Free Dining 2014, limited dates between 31 Aug - 23 Dec on US-Disney web site

[peachiepie]

Such a dilemma! I've booked the French Quarter with Disney UK for my cousins and I and I'm so excited but now it looks like if we cancelled and changed it to the Caribbean we will save almost 300 dollars each. I unfortunately am one of those who want to be more organized but sadly I am not, and now I can't make sense of the notes I took regarding my UK booking! Meaning I can’t see the big discount other than the free QS dining but thinking back I’m pretty sure the room wasn’t discounted at that level at all.

Anyway we have the FQ for 3 adults, Nov. 10 - 22nd with free QS and the regular dining upgrade. Oh and non hopper 14 day tickets all which came to 3066 pounds.

The US site are now with free dining asking 2416 pounds for us all at the Caribbean but we would lose one park day as it's only a 10 day ticket.

Has anyone reading this stayed at the Caribbean before? I like the look of the French Quarter so much more but I’m going to have to run the offer past my cousins who I am pretty sure will rather save some money as we flights from Sweden as well to purchase and it all adds up doesn’t it! Although perhaps the loss of the extra park day we actually want makes up for the difference...I think it does! Although one of them is only staying for 8 nights, and that’s a whole other headache, figuring out what she should pay vs what we two who are staying on for the full 12 nights.

So any advice? The Caribbean doesn't look as nice, especially the room pictures that I've seen. Would you switch? If it's even still available when I make up my mind ..

If its any help Caribbean Beach Resort is being refurbished soon (work is due to start imminently) so you could end up in a newly referred room. We stayed there once, years ago and really enjoyed it. We are planing on booking there for our next trip, instead of Port Orleans where stayed last time.

 

[chmurf]

Get a free dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way package (includes room and theme park tickets) at select Disney Resort hotels. This special offer can be booked through September 12, 2014.

the wording on the "overview" page is quite misleading

actually the minimum requirements is 3 nights/4 days

you only see that on the "check availability" calendar where it's written :

Length of stay requirements
Minimum stay - 3 nights/4 days
Maximum stay - 14 nights/15 days

I don't know where the 6 nights/7 days come from but you can definitely book 3 nights and 4 days of tickets.

just FYI for those who would fancy a short short stay.

 

[Kristina]

That seems like a pretty decent savings. At Caribbean Beach you get the full DDP, so part of that savings would be from you having to upgrade at Port from the quick service. I don't think the loss of a day will make to much difference, just might mean you need to pre plan a little more. Don't forget to add loss for your deposit with Disney UK when you cancel. Still would be saving money though. Good luck in what ever you decide!

You are right about the loss of the day because I remembered that last night I booked us tickets to the MVMCP on Nov. 13th, so we can just swim or do DTD that day and mainly take it easy before the party ! Thanks!

 

[Kristina]

If its any help Caribbean Beach Resort is being refurbished soon (work is due to start imminently) so you could end up in a newly referred room. We stayed there once, years ago and really enjoyed it. We are planing on booking there for our next trip, instead of Port Orleans where stayed last time.

Ahh but I realise now that they still have only the double beds and because two of us will be sharing the queen size is important. My one Cousin is quite petite so maybe it would be alright, and I bet with the refurbishment they uppgrade to queens. Thank you for mentioning the upcoming refurb, I had no idea! I wonder though if it will take longer than 5 months, there's that risk too to consider. Although it's exciting to see what the result will be! Do you know, will it be just the rooms or the grounds as well?

 

[chmurf]

If its any help Caribbean Beach Resort is being refurbished soon (work is due to start imminently)

do you have any "new" evidence ?

because this is a rumour that stemmed a long time ago after guests witnessed an unnumbered model room through a door that stood ajar at one of the buildings

So far no official news of a refurb, and nothing on schedule.
Just a rumour from fans and nothing from Disney.

Don't count on a refurb anytime soon (unless officially announced by Disney) and don't expect to see it completed in 5 months.

This refurb is awaited, and the resort sure needs it. But don't expect it anytime soon.

 

[Samaya]

the wording on the "overview" page is quite misleading actually the minimum requirements is 3 nights/4 days
you only see that on the "check availability" calendar where it's written :
I don't know where the 6 nights/7 days come from but you can definitely book 3 nights and 4 days of tickets.
just FYI for those who would fancy a short short stay.

Thanks Chmurf, the original post did state "A 3-night minimum stay (14-night maximum) is required plus you'll need to purchase a minimum two-day park ticket for each person in the party" but I changed that today and copied from the Special Offer under 'A Delicious Deal — It’s Free!' which still states; Get a free dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way package (includes room and theme park tickets) at select Disney Resort hotels. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resort-stays-dining/

Anyway, will delete that misleading info and many thanks for picking that up.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Can I just check please

13 dec for week

On usa site all star music is 1862 dollars with free quick service

On UK site it is 728 pounds

Does not seem like free dining!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Can I just check please

13 dec for week for two adults

On usa site all star music is 1862 dollars with free quick service

On UK site it is 728 pounds

Does not seem like free dining!

 

[Samaya]

Can I just check please
13 dec for week for two adults
On usa site all star music is 1862 dollars with free quick service
On UK site it is 728 pounds
Does not seem like free dining!

I believe the US price you're quoting of $1,862 includes two 8-Day Magic Your Way Base Tickets and the free Quick-Service Dining for two.

Whereas the UK price of £728 is for room only, if you add tickets on the UK site then it comes to £1,235.60 about $2,093.

Okay, the UK tickets are Ultimate whereas the US are just base tickets, but if you add the park hopper then the US price increase to $1,990 and if you also add the Water Park Fun & More option the price is $2,045, so similar to the UK price for room and tickets.

The US offer might not work for everyone but for families and of course for longer stays it should, plus so long as you check in by 23rd you can get free dining over the Christmas period, which you couldn't get with the UK free dining offer.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Thanks Chmurf, the original post did state "A 3-night minimum stay (14-night maximum) is required plus you'll need to purchase a minimum two-day park ticket for each person in the party" but I changed that today and copied from the Special Offer under 'A Delicious Deal — It’s Free!' which still states; Get a free dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way package (includes room and theme park tickets) at select Disney Resort hotels. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resort-stays-dining/

Anyway, will delete that misleading info and many thanks for picking that up.

When I went to that link, it flashed up a box saying Canadians offer only and proof would be required at check in. I took it a the 6 night/7 day offer was just for Canada.

 

[diberry]

Thank you Samaya for all your wonderfully helpful information.

I had booked 7 days at Coronado Springs via Expedia UK and park tickets via American Attractions which came to a total of £1245 for two of us (without free dining of course). The deal on the American Disney site would be £1513 with free dining and we would have to spend the first night elsewhere as the deal starts the day after we arrive. Which all goes to show that you need to be savvy and look at all your options. Quite a challenge but a very interesting one!! Now I understand why Disney lovers are such great planners! Looks like Pecos Bill's instead of the GF Café for us this time!

 

[Samaya]

When I went to that link, it flashed up a box saying Canadians offer only and proof would be required at check in. I took it a the 6 night/7 day offer was just for Canada.

Many thanks for letting me know, have since tried to find the conditions for the free dining offer on the US web site but it keeps coming up with the 6 night/7 day offer, possibly need to clear my cookies.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I believe the US price you're quoting of $1,862 includes two 8-Day Magic Your Way Base Tickets and the free Quick-Service Dining for two.

Whereas the UK price of £728 is for room only, if you add tickets on the UK site then it comes to £1,235.60 about $2,093.

Okay, the UK tickets are Ultimate whereas the US are just base tickets, but if you add the park hopper then the US price increase to $1,990 and if you also add the Water Park Fun & More option the price is $2,045, so similar to the UK price for room and tickets.

The US offer might not work for everyone but for families and of course for longer stays it should, plus so long as you check in by 23rd you can get free dining over the Christmas period, which you couldn't get with the UK free dining offer.

Thank you, dur, did not realise realise tickets added to us one

 

[disneyholic family]

so interesting..
i just received an email offering me the same free dining package, but they're offering it to me starting on August 25th instead of on August 31.

i might actually have considered it had it started a week or two before that.

so i guess this email is a kind of pin code email.

interesting.

 

[disneyholic family]

i just realized that this pin code offer also includes Port Orleans - both French Quarter and Riverside. They're not included in the US offer to the general public.
Interesting.

not to check the prices