free dining (quick service) vs. kids play free

We currently have quick service free dining for our 7 nught stay in May.
We also have 5 day base myw tickets.
Ourk kids are 3 and 5. With the new offer we would save 500.00 on tickets based on the fact they would get in the parks for free.
But, to book this deal....we'd have to give up free dining.
From your experience would it be more sensible to keep free dining?
Surely we'd spend more than 500 on food at counter service restaurants.
And, with the free dining plan it based on NIGHTS not park days. So, we'd get essentually free food during our visit, unless we ate at a "sit down" restaurant.
What would you choose?

Many people may disagree with me, but I would choose the Stay and Play free. When my kids were 3 and 5 they didn't eat very much at all, so they would often share meals. When we got the free dining the next year, they wasted so much food! I don't know what type eaters your kids are, so you have to look at which plan would save you more, but free dining is not always the best for my family.

I agree with InStitches. When my kids were that age, they would share a kids meal at CS or we would just split 2 adult CS meals.

It's a tough choice....my first instinct is to take the free dining since we will be there 7nights. Our kids eat pretty well, so I just can't se spending less than 500 on food, the kids play free saves us close to that also.
:dizzy:

Hello fellow Ohioan!!
We are a family of six. The free dining always is a better deal for us.
But for us the issue is discounted rooms or free dining. I always make sure to take the time to calculate the costs on both sides to make the best decision.

I would suggest taking the time to add up what each trip would cost.
You can find out restaurant prices on allearsnet.com.
And as the others suggest do some or most meals with your kids sharing.
That way you can look on paper and see what you come up with.
It will take time but then you can know for sure. :)

Another discount thrown into the mix:

April 2011 - October 2011 - Save up to 40% Valid for stays select nights 4/28/11-6/14/11 and 8/16/11-10/1/11.
Save up to 35% off the non-discounted price when booking a room at Walt Disney World for stays most nights 4/28/11-6/14/11.

* Save 15% at All Star Movies
* Save 20% on Select Disney Value Resorts and Port Orleans French Quarter
* Save 25% on Select Disney Moderate Resorts, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian Resort
* Save 30% on Select Disney Deluxe Resorts
* Save 35% on Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Save up to 40% off the non-discounted price when booking a room at Walt Disney World for stays most nights 8/16/11-10/1/11.

* Save 20% at All Star Movies
* Save 25% on Select Disney Value Resorts and Port Orleans French Quarter
* Save 30% on Select Disney Moderate Resorts, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian Resort
* Save 35% on Select Disney Deluxe Resorts
* Save 40% on Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

* SMP
* YW3

This discount must be booked from 1/3/11 to 3/27/11. Discounted rates available most nights 4/28/11-6/14/11 and 8/16/11-10/1/11. There is a limited number of rooms available for this discount. There may be a minimum length of stay requirement for Friday or Saturday arrivals. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply.

We decided to gonwith the kids play free deal.
The cost total with this is....1300 and change
The cost with free dining was 1800 and change. Now we only pay for us two park tickets not our two childrens....5dY tickets.
I thought that saving 500 was a better deal than hoping that our kids ate enough to make the free quick service worth accepting.
Plus, now we can eat other places as well ..the problem with quick service dining...especially when it is free, is...you feel like you have to eat at those places or you waste your free perks.
When icalled Disney the really really thought I was making a mistake. It was the vacation special its opinion that quick dining was way better.
However, I kinda thought they were over selling it to me...so I kinda then thought that I was making the rig choice by going with kids play free deal.
I mean, that's close to 450 savings right there.
And I don't feel like I have to eat my way to savings.....does that make sense?
Anyways, that's our choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by edwardsfire

We decided to gonwith the kids play free deal.

And I don't feel like I have to eat my way to savings.....does that make sense?
Anyways, that's our choice.

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I think you made the correct decision.

You will have more flexibility with your food now. And quite correct about not having to eat your way to savings.

I paid for the regular dining plan for a week. It "forced" me to order (and eat!) more food and drink more soda at meals than I would have if I was paying cash.

We initially had the free dining deal booked but switched it to the kids play free and bought the dining plan. There wasn't a huge savings in doing so but hey, every little bit helps! My boys are 6 and 8, and my oldest eats like an adult so having the dining plan will work to our advantage since they don't necessarily always make sure you are ordering from the boring kids menu! ;) I'm sure we'll have a bunch of extra desserts but we'll have friends along to share those with. :) And snacks, well, you can always get a stack of Mickey crispy treats and take those home to prolong the pleasure.