cancel DL for WDW b/c of free dining and curiousity?

[bumbershoot]

We've been to DL one day each the last two years. Our one-day-blasts, I call them.

It's been so enjoyable (yes, I said it, zooming through the park with a 1.5 y.o. and then a 2.5. y.o was enjoyable!) that we have a 4 day trip booked this September.

And now I see WDW has free dining. And it's...intriguing.

If we cancel DL we lose $100 (booked with Costco travel).

But, even just going through the disneyworld.com website, taking into account the free food, even for 2 more days, it could actually be worth it!

Do we sit on our hands and assume they'll have the special next year, and just stick with Disneyland this year? Please note that taking an extra two days (4 days with travel on two of those days seemed FAR too short for WDW) will then ruin a second trip to San Diego and Disneyland in December, PLUS we were planning on getting APs so we could go back a few times in '08. So WDW would throw a monkey wrench in those plans.

But we're so CURIOUS! And I have family out there, and I could meet up with them (my cousin used to work for Disney stores and is a self-proclaimed expert on WDW and is willing to go even while vastly pregnant and/or with a tiny infant and her 4 year old), which would be fun to do now rather than later.


But, but, but...could it be worth it?

I know this is OUR decision to make, of course, but does anyone have any thoughts if THEY were in this position?

 

[dizzyami]

I must say that I was very intrigued about the free dining - and while I am not going to cancel my plans for this year (besides it is flight vs. drive for us) - I am seriously considere WDW for next year if the free dining is offered.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Free dining has been the last two years in a row, so I am counting on it wholeheartedly for next year at the same time. I am not cancelling DL trips this year, but I am planning that for next year instead. With us airfare is a HUGE factor, so WDW will always be about $1000 more expensive than going to DL for us which makes me sad!!

That said, I also would not want to give up your December trip, so I would keep what you have and plan on the free dining next fall!

Andrea

 

[bumbershoot]

You guys have good thoughts...keep 'em coming, even if they are opposite.

I love planning, but I HATE decisions! For those who believe in it, I'm a TRUE Libra.


For those who have been to both, 4 days at DL is terrific, right? While 6 days at WDW for a newbie might be just barely adequate? Or am I fooling myself?

 

[GailT]

Has Dl ever offered free dining?

 

[MATTERHORN]

No, but they don't have the dining plan like WDW does. DL's is a voucher system and I jsut don't think it would work as well there, especially with the much lower number orf restaurants on property!

Andrea

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh criminy, I accidentally got my hubby all psyched for switching! Nooo, we're still in discussions! I'm waiting to hear back from the travel agency!

Augh, we always do this. Communication has NEVER been our strong point...


Oh, whew, good, the *taking 2 more days off* thing made him realize we have to think this through more... I have some time.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

You guys have good thoughts...keep 'em coming, even if they are opposite.

I love planning, but I HATE decisions! For those who believe in it, I'm a TRUE Libra.


For those who have been to both, 4 days at DL is terrific, right? While 6 days at WDW for a newbie might be just barely adequate? Or am I fooling myself?

Exactly. I worked at WDW years ago so I am pretty familiar with how to do things there but I would never go under 7 nights. Next fall 2008 we are going for 10 nights. If I could go every year I might do under 6 but I feel in order to experience the most you can while you are there 7 or above is perfect.

 

[dohgusgus]

I'd say go for it. I've been only once and that was last year in June for my high school graduation with my family. I'm itching to go back as soon as i can! Its a great experience and I highly recommend it.

Sure, it takes quite a bit of planning but that's all part of the fun. I'm PROMISING myself that I will go next year, even if I go by myself (which my mom isn't too thrilled about ) but I'm missing it SO bad!

 

[KAYELIZ]

We went to WDW last year with the free dining plan and it was great! It was nice for the family to order whatever they wanted off the menu and not have to worry about the price. I have some friends who are trying to book it for this year and a lot of the dates and value resorts are sold out for the free dining plan. Before you cancel anything at DL, you should call and make sure that your dates are available. If I were you, I would stick with DL for this year and plan your dates for WDW well in advance for next year and jump on it the first day it becomes available. Disney makes it available first to Disney Visa Card holders and then a few days later to the general public.

 

[sharoncity]

WDW is wonderful, but 6 days is JUST barely enough. There are 4 separate parks, that are much farther apart than DL's 2 parks. Plus WDW has 2 waterparks that you may or may not want to visit.

My personal opion is to wait till next year to see if it is offered again. I think bringing a 1.5 or 2.5 is WONDERFUL!!! But, that being said, how will the little guy react to a very intense schedule? He may be more content with a slower pace and familiar surroundings. Just something to think about.... It might be easier to do WDW when he is a year or two older...

Either way you will have a great time. But I think two shorter trips would be better for this year. JMHO!

 

[czkmom]

With the ages of your kids, I would say stay at DL. We spent 9 days at WDW early last December with my ds 14, 10, 5 and we were SO overwelmed - although it was still a blast. We upgraded to a monorail resort and still had a good 1/2 hour+ trip to get to or from each park which made it hard for rests which are so needed at a place like that!

Free dining is great....but also during the "hot" months where it is even more necessary for breaks and much easier for kids to get cranky and uncomfortable!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Wait for next year.........IMO

We went in April of 06 w/a 5 year old for 7 nights & 8 days (2 of which was travel days), we had 6 1/2 days in the parks & it still wasn't enough. We had 3 character meals, but only stuck w/the 4 main parks & we did not see everything. We didn't get to ride Space Mountain, or even the Dumbo ride. For WDW - IMO - you need 7-10 days (the more the better) to see everything & w/a 2-3 year old you will need more breaks & have to travel back to the hotels (expect 45 min - 1 hour to wait for the bus & travel to your hotel & then much time back), you need much longer then 4 days, unless you only hit 2 parks, then I would say maybe. But if you are going all that way, you should see it all!

Just my opinion.....

Then you have something to look forward to & plan.....but keep in mind that the fall is the start of hurricane season - my parents 1st trip they were sent home after 2 days & didn't get alot of $ back from the trip.....(food for thought)

Good luck in deciding

 

[MPHARJ]

I'll throw a wrench in, if I may! I just booked our WDW trip today, because of the free dining. We were planning on a cruise in January, short non Disney one, and instead we are all going to WDW instead, it wasn't hard to twist my arm. Plus I already have our DL trip planned in 2 months. No one am I going to change my plans, my kids would kill me. They don't know about WDW yet, plus it is a cheap trip to WDW this year, value resort, which at this time Sports is the only one available for the plan. Which is fine with us we don't spend much time there anyways. I am just excited I get to go back to the world.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oops! As usual, my bizarro style of writing allowed wrong info to be heard.

My boy will be 3 soon, but on his first trip to DS he was about 1.5, and then the next year coming up on 2.5 (shortened to 2.5). Just one kiddo.


And I think he's more excited about his birthday ("I wait can't for my birfday!") than Disneyland, though he does remember it from last year!

The change in December plans would be because of DH taking 2 extra days off for WDW vs DL.

And I keep forgetting that the REASON for going to So CA is because we're going to be CA, in the Bay Area, for my HS reunion on the 15th, so it's just a hop-skip-jump away. So switching would be a bit hectic, with a 5 hour plane trip (or so...I've never done SJ to FL before) and a time change, rather than a 1 or 2 hour plane trip with NO change...


Augh, everyone has SUCH good arguments for whichever way their opinion lies....


Problem is, next year we wanted to do a BIG cruise for our 5th anniversary! Can't do the BIG cruise AND WDW, unless DH's job suddenly throws 4 weeks of vacation at him (which they won't).


Still no quote from the TA place. I've already priced the options (limited as I add on days as they are) directly through WDW's site (of course in the last hour they may have disappeared). So I won't make a decision until I hear from the TA.

I don't think so, at least.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

My few cents:

The best things at WDW (Epcot, Disney/MGM Studios, and parts of Animal Kingdom) would be better experienced when your boy is a little older. Next year -- or even the year after -- will be soon enough.

Since Disneyland trumps WDW's Magic Kingdom with a greater number of children's rides, I say stick to the original plan.

 

[bumbershoot]

Good point.

*********

Now that it's been a few hours since the thoughts popped into my head, I'm thinking more clearly.

Oh, and of course I had many people giving ideas and suggestions, thank you thank you.


Still no decision, but I've started realizing that I *actually* want to camp at WDW, and as many things as I've clicked on, I have yet to find that tent-camping can go along with free dining. The cabins yes, for much more than a value resort. But not tents.

Part of me thinks "camping in Florida, are you INSANE?" And the other part says "aw pshaw, I can handle a little heat".

We have yet to figure out which thought is correct.


So how early CAN one do a pre-trip report, especially when the trip(s) is(are) somewhat up in the air? One thing this place is missing is full-blown journals.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay here is my .02!

I would never tent camp at WDW let alone in September, one of the hottest, most humid months there. And no you cannot tent camp and get the free dining. That is a rainy time of year, we were there last September and each day the skies opened up. And Hurricane Ernesto also passed over Orlando (as a tropical storm or depression but still lots of rain). I would camp at Ft. Wilderness in a nice big RV but not tent it. NO WAY!

2. I think WDW is a seven day minimum. I prefer 10 days if at all possible. So if the only way you can do it is for six days that really would sway me.

3. Four days at DL is just about perfect. You wouldn't have to rebook and lose $100 in the process.

4. For my first trip to WDW September might be dicey. Unless you are used to heat and extreme humidity, September could really be a nightmare. The reason they offer free dining is that due to the heat, humidity and hurricane threat, September is not popular. This is a way to bring people in. I noticed you are from WA state so that is going to be a major change. It can certainly be done, the shows are airconditioned, they have two wonderful water parks and each resort has a pool. But that type of heat, OMG it zaps you!

5. I love WDW. I love the Disney Dining Plan. However during free dining its not free at all. You will be paying full rack rate for your room. If you go another time of year, off season you can get deep room discounts and pay for the DDP outright and not be much if any worse off. The DDP is a TON of food. You can eat at alot of restaurants at WDW pay out of pocket and actually save over the dinng plan. Again, I love the DDP and have done it and will continue to do so. However, it is a ridiculous amount of food. And it means you spend a lot of time eating, getting to where you want to eat etc. We have been to WDW about seven times and now the food is a big part of it for us. Because we don't spend as much time at the parks since we have seen it all several times. For a first visit, you may not want to invest that much time in dining. Just a thought.

I would really say to stick with DL. I have been to DL in September and WDW in September. For park touring, I would pick
DL hands down. I love WDW and I really prefer it in some ways. But for a first trip with the age of your son, I think a four day trip to DL would maybe be better for you. And again, I would think carefully about September in WDW. There are other wonderful off times to go when you can save money on a room or tent camp a bit more comfortably!. Late April into early May is my personal favorite.

Whatever you decide will be right for your family. Just thought I'd share some of my thoughts! Good luck with your decision!


I also want to add that you should really research the dining at WDW. Go to : www.allearsnet.com and click on dining and then the menus. Look at those, then come up with samples of what you and your dh would eat every day. Chances are very good that if you are paying out of pocket, you would order far less than you get on the DDP. The DDP does save you a ton of money (esp. if its free) if you were to order all that food and pay out of pocket. But how often would you eat that much? Appetizer, entree and dessert at a full service, plus combo meal with drink and dessert at a counter service, plus a snack, every day. If you went off season when the dining wasn't free, you could still eat very well for probably less than the DDP would cost you. And get a deep room discount to boot. So if you priced out a trip in a different, off season time of year, when dining was not free, you mght be surprised at how closely your trip total would equal to your free dining trip. Looking at those menus will give you an idea of what the restaurants at WDW are all about and if you want to base a trip around them.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Some things to consider.
1. If you only have a short time to spend, then the extra cost of air fare may eat up any savings you would get with the free food. Furthermore, WDW's advantages over DLR only come out on longer trips. If you only have 3-4 days, there is absolutely nothing you can do at WDW over that time period that will come close to the Joy and fun you'll have over 3-4 days at DLR. IMO.

2. Well this is the third year they've had free dining. But they lopped about a week or two total off the second year. And this year I think more than a week went off the front end and one week went off the back end. We took the free dining the past two years and I'm glad we did so. On our 10 day trips it saved us over $1000 each trip. Our week was one of the ones lopped off. But we got cheap air fare to Disneyland and so we jumped on that. I say when you get a good deal jump on it. But don't forget to determine whether it is still a good deal in total. it may not be.

3. Note that WDW doesn't have all that many more attractions in its 4 parks than DLR has in its two. But due to shorter hours and the vastly greater distances involved, you can't get to it all in 3-4 days like you can DLR.

Mk 2 days
EP 2 days
DS 1 day
AK 1 day
BB 1 day
TL 1 day
DQ/DD 1 day
That's a 10 night stay for pretty good coverage. The miain 4 parks could be done in 7 days.

I'm not a big fan of trimming and skipping some of the lesser attractions. If you do that, you negate the reason for going. To see what is different. That means you need time to do all the minor things that those that have been there 10 times in 3 years skip.

IMO AK is a blast.
DS is down on repeatability but for a first time, it's really good.
Oh and be sure to catch Stars and Motor Cars Parade. It's being replaced by Block Party Bash according to mice-age.
Epcot was to us fairly disappointing. World Showcase just didn't impress.
MK, If you put this up against Disneyland, you won't like it at all. it doesn't stand up. But I don't know of a single park anywhere, Disney or otherwise, that can. So if you judge it for what it is, still one heck of a park, you'll have a good time.

4. Ok I noticed another post. You can't stay in the campground and get free food. Sorry. And in September, you won't want to camp in a tent.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

4. For my first trip to WDW September might be dicey. Unless you are used to heat and extreme humidity, September could really be a nightmare. The reason they offer free dining is that due to the heat, humidity and hurricane threat, September is not popular. This is a way to bring people in. I noticed you are from WA state so that is going to be a major change. It can certainly be done, the shows are airconditioned, they have two wonderful water parks and each resort has a pool. But that type of heat, OMG it zaps you!

I could not have said this better Amy. September is a terrible month in FL. So hot, humid and rains like crazy. I personally cannot take that humidity and I lived there for 7 years. I have seen a lot of cranky families in WDW in late summer early fall due to the heat and humidity. It really gets to you.