End of August Whining...

[mommyrosa2]

So it seems like many folks may have moved their dates to Septenber as I was originally booked this August at a moderate with a FD BB from last year. I had originally wanted the BC but each time I checked they only had water VW rooms and higher available so I ended up booking an agency exclusive deal with a TA at the BC STD VW with the intent of canceling my BB but the downside was no DP. Before I cancelled DH convinced me to try Disney one more time and when I did this morning, they had just about every category available. I ended up keeping my FD BB and cancelled the TA booking. I'll be another looking for a BB again this year and IF there's one, I'm booking it.

 

[Suzanne74]

I am actually really excited there is no free dining. I am hoping the crowds will be nice and low this year.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I am actually really excited there is no free dining. I am hoping the crowds will be nice and low this year.

I doubt they will be low. They must be pretty full that is most likely why it was not included in the FD this year.

 

[Carriesouthard]

I am actually really excited there is no free dining. I am hoping the crowds will be nice and low this year.

Yes! Me too...we go every year the 3-4th week in August. Crowds were very manageable last year and FD started a few days into our trip. Many people are shifting dates if they can to get FD...here's hoping

 

[Jimmysmom0703]

I was hoping for FD this August too! Its messing up my plans. The RO discount on a value doesnt save alot of money. I was wondering if it is better to go the 3 or 4th week of august. Are the crowds really less the 4th week? I check the calendars and they said 3rd week is a 6 where the 4th week is a 3..any suggestions? Also should I do POP or AOA LM? thanks!

 

[Suzanne74]

I doubt they will be low. They must be pretty full that is most likely why it was not included in the FD this year.

I disagree. I think they just had too many people try to squeeze in vacation the last 2 weeks of August and realize the FD offer is used much higher those 2 weeks then any week in Sept. This spreads the crowds into Sept as it makes people who normally prebook Aug, to move to Sept. The ones that can't, just stick with their Aug dates (due to airfare or school) so crowds may be a littler higher than say an Aug 10 years ago with no discount, but lower than a Aug the past few years.

Smart financial move on Disney's part. Now what they do next year when people aren't as likely to prebook end of Aug knowing FD might not be offered. That I am interested in seeing. They could have enough bounce backs to offer FD or have enough overseas guests.

But regardless, to actually have a chance to get a usually bot crowded TS meal on the fly is good enough for me.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I was hoping for FD this August too! Its messing up my plans. The RO discount on a value doesnt save alot of money. I was wondering if it is better to go the 3 or 4th week of august. Are the crowds really less the 4th week? I check the calendars and they said 3rd week is a 6 where the 4th week is a 3..any suggestions? Also should I do POP or AOA LM? thanks!

There is a room only discount available for those last two weeks of August but AOA LM are excluded. POP has a 20% room only discount.

Room only discount for travel dates between August 15 and September 28 with some exclusions (such as LM rooms).

This could be available for booking May 9, with Visa holders getting in on May 6.

5% off - All-Star Movies, Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah view and Club Level, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, Bay Lake Tower, Contemporary theme park view & Club Level, Port Orleans-French Quarter
15% off - Art of Animation suites
20% off  All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Contemporary standard rooms, Grand Floridian, Pop Century, Polynesian
25% off - Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans-Riverside
30% off  Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms, Beach Club, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Inn, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club

 

[Pirate princess 2]

We can't change our dates because of school starting as it is we are flying home two days before school starts. So here's to hoping many do change their dates and we experience low crowds. Hey, maybe enough people will change and Disney will send out FD pins.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Hey, maybe enough people will change and Disney will send out FD pins.

That would be AMAZING! The RO discount I'm getting at POP is nice, but it will barely cover one TS meal. Free dining, on the other hand....

 

[Suzanne74]

What the heck is the cheap deal for ASMovies? I have never stayed there but find it odd.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

sorry, posted here in error, blame iphones

 

[Jen52299]

I am very disappointed that free dining will not be offered at the end of August this year. We always go in August to take advantage. It really has put a damper on the trip. I am still excited to go, but it definitely took a lot of the excitement away... If not for the fact that we are traveling with family, I would have cancelled our reservation and went on a cruise instead. It will still be fun, but I have a feeling this will be our last Disney trip for awhile.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I am very disappointed that free dining will not be offered at the end of August this year. We always go in August to take advantage. It really has put a damper on the trip. I am still excited to go, but it definitely took a lot of the excitement away... If not for the fact that we are traveling with family, I would have cancelled our reservation and went on a cruise instead. It will still be fun, but I have a feeling this will be our last Disney trip for awhile.

This is exactly how I'm feeling. Had already told the kids we'd go--and I really want to go! But definitely not as upbeat as I was when thinking I'd get free dining.

Now that FD for Sept has gone public, my guess is a lot of people who had booked end of August in anticipation will end up changing dates or making other plans. Of course not everyone, but I'm willing to bet there will be a significant number. When Disney sees a mass exodus out of end of August bookings, will they offer something better? Is there ever a case where they have one offer (like our measly RO) and then come along with something even better?

I feel like a broken record, but I'm just really, really, really bummed about the whole thing!

 

[verlee]

This is exactly how I'm feeling. Had already told the kids we'd go--and I really want to go! But definitely not as upbeat as I was when thinking I'd get free dining.

Now that FD for Sept has gone public, my guess is a lot of people who had booked end of August in anticipation will end up changing dates or making other plans. Of course not everyone, but I'm willing to bet there will be a significant number. When Disney sees a mass exodus out of end of August bookings, will they offer something better? Is there ever a case where they have one offer (like our measly RO) and then come along with something even better?
I feel like a broken record, but I'm just really, really, really bummed about the whole thing!

That is what I am wondering as well.

 

[litlpixie]

Had to chime in cuz I feel your pain We missed FD by 1 day last year...........yes, ONE day! And now this year, we miss it again-I cant take the kids out of school when school is just beginning, so we're stuck with the RO. Yes, it's better than nothing since we still planned on going-but I SO wanted FD....I feel like I've earned it

SAY-LA-VEE right?

 

[Karbase8]

I missed FD last year by one day as well and was very frustrating. I feel everyone's pain and it just seems to me prices keep going up and less discounts probably because they are getting good crowds in August. I stll think it's a good time to go with being on the East Coast, I usually stay at All Star Sports which I happen to love with my DS 13 and using the room only discount and upgraded to the Contemporary but not seeing too much of a discount but it's something off. I hope the crowds continue to be reasonable in August we are going a few days earlier than usual 8/18/-8/23.

 

[MomAndrea]

I just got a free dining PIN for August 25-Sept 2 arrival but we are booked Aug.21--28th. The PIN also includes dates in October, November and December.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

I just got a free dining PIN for August 25-Sept 2 arrival but we are booked Aug.21--28th. The PIN also includes dates in October, November and December.

I recieved the same this evening...

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I just got a free dining PIN for August 25-Sept 2 arrival but we are booked Aug.21--28th. The PIN also includes dates in October, November and December.

Would you share the exact dates on the pin?

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/5-day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels!

For arrivals most nights 8/25–10/2/13,
10/18–10/31/13, 11/11–11/23/13,
11/30–12/4/13 and 12/15–12/22/13.