2013 Free Dining Watch

[supe3]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

We have never been to Disney before and have a couple questions. We will not be able to afford to come unless free dining is given. I plan on booking with a Disney certified planner. My fear is the day that it is released (please, please, please) it will take forever to get through to a planner. Planning on staying in mermaid room and upgrading to moderate dining plan. Also once we do book all of the character meals will be booked before I can blink. Are these real things to be concerned about?

someone correct me if im wrong by AOA little mermaid was excluded last year from the free dining. BUT, last year if you stayed at a moderate resort you got the upgraded dining plan for free, rather then just the quick service plan that that value resorts got. <- we are planning to stay at CBR for just that

[black562]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

We have never been to Disney before and have a couple questions. We will not be able to afford to come unless free dining is given. I plan on booking with a Disney certified planner. My fear is the day that it is released (please, please, please) it will take forever to get through to a planner. Planning on staying in mermaid room and upgrading to moderate dining plan. Also once we do book all of the character meals will be booked before I can blink. Are these real things to be concerned about?

I wouldn't worry. Free dining is usually available sometimes until the end of the promotion. At worst case it may sell out of a particular resort, but even that takes a while. Also if you have a Disney visa you get three days advance before open to the public.

[black562]

Originally Posted by supe3

someone correct me if im wrong by AOA little mermaid was excluded last year from the free dining. BUT, last year if you stayed at a moderate resort you got the upgraded dining plan for free, rather then just the quick service plan that that value resorts got. <- we are planning to stay at CBR for just that

This too is correct. AOA was excluded last year. Values got quick service but could upgrade to the regular plan. Mods and deluxe got the regular dining plan included.

[supe3]

Originally Posted by black562

This too is correct. AOA was excluded last year. Values got quick service but could upgrade to the regular plan. Mods and deluxe got the regular dining plan included.

all the AOA resorts got free dining last year, just not little mermaid

[black562]

Originally Posted by supe3

all the AOA resorts got free dining last year, just not little mermaid

That explains it since I only checked the LM rooms.

[sharonabe]

Originally Posted by supe3

If this is true I dont see breakfast at the royal table being worth using out free table service when it takes two per person dining. we are a family of five.

That breakdown is for adults. If you have children, you'll want to use theirs as it is the same as the cost for 2 days. You can pay OOP for them at a la carte for much cheaper.

However, with FREE dining, I'm not sure I worry too much about it unless you have more TS you want to do than you have credits.

[TheDisney411]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

We have never been to Disney before and have a couple questions. We will not be able to afford to come unless free dining is given. I plan on booking with a Disney certified planner. My fear is the day that it is released (please, please, please) it will take forever to get through to a planner. Planning on staying in mermaid room and upgrading to moderate dining plan. Also once we do book all of the character meals will be booked before I can blink. Are these real things to be concerned about?

You won't get any discounts on the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA, let alone a free dining discount. If you are looking to stay at a standard value room you might as well switch to Pop or All Star Movies now.

Also, if you are going to rely on a TA to apply your discounts, I would make darn sure they know what free dining discounts are and that you expect the discount codes to be applied to your reservation on the day they are released. I've seen way too many people in this board expect their TA to take care of it and them go crazy when their TA drops the ball.

[TheDisney411]

Originally Posted by supe3

all the AOA resorts got free dining last year, just not little mermaid

All of Suite rooms at AOA have been included in all discounts. The Little Mermaid standard rooms are going to be excluded from free dining and room discounts.

[Team Bunch]

Thanks Disney 411, I was wondering where I should look for a cheap room that will hopefully get free dining. Bakenijt, I am interested but dis board won't let me private message you back because I don't have 10 posts.

[sweetcarolinamoma]

.

we stayed at AOA Little Mermaid last year at Thanksgiving and got free dining.

[smitch425]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

Thanks Disney 411, I was wondering where I should look for a cheap room that will hopefully get free dining. Bakenijt, I am interested but dis board won't let me private message you back because I don't have 10 posts.

You can post in this thread to get 10 posts...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2146191

Originally Posted by sweetcarolinamoma

.

we stayed at AOA Little Mermaid last year at Thanksgiving and got free dining.

There was one PIN that was sent out that included the LM rooms. There was also a glitch for general public free dining in the LM rooms that was quickly fixed. Disney honored those reservations that were already made, but since then, AoA LM rooms have been excluded from all Disney discounts. AAA discounts are hit or miss.

[zy144622]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

We have never been to Disney before and have a couple questions. We will not be able to afford to come unless free dining is given. I plan on booking with a Disney certified planner. My fear is the day that it is released (please, please, please) it will take forever to get through to a planner. Planning on staying in mermaid room and upgrading to moderate dining plan. Also once we do book all of the character meals will be booked before I can blink. Are these real things to be concerned about?

Once your 180 days out start booking your ADRs. This will ensure you have what you want and time to be flexible. If you dates change cancel and rebook. I was able to get everything I wanted and even changed things up a few time under 90 days.

[Team Bunch]

Love how helpful everyone is. Thoughts on adr's. 1st time at disney. 3 girls ages 6,3,2. Want to do mostly character meals dinner or lunch. What not to miss?

[feet1]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

Love how helpful everyone is. Thoughts on adr's. 1st time at disney. 3 girls ages 6,3,2. Want to do mostly character meals dinner or lunch. What not to miss?

Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. It's a character breakfast with Pooh, Piglet, etc. In mg opinion it is one of the best breakfasts!
We also loved Ohana's breakfast. It has Lilo and Stitch.

This time we are trying Chef Mickeys for breakfast and also The Garden Grill for dinner.

[black562]

Originally Posted by Team Bunch

Love how helpful everyone is. Thoughts on adr's. 1st time at disney. 3 girls ages 6,3,2. Want to do mostly character meals dinner or lunch. What not to miss?

Norway at Epcot has a Princess Storybook character dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. There are characters there such as Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Mary Poppins.