whcih offers a better discount?

[Tomi-Rocket]

I just made our reservations yesterday for our package hoping that we'll get to use a promotion of some sort next year and apply it to our trip. My question is - does anybody know which is usually a better deal, the room discount or the free dining? We've always just used the free dining that's been offered but now I'm wondering and I have plenty of time to get an answer since our trip isn't till 9/11!

Thanks for any input!

 

[Master Yoda]

It depends on your party size, age, resort choice and the amount of the discount. In most cases if you are staying at a value free dining will be the better deal. The water becomes a bit muddier at the moderate resort level and room discounts consistently beat free dining at a deluxe or DVC resort. As always you need to run the numbers for your particular situation to make sure.

 

[stlbobby]

It will also depend on what WDW actually ends up offering for your period. The room discounts vary a great deal by resort level, but also change depending on how far out you book and what time of the year it is.

Party size also really plays a factor in the choice. For a party of two or two adults with two kids under three the room discount is probably larger, but if you have several teenagers and are bringing Grandma then free dining is probably the way to go.

 

[dreamfinder]

Yeah, there are lots of variables in that question. A party of 2 staying at AKL will do better with a 40% discount (offered several times in the last year) than with free dining as that saves 100+ each night, where free dining would only save 85 or so. But a party of 4 (2 adults 2 youths) staying at a value would save that same 80 by using the dining plan (quick service) , but may only save 40 or 50 using a room discount. Don't forget, if you won't eat all the food the dining plan offers, you may do better to use the discount and then just pay out of pocket for food.

 

[stlbobby]

Don't forget, if you won't eat all the food the dining plan offers, you may do better to use the discount and then just pay out of pocket for food.

By the same thought process, if you like eating at a lot of signature venues you may end up paying so much for dining that the free dining plan may not suit your needs.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Like previous posters have noted, a lot depends on where you're staying and the #s in your party. For us, we have 2 adults and 1 child- so the savings with free dining is $575.82. Had we been able to use our 40% off room discount PIN - the savings would have been $576.00 + reduced taxable amount. Up front, that looks like an $0.18 difference, but when you factor in the 12.5% tax on the room rate- the 40% off the room rate makes it the bigger $ saver for our situation.

 

[dreamfinder]

By the same thought process, if you like eating at a lot of signature venues you may end up paying so much for dining that the free dining plan may not suit your needs.

True. And further, if you do the quick service plan for free by staying at a value, no TS meals are covered. So you would still need to pay for those out of pocket. Best bet is to look at the menus, and see what and where you would like to eat. Estimate the costs to pay out of pocket, and see where the breakeven is and what room discount you would need for that to work better.

 

[todpatcam]

We had a 30% off pin code for our stay at CBR but switched to the free dining plus. We are 2 adults and 1 - 8 year old and we are staying for 6 nights.

We are not big eaters and maybe the 30% would have saved us a bit more but it's nice to have the meals paid ahead of time. Also, it is great eating a nice meal that totals $80-90 and getting a zero bill.

Our vacation is paid in full and all we need to worry about is tips and Mickey ears. :sohappy:

 

[Mukta]

It depends on your party size, age, resort choice and the amount of the discount. In most cases if you are staying at a value free dining will be the better deal. The water becomes a bit muddier at the moderate resort level and room discounts consistently beat free dining at a deluxe or DVC resort. As always you need to run the numbers for your particular situation to make sure.

Is it possible to take the room discount for a deluxe and add the standard dining plan? That way my food is still paid for ahead of time and I can still save some money on the room.