Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[sle1977]

DV holders often get a 3 day advance on booking. For the Fall 2013 GP FD offer that came out on August 1, it went straight to GP release.

I read that there were a lot of upset people after they didn't get the advanced booking. Did anyone complain to Visa or Disney?

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I read that there were a lot of upset people after they didn't get the advanced booking. Did anyone complain to Visa or Disney?

Upset would be an understatement. Idk if there were any official complaints but the backlash on the Dis was insane!

 

[tinklvsu]

We will be a family of 4! POR regular room is fine with us. Still debating on our second choice - Husband wants CBR, I'm not to keen on that one (never stayed there though, just by looking at it) .. and I'm thinking CSR.

Anyone want to recommend either?

 

[tinklvsu]

Upset would be an understatement. Idk if there were any official complaints but the backlash on the Dis was insane!

Well thats just silly. I myself have a Disney Visa, and would never be upset like that about it. Sure it'd be nice, but if not...jump in with everyone else

 

[nhgirl]

Following along.

 

[SPOERLX3]

We are in the same boat with a family of five and trying to figure out our
Plan B resort was/is not fun. We definitely want POR, first choice!! However, in case they book up, our alternative would be two connecting rooms at a value, upgrading the dining plan. I priced Allstar Music and it's $175 more than POR, but still within the budget we want to stay in. The suites we looked at were upwards of $500 or more for us. We've never stayed at either resort and figure each one offers its own pros and cons. Staying at Allstar, the kids are excited to have their "own" room, and I can say that that in itself isn't a bad alternative!!

We always choose 2 connecting rooms at a value (even over POR) when we have 5+ on our trip. We also request a king room connected to a double (just a request but we have been blessed to have always gotten it ). It is hard for 5 people to be in one room with just 1 bathroom and for the little extra money we get 2 rooms with a connecting door and 2 bathrooms. We don't however upgrade the dining plan, we stick to the QS - that just works best for our family not to be on a schedule.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Well thats just silly. I myself have a Disney Visa, and would never be upset like that about it. Sure it'd be nice, but if not...jump in with everyone else

Oh I totally agree. I couldn't believe the reactions I saw. It's a perk to book early not an entitlement.

 

[black562]

Oh I totally agree. I couldn't believe the reactions I saw. It's a perk to book early not an entitlement.

The leaked date was always August 1. But so many banked on the fact that visa had to go first, I think a few took it to mean it wasn't happening at all and the backlash started. It really was only three or four people, but they were very vocal.

 

[Grimlock34a]

so people freaked out that Visa Card holders didn't get a 3 day head start on the 08/01 date or that they freaked out there would be no FD? Or both?

I mean come on, FD is a nice to have, not something anyone is entitled too.

 

[BarryS]

Subscribing!

We're considering staying onsite with the kids for a change after several offsite stays at some nice timeshare resorts. The main reason is that we'd like to fly down this time, and the ME + Disney transport would be a huge perk compared to hauling three carseats and a bunch of bags through the airport to get a rental car.

It's also the last trip before our son turns 3, so it will be our last chance to stay in the resorts that only sleep 4.

I'm considering POP because of the price and the theme that the kids will love. I'm also considering CSR for the queen beds and the larger room size. WL or AKL would be wonderful but are out of our price range.

Needless to say, Free Dining would be a huge incentive for us to stay onsite! But, I'll keep WBC as a backup if it doesn't happen.

 

[kingd4066]

Sounds like there should be a page for all of us families of five.

Definately!

 

[evcollins]

We always choose 2 connecting rooms at a value (even over POR) when we have 5+ on our trip. We also request a king room connected to a double (just a request but we have been blessed to have always gotten it ). It is hard for 5 people to be in one room with just 1 bathroom and for the little extra money we get 2 rooms with a connecting door and 2 bathrooms. We don't however upgrade the dining plan, we stick to the QS - that just works best for our family not to be on a schedule.

I wasn't even thinking about the extra bathroom.

 

[kingd4066]

We always choose 2 connecting rooms at a value (even over POR) when we have 5+ on our trip. We also request a king room connected to a double (just a request but we have been blessed to have always gotten it ). It is hard for 5 people to be in one room with just 1 bathroom and for the little extra money we get 2 rooms with a connecting door and 2 bathrooms. We don't however upgrade the dining plan, we stick to the QS - that just works best for our family not to be on a schedule.

This is a great idea to request to connect with a king and a double room. As my kids get older, definately a smart way to stay at the resort we loved!

 

[kelly3927]

We always choose 2 connecting rooms at a value (even over POR) when we have 5+ on our trip. We also request a king room connected to a double (just a request but we have been blessed to have always gotten it ). It is hard for 5 people to be in one room with just 1 bathroom and for the little extra money we get 2 rooms with a connecting door and 2 bathrooms. We don't however upgrade the dining plan, we stick to the QS - that just works best for our family not to be on a schedule.

When do you request the king connected to a double? When you make your reservation or when you check-in?

 

[Nechville]

I'm another person following this closely as we prefer CBR to POR and keeping up with this topic on the resorts board. The photos were posted last year and rumored to begin this month. So far ,no one on the resorts board has posted seeing any actual renovations being done. Someone posted speaking with a manager at CBR and she confirmed renovations will be starting soon. Also another site posted that permits were filed for renovations at CBR and the permits have dates of this month till next year. Really want Jamacia section to be done by our October trip. Really sweating this one, do we try to get into POR for free dining or do we chance it and stay with CBR and then not be able to fit us all and be out more money trying to find a place with FD we can all stay in????

I would not bank on CBR at all for booking parties of 5 this fall. I have read they do not allow that until the refurb is complete, and that makes sense as it would probably make room assignments a nightmare.

 

[SPOERLX3]

When do you request the king connected to a double? When you make your reservation or when you check-in?

Yes, I request it on my original reservation. If I book with a CM, they do it for me, if I book online, I call in and have it added.
On one of my reservations, I request king room, connecting
On the other reservation, I request connecting room with xxxxxxx(and I have them add my reservation #)

And if you book one of the All Star resorts, the cost for the 2 rooms vs POR is only about $100-$150 difference, depending on your length of stay (unless you upgrade your dining plan).

I am editing this post: I was just online, playing around with booking a room to get rates and on the last page when you go to check out, it actually now allows you to request a nearby room or connecting door! When you choose the button for connecting door, it asks for the name of the party in the connecting room and their check in date. Not sure when this started since our last trip was 2 years ago, I know it wasn't there then. I have also read on the boards that when you do online check-in there are other options you can choose now also. Does anyone know what those would be? Would it be king room or a specific floor?

 

[sweetcarolinamoma]

we have had free dining the past 4 trips we have gone on too. we always go around Thanksgiving.

Anyone heard anything about FD during that time? In 2012 it was offered starting the day after Thanksgiving.

Thanks!

 

[AllyElly]

Hello! I have been closely following this thread as we are planning a trip in September. We already bought our airfare and will be there from 9/19-9/28. We are also planning a weekend at Universal during that week. I was planning on going to Disney first (9/19-9/26) and then Universal the last weekend, but I'm wondering if it would be a better idea to do Universal first and check-in to Disney from 9/21-9/28 because of the possibility that F&W will cause free dining to be skipped that first weekend. Which do you think would be the best bet for free dining, checking in 9/19 or 9/21?

Thanks for all of the great info! I have received free dining for several trips due to this board and it makes it possible for us to return year after year!

 

[alktdknckmom]

Thanks for all the input, everyone!!

This is a great idea to request to connect with a king and a double room. As my kids get older, definately a smart way to stay at the resort we loved!

I thought they won't guarantee rooms that connect... Will they if you are doing it bc you have a family of 5 and some are kids?

 

[Ava]

Following along! We're already booked at POR for Sept 20-27, and will be going regardless, but FD sure would be nice! I also have a Disney Visa, so I hope there's an advance offer for card members, since I'll have to call to modify my existing res. *pixie dust*