Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!! (And a whole lot more) ~ Part 3

[black562]

Disney will release it's Q3 earnings this evening after the markets close. It should be interesting to see how they did this quarter.

They should also provide an update for Magic+ and perhaps give some clues on a rollout.

Some thoughts:

-- Business was way up in the 2nd quarter, due mostly to two new cruise ships, and the new Carsland area in California Adventure.

-- Magic Kingdom set a single day attendance record in the 2nd quarter.

-- Easter fell early as well, ending up in the 2nd quarter, rather than the third. This may have an impact on the earnings announced today. Universal's results were weighed down for it's April-June quarter, citing the early Easter holiday.

It will be interesting to see how their results play out, as well as get a handle on the Magic+ testing that's been going on.

Stay tuned...

 

[sjs314]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

Congrates!

 

[gterin1524]

So I just called to check on adding a 10/9 to my reservation at POR and it was available no problem when I have been trying everyday with nothing available. However now my MDE doesn't show free dining? Did it ever or am I losing my mind? Thanks

 

[TheWrightTrip]

So I just called to check on adding a 10/9 to my reservation at POR and it was available no problem. However now my MDE doesn't show free dining? Did it ever or am I losing my mind? Thanks

System has been down through the night and most of the morning. Just give it some time, it should be there.

 

[gterin1524]

System has been down through the night and most of the morning. Just give it some time, it should be there.

Thanks! My dates updated and the final amount is right, but it just doesn't say anything about free dining anymore. It was so easy I was afraid there was a catch. .

 

[Kat016]

Kat016, good luck today! I'm sure you'll do great!

Smitch, I don't know quite what that CFI is or if I've ever driven in one, but wow!

Black, I am a critical care RN, part-time, and Mom, overtime!

Thank you! ill be leaving in about 15 minutes. Ill touch base wyen I'm dine!

 

[acceber32]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

I have a few questions about this. We have a current reservation for CBR but we really want POR; however, it hasn't had any openings for our dates of 12/12-12/22. There is currently an opening for 12/12-12/15. Wondering how to go about doing a split stay. If we booked at POR for 12-15 and CBR the remainning days and weren't able to get any openings at POR for the remaing days would it be a big hassle to switch resorts? Is this something easy for Disney to handle (the split reservations) or does it take a long time for them to get all the paperwork/reservation together? Is it best to go ahead and grab what days we can find now and if we can't get them all at POR switch back to CBR if we don't want to do a split stay? We really don't want to do a split stay and have to switch resorts in the middle with two small kids but if its best for us to grab the days at POR when we can then I'm thinking I should book those days and keeping checking on the others. Thoughts? I hope all that makes sense! Thanks!

 

[gterin1524]

I have a few questions about this. We have a current reservation for CBR but we really want POR; however, it hasn't had any openings for our dates of 12/12-12/22. There is currently an opening for 12/12-12/15. Wondering how to go about doing a split stay. If we booked at POR for 12-15 and CBR the remainning days and weren't able to get any openings at POR for the remaing days would it be a big hassle to switch resorts? Is this something easy for Disney to handle (the split reservations) or does it take a long time for them to get all the paperwork/reservation together? Is it best to go ahead and grab what days we can find now and if we can't get them all at POR switch back to CBR if we don't want to do a split stay? We really don't want to do a split stay and have to switch resorts in the middle with two small kids but if its best for us to grab the days at POR when we can then I'm thinking I should book those days and keeping checking on the others. Thoughts? I hope all that makes sense! Thanks!

Have you tried to call and check availability? I kept stalking online for POR and everything was unavailable, but when I called this morning my dates were available no problem.

 

[3rd visit n counting]

Sooo, I am still booked at POFQ with RO and no FD. Would prefer FD, but have a preference towards FQ. Any possibility of any additional PINS being sent out or Disney adding FQ to promotion since there were probably alot of people bailing out of FQ once details were released last week? If not, I will just suck it up and pay for dining OOP.

 

[Coconuts]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

Thanks you give me hope! I'm looking to either add a day to the beginning or end of our trip.

 

[plutospalforever]

I am an Intake Coordinator at an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation hospital (physical rehab -strokes, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries ECT) and do all the insurance verification and precertification as well as Medicaid and verifying Medicare benefits. I have the job no one else wants but I love

And we love and appreciate everything you do! I am a medical speech pathologist.

Any chance of getting a discount at GF or Poly at this point? I keep checking but no luck so far. Is it better to call?

Folks are getting positive results both ways. Sometimes one is showing availability, when the other is not. Keep trying!!! Good Luck!

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

Yea!! Congrats! You did it the hard way; glad it all worked out!

So I just called to check on adding a 10/9 to my reservation at POR and it was available no problem when I have been trying everyday with nothing available. However now my MDE doesn't show free dining? Did it ever or am I losing my mind? Thanks

Congrats to you!!!

 

[scard192]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

persistence pays off

 

[JLKennedy]

My DD10 and I loved that movie. We fully
intend to go there at some point. She wants to be a marine biologist and zoologist or a veterinarian.

My DD14 wanted to be a marine biologist too....UNTIL she learned that's it's not diving or swimming with dolphins and sea turtles...that its taking water samples and dissecting dead animals that have washed ashore.....

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Coconuts]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

Hey I just got my day added on at the beginning of my trip so thanks for the good luck wishes! They paid off.

 

[hippsmom]

We are currently booked at POR in standard RR but I really want a preferred room. I can book a preferred room for 12/16 - 12/20 but there is NO availability for any room at POR 12/20 - 12/24. So for now I am stuck in the RR. When you call do you ask them to check FD availability for your dates? Also, if I end up splitting the stay I would need at least 3 nights for both in order to qualify for FD right? Do they split your tickets up as well (and therefore increase the cost)? DH is not thrilled with the prospect of a split stay anyway so it can't end up costing more.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

You guys are really scaring me about taking the kids out if school! DD will be in 2nd and DS 1st. This is their first year at this school so we won't know any of the teachers. We have a great relationship with the principal (she left our kids' original school and we followed). She's absolutely fantastic and has no problem with us taking them out for 3 days. Hopefully the teachers won't either.

 

[Coconuts]

You guys are really scaring me about taking the kids out if school! DD will be in 2nd and DS 1st. This is their first year at this school so we won't know any of the teachers. We have a great relationship with the principal (she left our kids' original school and we followed). She's absolutely fantastic and has no problem with us taking them out for 3 days. Hopefully the teachers won't either.

I would have NO problems taking them out at that age. When I took my kids out in 1st and 2nd grade, I took them out for at least a week! Now once they hit middle school, that's where the work load really gets piled on. Enjoy your trip!

 

[hippsmom]

You guys are really scaring me about taking the kids out if school! DD will be in 2nd and DS 1st. This is their first year at this school so we won't know any of the teachers. We have a great relationship with the principal (she left our kids' original school and we followed). She's absolutely fantastic and has no problem with us taking them out for 3 days. Hopefully the teachers won't either.

I am concerned too...first time taking dd out for a whole week, the week before Christmas break. My DH doesn't give a flip so I told him he could tell the school! Honestly, she is a good kid, gets good grades and had perfect attendance last year so I am trying not to stress too much. I am more worried about her workload than anything.

 

[plutospalforever]

The teachers all have been wonderful when taking our kids out of school, we always did so however when it was not close to end of quarters or semesters or standardized testing. I think the amount of homework though depends on the school. I had no idea I was torturing my kids and thinking that hours of homework everyday starting at grade 1 was a change of the times. Until my son went to a public middle school last year, I realized this was not the norm, and middle school was a breeze compared to the horror of elementary. But teachers always gave them assignments in advance and they were always able to complete them on the drive down and back. There have only been positive experiences with no repercussions. All of you, have a magical vacation!!!

 

[MomofKatie]

You guys are really scaring me about taking the kids out if school! DD will be in 2nd and DS 1st. This is their first year at this school so we won't know any of the teachers. We have a great relationship with the principal (she left our kids' original school and we followed). She's absolutely fantastic and has no problem with us taking them out for 3 days. Hopefully the teachers won't either.

Elementary school is no problem at all. We pulled out DD every year from 1st-5th for anywhere from 3 days to a full week, and she never had any problems catching back up, even in 4th and 5th when she was in the gifted program.

We only took DD out one time in middle school, for 3 days surrounding Veterens' Day. She had a tougher time getting back up to speed- she had teachers who really piled on the homework that year!

So far, high school has been easier. She missed 3 days of her freshman year, wrapped around Election Day weekend, for a WDW trip. No problems at all when she got back. She does have block scheduling, so only had 4 classes to make up work for (and one of them was gym), and she had a pretty "easy" semester. In the future, we will have to evaluate semester by semester whether it would be a good idea for her to be able to miss a few days.