Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[SPOERLX3]

For those ages, I would recommend POP. With AoA a short walk across the bridge, you get double the food choices, double the resort shopping and tons of great photo ops. This year will be our 6th year in a row at POP (my kids are 9 and 11), and we all absolutely love it. The transportation is great there, too.

We definitely LOVE POP! and we have stayed at POP more than any other resort since our trip with our grandkids is the year they turn 11 and it is definitely a great choice, I was just thinking for a 6 & 8 yr old ASMo would be more Disneyesque at that age. Either would be perfect, along with the suites at AoA if budget allows.

And then again, we haven't stayed at ASMo in a LOOOOOONG time

 

[Camaro305]

I'll say Pop as well! This August is the 8th year for us!

 

[scard192]

Love seeing how much everyone likes POP: the kids have picked it for our next trip.

 

[mandis77]

I guess I did ask a pretty stupid question, lol. It will be family trip: Me, DH, and DDx2 (we're going for our youngest's 6th Bday and our oldest's 1 year anniversary of her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, so lots of celebrating). With 2 girls, ages 6 & 8 at travel, who love all things Disney, play soccer, are very active, been to WDW 3x: I'd like the full dining plan so we can do meals with characters (from what I understand those are included with that, right?). I think Value or Moderate should be plenty enough for us. For a week trip with lots of time in the parks, I'm not sure I see the value in the Deluxe for us. I've done a LOT of shopping on the WDW website, but because we've never stayed in Disney, I'm not sure which would be best, lol (though I know they're all great). We want to be surrounded by all things Disney if we're booking trough them. If that means we need to book Deluxe, then I guess I'll look into that. With 2 young kids we aren't interested in imitating a trip to anywhere but Disney

I hope I'm making sense, and not being too much of a nuisance.

Is there somewhere else I should be posting this? I feel like I've taken this post in a completely different direction, which I didn't mean to do. I apologize for my ignorance in forum etiquette.

Another vote for POP. We stayed there last year with our two girls (then 5 and 2) and they LOVED it. We are doing a moderate this year only because DH wants more dining options - otherwise I'd be happy staying there again.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I guess I did ask a pretty stupid question, lol. It will be family trip: Me, DH, and DDx2 (we're going for our youngest's 6th Bday and our oldest's 1 year anniversary of her Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, so lots of celebrating). With 2 girls, ages 6 & 8 at travel, who love all things Disney, play soccer, are very active, been to WDW 3x: I'd like the full dining plan so we can do meals with characters (from what I understand those are included with that, right?). I think Value or Moderate should be plenty enough for us. For a week trip with lots of time in the parks, I'm not sure I see the value in the Deluxe for us. I've done a LOT of shopping on the WDW website, but because we've never stayed in Disney, I'm not sure which would be best, lol (though I know they're all great). We want to be surrounded by all things Disney if we're booking trough them. If that means we need to book Deluxe, then I guess I'll look into that. With 2 young kids we aren't interested in imitating a trip to anywhere but Disney

I hope I'm making sense, and not being too much of a nuisance.

Is there somewhere else I should be posting this? I feel like I've taken this post in a completely different direction, which I didn't mean to do. I apologize for my ignorance in forum etiquette.

O.K. I'm going to be the different one here and say, for your girls' ages and celebrations, POR-R with the upgrade to a royal (princess) room. In fact that is what i recommended to my sister who is leaving next Tuesday to celebrate her daughter's 6th bday. I think your girls would like it as well as a mermaid room at AoA, there's plenty of princess stuff in the room. I wish i could stay in one myself but no room for 5 there. : ( I love POR, it is more laid back than the values which works for our family, without losing the Disney charm. Some like more obvious Disney icons so it just a matter of preference there. I also like the more comfortable beds myself. And the boat ride to DTD which may be convenient if you do BBB for your girls there.
I did stay at a Cars suite at AoA, but although the extra room was nice, I still like POR better.
Good luck with your decision! To be honest, I'm sure you will be happy with whichever resort you choose. Happy planning!

 

[PrincessRebekah82]

My hubby just called to price our vacation in September and when she gave him the price she said well that might not necessarily be the final price. He asked her if she was hinting at free dining she then went into her scripted cm speech of we don't know when or if it's coming. Makes me hopeful

 

[SPOERLX3]

O.K. I'm going to be the different one here and say, for your girls' ages and celebrations, POR-R with the upgrade to a royal (princess) room. In fact that is what i recommended to my sister who is leaving next Tuesday to celebrate her daughter's 6th bday. I think your girls would like it as well as a mermaid room at AoA, there's plenty of princess stuff in the room. I wish i could stay in one myself but no room for 5 there. : ( I love POR, it is more laid back than the values which works for our family, without losing the Disney charm. Some like more obvious Disney icons so it just a matter of preference there. I also like the more comfortable beds myself. And the boat ride to DTD which may be convenient if you do BBB for your girls there.
I did stay at a Cars suite at AoA, but although the extra room was nice, I still like POR better.
Good luck with your decision! To be honest, I'm sure you will be happy with whichever resort you choose. Happy planning!

Another GREAT choice! I forgot about the Royal rooms! I have never stayed there but they look amazing! And even the Royal room with a river view is cheaper than an AoA suite. POP however is cheaper than both of them (BUT if you pay to upgrade to QS to DP it may be about the same as the Royal room).
https://www.google.com/search?q=royal+rooms+at+port+orleans&biw=1024&bih=714&tbm=isch&imgil=Ox64WZRu24_NpM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQi_4qDx5TqN6xjhCh6q7b-vJtva_goDvBgLN6IIK5Gg6fozhnmqg%253B900%253B582%253BQmG18T3QwFILEM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.portorleans.org%25252Froyal-rooms.php&source=iu&usg=__seNh8WeNJL0_rzuv3NDlSYW_Qmw%3D&sa=X&ei=GVpRU8iXNcy0yATtjYGoBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCsQ9QEwAA#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Ox64WZRu24_NpM%253A%3BQmG18T3QwFILEM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.portorleans.org%252Fimages%252Fgallery%252FPOR-RoyalRoom-ConceptArt-250411_large.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.portorleans.org%252Froyal-rooms.php%3B900%3B582

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Holy moly you guys have been busy! I was gone for one day and I think this thread jumped 20 pages!!!

 

[mks2774]

Ok I do have another question. If you had a friend that was a cast member and could get you 50% off room and you wanted to do value to save money would you go for that not knowing if cast members will get a friends and family discount off the dining plan? Or would you keep your AAA room reservation that you've already made and hope that FD comes out for that even if you have to upgrade to the dining plan instead of QS?

 

[RatherBeInAK]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I really appreciate all the info you've managed to find, Black. It makes it so much easier to plan!
I am planning a trip for September with extended family. Together we’ll need 4 rooms. I have a Disney Visa and was planning to book all of our rooms when free dining is released to DV holders. But I think I read that I can only book 3 rooms on my card. Is that right? Is that only if there is a special offer or is that all I can ever book on one card?

 

[donp]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I really appreciate all the info you've managed to find, Black. It makes it so much easier to plan!
I am planning a trip for September with extended family. Together we’ll need 4 rooms. I have a Disney Visa and was planning to book all of our rooms when free dining is released to DV holders. But I think I read that I can only book 3 rooms on my card. Is that right? Is that only if there is a special offer or is that all I can ever book on one card?

I had always heard that as well, but I was able to apply FD to all four of my party's rooms at POR on Day 1 of Disney Visa FD promo last year.

 

[MsMinnieMouse246]

Now I have a question, we booked our room at AoA last September for our trip coming up this September. If they do offer the FD, am I able to change my whole reservation and move to another resort?? We have 2 boys and are staying in the Little Mermaid rooms, basically because we want to stay at the AoA and cost effective, but I would like to try and stay at the Caribbean in the pirate rooms.

I know this has probably been asked already - I'm sorry!

Also, I do have the Disney Visa as well - how do I know if it has been offered to cardholders?

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I really appreciate all the info you've managed to find, Black. It makes it so much easier to plan!
I am planning a trip for September with extended family. Together we’ll need 4 rooms. I have a Disney Visa and was planning to book all of our rooms when free dining is released to DV holders. But I think I read that I can only book 3 rooms on my card. Is that right? Is that only if there is a special offer or is that all I can ever book on one card?

Technically the rule is 3 rooms per card, but CMs have been known to bend the rules

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Now I have a question, we booked our room at AoA last September for our trip coming up this September. If they do offer the FD, am I able to change my whole reservation and move to another resort?? We have 2 boys and are staying in the Little Mermaid rooms, basically because we want to stay at the AoA and cost effective, but I would like to try and stay at the Caribbean in the pirate rooms.

I know this has probably been asked already - I'm sorry!

Also, I do have the Disney Visa as well - how do I know if it has been offered to cardholders?

Oh yes! Many ppl change resorts once offers are released. In fact we tell people to pick two or three resorts in case their first choice isn't available for Free Dining.

And as to the Visa Offers...just check here. The boards will be lit up before it's on the Visa or Disney website or before you get an email.

 

[mouserrificmom]

Now I have a question, we booked our room at AoA last September for our trip coming up this September. If they do offer the FD, am I able to change my whole reservation and move to another resort?? We have 2 boys and are staying in the Little Mermaid rooms, basically because we want to stay at the AoA and cost effective, but I would like to try and stay at the Caribbean in the pirate rooms. I know this has probably been asked already - I'm sorry! Also, I do have the Disney Visa as well - how do I know if it has been offered to cardholders?

Unless your booking was a bounce back, you can make any changes before the 45 day mark with no penalty. If it was a room only reservation, they will cancel, refund and create a new reservation that you would have to make a deposit towards. If you had a package that included room and at least tickets, the changes would be made and whatever payments you have made would be applied to the new reservation. However, if you change, you will be charged more for park tickets as there have been ticket price increases since you booked. Hope that helps!!!

 

[MsMinnieMouse246]

Unless your booking was a bounce back, you can make any changes before the 45 day mark with no penalty. If it was a room only reservation, they will cancel, refund and create a new reservation that you would have to make a deposit towards. If you had a package that included room and at least tickets, the changes would be made and whatever payments you have made would be applied to the new reservation. However, if you change, you will be charged more for park tickets as there have been ticket price increases since you booked. Hope that helps!!!

Oh yes! Many ppl change resorts once offers are released. In fact we tell people to pick two or three resorts in case their first choice isn't available for Free Dining.

And as to the Visa Offers...just check here. The boards will be lit up before it's on the Visa or Disney website or before you get an email.

Thank you both!! I didn't think about that with the tickets - you are absolutely right! They were cheaper when we booked our package. Would the best option be to play around on the website to see how much it would cost for the same time period with tickets and leave the dining plan off?

It only means that this weekend is going to be fun with all of the different options and plans we will have to make DISNEY PLANNING IS THE BEST KIND!!

 

[mantysk8coach]

Think there is any chance they'll throw us a bone and release all the free dining dates for the rest of 2014? This waiting is driving me crazy, I just want to get plans in place! I'd prefer November/December, but could be swayed to move to September. My fear is I wait, hoping for November or December FD, and then miss out on September in the process, because we really could go any of those months.

I mean, unlikely....but that would make life SO much easier!

 

[tinker&belle]

Think there is any chance they'll throw us a bone and release all the free dining dates for the rest of 2014? This waiting is driving me crazy, I just want to get plans in place! I'd prefer November/December, but could be swayed to move to September. My fear is I wait, hoping for November or December FD, and then miss out on September in the process, because we really could go any of those months. I mean, unlikely....but that would make life SO much easier!

I would love that too! Why not book the latest Date you can with whatever offer comes out and then you can cancel up to 45 days out?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Think there is any chance they'll throw us a bone and release all the free dining dates for the rest of 2014? This waiting is driving me crazy, I just want to get plans in place! I'd prefer November/December, but could be swayed to move to September. My fear is I wait, hoping for November or December FD, and then miss out on September in the process, because we really could go any of those months. I mean, unlikely....but that would make life SO much easier!

Why not book for September just incase then if they do release November/December dates cancel the original dates and book the new ones?

 

[RatherBeInAK]

I had always heard that as well, but I was able to apply FD to all four of my party's rooms at POR on Day 1 of Disney Visa FD promo last year.

Technically the rule is 3 rooms per card, but CMs have been known to bend the rules

Thank you! Hopefully they'll let me book them all at one time. That would make my life SO much easier!

Unless your booking was a bounce back, you can make any changes before the 45 day mark with no penalty. If it was a room only reservation, they will cancel, refund and create a new reservation that you would have to make a deposit towards. If you had a package that included room and at least tickets, the changes would be made and whatever payments you have made would be applied to the new reservation. However, if you change, you will be charged more for park tickets as there have been ticket price increases since you booked. Hope that helps!!!

Is there a penalty if you change a bounceback? My husband and I are currently booked with a bounceback but I thought I might have to cancel it and book a new package when I book the other 3 rooms we'll need (for the rest of our party) with the Visa offer. Does anyone know how they handle that?