2016 Free Dining Watch ~ Part 2

[cassie58]

So, been watching this thread for some time but haven't posted yet. Still trying to decide if I want to go yet and time is running out! Here is my dilemma.

I am currently booked for 11 nights at Cabana Bay (Sept 22-Oct 3) so I can go to two full weekends of Halloween Horror Nights. If I decide to do Disney, I would go before checking into Cabana Bay. Since I am staying so long at Cabana, I was going to book transportation that included a free 30 minute grocery store stop from the Airport to the hotel to pick up some items to save money. The thing is, they only offer that perk for round trips from and back to the airport. If I did Disney, I would have to figure out something to get me to and from the grocery store on the 22nd but all I can think of is a taxi and that can get expensive.

My other issue is price. If I am figuring it out right, AS Sports would be $927.25 for 4 nights/4 day PH, $1079.96 for 5 nights/ 5 day PH or $1232.66 for 6 nights/ 6 day PH (traveling solo). I have a DVC so I get the 6-month no interest which helps. However, I am planning on doing a LONG Disney trip next Sept. when Avatar opens and I was just at Disney last Sept. For all expenses (including $35 for food per day while NOT at Disney and Bush Garden/Sea World combo tickets to take the free shuttles from Universal), my 11 nights at Cabana Bay is going to be around $2485. Adding four nights at Disney brings it to $3430. However, I could go to Cabana Bay for 17 nights for $3410 giving me another weekend of Horror Nights.

I really want to check out the new Star Wars Fireworks, Rivers of Light, Frozen and Soarin but I would hope they are all still around next Sept. Been debating what to do all week and I just can't decide and time is running out! I only set aside $2500 for travel this year but work has been giving me extra hours and my budget can go up. Plus getting 6 months to pay both the deposit and then the final payment off really helps. What would you guys do? Skip Disney, add Disney or extend Cabana Bay? Whenever I do Disney, I always go for 8-10 nights and even that doesn't seem like enough. Would four nights not even be worth it?

You could order groceries to be delivered to your resort. We use Garden Grocer and have been very happy with them, since we are usually using DME, so don't have a car to grab anything.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

DD is 15. She says she will be up with me.
I should add that she's homeschooled and ahead of schedule for this school year, so Monday off (or a reduced day) is going to be in order.

That's perfect! So nice that you have a buddy to stay up with you!

 

[nicynot]

In the theater about to see Jungle Book. Be back in 2 hours...don't have too much fun till I get back!

Loved it!! And no one animal died that i would have had a hard time dealing with

 

[smallworld101]

Over on the UK site, the offer for free dining is up - will that offer be the same as what the US gets? Because it's slightly (alot) different than what we've been discussing.....

 

[Just Love Disney]

I enjoyed the old days when there were no rumors, just a few of us crunching numbers and making an educated guess. Some folks thought we had some kind of inside track because back then it was usually hitting the nail on the head. But we had no inside info, just a good understanding of how things worked.

Now a days, everything changes up and people leak info, like the South American pages, and Air Canada. Still, you have to pay attention at what info may or may not be exclusive to those countries or not....then in the end, they throw a curveball and change something at the last minute just to add a little chaos.

I sure hope that curveball is adding some FD dates to the end of October

 

[brittanidp]

Hello everyone, long time lurker first time poster! My girlfriend and I are looking at a trip 9/4-9/10. We have only ever stayed in value resorts(woo POP!), but I thought we might try and stay at POR this trip. I haven't made my reservations yet, so I have a couple of questions.

1)should I book NOW and then call tomorrow AM and add on the FD or RO discount?
2)Does this math seem right for POR:
$211 GV rack rate @ POR X 6 nights = $1266
4 day PH tickets = $788
$2054 + FD
$158.25 RO discount @por X 6 night = $949.50
4 Day PH Tickets = $788
$1737.50 w/out dining (would have to eat $316.50 worth of food to make even)
Or Pop Century:
$111 SR rack rate @ Pop X 6 nights =$666
4 Day PH Tickets =$788
$1454 + FD
$88.80 RO discount @ Pop X 6 nights =$532.80
4 Day PH Tickets =$788
$1320.80 w/out dining (would have to eat $133.20 worth of food to make even)
We have never had the dining plan before, but this is our first time we will be flying into MCO and won't have a car, making our food costs higher than they have been in the past since we would drive outside the resort for food. Any help would be appreciated!

I personally don't think I'd have a problem of spending $300 on food for 6 nights at Disney and that would be for me alone! I feel like the fd (POR) is a good deal unless you don't spend much at all on food

 

[DisBuckMan]

Hello everyone, long time lurker first time poster! My girlfriend and I are looking at a trip 9/4-9/10. We have only ever stayed in value resorts(woo POP!), but I thought we might try and stay at POR this trip. I haven't made my reservations yet, so I have a couple of questions.

1)should I book NOW and then call tomorrow AM and add on the FD or RO discount?
2)Does this math seem right for POR:
$211 GV rack rate @ POR X 6 nights = $1266
4 day PH tickets = $788
$2054 + FD
$158.25 RO discount @por X 6 night = $949.50
4 Day PH Tickets = $788
$1737.50 w/out dining (would have to eat $316.50 worth of food to make even)
Or Pop Century:
$111 SR rack rate @ Pop X 6 nights =$666
4 Day PH Tickets =$788
$1454 + FD
$88.80 RO discount @ Pop X 6 nights =$532.80
4 Day PH Tickets =$788
$1320.80 w/out dining (would have to eat $133.20 worth of food to make even)
We have never had the dining plan before, but this is our first time we will be flying into MCO and won't have a car, making our food costs higher than they have been in the past since we would drive outside the resort for food. Any help would be appreciated!

Remember that FD at value resorts is the QS plan, not the standard DP like at POR. You can upgrade to the standard DP for an extra cost.

 

[brittanidp]

Over on the UK site, the offer for free dining is up - will that offer be the same as what the US gets? Because it's slightly (alot) different than what we've been discussing.....

It's not the same. Their fd is for next year and it includes other discounts too like 2 week park tickets. Don't worry, ours is the normal dining plans

 

[kellyjeanie]

Was someone looking for the Air Canada info? I found it when looking for something else -

So for anybody who missed the posts and did not get to see if before it was pulled off the Air Canada site. Here is the info that was on the air Canada site this morning which I posted on the previous thread.

This was what they provided when checking All Star Music for the Room Only discount that was posted…
1. Save up to 25% off your hotel stay
Save up to 25% off your hotel stay!
o Valid for travel August 26 – November 5, 2016
o Book Between April 25, 2016 and August 31, 2016
Restrictions
o Minimum 2, maximum 14 night stay
o This offer can be booked as ‘Room Only’
o This offer can also be booked as a ‘Magic Your Way”
o This offer can also be booked as a ‘Room and Dine Only Package’ (no ticket required)
o The Disney Dining Plan, Quick Service Dining plan and Deluxe Dining Plan may be added at regular rates
o Discounted offer room rates are not applicable to any nights after November 5, 2016
o The room rate discount is a tiered discount which varies by resort and room type
o Magic Your Way Tickets are not discounted
o To be eligible to receive this offer, please select the room only offer category
NOTE for each hotel: The “Special Offer” is not applicable to 3-bedroom villas, the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (Category MV), Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Room (Room Type VA) Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter is at regular net rates form August 1 - 25, 2016
And here is what was on the site for the Free Dining promotion when checking POR…
1. Dining Special
For a limited time, Guests who purchase a minimum three (3), maximum fourteen (14) night stay in combination with a minimum 3-Day Magic Your Way ticket with Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More options will receive the Disney Dining Plan FREE.
o Valid for booking made between April 25, 2016 through August 31, 2016
o Valid for arrivals August 14 – October 1, 2016, November 15 – November 21, 2016; November 26 – November 28, 2016; December 10 – December 21, 2016
Restrictions:
o Minimum three (3), maximum fourteen (14) night stay required
o Must be booked with a minimum 2-Day Magic Your Way ticket that includes the Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More options
o This offer cannot be booked with a Magic Your Way Base Ticket
o Guests may also upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan at a discounted rate
o Offer discount is on the Disney Dining Plans only. There is no discount on the room rate or Magic Your Way tickets
o To be eligible for this promotion, please select the Free Dine Room Category • Discounted is reflected in the rates
NOTE: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is not part of this offer. Riverside is only available for the period of Aug 14 to Oct 1.

 

[EllyBelly]

I tried to nap , however i thought about Disney the whole time so something tells me, i was not asleep, just laying there with my eyes closed and too excited to sleep. Tonight will be rough lol

 

[black562]

I sure hope that curveball is adding some FD dates to the end of October

Usually the curveball is moving the release date. Does anyone remember a couple years back? They moved it forward by one day, but forgot to tell Chase Visa, who was handing out codes. That was a crazy day.

 

[penguin29]

Man, I checked this morning and there were less than 20 pages, 60 pages! It will take me all night to scroll through all of this! haha. Could anyone summarize any big news from the "experts"? Any changes from the original info? Dates the same? Thank you!

 

[CandiceF]

I didn't think October was any hotter last year than it normally is. It's our favorite time of year to go weather wise and we are from Canada. I'm looking forward to to it again this year!

Last year we were at Disney from Oct 30 to Nov 07 and it was unusually hot for that time of year. I think it was in the 90's for most of our trip and every CM we talked to commented on how it was like early Sept. weather. We are from Canada too and we couldn't take the heat!

 

[RedWolf95]

I want to add Universal to our vacation SO BAD. But I just can't justify the cost for our family of 5.... especially compared to the price of going to disney those 2 days. My husband and I are big HP fans and haven't been to the Wizarding World of HP! And in the last year my 3 girls have gotten into HP. Hubby is actually reading them the whole series and they're on book 5 right now (like... right now, as I'm typing, they're reading in the next room )

But for a 2 day park-to-park ticket for the 5 of us is over $1,000.... plus food.... when food is free (hopefully) at Disney AND tickets are $100 since we've already up in park tickets. So... yeah, if someone wants to give me $1,000? $900? yes? lol Maybe... MAYBE if MNSSHP tickets are WAY more expensive than they've been in the past, we'll do a 1 day ticket at Universal instead.... maybe.

Meanwhile, I tried to nap. That lasted less than an hour before my kids stomping around woke me up... so I'll be hooking up my caffeine IV here soon.

It is so VERY cool, but as for the rest of Universal not very impressed. So I would definitely say go for the HP but you really could do both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in one day and in my opinion just skip the rest of Universal.

 

[smallworld101]

It's not the same. Their fd is for next year and it includes other discounts too like 2 week park tickets. Don't worry, ours is the normal dining plans

Wew yes you are right, says 2017. Wew! Thanks!

 

[revdisney33]

Once we secure our dates, there should be FD meets set up by the pool bars.

If we must!

 

[Miss Bianca 351]

First time poster, but long time stalker I am so excited and hoping FD is released tomorrow. I have booked with a TA and when I talked with them on Friday, they said that they just received the same information that I had given them, (which was from here) So I am feeling pretty confident that it will be released sometime tomorrow.

Wishing everyone luck and that they are able to get what they want.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Well they're also being told that it only needs a 2-night's stay, and a "100% confirmed start on 8/14". Plus, they're so late to the party with their info, they'll never catch up with this thread.

So glad. Hope they all sleep late. Lol!

 

[disneymom0104]

Another homeschooling mom here. My oldest is finishing 10th grade, and my youngest is finishing 6th.

We homeschool, too! My oldest is finishing 8th, second finishing 6th, one finishing kindy and one too little for school! We have homeschooled from the start!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Man, I checked this morning and there were less than 20 pages, 60 pages! It will take me all night to scroll through all of this! haha. Could anyone summarize any big news from the "experts"? Any changes from the original info? Dates the same? Thank you!

Nothing new really....same dates as rumored before