Feeling like a Third Class Citizen

[jinia]

I have to say I would even go for costing the same - even though I would be tenting it. However, I can't justify about $290 more to tent it than to stay at POP with free dining.

 

[tlh0726]

The Table Service Dining plan would never work for our family, we are not ones to be tied down to a certain place at a certain time with ADRs

We are planning on going December of next year (getting ready to book the site this week) however if the same offer comes out that Visa holders received this week (free CS Dining 9/27-12/17) we will be switching to a Value resort to take advantage of that offer.
This past March we switched from the Fort to the POP due to the buy 4 get 3free plus the $200 Gift Card. Even after paying for our meals (used the GC for most of it) we ended up paying less than what it would have cost us for the site and tickets.

I agree with a PP, Disney should give/offer the free dining (or whatever other offer there is) to up to 4 people per campsite, the remaining guests on your reservation would need to pay for that same dining plan or pay extra $$ for other offers.

We have a site booked for next April unless a better deal is available.

 

[TheFlame]

Well, I can say that I never have to worry about free dining. They only offer during the times that we cannot go so it makes now difference to me. Even it it was only me and DW I'm still not sure I'd do the free dining. I really don't like hotel rooms and I don't like eating out all the time. My 5'er feels almost like home and I never feel like I'm living out of a suitcase.

 

[BradyBz12]

For us FW still makes sense - even from a cost perspective, as we'd have to board all 3 of our dogs if we didn't bring our TT (which would be a major expense for a 3 week trip!)

But even if we didn't, we're not big into the DDP anymore anyway. We've done it a few times and enjoyed it well enough, but when they changed the plan to no longer include appetizer/gratuity, it just didn't work for us any longer. We were already getting tired of having to plan so many meals so far in advance, and having to schedule so rigidly to accommodate them. Plus now you have to budget for the out-of-pocket expense of gratuities - and since when we do eat at TS we enjoy going "all out," that adds up in a hurry for an extended stay.

And when it comes down to it, we'd much rather tweak our food budget to save some money and spend the time at FW in our TT with our dogs. But that's just us.

 

[mdoc]

There's no question but that a Value would be cheaper for us than staying at FW. However, for many reasons I prefer the Fort, even if I can't have the free dining plan. I agree that the quality of the WDW restaurants has declined. We still like the quick service food at many places, but the table service food is nothing special and costs waaay more than it's worth, and it's hard to get ADRs at the times of year we visit (probably more so this year because of all the free dining offers). The net result will be that we for the most part will either eat in the RV or off-property. I'm thinking about T'giving dinner at Golden Corral!!

 

[dtum]

Golden Corral

 

[figmentfan1]

I've had this delima all summer. I got the free dining pin back in June. We had been planning to camp at FW with my sister's family this Dec. It is really the only way they can travel (they have 5 kids ages 10 and under)- the cost of a premium site (all that is left) paying for dining and the cost of a moderate with free dining is a $40 difference. Insane. We want to camp and be with them but staying at a value would be even cheaper.

As a matter of fact I can't find ANY discount code for the campsites. Campers have to pay premium I guess. Stupid.

 

[chinsmom1997]

My view on the Dining Plan and Disney Food.
We were at FW in June had a great time. Except for the fact that everywhere around us was water. Other then that we had a ball. On to the food we at breakfast at the Trails 2 mornings and dinner 1 night. We went to 1900 parkfare for dinner 1 night, and I have to say the food at the Trails was far better. I do believe Disney has downgraded their food quality a lot. I do believe it has a lot to do with the dining plan. I also believe from eating at both the Trails and 1900 in the past they have raised prices considerable. The dining plan is not worth the price anymore since they have taken the app and the gratuities away. I do believe they should redo the entire plan and instead of having so many different plans do something like Universal does and also allow campers to enjoy it as well. I do not buy into the whole because you can put 10 people on a site. Why do they care since everyone has to be listed on the res and be on the same type package. So all 10 people are going to have to pay for it. If that is their arguement then I would have to ask, "What about the guests that stay in the Grand Villas that can hold 12 people in them they get to enjoy the DP"?

 

[TheFlame]

There's no question but that a Value would be cheaper for us than staying at FW. However, for many reasons I prefer the Fort, even if I can't have the free dining plan. I agree that the quality of the WDW restaurants has declined. We still like the quick service food at many places, but the table service food is nothing special and costs waaay more than it's worth, and it's hard to get ADRs at the times of year we visit (probably more so this year because of all the free dining offers). The net result will be that we for the most part will either eat in the RV or off-property. I'm thinking about T'giving dinner at Golden Corral!!

We had Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrell after trying to make a last minute ressie at a WDW rest. this past Nov. After hearing about all the bad food lately and knowing how much more we would have spent, I am really glad we chose CB! It was just like Thanksgiving dinner at home....well, almost!

 

[donatalie]

DH and I had this discussion (FW in our TT vs. Resort w/free dining). We weighed everything and one of the biggest factors was space. We figured out that we needed to stay Deluxe to get even close to the same living space that we have in our TT. We have two Queen sized beds (with OUR bedding and pillows), a full kitchen, a comfy couch and an 18'X10' screen room complete with lounge chairs. We eat CS lunches at the parks but are spending no more for food than we would at home (other than the FDP @ Mamma Melrose). Late night munchies and a cold beer before bed are covered as well. We figured it was a no-brainer for us!

 

[LONE-STAR]

DH and I had this discussion (FW in our TT vs. Resort w/free dining). We weighed everything and one of the biggest factors was space. We figured out that we needed to stay Deluxe to get even close to the same living space that we have in our TT. We have two Queen sized beds (with OUR bedding and pillows), a full kitchen, a comfy couch and an 18'X10' screen room complete with lounge chairs. We eat CS lunches at the parks but are spending no more for food than we would at home (other than the FDP @ Mamma Melrose). Late night munchies and a cold beer before bed are covered as well. We figured it was a no-brainer for us!

Sounds about like us. Not to mention they would frown on me driving my cart all over a deluxe resort.(But that might be quite fun )

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

*snip*...I do not buy into the whole because you can put 10 people on a site. Why do they care since everyone has to be listed on the res and be on the same type package. So all 10 people are going to have to pay for it. If that is their arguement then I would have to ask, "What about the guests that stay in the Grand Villas that can hold 12 people in them they get to enjoy the DP"?

In regards to the free dining plan, look at what the Grand Villas cost per night compared to FW.

 

[Sinclare]

If they allowed FD with campsites you would see a lot of empty campsites at the Fort during FD but it would be booked solid. Why you ask?

Locals could get together in groups of 10 at a time and book all the sites. For what $6 dollars a day each they can get food worth up to $50.

I think this happens now at the values but they can handle it because there's like 10,000(?) rooms.

We had a bad experience while trying to check in June 27th. We went back to pick out a camp site and found one that was both open and perfect (nice size pad in a good location). When we went back up front we were informed that the camp site was already rented out. The people had came in, picked up their room cards AND Dining Plan (the words of the CM at the front desk). The campsite stayed empty for the remaining 4 days that the CM said the people had rented it so I believe the statement was accurate.

It was one of those cases where someone staying off site hogs a site away from real campers for the benefits. Now, I don't know how they swung a dining plan with a partial hook-up site but they apparently did. By the look on the CM's face when she said it, it seemed to be one of those "oops, I shouldn't have told you that" moments.

 

[MALE*RN*777]

Our is also a space thing also. The sister in law is going through a divorce and needs to curve the spending for now. It would cost more to split a larger place that the value resort to fit us all (9). So she is staying at the campsite with us and we are spliting the site cost of $450 ($225 x 2 is not bad at all). We are also spliting on the food and lucky for use we have a little one and we have a huge stroller with an under-carriage for a collapsible cooler for lunch and snacks to save money on meals at the park.

 

[mousebrain]

You can get the DP if you pay for it, you just can't get the FREE DP with a campsite.... My family did it a couple of years. I can't tell you how hosed I felt when all of a sudden they start giving it away.... then they come back and tell the people who actually PAID FULL PRICE FOR IT that we have to pay for the tips because they are loosing their *** over the free dining. Obviously the upper crust at Disney does not have a clue.... yep stick it to the people who actually pay.... so no more for us! stick it right back to you. Why should I pay full price now the food is not the same quality......

Also paving over all the 1400 loop sites so we can't pitch tents.... double hosed....

No Disney this year for us....



Probably won't mean a thing.... but its all I can do!

MB

Now, I don't know how they swung a dining plan with a partial hook-up site but they apparently did. By the look on the CM's face when she said it, it seemed to be one of those "oops, I shouldn't have told you that" moments.

 

[MyHappyPlaceWDW]

Awesome!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

In regards to the free dining plan, look at what the Grand Villas cost per night compared to FW.

Which villas are you referring to? And do you have a link directly to them? How much are these that hold 12?

Carrie

 

[2goofycampers]

Which villas are you referring to? And do you have a link directly to them? How much are these that hold 12?

Carrie

Room rates


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-deluxe-2009.htm

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Room rates


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-deluxe-2009.htm

so sorry! I just don't see anything for 12 people max! most I see is 10!

Just wondering because when we all go we usually do cabins w/ my parents and next year we might need 3.

When it is just us we take the RV!