Free dining in May 2011

[disneymomoffour]

Can anyone tell me why Disney would offer free dining over Memorial weekend? That seems strange to me-isn't that a busy time to go? Why would they need to offer an incentive to go then-or am I wrong? We are planning a trip next May, but planned on being home by then. Should I change to that weekend to get FD?

 

[csjordan]

This has been discussed previously, as there were several people (myself included) who were also surprised. I think PP's indicated that Memorial weekend wasn't as slam-packed as people thought. That was good news to me! I made a ressie for 5/28-6/4 for FD!

 

[disneymomoffour]

This has been discussed previously, as there were several people (myself included) who were also surprised. I think PP's indicated that Memorial weekend wasn't as slam-packed as people thought. That was good news to me! I made a ressie for 5/28-6/4 for FD!

Thank you! (I wondered if maybe this had been discussed before-sorry to repeat!) That is great news to me-we always try to avoid busy times of year, so we have never gone over memorial day before. I changed our ressie to 5/29-6/4. (Love FD!!!)

 

[csjordan]

No problem with the repeat...I do it all the time. I've never been during this time either...we usually go Summer or Thanksgiving. I'm sure the crowds can't be any worse than during those times! I haven't checked Touringplan for crowd levels during Memorial. My kids are extremely excited about the possibility of being there during Star Wars Weekend. I hope it will be during that period!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was surprised as well. Very pleasantly surprised I might add because that's the time of year that we always go to Disney. By booking with the free dining promo, we saved over $1,300!

 

[kadesha]

I was surprised too as that is memorial weekend and also gay days, I think. That's 2 events that I would think would draw a pretty big crowd, and at the same time as free dining...

I am hoping to book a May trip and was really wanting free dining. We opted to go earlier in May though.

 

[Disneylvr]

We are booked for free dining but in all honesty I am hoping for a room only or package discount instead. I love the convenience of the dining plan (we are quick service dining plan fans) but are restricted to the value resorts in order to take advantage of this discount. The regular dining plan just doesn't work for us.

 

[blessedby3]

I was also surprised by the FD offer, but I'll take it!! We can only go at the end of May or Thanksgiving week. Im concerned about the crowds over Memorial Day and the gay days(especially with the FD added), but Im thinking its got to be better than Thanksgiving (and probably no discounts then since TGiving week is a big holiday
We prefer the quick service plan too. We can get that and pay oop for 3 ts meals and still come out cheaper than the regular meal plan. Plus we get 2 snack and the mug I dont like having to schedule that many sit down meals. Good thing we have to stay value this time since dd is taking a friend and our 3 yr old now counts to the room count (we have stayed deluxe the last 2 trips) because thats the only way to get the quick service)
Disneylvr, it looks like we will be checking into POP at the same time! We have the exact same ticker!

 

[Disneylvr]

I was also surprised by the FD offer, but I'll take it!! We can only go at the end of May or Thanksgiving week. Im concerned about the crowds over Memorial Day and the gay days(especially with the FD added), but Im thinking its got to be better than Thanksgiving (and probably no discounts then since TGiving week is a big holiday
We prefer the quick service plan too. We can get that and pay oop for 3 ts meals and still come out cheaper than the regular meal plan. Plus we get 2 snack and the mug I dont like having to schedule that many sit down meals. Good thing we have to stay value this time since dd is taking a friend and our 3 yr old now counts to the room count (we have stayed deluxe the last 2 trips) because thats the only way to get the quick service)
Disneylvr, it looks like we will be checking into POP at the same time! We have the exact same ticker!

It sure does, we arrive on May 27th! We have dined at POP several times (love their food court!) but usually we are moderate and occasionally deluxe resort guests, but it is time for a change. The free dining offer has forced us to make that change and that is fine.

 

[blessedby3]

It sure does, we arrive on May 27th! We have dined at POP several times (love their food court!) but usually we are moderate and occasionally deluxe resort guests, but it is time for a change. The free dining offer has forced us to make that change and that is fine.

Thats funny...we only do value or deluxe, never mod. Anyway we have stayed at POP twice, this will be our 3rd stay, and if we cant stay deluxe we go to POP. It is definately a festive atmosphere and my 11 yr old prefers it over any other resort
Hope we both have a great week

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was also surprised by the FD offer, but I'll take it!! We can only go at the end of May or Thanksgiving week. Im concerned about the crowds over Memorial Day and the gay days(especially with the FD added), but Im thinking its got to be better than Thanksgiving (and probably no discounts then since TGiving week is a big holiday
We prefer the quick service plan too. We can get that and pay oop for 3 ts meals and still come out cheaper than the regular meal plan. Plus we get 2 snack and the mug I dont like having to schedule that many sit down meals. Good thing we have to stay value this time since dd is taking a friend and our 3 yr old now counts to the room count (we have stayed deluxe the last 2 trips) because thats the only way to get the quick service)
Disneylvr, it looks like we will be checking into POP at the same time! We have the exact same ticker!

I'm with you....surprised but am happy they offered it! We have traveled to Disney for years and years over the Memorial Day week which also includes Gay Days (and this year Star Wars Weekends). We have also been to Disney Thanksgiving week. Honestly, the crowds over Memorial Day aren't that bad. Make use of Fastpass and EMH and you'll be fine.

 

[disneymomoffour]

Didn't know about Gay Days that weekend-what exactly is that all about? Will we even notice it? (Don't know what to expect having my kids there...)

 

[mickeystoontown]

Didn't know about Gay Days that weekend-what exactly is that all about? Will we even notice it? (Don't know what to expect having my kids there...)

There are certain days that the gay and lesbians visit certain parks. Honestly, we have had no problems whatsoever regarding Gay Days. The extra guests do seem to make for a little more crowded park but not overly so. The only way you can really tell that they are there is the fact that they normally wear red shirts. If you want to avoid the extra guests, you should be able to find the Gay Days schedule at www.gaydays.com.

 

[disneymomoffour]

There are certain days that the gay and lesbians visit certain parks. Honestly, we have had no problems whatsoever regarding Gay Days. The extra guests do seem to make for a little more crowded park but not overly so. The only way you can really tell that they are there is the fact that they normally wear red shirts. If you want to avoid the extra guests, you should be able to find the Gay Days schedule at www.gaydays.com.

Thank you! We can hopefully avoid the crowds now!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you! We can hopefully avoid the crowds now!

You are more than welcome.

 

[nooneshome]

Heck why would they offer FD so close to Christmas and not close to Thanksgiving.

Peyton always dreamed of throwing a 4th quarter TD pass to lead the Saints to a Super Bowl victory!!​

Thanks Again Peyton!!!!!!​

 

[Minnie J]

I'm glad they are offering it. We are going from may 27-June 2nd at POP!! I hope it isnt crowded too much even though the TG calendar says its going to be heavy ~sigh~

 

[blessedby3]

I'm glad they are offering it. We are going from may 27-June 2nd at POP!! I hope it isnt crowded too much even though the TG calendar says its going to be heavy ~sigh~

can you clarify "heavy" --we arent talking 9's and 10's are we

 

[Minnie J]

can you clarify "heavy" --we arent talking 9's and 10's are we

I am afraid so. All 9's for like 3 days straight

 

[blessedby3]

I am afraid so. All 9's for like 3 days straight

Great day in the morning!!!!! That is NOT good news at all
But thanks for clarifying....I wont shoot the messenger