Free Dining 2013

[black562]

Wow, Black, what a sad, bittersweet, beautiful story... I am sorry for your loss.. I think I told you but mom died 3.5 weeks ago and I miss her so much.. We took her with us on our last Disney vacation and I know this next one will be emotional for me.. I love looking at our pictures and remembering how much fun we had and I still can't believe it has been almost a month since she has been gone or since I have talked with her.
That trip is something cancer can never take away from me and my boys.

Don't worry, she will be at Disney with you....singing to you with all the colors of the wind.

 

[Jenmia]

Sorry all, I wanted to get this out earlier, but my Dis app is not working and I apologize if this is a repeat message. As of 7:50am, the only AoA suites left available for FD is Cars and those are extremely limited. So, if you are a DV holder and have not booked, suggest doing it soon. For those waiting till Thursday hoping they will release some more rooms. Fingers crossed!

Oh no. I hope they release more on Thursday. I really wanted to keep my Lion King Suite.

 

[dig311dug]

Mine has the same thing. When I asked this morning she said it was just their systems were overloaded right now.

thought this might be the case.
thanks

 

[pxedst21]

The buses are the reason we stay at Pop. It is a great resort but the buses make it even better. Unless we can do a deluxe, we will always do Pop.

We loved Pop, but after the trip last year DH seems to have a mental block about staying there. When we talked about resorts this time he said anywhere but there LOL (Apparently there was a stomach bug going around Disney so we spent a lot of time in the room with sick kiddos)

 

[pxedst21]

Question --

What happens if I book a reservation for free dining and once the schedule of testing for the upcoming school session comes out my child won't be able to attend and has to stay behind with grandparents?

Since it is a package deal - would I just pay for his ticket and not cash it in? Could we possibly use the child (disney adult since he is 10) credits as our own for the vacation? I don't know what happens if a member of the original reservation does not show up.

Thanks.

First thought would be just call and cancel and get a refund for his ticket price. But, since he is an adult, I can see where it may be worth it to keep his dining. Not sure how they would know he's not there, since the dining would just be a total number they subtract from. Maybe someone else will know for sure??

 

[TheDisney411]

Question --

What happens if I book a reservation for free dining and once the schedule of testing for the upcoming school session comes out my child won't be able to attend and has to stay behind with grandparents?

Since it is a package deal - would I just pay for his ticket and not cash it in? Could we possibly use the child (disney adult since he is 10) credits as our own for the vacation? I don't know what happens if a member of the original reservation does not show up.

Thanks.

You would simply call Disney and have the child taken off of the reservation and they would credit you the difference.

 

[TheDisney411]

Ok, but don't say I didn't warn ya...

Such precious memories

My last vacation with my Dad was at Disney too.

 

[Kat016]

Ok, but don't say I didn't warn ya...

Dad and I used to go to WDW together every year. During those trips, we had many once in a lifetime experiences. One year we got to meet a Disney animator that worked directly with Walt on alot of classic films. He even drew me a sketch and signed it, which I still have framed to this day. Another trip, we found ourselves on the first bus into Animal Kingdom on the first soft opening day. We were literally the first public group into the park and it was facinating to see how things progressed from that day. We celebrated birthdays, and many other things, but mostly just enjoying the Disney magic. I truely believe, he had a large part in my blooming love for Disney.

In 1999, three months (to the day) after our Disney vacation, he was tragically killed in a helicopter crash. I then realized that, at that point, Disney was much more than a vacation...it was memories, fun times, once in a lifetime encounters, and so much more. The next few trips to Disney were bittersweet. I would find myself watching the parade on Main Street, smelling the scents from the Confectionary, hearing the music...and for a moment, could see him standing next to me. At times, I became emotional for no reason, just something flashed me back to a memory. Now I know, that whenever I'm at Disney, I feel like I'm closest to my Dad...I feel like he's there with me (he is), and I make new memories doing new things or new attractions and thinking to myself "Dad would've loved this".

So there you have it...a Father...a Son....many years of good times....and many more years cut short. But lots of memories all the same...and lots more being made each and every year. It's more than a vacation, it's a pilgrimage. It's that reason that every time I go, there are certain things I must do out of tradition...and other things I do to make new memories. And sometimes, at just the right moment, I feel him walking by my side, smiling and just saying "I'm glad we're here".

Disney World was our world and we shared many special memories there. I remember him the best way I know how...by continuing the fun that we always enjoyed together. He always taught me to enjoy life, have fun and not worry about the little things.

Here's to you Dad...I shall ALWAYS remember!!!

As I said earlier...you asked for it.

And now you know.....the rest of the story.

That was a great story! Yup, gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. I was close to my dad too, typical daddy's little girl. The memories I have with him are ones I cherish every day. Thank you for sharing that

 

[JoanneDisFan]

Black, what an awesome way to be able to remember your father.

 

[TheDisney411]

That's good to know!! We stayed at music several years ago and after 2/3 days of being crammed on buses with all 3 resorts, started driving to the parks just to avoid the buses at night. We've done Pop ever since because of it. Glad to know they do their own buses.
Thanks!!

We have definitely had good luck with the All Star buses, but we always travel in the off season. Also, they have more dedicated buses for each All Star resort than they used to. The possibility of occasionally "sharing" a bus has not deterred us from staying at the All Stars and I think Movies will always be our kids sentimental favorite

 

[plutospalforever]

Oh my word! I left this thread last night in tears and catching up on the last 5 pages has sent me on an emotional journey! You all had me laughing and then a couple of pages later I was in tears again!. Thank you for sharing the funny thoughts and thank you for sharing personal tribulations. Now, again I say, whose up for a Disney support group thread!!!
You all ROCK!!!!!

 

[Kat016]

Oh my word! I left this thread last night in tears and catching up on the last 5 pages has sent me on an emotional journey! You all had me laughing and then a couple of pages later I was in tears again!. Thank you for sharing the funny thoughts and thank you for sharing personal tribulations. Now, again I say, whose up for a Disney support group thread!!!
You all ROCK!!!!!

Sign me up!!!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

That was a great story! Yup, gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. I was close to my dad too, typical daddy's little girl. The memories I have with him are ones I cherish every day. Thank you for sharing that

Ditto on the great story!!! I wish I would have taken the warning. Lol. Sitting in pediatric dentist office.

 

[black562]

Oh my word! I left this thread last night in tears and catching up on the last 5 pages has sent me on an emotional journey! You all had me laughing and then a couple of pages later I was in tears again!. Thank you for sharing the funny thoughts and thank you for sharing personal tribulations. Now, again I say, whose up for a Disney support group thread!!!
You all ROCK!!!!!

Well they certainly cost as much as a support group...I can remember when a four day trip for two was $800 with tickets and dining plan.

 

[Kat016]

Ditto on the great story!!! I wish I would have taken the warning. Lol. Sitting in pediatric dentist office.

Not a good sign to kids seeing an adult crying in a dentist office!! Lol

 

[black562]

Ditto on the great story!!! I wish I would have taken the warning. Lol. Sitting in pediatric dentist office.

Oh I can just see you sitting in the office sobbing, and everyone else thinking "what a strange person".



And once again I must ask...what have I started?

 

[Kat016]

Oh I can just see you sitting in the office sobbing, and everyone else thinking "what a strange person".



And once again I must ask...what have I started?

An emotional roller coaster with A LOT of hills!! Lol

 

[Lazor460]

Just something to keep the kids excited since it's such a long time away
I have a glass vase that I decorated with a sign and Disney stickers; then typed up a bunch of "Disney" things to do and printed them out on Disney paper. Not sure if I'm going to let them pull one a day or every other day yet. It just has simple things like---eat on a Disney plate, eat Mickey pancakes, make Mickey cookies, watch a Disney movie, make a list of rides at each park they want to do..... just anything Disney related to keep the excitement going until we go

Omg soooo cute! what a great idea! my kids would love this! going to try it out!!

 

[Marie17]

You would simply call Disney and have the child taken off of the reservation and they would credit you the difference.

That is one way for sure - but don't you get penalized (as in a change fee) if your package amount is less than what was originally booked if less than 45 days out? I was thinking we could just keep his ticket since he will still be a disney adult when we go back for Spring Break in 2014. It would be nice to have one ticket already paid for on our return. Would his ticket still have his child (disney adult) dining credits that could be used in April if the original reservation was for September?

 

[kfelaco]

Ok, but don't say I didn't warn ya...

Dad and I used to go to WDW together every year. During those trips, we had many once in a lifetime experiences. One year we got to meet a Disney animator that worked directly with Walt on alot of classic films. He even drew me a sketch and signed it, which I still have framed to this day. Another trip, we found ourselves on the first bus into Animal Kingdom on the first soft opening day. We were literally the first public group into the park and it was facinating to see how things progressed from that day. We celebrated birthdays, and many other things, but mostly just enjoying the Disney magic. I truely believe, he had a large part in my blooming love for Disney.

In 1999, three months (to the day) after our Disney vacation, he was tragically killed in a helicopter crash. I then realized that, at that point, Disney was much more than a vacation...it was memories, fun times, once in a lifetime encounters, and so much more. The next few trips to Disney were bittersweet. I would find myself watching the parade on Main Street, smelling the scents from the Confectionary, hearing the music...and for a moment, could see him standing next to me. At times, I became emotional for no reason, just something flashed me back to a memory. Now I know, that whenever I'm at Disney, I feel like I'm closest to my Dad...I feel like he's there with me (he is), and I make new memories doing new things or new attractions and thinking to myself "Dad would've loved this".

So there you have it...a Father...a Son....many years of good times....and many more years cut short. But lots of memories all the same...and lots more being made each and every year. It's more than a vacation, it's a pilgrimage. It's that reason that every time I go, there are certain things I must do out of tradition...and other things I do to make new memories. And sometimes, at just the right moment, I feel him walking by my side, smiling and just saying "I'm glad we're here".

Disney World was our world and we shared many special memories there. I remember him the best way I know how...by continuing the fun that we always enjoyed together. He always taught me to enjoy life, have fun and not worry about the little things.

Here's to you Dad...I shall ALWAYS remember!!!

As I said earlier...you asked for it.

And now you know.....the rest of the story.

Thank you Black562 for sharing your story, and yes, you've got me bawling too! At the risk of starting more waterworks on this thread, I'll share my dad story:

My family came from meager means, but my father was determined that he was going to bring his family at least ONCE to WDW before we all grew up, despite the cost. He felt the Disney magic and pixie dust was something we must experience before we all went our separate ways into adulthood. So in 1989, he took out a loan from the bank (borrowed against the house! ), and we all went on our one and only family trip to Disney World. I was 17, my brother was 14. It truly was a special, once-in-a-lifetime trip for us. We had lots of laughs and made lots of memories. Then my dad, like yours, also tragically died in a (car) accident in 1999. Fast forward to 2007, when my DH and I brought our 3 little ones to WDW. It was awesome, yet bittersweet, being my 1st time back since '89. Now I'm happy to say we're going again in December with the kiddos, and we're bringing my mom along! She's 68 and it's been almost 25 years since that family trip. It's going to be very special to relive some of those memories with her at WDW again! I know we'll both be laughing and crying on "It's A Small World"; my DH will think we're crazy, but we know better-all those inside jokes from 23 years ago! Like another poster said earlier, no one take away those Disney memories and magic!!!