Help family of eight decide free dinning or FW?

[seven dwarfs]

Hi! I hope u guys can help me decide what I should do. I am going crazy back and forth and was looking for others opinion. We are a family of eight. My husband and I and six kids all ages 7 and under. We have done the "free" dinning deal for the last two years. I am really having a hard time (if they do offer free dinning again) with what to do. I have to book two rooms and we do value to make it as cheap as possible. But with the plan being re vamped with the tip not being included and the loss of the appetizer I am not sure it is a great deal for us anymore. Last year we stayed 14 days and had mixed emotions about the dinning plan. As a party of 8 we waiting at most restaurants for over an hour and at coral Reef one night it was 2! :crazy2: I did not book the bounce back when we left cause I just figured the changes in the dinning plan work against us. We could still eat out at one or two TS and share meals since kids are so small and are ok sharing. But of course Disney has increased prices once again. We love the camp ground and I love to cook so if we camp I would make most of our meals. I know everyone is different and has things that work best for their family and only I can decide. But I am just looking for comments. What would u do? Thanks in advance! :)

[AlyLynn]

We are a family of 6, and we love FW so much, we bought a trailer just so we could go more often. We were afraid our oldest would miss eating out so much, but she actually loves camping. We do eat out, just not as often, and with the size of our family, we save so much money that we get to go more often!:cool1: You can't beat the people at FW either, they're the nicest around. And we've stayed in just about every Disney resort.

[proudmomof4]

I'd say go with FW, the memories you will make while camping will be ones your kids will remember throughout their lives and will be much better than memories of how long they waited at a TS place just to eat.

[tw1nsmom]

We've never done the dining plan, and we haven't made it to FW yet, but I would go with camping over the dining plan. It always seemed like too much food and too much of a hassle to make the cost worthwhile. When I'm on vacation I don't want to have to plan every day around our meals. I don't want to be tied into a certain park or touring plan because we planned to go to a particular sit down restaurant that day. With the money you would be saving at FW, you could still afford to go to any of the restaurants you felt were must do's at Disney.

Now, having said that, it would depend slightly on your camping set-up. I wouldn't find it very relaxing to tent camp at Disney, but that's just me. A lot of other people love to tent camp there.

[seabee]

I say go with FW, we have never used the dining plan because if we weren't at the fort we were at Shades Of Green(can't use the dining plan). We found that either way the dining plan wasn't worth it for us. Especially now that it has changed. We still eat out as much as we want-though we are a family of 4, but it was cheaper for us to stay at the fort or SOG and pay for our meals, then to add the plan to our tickets. Although we get our tickets through the military too. I guess you could run the numbers and see what works. But I have to agree with everyone else, staying at the fort is so much fun, and makes awesome memories-I'd give up the dining plan for it anyday.

[seven dwarfs]

Thank you all so far. It is nice to see other peoples ideas and things we haven't though of. This site rocks!

tw1nsmom: We have a class A and pull our everyday family SUV behind. I always loved the idea of tent camping but no way would I even attempt that with my family! :crazy2:

proudmomo4: We have stayed at FW before when we had a TT. The kids loved it and we did feel like it was more enjoyable. That is why I am having a hard time with this!

AlnLynn: My husband and I get a kick out of it. We come across a lot of people who see us with the kids and always strike a conversation and always want to know where we are staying. We have had people put their nose up when we would say FW. But we have always met the nicest people there!

seabee: I am going to go through all the different places we like to eat. There is only a hand full we love! My kids are water drinkers and foodies. The kids meals did get old for them and I could order what they wanted if I didn't do the plan. Plus a lot of the desserts we ordered last year were not worth it. Only a couple would I order again.

There are pros and cons for both! And I am going crazy! Kids are doing the same thing we are. One minute they say camp and the next they say free food! lol :goodvibes

[BigDaddyRog]

Thank you all so far. It is nice to see other peoples ideas and things we haven't though of. This site rocks!

tw1nsmom: We have a class A and pull our everyday family SUV behind. I always loved the idea of tent camping but no way would I even attempt that with my family! :crazy2:

proudmomo4: We have stayed at FW before when we had a TT. The kids loved it and we did feel like it was more enjoyable. That is why I am having a hard time with this!

AlnLynn: My husband and I get a kick out of it. We come across a lot of people who see us with the kids and always strike a conversation and always want to know where we are staying. We have had people put their nose up when we would say FW. But we have always met the nicest people there!

seabee: I am going to go through all the different places we like to eat. There is only a hand full we love! My kids are water drinkers and foodies. The kids meals did get old for them and I could order what they wanted if I didn't do the plan. Plus a lot of the desserts we ordered last year were not worth it. Only a couple would I order again.

There are pros and cons for both! And I am going crazy! Kids are doing the same thing we are. One minute they say camp and the next they say free food! lol :goodvibes
This may help you to make youre decision a little easier....Ive called Disney at least a dozen times asking about them offering the free dining to the general public. The first few times I called I was told that it was undecided whether or not they would be offering this to the public again this year to call back soon to find out any newly developed information....the last four times I called I got the same response from 4 different CMs, if you know Disney CMs, you know to NEVER trust what you hear from them as correct info untill you dig as deep as the well will allow, but after 4 of the same answers, I figure its PROBABLY true......the free dining WILL NOT be offered this year to the AMERICAN PUBLIC. They've had enough response from the "bounce back program" and foriegn market. This is not confirmed information, as I said, It was told to me by 4 CMs at the CRO office, but I have not seen it in print anywhere, and most of us know.....CMs sometimes will tell you anything to hurry along the "Thank you and have a magical day" line. IMHO I'd make ressies based on anything besides the free dining this year. It would be interesting to hear what they tell you if you were to call and ask it they would be offering it this year. If ya happen to call and inquire about it, please post us on their response to you.

[AlyLynn]

I know what you mean. My kids were mortified the time we were waiting to go go to the MK and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!:eek: DH and I were upset that our kids had to hear it, but my kids were angry. Keeping them quiet was rough, and I was proud of how they handled themselves. We'd much rather keep bringing them to FW where we've only met kind people who care about spending time with their families. :thumbsup2

[PolynesianPixie]

I've been to WDW in so many different ways, and I have to tell you that they are all wonderful! No choice is a bad choice! I will say that the DP is not quite the deal it once was, but if you can manage to get it for free than, by all means! It really depends on the vacation experience you want to have. Personally, I would rather stay in my own camper, with space outside, than in two rooms at a value resort. FtW is closer to MK, has so many ameneties like the campfire/movie. It is it's own mini-resort inside a bigger one! What I would try to do, is book the campground and still try to get the free DP. That way, you can cook some of your own meals and try to use the DP for a couple of signature restaurants where, hopefully you will get some amazing meals and not have to wait quite so long!

Good luck! And let us know what you decide!

[PolynesianPixie]

I know what you mean. My kids were mortified the time we were waiting to go go to the MK and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!:eek: DH and I were upset that our kids had to hear it, but my kids were angry. Keeping them quiet was rough, and I was proud of how they handled themselves. We'd much rather keep bringing them to FW where we've only met kind people who care about spending time with their families. :thumbsup2

Huh?! Are you serious!? Snooty people don't belong at WDW. if you can't relax and enjoy yourself there, then where can you?

[BigDaddyRog]

What I would try to do, is book the campground and still try to get the free DP. Free dining was NEVER available to FtW unless in a cabin due to the amount of people you can cram onto one site:crowded:

[AlyLynn]

Huh?! Are you serious!? Snooty people don't belong at WDW. if you can't relax and enjoy yourself there, then where can you?

Unfortunately, I'm serious. It happened during our trip last Thanksgiving. I agree with you -- FW is a place to relax, not put other people down!

[tinah159]

We have used the DP but I didnt like all the planning involved. I would stay at FW and have a more relaxing stay.

[PolynesianPixie]

Free dining was NEVER available to FtW unless in a cabin due to the amount of people you can cram onto one site:crowded:

That's a bummer. So much for that idea.

[abbdrey]

I am not familiar with the free dining plan. I have heard of Disney dining where you pay so much per person and you get one sit down meal, one counter service and one snack. Is this the same thing??

To answer the original thread question: We have stayed at almost every resort at Disney. Besides Fort Wilderness, the Beach and Yacht club would have to be one of our favorite resorts. Our young children love the Stormalong Bay pool. It is convenient to everything and really fun. That being said, our most memorable vacations are always at Fort Wilderness. The campgrounds allows you to cut loose and not worry about being quiet because you may disturb others in their rooms. The kids can run around and really enjoy themselves. There is alot more room to play and move around than the standard rooms and resorts. I would vote for Fort Wilderness and cook at your site.

Have a great time!!!

[seven dwarfs]

abbdrey: Yes it is the basic plan but it is free. You do have to pay rack rate for the room but for us having 4 in each room it was still a deal. Last year I priced it both ways the free dinning was the way to go. But since the basic plan has changed some it may not be the best way for us to go. This year I am torn with what we should do. Of course free dinning may not even be offered. I knew we could book it when we left last year but decided against it and to camp at FW. Now I am wondering if I made the wrong choice. We have stayed at the boardwalk when we just had the twins. The pool closed and they allowed us to use stormalong bay pool. Oh my that was the best day! We had such a blast. If we go now though it is FW or value. With the size of my family we just can't do deluxe or mod anymore. Right now I am leaning toward FW. It has been 2 years since we have camped there. Oh and when I call I will ask the question about free dinning and let u know what they say. I am sure it will be a who knows answer. :)

[ntsammy5]

....... and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!:eek:

I'm sorry I wasn't there because I wouldn't have kept quiet.

OP: It's definitely not a given that Disney will offer free dining to the general public. There are all sorts of rumors about that. We did free dining in 2006 and it was great, but with the changes now it's not such a great deal. It probably won't be announced until April anyhow. IMHO I'd go with FW. But having said that, free food is good too. Good luck and have a great time whatever you decide

[des1954]

DH & I have stayed at FW Cabins, POR, DL, CR, PR, SOG & CBR in the 8 or 9 years (out of our 34) we didn't have any camping equipment. I would definitely stay at FtW Campground. Nothing else compares, IMHO!!

On another note... Disney resorts (all of them) are having problems with bed bugs & lice, and have been having the problem since December. I can't say if there's a problem with "Mousekeeping", but from what I've read on some of the other forums, the cleaning staff seems to leave a bit to be desired. In the first part of January, over 1/4 of the CBR had to be closed & guests relocated so they could rip out all the bedding & replace it due to bed bugs. :faint: With that in mind, you may want to camp at FtW!!

[ntsammy5]

With that in mind, you may want to camp at FtW!!

Then allyou have to worry about is the drunk otters and peacocks! :lmao:

[LarryJ]

This is sort of a hard one since taking 6 kids all under 7 to WDW is something I would never consider doing (I'm not sure any kid under around 8 will ever remember the experience, but that is JMHO), but I think taking your Class A, staying at FW and paying OOP for those meals not at FW would be the way to go.

Larry

[PolynesianPixie]

DH & I have stayed at FW Cabins, POR, DL, CR, PR, SOG & CBR in the 8 or 9 years (out of our 34) we didn't have any camping equipment. I would definitely stay at FtW Campground. Nothing else compares, IMHO!!

On another note... Disney resorts (all of them) are having problems with bed bugs & lice, and have been having the problem since December. I can't say if there's a problem with "Mousekeeping", but from what I've read on some of the other forums, the cleaning staff seems to leave a bit to be desired. In the first part of January, over 1/4 of the CBR had to be closed & guests relocated so they could rip out all the bedding & replace it due to bed bugs. :faint: With that in mind, you may want to camp at FtW!!

Oh, heebie-jeebies!

[mrsgus06]

[QUOTE=LarryJ;23417130]This is sort of a hard one since taking 6 kids all under 7 to WDW is something I would never consider doing

Been there, done that! I am so glad that my youngest is 6 now. As for remembering, she remembers very well. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we are there all the time!

I would also camp over doing the dining plan. My personal experience is it is easier to feed them at the camper than to get all of them clean and where they needed to be just to eat! Holy crap, I would be exhausted if I had to do that to all of mine 3 times a day!:rotfl2: I just prefer the campground to any resort.

[seven dwarfs]

LarryJ: My kids have all been to Disney many times starting with age 2! They love it there. I really think Disney has appealed to the younger age as well as us big kids! I think Disney helped them to learn patience by waiting in long lines! :)

I think we are going to book FW. Now I have to decide when to go. We love the first of December. We had gone during this time 3 years in a row. 2 years ago it was so busy that we changed to Sept for smaller crowds. Any ideas on crowd levels during the first two weeks of Dec in 07?

[2goofycampers]

LarryJ: My kids have all been to Disney many times starting with age 2! They love it there. I really think Disney has appealed to the younger age as well as us big kids! I think Disney helped them to learn patience by waiting in long lines! :)

I think we are going to book FW. Now I have to decide when to go. We love the first of December. We had gone during this time 3 years in a row. 2 years ago it was so busy that we changed to Sept for smaller crowds. Any ideas on crowd levels during the first two weeks of Dec in 07?

We were there Dec. 4 for 8 nites not too busy. Have you done MVMCP? great time for all ages. The least busy time we have ever seen was the first week of Jan. never waited in lines at WDW, US, or SW. Have a great time.

[seven dwarfs]

2goofycampers: Yes we have done the MVMCP! We loved this but it is just way to much money for us to do now with six kids. :sad2: The last time it was sold out and the lines were so long. The lines were shorter during the day! I thought about getting AP's so we could go a couple of times in a year. I will have to look into Jan. We have never gone during this time before. Thanks.

[momoffive]

Originally Posted by seven dwarfs
LarryJ: My kids have all been to Disney many times starting with age 2! They love it there. I really think Disney has appealed to the younger age as well as us big kids! I think Disney helped them to learn patience by waiting in long lines!

We have 5 kiddos and we started taking them to WDW when the quads were 2 and free. We have been every 2 years since. The quads don't remember their first trip, which was only 1 day in MK, but it was a dream come true for my then 4 year old. This is the first time we are returning 2 years in a row and I think that is because it is FW. We had a great time. Difficult getting to the CS for showers. DH didn't want to take the boys with him, he said the men's rooms were gross. With my children I would have preferred a site closer to the CS. It wouldn't have been so bad if our pop-up had survived the trip down. This year I have reservations for Oct and plan to do the MNSSHP, and no meal plan. I want a relaxing week, still will cook, but plan to eat out off site. The free DP is usually offered right after my kids start school, and I don't want to pull them out again for a whole week. Good luck with your choice.
momoffive

[kc5grw]

... a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!:eek: ...

WoW. You said this was at Thanksgiving, correct? This woman needed to take a trip around any of the preferred loops at that end of the campground and would have realized that many of "these FW people" probably were better off than she. Sheesh, some people. :confused3

[clkelley]

I think I would go with the Fort myself!! Also, even if you get "1" annual pass then you can purchase the Disney Dining Experience card for $65 and save 20% on your sit down meals. With your crew, I'm sure you'll save that $65 in NO TIME at all!!

[luv_my_grlz]

Hi All!

We did the Disney Free Dining in 2006 and were hoping to get that deal again this year, but we just bought a camper and are now considering FW for this year's trip. :thumbsup2

So, from what I've read here, in years past when you stay at FW you can NOT qualify for the free dining plan, right?

Also, I'm curious; some people here have mentioned campfires and movies? What is that about?

Also, if you stay at FW do you still get access to resort pools?

Thanks for your help! I know, I'm such a newbie! :scared:

[PolynesianPixie]

Hi All!

We did the Disney Free Dining in 2006 and were hoping to get that deal again this year, but we just bought a camper and are now considering FW for this year's trip. :thumbsup2

So, from what I've read here, in years past when you stay at FW you can NOT qualify for the free dining plan, right?

Also, I'm curious; some people here have mentioned campfires and movies? What is that about?

Also, if you stay at FW do you still get access to resort pools?

Thanks for your help! I know, I'm such a newbie! :scared:

Welcome!

I was corrected earlier, apparently you can't get free dining and the campground unless you get a cabin. On the plus side, you can have plenty of meals at the camper.

The campfire and movie program is a blast! First there is a campfire/sing along with Chip and Dale where you can make s'mores. Then at the same place you hang out and watch the movie of the night, drive-in style, under the stars!

No pool hopping allowed. Unless you are a DVC member. There are 2 pools at the campground, though.

[Gillian]

I know what you mean. My kids were mortified the time we were waiting to go go to the MK and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!:eek: DH and I were upset that our kids had to hear it, but my kids were angry. Keeping them quiet was rough, and I was proud of how they handled themselves. We'd much rather keep bringing them to FW where we've only met kind people who care about spending time with their families. :thumbsup2That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard, for many reasons.

[terri01p]

Deb this is for you, the last hotel room I stayed in had bacon under the bed, whenever I reached for my shoe, I like to have lost it , I'll take camping any day ....hehe:scared:

[Escape Artist]

OP, even though you won't get the free dining plan when you camp at FW, you can still buy it. With all those kids at the kid rate, it wouldn't be too bad if you only wanted to get it for a couple of days to revisit your favorite places.

If you only want it for part of the time you're there, you can split your reservation, with one reservation number for the days you want the dining plan and another reservation number for the days you don't. I did this last year (although it took me 4 reservations to accomplish what I wanted, since I wanted my "dining plan days" in the middle of my trip) and it all worked out fine. For us, putting our popup on a campsite was so much cheaper that it was worth it to buy the dining plan, even though two of my kids are older and cost the adult DDP price.

That said, this year I'm doing it Carol's way...buying an AP and getting the DDE card.

You'll love being in the campground and out of the hotel, and when you run the numbers and think about what you really want, you'll come up with the right answer for you. :goodvibes

Did I read that you have a class A? That would push me towards the campground, just for the ease of driving down with the kids!

Sue in Texas
...so excited to get 2 trips to WDW in one year...yahoo!!

[Gillian]

This woman needed to take a trip around any of the preferred loops at that end of the campground and would have realized that many of "these FW people" probably were better off than she. Sheesh, some people. :confused3I would love to be one of "those FW people"

I'm sure there are quite a few FW regulars who think staying at the Wilderness Lodge (the other place where you hear complaints about the campground) is slumming it!

[PolynesianPixie]

I would love to be one of "those FW people"

I'm sure there are quite a few FW regulars who think staying at the Wilderness Lodge (the other place where you hear complaints about the campground) is slumming it!

Yeah. I wanted to stay at FW in July, but I'll be slumming at WL instead :lmao: Please don't think less of me.

[mrtroutjedi]

Well im normaly pretty quiet but....
We went in 2006 and camped (with the dining plan)when they were doing the FREE dining plan. The first night we could not get in any where to eat and ended up getting chicken from the resturant. The next morming I went to the front desk and complained (long sory short) after explaing how I paided for thr dining plan and so many people got it for free the CM got me in all the resturants I wanted at the times I wanted them. All im saying is the plan worked great for me if my kids did not like what was on the kid menu they let them order a half order off thr adult menu. We used are snack point for breakfast at the bakery (what every park we were at) Lunch if we had leftovers we would pack them up and onr of us would take the baby(2) back to the camper for a nap and to put the food away and meet up with the other later and have a late dinner (sit down or counter depending on what we did for lunch) them take the leftovers back with us and the kids(they just keep eating) would have a snack on the leftovers later.
We loved it as my wife "put it a real vacation" no cooking or dishes. FYI I did all the laundry before we left so she would not have to do it when we got home. So I would get it, we had a blast with it.:cool1:

[AlyLynn]

WoW. You said this was at Thanksgiving, correct? This woman needed to take a trip around any of the preferred loops at that end of the campground and would have realized that many of "these FW people" probably were better off than she. Sheesh, some people. :confused3

That's what we laughed about that night!:lmao: We love to drive the golf cart around and look at all the "Rock Star Tour Buses" as my kids call them. Anyway, I know several people seem upset that we didn't say anything to her, but you had to be there, and I felt we were better off not getting into an argument with her--especially with the 4 kids--she would have written our "ill manners" off to the fact that we had 4 children. It was a no win situation that we felt we made the best out of!:goodvibes

[BigDaddyRog]

Deb this is for you, the last hotel room I stayed in had bacon under the bed, whenever I reached for my shoe, I like to have lost it , I'll take camping any day ....hehe:scared:

Now....Ive heard of makin bacon in the bed.....but I aint never heard of it fallin out the bottom of the bed!!!!!!


Anyway, I know several people seem upset that we didn't say anything to her, but you had to be there, and I felt we were better off not getting into an argument with her--especially with the 4 kids--she would have written our "ill manners" off to the fact that we had 4 children. It was a no win situation that we felt we made the best out of! Ya know, with the correct amount of pressure and at the right angel if ya slam a person like that in the nose....they are guaranteed to never make ignorant comments like that again....and ya dont even have to say anything to them!!!

[clkelley]

Well im normaly pretty quiet but....
We went in 2006 and camped (with the dining plan)when they were doing the FREE dining plan. The first night we could not get in any where to eat and ended up getting chicken from the resturant. The next morming I went to the front desk and complained (long sory short) after explaing how I paided for thr dining plan and so many people got it for free the CM got me in all the resturants I wanted at the times I wanted them. All im saying is the plan worked great for me if my kids did not like what was on the kid menu they let them order a half order off thr adult menu. We used are snack point for breakfast at the bakery (what every park we were at) Lunch if we had leftovers we would pack them up and onr of us would take the baby(2) back to the camper for a nap and to put the food away and meet up with the other later and have a late dinner (sit down or counter depending on what we did for lunch) them take the leftovers back with us and the kids(they just keep eating) would have a snack on the leftovers later.
We loved it as my wife "put it a real vacation" no cooking or dishes. FYI I did all the laundry before we left so she would not have to do it when we got home. So I would get it, we had a blast with it.:cool1:

That is one thing with the dining plan, in order to use those sit down meals, you MUST make your dining reservations several months in advance and stick to those reservations, or you are going to be left with extra sit down credits!!!

Since we don't use the dining plan, I can call shortly before we wish to eat, give them a general area and time that I want to eat, and they usually come up with something, and if they don't, we'll find a nicer counter service, and not be out anything. Also, there are a few restaurants that are not on the Dining Plan that we can usually get into.

Let me qualify all this, we have done the dining plan only once during Free dining last September. It was fun and all as we love food and don't mind a schedule cause we've been so many times that dropping what we're doing to go eat isn't a problem and we are all adults. BUT, I would never pay for it as we left soooo much food sitting there and also we still spent money on deserts as we much prefer to have desert a couple of hours later, not right after stuffing ourselves.