End of August Whining...

[mommyrosa2]

I was very sad myself but then booked with *** and I cant believe the deal they are offering its no free dining but we are staying at the Yacht club with 6 day park hoppers with bonus (water park) 3 disney adults and 1 child for 2400 Ill pay oop for dining for that price

It was actually better than FD for us...I just cancelled my FD BB offer that I had booked for this August & booked the agency exclusive instead...it was about $100 cheaper than the FD BB . The YC was sold out already but she somehow got me into the BC.

 

[usd2bmd]

I can totally relate. We Have not been since 2009 because we had decided to do other vacations. We debated going back this year but again my DD and husband wanted to do a cruise.

We always go the week before Labor Day, my daughter goes back to school right after we get back. As it turns out deciding not to go this year was a good decision. I still miss the fact that we aren't going..

 

[Palendat]

I promise to get over this, but I just need to vent and whine for just a moment...

We've gone last week of August three times (2007, 2010, 2011) and LOVED the free dining plan. Our family of four actually likes the break for a TS dinner and have had fun trying new places.

So, based on history, we figured we could do the same thing again this year. Now that my youngest will be 11, we're all "adults" according to Disney. So we figured it worked out better to stay at a mod resort and get TS dining than to upgrade at a value. Priced out at $2359 for 6 nights at PO. GREAT!!!!

Now we get the news that there's no more FD. With an 11-year-old who eats like a bird, there's no way it's worth $55 a day for DP. So we'll be going out of pocket. And even with a RO discount, it looks like it will have to be a Value for us. Kids don't mind at all-I would have preferred something different this time. Doing numbers, looks like we're going to be spending more for the value resort and OOP dining as we would have for mod and free dining. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

We're still going, we're still going to have fun. But I feel like my balloon has popped and they're offering me one 1/10th of the size to replace it! A RO discount is better than nothing, but at a value resort it's not much at all.

Am I the only one feeling cheated somehow....even though I know I haven't been?

While many will appreciate the politically correct tone of your thread, I agree that you SHOULD be upset at Disney. For the past 10? years they have priced a product at the end of August at $x. This year, it is 20% or more higher. If meat companies, dairies, etc, raised their prices during August 20+% just because they could, people would be OUTRAGED. Just saying. Many will disagree with me, but that's OK.

 

[trixiemuffin]

While many will appreciate the politically correct tone of your thread, I agree that you SHOULD be upset at Disney. For the past 10? years they have priced a product at the end of August at $x. This year, it is 20% or more higher. If meat companies, dairies, etc, raised their prices during August 20+% just because they could, people would be OUTRAGED. Just saying. Many will disagree with me, but that's OK.

Very good point!! Yes, they have every right to cut discounts, but you can't help feeling upset and let down.

 

[squirrel4569]

I was hoping for a FD discount since we stay at Values the RO discount doesn't do much for us. Last year when we went for Thanksgiving we knew it would be blacked out so we paid full price and all was good. We always plan for full price and then if we get a discount it is a bonus. For us the RO discount is about $230 but a FD discount would be about $700 for our now party of 5 with 3 adults. $230 is better than a sharp stick in the eye for sure, but it's no FD.

As plenty of others have said though, at least we're going to Disney. We didn't even think we'd be back until June 2014 so this is a bonus.

 

[BSUSUE]

Count me in this club, very angry for a day or two completely over disney, then i came back full circle and now am excited that i just get to be there! Just felt bad for my parents as i had insisted that free dining will come out just stay patient. LOL wrong. On the bright side we were able to extend our time at shades of green, and we will be staying our first night at a value, and our last nights at a value so can use ME. With RO it should save us some money , wont be eating at many TS though, just cant convince my DH to pay that kind of money for any food!Although im excited that i dont have to worry about making adrs, etc.. Should really free up some time for us, We will be there for 2 full weeks so it should be a great time! Now just have to figure out how to get luggage from value to shades and back again lol

 

[juliehoey]

I hope Disney is listening and reading all these threads:I am too upset about it. I was hoping for it on our 2014 trip at end of August since my son will be a Disney 'adult' Historically, it's not fair to all of us who counted a year in advance on FD. What's the one week difference this time I ask of Disney? Now I will plan on it not being available..

 

[verlee]

While many will appreciate the politically correct tone of your thread, I agree that you SHOULD be upset at Disney. For the past 10? years they have priced a product at the end of August at $x. This year, it is 20% or more higher. If meat companies, dairies, etc, raised their prices during August 20+% just because they could, people would be OUTRAGED. Just saying. Many will disagree with me, but that's OK.

I agree with you. Some people think that just because Disney is Disney we should be happy just to be partake of the magic. For example it has been said that we should be excited/happy that a 15% discount for end Aug will be extended. Nope, I am not excited for a 15% discount when for years prior FD was offered and or a better room only discount. We planned for Aug. because of the lower costs. This will be our most expensive trip yet.

We are Disney World lovers. We can't wait for our yearly trips "home". But lately, I feel a little like a sponge that Disney is trying to wring dry. Disney is sytematically taking away all the ways we use to save money. i.e. YES tickets are more expensive, Dining plans costs are up but the amount of food you get is down, Soon only 3 FP per day will be available, Less discounts for value resorts then mods/ deluxe, not to mention all this along with general price increases across the board ect.

I am done now. Rant over. I just had to get that off my chest. I still love Disney and will enjoy our trip but they are making me feel just like every other buisness does. I am just a number and $$ to them. (They probably always thought that... but they never told me . )

So the big question is.... why continue to give them my vacation $$?? Things to think about.....

 

[Pirate princess 2]

All of you are really making me feel so much better. I thought I was the only one who was this upset and was wrong to feel this way. Thanks to all of you I don't feel bad anymore for being angry. That is exactly why we picked to go at the end of the summer... because of FD. Now what's the point to pay rack rates or a small discount off of value and the possibility of a hurricane. We are still going this year, and I will have a great time with my family. However, as many have said we may find somewhere else to go next year.

 

[mommy3]

We are in almost the exact same boat at the OP, with what are now 3 'adults', youngest is 11 but still doesn't eat much. We booked our visit back to WDW (after 4 long years) at the end of August for three reasons (lower crowds than in the rest of summer, the one week the kids would only be missing a few days of their pre-school extra curricular practices and FD). Have had it 2x before and it was nice (2nd time not as much as the first time when gratuities were still included, but still nice). Very, very disappointed to have missed it by 1 week. I did get a 30% RO discount via a pin awhile back so happy to have something, but just having the FD with 5 adults was going to be a much better offer. And since I would never pay for the DDP, I will certainly miss those sit down meals in the air conditioning!

 

[RainK]

I need to respond the the PP. This August trip will be our most expensive trip yet. We have gone just about every year since 2006. The reason we choose Disney is because it was so affordable with enough things to do for EVERY AGE. It's not affordable anymore. Sadly.

I unfortunately think this will be our last trip for awhile. We are staying at a value and paid for the DDP with 6 day park passes with WP option for 8 nights.... plus airfare its almost $4500. I almost just died when I just added that up, BTW.

 

[RainK]

Also need to add that I get that Disney is a business BUT a little heads up would have been nice on NO FD

 

[rickysgirl]

I think we all learned our lesson.....Next time take the bounce back!

 

[Donnainnj]

Count me in this club, very angry for a day or two completely over disney, then i came back full circle and now am excited that i just get to be there! Just felt bad for my parents as i had insisted that free dining will come out just stay patient. LOL wrong. On the bright side we were able to extend our time at shades of green, and we will be staying our first night at a value, and our last nights at a value so can use ME. With RO it should save us some money , wont be eating at many TS though, just cant convince my DH to pay that kind of money for any food!Although im excited that i dont have to worry about making adrs, etc.. Should really free up some time for us, We will be there for 2 full weeks so it should be a great time! Now just have to figure out how to get luggage from value to shades and back again lol

We usually go to lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern and Kona when we are not on the dining plan. Makes for a great air conditioned break in a hot day, the food is good, and the prices are not so bad. Another option we have found more recently is the Lunch buffet at Biergarten.
Donna

 

[BSUSUE]

Thanks for the suggestions thinking we may add some of the cheaper ts restaurants for sure, just because with 2 weeks break times will be needed im sure.

 

[squirrel4569]

I think we all learned our lesson.....Next time take the bounce back!

Amen to this! I'm still kicking myself for not booking the BB. I will always put the deposit down and cancel if we can't make it from now on.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Okay, you've all made me feel justified in being a bit put off--THANK YOU! Somehow a 15% off a room rate that's too high to begin with, with nothing else included, just didn't seem like much consolation to me. I thought I was being selfish, entitled, greedy, all those negative things. But I guess it's just a huge disappointment and I feel kind of deflated by the whole thing.

Still looking forward to going, but not as excited as I was. Based on cost alone, this will probably be our last trip for a while.

 

[Madformickey]

Amen to this! I'm still kicking myself for not booking the BB. I will always put the deposit down and cancel if we can't make it from now on.

i agree. shame on me for being so blind!

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

I think we all learned our lesson.....Next time take the bounce back!

Alas, I really only go every other year, can't take advantage of the BB.

 

[cart-mom]

Has anyone considered that maybe because so many people booked bb that may be the reason they changed the dates?