"free" dining more expensive

[Strmchsr]

You know, I've always known "free" dining was a gimmick, but I hadn't broken down the hard numbers. I saw the guys over at another Disney fan site actually broke it all down. Based on 2 adult, 2 kids for 4 nights in a deluxe resort it is actually $91.68 cheaper to pay for the dining plan than get the "free" dining promotion because you pay rack rate for the room. At a moderate you save $21 dollars with the "free" dining over buying the plan. Where you save is the value resort. This scenario would save about $170 at a value resort. Interesting to see the actual numbers broken down like that.

[Dsnygirl]

You know Chris, I did those same numbers when we were debating about the free dining for October... and came to the same conclusion, with this added tidbit.

Having done the dining plan once, we found that for us, it was a lot of food, and a lot of time dining. But we ate it all, b/c we'd paid for it.

If you take the time to check out the menus where you want to eat, and the prices, you can actually control the cost of what you eat to a number far lower than the cost of the dining plan. Now, of course, "free dining" is still free, but with all the specials out there, most rooms this fall are not at rack rate, so if you choose to take the room discount instead of the "free dining" and then just control where and what you eat, you can do far better than paying rack rate for your room and getting your meals for free.

We figured that we saved $1500 on our room rate this fall (had an AP discount, which is similar to the general public discount and the Disney Visa discount), and our food will cost about $900. So, "free dining" would have cost us an extra $600 on our room!!

So, we absolutely stuck with our room discount this time! :number1:

[phillydan]

We did the numbers also and the room discount worked out better than the free dining this time around.

[CanadianWDWFan]

We also did the number crunching thing. In the end since we have AP's, we got the Tables in Wonderland card which gives 20% off everything at TS restaurants. And ate how we wanted to eat.

[Dsnygirl]

We also did the number crunching thing. In the end since we have AP's, we got the Tables in Wonderland card which gives 20% off everything at TS restaurants. And ate how we wanted to eat.
Ooops... forgot to mention that our food bill will be lighter b/c we, too, got the TiW card... best $$ we've spent!! :)

[fupresti]

W did it for our trip coming up next week. Here are the stats.

2 Adults
Studio Room at Boardwalk Villas for 8 nights
Standard Dining Plan
8-Day Tickers with Park Hopper

When I booked the trip under free dining, it was roughly $3500.00 total. When I switched to the 40% off room rate with the dining plan, it dropped to under $3100.00. I saved almost $400.00.

[E-OR]

I thought that I had it all figured out but now you really got me thinking. We are doing the free dining this time and plan to do the bounce back staying next year at AKL. I guess that as the time gets closer to out next trip I should really price out the price of the room if a discount is offered w/dining plan, no dining plan and eating at a sit down restaurant paying for it, etc... I have not heard of the TiW card. What is this, how does it work, how much, and how do you get it?

[gueli]

Ok so I know I am looking at 'standard' rates (as posted at the wdw site). 7 nights moderate resort (POFQ), 2 adults 1 child (under 10), mon nov 30th to mon dec 7th.
Cost with dinning plan (magic your way & parkhopping only) $2600
cost without 2000 (round off).
Now I had gotten 40% pin, but it didn't seem to drop our number less than if we took the dinning plan ? (It would have only saved us 300-400 as opposed to about $600)...

if you could present the numbers- does this only make sense if you are not getting the dinning plan anyway (DD loves princess dinning) ?

If you used the numbers/times above, how much would room rate have cost ?
Thanks for the help...
:mickey:

[mudpuppysmom]

People see/hear the word FREE and lose all mind control! They think they are really getting something and whats more.....for people who are going for the "once in a lifetime trip" (not peeps like us!) they see that and tell all their friends how "cheap" they got their trip for.

An example.....a friend of mine recently told me that she and her fam are going over Thanksgiving......that's all great I tell her, trying not to be too pessimestic. I told her how she needs to use FP and needs to be realistic in her goals of what to see/do, b/c they will not be able to do/see it all in one trip (something she was surprised about); then I asked her if she got the dining plan and she told me yes, but they have not made any ressies yet -- in fact, they have not even discussed any places to dine! I've tried to point out that they may be eating chicken nuggets on turkey day and frozen slushes instead of a nice dessert.......she got the free dining and just thought it was a given that you can eat wherever/whenever.

I'm glad to have friends like you guys to help point me in the right direction when needed for things like this!

[jenperich]

Hello all-

I'm not sure I understand what you're all saying. We "lost our mind" when we saw free dining, and took it for our 1st anniversary trip because we thoroughly enjoyed eating out at all of the GREAT Disney restaurants. I thought we were getting a great deal...and really we are because of all of our Visa Disney rewards.

However, are you all saying that we can pay for the dining plan and get a room discount, we'll save money? Or would we get a room discount and pay for all of our food OOP? I'm confused. Thanks for any information you can give me.

[magicofdisney]

Maybe it's because we always stay at values anyway, but I've known almost from the beginning that this "free dining" offer was only a value at the value resorts.

This will be our 3rd year doing "free dining" for a family of 6 plus a grandma and aunt. We're using two value rooms for our party, paying rack rate.

With a FL resident or AP discount, we could save about $24 a night per room, $48 for the 2 rooms. Over 5 nights that savings is $240.

The dining plan cost approximately $236 a day for all 8 of us, or $1180 for the 5 nights.

Granted we would not eat nearly as many TS were we not on the DDP. Additionally we'd eat less meals on-site. So, essentially it's costing us $240 for an $1180 DDP.

[lighteningqueen]

Same for us. Staying at POP for the first time and saving 720.00 for the 2 of us for 9 nights for the free dining. maybe in the future we will stay at a Mod or Deluxe, but saving money is the only way we can go this year with this economy and on our self employed business. So yea... I love it this is the first break we have had coming to the world. i have never recieved a pin code or anything in my emails. So Thank You disney or otherwise it would be several years before we could ahve returned.

[hel5165]

My husband and I are booked at Pop for 9/23 - 9/30. We don't usually get the dining plan but free is for me.
We have a one day park pass, 7 nts at Pop and we paid $810 which comes to about $58/day pp.
If anyone can find a cheaper deal please let me know.

[Strmchsr]

However, are you all saying that we can pay for the dining plan and get a room discount, we'll save money? Or would we get a room discount and pay for all of our food OOP? I'm confused. Thanks for any information you can give me.

Yes, that's exactly right. This is actually why I use Magical Journeys because Wendy crunches all the numbers and helps find the best deal. But, when you do the math you actually can pay for the dining plan yourself and take a room discount instead of the "free" dining promotion and come out better. Others are making the point (and I agree with this too) that you can save even more money by taking a room discount, not getting the DDP, and paying OOP for your food because, in general, most folks do not eat the amount of food given on the DDP so if you ordered a la carte you might end up spending less than the cost of the DDP.

[Dsnygirl]

You also need to take into consideration that which free dining plan you are getting depends on what level of resort you are staying at for some of the offers, too. Value resorts are being given the new "counter sic" plan, which is less savings than those staying at mod, who are getting the regular dining plan & table svc meals included.

I agree that the meal savings are greater at a value resort, as the percentage off a lower room rate is far less than when you compare it to the percentage taken off the price of a mod or deluxe room... So the situation varies, depending on your resort & meal preference.

But in general, for most people staying mod level or higher, if you're not committed to sitting down to two or three meals/day & like to mix up how you eat a bit, taking a room discount and going on your own for your meals will save you far more.

(i'm typing this from my phone, as my comp. is out of commission temporarily...when I am back up & running, I will give you guys some of the 'hard numbers' we've run. Too much to do typing this way! ;) )

[magicofdisney]

This is the only time of year we use the DDP. Any other time we pay OOP for our meals so this gives us an opportunity to enjoy Disney more thorougly. Like I mentioned earlier, our 5 nights with the "free dining" is costing us about $240. There's no way we could eat a la carte for a group of 8 on $240 and have the same level of enjoyment. Just food for thought. ;)


You also need to take into consideration that which free dining plan you are getting depends on what level of resort you are staying at for some of the offers, too. Value resorts are being given the new "counter sic" plan, which is less savings than those staying at mod, who are getting the regular dining plan & table svc meals included.
The promo we're a part of isn't based on resort level. I've heard about that, but with this offer we get the regular DDP whether we stay value, mod or deluxe. We happen to choose value to get the biggest bang for our buck. :mickey:

[SurferStitch]

Yup, I did the whole number crunching thing with Excel, and came up with exactly the same conclusion for free dining vs. OOP. I even posted it here a couple years ago. I've always known that the only true deal was staying in a value, and that the mod was a wash, and deluxe was a loss.

We've always done better with AP room-only discounts and getting the DDE with the 20% dining discount. I also include an estimate for snacks and any CS meals when I do the number crunching, so it is a true comparison. We don't eat any different off the DDP than on it. We always do a TS dinner each night, and usually a TS breakfast. Lunch is CS or TS. Also, I don't have to think about credits. That was kind of a pain the one time we did do the DDP (which at the time WAS a good deal for us).

[Disney Doll]

I have been saying that for years and with all the free dining frenzy I was beginning to think I was the one who had miscalculated. You have to admit though that it's a pretty good deal for Disney. People think they are getting a super bargain and so I'm sure it has worked to boost numbers for September.

[ToraTory]

While it's true that you save the most money by staying at a value you do save money at the moderates. For example, for I booked:

11/14 - 11/22 (8 nights)
2 adults at POFQ
9 day base ticket
regular dining plan
Prices:

regular price no special: $2,670.64
fall special (but added the tickets and dining) $2,2121.68
free dining: $2,030.64
Sure looks like I saved money to me :thumbsup:

Yes, we would have ordered the dining plan regardless of the special. For us we find the dining plan the way to go. We know ahead of time how much we spent and we don't have to worry about pulling out the wallet every meal. I guess since we are adults without kids, meal time is part of the adventure for us.

If someone can show me how to get the room, tickets and dining cheaper than this I would most curious.

-- tory

[tink'72]

We also did the number crunching thing. In the end since we have AP's, we got the Tables in Wonderland card which gives 20% off everything at TS restaurants. And ate how we wanted to eat.

This thread got me thinking, so I went home and did the numbers and since we are AP holders it would be less expensive for us to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card. We would end up saving about 300.00 and eat how we want to eat.

[ransam]

to me it's nice to have the knowledge that i don't have to worry what i'm eating...I can eat anything on the menu, regardless of the price.
I love the dining plan.

[scooterca42]

Might be an issue for us in the future, if we ever decide to stay at a moderate. For DH and I, we spend very little time in the resort, so a Value is perfect. The pools are nice, the beds are comfy, and - as has been pointed out during this thread - the Free Dining saves money in Values.

We were on the deal that gave the regular dining plan no matter where you stay. I'd have to do the math if we were on the one that gave only the Quick Service plan at a Value. Wonder if paying the extra to upgrade to a moderate, or to upgrade the plan to the regular dining plan, would be better or worse, if there was a room rate reduction at the same time? Interesting. That spreadsheet could get complicated!

[Ian]

I'm not surprised. I always knew offering the free DDP was just a scam to get people to pay rack rates for their rooms.

I will say, though, that we paid for the DDP on our last trip and I kept close accounting of how much money we spent on food vs. what we paid for the DDP.

We had DDP for 2 adults and one child for 6 nights, which came to a total of $545.82 (two adults at $39.99 a day = $79.98 per day times 6 days = $479.88 + $10.99 per day for 6 nights for a child = $65.94 for a total of $545.82).

So we ate for 6 days in the parks for $545.82. We spent around $830 on food. That was 6 dinners at an average of $100 each ($600), plus 6 counter service meals at a cost of around $30 each ($180) and around $50 in snacks.

[Aggie97]

Others are making the point (and I agree with this too) that you can save even more money by taking a room discount, not getting the DDP, and paying OOP for your food because, in general, most folks do not eat the amount of food given on the DDP so if you ordered a la carte you might end up spending less than the cost of the DDP.

We do not use the DDP.

After a few WDW trips, I've compared our actual food expenditures to the DDP cost. I also have correlated our actual dining patterns to DDP credits to see how well they matched up (e.g., would we have burned through snack credits too quickly, or let some TS or CS credits go to waste.)

Every time, using a room discount and paying OOP for dining has been best for us both financially and logistically. The DDP just is not reflective of the way we actually like to eat at WDW. :mickey:

[babsmom]

Well since we leave in a week or so I am not going to crunch the numbers and annoy myself but I will look at this closer next time. We went through Magical Journeys and had a room discount offer and of course the free dining. When they worked the numbers for us, staying at the Poly, we were told the free dining was the better deal. I am just going to "believe" and worry about this next time!

[Strmchsr]

Well since we leave in a week or so I am not going to crunch the numbers and annoy myself but I will look at this closer next time. We went through Magical Journeys and had a room discount offer and of course the free dining. When they worked the numbers for us, staying at the Poly, we were told the free dining was the better deal. I am just going to "believe" and worry about this next time!

Your situation may have been different. I don't know the specifics. I do know that I trust the folks at Magical Journeys and if they crunched the numbers and said the "free" dining was the better deal then in your specific case it probably was. That's why I always use MJ.

[gueli]

I'm not surprised. I always knew offering the free DDP was just a scam to get people to pay rack rates for their rooms.

I will say, though, that we paid for the DDP on our last trip and I kept close accounting fo how much money we spent on food vs. what we paid for the DDP.

We had DDP for 2 adults and one child for 6 nights, which came to a total of $545.82 (two adults at $39.99 a day = $79.98 per day times 6 days = $479.88 + $10.99 per day for 6 nights for a child = $65.94 for a total of $545.82).

So we ate for 6 days in the parks for $545.82. We spent around $830 on food. That was 6 dinners at an average of $100 each ($600), plus 6 counter service meals at a cost of around $30 each ($180) and around $50 in snacks.

You who are so good at numbers crunching-
For your family, was the DDP worth it ?

Would you have ordered differently if you were not on the plan?

It always seemed to me, based on my own consumption that the plan was worth the money

thanks
:mickey:

[TheVBs]

We did OOP for dining in May. We saved all the receipts and want to crunch the numbers when we have some time. We initially had the dining plan, then decided that we just weren't interested in a sit down meal every day, we almost never order desert (I think we did once on that trip), and we often aren't hungry enough to have full meals on our own so we split meals. It will be interesting to see what we spent compared to what we would have paid for dining.

[princessgirls]

OK... I must put in my two cents worth...
December 4-9, 2009
5 nights POP Century Value Resort
5 Days Magic Your Way Base Ticket for family of 4 2 adults 2 children
Disney Dining ("Free")
Magic Express (which means no extra transportation charge)

$1,330 TOTAL PRICE.
Airfare is extra, but we are using miles, so it's not too bad. I'm still under $2,000 for this trip.
My time at the Jersey Shore cost me double this, it was for a week, but this is for food, entertainment and lodging. I think it's a deal!
Julie:mickey:

[Strmchsr]

I think it's a deal!
Julie:mickey:

It all boils down to if you're happy then the cost doesn't really matter. Just out of curiosity, though, did you price it out to what it would be if you took the room discount and paid for the dining? As I mentioned in the first post, I know at value resorts the "free" DDP can be a decent deal, but I was wondering with it only be the CS version for this year if the room discount would have been better.

[Belster]

I am going to have to disagree...I have a family of 5 that eats a ton. The DDP is a piece of mind for me to know that we can truly enjoy our vacation from start to finish...including the food. I love being able to tell my children that they can chose what ever they would like to eat. Normally, before we did DDP I would have to guide the family as to what are sensible choices for the budget I had for the day. Let me tell you it was stressful having people want dessert, that extra special meal, drink or whatever. Being on the DDP has been a blessing for us becuase we can truly enjoy ourselves.

Paying or free...I could never feed my family of 5 well at the world for the value given.

[DNS]

What is the Tables in Wonderland card?:confused:

[princessgirls]

It all boils down to if you're happy then the cost doesn't really matter. Just out of curiosity, though, did you price it out to what it would be if you took the room discount and paid for the dining? As I mentioned in the first post, I know at value resorts the "free" DDP can be a decent deal, but I was wondering with it only be the CS version for this year if the room discount would have been better.

I want to say back in May or June before I got the e-mail code from Disney with this special that the room rate was $59 for the value, and we are paying $89 a night now, but the dining was going to cost me $100 a day to add on, so for my family that is still a savings of $70 per day.
I believe that Disney offered the CS dining to the general public for late November early/mid December for people booking the value resorts. The pin number I got was for the regular dining in the values. Never stayed in a value resort, but was excited that I got my husband to agree to a trip, as we did do two full vacations this year already.
Julie:mickey:

[Ian]

You who are so good at numbers crunching.Tell that to my 8th grade Algebra teacher!



For your family, was the DDP worth it ?

Would you have ordered differently if you were not on the plan?

It always seemed to me, based on my own consumption that the plan was worth the money

thanks
:mickey:Honestly, we love to eat. Dining is a big part of what we love about WDW and we pretty much always splurge when we're down, so yeah ... based on our typical food consumption it was well worth it for us.

Bear in mind, however, that I don't have all these extraneous considerations like packages and room only discounts vs. free dining, etc. etc. etc.

Since we have AP's and are DVC owners, it's a very simple equation for us. We paid $545.82 for the DDP and ate over $900 worth of food. Basic math says it's a good buy for us.

[princessgirls]

[QUOTE=Ian;1962508]Tell that to my 8th grade Algebra teacher!


Honestly, we love to eat. Dining is a big part of what we love about WDW and we pretty much always splurge when we're down, so yeah ... based on our typical food consumption it was well worth it for us.


So does my family! We have our favorite places to eat and that is part of our Disney vacation!
I have to look for "deals", as we like to do other vacations too as a family, and if I keep it all to a certain price, can get my husband to agree to it! I do use the word "deal" loosely, as it may not be the greatest savings to AP and DVC owners. I just base the prices I get for a Disney package on what it costs us to do other activities.
In the words on my husband..."Doing nothing is cheap, and we aren't content sitting home doing nothing."
Julie:mickey:

[Ian]

In the words on my husband..."Doing nothing is cheap, and we aren't content sitting home doing nothing."
Julie:mickey:I love that sentiment ... I think your hubby and I would get along well!

[princessgirls]

Yes, it is a good sentiment.

Good thing we have good jobs that can support all the FUN we like to do...LOL!!

Julie:mickey:

[Mousemates]

When we have broken down numbers in the past the free dining option has not actually been a cost saver for us. first of all, while we certainly enjoy the copious amounts of food that comes with the dining plan...being in our 40s and having somewhat slowing metabolisms eating :eat: that much food on vacation, even one where we walk as much as we do at WDW, would not be a good idea weight/health wise for us. We've actually gotten to the place where we tend to add on an appetizer/salad (and occasionally on vacation :blush: a dessert) and split an entree. Its more than enough food for us.

In doing this we are already saving about 35-40% off our food bill....therefore it has tended to make more sense for us to go for the accommodation discounts...(special offers, DisneyRewards or if all else fails...good old AAA).

[faline]

What is the Tables in Wonderland card?:confused:

This is a card, available to annual passholders. For a fee, annual passholders purchase the card which provides 20% off dining at most table service restaurants. The 20% discount includes a discount on alcoholic beverages. The card cannot be used at most counter service establishments.


Tables In Wonderland (formerly Disney Dining Experience): Receive $25 off the regular price of the Tables In Wonderland Membership. Benefits include:

20% discount on all food and beverages at over 70 participating Resort hotel and Theme Park restaurants (discount is valid for Passholder and a party of up to 9 Guests).

[wire0monkey]

It's a great deal if you're staying a value, though. We have a family of 4 and even if the rooms are half-price, free dining is a better deal for folks at the values.

I've run the numbers several times. We save about $500-$700 off the trip if we use the DDP, rather than take a room discount, if we're staying at a value resort.

Karen at Magical Journeys ran the same numbers for our last trip, because I had a pin offer for a discount on the room, and said that free dining was the better deal.

[DNS]

Thanks faline!:thumbsup:

[jillluvsdisney]

We booked 6 nights at POFQ during value season with the DDP. WE then got a pin code for free dining. That saved us about $750. :cloud9:

[joonyer]

Remember there is a difference between saying 1) the Free Dining offer is a better deal than using room discounts if you are planning on buying the Dining Plan anyway, and

2) saying the free dining offer is a better deal than using the room discount and paying OOP for food.

Determining which of the above two options may be the most economically advantageous for will will largely depend on your eating habits at WDW.

Under the first scenario, using the free dining offer vs. room discounts (if you are going to pay for DDP anyway, will depend on where you are staying and the specific room discount.

Under the second scenario, there is no doubt that you can do a WDW vacation for less money by using the room discounts and paying OOP for meals IF
you don't typically eat lots of TS meals or buy lots of snacks & beverages or frequent particularly expensive restaurants.

For our family of 4, we can eat all we want and be perfectly happy spending MUCH less per day than the cost of the DDP. We paid for the DDP a couple of years ago, when it included appetizers and gratuities (which it no longer does) and yes it was a great deal then. We really enjoyed eating at a nice TS restaurant every day and the listed menu prices of the food we ordered (and consumed) was much more than the daily cost of the DDP we paid for.
Problem is, it was MUCH more food than we would have ever ordered if we were just choosing everything we wanted to eat. When the DDP included appetizers for each person, we got 4 appetizers, when we would have probably ordered only one appetizer for the 4 of us or none at all if we were going to get dessert. Often at TS meals we were actually full after eating our appetizers and salads and could have skipped an entree (except for maybe dessert). We ate it all (or most of it) and brought home a lot of snacks, because we had paid for the DDP, but if we had paid OOP for just the food we wanted, we would have spent far less than the 39.99 cost per day of the DDP. But that's because of our normal eating habits, (for instance, DW and I often split a big salad at CS places for lunch, because it is plenty of food for the both of us).
We still enjoyed the DDP experience, but it was not a particularly good value for us.

Your mileage may vary.