Who WON'T go if there is no FD in Aug/Sept?

[Cappy81]

Even of FD is not offered, Im sure there will be some sort of discount for Aug./Sept.

 

[bluejasmine]

Even of FD is not offered, Im sure there will be some sort of discount for Aug./Sept.

Exactly! Still hoping for FD it saves you more than the 15 to 20% you get at value and mods not sure about the 30% at deluxe.

now back in 2010&2011 when they did 40% off at Poly it was a better deal than FD! We just paid for DDP then!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[bartleby1]

Seems as though some people are turning their Disney vacations into plain old Florida vacations. Some places may be cheaper but the value and quality is just not there .

We will still enjoy the parks and will be staying just down the road at buena vista suites which has come highly recommended and is half the price of our cheapest option onsite. We also won't be crammed into a tiny room like we are onsite. Quite frankly, we had quality issues during our last two stays onsite at POR. And while we love POR as a resort, the rooms are not worth $200 a night. They are standard hotel rooms. For us, at $200 a night, the value and quality is not there. Location to me is worth a slight premium - just not double.

 

[pigletto]

Seems as though some people are turning their Disney vacations into plain old Florida vacations. Some places may be cheaper but the value and quality is just not there .

We made the final call 2 days ago and we're staying at Bonnet Creek. It's landlocked on Disney property (just not owned by Disney) and we're staying in a unit that 1000 square feet with a washer and dryer, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We have tickets left over from former free dining trips and plan to visit the waterparks. We'll also happily see what else Orlando has to offer. It's working out to 120 a night to stay off property.
I love Disney as much as the next person, but I'm happy with this decision. You'll have a hard time convincing me I am losing much quality or value on this one. We've stayed onsite twice a year for the last 3 years. I'm not afraid to try something new for this trip.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Some people feel differently.

Obviously that is true. It is also true that Buena Vista suites and Bonnet Creek are NOT Disney. Glad to hear most who say they can't stay on property this year because of no FD are still going to be going to the WDW parks. Why they can't drive a very short distance to eat off property is a little mind boggling but.....

 

[bartleby1]

Obviously that is true. It is also true that Buena Vista suites and Bonnet Creek are NOT Disney. Glad to hear most who say they can't stay on property this year because of no FD are still going to be going to the WDW parks. Why they can't drive a very short distance to eat off property is a little mind boggling but.....

Driving off property to eat isn't really the issue for us, although we are much more likely to eat at our resort when staying on property since it is convenient. If we are staying offsite, however, we will be much more likely to eat some meals offsite since it is cheaper and we are heading there anyway.

The bigger issue for us is the cost of the room. Staying at POR even WITH a 20% discount will still run us almost $900 more than staying at Buena Vista Suites. That is a lot of money and I'm not willing to fork it over for a room that we don't spend all that much time in anyway. We also get a free breakfast at Buena Vista. That is easily worth another $100 for our family. We also don't have to worry that we might have to switch rooms midway just because we are in between promos. We will have a larger room and still have a pool for the kids to enjoy.

Free dining is the only promo for us that would make moving back to POR financially sensible. However, even if they offer it, it won't start early enough for us to take advantage of it. So, I've faced reality.

 

[pigletto]

Obviously that is true. It is also true that Buena Vista suites and Bonnet Creek are NOT Disney. Glad to hear most who say they can't stay on property this year because of no FD are still going to be going to the WDW parks. Why they can't drive a very short distance to eat off property is a little mind boggling but.....

We'll have a kitchen so we'll likely eat breakfast in the room and probably lunch too since we go back for a break in the heat. Dinner is still up in the air. We have the tables in Wonderland card so quite a few of our dinners will be on property.
My staying where I am isn't a "No free dining" protest. It just makes sense for us. Way more room for much less money, still close, and the desire to try something new. I usually get locked in to onsite because of free dining. This time I was determined to try something else. I'll be back onsite 4 months later.

 

[mommy4]

We are staying off-site for the first time ever at Buena Vista Suites. With a family of 7 the only promo that works for us is the free dining. We got a great deal at Buena Vista Suites and it includes a free full breakfast. I just can't justify the cost of staying on Disney property anymore. We are saving at least $1000. Now we can maybe go again this year. We are even thinking about getting annual passes.

 

[lmhall2000]

Obviously that is true. It is also true that Buena Vista suites and Bonnet Creek are NOT Disney. Glad to hear most who say they can't stay on property this year because of no FD are still going to be going to the WDW parks. Why they can't drive a very short distance to eat off property is a little mind boggling but.....

I would venture to say many who go to Disney fly in and do not have a car, that is one reason they do not want to eat off property. The reason we do not want to eat off property is if we are paying a premium for a family vacation (with 3 teenagers, and having to stay in rooms that fit five, it is a premium no matter how you look at it) we go for the ease of a trip...after spending 12 hours in the parks (we go full throttle non stop), the last thing you want to do is try to find a place to eat and wait in lines...not many places take reservations and that is even more of a hassle, if the restaurants are right there on site...it is so much more convenient.

 

[bluejasmine]

I would venture to say many who go to Disney fly in and do not have a car, that is one reason they do not want to eat off property. The reason we do not want to eat off property is if we are paying a premium for a family vacation (with 3 teenagers, and having to stay in rooms that fit five, it is a premium no matter how you look at it) we go for the ease of a trip...after spending 12 hours in the parks (we go full throttle non stop), the last thing you want to do is try to find a place to eat and wait in lines...not many places take reservations and that is even more of a hassle, if the restaurants are right there on site...it is so much more convenient.

Exactly! I mean really to us eating on site at the park or resorts adds to the magic, we can eat at Cici's or McDonalds or whatever back home any time! When we are at WDW we want special, different, MAGICAL!

I know the prices can be ridiculous and THAT doesn't add to the magic but the experience does..

 

[bartleby1]

Exactly! I mean really to us eating on site at the park or resorts adds to the magic, we can eat at Cici's or McDonalds or whatever back home any time! When we are at WDW we want special, different, MAGICAL!

I know the prices can be ridiculous and THAT doesn't add to the magic but the experience does..

We like special and magical meals but not at $200 a meal, LOL! So, we will splurge for probably one sit down meal onsite, a few counter service meals out of convenience, snacks and Mickey bars, and that will have to satisfy our "magical" feeling.

 

[amccu18007]

We fly in usually and don't have the time or patience to get taxi's, reservations and or wait for a place outside of the park in we are staying onsite. If we are offsite, we rent a car and it is no problem.

 

[Patience]

Bonnet Creek is looking better and better to me...

 

[bluejasmine]

We like special and magical meals but not at $200 a meal, LOL! So, we will splurge for probably one sit down meal onsite, a few counter service meals out of convenience, snacks and Mickey bars, and that will have to satisfy our "magical" feeling.

That's where the DDP comes in so handy!! Especially If your like my family and want a sit down meal and counter and snack a day., and I still pay OOP for breakfast! Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[bartleby1]

That's where the DDP comes in so handy!! Especially If your like my family and want a sit down meal and counter and snack a day., and I still pay OOP for breakfast! Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

Honestly, even the dining plan is too much money. Believe me, I've run the numbers over and over again. The dining plan would cost us $240 per day, plus tip on that $200 sit down meal which adds another $35/$40. $275/$280 per day is a lot of money for food. It might have made financial sense for us when our kids were little, but once they become disney 'adults', it is no longer a value (unless, of course, they offer it for free, LOL!)

 

[TheDisney411]

Driving off property to eat isn't really the issue for us, although we are much more likely to eat at our resort when staying on property since it is convenient. If we are staying offsite, however, we will be much more likely to eat some meals offsite since it is cheaper and we are heading there anyway.

The bigger issue for us is the cost of the room. Staying at POR even WITH a 20% discount will still run us almost $900 more than staying at Buena Vista Suites. That is a lot of money and I'm not willing to fork it over for a room that we don't spend all that much time in anyway. We also get a free breakfast at Buena Vista. That is easily worth another $100 for our family. We also don't have to worry that we might have to switch rooms midway just because we are in between promos. We will have a larger room and still have a pool for the kids to enjoy.

Free dining is the only promo for us that would make moving back to POR financially sensible. However, even if they offer it, it won't start early enough for us to take advantage of it. So, I've faced reality.

The free dining release date and promo dates were leaked/confirmed yesterday. The FD dates are September 2-25, 2013 and booking will open May 9.

 

[MackenzieFL]

We had already planned our trip with or without FD, but now that it's been confirmed it's going to save us a bundle and we're going to be eating way better than planned.

Far as I'm concerned, nothing short of serious family trauma is going to stop us from our Sept trip. I don't care if all we can do is a weekend of tent camping at FW and MNSSHP, I'z goin' ta Dizney for my annual Sept pilgrimage.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

Not going until 2014 but if it mirrors next year for this year i will be going earlier to get a room discount any discount is better than none but free dinning is nice. Went while it lasted my daughter will start school on Sep 2 of 2014 and cant take her out for that long......BUt I still have a time to go before we know 2014 discounts


When can i book for 2014 ??????? does anyone know?

 

[TheDisney411]

Not going until 2014 but if it mirrors next year for this year i will be going earlier to get a room discount any discount is better than none but free dinning is nice. Went while it lasted my daughter will start school on Sep 2 of 2014 and cant take her out for that long......BUt I still have a time to go before we know 2014 discounts

When can i book for 2014 ??????? does anyone know?

Annual package rates usually come out in August, so you would be able to book packages for 2014 at that point.

 

[Jimmysmom0703]

I am going the last week in august, partly because I was hoping to get free dining. But it doesnt look that way. I might shorten the trip if we have no discounts, I can stay at a friends house for free, but it took me 2 months to get a res for be our guest, so I will be def there for that! LOL There has to be SOME discount for that time frame, hopefully..what do you think??