Having second thoughts....was I lied to??

[My2QTs]

Okay, so Im going to try to keep this brief and to the point. I don't really need any negative responses...I'm just venting.

So my story goes like this....we were just in WDW in October and stayed at the WL. It was our dream resort and we had never stayed there before. DH had just finished his degree and I was months away from finishing a masters degree, so this was our BIG reward vacation. We did the DDP and enjoyed the food we ate. We got all of our ADRs, but back then it was 180 days out. Anyway, when we left, we said that we would plan a return visit in Dec. of 2010 and we WOULD NOT do the dining plan. Here's why...

1.) I didn't like my meals dictating where I had to be and when I had to be there. Several times, we were doing something we were enjoying and had to stop to go eat.

2.) It takes so much time out of your trip to stop and eat the TS meals. Usually, it took close to two hours or more to get to the rest, eat, pay, and get on to our next activity.

3.) We spent a fortune on the DDP, and then a fortune more having to pay the tax and tip at every rest. It's easy for a family of four to spend $150 at a restuarant. So paying the tax and tip on that equaled an addtional $35 or so each TS meal.

So...it was settled...2010...no dining plan.

But then......I got the email offering four nights five days, tickets, and free diing at a value for $1200. Being the disney freak I am, I started looking and calling and lo and behold...we had a reservation for this Dec. instead of next Dec. But.....it doesnt end here. We drive there from our home here in NC, so it almost isn't worth it just to stay four nights...soo....I added three more nights and upgraded to POFQ...and our stay is still pretty reasonably priced. Im excited to go, but now IM having second thoughts.

Here's why...

1.) We were going to stay at the Poly in 2010 (our other dream resort), so Im thinking I should just save my money this year and go when we had originally planned

2.) Again, I feel my trip is being dictated by the DDP. Plus, with free dining, Im wondering how many of my favs Im going to be able to get, even if I call in the a.m. on 90 day mark.

3.) When I booked, I was told that there were only a limited number of people being offered the free dining, but it doesn't appear as though that's true. It seems like EVERYONE has been offered this deal, which makes me worry that its going to be so crowded, it will be like being there the week of Easter or Christmas (our vaca is the 5th thru the 12th).

4.) I feel like what hooked me was the free dining, which IM sure is what they wanted to happen, and it did, but now Im so psyched to go, I just cant imagine canceling.


So I know it sounds like I should just cancel and go next year, as I had originally planned, but I dont' think I can disappoint my kids, my dh, or myself by backing out!! Im wondeing if I could get a discount code on my resort instead of the free dining....but if IM correct, they have to offer this to you, you can't ask for it.

HELP..............Should I just take the deal and go, or should I wait till next year?? Im just so scared of the crowds and the craziness of the DDP issues I mentioned above. But I want to goooooo!!!! Im so confused!!

[Pumbaa_]

have you priced the room only deals?

[MariDisney]

I don't know what you should do, but I wanted to clarify that when you use the DDP you don't pay tax at the restaurant, you only pay tip.

[lake queen]

It is a hard decision, however, you did state that last time you paid for DDP. I'm sure that you made sure that you used every point!

However, now it is free and that makes a huge difference.

I am going to do my best to spend all my points, but we are there 6 nights and 5 days. We will use all TS, but not CS.

I have just decided not to stress over it, because I don';t want to miss out on too much park time!

I just did my Adrs today, was online right at 6 and got all my resturants and times I wanted within a few min.

Good luck-----By the way, we really loved POFQ-- it seems so calm and private compared to the other resorts- and my kids loved the pool!!

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't understand the question. Who lied to you about what?

As for the dining plan, I love it. But then I also like having table service meals.

As for crowds, it all depends when you go in December. It probably won't be as deserted as October, but as long as you go in early December (2nd or 3rd week), it's usually not bad from what I understand.

[My2QTs]

Oh...my fault...I forgot that you don't pay the tax. I was thinking there were two things that changed from the first time we ussed DDP in 2005....I was thinking tax and tip, but its tip and no more appetizers.

Anyway....how I feel like I could have been lied to was when the CM on the phone told me that only a select few people would be offered the free dining. It seems to me that its been opened up to a lot of people versus " a select few." I may not be correct on that, its just the impression I am getting from other posts. I thought I indicated the "untruth" I felt I was told towards the bottom of my post. Again, it may not be an untruth. Maybe they have only offered it to a select few, but when they are upgrading value guests to mods becasue the values are selling out (supposedly due to free dining) that would lead one to believe that they have opened it up to more than a select few.

to the others...thanks for your input. I know its a hard decision, I just wanted to vent about how ovewhelmed I was feeling again due to DDP. I know its free and I shouldn't feel as hard pressed to get the most out of it, but I know I will want to use my ts at the rest. that we like best. I know I shouldn't let it stress me out, but I think it does stress out many of us who know the inside scoop on where to go and when to be there...it has a tendancy to dictate your daily plans. It's not even necessary getting everything I want when I do my ADRs. I think the whole "planning meals" thing can just get in the way sometimes, but I can't go there with the ddp and NOT plan my meals. HOpefully some people will understand what I mean.

And to the first poster....How do you get the discounted room instead of free dining. I haven't been given that offer so I didn't think I could get a discoutned room. Maybe I should call back and see.

thanks again for the encouragement and thoughtful replies...

[catne]

not the first poster, but to answer your question about room discounts instead of free dining, it's available for anyone now (not a pin code you get in an email) Just go to Disney's website & click on special offers...there's a room discount version going on where during the first 2 weeks of December (I think that's when you mentioned going?) anyway, moderates are 35% off, so a standard room is $96 a night. And selected deluxe hotels (Think it's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Wilderness Lodge) are 37% off so the standard rooms are like $149 during the first two weeks of December. Hope this link works for you, but if it does you can see there are a lot of weeks with discounted rooms. Course if you take one of these offers, then you cannot get free dining because it's one or the other...they won't allow two discounts. Hope that helps:

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/specialOfferDetails?name=Promo&promotionCode=fy10q1roomfamily&market=fy10q1roomfamily

Also, if you don't want to be tied to dining reservations, why not book one of the value resorts for the free dining...the version in December you get the counter Service free dining which is two counter service, two snacks and the refillable resort mug per person.

[kaytieeldr]

Anyway....how I feel like I could have been lied to was when the CM on the phone told me that only a select few people would be offered the free dining. You don't say when you booked, but it's entirely possible that, at that time, no internal announcement had been made regarding opening the promotion to the general public. In addition, the PIN allowed the recipients to get the basic DDP even at the Value resorts. The GP offer does not - Value Guests get the Quick Service Plan free, and can choose to pay the additional cost for the more expensive plans. I realize this doesn't affect YOU, since you chose a Moderate resort :).

1.) We were going to stay at the Poly in 2010 (our other dream resort), so Im thinking I should just save my money this year and go when we had originally plannedHonestly, I would stay with that.
2.) Again, I feel my trip is being dictated by the DDP.And this is why. You don't seem to have enjoyed the DDP last time, largely due to your park touring time into which it infringed. On the other hand, if you relax and go with the attitude that this is a dining experience trip, with park touring secondary, you'll probably have a better time.

[TDC Nala]

If you don't like the dining plan and would rather tour the parks than sit in restaurants, don't get it and take a room discount - room discounts are plentiful at this time. Just realize that if you want to eat at any table service restaurant that accepts the dining plan, you will need to make a reservation there ASAP to get the best choice of dates and times.

Or, as a previous poster mentioned, consider the quick service dining plan.

[RMulieri]

I don't see problem:confused3 You said you disliked the dining plan immensely.So don't go with the Free Dining.Even if you don't do a dining plan though you still NEED ADRS if you want any TS meals at popular places.As for being busy in December..I have to say I have gone every December for the past few years with the exception of 2008.It has definitely gotten busier in the parks and is not as dead as it used to be. The crowds are more moderate now than low.

[Tiger926]

I'm confused as well - you said you didn't like the DP, yet you just booked for Free Dining? Did you not like paying for it, and now that it's free, you are more receptive to the idea? I understand you said you don't want your trip to be dictated by dining, but with so many people at the same place as you, and limited restaurants, this is bound to happen, unless you go during an absolutely slow time of year, which there doesn't seem to be one anymore as Disney is luring guests at those times with promos. Hence, this entire discussion...

I am confused - when thousands upon thousands of people are in the same place as you each day, and they are mostly all getting free dining too, then you have no choice but to make ADRs, or you won't be eating anywhere. With Free Dining, you are also going to have waits at the CS places too - sometimes, those waits are just as long as eating at a TS restaurant, but you will save the tip, so that's something to consider.

I wish you luck - it sounds like you want to go, don't want to do the DP, but are having second thoughts due to the high volume of people who are going to be in attendance at that time. You have to prioritize what is most important to you and your familly - saving money and eating scheduled meals vs going at a slower time with no set dining restrictions.

Good luck, Tiger :)

[My2QTs]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I figured my dilemma would be somewhat confusing. Here's the thing....I don't dislike the ddp, and I certainly did not mean to imply that I "immensely disliked" the ddP (as one pp put it). I LOVE The dining plan....I just don't like how it dictates my day and I don't like the stress I feel in trying to plan every meal. Probably the same thing everyone else feels. Now that I have done the DDP three times, I know if I don't do it this time, I will feel like we are missing out on the best dining experiences at Disney. I just feel like, despite my wanting to eat at our fav. TS places, maybe I should just get the room discount and the Quick Service deal, and let go of all the worry about getting ADRs and all. If I hated the DDP, there would be no dilemma. I love the DDP for many reasons, but Im trying to decide if I should forgo it this time, save money on my room, and see how it goes. I didn't realize that so many people would be offered the deal, which is what I was saying in my first post. I guess what is compounding my worry is that with many people getting free dining, it will make it that much harder to make ADRs, the rest. will be more crowded, which will take more time to eat, all leading to more stress about the dining part of our trip. Hope this makes more sense. It sounds like a no brainer, but really it isn't. If I go with the ddp, I feel like it will stress me out, but if I don't go with the Ddp, then I will feel like we will be missing out on something... Im sure I'll figure it out. thanks everyone.

[Tiger926]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I figured my dilemma would be somewhat confusing. Here's the thing....I don't dislike the ddp, and I certainly did not mean to imply that I "immensely disliked" the ddP (as one pp put it). I LOVE The dining plan....I just don't like how it dictates my day and I don't like the stress I feel in trying to plan every meal. Probably the same thing everyone else feels. Now that I have done the DDP three times, I know if I don't do it this time, I will feel like we are missing out on the best dining experiences at Disney. I just feel like, despite my wanting to eat at our fav. TS places, maybe I should just get the room discount and the Quick Service deal, and let go of all the worry about getting ADRs and all. If I hated the DDP, there would be no dilemma. I love the DDP for many reasons, but Im trying to decide if I should forgo it this time, save money on my room, and see how it goes. I didn't realize that so many people would be offered the deal, which is what I was saying in my first post. I guess what is compounding my worry is that with many people getting free dining, it will make it that much harder to make ADRs, the rest. will be more crowded, which will take more time to eat, all leading to more stress about the dining part of our trip. Hope this makes more sense. It sounds like a no brainer, but really it isn't. If I go with the ddp, I feel like it will stress me out, but if I don't go with the Ddp, then I will feel like we will be missing out on something... Im sure I'll figure it out. thanks everyone.

Thanks for more explanation - you do have a decision to make. Good luck with that!

You seriously need to prioritize, make a decision, and stick with it, as no matter what you do, there will be dining issues as the restaurants are crowded as that is the nature of the beast @ WDW it seems! Certain times of the year are less crowded, but since you are speaking about free dining, that will not be the case. As I mentioned, keep in mind that even with QS plan, you are still going to have long lineups for food and tables, so factor that into your decision as well. You won't have to make ADRs, but you will have to wait and fight for tables, more than likely.

Happy eating and best of luck, Tiger

[klacey1]

I totally understand your dilemma-- DBF thinks it's CRAZY to have to book meals 3 months out and "be told" when to eat. However, I know when we get there, he'll be grateful that we have a place to eat at all!
Honestly, I feel like maybe you are being tempted by Disney's offers (which is what they want!) and you are almost...settling now. If I were you, I'd just wait, save the cash, and do the Poly the way you want next year. Maybe not even wait until next December-- maybe Sept. or Oct. However, I know how hard it is when you want to go to Disney NOW!
For a time, I considered postponing mine and DBF's trip until next August. He's had car troubles/owed a lot of $$ at tax time, plus by next August the new rollercoaster at US and Harry Potter world at IOA AND SPACE MOUNTAIN will be up at the parks. I thought it might be best for us to save up, stay at WL (our dream resort) and split-stay at Hard Rock Hotel to enjoy the new US/IOA rides. I eventually talked myself into going with the current plan, saying that these rides will be there in years to come and I will enjoy them then...In your case however, I might just say wait...
Talk it over with your husband and kids, see what they think...

[disneynewbee]

I wouldn't worry too much about crowds because the DP was offered for so many months out of this year that I think people will be spread out pretty good. Also if you don't want to worry about losing 2 hrs to a sit down meal you could go with a value resort and then you would get the quick service meal plan which is nice too and you get a free mug. Or take the meal plan you have and don't use all the table service if you don't want to, since you didn't pay for it it won't matter. Also if you did the value with the quick service there would be no tips to worry about and it would be completely free. We are going at the end of October and I'm not worried about crowds because so many months were offered for the dining plan that lots of people already took advantage of it or will later in the year. Also it will probably be offered again next year too so the crowds probably won't be any different then.

[Tickla]

I hope you are right disneynewbee....I have had reservations for 11/29-12/05 since January, and now I am SO worried about the crowds during free dining! I have never been to DW during a free dining promotion, so I have no clue what to expect. I always go during this week,( every other year) and have seen an increase in crowds--(my last year being 2007) so what will it be like with the general public free dining?? I have had serious thoughts on cancelling the trip. Anyone who has experienced general public free dining please tell me how it was!! Thanks!:confused:

[kaytieeldr]

I LOVE The dining plan....I just don't like how it dictates my day and I don't like the stress I feel in trying to plan every meal. Probably the same thing everyone else feels. Now that I have done the DDP three times, I know if I don't do it this time, I will feel like we are missing out on the best dining experiences at Disney. I just feel like, despite my wanting to eat at our fav. TS places, maybe I should just get the room discount and the Quick Service dealThen, really what you mean (think about it) is that you like the Dining Plan in theory, but not in actual practice.

As many others have said, you will STILL need dining reservations for any sit-down meals whether you use a Dining Plan or not. How about this: NO dining plan, and instead load up a Disney Gift Card with what you think you'll spend on food? This will effectively prepay your meals. Then you're not tied down to all TS meals or all QS meals; you're also not restricted to courses only on whatever Dining Plan you use; you also relieve the obligation to order and eat all courses the DDP includes :)

[Bete]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I figured my dilemma would be somewhat confusing. Here's the thing....I don't dislike the ddp, and I certainly did not mean to imply that I "immensely disliked" the ddP (as one pp put it). I LOVE The dining plan....I just don't like how it dictates my day and I don't like the stress I feel in trying to plan every meal. Probably the same thing everyone else feels. Now that I have done the DDP three times, I know if I don't do it this time, I will feel like we are missing out on the best dining experiences at Disney. I just feel like, despite my wanting to eat at our fav. TS places, maybe I should just get the room discount and the Quick Service deal, and let go of all the worry about getting ADRs and all. If I hated the DDP, there would be no dilemma. I love the DDP for many reasons, but Im trying to decide if I should forgo it this time, save money on my room, and see how it goes. I didn't realize that so many people would be offered the deal, which is what I was saying in my first post. I guess what is compounding my worry is that with many people getting free dining, it will make it that much harder to make ADRs, the rest. will be more crowded, which will take more time to eat, all leading to more stress about the dining part of our trip. Hope this makes more sense. It sounds like a no brainer, but really it isn't. If I go with the ddp, I feel like it will stress me out, but if I don't go with the Ddp, then I will feel like we will be missing out on something... Im sure I'll figure it out. thanks everyone.



I'm at POP right now with the QSDP free. Come time to make ressies for TS I will see if I get everything I want and the times I want and then I'll upgrade to basic dining plus for the upcharge cost per person which includes the TS. I'm still money ahead this way and I won't upgrade to moderate. If I don't get exactly what I want with TS then I will stick with QSDP. I want the candlelight processional package, the fantasmic dinner package and the Nemo dinner package. Besides this, I expect to eat at Le Cellier and Teppan Edo and some other popular places. It must be perfect for me to switch. Remember, by not paying any tax (12.5%) for the QS meal and TS meal you are going a long way towards that TS tip each day.

I think you have to look at the TS meals somewhat like fastpass. Fastpass is not necessarily easier to use; because, often time you have to back track some to ride, but I wouldn't go without it, now. It sounds like you need to do better with logistics and making sure you travel through the park to fit your TS meal times. Yes, it takes a little more effort to do it that way, but so, does fastpass take a little more effort.

It is more of a time committment to do TS meals. We like to relax a little more towards evening and we like the break and we like the good conversation from TS. If you want to do commando style ride attractions, then it may not suit you.

I love Disney for giving us so many choices. Time will tell how crowded it will be. I, actually, think numbers are way down for Disney; so, I'm not worried about ressies for the fall or winter. You know what you need to do to get your ressies like the 90 day plus 10 rule. You are a step ahead of most people just on this count alone.

I would maybe get the family involved with the decision, too. I don't know how many character meals you had or if you did anything special like Hoop-de-do dinner, etc. This can make a difference on how well everyone likes to do TS or not. Finally, you could do more buffet places for TS and I know those go faster. Going to resorts to eat at the end of your day (later meals) is a nice change of pace, too. So, you do have many choices. If being on a schedule bugs you too much then I would go QS.

[shruley]

Maybe I'm confused, but I don't see how this even has anything with the dining plan. What it sounds like you are saying is that you don't like the planning/rigidity of eating at Table Service restaurants, yet there are some TS restaurants you want to eat at? I think you need to forget about the DDP and just decide if you want to eat at Table Service restaurants or not. If you only want to do 1 or 2, either do QS or no plan and enjoy the relaxation of not having to stress over it. If you think your going to regret it and schedule a bunch of ADRs anyway, go with the DDP and just accept that the stress it causes you is part of eating at Disney! Just no way around that unless you want to take your chances with no ADRs or eat outside the park.

I wouldn't worry about not getting ADRs though, as long as you get them at the 90 day mark. And we've stayed at both Poly and POFQ. We got a great deal on the Poly, but even so I still have a hard time saying it was worth the $$$ we spent, even with a 2 year old who basically lived at the MK. We loved the POFQ...love the size and themeing. I'd do POFQ again in a heartbeat, but I don't know if we'll ever grace the doorstep of the Poly again. Good luck on your decision.

[shruley]

Oh, and I should add that I am going during Sept. free dining and had no trouble with my ADRs. My TA made them all for me and I got everything I wanted at the exact day/times I wanted, including Chef Mickey's, Norway Princess, CRT, and Prime Time.

[disneynewbee]

I hope you are right disneynewbee....I have had reservations for 11/29-12/05 since January, and now I am SO worried about the crowds during free dining! I have never been to DW during a free dining promotion, so I have no clue what to expect. I always go during this week,( every other year) and have seen an increase in crowds--(my last year being 2007) so what will it be like with the general public free dining?? I have had serious thoughts on cancelling the trip. Anyone who has experienced general public free dining please tell me how it was!! Thanks!:confused:

I hope so too. I mean if free dining is offered every month people are going to go when they normally would anyway rather than changing to one or two months that are free. And I think that since the economy is down the dining only will take attendence to normal levels where they would maybe have been really low this year. So I'm thinking this Oct won't be any worse than when we went in 04. At least that's what I'm hoping.

[RMulieri]

I understand a little better...You need to make a decision then.I don't think any of us like the adr madness that Free Dining Brings.I have a trip planned for Dec 12-18 and did so to AVOID the free dining that I usually go for in Sept.I wanted a break this year from it , and unfortunately I now still have to deal with it. It has simply come to the fact that if you want to do TS , you want specific restaurants...you need adrs, or you may not get them.

[ADisneyQueen]

Well, I am going Christmas week and am wondering too if I should get the DP or just eat mainly counter service just for quickness. I also don't like the time it takes to eat at TS, but some places are faster than others. We found that most buffets were faster for us and our kids got their meals right away too. Were your choices of restuarants too slow? I think I will attempt to make ADRs and if they don't work out the way I want I will get the QSDP.

[My2QTs]

Thanks for all the super feedback guys. There truly is nothing like the disboards!! Im so glad that most of you understood what was going through my head, and even more glad that so many people took the time to offer suggestions and advice: exactly the reason I posted it here with you all!!

I think Im going to let things go for now and try to do my ADRs when my time comes. I'll go from there. Part of the fun IS planning all the great meals we can enjoy each trip...and venturing out and trying some new ones. So that being said, I think I'll try to stop stressing and enjoy spending some quiet evenings (when the kids are tucked away in bed) planning out our Christmas trip. I also think Im going to skip some of my old favs (that are everyone elses favs too) and try some new, not as popular places. Maybe that will make it less competitive, hence less stressful. AFterall, if they are that popular, they'll probably be around for awhile and we can go back on another trip.

Again,,,thanks everyone. I might still call Disney today and play around with some other package options with resorts and the QSDP.

Thanks all...sending pixie dust to all my disboard friends for a super duper amazing vacation:)