2013 Free Dining Watch

Finally made the decision to change from the campsites to a resort in order to take advantage of any potential FD offers. I have a basic family of 4 (kids 8 & 9). Any idea if it would be better to get a moderate resort which typically includes the nicer dining package or a value and upgrade from the basic dining? Also if booking Value (I have never stayed at any Values) which do you think is the best? If you think stick with moderate which one? I have stayed at CBR a couple of times and liked it but that was the only one I have ever stayed in. As a kid we always did deluxe resorts but I don't have the same budgets as my folks:)

Kinda depends on how your family does WDW. We tend to spend most of our time at the parks and very little resort time. My kids tend to love the theming of the Value and so that is what we have always done and then upgrade to the basic dining plan. Do the numbers, but for us, because of kids ages at time of travel, we have 4 adults and 1 child and cost to upgrade was only $234 for six nights. It sounds like for you, even less. We are doing family suite Finding Nemo for the first time this trip. We have stayed at all Values and have enjoyed All-Star Sports the most because it has always been less crowded. Good luck!! :cheer2:
 
Kinda depends on how your family does WDW. We tend to spend most of our time at the parks and very little resort time. My kids tend to love the theming of the Value and so that is what we have always done and then upgrade to the basic dining plan. Do the numbers, but for us, because of kids ages at time of travel, we have 4 adults and 1 child and cost to upgrade was only $234 for six nights. It sounds like for you, even less. We are doing family suite Finding Nemo for the first time this trip. We have stayed at all Values and have enjoyed All-Star Sports the most because it has always been less crowded. Good luck!! :cheer2:

I have always read that the themed rooms aren't usually included in promos. Is this true or a rumor? I would love to do a theme room. When we stayed at the campground we really did take advantage of having our comforts of home there but if we stay at a resort we will likely never be there. We have an active ready to rock family who will go until we drop. I like the idea of saving a bundle and sticking with the value just concerned that the service won't be great. For us if FD is offered we can basically get the airfare for free (from the savings) and get rid of the 21 hour drive each way!! I want to go ahead and make the switch but I am afraid to pull the trigger in case a hotel/resort/room will not be included if FD is offered. All you Disney History buffs I need your :idea:... is there a resort/room I need to avoid from historical data that is usually not included?
 
I have always read that the themed rooms aren't usually included in promos. Is this true or a rumor? I would love to do a theme room. When we stayed at the campground we really did take advantage of having our comforts of home there but if we stay at a resort we will likely never be there. We have an active ready to rock family who will go until we drop. I like the idea of saving a bundle and sticking with the value just concerned that the service won't be great. For us if FD is offered we can basically get the airfare for free (from the savings) and get rid of the 21 hour drive each way!! I want to go ahead and make the switch but I am afraid to pull the trigger in case a hotel/resort/room will not be included if FD is offered. All you Disney History buffs I need your :idea:... is there a resort/room I need to avoid from historical data that is usually not included?

Not sure what you mean by "themed" room, but the only value rooms that are excluded from free dining are the LM standard room at AoA. There are few of those and they sell out without discounts. We stay at POP every year and absolutely love it. Their food court is fantastic and the staff is awesome, too. :goodvibes
 
I have always read that the themed rooms aren't usually included in promos. Is this true or a rumor? I would love to do a theme room. When we stayed at the campground we really did take advantage of having our comforts of home there but if we stay at a resort we will likely never be there. We have an active ready to rock family who will go until we drop. I like the idea of saving a bundle and sticking with the value just concerned that the service won't be great. For us if FD is offered we can basically get the airfare for free (from the savings) and get rid of the 21 hour drive each way!! I want to go ahead and make the switch but I am afraid to pull the trigger in case a hotel/resort/room will not be included if FD is offered. All you Disney History buffs I need your :idea:... is there a resort/room I need to avoid from historical data that is usually not included?

Little mermaid rooms at AOA have not been included in discounts as of yet, but the suites have been. Suite at AOA are upwards of $350 night.
POP Century usually is available for discounts and is a great resort with what most say is the best food court of all resorts.

As much as I would LOVE free dining, I don't think it is going to happen. I do think there is a possibility that we could have another stay,play, dine deal, which is almost free dining, but I am not counting on it.
 


I have always read that the themed rooms aren't usually included in promos. Is this true or a rumor? I would love to do a theme room. When we stayed at the campground we really did take advantage of having our comforts of home there but if we stay at a resort we will likely never be there. We have an active ready to rock family who will go until we drop. I like the idea of saving a bundle and sticking with the value just concerned that the service won't be great. For us if FD is offered we can basically get the airfare for free (from the savings) and get rid of the 21 hour drive each way!! I want to go ahead and make the switch but I am afraid to pull the trigger in case a hotel/resort/room will not be included if FD is offered. All you Disney History buffs I need your :idea:... is there a resort/room I need to avoid from historical data that is usually not included?

Others will know more, but I do know that the themed rooms you speak of (I think) are the pirate and princess rooms at Port Orleans, and they have been excluded from some of the free dining offers. The room/package discounts I am not sure about. The theming at the All-Stars and AoA are filled with the traditional Disney characters my kids love. And Pop Century has over-the-top grand theming that draws kids in. We have always stayed at a Value and have always had the best service/friendliness and helpfulness. They may not offer some upgraded amenities-spa, concierge, table service restaurant, but we have always been so happy we are afraid to try a moderate. And now, a mini fridge is included in all Value rooms. We have a habit of closing the parks, so paying more for a room that we only sleep in does not make sense for us.:cool1:
 
Warning: I mean this to spark a friendly discussion among WDW lovers about something I have been pondering and have no other WDW fans to discuss with:flower3:.

With only peaceful thoughts, I ask the question, why do so many think that WDW waiting till June to announce the next offer is so unrealistic? I am purely asking this based on what we know for this year only. Winter/Spring promos were not announced until around Jan.3, 2013 (I think. All this is purely off the top of my head. I do not know exact dates). Early summer discounts were not announced until March 30, 2013. I guess I am trying not to set myself up for disappointment, but June promos do not seem that far fetched based on how the year has gone thus for.:goodvibes
 
Warning: I mean this to spark a friendly discussion among WDW lovers about something I have been pondering and have no other WDW fans to discuss with:flower3:.

With only peaceful thoughts, I ask the question, why do so many think that WDW waiting till June to announce the next offer is so unrealistic? I am purely asking this based on what we know for this year only. Winter/Spring promos were not announced until around Jan.3, 2013 (I think. All this is purely off the top of my head. I do not know exact dates). Early summer discounts were not announced until March 30, 2013. I guess I am trying not to set myself up for disappointment, but June promos do not seem that far fetched based on how the year has gone thus for.:goodvibes

Historically, the Aug/Sept FD has been announced in late April/early May. Last year it was offered unusually early. I don't think they will wait until mid-June. I think mid-May is more likely. It is not uncommon for two different promos to run at the same time. :goodvibes
 


Historically, the Aug/Sept FD has been announced in late April/early May. Last year it was offered unusually early. I don't think they will wait until mid-June. I think mid-May is more likely. It is not uncommon for two different promos to run at the same time. :goodvibes

Ahh! I see! I have never noticed two promos running at the same time or overlapping. Guess I need to pay closer attention. :)Thanks!
 
Ahh! I see! I have never noticed two promos running at the same time or overlapping. Guess I need to pay closer attention. :)Thanks!

Also be on the look out on the resorts page for Danny25 to post. It will start with something like.... My friends the new discount is....

Danny and another person give discount details early and they have been spot on.
 
Others will know more, but I do know that the themed rooms you speak of (I think) are the pirate and princess rooms at Port Orleans, and they have been excluded from some of the free dining offers. The room/package discounts I am not sure about. The theming at the All-Stars and AoA are filled with the traditional Disney characters my kids love. And Pop Century has over-the-top grand theming that draws kids in. We have always stayed at a Value and have always had the best service/friendliness and helpfulness. They may not offer some upgraded amenities-spa, concierge, table service restaurant, but we have always been so happy we are afraid to try a moderate. And now, a mini fridge is included in all Value rooms. We have a habit of closing the parks, so paying more for a room that we only sleep in does not make sense for us.:cool1:

Your post was the perfect response! Thank you for the information. I think you have sold me:) I was kind of sad that I was going to downgrade to a Value but now I am totally excited for the savings instead!! I don't think I have ever been so excited for a trip!! I am still holding out hope for free dining but we are Disney Bound no matter what!!
 
I'm right there with you. I've always loved the value resort's and I never thought I was missing out on anything.We've stayed at pop three times and the all stars three times and have never had a bad stay.We are heading down there in November for our first stay at PRO to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday.If I had my way, we would be staying at pop again but this is a special birthday and I'm not sure how many more times my mother will be able to make this trip so I have to make her happy at the happiest place on earth.pixiedust:
 
I just went to the resorts forum and there is a new thread called FD Coming. Head on over and subscribe.:moped:


This one is NOT Danny - just someone who heard from a CM FD was coming.

How do you know when/where he will post?

He always post on the resort board under the Discount Codes and Rates.

I think (could be wrong) that he said sometime around April 25th he may know that next discount, but I would have to go check it.
 
We haven't been for FD since 2010. Really hoping its offered this year. I know many choose to book packages with the hopes of adding on FD when it comes out. Just curious if this is an actual advantage or just a perceived advantage. If I booked ahead at POR (our resort of choice) and FD does come out, don't I still have to call before availability for FD at POR is used up. I always thought there was a limited number of rooms with FD. Any advice based on personal experience would be appreciated.

I believe you are correct.
Just having a room at a certain resort doesn't guarantee you will get one of the rooms included in the sale, especially at the resorts that sell out fast.
Two ways to deal with that: 1) call immediately when a sale breaks, 2) be prepared to change room category (such as preferred, garden view, standard) AND/OR be prepared to change resorts.
Have your preferences written down in order and the CM on the phone can check them.
It's not that big a deal, unless you have a really popular room category at a really popular resort. Some sell out fast (I'm thinking the Poly, Pop, and POFQ are some examples.)
 
I am so confused!:confused3 But I think I got it this time? If I subscribe to this thread?

Sorry - this is a thread he started today - turning down all the rumors.

When there is something to report he will do so on the Disney Discount Codes and Rates page.
 

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