Free Dining Resort Choice Regrets?

[Family Fun Mom]

Anyone else regret their Free Dining resort choice but can't switch because the one they really want is full?

Well, regret is a strong word. I love POR, we stayed there in 2005 and it's amazingly beautiful. However, those rooms are cramped for a growing family of five. I wish more than anything I had booked earlier and gotten a Family Suite at ASMu. Now there is nothing available for my dates. Poor me.

 

[nutsforgolf]

Anyone else regret their Free Dining resort choice but can't switch because the one they really want is full?

Well, regret is a strong word. I love POR, we stayed there in 2005 and it's amazingly beautiful. However, those rooms are cramped for a growing family of five. I wish more than anything I had booked earlier and gotten a Family Suite at ASMu. Now there is nothing available for my dates. Poor me.

Actually, I booked POR on the first day of free dining, and I just went on line yesterday and was able to change it to AKL.

Keep checking...or get two rooms as ASM

 

[prettypixie]

Well sort of...I chose to stay at ASMu because we have never stayed there. It's just me and the kiddos so it should be fine space wise.

 

[brad3640]

we booked for free dining at all star sports and we really like it there we have stayed at all star movies and really enjoyed it but my son last year wanted to stay at the sports resort and we loved it so went ahead and booked for there, but now he has decided he wants to try out the music one and i'm not sure how much trouble it would be to rebook, or even if they have any available.

 

[tinaluis]

we booked for free dining at all star sports and we really like it there we have stayed at all star movies and really enjoyed it but my son last year wanted to stay at the sports resort and we loved it so went ahead and booked for there, but now he has decided he wants to try out the music one and i'm not sure how much trouble it would be to rebook, or even if they have any available.

You can check disneyworld.com for free dining availability for your dates. There's a link near the bottom right-hand side of the page.

 

[MEK]

Well sort of...I chose to stay at ASMu because we have never stayed there. It's just me and the kiddos so it should be fine space wise.

I stayed at ASmu last year during free dining and I really liked it a lot. Actually a bit better than POP since the bus lines were so much shorter. Have fun!

 

[Purpledupa]

I'm sure you could still switch resorts if you call back enough times. Also, last year free dining wasn't offered with the family suites. Not sure about this year though.

 

[gigi1313]

as the pp said, free dining was not available w/suites last year and it is not available this year either... so, POR is your only option unless you go for two rooms (which we always do, even when we were just a family of four)...

 

[JLKennedy]

Actually, I recall another thread where, although limited quantities, the suites were available.

 

[minnie61650]

Actually, I recall another thread where, although limited quantities, the suites were available.

Yes, the Family Suites do have free dining.

From this thread:

Family Suites are available for free dining!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1805009

I punched in the dates of Aug 28 to Sept 4 for All star Music and the family suite came up as an option.

Just thought I let people know incase they are interested in the dates.

Marcy

Keep checking for availiblity you just may be able to snag a Family Suite with free dining!

 

[Crisgw]

I orginally started with WL, then changed to POFQ (with FD) then to AKL with FD and now (and hopefully FINALLY) to Poly with FD. I figured, we're saving this $ with FD, we should stay where I really want to....(and I'm hoping to NOT change anymore!!!)

 

[hockey mom]

I have 2 family suites at ASMU booked with free dining so they are available.

 

[delmar411]

well regret isn't exactly the word but I'm not thrilled about staying at POR. I love the resort but we are doing this as an extreme budget trip so it's the least expensive option. 2 rooms at a value were almost $100 more.

So to the poster who is pushing it with a family of 5...we'll be doing POR with a family of SIX!

We did it last fall but our youngest was still able to fit in the pack n play(barely). This year there is no way he's fitting in one as he just measured out at almost 39" at the drs for his 2yr appt. LOL

I'll bring him a blow up bed though so hopefully we'll just wear them all out at the parks each day and they'll zonk out asap at night.

 

[Boardwalk Gal]

I have 2 family suites at ASMU booked with free dining so they are available.

ahhh, so you the reason i couldn't book the family suites at ASMU!!!



No, seriously, we wanted to stay at POP but it was all booked, then we tried ASMU Suites, nope, all booked, so we opted for 2 rooms (hopefully connecting) at ASMU instead.

Hey, i am just glad we got the rooms because heck, i will be spending MORE time in the parks and enjoying FREE EATING than being in the room anyway!!!

 

[esdras]

We also have a FS for FD - so no regrets here.

From what I understand, a few FS were available on the initial day FD went public - and then by the end of that day - nothing. People were complaining that they weren't available.

About a week later, people posted that there seemed to be FS available for FD again - although only for September - the last week of August still seemed to be unavailable.

Depending on bookings and cancellations, they may release more FS for FD - but not necessarily. I would simply go to the FD link on Disney's website every morning, punch in your dates and see if a FS comes up - if you really want to switch, you still might be able to pull it off.

 

[delmar411]

I just checked and ASMu family suites are available for FD from 9/1-9/5

I wanted to check pricing but it's almost $200 more expensive than POR.

 

[esdras]

I just checked and ASMu family suites are available for FD from 9/1-9/5

I wanted to check pricing but it's almost $200 more expensive than POR.

True, it is more expensive than a Mod - but in this case you are paying for the square footage, plus two bathrooms and a kitchenette.

Although it's only value resort level - it's still the best bang for your buck in terms of how much "space" you get.

I just did this out of curiosity - cheapest room cost at each resort, divided by room size to get a price per square foot - that's how businesses often rent office space. I didn't do the Vacation Club Resorts though. Sorry.

CR - 394 sq. ft. - $270/night - $0.69/sq. ft.
Poly - 415 sq. ft. - $340/night - $0.82/sq. ft.
GF - 440 sq. ft. - $385/night - $0.88/sq. ft.
BWI - 385 sq. ft. - $325/night - $0.84/sq. ft.
BCR - 381 sq. ft. - $325/night - $0.85/sq. ft.
YCR - 381 sq. ft. - $325/night - $0.85/sq. ft.
WL - 344 sq. ft. - $225/night - $0.65/sq. ft.
AKL - 344 sq. ft. - $225/night - $0.65/sq. ft.
CBR - 314 sq. ft. - $149/night - $0.47/sq. ft.
POR - 314 sq. ft. - $149/night - $0.47/sq. ft.
POFQ - 314 sq. ft. - $149/night - $0.47/sq. ft.
CSR - 314 sq. ft. - $149/night - $0.47/sq. ft.
ASR - 260 sq. ft. - $82/night - $0.32/sq. ft.
POP - 260 sq. ft. - $82/night - $0.32/sq. ft.
Wilderness Cabin - 504 sq. ft. - $255/night - $0.51/sq. ft.

Family Suite - 520 sq. ft. -$184/night - $0.35/sq. ft.

Nothing terribly surprising.

But in comparison to POR - while you are paying less - you're actually paying $0.12/sq. ft. more. Of course, it's a mod with better amenities overall.

 

[gigi1313]

just curious, but wouldn't two value rooms give you the same square footage as a suite and be cheaper per square foot because two rooms together are less expensive than one suite? so, two value rooms are actually your best square footage bang for your buck... even if you add in the cost of one rental fridge ($10/night) you still come out ahead of the suites...

 

[esdras]

just curious, but wouldn't two value rooms give you the same square footage as a suite and be cheaper per square foot because two rooms together are less expensive than one suite? so, two value rooms are actually your best square footage bang for your buck... even if you add in the cost of one rental fridge ($10/night) you still come out ahead of the suites...

True, the the standard rooms at values are 3 cents per square foot cheaper than a Family Suite - but wouldn't be if you add the fridge. Since you can get a fridge at no extra charge in every other type of room, it might be more appropriate to compare a standard room value WITH fridge - which is then $92 per night, and that works out to $0.35/sq. ft. - identical to the Family Suite. Considering you also get the microwave and coffee maker - I would say it is the best bank for your buck onsite - same space and cost as two connecting rooms at a value - but better amenities.

I have to admit, however, that I was a little surprised by the CR getting as low in cost as it did - at least in comparison to all the other deluxe resorts.