Anyone tempted by the free dining offer?

[JudyS]

I love my DVC, but I was bummed to learn that DVC members staying on points are not eligible for Disney's latest promotion, free Disney Dining with a Magic Your Way Package from late August through early October.

Since the Disney Dining Package uusally costs $35 per person per day, and value resorts are $77 plus tax during this time period, it's almost like the room is free, if two people stay at a value resort and want the dining package. If 4 people stay at a value resort (parents and 2 kids, say), then it's an even better deal -- up to $140 in free dining packages for a room that only costs about $85 w/tax!

I'm considering booking a long weekend for Dh & me at a value resort and getting this package. With our work schedules, long weekends are the easiest time for us to go, but we don't usually do them because the points cost is so high.

The problem is, I know that a value resort just doesn't compare to the DVC! We stayed at the All Stars once, and it didn't appeal to us much. Doing the package at a moderate or deluxe resort wouldn't be cost effective because giving up the AP discount on the room would eat up all the savings from the free dining. Sigh, I wish DVC had a dining discount! Decisions, decisions!

Anyone else tempted by this offer?

[CarolMN]

..(snip)....Anyone else tempted by this offer?Briefly. But I did have to focus on the cons before I could move on, LOL:

* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota!

*Airfare. Not too many deals left out of MSP and the planes are said to be very crowded this summer. Hate flying in the cattle car mode - especially when there are "disputes" between airlines and their unions.

* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota

* Would have to stay in one small room at resort without the amenities I have come to expect & enjoy.

* Vacation time all accounted for or already planned.

* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota

* DH will complain about missing football games and hunting opportunities. Daughter in graduate school and couldn't go.

* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota

* Dining Plans are not good for me - as a diabetic, I shouldn't be eating appetizer, entreee, drink and dessert all at one meal.

* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota

* Would have to deal with CRO/WDWTC - not sure I even have their number anymore. Would want to go over a weekend, but bet it is getting very hard to find any weekends availability for this time at the values / moderates.

* Don't like having to make a PS for the sit down, but bet if I don't, I won't be able to eat anywhere I like or at a time that is convenient.

:teeth:

Best wishes -

P.S. I sound terrible. Hope I haven't made anyone feel bad about taking advantage of Disney's offer!

[dianeschlicht]

You don't sound terrible, Carol! I had almost exactly the same thoughts, and that was AFTER I decided there was no way I could stay in a value after DVC and also no way I want to do the Florida heat!

[poohj80]

We're still thinking about it. We could get one more trip out of our APs (would only book 1 day tix to get the package or invite family members to join us to use the tix on our room keys), the free dining, and try out a resort we haven't tried yet since our points are about gone for this year.

[wdwstar]

the value rooms are small, small, small, small,small,small, :rotfl: besides look at the location,location,location,location,location,locat ion, :rotfl: dont forget we may not get free dining , but we get discount at a few restuarants. and if you stay at the BCV, look at all the money you can save on waterpark tickets, :goodvibes lets not forget the free viewing of fireworks without leaving the resorts,BCV,BWV,VWL,SSR, :rotfl: :rotfl: can you see them from the value resorts :listen: :rotfl: how about a free boat ride.... :listen: :rotfl:

[crisi]

The free dining plan promotion is nice, but its only for September - my kids are in school and I wouldn't pull them in September. Plus this is supposed to be a horrible September for hurricanes again - not sure how much the free dining plan is worth if the trip is rain, rain, rain! We have an October trip planned, when the kids have a school break (pull them for three days, be at Disney eight days - much preferable to pull them for five for eight days).

[dianeschlicht]

You know, Crisi, I wonder if the hurricane forcast might be one of the reasons this plan ws put in for September! That and the fact that attendance at the parks is very low that time of year.

[JimMIA]

The free dining plan promotion is nice, but its only for September - my kids are in school and I wouldn't pull them in September. Plus this is supposed to be a horrible September for hurricanes again - not sure how much the free dining plan is worth if the trip is rain, rain, rain! We have an October trip planned, when the kids have a school break (pull them for three days, be at Disney eight days - much preferable to pull them for five for eight days).
We do not currently have any hurricanes scheduled for September. We had more fun than the law allows last year, so this year, we're sending them elsewhere.

Seriously though, nobody on the planet knows whether there will be hurricanes anywhere in September.

Here's the official word: "The outlook calls for 12-15 tropical storms, with 7-9 becoming hurricanes, and 3-5 of these becoming major hurricanes. The likely range of ACE index is 120%-190% of the median. This prediction reflects a very likely continuation of above-normal activity that began in 1995."

That seasonal forecast is pretty much the cookie-cutter forecast we've had for the last 10 years. People are just paying more attention this year because of the four hurricanes that hit the state last year. I don't think there is anything like that in all of the recorded history of hurricanes, which goes back to the early Spanish exploration in the early 1500's.

For those who are not watching, we have our first Atlantic tropical storm of the season - TS Arlene. (Hurricane Adrian already hit El Salvador in May, but that was a confused Pacific storm. Actually TS Arlene followed precisely the same development pattern, but didn't develop into a TS until entering the Gulf - hence the Atlantic name)

It's no big deal, and is not expected to reach anything like hurricane force. N'awlins to Pensacola will have a wet weekend, but they don't project sustained winds getting above about 50KT.

[brivers222]

While Carol's Post did make me feel MUCH better, I am still having 2nd 3rd and 4th thoughts on this package. An issue for us is that we have YET to stay in DVC so ALL-STAR's are all we are used to. Uncle Sam (darn taxes) stole our trip from us this year so we have our first trip to SSR book in 11 months.

I am really torn, but I am going to probably chaulk this up to... Save money for the really nice hotel room trip in less than a year! ;)

[jnrrt]

Well, we're actually planning to go in September, and have been since way before this came out, so now I'm really confused. We don't want to stay in a value, but we do have a family of four (actually five, but the baby doesn't eat much at tables service restaurants :flower: ), so even a mod is a good deal. BUT, we've got a GV for the whole family (parents and borhter's fam coming), so I'm not changing that, but it's not for the whole time, do we do something else the rest of the nights, or use the AP rate, or the DDE or what?

Sometimes there are simply too many options.

If you were already planning on being there anyway, would you trade DVC for this?

And please, pixie dust, no hurricanes on my trip, thanks.

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....If you were already planning on being there anyway, would you trade DVC for this?......NOPE! - especially since you already have APs & the DDE.

It is so hard to get past "FREE", isn't it? :rotfl2:

Pixie dust for good weather!

[lllovell]

I really really REALLY want to go - but I am due on October 17th...so there is NO WAY I am traveling then :(

[WithFaith50]

Hello,

My DH & I are still undecided! We currently have reservations for 7 nights (8/28 - 9/4) at Port Orleans - Riverside with 1 day base tickets per person (2 adults, 1 3-year old) with the Free Dining option. The total cost comes to $1226.64. :earboy2:

WithFaith50 :wave2:

[Wish I lived in Fl]

The defintion of a bargain is something you don't need at a price you resist.

Really tempted to add on 3 WDW nights to USF/IOA weeklong vacation staying at Cypress Palms but FL is too hot and humid esp. for DS and DH.

ANd i'll be going again for a week in January staying at BCV.

Oh well.

[dgaston]

"The definition of a bargain is something you don't need at a price you resist."

Well it worked on us. I booked DH's Extravagant Birthday Trip II for (9/16 to 9/19) We are booked at Pop and spending an extra $126 for two one day admissions (we have APs) but we will spend the birthday at California Grill and enjoy some wonderful Counter Service, and thaw out before the leaves begin turning into their glory here.

But no DVC on our paltry points for a weekend, anyway.

:sunny:

[thelobstershanty]

For a quick long weekend getaway it is a very good deal. Mainly because of the various options and the restaurants included in the dining portion. I gather from previous posts that to get the package only requires buying a 1 day ticket. The meals alone are worth double that.
We like all WDW resorts and stay in all the different levels of WDW resorts. The value and moderate resort rooms are smaller and do not have all the extras that a deluxe or a DVC studio has. But if we are only in WDW for 3-4 days we would spend very little time at the resort. And having the dining package would reduce our time at the resort to sleeping, bathing and pool time. Other than the absence of a slide at the value resorts, we are happy with any WDW pool. The notable exception would be SAB we really enjoy that pool.
If we did not already have previous vacations booked both before and after this special--we would have jumped on this deal for a short WDW trip.
We go to FL in all seasons including the summer so the heat and humidity do not matter to us. That is why we do the parks early in the morning and then again at night and spend the afternoon at the pool. :cool1:
We are definitely not DVC snobs (no offense meant) becaise we will stay in any WDW resort vs staying home and going to work.

[jekjones1558]

Carol and Diane,
I guess we MN babes think alike. I even checked availability of a 1 bdrm at OKW for a few days after a stay at PORS (our pre-DVC favorite). Found a cheap airfare too. But bottom line:
* FL will be HOT and HUMID, but it will be one of the best times to be in Minnesota!
Jean

[TDC Nala]

It's just for a weekend, the food is free
If it interests you, it should interest me
Think about how you'll feel
though you've gotten a deal
It's a small, small room
It's a small room after all
It's a small room after all
It's a small room after all
It's a small small room

[manning]

Uncle Sam (darn taxes) stole our trip from us this year

Uncle Sam doesn't steal, he just deftly removes it from your pocket and considers it a permanent loan. :rotfl:

[DisFlan]

It's just for a weekend, the food is free
If it interests you, it should interest me
Think about how you'll feel
though you've gotten a deal
It's a small, small room
It's a small room after all
It's a small room after all
It's a small room after all
It's a small small room


LOL! Very good! My sentiments exactly. If they do it again for a cooler time like January or November, I might consider it. But NOT at a value resort.

Lots of food is free
But rack rate room is cramped
I'd rather be Home

DisFlan (still in haiku mode)

[thelobstershanty]

LOL! Very good! My sentiments exactly. If they do it again for a cooler time like January or November, I might consider it. But NOT at a value resort.

Would you stay in a moderate resort? Because there is not a very big difference in the size of the rooms at a moderate and a value resort. CBR being the exception. Their rooms are the largest of the moderate resorts and it is a noticeable difference, but not at the others.

[poohj80]

Would you stay in a moderate resort? Because there is not a very big difference in the size of the rooms at a moderate and a value resort. CBR being the exception. Their rooms are the largest of the moderate resorts and it is a noticeable difference, but not at the others.
If DisFlan is like us, it's not the room size that keeps us from staying at the Value resorts. ;)

[DisFlan]

thelobstershanty - In 28 years, we've never stayed in anything other than deluxe or DVC. It's that or stay home. We consider it an integral part of our WDW vacation. No compromise.

poohj80 - If DisFlan is like us, it's not the room size that keeps us from staying at the Value resorts.

Yup, you got it right. I'll stick with my quiet resort, room service and valet parking, thank you.

DisFlan

[bicker]

Uncle Sam doesn't steal, he just deftly removes it from your pocket and considers it a permanent loan. :rotfl:Actually, since Uncle Sam makes the money, he charges for our use of it.

[mikesmom]

Didn't even tempt us. Besides being HOT and HUMID, we've discovered that we just don't eat that much when we are in Florida. Of course that probably has something to do with the heat.Truly, every time we go, I come home five pounds lighter. Except for the Food & Wine Fest and that, of course, is a different matter all together :rotfl:

[Tamar]

DH and I just got back from 6 nights at the Pop Century, courtesy of my company. I worked (convention) and DH golfed. I convinced my boss to fund the trip in part by extolling the $74/night hotel I could get with my AP discount.

We were next to a family with a 3yr old and a 5yr old. One of them screamed at bedtime for about 30 minutes each night (10:30ish), the other went wild every morning about 7am. No one's fault, but not the most comfortable for us (although I never needed a wakeup call).

I wouldn't do that again, even for free food. 10 years ago we stayed at ASM, and it was not as noisy. Pop may have thinner walls, or the resorts just may be busier than they used to be. The towel animals were fun, and the CMs were all great, but give me BVW or OKW....

Oh...and it was hot, with the threat of rain every day. Actually did rain the 2 days I had free time (it figures). Now I'm back in MN, and guess what? It's raining....but Carol, I gotta agree, no need to go south in the summer :teeth:

[jekjones1558]

Truly, every time we go, I come home five pounds lighter.

Now I am totally depressed. No matter how much walking we do and how much I try to be good, I always gain weight on vacation. :( So I guess that the dining plan would absolutely be a bad thing for me.

[dianeschlicht]

Now I am totally depressed. No matter how much walking we do and how much I try to be good, I always gain weight on vacation. :( So I guess that the dining plan would absolutely be a bad thing for me.
LOL! I find I lose weight when we have first timers with us and gain when it is just our family! :teeth:

[poohj80]

No matter how much walking we do and how much I try to be good, I always gain weight on vacation.
With all the great restuarants at WDW, we don't either. Of course, we don't always try to be good either. ;)

[OhioTony]

Our kids get a week off in Sept due to our county fair being that week. Both times we have gone to WDW it has been this last week of Sept, and only once were we caught in a hurricane (Jeanne) ;)
We have stayed at the Wilderness Cabins (nice but no nice pool) and at CBR(terrific pool, nice rooms).
This time we opted for the POP because we are taking my neices with us for a total of 4 kids, 2 adults+ 2 rooms. I know the rooms will be a bit smaller than CBR but even a small room at WDW is better than not going IMHO.
The dining pulled us in because we usually are tightwads and dont spend much on food (we usually dont gain any weight) :Pinkbounc
I anticipate that wont be the case this time because this sounds like alot of food! :mickeybar
We are looking forward to trying some of the nicer resaurants instead of only what I can cram into a backpack. :banana:
Does anyone know if it is difficult to get ps for a table of 6?

[jnrrt]

Man, OhioTony, I'm in Ohio too, and I want to know where you live to get a week off school for a fair! That's great! We're going that week too, but I'm pulling my oldest out of school for a week (I know, I know, bad mom, but can I brag that she got a perfect report card and won an art contest last week! Not that I'm proud or anything.)

Okay, sorry, back to your regularly scheduled dining plan conversation.

[slk537]

We bit!

I've been feeling "homesick" and had toyed with the idea of a long weekend in August. Then I stepped outside on the first muggy humid day we had, knew it would be 4 times worse in Fla and almost threw up at the thought (I don't do heat well). And Carol and Diane...you are SO right although I would substitute "Wisconsin" for "Minnesota" (although we do take advantage of the MOA, Como Park, and your lovely state fair!)...

But then we decided to skip anything major this summer and go with a long weekend for DS's 4th birthday (Sept 23). And we didn't want to use points, because we'll be at VWL for Thanksgiving. The choices became: A) 3 night DCL...not enough time on a ship. B) WL or another deluxe at WDW <----my choice or C) Grand Californian at DLR <-----DH's choice.

And then along came the free dining at WDW. And four nights with one day tix and free dining at the Polynesian became equal to four nights with tix and dining at the Grand Californian (they have a stay 3, get one free fall offer). And...well...I won. :goodvibes

But at the risk of sounding like a snob - it was never going to be a value for that many nights. I know we'll go to AS or Pop at some time for a night to save points and I know DS would love it. But I have to say I just love the amenities of the deluxes and I LOVE the DVC resorts and we do spend a lot of time at the resort. After so many trips, we really just take it easy and keep the motto "if we miss it, we'll do it next time."

So yeah - we bit. And I am REALLY excited we did!!!

Jenn
(child who saw the Poly in 1984 and promised herself she'd stay there someday...)

[CarolMN]

We bit!

I've been feeling "homesick" and had toyed with the idea of a long weekend in August. Then I stepped outside on the first muggy humid day we had, knew it would be 4 times worse in Fla and almost threw up at the thought (I don't do heat well). And Carol and Diane...you are SO right although I would substitute "Wisconsin" for "Minnesota" (although we do take advantage of the MOA, Como Park, and your lovely state fair!).(snip)...... No argument from me re Wisconsin - there are some lovely areas in Wisconsin and in many ways it is very similar to Minnesota, LOL. How about we substitute "Minnesota and/or Wisconsin", LOL? Atually, there are many places in the US & Canada that should also be named - but who has the time to list them all?
....But then we decided to skip anything major this summer and go with a long weekend for DS's 4th birthday (Sept 23). ........(snip)....So yeah - we bit. And I am REALLY excited we did!!!

Jenn
(child who saw the Poly in 1984 and promised herself she'd stay there someday...) Bet your DS will want to spend most of the time in the pool - and you, too, LOL!

Looking forward to your trip report!

And kind of wishing we were going, too. HOT, Carol. MUGGY, Carol. Fall colors, Carol. HOT & MUGGY. VERY HOT & MUGGY, Carol. You don't like Hot & Muggy. Really, you don't! OK This is not working very well this morning. Somebody please tell me they are all sold out for the free dining plans! :teeth:

Best wishes -

[calypso*a*go-go]

It would take more that free meals to get me to WDW during the timeframe offered. It's not the threat of hurricanes that keeps me away...it's the heat! We live in the Pacific Northwest and I find that anything over 80 degrees makes me feel like I am roasting. Our last trip was at the end of October and that was still too warm for me. Now if they extended the offer...that might be a different story!

[OhioTony]

Man, OhioTony, I'm in Ohio too, and I want to know where you live to get a week off school for a fair! That's great! We're going that week too, but I'm pulling my oldest out of school for a week (I know, I know, bad mom, but can I brag that she got a perfect report card and won an art contest last week! Not that I'm proud or anything.)

Okay, sorry, back to your regularly scheduled dining plan conversation.
We are in southern Ohio (Brown county)..They close school last week in sept for the "Little State Fair" as they call it. We forgo the "neck-fest" for greater vacation pursuits! Seen 1 cow...seen em all! We actually we're planning a Universal trip & when we ran across the free dinning info we booked that day! Orlando seems to get our money one way or another every Sept and we have no complaints!...plus, we don't have to get the kids "mullet" haircuts so they "fit in" at the fair!