Free Dining Fall 2015? (and a whole lot more)

[vrajewski10513]

Actually, we had the same experience with awful bus stuff on our last stay at POR (sept 2013). Not fun and we ended up driving a few places. My son and I waited for a bus for 45 minutes so my younger son and husband could grab breakfast and not rush, well...they beat us to Epcot (they were at the main stop and we were at a smaller one). But, this can really happen anywhere, so we just always hope for the best! Trying Caribbean resort this time (nov) and hoping it is an ok experience for us.

This. It stinks. And as much as I hate how crowded the bus queues to and from Pop Century can be, I feel like they are always SO on top of it. We NEVER waited more than 10-15 minuts for a bus our whole trip. One night in our September trip we left MK after Wishes, which is always a chore. The bus queue was packed to the absolute brim, but they had CM's directing people and literally had one bus right after another taking people back to the hotel. I feel like the more people they have to move the more organized the buses are.

 

[donp]

Wow, we have stayed at POR a few times in September, and always had good bus service. This last year, though, was the first time no FD was offered at POR in September. I wonder if they shifted more of the bus service to places like CSR and CBR since they had the FD and were much more full than they usually would be that month--we were going to go to POR, but ended up booking at CSR since the FD was being offered at that moderate. The buses seemed great there. We were hoping to go back to POR this September . . .

 

[Mbuksa]

We stayed at CBR November 2014 and the bus situation wasn't too bad. We had a 10 day stay and only on 2 occasions did we wait more than 20 minutes. We have had 2 previous stays at POR, once in feb in the alligator bayou section (stay play and dine discount) and one in royal rooms (free dining in October) and we had a great experience with the buses. Granted, POR and CBR are large resorts and there are many bus stops, so prepare to give yourself some extra time, but luckily we have had pretty positive results overall. If you have a reservation that you need to get to, plan to be at the bus stop at least 1 hr prior to your reservation time. This will ensure you won't be stressed out about making it. However, on our first trip to disney, we had a reservation at Chef Mickeys and we were leaving down town disney and the buses took FOREVER!!! DTD buses do not seem to run as frequently too the resorts, so give yourself extra time!! We ended up 25 minutes late for our reservation and I was panicking, but the hostess was so great and she seated us right away.

 

[Doug M]

My wife and I are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary at WDW this year and went ahead and booked 7 nights at POFQ from Dec 1 to Dec 7. I am hoping for some discount but it wont be a deal breaker, and besides, we booked flight already with non-refundable tickets. We are willing to swap resorts if FD becomes avail and POFQ is excluded, but looking like we maybe a week early for any FD anyway. Since just 2 of us, would rather a room discount and maybe upgrade to AKL. Will be watching.

 

[iluvwdw_2002]

Hello DISers!! Anyone have the dates of FD for October from last year? I can't seem to find them - just looking to get an idea of what might be released this year. thank you!

 

[scard192]

Hello DISers!! Anyone have the dates of FD for October from last year? I can't seem to find them - just looking to get an idea of what might be released this year. thank you!

FD was blacked out 10/4 thru 10/25/2014, not much in October was offered to the GP last year.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Waiting not so patiently...

 

[Tierney]

I have 2 questions about free dining. I think I have it right, but if someone could confirm, that would really help

1. To qualify for free dining, you need at least a 2-day base park ticket?

2. If I already have a reservation booked, and then free dining dates are announced and my check-in date is only a couple days off (does not fall within the free dining dates), can I switch my dates around to qualify for the free dining offer? (As long as the resort has availability on those dates)

Thanks!!

 

[lazer]

I have 2 questions about free dining. I think I have it right, but if someone could confirm, that would really help

1. To qualify for free dining, you need at least a 2-day base park ticket?

2. If I already have a reservation booked, and then free dining dates are announced and my check-in date is only a couple days off (does not fall within the free dining dates), can I switch my dates around to qualify for the free dining offer? (As long as the resort has availability on those dates)

Thanks!!

1. Not sure what this year will include, but in 2014 it was: "In addition to booking a minimum stay of 3 nights at one of the above Disney resorts, you’ll also need to purchase AT LEAST a 2-day Magic Your Way Disney World ticket."
2. Yes, that's correct, as long as you're within the cancellation window and there is availability.

 

[Tierney]

1. Not sure what this year will include, but in 2014 it was: "In addition to booking a minimum stay of 3 nights at one of the above Disney resorts, you’ll also need to purchase AT LEAST a 2-day Magic Your Way Disney World ticket."
2. Yes, that's correct, as long as you're within the cancellation window and there is availability.

Thank you very much for the help!

 

[pinkle]

Waiting not so patiently...

Ditto

 

[luvmylatte]

We are booked Sept23-Oct 1 and we are going FD or not. The only change would be move to a moderate from a value. I always plan my trip so that if FD doesn't happen it doesn't ruin the vacation. That said......I am itching to know because I am a crazy organizer/planner.

 

[lazer]

We are booked Sept23-Oct 1 and we are going FD or not. The only change would be move to a moderate from a value. I always plan my trip so that if FD doesn't happen it doesn't ruin the vacation. That said......I am itching to know because I am a crazy organizer/planner.

I'm the exact same. We're going no matter what and doing a moderate. But, I want to know how much to budget!!

 

[CQuinn]

I see a lot of sites suggesting that free dining is only better than room only discounts when it's a party greater than 2. So I've done the math for a moderate resort for just my husband and I. I can't figure out how free dining doesn't save us the most. Is this theory based on the idea that one would get the room only discount and not use a dining plan?

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I see a lot of sites suggesting that free dining is only better than room only discounts when it's a party greater than 2. So I've done the math for a moderate resort for just my husband and I. I can't figure out how free dining doesn't save us the most. Is this theory based on the idea that one would get the room only discount and not use a dining plan?

I think it really depends on where you stay as well. I just did the math on my stay at Pop and the room only discount would need to be greater than 28% to be a better deal. Since values rarely end up more than a 25% discount, it is likely that free dining will be better in this situation.

 

[donp]

I see a lot of sites suggesting that free dining is only better than room only discounts when it's a party greater than 2. So I've done the math for a moderate resort for just my husband and I. I can't figure out how free dining doesn't save us the most. Is this theory based on the idea that one would get the room only discount and not use a dining plan?

I think that that is only with deluxe resorts. The moderates always work out to being better with the FD (unless you only have 1 in said moderate room, and then would be about wash).

 

[LouFapp]

I see a lot of sites suggesting that free dining is only better than room only discounts when it's a party greater than 2. So I've done the math for a moderate resort for just my husband and I. I can't figure out how free dining doesn't save us the most. Is this theory based on the idea that one would get the room only discount and not use a dining plan?

I asked a similar question in an earlier post and it seems those numbers figure a room discount and paying as little as possible out of pocket for food.

 

[MamaBJames]

Do Disney Visa holders ALWAYS get first chance at deals? That might sway me towards DV instead of any old travel rewards card.

Also, do I have to have resort+tickets booked to start making reservations at restaurants? I want to start nailing down dinner spots while I wait for FD (hopefully) to be announced. I am also a crazy organizer/planner. It's like living my vacation over and over until it FINALLY becomes a reality!

 

[siskaren]

1. Do Disney Visa holders ALWAYS get first chance at deals? That might sway me towards DV instead of any old travel rewards card.

2. Also, do I have to have resort+tickets booked to start making reservations at restaurants? I want to start nailing down dinner spots while I wait for FD (hopefully) to be announced. I am also a crazy organizer/planner. It's like living my vacation over and over until it FINALLY becomes a reality!

1. As far as I know.

2. No. But without a reservation (tickets don't figure into it at all), you would need to call or go online at 180 out from each day you want to make a reservation for, whereas with a reservation you can book at 180 days out from your arrival date plus up to 10 days after that all at once.

 

[scard192]

I think it really depends on where you stay as well. I just did the math on my stay at Pop and the room only discount would need to be greater than 28% to be a better deal. Since values rarely end up more than a 25% discount, it is likely that free dining will be better in this situation.

same for my family of 3 Disney adults. we will stay at POP and are hoping for FD. RO at POP @ 20% = ~ $30/night discount. I can't feed my family on $30/day so FD is the BEST discount for us