1st week of December 2013 Support Group

[acceber32]

I'll join the group too! We will be there Nov. 30th thru Dec. 10th at POR and really thought our dates would be included in FD based off history and rumors, etc. I know its never set in stone but the fact it skips our stay just hurts! And then it includes strange dates (like part of Pop Warner week and then so close to Christmas those staying Christmas week get it) is just even harsher. We won't be changing dates either as our plane tickets are already booked and it'd cost way more than it'd be worth to change them. I'm just feeling sorry for all of us. They are all first world problems but that's why we are throwing ourselves a pitty party rather than asking someone else to, lol. And the pins, oh the pins!! I so wish we would have gotten one. We call often to see if we can get one but no such luck. Oh well, there is still hope for a RO discount.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'll join the group too! We will be there Nov. 30th thru Dec. 10th at POR and really thought our dates would be included in FD based off history and rumors, etc. I know its never set in stone but the fact it skips our stay just hurts! And then it includes strange dates (like part of Pop Warner week and then so close to Christmas those staying Christmas week get it) is just even harsher. We won't be changing dates either as our plane tickets are already booked and it'd cost way more than it'd be worth to change them. I'm just feeling sorry for all of us. They are all first world problems but that's why we are throwing ourselves a pitty party rather than asking someone else to, lol. And the pins, oh the pins!! I so wish we would have gotten one. We call often to see if we can get one but no such luck. Oh well, there is still hope for a RO discount.

I read that the only reason disney didnt include that week because they usually do is because they had enough bookings from the PINS that went out for the rest of the year FDing that they didnt need it

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I'm glad I'm not alone. I too booked that week thinking we would get something (and because it's historically less crowded). I'll keep my fingers crossed for at least a RO deal...at this point, I'll take whatever I can get. I also hope this isn't a sign that the week will be extremely crowded now.

 

[jessicamouse]

My heart dropped yesterday as well. Last year, we literally FELL into free dining. My hubby called me at work in July and said "hey, by the way, I just talked to Disney and they told us we could get free dining - what do you think?" We were going to stay offsite, but decided to jump on the great deal, and had a blast! Now, of course, we're hooked, and this year I have been planning, and stalking the boards for months already, only to find that it isn't going to happen for us, at least not for our original dates (11/30 - 12/8).

SOOOOO, after a couple of hours of moping, I decided to look into the difficulty of changing our plans to two weeks earlier, to be included in the promotion. Turns out we were able to save $70 on our airfare by making the change (I LOVE Southwest for their change policies and book the identical package in almost every other way (resort and most ADR's). MOST, that is. I had to loose Be Our Guest, which kind of stings, but at least we can eat there for lunch, right? SO, I guess Christmas starts even earlier this year - Nov. 16 to be exact

Here's hoping some others can make the change, and if not, that you can at least qualify for a good discount. I still feel pretty bummed that we had to make the change, but at least we have the scoop (thanks to these boards) that gives us all a chance

Good luck to everyone - I hope you all have magical trips, regardless of the discounts that come your way.

 

[momofkids]

This whole thing made me feel sick. I did wait to book. The PINs are so unfair. My sister got one, and she isn't even using it. I wish we could. Now, I don't know if I should wait or try to change weeks. I am hoping that lots of people will move their reservations once they see the Free Dining dates. Maybe Disney will add our week if there are enough cancellations.

 

[alicia080979]

Just throwing myself a pity party for 1 since it appears my dates are not going to be included in the new Free Dining promotion My heart is a little broken this morning...really wish I would have gotten the original PIN that did include my dates Oh well, at least I'm still going to Disney, right?

I was all excited to get on the Dis today to see if there were any updates about FD. At least you can say "I'm still going to Disney". Without FD for the dates we were going (11/29-12/8), we aren't going at all. I am heartbroken and it is all I can do to not sit and cry!

 

[alicia080979]

This whole thing made me feel sick. I did wait to book. The PINs are so unfair. My sister got one, and she isn't even using it. I wish we could. Now, I don't know if I should wait or try to change weeks. I am hoping that lots of people will move their reservations once they see the Free Dining dates. Maybe Disney will add our week if there are enough cancellations.

The pins really are unfair. We have friends and family that have never been and don't plan to that have gotten pins whereas we have spent a ton of money going multiple times a year some years and never once gotten a pin. After this morning realizing I don't get my trip this Nov/Dec bc of the dates...I think it will force me to get over always having a trip planned and therefore be in no rush to plan the next one. It's my loss as well as Disney's I guess.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I was all excited to get on the Dis today to see if there were any updates about FD. At least you can say "I'm still going to Disney". Without FD for the dates we were going (11/29-12/8), we aren't going at all. I am heartbroken and it is all I can do to not sit and cry!

Oh no! Could a RO discount be helpful to you? Those dates haven't been announced yet but hopefully Disney includes that first week of Dec!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

This whole thing made me feel sick. I did wait to book. The PINs are so unfair. My sister got one, and she isn't even using it. I wish we could. Now, I don't know if I should wait or try to change weeks. I am hoping that lots of people will move their reservations once they see the Free Dining dates. Maybe Disney will add our week if there are enough cancellations.

I know, PINS are so frustrating. My mom and my coworker both got one.. neither plans to go to Disney this year. What a waste! Best part is, I'm the one that takes my mom so that's how they have her info.

 

[jgperkin]

Im in the same boat with all of you. We arrive on Dec. 4th. Has anyone heard of what the room only discounts might be?

 

[scard192]

The pins really are unfair. We have friends and family that have never been and don't plan to that have gotten pins whereas we have spent a ton of money going multiple times a year some years and never once gotten a pin. After this morning realizing I don't get my trip this Nov/Dec bc of the dates...I think it will force me to get over always having a trip planned and therefore be in no rush to plan the next one. It's my loss as well as Disney's I guess.

Did you try calling Disney to see if you have the FD PIN? A lot people never got an e-mail but did have a PIN. My sister had one that we used over 2 months ago and she has never received an e-mail about it.

 

[Shea&Van]

Hi friends,

I am so sorry that our week is excluded. I was really upset too. I had some friends that had planned on joining us on our trip and they simply will not go without FD. So, they are officially out. I was upset because our kids would have such fun together.

However, I'm trying to put a positive spin on this whole situation. Perhaps it will keep the other non-Dis visitors out of the parks during our week. (you know the ones, who don't do any planning and then clog all the routes to/fro and then lament how they can't eat where they want to eat, etc.)

Then, we'll all have blissfully happy trips with other like-minded folks who have a plan, have made their reservations, have developed a decent touring plan, and are generally more happy (and polite) than the average bear. Perhaps the crowd levels will be even more enjoyable since the riff-raff will choose another week with FD offered.

We are staying mostly off-site, so the discounts don't really affect me at this point. We have a two night stay at AoA and we were hoping for a RO discount and then we may have added an additional night or two, but without any discount, this girl will probably be doing a hotel off-site for a few nights. We shall see...

I'm going to send lots of pixie dust and positive vibes for those of you who need a discount. Keep hope alive y'all!!

 

[Dawson'sMom]

so sad!!!! I really needed free dining also! My DH can't change his vacation days so I am hoping to get a RO discount for our week Nov. 30th - Dec.7th or we will have to cancel.

 

[alicia080979]

Did you try calling Disney to see if you have the FD PIN? A lot people never got an e-mail but did have a PIN. My sister had one that we used over 2 months ago and she has never received an e-mail about it.

We have called and checked both my email accounts, DH and my mom. Disney hates us, lol. I already called and cancelled our trip. I think what breaks my heart the most is that we are getting our first foster to adopt child in Aug/Sept and this was going to be our first trip with our first child and I was so excited. I know I shouldn't have gotten so excited but between the pin code dates and history, I thought we were good for our dates.
Boo Disney. Boo.

 

[alicia080979]

Oh no! Could a RO discount be helpful to you? Those dates haven't been announced yet but hopefully Disney includes that first week of Dec!

We stay Mod with 3 adults (+1 child this year) and FD is way better. RO at a Mod doesn't even cover/barely covers one adult day of FD. Hopefully it works for everyone else that wants it though! I think if I can get over my Disney addiction (this is kinda forcing me too a little, lol) that we could probably benefit from taking a couple years off so it is probably for the better.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

We have called and checked both my email accounts, DH and my mom. Disney hates us, lol. I already called and cancelled our trip. I think what breaks my heart the most is that we are getting our first foster to adopt child in Aug/Sept and this was going to be our first trip with our first child and I was so excited. I know I shouldn't have gotten so excited but between the pin code dates and history, I thought we were good for our dates.
Boo Disney. Boo.

I'm so sorry Maybe we will get a little miracle and our dates will show up when Disney officially releases dates....one can dream

 

[ktrask]

Count me in the pity party. I'll bring the chips.


We are booked at AOA in a LM room and paying for the dining plan. Had FD been in our dates I was going to upgrade our resort. In the end it was probably going to be the same price since we'd be at a moderate with free dining.

I'm sad for no upgrade, but we will still be thrilled with a LM room. Lord knows DD will love an Ariel room

 

[jaybee1026]

After major disappointment, I'm trying to keep a positive side to this... we still have perfect times for several restaurants including BOG and pre park opening CRT, CP and Tusker House that I know my kids will love. We'll still be there for 14 nights. We've never stayed onsite before and while I was hoping we could go all out w/ the DP, it might work out better in the long run just to have our top picks, playing the rest by ear. I only hope that the rest of my December disappointees can still make it to Disney.

 

[momto2inKC]

We are booked the first week also. We've decided to go ahead and switch our dates to mid-November. I really wanted to go in Nov, maybe next year! I'm not changing my dates until it's officially out. I have rebooked ADR's though.

 

[meredith1]

LMAO-Oh my, I hear you! Count me in! We are leaving Nov. 30 and staying through Dec. 7 and staying at BLT.

I have been researching most of today and I just don't believe those dates and there is slim to nothing available, room wise. According to those dates, people will be able to have FD all of Halloween week, all of Thanksgiving week or all of Christmas week. I just don't buy it.

Touring plans and Easywdw has all of those dates busier than the first week of December as well.

Perhaps we'll get a room discount. I'm not changing my dates. I'd rather pay full price than deal with crowds.

BUT-I am happy for those folks who are getting the FD. I can't be bitter or can I?