WOULD YOU RATHER get a throwaway room at CBR/CSR or add waterparks to your tickets?

[hodad]

We're staying off-site, but we like to get a room on-site for one night in order to access the dining plan and the resort pool. Believe it or not, this saves us 20% if we plan it correctly.

For our next trip, I'm considering getting a campsite instead, but since the pool at Fort Wilderness is inconvenient and nothing to write home about, we might add the Water Parks and More package to our tickets, and spend afternoons at the water parks instead of the resort pools. This latter option is slightly cheaper than just getting the resort room.

What would you do?

 

[Cadaverous Pallor]

How in the world does booking a one-night throw-away room save you 20% on your vacation?

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

And you would only get 1 day dining plan. And how do you use resort pools if you do not have a room?

 

[brockash]

We're staying off-site, but we like to get a room on-site for one night in order to access the dining plan and the resort pool. Believe it or not, this saves us 20% if we plan it correctly.

For our next trip, I'm considering getting a campsite instead, but since the pool at Fort Wilderness is inconvenient and nothing to write home about, we might add the Water Parks and More package to our tickets, and spend afternoons at the water parks instead of the resort pools. This latter option is slightly cheaper than just getting the resort room.

What would you do?

I would def do the waterpark option. I don't feel like the pools at any of the resorts are all that great and if it's cheaper, then why not?

 

[hodad]

How in the world does booking a one-night throw-away room save you 20% on your vacation?

We book a 1 night AP discounted throw-away ticketless package for 1 adult and 3-4 kids. The kids swim in the pool, and everyone (including 3 other adults) shares 12-15 deluxe dining credits over 2 days. It works!

Take this example:
Day one: lunch at Crystal Palace
Day two: breakfast at 'Ohana and dinner at 50s Prime Time Diner

If we all get one snack and pay for meals out of pocket, for 4 adults and 3 kids, it costs about $640. If we get a $150 moderate room and the dxdp for 1 adult and 3 kids and we pool dining credits, it costs $530. That's a 17% savings, discounting refillable mugs, parking passes, the cost of magic bands, and the intangible value of resort amenities like the pool.

And you would only get 1 day dining plan. And how do you use resort pools if you do not have a room?

We wouldn't use the pools if we didn't get a room. You get 2 days to use the credits for a 1 night dining plan.

I would def do the waterpark option. I don't feel like the pools at any of the resorts are all that great and if it's cheaper, then why not?

People have mentioned elsewhere that the waterparks are ineffective for afternoon breaks from the parks, mostly because they are as intense as the parks themselves. But isn't it possible for us to relax in beach chairs and people can split off to play if they want?

 

[RachaelA]

But the credits are kids credits if you use them for sit down if they are younger then 10? Are all the kids disney adults?

 

[eeyoresmom]

We book a 1 night AP discounted throw-away ticketless package for 1 adult and 3-4 kids. The kids swim in the pool, and everyone (including 3 other adults) shares 12-15 deluxe dining credits over 2 days. It works!

Put your flame suit on.

 

[bumbershoot]

Put your flame suit on.

Why?

Just because you book a room doesn't mean you have to stay there.

I'm still not sure what she's comparing the savings to, but this is a perfectly fine option if she wants to do it

 

[eeyoresmom]

I agree, but usually these kinds of cost savings ideas invite criticism.

 

[ArielSRL]

Why?

Just because you book a room doesn't mean you have to stay there.

I'm still not sure what she's comparing the savings to, but this is a perfectly fine option if she wants to do it

Agreed. They are paying for the room....why would that be controversial?

 

[Catvondita]

I vote for not booking a room you wont use

 

[hodad]

I vote for not booking a room you wont use

We are either booking a room or a campsite. If we get the room, the 3yo might nap there. If we get a campsite, we'd probably take the 3yo back to our off-site hotel to nap.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Dropping in to remind everyone the Throwaway Room discussion is allowed and the Sticky can be found here:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/throwaway-room-update.3539209/

Thanks!

 

[hodad]

Thanks, hiroMYhero.

So this decision basically boils down to whether you would rather spend an afternoon break at one of the moderate pools or at one of the water parks. Thoughts?

 

[ArielSRL]

Thanks, hiroMYhero.

So this decision basically boils down to whether you would rather spend an afternoon break at one of the moderate pools or at one of the water parks. Thoughts?

Personally I think the pool would be better for a "break" if that is your goal. More relaxing, not as much trouble bc you will actually have a room to go back to if you want to change or rest, or use the bathroom to freshen up.

But the water park may be more fun, with a lot more to do.

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks, hiroMYhero.

So this decision basically boils down to whether you would rather spend an afternoon break at one of the moderate pools or at one of the water parks. Thoughts?

The water park option gives you more flexibility as you can use it over the duration of your stay. The moderate pool could only be accessed on two consecutive days somewhere in your stay.

As to just going and relaxing at the water parks, sure you can. The lazy river at both parks is also pretty relaxing. Just be aware, depending on the time of year, you could easily get rained on and/or need to find some shelter in the afternoons at the water park.

 

[sharonabe]

But the credits are kids credits if you use them for sit down if they are younger then 10? Are all the kids disney adults?

As of right this moment, Disney is not enforcing their "kids must eat from kids menu" with the DELUXE plan. So until they find a way to do so, OP will be fine using kids credits for adult meals with the DELUXE plan.

 

[subtchr]

Take this example:
Day one: lunch at Crystal Palace
Day two: breakfast at 'Ohana and dinner at 50s Prime Time Diner

If we all get one snack and pay for meals out of pocket, for 4 adults and 3 kids, it costs about $640. If we get a $150 moderate room and the dxdp for 1 adult and 3 kids and we pool dining credits, it costs $530. That's a 17% savings, discounting refillable mugs, parking passes, and the cost of magic bands.

So if you have 4 adults and 3 kids, how does 15 dining credits cover 3 meals for 7 people??

 

[hodad]

So if you have 4 adults and 3 kids, how does 15 dining credits cover 3 meals for 7 people??

In the example I shared, we would use the 12 credits to pay for the 4 adults' meals, still paying for the children's meals out of pocket.

 

[bumbershoot]

If we all get one snack and pay for meals out of pocket, for 4 adults and 3 kids, it costs about $640. If we get a $150 moderate room and the dxdp for 1 adult and 3 kids and we pool dining credits, it costs $530. That's a 17% savings, discounting refillable mugs, parking passes, and the cost of magic bands.

I totally missed this when answering earlier.

Thanks, hiroMYhero.

So this decision basically boils down to whether you would rather spend an afternoon break at one of the moderate pools or at one of the water parks. Thoughts?

Nothing involving getting into water is a "break" to me. So I wouldn't consider either of those to be a break. Swimming is exhausting for my family!

In the example I shared, we would use the 12 credits to pay for the 4 adults' meals, still paying for the children's meals out of pocket.

Aha. Interesting.