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

[FrugalFashionista]

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!!!

I can not believe how much homework my daughter had last year in first grade! I was floored. My homework for college didn't take as much time.

 

[JLKennedy]

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 taking out my DD (who will turn 15 while there) as a freshman and my DS (who will turn 9 while there) as a 3rd grader.

It's not as hard as it seems now-a-days. For DD, she has 'block' scheduling (new to me) and will only have 5 classes and the assignments are given in 'bulk' (lack if a better word) with a completion date...so we'll be ok.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[zamboniman333]

Anyone been able to get por for nov this week?

 

[hippsmom]

Anybody know where I could find the CP dining pkg prices? I am trying to decide which meals to pay OOP for but I don't know what that one costs.
Thanks!

 

[darnheather]

So I just re-discovered my photo gallery here....and I don't even remember the dis having a photo gallery. Apparently I found it before, because there are photos there.


http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/89254

Lovely photos. You are so skinny!

We are going Thanksgiving too. I am pulling the boys out for 3 days and I am concerned as well. I already have the principals' permission, but I dread having to tell the teachers. (twins are starting HS this year.) I am going to wait until the 3rd week of school to send the letter and forms since the first 2 are so busy.

I was thinking letters as well. The thing is I want to keep the timing a secret from D for as long as possible, but I'm sure the teachers will question her about it.

If know if you are booked through Disney, you will get your tickets when you check in. I have found no benefit whatsoever, to paying off your trip early.

Thank you!

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.

This is SO awesome!

 

[darnheather]

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...

Looking forward to hearing your take on this. Thanks.

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

Woohoo! I'm sure MDE is just acting up.

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

LOL, that's why my Izzy wants to be a dolphin trainer.

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

That's awesome.

 

[Tinker Pam]

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

Well thank you.. And I love the speechies- your documentation is often what I can use to sway the insurance companies.
And now seeing that you are in my neck of the woods I wonder if we've ever worked together.


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


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



Congrats to you!!!

 

[darnheather]

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.

Super easy at that age. I had the girls out for a week last year (Kindy and 6th) with no issues.

I can not believe how much homework my daughter had last year in first grade! I was floored. My homework for college didn't take as much time.

I think that's horrible. As a former homeschooler there is no way I'd encourage a first grader to do homework. Does that make me a bad parent? I don't know but it would probably make the teacher dislike me.

Anybody know where I could find the CP dining pkg prices? I am trying to decide which meals to pay OOP for but I don't know what that one costs.
Thanks!

Here you go. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm

 

[black562]

Lovely photos. You are so skinny!

Haha is that a bad thing?

 

[Rowdymom81]

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

 

[plutospalforever]

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

Wow!! Congrats! I guess it's all about tricking the crazy Disney system.

 

[Rowdymom81]

Wow!! Congrats! I guess it's all about tricking the crazy Disney system.

She wasn't sure it would work so it was a real "TA DAH!" moment when it did.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Super easy at that age. I had the girls out for a week last year (Kindy and 6th) with no issues.

I think that's horrible. As a former homeschooler there is no way I'd encourage a first grader to do homework. Does that make me a bad parent? I don't know but it would probably make the teacher dislike me.

Here you go. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm

Not a bad parent at all! Personally I found it far too much homework. 70 min of reading a week (never a problem she loves to read), 50 minutes of math a week, plus spelling words, plus any random worksheets that got sent home. I wouldn't have complained if she was given the weekends to work on this but it was assigned Mondays and due Fridays. Hoping this year at the new school is different. If its not we will definitely consider home schooling.

 

[v.t.]

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 not worry about it at all that age. I am just concerned with the older boys being in high school. But we have a long sob story that I hope the teachers will appreciate.

Anyone been able to get por for nov this week?

Called every day and have yet to find anything for Nov. 21-29. I need 2 rooms I do not have much hope. But that will not keep me from trying.

 

[darnheather]

Haha is that a bad thing?

Not at all.

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

Woohoo, that's awesome.

 

[Nechville]

Wow!! Congrats! I guess it's all about tricking the crazy Disney system.

I asked my travel agent to try the same for me and she said it wouldn't let me keep free dining when I dropped the days I didn't want. It was only one more day I am trying to add and not even sure we want another day, but I wanted to have the option.
But that doesn't really make sense because my first email was about adding a day and then dropping it if I didn't need it. She said no problem within 45 days. But now when I ask her to book 4 extra days (because that's how far I had to extend to get free dining availability), I can't do that and drop 3? Frustrated.

 

[Rowdymom81]

I asked my travel agent to try the same for me and she said it wouldn't let me keep free dining when I dropped the days I didn't want. It was only one more day I am trying to add and not even sure we want another day, but I wanted to have the option.
But that doesn't really make sense because my first email was about adding a day and then dropping it if I didn't need it. She said no problem within 45 days. But now when I ask her to book 4 extra days (because that's how far I had to extend to get free dining availability), I can't do that and drop 3? Frustrated.

Ugh. Tell her it worked for me via the Disney CM.

 

[babydoll65]

I am taking out my DD (who will turn 15 while there) as a freshman and my DS (who will turn 9 while there) as a 3rd grader.

It's not as hard as it seems now-a-days. For DD, she has 'block' scheduling (new to me) and will only have 5 classes and the assignments are given in 'bulk' (lack if a better word) with a completion date...so we'll be ok.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

My son is close to your sons age ( just turned 16 ) and were taking him out the four days after veteran's day. I would love to tell a little white lie to make it easier (on me) but he went and told his friends already so it looks like I can't use the " death in the family " trick so probably after school starts I'll go to the guidance councillor and explain that it's for a family celebration. If summer wasn't so hot and crowded I'd go then but for the amount of money you spend on a disney vacation your money goes alot further in the off season. My mother's turning 70 when were there and I'm not going to let him miss out when alot of other family members will be there.

 

[ToodlesTime]

We are a family of three taking our daughter (3.5) on her first WDW trip in mid November (her Christmas present and our last hurrah as a family of 3!). We had originally booked POFQ based on reviews and recommendations, but moved to POR when we learned the FD wouldn't extend to POFQ. We booked through a TA and, after she sat on hold for 6+ hours on 8/1, we ended up in Coronado Springs in order to get FD.

I am torn as to whether to ask her to keep trying to get us back into POR or to stay where we are in CS. I have read not-so-great reviews about CS and am anxious. Plus, I'll be 29w pregnant and the enormity of the resort makes me anxious, too. Theming is not very important to us, but a clean, nice room and great customer service is very important. (If I had my druthers we'd stay at the Poly or another deluxe, but it just isn't worth the $1000 extra.) We will be spending one day at Epcot (for the adults) and 3 days in MK. We will have a car but plan (at least for now) to use the buses.

What say you, DISboard-ers?

 

[BellaPetunia]

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

Thank you for posting this. I had resigned myself to a split stay for our dates with no dining my last two days but now we are booked our whole week at Poly with free dining. Thanks for sharing!