Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!

[pittsburghmom]

I wanted to suggest that people crunch the numbers when trying to decide what to do next. The room rates for the first week of December are lower than the room rates for the free dining days. It is possible that paying OOP will cost less money for some families than paying rack rate during the more expensive FD period. You would just have to eat at less expensive places.

I was thinking the same thing, especially in light of all those who where anticipating the first week in December....why would Disney offer FD to cover the peak holidays and not the slower week? Then I remembered that the rack rates during most of the FD dates for December are during peak/holiday rates. Looks like they are not only using FD to fill the resorts during hurricane/off season, but they are also using it to fill rooms at the highest rack rates as well.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Put us down for option D please.

We can only go the first week since DS is graduating college on Nov 29th. We have never had any discount or FD (last trip 2008) and we were hoping FD would allow us to use the money to fly down to surprise DS at his graduation (he is in WV, us in Canada).

I have called Disney every day hoping for a PIN or some magic but nothing yet. After some tears and many sleepless nights I am still hopeful it will work out.

Good luck to everyone on July 29th, here's pixie dust coming your way

Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers for your next call for some pixie dust!!! It can happen!

A for us. We are going to try to get a November date at POR AB, I that doesn't work out, we will try again for the first week in February.

I'm pulling for you to get POR in Nov!!!

But, if it doesn't work out the 1st week in Feb is WONDERFUL!

Its the lowest crowds and prices. When we went there weren't as many people for the CMs to pick for special attention so we were picked constantly to be part of the show, etc.

The weather isn't hot so you aren't drained from the sun, nor do you have to drink gobs of water to stay hydrated.

One day we wore jeans and a light jacket, and one day we wore tshirts and shorts. So, pack both if you decide on those dates.

2 things I have to say though...
1. Don't stay at an AllStars if you go then. There is a huge group of girls called the Fifteeners that stay at all 3 resorts. They chant and stay in long grouped lines...which is fine...until you get on the bus...every trip. They are from Argentina I believe and its all 15 yr old girls.
2. Be prepared for no splash mountain. They always like to refurb around then, but its not a sure thing.

 

[4CanadianMice]

Just an observation - I think we're seeing the effect of "booked and hoping for free dining". This debate comes up occasionally. If you book a room, then Disney won't need to give discounts, the resorts are booked enough already. Alternately, there may not be enough rooms booked to matter in the overall scheme of things.

Also, I have gotten the Disney Visa offer on the release day just by calling for it, even though I don't have a Disney Visa. The fact that I knew about it was good enough for the CM. I don't know if that still works.

Unfortunately we had to book since we can only go certain dates since DS is graduating Nov 29th.

I didn't even know there was a chance of discounts or FD when I booked so we will go no matter what. FD is a bonus which would allow us to use that money and surprise our DS at his graduation. DS goes to school in WV and we live in Canada so very expensive to fly down to surprise him.

Congrats on getting the Disney Visa offer without having one. Living in Canada we can't get a Disney Visa but might try to call anyhow ... maybe we will be lucky

 

[smitch425]

sharadoc, you must have been very lucky, whenever we have booked a Disney Visa Offer, we Had to Pay the Deposit with our Disney Visa Card

I agree. That CM should not have done that.

 

[angelabrezovsky]

Just go to a Chase location and tell them you want to do it. No charge. No extra fees.

I've seen some people do it over the phone but they told me I had to go in person. Worth a shot to call first.

There is not a chase bank by me How else can I get the Disney Visa?

 

[4CanadianMice]

Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers for your next call for some pixie dust!!! It can happen!

Thanks AwayWeGo ... I know things worked out for you so I'm praying they do for us too. Would love to surprise DS at his graduation.

 

[smitch425]

There is not a chase bank by me How else can I get the Disney Visa?

Anyone in the US can get the credit card. Just go to www.disneyrewards.com to sign up. However, I'm not sure you would receive it in time to take advantage of this deal, so if that is your only reason for getting it, I wouldn't bother.

 

[sweetnjmom]

I just hope that my TA can apply the free dining offer to our reservation, keeping us at POR from 11/11 to 11/17. We booked our trip based on the time we could go. Our trip is NOT contingent on free dining. However the savings would be EXTREMELY helpful and we really want to stay there. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks.

 

[smitch425]

I just hope that my TA can apply the free dining offer to our reservation, keeping us at POR from 11/11 to 11/17. We booked our trip based on the time we could go. Our trip is NOT contingent on free dining. However the savings would be EXTREMELY helpful and we really want to stay there. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks.

Two weeks from today! Good luck!

 

[sweetnjmom]

Two weeks from today! Good luck!

I have a Disney Visa... so hopefully even sooner!!!

 

[lustergirl]

I was thinking the same thing, especially in light of all those who where anticipating the first week in December....why would Disney offer FD to cover the peak holidays and not the slower week? Then I remembered that the rack rates during most of the FD dates for December are during peak/holiday rates. Looks like they are not only using FD to fill the resorts during hurricane/off season, but they are also using it to fill rooms at the highest rack rates as well.

Does anyone know when POP Warner is going on? If it falls during the first week of December then that is probably the reason for no discounts.

Okay so I just googled it: 12/7-12/14 is POP Warner.

 

[MouseLover24]

Does anyone know when POP Warner is going on? If it falls during the first week of December then that is probably the reason for no discounts.

I thought it was the second week of Dec.

 

[SnowWhite1]

What a rude thing to say to you. She will have to add it, but if you don't have a Disney Visa, you can call your TA on the 29th and say, "just as I told you before, there will be a public FD offer released on Aug 1, and I would like to have it, please." If she still doesn't believe you, direct her to www.disneyrewards.com and she can read all about it.

Thanks! I will have to try that. I wouldn't have gone through the TA as I really like to control everything , but there was a $250 off deal, plus the AAA discount so I hated to pass that up. Sigh. If I'd only gotten a pin. Oh well...I'll just keep on my TA whether she likes it or not!!!!

 

[angelabrezovsky]

Anyone in the US can get the credit card. Just go to www.disneyrewards.com to sign up. However, I'm not sure you would receive it in time to take advantage of this deal, so if that is your only reason for getting it, I wouldn't bother.

This was my only reason, I am looking more for the RO discount for November 10-15. I am also booked with a TA and she has not gooten back to me in over a week after I told her about the discounts coming out.

 

[Kat016]

I used a TA too...the control freak in me is regretting it!

I'm sure...there's no way I would have been able to use a TA. I want complete control of planning. I couldn't handle someone else planning it.

 

[black562]

I'm sure...there's no way I would have been able to use a TA. I want complete control of planning. I couldn't handle someone else planning it.

Yeah I don't like having to always wonder if someone else is actually calling and making the right changes. I've always enjoyed the booking of hotels and dining to be an exciting part of my vacation experience.

 

[4CanadianMice]

Yeah I don't like having to always wonder if someone else is actually calling and making the right changes. I've always enjoyed the booking of hotels and dining to be an exciting part of my vacation experience.

Ditto ... not so much control freak but enjoy the excitement of planning everything myself.

 

[jseiden420]

Does anyone know when POP Warner is going on? If it falls during the first week of December then that is probably the reason for no discounts.

Okay so I just googled it: 12/7-12/14 is POP Warner.

We went last year during Pop-warner and got FD 11/28-12/7. We never even saw any of the players or cheerleaders.

On another note: Checking in to POR on 10/1!!!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers for your next call for some pixie dust!!! It can happen!

I'm pulling for you to get POR in Nov!!!

But, if it doesn't work out the 1st week in Feb is WONDERFUL!

Its the lowest crowds and prices. When we went there weren't as many people for the CMs to pick for special attention so we were picked constantly to be part of the show, etc.

The weather isn't hot so you aren't drained from the sun, nor do you have to drink gobs of water to stay hydrated.

One day we wore jeans and a light jacket, and one day we wore tshirts and shorts. So, pack both if you decide on those dates.

2 things I have to say though...
1. Don't stay at an AllStars if you go then. There is a huge group of girls called the Fifteeners that stay at all 3 resorts. They chant and stay in long grouped lines...which is fine...until you get on the bus...every trip. They are from Argentina I believe and its all 15 yr old girls.
2. Be prepared for no splash mountain. They always like to refurb around then, but its not a sure thing.

Good to know about Feb! ). My kids r out of school for 3 weeks in Feb (yikes) and of course I am trying to already plan another trip before I even have this one. Lol

 

[HBGdancermom]

I'm sure...there's no way I would have been able to use a TA. I want complete control of planning. I couldn't handle someone else planning it.

Sounds just like me. Lol.