Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[JLKennedy]

Disney's discounts and booking are all PC controlled, it isn't someone manually entering an override discount code or writing out their reservation.

Not true. Last year my husband refused to wait for free dining promo and his call was escalated to a supervisor who applied a pin code (we didn't have one) to our reservation. Overrides happen every single day, it can, it has and it will continue to be done.

 

[Aggiegrl]

What about transportation? One thing I liked about onsite was not worrying about transportation at all. I wish I didn't live so far... we would just drive the camper up!!!

We rented a minivan and it still came out slightly less than on site. The driving was not difficult at all. A little worse because of parking at MK, but better at the other parks. We are rope drop types so we usually got to park very close to the entrance at the other 3, plus no waiting! It was also nice for my small children to have a seat. No worrying about holding on to kids, strollers, bags, etc on a crowded bus.

 

[TheRatPack]

lol its very hard planning a disney vacation but its worth it...try having 5 kids if you think a family of 5 is difficult

That's us.....our oldest has since flew the coop but even traveling with 4 kids is difficult when only 2 Values hold 6......and one of them (AOA) is pretty much at a Mod price range.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Thinking of cancelling our trip. This will break my girls hearts. I am one who booked in advance (sorry), but out of necessity. We are a family of 5 (DH,DD 9, DD 8, DS infant) so we needed a resort that would fit us. We booked POR RR Standard. We also travel with other and when we could not all get into the same resort we switched to this resort (first resort was CSR). Now they are going to exclude one of their largest moderate resorts. We can't afford deluxe and can't fit into value and a family suite is more than a moderate room even a royal room when you factor in the upgrade of the dining plan. Oh well here's hoping this is all a bad dream!! Especially when Disney has been promoting the heck out of POR.

Don't cancel, Book 2 rooms at a value with connecting doors
We always travel as a party of 6 or more. 2 years ago it was me, DH, and 3 DGK's all 10 years old. We booked 2 rooms at POP with connecting doors and it was like our own mini suite. 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, plenty of room and it was cheaper. We stuck with the QSDP but even upgrading to DP we would have saved about $100. We couldn't be picky about our location since connecting doors are more limited but since we had 3 kids, the CM said that we would be priority (I know, they can't be guarentee'd) but it was perfect for us and we are hoping to do the same thing again this year! The AStar resorts are even less expensive so before you cancel, check out that option.

 

[jimpossible87]

This is the winning answer.
The Mouse is playing hardball this morning.
Bravo.
I especially like the plants.

EXACTLY...now they know how many people are going to be interested in the offers for whatever day they post it...its like a call center practice morning...hasnt anyone ever worked in a call center before? I have and they know exactly when it will be especially if a spiel has been pre written for today...keep watching, we will get it

 

[JLKennedy]

Ok...going to rant for a moment...everyone needs to remember that Joe only passes along what he hears. If you want to base your entire trip on what he says that's fine. But don't backlash when it doesn't happen. And for the few that managed to get some serious pixie dust today...CONGRATULATIONS! Ignore the comments and smarta$$ remarks. We all know Disney has no rhyme or reason to anything they do. FD will be released, I believe that. When??? That's up to Disney and only Disney. Ok done rant. Have a great day!!!!!!

Kat agreed, but as I played devils advocate last year as well....if this is a rumor SHAME on the mods for not moving it to the rumor board, until it is confirmed, IMO, it shouldn't be here.

 

[HBGdancermom]

Ok, I haven't been able to go through the whole thread...life has been kind of crazy. In any event, has there been any buzz for room discounts for this general timeframe, or just free dining?

I always go for the RO dsct and last year was able to take advantage of that the same day that FD for visa holders was released.

Awesome I will add that to the list of things to research Thanks

I haven't stayed there but the location of the Dolphin and Swan are incredible. Walk to Epcot and HS or take a boat.

 

[asc]

What about transportation? One thing I liked about onsite was not worrying about transportation at all. I wish I didn't live so far... we would just drive the camper up!!!

Hilton bonnet creeks transportation was not great but not horrible. no different than perhaps staying at a resort that is far from the parks you want to be at.

That is where I have booked to stay in oct.

 

[jcemom]

We rented a minivan and it still came out slightly less than on site. The driving was not difficult at all. A little worse because of parking at MK, but better at the other parks. We are rope drop types so we usually got to park very close to the entrance at the other 3, plus no waiting! It was also nice for my small children to have a seat. No worrying about holding on to kids, strollers, bags, etc on a crowded bus.

What about transportation? One thing I liked about onsite was not worrying about transportation at all. I wish I didn't live so far... we would just drive the camper up!!!

We only rented a car once and we hated driving to the parks, so it all depends on individual preferences. We did not like looking for road signs, trying to be in the correct lane, finding a parking spot, finding our car again at the end of the day, and then having it be a million degrees inside. We prefer leisurely waiting ten minutes for a bus, having air conditioning the second we step inside, and relaxing rather than trying not to make a wrong turn. My DD has never not had a seat, unless she didn't want one. When she was little, if the bus was full, we just waited ten or fifteen minutes for the next one. People almost always, in my experience, get up and give their seats to young children.

I know many people who feel the complete opposite though, and would never set foot on a Disney bus again lol.

 

[disneydacey]

Not true. Last year my husband refused to wait for free dining promo and his call was escalated to a supervisor who applied a pin code (we didn't have one) to our reservation. Overrides happen every single day, it can, it has and it will continue to be done.

What do you mean? He refused to wait? So there was no promo offered and no pin and he complained until he got his way? No offense but that sounds like a customer service nightmare

 

[Later_Mater2009]

OK... I called to see if there was a pin code related to my reservation and she (Lisa) said no, there are no dining promotions going on right now... she was pleasant and I played into the whole "it could just be rumors" and she said yes, there are NO DINING PROMOTIONS TODAY.. so she was on repeat at this point, I said thank and she said the typical.. magical day.. blah blah blah.. oh well... back to the calculator..

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I just modified to visa free dining. Had to go from CBR to POP since POR was not part of the promotion. We are in a standard room and upgraded our tix. I confirmed twice he was modifying me to free dining. I could here a lady in the back ground telling people not today, so I kept asking. The numbers he gave me are correct. Waiting on my email.

That's awesome! Congrats! Who cares how or why you got it...just chalk it up to pixie dust!
I take it as a sign that it will be here soon for the rest of you all too.

 

[kelly3927]

Just remember everyone we have not yet seen anything official from Disney as to what is being offered or excluded. They can change things at anytime. I am in no way calling the couple people that got FD this morning liars but the information they have given here is very vague and limited. Plus the fact they were given FD this morning may have nothing to do with the DV or GP FD offer.

It's ok to research other options but I would not even begin to think about canceling or changing plans until we see an official offer from Disney themselves.

 

[Vernie822]

I am still crunching numbers, seeing if perhaps a deluxe with a 30% discount/mod with a 20% discount would be our best bet, and we'd just forgo the dining plan and eat whatever and pay OOP w/ gift cards. There's only 2 of us, both adults.

 

[tiffanycholmes]

This doesn't make sense.

You were going to switch from CBR to POR, but had to take Pop? I would've stayed at CBR, it ends up cheaper for my family of 4

Could you help explain to me how CBR would be cheaper than Pop for a family of 4? Maybe you meant CBR would be cheaper than POR? Either I'm misunderstanding what you said, or I'm not doing the math correctly. Thanks!!

 

[KELLY]

Don't cancel, Book 2 rooms at a value with connecting doors
We always travel as a party of 6 or more. 2 years ago it was me, DH, and 3 DGK's all 10 years old. We booked 2 rooms at POP with connecting doors and it was like our own mini suite. 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, plenty of room and it was cheaper. We stuck with the QSDP but even upgrading to DP we would have saved about $100. We couldn't be picky about our location since connecting doors are more limited but since we had 3 kids, the CM said that we would be priority (I know, they can't be guarentee'd) but it was perfect for us and we are hoping to do the same thing again this year! The AStar resorts are even less expensive so before you cancel, check out that option.

I agree and I you don't need the regular dining plan to have a great vacation. Just stick with the QSDP.

 

[Cindaddy]

Just remember everyone we have not yet seen anything official from Disney as to what is being offered or excluded. They can change things at anytime. I am in no way calling the couple people that got FD this morning liars but the information they have given here is very vague and limited. Plus the fact they were given FD this morning may have nothing to do with the DV or GP FD offer.

It's ok to research other options but I would not even begin to think about canceling or changing plans until we see an official offer from Disney themselves.

Except that their confirmation specifically states they got the Disney Visa offer.

 

[jcemom]

Could you help explain to me how CBR would be cheaper than Pop for a family of 4? Maybe you meant CBR would be cheaper than POR? Either I'm misunderstanding what you said, or I'm not doing the math correctly. Thanks!!

Maybe the price of Pop plus the cost to upgrade to the regular dining plan for four people is higher than the cost of CBR? That would be my guess. Pop is what, like $120 per night? Plus almost $20 per person per night to upgrade dining. If all four people are over the age of 10, then that's $200 per night. What's CBR cost? About $200 per night? I don't know exactly, I haven't done the math, just guesstimating.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Kat agreed, but as I played devils advocate last year as well....if this is a rumor SHAME on the mods for not moving it to the rumor board, until it is confirmed, IMO, it shouldn't be here.

Picking up and moving the "Free Dining 2014 Discussion" thread to the rumour board doesn't seem feasible. And there's no way to stop people from reacting to the rumour within the thread. Even posting reminders within the thread that it is only a rumour wouldn't work, because it perpetuates itself at such a rate.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Just remember everyone we have not yet seen anything official from Disney as to what is being offered or excluded. They can change things at anytime. I am in no way calling the couple people that got FD this morning liars but the information they have given here is very vague and limited. Plus the fact they were given FD this morning may have nothing to do with the DV or GP FD offer.

It's ok to research other options but I would not even begin to think about canceling or changing plans until we see an official offer from Disney themselves.

Actually the one was confirmed a DV offer.