterworth's to because, hey! We're on vacation. This is a heck of a lot cheaper than the waffles at a TS restaurant on site.

We are up early, hit a park that had EMH the day before at RD, eat lunch maybe at a park (to be honest with you, the food isn't all that great in Disney in my opinion with a few exceptions--- flame away!) or maybe back at the rental house. It just depends on how we feel.

We swim and rest all afternoon, I make us dinner at the house. I like to cook, so that's no issue for me. My kids get tired of chicken nuggets all the time and like home-cooked foods. It's very relaxing a quiet. Not at all like a CS or TS restaurant where I always feel rushed.

We usually head back to the parks, well-rested and bellies full and ready for a fun evening. Usually a Mickey Head ice cream is necessary. We notice all those who are getting a little sleep deprived and feel good about our decision to stay offsite and get good sleep.

After closing down the park, we head home, put the kids to bed, pour some wine for us and head to the hot tub where we can relax and not share the pool with anyone else. Heaven!

We usually can get by with less than $500 in spending money for the week, this includes food and souvenirs (but we aren't big souvie people) by eating breakfast and dinner at the house. It's very doable!

have fun, you won't regret your decision to pull back and relax a little!

 

[smkiya]

My kids like toaster waffles 2.79 for a jumbo pack at Publix, I will even buy the 2.09 Mrs. Butterworth's to because, hey! We're on vacation. This is a heck of a lot cheaper than the waffles at a TS restaurant on site.

Mrs. Butterworth's is $3.49 in NJ, $2.09 is a steal!

I am looking forward to my time offsite, and I like the option of doing my own thing and making my own way. I hate hotel rooms, and would only do a suite or villa at a Disney resort (can't afford that!), because DH snores so loud!!! Who wants to sleep with ear plugs? Plus, he usually likes to watch TV for a few hours before going to bed, and I don't. We'll have dd and ds with us, they are young and need more space, and if I was staying on site I'd never use the transportation or EMH so my benefit would be nil. Oh, I think I'd save $55 on parking fees... heck, that's 1/2 the price of one of our character dinners. I wouldn't want to be inconvenienced for a whooping savings of $55.

OP- I am curious. Did the $1200 include park tickets?

 

[mbass01]

Yes, I agree. We are going to Disney for the first time in 36 days and counting!! So excited!! We would have liked to have stayed on site but wanted to go for 2 weeks. Coming from Canada and first time in Florida! Have a DD1 and DS5 and we have rented a villa at Sheraton Vistana Villas. With price of airfare, food, rental car, park tickets, parking and villa it is cheaper for us to stay off site than it would be to stay on site for 2 week (would have wanted moderate resort or higher). We will still have the Disney Magic as we will be visiting Disney World and not at home! We will also have a 2 bedroom condo on a beautiful property with 7 pools, close to all restaurants and outlet shopping, with a car and time to ourselves when the little ones go to bed! We are going to Sea World and have 2 days trips planned visiting the beach on the Gulf side. Laundry in the condo, so only have to pack for 4 or 5 days at most. All was booked way back in Feb though so saved even more that way. Yeah, can’t wait….

 

[reservations4five]

I, too, canceled our free dining trip. It was for 5 nights/6 days at POR. That trip was a little over 2200.00 for our family of 5.
We drive down, so we already have our car. We abhor the bus system so we drive to the parks anyways.
My parents have decided to join us. So we are splitting a condo from getravelop (I work for my local government) at approx 200. a piece. for a room with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and 2 baths that sleeps 8. One with a jacuzzi. 7days/7nights

Tickets from undercovertourist with the mousesaver newsletter will be about 1065 dollars for 5.

But the biggest thing is I don't have to make ADR's because really where we eat at in the world is not that big of deal to us.

 

[tiggerplus5]

We enjoy staying offsite. My children are teenagers/young adults and they think their own private pool is way cooler than staying in a disney value resort (which is the most we can usually afford).

We tried restaurants.com on our last visit in July and tried a couple local restaurants. Much better food than most disney food. You can search by zip codes and purchase gift certificates way cheeeep! I waited until the end of of the month and their sales get better. We purchased $10 certificates for .60 cents and $25 certificates for $2. They have pages of restaurants to choose from. We were pleased with the restaurants we chose. It's never cheap to eat out when you are on vacation. Every little bit helps.

 

[twooley2]

I cncelled my free dining trip at a value resort to change to taking a trip to yellowstone national park. My theory was I like the yellowstone theme at the deluxe disney resort the Wilderness Lodge but never have been able to logic with the price. So I figured I'd go to the real yellowstone with the real geysers. For a two week trip for the same cost as staying at a value resort at Disney

 

[yrdlyprincess]

that is great that you decided to due that-as other posters have said what about tickets?? I know that a friend of mine drove down b4 (she'll never do that again) and got a house their was like 8 of them so it was worth it. I will be changing our ressie (hopefully) to a value and saving over 1,000.00-so it will be nice-money for a bunch of other things- as for the free dining, no I really don't like making the ADR's and having a more "set schedule" but I do like the free dining. Good luck to you- have a magical vaca!

 

[edandcolleen1995]

Tickets and parking will blow thru that $900 right away.

Do what you like, of course, but you are not going down and saving $900 this way.

 

[angelmav]

Tickets and parking will blow thru that $900 right away.

Do what you like, of course, but you are not going down and saving $900 this way.

Umm, parking is $15 a day and free at DTD and the waterparks, hardly a deal breaker. The OP never said what there ticket situation was. I assume they have AP's or some other ticket arrangement to claim the $900 in savings.

We leave in 21 days (21 days WoooHooo!) And also switched from two rooms at pop with free dining to a 3 bdrm rental house with private pool offsite. Guess what, we saved $1500, and have better accomodations plus more space. This isnt our first rodeo and will eat for much less than that (7 nights 8 days).

While I 'get' the appeal for everyone staying onsite, I dont get the resistance to the idea of staying offsite either? Having done both, I dont think one is anymore magical than the other, but both have pluses and minuses depending on how your getting there and what else you want to do in Florida.

For us, cramming 7 people (all disney adults) into two value rooms held zero appeal, add in the savings (thanks in part to the military tix offer, without it we prob wouldnt have gone this year) and we have not only an affordable vacation but what promises to be a much more relaxing one as well. (fingers crossed no hurricanes!!!!)