2016 Free Dining Watch

[switch15foot]

Concerned about buses at moderates as well ... Only moderate stayed at was French quarter back in 2013 when had pin for free dining, and we never had to share with riverside ... Usually stay at Pop and don't usually have to wait long for buses ... Any suggestions for which moderate to stay at with free dinning?

 

[Just Love Disney]

I am so disheartened to read how how hard CBR is to get. That is so where we want to stay!

So, as far as moderates- we don't want CSR again-but isnt POR usually left out of FD? Is it both PO Riverside and FQ that are not included? (I've never stayed at either, so I'm confused on the difference, if any.)

I'm scrambling a bit bc I thought CBR would be a shoe in, and now I keep seeing that it very well may not be. I have to come up with a back up, and then a backup for that backup.

We jumped online last year at 2:35 a.m. (MDT) and were able to book CBR but only Pirate rooms were available. After much debate, we decided to stay at POP instead.

Can I ask why you don't want CSR? We are considering that resort but are curious why some don't care for it. Also, a few years back we stayed at POR with FD but that was because we received a PIN. Would love to stay there again; it was beautiful!

Editing to add: Our dates last year were 10/25-10/31 ~ FWIW.

 

[Just Love Disney]

Is there any chatter going on underground with respects to Disney Visa pre-booking for FD?

 

[CJK]

Do we think these UK free dining dates could be similar to the US dates?

 

[Masonsears3]

Are the UK dates typically the same as the US dates?

 

[6loversofdisney]

I feel quite certain that the Port Orleans resorts were not included in last year's FD. Is that correct? Leaving only CBR or CSR as the two moderate choices?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Mr. Black upped the ante and listed possible exclusions as well! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[Just Love Disney]

Mr. Black upped the ante and listed possible exclusions as well! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Interesting, especially the part about booking to begin August 14th!

POR possibly included but still no October dates....

 

[Disneylover99]

WWYD? I haven't booked anything yet but I was hoping to book CBR 8/27-9/1. We stayed here last year with FD and it was great! I had initially had to book a waterview room but after the craziness died down I was able to get a standard. My goal is to get a standard room again this year but if it's not available I'm thinking the only other option there is preferred or pirate (waterview is currently unavailable those dates). Here's the kicker those rooms add $300 to my reservation. Im not the kind of person who cares what my room looks like at Disney so I feel like that's a waste of $$. However, for an extra $250 on top of the $300 ($550 total) we could stay at WL in a standard (if available). I don't feel like I would mind spending the extra $$ to stay at a deluxe hotel though. That all being said WL is under construction! Ugh I just don't know what to do as a back up plan. Is it worth getting the preferred at CBR or upgrading to WL? I should also add that I'm traveling with a 3 & 4 yo which is why I like the CBR and WL. The kiddie splash pools are perfect for them!

I don't know. Sometimes free dining is a slippery slope. You end up booking a more expensive room at a moderate and all of a sudden the Deluxe isn't that much more. Once you start thinking that way, it might be worth while to check out a room only discount in comparison.

 

[chewysmom]

Just Love Disney-We loved it the first time-it was so magical. Even the kids loved it there despite the non Disney theming. The next time, not such a good time. Nothing huge-just a lot of little things that just all added up-a few rude CMs, stinky room, terrible room location, etc.

Overall, CSR is a beautiful resort, and the pools are great too. We always had a great meal at Pepper Market, beds were so comfy, etc. We just have always eyeballed CBR but never did go there bc of the double beds. (We're a pooh sized/very tall family). Now that the refurb is done, the kids keep going on and on about CBR. I'm just really hoping I can snag it.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

Mr. Black upped the ante and listed possible exclusions as well! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Is that not just for South America? Maybe I read it wrong

 

[1437disney]

Joining in the wait and see game. We have 7 adults and 3 children, so free dining would be wonderful!

 

[vrajewski10513]

Is that not just for South America? Maybe I read it wrong

I read it as its a tease for our dates based on what was released for Brazilians.

 

[Masonsears3]

This is my families first visit with potential free dining...actually first visit in over 15 years and first ever for my 5 y/o son. If I book one hotel from the 31st to the 4th and then another from the 4th to the 13th and link the two...will that be considered one stay and fall under the requirements for free dining (I was already planning on the park hopper tickets)?Were planing on staying at CBR and then AoA suites due to more family coming down.

 

[markandjen]

Just Love Disney-We loved it the first time-it was so magical. Even the kids loved it there despite the non Disney theming. The next time, not such a good time. Nothing huge-just a lot of little things that just all added up-a few rude CMs, stinky room, terrible room location, etc.

Overall, CSR is a beautiful resort, and the pools are great too. We always had a great meal at Pepper Market, beds were so comfy, etc. We just have always eyeballed CBR but never did go there bc of the double beds. (We're a pooh sized/very tall family). Now that the refurb is done, the kids keep going on and on about CBR. I'm just really hoping I can snag it.

CBR switched to Queens except in the Pirate rooms during the refresh a couple of yours ago. The new rooms are very well done and the beds were wonderful.

 

[Disneylover99]

Concerned about buses at moderates as well ... Only moderate stayed at was French quarter back in 2013 when had pin for free dining, and we never had to share with riverside ... Usually stay at Pop and don't usually have to wait long for buses ... Any suggestions for which moderate to stay at with free dinning?

I'm really torn about this as well. POR is my first choice. But I really love the buses at Pop. My husband just wants to stay at Pop and upgrade the dining plan. As much as I love Pop, I want a moderate this time around. My back ups are CSR followed by CBR.

 

[vrajewski10513]

I'm really torn about this as well. POR is my first choice. But I really love the buses at Pop. My husband just wants to stay at Pop and upgrade the dining plan. As much as I love Pop, I want a moderate this time around. My back ups are CSR followed by CBR.

I love the buses at Pop too! We've never had bad bus service when we stay there.

 

[emmamomma]

I feel quite certain that the Port Orleans resorts were not included in last year's FD. Is that correct? Leaving only CBR or CSR as the two moderate choices?

I had fd Lat year at POR

 

[otg]

This is my families first visit with potential free dining...actually first visit in over 15 years and first ever for my 5 y/o son. If I book one hotel from the 31st to the 4th and then another from the 4th to the 13th and link the two...will that be considered one stay and fall under the requirements for free dining (I was already planning on the park hopper tickets)?Were planing on staying at CBR and then AoA suites due to more family coming down.

Orlando by joe. On Facebook and a website

 

[Just Love Disney]

Just Love Disney-We loved it the first time-it was so magical. Even the kids loved it there despite the non Disney theming. The next time, not such a good time. Nothing huge-just a lot of little things that just all added up-a few rude CMs, stinky room, terrible room location, etc.

Overall, CSR is a beautiful resort, and the pools are great too. We always had a great meal at Pepper Market, beds were so comfy, etc. We just have always eyeballed CBR but never did go there bc of the double beds. (We're a pooh sized/very tall family). Now that the refurb is done, the kids keep going on and on about CBR. I'm just really hoping I can snag it.

Do you recall where you were located? Was it terrible because of the distance to the food, bus, pool? We had a similar experience at POP last year but it was due to a dirty room. There was this random gummy bear from a previous family, hair all over the bathroom floor and walls, and a hairy sheet. Finally on day 3 of our stay they came in and did the deep clean that they promised on day 1. We did LOVE the bus service though and that is why we would consider it again.

CBR is beautiful, especially since the refurb. We have stayed there twice; one pre-refurb and once after. LOVE the after rooms but the bus system is less than desirable at times (not always)...