Free Dining 2008 Watch

[Albertan mom]

Having a hard time deciding on dates.

The last 2 years, we went the last week of August and got home Sept 2.
It was pretty busy there.

My hubbys pal went on Sept 1-10 (thanks to me telling him about free dining!) and he said it was dead quiet after Labor Day.

So now my hubby wants to go then, thinking he will be able to walk on rides, or have very minimal wait time and no crowds.

Is that actually going to happen? Because I am feeling bad enough about taking my kids out of school in the first 3 weeks of school! (they start Sep 4)

But hubby says he only wants to go when it is uncrowded.

Will it be that different on say Sept 8-18 than it will be Aug 24-31?

Thanks for your help, I am totally stressing!!

 

[SiClone]

Wasn't even thinking about going again since we just went 4 weeks ago, but all this FD hype got to me....

Anyway, we (5 of us) are going 8/27-9/1. Staying at POR. Bought 1 day passes only because we have some on-expiring tickets still. Cost $1210 through the sponsor DU.

Just got to get some ADR's going now....

 

[B-Ride]

When should the non Disney Visa discount code be announced? Thursday AM?

From what I can see the codes will be the ones originally quoted (incorrectly) for Disney Visa holders. Both The Mouse For Less and WDW Info are listing the code as AYG for Free Dining (AYI for Deluxe, AYH for Wine and AYJ for Deluxe plus Wine).

I would log on on Thursday morning to see if those codes have been updated.

From what I have read on this thread, only the grumpiest of CMs seem to insist on a code if you tell them you are booking Free Dining.

 

[chicagoforever]

I booked All-Star Movies with free dining from 8/30-9/7.

I read a post where someone was concerned with "movies" being the last bus stop for the All-Star resorts. How big of a problem is this? Do they fill up a lot before they ever make it to the "movies" resort? I definitely don't want to spend a lot of time waiting for a bus.

I'm debating about trying to change my reservation to Pop Century if this is a big problem; however, if it's not a big deal I'd be happy just to stay there.

Any advice??

Thanks,

Joe

 

[curlgirl71]

I did not need a code just asked for free dining they knew what I was talking about. anyway my reservation states code Cmk I think the code for thursday is Ayg. I read that on several web sites. Hope that helps

 

[B-Ride]

Having a hard time deciding on dates.

Will it be that different on say Sept 8-18 than it will be Aug 24-31?

We went last year during Free Dining for the last week of August and it was quite crowed. Fast Passes for popular attractions disappeared by the end of the day and the lines got quite long. Much busier than the previous year when Free Dining was for the last 3 weeks of August.

Friends of ours went in late September and walked on rides rarely using Fast Passes.

If your kids are in the very early grades and do well in school then maybe you can swing it. You certainly won't win any friends with their teachers though.

 

[Bama_C]

Well I was on here before I left for work this morning! It was at page 86 and now it's up too 109!!! I was shocked! LOL! OK! So I have a question? I am going from 8/26 thru 8/31 and I want to make the trip very budget minded! So I have now a room at POP w/ Dining and MYW 6day Hoppers for 4! Now My MIL is coming and I may have to take GREAT Niece only an infant no big deal with her! But do I do 2 rooms or do I do 1 room at POR will it be tight? My son can sleep on the little bed! The baby can sleep with whoever we don't technically need a pack n play! Or What would you do ?

ME 35, DH 36, MIL 58 , DD 13, DS9 please tell me what you all think I curerntly have a 30% off code!

It is a gift for DD's 8th grade graduation!

PS I can't add FDP until thursday!

I am not sure they would allow you that many people in a room at POR (although with one an infant... maybe). That being said, I think you're better off with the 2 rooms at Pop. You will have 2 showers and lots more room. Everyone can spread out and sleep much more comfortably. Our fam of 5 has stayed at POR the past 2 years with no problem. My 8 (in 2006) then 9 (in 2007) y-o daughter slept on the trundle just fine. I probably could have also, as I am not very tall. My DS16 and DS14 slept on one bed, and hubby and I on the other. The beds are no bigger at POR than at Pop, and we were pretty crammed in. With 2 rooms at Pop, you would have 4 beds.

When it comes down to it, the price differential is really not all that much for 2 rooms at Pop vs 1 at POR. We did consider getting 2 rooms at Pop last year. It just came down to a few dollars a day, but we were there for 11 days and because of the length of the trip POR was a good bit cheaper. We absolutely love both resorts and for different reasons. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Good luck w/ decision!

 

[stepdisney]

Thats what I was leaning towards! Thanks! So should I definitely do preferred???????? I have a 30% off cose and I figured out that free dining was the better deal does this sound right? I'm taking the day off to get booked! But of POP for some crazy reason sells out then Asmu is my 2nd and Asmo my 3rd! Not sure of 4th hope it don't come to that!

Try the fort wilderness cabins. They have bunk beds and a queen in the bed room and a murphy bed in the living room. They also have the portable pack n play. They also have a kitchen and it is available with the free dining.

 

[wifey1220]

I booked All-Star Movies with free dining from 8/30-9/7.

I read a post where someone was concerned with "movies" being the last bus stop for the All-Star resorts. How big of a problem is this? Do they fill up a lot before they ever make it to the "movies" resort? I definitely don't want to spend a lot of time waiting for a bus.

I'm debating about trying to change my reservation to Pop Century if this is a big problem; however, if it's not a big deal I'd be happy just to stay there.

Any advice??

Thanks,

Joe

We stayed at movies in 05 and 06 at music 07. I didn't think buses were a problem. Coming home from downtown disney is the only time I noticed the buses being shared. I booked sports this year.

 

[otisandmaggie]

So now my hubby wants to go then, thinking he will be able to walk on rides, or have very minimal wait time and no crowds.

Is that actually going to happen? Because I am feeling bad enough about taking my kids out of school in the first 3 weeks of school! (they start Sep 4)

But hubby says he only wants to go when it is uncrowded.

Will it be that different on say Sept 8-18 than it will be Aug 24-31?

I don't know what age your children are, but we have discovered that they really don't miss that much (ours are in elementary school- it may be a different story for older kids) We usually have them do some kind of special project to turn in when they get home to show that they learned something. Last time they each picked three countries represented in WS and presented some information from each. They didn't really have any homework to do while they were gone, but the teachers appreciated the extra effort they had gone to.

As for crowds - we didn't go last year, but the prior year we were there during the Sept. 8 - 18 range you gave and it was GREAT. Most rides were walk on. The only thing we used a fast pass for was Peter Pan. Longest wait other than that was maybe 10 minutes. Free dining was in effect at the time.

Some folks just don't feel right about missing school - but it doesn't bother us in the least! (I know - bad parents!!)

 

[Bama_C]

Having a hard time deciding on dates.

The last 2 years, we went the last week of August and got home Sept 2.
It was pretty busy there.

My hubbys pal went on Sept 1-10 (thanks to me telling him about free dining!) and he said it was dead quiet after Labor Day.

So now my hubby wants to go then, thinking he will be able to walk on rides, or have very minimal wait time and no crowds.

Is that actually going to happen? Because I am feeling bad enough about taking my kids out of school in the first 3 weeks of school! (they start Sep 4)

But hubby says he only wants to go when it is uncrowded.

Will it be that different on say Sept 8-18 than it will be Aug 24-31?

Thanks for your help, I am totally stressing!!

I can't, of course, tell you what it will be like this year. But, for four out of the past five trips we have been during September (all after Labor Day but some in late September) and have virtually walked onto rides. Year before last we rode Test Track about 6 times in a row without having to get out of the car and walk back through. Last year it was a little more crowded, but we rarely needed fast passes for anything. Most rides were 5-10 minute waits. Some were 20 (the busiest place during this time is always Fantasyland, as there are many, many pre-school age children). But, there were days when we were there that they didn't even have some of the other fast pass kiosks open.

HTH

 

[stepdisney]

Having a hard time deciding on dates.

The last 2 years, we went the last week of August and got home Sept 2.
It was pretty busy there.

My hubbys pal went on Sept 1-10 (thanks to me telling him about free dining!) and he said it was dead quiet after Labor Day.

So now my hubby wants to go then, thinking he will be able to walk on rides, or have very minimal wait time and no crowds.

Is that actually going to happen? Because I am feeling bad enough about taking my kids out of school in the first 3 weeks of school! (they start Sep 4)

But hubby says he only wants to go when it is uncrowded.

Will it be that different on say Sept 8-18 than it will be Aug 24-31?

Thanks for your help, I am totally stressing!!

Went last year from Aug 30 - Sept. 8th and it was WALK ON. I came home with fast passes we didn't even use, including EE. Loved it so much we booked the end again. It may be a little crowded a little before labor day but not anywhere near what it usually is. I took pictures of the empty park. We are only staying until the 4th this time but would love to stay until the 8th again. Actually, the first couple of days, especially if they are half days, are the best time for them to be out of school.

 

[aaholestine]

Thank you to whomever set this thread up! I am so excited we got free dining!!!!!!!!!! I was on hold 68 minutes this morning but it was worth it.

My family thought I was crazy to keep checking this website, but they had nothing to say when I saved us $900 this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zippy doo dah]

The answer is yes, AKL is available for free dining. We booked a standard room with free dining and we booked water parks and more. You can add ticket options at any time, it doesn't matter when. Hope I answered your questions.


This is exactly what I was looking for. I knew I couldn't book until Thurs because I don't have the DV. But, I was really looking forward to doing the Sunrise Safari and was a bit nervous when the mentioned SSR. So thanks Stepdisney for putting my mind at ease...now I just have to wait until Thurs

 

[NCardella]

Do any of you happen to be annual passholders? I'm curious how the new policy that AP's not having to purchase 1day passes in order to receive the (purchased) DDP affects the free DDP?

Any experience out there yet from AP's?

 

[curlgirl71]

Since I am new to these boards i have a question. How do you get the countdown on your posts and where do I get it from? Can anyone help me?

 

[doccoc2002]

Since I am new to these boards i have a question. How do you get the countdown on your posts and where do I get it from? Can anyone help me?

Go to User CP at the top of the forum tool bar and click it. Then on the left hand side you will see a list of things you can change(Edit Signature, Edit profile). Hope this helps

 

[jwcollin]

does anyone know if you can book a king room and two double bed room side by side at POP? How "for sure" is that the rooms are side by side?

my dd14 and dd16 are getting a bit big to share a bed, and I am considering the two room option instead of POFQ.

Thanks!

 

[Goofy22]

Try the fort wilderness cabins. They have bunk beds and a queen in the bed room and a murphy bed in the living room. They also have the portable pack n play. They also have a kitchen and it is available with the free dining.

Are these available for the FDP? I figured they werent because the ASMU suites aren't thought they would fall in he same category?????????

 

[Goofy22]

I asked about 25 pages ago, I was just wondering if I will be able to book AKL and add the PH option when I call on Thurs. If anyone else did this, how much extra was the cost??

I can't wait...I'm so excited

Thanks

goto www.disney.com and do it like youre trying to get a quote you can do it how you have it then you can do it adding the PH it's a few dollars different I believe.