Free dining extras - questions

[pigby]

Already booked the free dining offer via Disney UK for next year - have done the free dining before but have booked with Complete Orlando.

This time, the $150 Disney Gift card swung it!

A few questions - I am presuming that the gift card is per booking and not per person?

Also what about the mini golf - same again is this per person? - this is another 'extra' that we would use - having enjoyed a previous trip to Winterland Summerland.

Also do you have to book the fireworks viewing at Epcot and Magic Kingdom and where are the viewing areas?

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Yes its $150 per booking.
You only get 1 round for 1 person free at golf, pay for others. Its like most of the other extras, they are to get you to spend more money.
Don't know a lot about the viewing areas, MK I didn't like the area but its a few years since I looked so might have changed, Epcot never had a problem viewing from wherever we are at the time.

This time CO worked out cheaper for us, no waiting for cashback and not tied with a giftcard, rather have the discount upfront and we don't use the bonus stuff.

 

[dixonsontour]

The round of golf is one per booking

The preferred viewing you ring to prebook and have a voucher to show to get entry.

The MK one is opposite plaza - where the smoking area is in the day. We did this 2010 - view was awful but I think some of the offending trees have now been cut down.

Epcot view was better - morocco boat landing area.

Rest of coupons we didn't use - I recall a planet hollywood discount, spa discount one??

We went with complete orlando this time due to price.

 

[pigby]

Thanks

Suspected that the gift card was one per room but did think the free mini golf might be applicable to all.

Don't see a spa discount now - which is a shame - could have really used that one - we are going over to SSR for DD's 18th birthday and having a treatment or two each - any experiences out there? I have found a list of what they do with prices already.

As for the viewing areas - we enjoyed Illuninations more than ever this year seated outside the Rose and Crown - was even better with one of their cocktails! Maybe looking to repeat the experience or go to the Hacienda instead. We are Tomorrowland bridge people when it come to Wishes - won't do any harm to watch from somewhere else for a change, I suppose.

 

[GirlDreamer]

I was looking forward to the preferred viewing, is it really not good viewing spots at all? Is there anyone who's been there recently that can tell?

 

[steve76]

Regarding the free mini-golf - I believe that the voucher is supposed to be for one person per room. However for our last trip they sent two vouchers (we had two separate bookings for two separate rooms, and they each came with two vouchers). We weren't sure whether it was a mistake or not - we were open and honest when we came to use them but they were accepted with no problems. So all four of us got to play for free. This was Christmas 2009.

 

[queendisney]

yes...we've always had a free game of golf per person as well.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was looking forward to the preferred viewing, is it really not good viewing spots at all? Is there anyone who's been there recently that can tell?

We really like the Epcot one and always do book it. The Magic Kingdom one is really nice (now that the offending, view obstructing trees have been trimmed ), but I would not recommend it if it is the only time you are going to watch the fireworks as you can get much better views elsewhere in or around Main Street. It's just that you would need to stake out your spot well in advance. We go and get ourselves some dinner from MSB and head off to the preferred viewing area about 20 minutes before it starts. There are tables and chairs and we sit and have our meal while we wait so it serves more as a bit of chill out time with fireworks as an extra, rather than a specific viewing spot, if that makes sense.

 

[irenep]

I was looking forward to the preferred viewing, is it really not good viewing spots at all? Is there anyone who's been there recently that can tell?

We used the MK viewing area in October and it was pretty good although I really prefer to watch from the hub area. I think some of the trees that a pp talked about have been removed. Its a great place to go if its busy and you want somewhere relatively uncrowded.




Didn't take advantage of the Epcot area as the wind was blowing smoke that way but it looked like it might be fine and will try it another time.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Okay, might try the Epcot one then and probably do MK the normal way at the hub. We're going in Sept anyway, so crowds shouldn't be too bad

 

[2Tiggies]

Okay, might try the Epcot one then and probably do MK the normal way at the hub. We're going in Sept anyway, so crowds shouldn't be too bad

You will be fine as long as you do the fireworks before the Halloween parties start. Once those start running it is bedlam in MK around fireworks time as they only do them on non party nights which ups the crowd level quite significantly on those days. Not sure how long you are going for but you are leaving before we are so I take it right at the beginning of the month which will work out very well for you.

 

[irenep]

Okay, might try the Epcot one then and probably do MK the normal way at the hub. We're going in Sept anyway, so crowds shouldn't be too bad

Make sure you book it well in advance - we couldn't get our first choice of date at MK as it was full.

 

[GirlDreamer]

You will be fine as long as you do the fireworks before the Halloween parties start. Once those start running it is bedlam in MK around fireworks time as they only do them on non party nights which ups the crowd level quite significantly on those days. Not sure how long you are going for but you are leaving before we are so I take it right at the beginning of the month which will work out very well for you.

I'm pretty sure our very first park day would be in MK as I love that park (and I loooooove the chocolate cake in Main Street Bakery ) so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm actually hoping I've timed my vacay right so I'll be able to go to the Halloween party before we leave.

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm pretty sure our very first park day would be in MK as I love that park (and I loooooove the chocolate cake in Main Street Bakery ) so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm actually hoping I've timed my vacay right so I'll be able to go to the Halloween party before we leave.

The first party this year was September 13th, so assuming they start running the parties next year in the same week you should have at least one available to you to book before you leave Of course we never quite know what Disney will do from one year to the next! We are just a few days behind you but we are staying longer so I am also hoping (fairly confidently) that we will make at least one party night before returning home.