WDW codes? Which is better for me?

[Corie]

Which is better?

A 35% off room code or a free dining plan code?

I'm really confused.

[egoldber]

If you will plan to eat at least one table service meal a day AND don't mind being tied to only eating at WDW AND don't mind planning your dining months in advance, then the dining plan *may* be a better deal.

But price things carefully because for us, unless we plan to do expensive character meals almost every day, it's hard for *us* to come out ahead on the dining plan.

[Corie]

But price things carefully because for us, unless we plan to do expensive character meals almost every day, it's hard for *us* to come out ahead on the dining plan.


This is why I think the dining plan is a better deal for us. We do at least one
character meal a day.
The free dining plan saves us $612.

Our hotel cost is $265. a night for 6 nights. Total cost is $1590.
A 35% savings would save us $557.

Very close.

[lil_acorn]

Corie - would you still eat at the parks for all your other meals? Don't forget about the gratuity you still need to pay for all table service meals.

[egoldber]

I just can't do that many character meals. I like to be able to eat in peace occasionally LOL!!!

[Corie]

Corie - would you still eat at the parks for all your other meals? Don't forget about the gratuity you still need to pay for all table service meals.

I'd have to pay gratuity on the dining plan or off the plan so I'm not really counting
that. Wouldn't that basically be a wash since it has to be paid regardless?

[egoldber]

It is a wash, it just makes the plan less of a "deal" than it used to be.

Also, the gratuity on a character meal is probably more than what you would otherwise pay, because other table service meals are typically less than a character meal. But if you would choose to do the character meals anyway, then yes it's a wash.

[billysmommy]

We run into the problem where we just don't really eat counter service. We may get something like corn dog nuggets and fries to share but very rarely do we all get a meal. We will do some character breakfasts (or grab snacks at the boardwalk bakery), snacks at mid-morning and then by the pool. Then we do an early (6ish) TS dinner each night in Epcot so we would end up paying oop for the extra TS and really trying to use all the CS. We did look into the deluxe dining plan but that's just too much for us.

So for us the room discount worked out much better than the free dining

[billysmommy]

Another way to figure it out ~

Take your package price (usually room, tickets and dining)

Log onto www.waltdisneyworld.com and price your vacation using the free dining discount ~ don't forget to adjust your ticket prices if needed (default puts them at MYW with park hoppers and water parks)

Then price your vacation with the room only discount. It gives you the option to add tickets and the dining plan for the regular price. If this total is less than your price with free dining than the room only is definitely a better deal :)

[JTsMom]

I would definitely do the dining plan in your case. Absolutely no question in my mind.