The Free Disney Dining.

[Monty]

They key thing is you need an AP to enroll in TiW. We go once a year at most so have never bought an AP.

Once a year doesn't mean an AP can't be worthwhile.

I stayed 8 nights at Beach Club a few years ago and got the AP discount on the room. The savings from the discount paid for the AP that got it for me, my son's 9-day Hopper, the TiW card and every bit of food we ate while we were there.

 

[quirkle]

Here in the UK free dining is already available for 2013.Fingers x for 2014.

Well then you can book my trip. Lol. We are going 12/20-31 in 2013. Really hoping for free
Dining to extend until 12/20 because then I get it for the whole trip.

 

[Crush Dude!]

Well then you can book my trip. Lol. We are going 12/20-31 in 2013. Really hoping for free
Dining to extend until 12/20 because then I get it for the whole trip.

Thsts one thing we dont get, Free dining must be running for the entire length of our stay to get it!

 

[quirkle]

Ohhh. I'm really really hoping for it. If it is offered until the 19th I might change my reservation. Lol

 

[tracyandalex]

The amount we save on hotel with Florida Resident rates is much greater than the savings of free dining so we never use it. I really really tried for it this year, I have a crazy spread sheet, but I just couldn't make it worth it. We eat too much TS for the DDP.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

They key thing is you need an AP to enroll in TiW. We go once a year at most so have never bought an AP.

Thanks for that info...we only go once a year (not even every year) as well. In general, about how many days until the AP breaks even/pays off? Is it 14 days or over ? If so, we would have to force in the second trip!!

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Can someone explain why, if I run EXACTLY the same package using the Free dining, and then rud the package using the room discount, the price is cheaper by almost 10% using the free dining promo? Again, it is exactly the same room, dining plan, park hopper, length of stay, and airfare...everything identical!

 

[luv]

Can someone explain why, if I run EXACTLY the same package using the Free dining, and then rud the package using the room discount, the price is cheaper by almost 10% using the free dining promo? Again, it is exactly the same room, dining plan, park hopper, length of stay, and airfare...everything identical!

Are you using AP pricing and the 20% discount on food after the first $375?

Maybe the "free" dining works for you and that is why it comes out that way!

I checked every time, it was always more than discounts...and I didn't even take merchandise or tour discounts into it.

Also, remember that you only need to buy one AP for this.

Everyone has to do the math and decide what the best deal is for them. Some people know free dining costs more, but like buying the package and don't care about the money. Whatever floats the boat works!

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Are you using AP pricing and the 20% discount on food after the first $375?

Maybe the "free" dining works for you and that is why it comes out that way!

I checked every time, it was always more than discounts...and I didn't even take merchandise or tour discounts into it.

Also, remember that you only need to buy one AP for this.

Everyone has to do the math and decide what the best deal is for them. Some people know free dining costs more, but like buying the package and don't care about the money. Whatever floats the boat works!

No AP.....just using the WDW site...under special offers

 

[Tinkerkell]

We can't always travel during the FD promotion times, but when we can travel off-season FD is a great budget saver for us!

 

[Monty]

Can someone explain why, if I run EXACTLY the same package using the Free dining, and then rud the package using the room discount, the price is cheaper by almost 10% using the free dining promo? Again, it is exactly the same room, dining plan, park hopper, length of stay, and airfare...everything identical!

Packages will compare that way. If you don't book a package but book using room-only, one AP in your group, factor in discounts using the AP and a TiW card and paying OOP for your food that you would actually eat rather that a Dining Plan that IMO forces way too much food on people... It's cheaper, but potentially less "convenient" going with room-only. The packages force everybody to have the exact same tickets and dining plans, room-only you can mix-and-match to get what works for you.

As I've said before, based on what my son and I eat [we don't skimp on food, we order what we want without concern for cost and eat at a lot of Signature restaurants] and what times of year we go, I would never benefit for using the supposedly "free" dining. But each scenario is different. If you prefer to have the convenience of pre-paying for food through using the plans, then the plans will appeal to you. Another factor is that the General Public discounts tend to be a percentage or two lower than the AP discounts [not that that's a big factor at a Value, but every little bit...].

 

[luv]

No AP.....just using the WDW site...under special offers

You should check what you're paying against the cost if it were a room with an AP discount and food with a TiW discount.

People who use AP and TiW usually save more than those who use free dining.

And if you are going every year, you may start saving money on tickets, too. Based on this year, you've gone twice. Imagine if you'd bought the AP in March and saved there...and got to save in December, plus save on tickets.

Not to mention merchandise, parties, tours, etc.

I'd check into it if I were you.