2016 Free Dining Watch ~ Part 2

[memma05]

LOL! I think you and I have similar dates!

I think we do too

 

[NicoleLarson]

Calling all Coronado aficionados!

Off topic question here but I could use your advice. 8days/7nights at CSR resort in December. Traveling with DW,DD(8),DS(22mo.). Was planning on booking "standard" room due to budget constraints but have noticed that CSR is HUGE! I would like to be close to ElCentro as we will be doing QS breakfast at Pepper Market most mornings. Also I've read that preferred rooms in Casitas1,2or3 are near the first bus stop. (It's actually bus stop "#4" but buses goes there first) Or so I'm told. Pool is not really a factor because we are going in Dec.

Considering upgrading to "preferred" room in Casitas 1,2 or 3. If we do this it means we would have to reduce our trip by 1 day to stay within budget. What would you do? Upgrade to preferred and cut a day off trip or "just rough it" and book standard room with 8th day included?

Thanks in advance.

We love the cabanas section, which is all standard except for the business class rooms. Don't count the pool out in December, it doesn't usually get "cold" around here until 1st-2nd week in Jan. Not sure why but CSR doesn't feel as big to me as CBR or POR. I think they made it really easy to get around. As long as you're not in the rancheros section, you're good.

 

[black562]

You think campsites are going to be included? I didn't think they were ever included?

They were last year. That one may be a bit optimistic, but what the hay, let's see what happens.

 

[memma05]

I have cbr booked for dec 17-23 because I'm going regardless of discounts and we are 5. Disney doesn't like families of 5 for some reason. So please don't be mad that I already booked. My question is... Should I look to modify or start new reservation tomorrow? Which will be faster?

I feel the same way! We technically are a family of 5 but the youngest DD wont be 3 this trip so its the last year we can stay in a "standard" room anywhere lol!

 

[rymahoney]

This Royal room at POR excluded for end of November has me pretty irritated.

 

[MissRee]

Anyone else periodically playing with the change/modify link?

 

[NicoleLarson]

So how sure are we that tomorrow is the day?

 

[Jeaniec]

Anyone else periodically playing with the change/modify link?

Yes. It seems to be working just fine at the moment. Wonder what will happen when EVERYONE attempts to change/modify at once?

 

[Kelly Anne]

Anyone else nervous about tomorrow or am I just being foolish???

 

[Canadisney Fly]

Yes!!! Because our preferred date is 11/12, but we are willing to push it to 11/15 in order to get FD! Although our fantastic sources here on this board never said 11/11, it was always 11/15; not sure where the 11/11 came from (well, I know where it came from, but not where they got their info).

We have our heart set on the Food and Wine (FYI - this event was the tipping point for husband, who asked this year "so are we going back to Disney this year? I REALLY liked the steak..."), but it ends on Nov 14th. We had FD last year, and you can ROCK the F&W with snack credits (counter service meal = 3 snack credits)! Maybe they're starting the Nov FD on the 15th because the F&W ended on the 14th... oh, isn't speculating over morning coffee fun?!? <3. Plan B is to go for five days beginning on Sept 30/Oct 1st, but there's no holiday in there, so it means pulling the DS out of school for a longer period of time.

 

[archdandy]

Just checking in! How many of you are planning on staying up all night and how many are setting their alarms throughout the night? I'm going to do my best to stay up through the night. I plan to take a nap later and have some tea on hand for the night. Plus I'll have lots of things to do like watch the new game of thrones!

 

[sullygirl14]

So I just got off the phone with a WDW cast member and I am not sure if things have changed from the past, or if she has no idea what she is talking about. If the free dining promotion is released with the end date of the August/Oct period ending on October 1st. If I currently have a reservation made from 9/30-10/14- wouldn't I be eligible for the entire stay of free dining since we would be checking in on the 9/30 date? She told me that only the 9/30 and 10/1 would be eligible and the rest of the stay wouldn't be covered. This is definitely different from terms in the past. We are probably going to reduce our stay to 9/30-10/11, but I am afraid to make any date changes until we know what promotions will be released. She also told me that doing modifications online will most likely be unsuccessful and I would have to call... thoughts? =(

 

[aaarcher86]

So I just got off the phone with a WDW cast member and I am not sure if things have changed from the past, or if she has no idea what she is talking about. If the free dining promotion is released with the end date of the August/Oct period ending on October 1st. If I currently have a reservation made from 9/30-10/14- wouldn't I be eligible for the entire stay of free dining since we would be checking in on the 9/30 date? She told me that only the 9/30 and 10/1 would be eligible and the rest of the stay wouldn't be covered. This is definitely different from terms in the past. We are probably going to reduce our stay to 9/30-10/11, but I am afraid to make any date changes until we know what promotions will be released. She also told me that doing modifications online will most likely be unsuccessful and I would have to call... thoughts? =(

I answered you in your other thread, but I'll put here.

You're fine. She doesn't know what she's talking about. RO discounts are date specific because dates are singular. The dining plan, on any reservation is all or nothing. It can't be broken up by date. That's why package discounts that affect stuff like that are all or nothing, based on the check in date.

You're good.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I would take a standard room but when you get there make sure they do not put you in the ranchos secton. That is the farthest away from el centro.

Got it. Thanks

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

While I am learning my way about free dining, I can speak about cancelling your credit cards...don't. If you have the no-fee version, don't touch it. If you have the annual fee version, maybe. Your credit score is made up of many things, but two of the most heavily weighted portions are your length of credit history (how long have your accounts been open?) and your debt to available credit ratio (how close are you to maxxing out all your cards?) while that Disney Visa isn't doing you any good this year toward free dining, it is doing you a LOT of good towards your credit score. If a little petty revenge makes you feel better (it does me LOL), charge all your Disney purchases to a different card that gives you cash back or airline miles or something and get a reward for your spending, but please don't close the card over this. That never used card with the $5000 credit limit (or whatever yours is) counts as length of credit opened and shows responsible use of credit by not using it even though you have it.

Yeah, I have the fee version, it isn't worth it to me to keep. I pay off the bill every month. I MAY just downgrade, but we'll see.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

We love the cabanas section, which is all standard except for the business class rooms. Don't count the pool out in December, it doesn't usually get "cold" around here until 1st-2nd week in Jan. Not sure why but CSR doesn't feel as big to me as CBR or POR. I think they made it really easy to get around. As long as you're not in the rancheros section, you're good.

Great info! Thanks. I hear you on the pool possibilities, but I just didn't want that to sway anyone's advice to me.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I can only speak for myself here but canceling one or two cards per year has never negatively impacted our [excellent] credit score. But.... DH and I have a 30 year history of responsible credit use so that may be why. For others, with different circumstances, the impact may be more significant.

Exactly. We have perfect credit. No loss to me. Probably more
Of a loss showing I have multiple cards than anything.

 

[sullygirl14]

I answered you in your other thread, but I'll put here.

You're fine. She doesn't know what she's talking about. RO discounts are date specific because dates are singular. The dining plan, on any reservation is all or nothing. It can't be broken up by date. That's why package discounts that affect stuff like that are all or nothing, based on the check in date.

You're good.

Thank you for clarifying! I had a feeling she had no idea what she was talking about, but was afraid maybe something had changed. I am guessing it would be better to leave with the dates I already have booked and can reduce # of days afterwards? I am hesitant to change anything at the moment now.. lol

 

[Stephanie Isaacson]

On the regular plan, dessert comes with the qs and ts meal, and is per person. On the deluxe plan dessert also comes with the qs and ts meal, however with this plan you also get an appetizer per person. With the deluxe plan, you get 2 snacks per person. Hope this helps!

Thank you! It helps a ton!

 

[Kellett]

Just checking in! How many of you are planning on staying up all night and how many are setting their alarms throughout the night? I'm going to do my best to stay up through the night. I plan to take a nap later and have some tea on hand for the night. Plus I'll have lots of things to do like watch the new game of thrones!

I am so excited about Game of Thrones tonight!!!!