Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[lazer]

Our first trip with the FD was 2007 (I think-maybe 2006) and we got the app, entree and desert and all tips were included!!!!

Sorry for the sidetrack, but we went in '01 and had a package that included "wishes" (I think that was their name). They could be used for meals, and it was so much food! Especially with a family of 5 adults (my brother and I were early 20s) so many appetizers and desserts. Those were the days...at the end of our trip we had extra to spend, so ended up getting some neat photo frames and other stuff. Fun times.

 

[mandis77]

Do the allocated FD rooms at Coronado Springs book up fast? It's such a big resort. Going October 1-8 this arrival date has been included in the second round the past few years. Hoping TOT 10 miler doesn't mess it up!!

 

[Nechville]

Do the allocated FD rooms at Coronado Springs book up fast? It's such a big resort. Going October 1-8 this arrival date has been included in the second round the past few years. Hoping TOT 10 miler doesn't mess it up!!

Last year it seemed like most went for POR first. I recall reading a lot of "ended up at CSR" type posts. I myself "ended up" there but had no preference between the two. POR was booked when I called and CSR was still available.

 

[I<3theMouse]

Subbing to the new thread. Hi fellow FD hopefuls!

 

[Nermel9]

So IF Free Dining for Disney Visa Card holders gets released on Monday, how will we know about it? I've had a Disney Visa for years, and I've never gotten an email from them for Disney Parks promos...should I just plan on getting up and being ready to call at 7 on Monday? I won't even know if my dates are available! It's been a while since I've booked with Free Dining (2012 I think, I know I didn't use it last year) so I don't really remember how I found out that it was even released!

 

[Nechville]

So IF Free Dining for Disney Visa Card holders gets released on Monday, how will we know about it? I've had a Disney Visa for years, and I've never gotten an email from them for Disney Parks promos...should I just plan on getting up and being ready to call at 7 on Monday? I won't even know if my dates are available! It's been a while since I've booked with Free Dining (2012 I think, I know I didn't use it last year) so I don't really remember how I found out that it was even released!

Call and ask or check back here. Reports come in pretty quick.

 

[heathjh]

We have POR already reserved for 5 rooms 9/19-9/29. I did this before realizing that I needed to wait until FD was released. Should I cancel my existing reservation? Or should I keep the current one and make a new one if FD reservations come out online first? Can I reserve 5 rooms linked to each other online? If I cancel my existing reservation, what happens to my dining that is linked to the current resort reservation?

 

[CounselorX]

I wish Free Dining would start on August 30th instead of early September. I have to either cut our vacation 1 or 2 days short to get free dining or have the full vacation with no free dining.

 

[black562]

I wish Free Dining would start on August 30th instead of early September. I have to either cut our vacation 1 or 2 days short to get free dining or have the full vacation with no free dining.

That stands to be a real possibility based on my information so far.

 

[Nechville]

I wish Free Dining would start on August 30th instead of early September. I have to either cut our vacation 1 or 2 days short to get free dining or have the full vacation with no free dining.

You could do a room only reservation for the first few days until FD dates, then a second reservation with FD for the rest of the stay. Not as good as FD for the whole trip but better than nothing! You might not have to change rooms if at the same hotel.

 

[newbies04901]

If the past is any indication, POFQ is not a FD resort. Sorry. I think it's because of the smaller number of rooms available in general due to it's size. You may want to think about moving the reservation to POR when FD is announced. I wish you luck that it will be offered, just not all that confident. We are planning to go in October, but not sure what resort. We will be in Disney over the summer and will look at the bounce back offer as well.

thanks for the reality check! Our first trip and the planning is intense...

 

[luvmylatte]

Last year it seemed like most went for POR first. I recall reading a lot of "ended up at CSR" type posts. I myself "ended up" there but had no preference between the two. POR was booked when I called and CSR was still available.

....and how did u like CSR? I was leaning that way but the rooms looked like the Marriot near my DD campus.

 

[Nechville]

....and how did u like CSR? I was leaning that way but the rooms looked like the Marriot near my DD campus.

No complaints really. I think all the moderate rooms are about the same. We would have preferred two sinks and a table with chairs (like POR and POFQ have) over one sink and a desk, but we made it work. The rooms are nothing that special but had what we needed. The resort is really big. Conventions were not an issue for us. Kids loved the pool and slide. I would stay there again.

 

[volleygirl]

I have a question about this, as I'm quickly skimming the posts.

I see you have a suggestion as to not making a reservation, so Disney doesn't count your room reservation and then make less rooms available for discount. But what about making dining reservations 180 days out? Isn't it easier to tie them to an existing room reservation? Or do I just need to have an account to tie the dining reservations to, not a room reservation?

Regardless, we are going in October, and getting excited thinking about it!!!

Thanks!

 

[lazer]

I have a question about this, as I'm quickly skimming the posts. I see you have a suggestion as to not making a reservation, so Disney doesn't count your room reservation and then make less rooms available for discount. But what about making dining reservations 180 days out? Isn't it easier to tie them to an existing room reservation? Or do I just need to have an account to tie the dining reservations to, not a room reservation? Regardless, we are going in October, and getting excited thinking about it!!! Thanks!

You just need an account, not a room reservation! Good luck!

 

[black562]

No complaints really. I think all the moderate rooms are about the same. We would have preferred two sinks and a table with chairs (like POR and POFQ have) over one sink and a desk, but we made it work. The rooms are nothing that special but had what we needed. The resort is really big. Conventions were not an issue for us. Kids loved the pool and slide. I would stay there again.

I am a POR (Dixie Landings) guy all the way, but CSR really impressed me after their referb. It impressed me so much, I'm going back again this year.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I already have a bounceback offer with 35% room rate for WL. Any chance the free dining would save us more money? It's just the hubby and I.

Sorry if this is off topic..I am new here!

 

[smidgy]

....and how did u like CSR? I was leaning that way but the rooms looked like the Marriot near my DD campus.

we have stayed at CSR 4 times. we love it, but have problems with it. (as any other resort. lol)

the biggest probelm we have with CSR with the dining plan is,... in OUR experience... you never know what you're going to get..

they keep changing it up. the food venues are not owned by Disney. and they can't seem to decide what they want to do. the first time we stayed for free dining we were ate CSR. it was a GREAT use of CS credits for the dining plan.. but they had terrible choices for snacks or desserts.. even though they had a station with ice cream cones, you could only get a cookie or muffin for a dessert. (many years ago) but I got a steak or a prime rib!!! for a lunch CS credit.

a year and a half ago, they had a buffet for both the breakfast and the lunch. and it was a WONDERFUL use of a CS credit. the breakfast was awesome! but I heard they changed it up again.
people used to complain that they added 10% to the bill for CS at pepper market.

the other problem with pepper market (and now they have another QS place , cafe rix?) is it is SO far from any of the pools, esp the main pool. so, if you decide to have some down time from the parks, you want to be at the pool. you basicaly have to give up your spot at the main pool to go over to pepepr market, on the other side of the resort. (there is a CS food place at the main pool, with a limited menu )

I just wish coronado would choose a plan, and stick with it!

 

[smidgy]

I already have a bounceback offer with 35% room rate for WL. Any chance the free dining would save us more money? It's just the hubby and I.

Sorry if this is off topic..I am new here!

free dining is generally better for larger parties. do the math, see what you would normally spend on eating. (don't forget to add in the tips! they aren't included anymore)
if you like to eat sit down meals a lot, and eat a couple meals a day it would be cheaper to do the free dining.

if you like to eat on the go, do mostly CS, you might be better paying meals out of pocket.

the thing I like about the free dining is I get to order expensive entrees I normally wouldn't. you have to look at what's best for your family.
one trip we purcahsed the quick service plan and Disney killed us!! we ended up with 3 quick service credits and a bunch of snack credits left over!!! (which I used for a bunch of crap to bring home )

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

free dining is generally better for larger parties. do the math, see what you would normally spend on eating. (don't forget to add in the tips! they aren't included anymore)
if you like to eat sit down meals a lot, and eat a couple meals a day it would be cheaper to do the free dining.

if you like to eat on the go, do mostly CS, you might be better paying meals out of pocket.

the thing I like about the free dining is I get to order expensive entrees I normally wouldn't. you have to look at what's best for your family.
one trip we purcahsed the quick service plan and Disney killed us!! we ended up with 3 quick service credits and a bunch of snack credits left over!!! (which I used for a bunch of crap to bring home )

Ok..we already have the meal plan on our trip (regular dining)....math gets a little hairy (meaning I probably should write it down and not do it in my head)...I was playing around with the booking and it seemed to come out the same. We also don't need tickets since we have some from a previous stay.