Can't believe they excluded POR!

[jesusluvsu2005]

That is the only place we're able to stay with 2 adults 3 kids. Very disappointed that they chose to not allow it. They don't have many options for families of 5 or more, especially that are more affordable. Any hope it could be added later?
Amanda

 

[ConnieB]

The problem with FD is that it's to fill rooms....so did the fact that soooo many people made reservations at POR in anticipation of FD that it filled enough that they chose NOT to include it?

If I recall correctly last year one of the resorts that was excluded originally was included later.....wonder if that might happen this year?

 

[wdwmaw]

Disney uses a promotion to fill rooms, that said, for my dates POR has every room category except standard so I really have a hard time seeing that point, in December 2012 we booked POR for FD for 14 nights through the new year and that year when we booked we got a garden view but standard, preferred, and one of the royal rooms category was sold out. They know it's popular with many guests and they also know now that people will pay the price to stay there, at least right now that's what Disney is betting.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[canadianmom2three]

We are also a family of 5, so I feel your pain. POR isn't the 'only' choice but I agree it's the best, and most economical choice to access free dining. POR is still available if you don't want free dining, but of course with a family of 5, free dining usually works out better than any RO discount + dining. I've been looking at all the options getting ready to book next week ad it looks like ASMu is $1100 more for us, AoA is $1600 more, 2 rooms at a value about the same increase too. All of those are less than the cost of Disney Dining Plan for us, so I figure we still come out ahead. Not sure if it is the same for you. Hope you can find a way to make the vacation work out!!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

As has been said, Disney did not do this, people who booked rooms that they would only use if FD became available did. Had they waited, I am almost certain that POR would have been included and they/you would all be happy right now.

Hopefully those pople have learned from this.

 

[LuzzBightyear]

We are in same boat... 2 adults, 3 kids. We booked POR due to a Room only discount made available by registering for the Wine and Dine half marathon, but were planning on switching over to FD if became available. Fortunately, we are travelling with 3 relatives, so we are going to put one kid in with them and get FD at CBR!

 

[wdwmaw]

As has been said, Disney did not do this, people who booked rooms that they would only use if FD became available did. Had they waited, I am almost certain that POR would have been included and they/you would all be happy right now.

Hopefully those pople have learned from this.

I agree 100%

 

[shystalips]

As has been said, Disney did not do this, people who booked rooms that they would only use if FD became available did. Had they waited, I am almost certain that POR would have been included and they/you would all be happy right now.

Hopefully those pople have learned from this.

This is so true, now hopefully it comes back after the mass exodus!

 

[hobbs29]

Please see my post in the Real reason POR thread

 

[NavyDad]

That is the only place we're able to stay with 2 adults 3 kids. Very disappointed that they chose to not allow it. They don't have many options for families of 5 or more, especially that are more affordable. Any hope it could be added later?
Amanda

Would FW Cabins work for your family?

 

[tinkerbella16]

I have to agree that everyone booking POR early with hopes of FD is the reason its excluded this time. They give FD to fill rooms and since so many already booked, there was no need to include Riverside. I know that its hard and I like booking our package ASAP.. I like having our package booked and set in stone and if we can score a discount, then that is a bonus for us! I'd hate to rely on it even though I know so many have no choice but tp rely on it with that amount of savings. maybe next year book another resort and POR may be back in again. Getting everyone to do that would be impossible though. I can remember 2007 thru 2012 not having any issues at all getting FD at both POR and FQ when I stayed at both those years. Now we are lucky if we see these two in the room only discounts!

 

[WDW1979]

Would FW Cabins work for your family?

The cabins at Fort Wilderness are wonderful, but depeding on the season they cost between $150 to $260 per night more than POR, negating most or all of the benefit of free dining. I think that is likely a problem for many families of five: they would like to take advantage of free dining, but with POR exlcuded all of the other options involve much higher priced rooms that cost so much more than POR that the extra room cost eats up most or all of the benefit of free dining. It is the reality, but a disappointing one for some. If POR had been in the free dining deal, my family of 5 would be travelling to Disney in December for a 12-night stay at POR. Since POR is not included in free dining, we will not be going to Disney during the rest of 2014 and we will see what 2015 has to offer, possibly including a stay at the new Cabana Bay Beach resort at Universal, which has rooms that accomodate 5 and which are cheaper than POR.

 

[hobbs29]

Call them wed or thur. Explain the situation and then ask if there happens to be a pin code under your name. If not ask to speak to guest relations and explain again. Be polite but firm. Not saying it will work but it just might. I would be surprised if you dont find a solution to your problem

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

I think anyone who has booked it before or is able to book it in the future should consider themselves very lucky if they are a family of 5. We are a family of five, with 4 considered adults on the dining plan. It makes no sense for Disney give my family this deal, nor would I expect them too. They don't owe me a steal of a deal. We just booked a room only at Beach Club at 30% off and I am happy with it.

 

[disney*mom*82]

Yes, so sad to hear this too. My husband said we could go to WDW over Christmas if they released free dining again. They did and I was so excited but then I see POR is excluded. We are a family of 6 (one under 3) and I can not justify paying more than double the price for the room each day to stay at the Cabins. So, we will not be going to WDW for Christmas unless for some reason they later add POR.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

People need to stop taking the POR exclusion so personally.

Look at it from a business perspective: Why do hotels offer a discount or promo? To fill rooms. Look at some of the other resorts that are excluded (AOA LM, VGF). They are popular right now due to novelty and limited availability. and let's be honest, right now POR is one of the most popular resorts overall, especially with bigger families. They don't need a promo to fill rooms. They are already filled.

I'm pretty sure Disney execs didn't sit in a room and decide "let's stick it to our customers that have larger families". They looked at bookings and decided which resorts to include and which weeks to exclude to meet their financial goals.

 

[aaarcher86]

People need to stop taking the POR exclusion so personally.

Look at it from a business perspective: Why do hotels offer a discount or promo? To fill rooms. Look at some of the other resorts that are excluded (AOA LM, VGF). They are popular right now due to novelty and limited availability. and let's be honest, right now POR is one of the most popular resorts overall, especially with bigger families. They don't need a promo to fill rooms. They are already filled.

I'm pretty sure Disney execs didn't sit in a room and decide "let's stick it to our customers that have larger families". They looked at bookings and decided which resorts to include and which weeks to exclude to meet their financial goals.

Couldn't agree more with the bolded.

I've seen tons of posts and comments about people booking POR in anticipation of free dining. It's really not much of a surprise.

I will say though that if they're trying to cut back on discounts POR is a good route to go since it's the least expensive option for a family of 5 - which does stink, BUT, they're a business. It's still nothing personal. And it's always been said NOT to bank on a discount. They aren't guaranteed.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I wanted to stay at POR but when FDing came out we switched. We didnt complain. U want a discout switch. If not stay and hope for one. No one is making anyone do anything. Besides we are going to WDW!!!!!! Be happy about that

 

[hobbs29]

I have a different take. You have right to speak your mind. If you want free dining at POR call and explain it to them. You will either get it fixed or not. I understand your situation all to well and support you. Just as you shouldnt take POR being excluded personally (maybe you should). Others should not take someone expressing their disappointment with Disney personally as well. DISNEY will offer free dining at POR this fall that is 99.9% a fact. Wether it is a random pin code sent out to 1000 people or it is advertised only time will tell. There is nothing wrong with calling wed or thurs and seeing what Disney can do for you. If they want your money they will get the job done. If they dont then you will have to decide if the product they offer is worth the money they charge.

Dont act like Disney is completey innocent in this matter. They make you do your ADR 180 + days ahead if you want the harder to get restaurants. They know people will book the rooms and do the ADR so if the discount does comes out they will be prepared. They know some people will cancel but they also know once you have the emotional investment of planing your vaction a lot will just except it and still go. Look at all the people that left POR because there wasnt free dining. Now that everyone has left for deluxes and values(in some cases two rooms) with upgraded dining (more profit) they will offer free dining at POR. Most will be happy(or not know if its a pin code) and not change back to POR. They will then fill POR with free dining pin codes or RO offers which is more profit for them.

I do not take it personal that they did not offer FD at POR. Please dont take it personal when I use the leverage I have as the customer.

 

[black562]

People need to stop taking the POR exclusion so personally.

Look at it from a business perspective: Why do hotels offer a discount or promo? To fill rooms. Look at some of the other resorts that are excluded (AOA LM, VGF). They are popular right now due to novelty and limited availability. and let's be honest, right now POR is one of the most popular resorts overall, especially with bigger families. They don't need a promo to fill rooms. They are already filled.

I'm pretty sure Disney execs didn't sit in a room and decide "let's stick it to our customers that have larger families". They looked at bookings and decided which resorts to include and which weeks to exclude to meet their financial goals.

I've been saying for more than a year now that people shouldn't book a room if they are only booking for free dining. This promo is done entirely to fill rooms in a low attendance period. I said many times that resorts such as this would end up being excluded if people kept booking, yet I saw many posts saying that was wrong, and people should book to get what they want.

Eventually, enough will book ahead of time to knock free dining off entirely. They won't offer a promo if heads are already booked into the beds.

Sorry...