Which will save us more?

[GoofyMom2]

Help!! I have been sitting trying to do the math.....I hope you all can help me figure this out......

My DH and I are very tempted by the new special for fall of the free dining plan add on. It be just the 2 of us for our anniversary. So, I am trying to figure out some options that will be the best for us:

We are hoping to go for around 5 days in Sept.....so get free dining. We also have a trip planned in April '07 (stay will be with relatives so lodging is free) and we already have park tickets for 5 days. So, would it be cheaper for us to go with the free dining deal or buy annual passes (and pay for food but get the DDE card to use for both trips) and save our 5 day tickets that we already have for the next trip in April '08? If no AP, than we would have to pay for parking in April '07.

Does this make sense? :lol: Any ideas are appreciated!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Help!! I have been sitting trying to do the math.....I hope you all can help me figure this out......

My DH and I are very tempted by the new special for fall of the free dining plan add on. It be just the 2 of us for our anniversary. So, I am trying to figure out some options that will be the best for us:

We are hoping to go for around 5 days in Sept.....so get free dining. We also have a trip planned in April '07 (stay will be with relatives so lodging is free) and we already have park tickets for 5 days. So, would it be cheaper for us to go with the free dining deal or buy annual passes (and pay for food but get the DDE card to use for both trips) and save our 5 day tickets that we already have for the next trip in April '08? If no AP, than we would have to pay for parking in April '07.

Does this make sense? :lol: Any ideas are appreciated!

Not true on the parking thing. If you are staying on property, parking at the theme parks is free!!! Belle

 

[GoofyMom2]

Not true on the parking thing. If you are staying on property, parking at the theme parks is free!!! Belle

Hey, Belle!
Actually in April '07 we will be off prop so need to pay.....just a few more dollars to add to the equation!

I'm glad you are on.....help!!! I am sitting here staring at numbers and can't get it figured. Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[wannabeBelle]

I gotcha I thought you meant in '06!!! I have to tell you assuming that AP rates will be released it is gonna be REALLY close on which package is better. I ran the numbers for a friend of mine last year and the difference was literally $20.00 once you figure in tickets food etc.
If it is of any help I Am an AP holder now and I booked the free dining with a one day base ticket. Belle

 

[GoofyMom2]

I gotcha I thought you meant in '06!!! I have to tell you assuming that AP rates will be released it is gonna be REALLY close on which package is better. I ran the numbers for a friend of mine last year and the difference was literally $20.00 once you figure in tickets food etc.
If it is of any help I Am an AP holder now and I booked the free dining with a one day base ticket. Belle

I didn't know you can do that! So, the dining plan (for free) will be based on my number of nights at the resort? So I can still get it for free for say the 5 nights (or however long we stay)? I assume you cannot use an AP discount (if available) for the room if you use the free dining plan special?

Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[wannabeBelle]

I didn't know you can do that! So, the dining plan (for free) will be based on my number of nights at the resort? So I can still get it for free for say the 5 nights (or however long we stay)? I assume you cannot use an AP discount (if available) for the room if you use the free dining plan special?

Thanks so much for your help!!

correct and correct. No AP discounts on this one, the discount is the Free Dining plan so the room and tickets arent discounted. I am heading offline so if anything else, just E mail me at the address in my signature line!!! Belle

 

[GoofyMom2]

Thanks, Belle! I was just about to say "Let me talk to DH about dates and I will Email you!". :wave:

Off to bed or the Easter Bunny will never show up!

 

[mousermerf]

Yup, can't use it (AP discount) in conjunction with the dining plan offer. The dining plan will be equal to the number of nights you stay, but you can buy any type of ticket as long as each person in your party has the same ticket, aka: 2 adult means 2 x 1 day base tickets.

I'm thinkin about doing the same thing myself. I have seasonal passes at the moment. Meal plan costs about $70 a day per adult, which is usually the same or more than the AP discount at a mod or value. At a deluxe, you're not getting the $100 off

However, the dining plan itself has more value than you're charged. It's hard to sit down and say "I will spend this much on food" but you do. Inherently, paying the cheaper room rate seems like the better deal, as your food money is like seperated in the mind somehow.

But.. and a big but.. I spend a small fortune on food at WDW. A counter service meal, covered by the meal plan, is like $15 easy. Then the table service meals.. expensive! If i go out and eat just a meal, no appetizer or dessert, we fork out $80 at places like the Concourse Steakhouse or Maya Grill. Then you also get appetizer and dessert for each person.. that suddenly makes the $100 off a deluxe room seem like nothing.

So, what's important to you?

I'd love to go and eat like a crazy person because that makes me happy. that 1-day ticket you get will be valid for your next trip too, or heck, apply it toward buying an AP - i bet you can do that.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Thanks, Belle! I was just about to say "Let me talk to DH about dates and I will Email you!". :wave:

Off to bed or the Easter Bunny will never show up!

I agree!!!! Looking foward to your E mail!!! Belle

 

[jesserin]

Yup, can't use it (AP discount) in conjunction with the dining plan offer. The dining plan will be equal to the number of nights you stay, but you can buy any type of ticket as long as each person in your party has the same ticket, aka: 2 adult means 2 x 1 day base tickets.

I'm thinkin about doing the same thing myself. I have seasonal passes at the moment. Meal plan costs about $70 a day per adult, which is usually the same or more than the AP discount at a mod or value. At a deluxe, you're not getting the $100 off

However, the dining plan itself has more value than you're charged. It's hard to sit down and say "I will spend this much on food" but you do. Inherently, paying the cheaper room rate seems like the better deal, as your food money is like seperated in the mind somehow.

But.. and a big but.. I spend a small fortune on food at WDW. A counter service meal, covered by the meal plan, is like $15 easy. Then the table service meals.. expensive! If i go out and eat just a meal, no appetizer or dessert, we fork out $80 at places like the Concourse Steakhouse or Maya Grill. Then you also get appetizer and dessert for each person.. that suddenly makes the $100 off a deluxe room seem like nothing.

So, what's important to you?

I'd love to go and eat like a crazy person because that makes me happy. that 1-day ticket you get will be valid for your next trip too, or heck, apply it toward buying an AP - i bet you can do that.

2 quick things with this... i'm not sure what you meant by "meal plan cost about $70 a day per adult" but it's actually only about $40!

And you made a great point at the end - You CAN! apply the price of your one day base ticket to an annual pass once you check in (which i highly recommend) This will save you even more and not make you feel like you wasted the $120 for the 2 adult base tickets on your package!

I would combine the two like Belle suggested - Stay onsite, book the free dining with a 1 day base ticket. Check in, get your package - then apply your 1 day base ticket to the price of an AP - upgrade - and have fun! Your next trip ticket will already be paid for so maybe you'll be able to save up and stay onsite again! (especially if you can get an AP rate in '07!)

 

[GoofyMom2]

Oh my goodness! I can apply the 2 1 day tickets to the APs?!!!

Disney, here we come again!

You guys are just awesome with the info!! :sohappy:

 

[wannabeBelle]

hello again!!! I Am here and awake this morning!! Happy Easter to all!!! Yes you can absolutely apply the 1 day base ticket to your AP. I myself did this last year with the free Dining offer then!! Belle

 

[mousermerf]

I think was trying to say $70 per day with 2 adults, roughly $35 each, I guess it's gone up again.

I digress - I think the sticking point for many AP holders is those tickets. It's hard to swallow an extra $60 per person, but if you can hold it for later or upgrade it, you're set.

 

[GoofyMom2]

Thank you, Belle!

I wanted to thank Marie from Kingdom Konsultants for helping me with all of my questions, and for booking our vacation!

We will be staying at PORiverside in Sept for 4 nights with the free dining plan....I am sure it will be a Magical anniversary trip thanks to Marie's hard work. Thank you!!! She got us a great price for our flights as well :sohappy:

Just a note: Marie said Le Cellier is booking pretty quickly for August, I made a late ressie for Sept and I was told be ressies at Disney that Coral Reef is filling up. So, if you plan on taking advantage of the free dining promotion, I suggest you get your ressies in ASAP.

 

[Discmen]

the Numbers

I'm bad at math, but I ran it both ways and its really close. I booked for ten days at the end of August. 4 ten day park hopper with water. Nine nights at Boardwalk. Then ran it with AP + just the room. Took 15 percent off the rack rate. It was almost the same, for the one trip, without the free meals. However, the more you go in any given year, the better the AP is. And, if you like to eat expensive food, the meal plan is really a bargain. Which is to say, I think Disney has basically balanced out the AP rate unless you really are gonna go three times a year. I have a sister and friend who both have AP and have done the numbers, and have considered switching because they won't be able to go as often as before this year. On the other hand, its really nice to just be able to grab a great AP rate and jump in the car and head on down.

 

[wannabeBelle]

granted there are certainly advantages to both, but why would you feel you have to choose?? Belle