Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1

[faindrops27]

I really cannot see you saving much more than free dining. However, this depends on your resort choice, and how many people are in your party.

 

[Evita227]

I really cannot see you saving much more than free dining. However, this depends on your resort choice, and how many people are in your party.

I'm staying at the boardwalk villas for 8 days. It's a huge savings booking thru AAA almost 1000 bux. Much more than free dining could save me (about 500 bux) I just had my heart set on the free dining

 

[DoodlesBow]

I booked my free dining back in Sept. 08 before I left. LOL I was booking my trip at the airport heading home. I have a quick question. I have the free dining but have been tossing around the idea of the deluxe dining. What is the cost to upgrade during the "free dining"? Is the upgrade to deluxe dining worth it?

I am so looking forward to calling at the 90 day mark to plan the meals!!

 

[Tatania]

Same question. I've booked the Free Dining for Sept. 23 - 29 but would like to upgrade, at least for 3 days to Deluxe. Can one do that?

 

[enchantingodin]

I booked my free dining back in Sept. 08 before I left. LOL I was booking my trip at the airport heading home. I have a quick question. I have the free dining but have been tossing around the idea of the deluxe dining. What is the cost to upgrade during the "free dining"? Is the upgrade to deluxe dining worth it?

I am so looking forward to calling at the 90 day mark to plan the meals!!

The cost is the price difference between the 2 plans. Personally I think it's WAY too much food. Unless of course you do a lot of signature meals. But only you can decide.

Same question. I've booked the Free Dining for Sept. 23 - 29 but would like to upgrade, at least for 3 days to Deluxe. Can one do that?

No sorry it's an all or nothing kinda thing. The only way to get around it would be to do 2 different reservations. But that'd be a pain to deal with I would think.

 

[LorilieMarie]

The AAA discount I recieved was 20% off the price of the package..... a little more of a discount than free dining.... I just booked free dining at a discounted rate being a AAA member.... so now I'm paying for free dining grrrrrrr

Why would you be angry? You are getting a better deal than the free dining . . .is all about the total cost. Celebrate!

 

[faindrops27]

I'm staying at the boardwalk villas for 8 days. It's a huge savings booking thru AAA almost 1000 bux. Much more than free dining could save me (about 500 bux) I just had my heart set on the free dining

Yes Evita, free dining is a better value staying at a value resort. Maybe even a mod. Maybe you would have done even better with the 4 free night promo??I am currently at a mod. But, I am thinking I should downgrade to my faithful value. I know I would probably have to change now. As, I would want POP. I know that sells out fast. But, I am going back and forth with the idea.

On another note. Does anyone know if CSR has the ice cream sundae stand. Like POP does?? Maybe I will use this excuse to make me switch back to POP. Also, I keep hearing horrible reviews of the Pepper Market. It is turning me off. As I enjoyed the food @ POP.

 

[micknpluto]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.

Has anyone had a problem with Pop selling out yet?

 

[05MM08MM]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.

Has anyone had a problem with Pop selling out yet?

Was wondering the same thing. Does that mean less chance of getting your room request Wondering if spending a little extra to stay at a Mod would be worth it. After reading about how loud it can be there and the fact that it seems 80% of the people on here booking FD are staying there I am a light sleeper so just about anything will wake me up.

I guess at least not everyone who is booking POP w/FD will be staying there all at the same time.

 

[MapleGirl]

We love the Pop. We booked a FD Bounce Back for this September.

Last year we wanted to book the FD at Pop, but it was sold out. We ended up at the All-Stars Music (after calling about 10 times.... originally the only Value available for our dates was the Sports). We enjoyed the Music, but the Pop is still our favorite. I'm glad we'll be there for FD this year.

If you want the Pop, book early! It does sell out. But don't despair if you don't get it. The Music is quieter, smaller and the Jazz section is quite lovely.

If you can swing a Mod, go for it!

 

[DISNEYNY]

Was wondering the same thing. Does that mean less chance of getting your room request Wondering if spending a little extra to stay at a Mod would be worth it. After reading about how loud it can be there and the fact that it seems 80% of the people on here booking FD are staying there I am a light sleeper so just about anything will wake me up.

I guess at least not everyone who is booking POP w/FD will be staying there all at the same time.

We stayed at POP last year during FDP. I requested 70's lakeview...didn't get it, but had a room in the 80's section that was just fine. I am a very light sleeper too, but I can honestly say I never heard my neighbors at all. We were not facing the pool either. Our room was nice and quiet.

 

[Tomh]

I had booked POP for this August / Sept back in December, figuring that I would probably have to pay for the DDP. When we called to get the free dining added on, we switched from POP to POR. I figured since we were saving nearly $1700 on the dining, we could afford to spend a bit more to stay at a Mod.

I too am in the uncomfortable position of needing to book ADR's for the beginning of September sometime in May. I don't mind the 90 days policy, but I think that they should always have park hours released at least 100 days in advance. I also think that since they allow us to book stays of up to 14 nights on one package, they should allow more than 10 days on the park tickets, and they should allow us to book more than 10 days of ADR's at one time. Those should match the package size. If it's 14 days for the package, it should be 14 days for park tickets, and 14 days of ADR's at one time.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Re: Park Hours
Well, on the bright side, we used to have to book at 180 out without park hours being released for MONTHS, so you can use the hours of August to get an idea. And, if something is totally messed up, you will know in a couple of days anyway.
So, in many ways, it IS an improvement.
That said, I'd MUCH rather being making my ADRs now, rather than obsessing over them until JUNE! LOL

 

[jkearson]

My DH booked our FD package on Friday for our Grand Gathering! When he called back to make a change, the CM had to switch him to someone esle because "Oh, you're a grand gathering." Is there are more direct number that we should call for grand gatherings? I need to let the rest of our party know what number to call to pay for their package.

 

[enchantingodin]

I had booked POP for this August / Sept back in December, figuring that I would probably have to pay for the DDP. When we called to get the free dining added on, we switched from POP to POR. I figured since we were saving nearly $1700 on the dining, we could afford to spend a bit more to stay at a Mod.

I too am in the uncomfortable position of needing to book ADR's for the beginning of September sometime in May. I don't mind the 90 days policy, but I think that they should always have park hours released at least 100 days in advance. I also think that since they allow us to book stays of up to 14 nights on one package, they should allow more than 10 days on the park tickets, and they should allow us to book more than 10 days of ADR's at one time. Those should match the package size. If it's 14 days for the package, it should be 14 days for park tickets, and 14 days of ADR's at one time.

I compleatly agree about park hours - personally I think they should be 180 days ahead. Lucky for us we're going at the end of Sept. So when dates are announced in May I'll have at least 2 weeks to make our plans before having to book ADRs.

I get what you're saying about tickets - but after a certain point isn't it cheaper just to get APs? I honestly don't know about non-FLRs, never needed to look into the price differences. But for us buying a season pass is cheaper than I wanna say a 5-day (maybe it's 6) FLR ticket. So that being said I can understand the "logic" of a 10 day max.

 

[Tomh]

The ten day base ticket (which is all we bother to buy) is $237. For days 4 through ten, they only add $3 per day. It would follow that a 14 day pass would cost $249 if they offered it following the current pricing structure.

Annual passes cost $469, which is a BIG difference from the 10 day base ticket. Now, if you add the park hopper, and no expire to your base ticket, then it costs $487 for the ten day, but we don't park hop, and we use all 10 days in a row. They would get more park days out of at least my family, if we could buy a 12 day base ticket for $243, but I'm not willing to pay $150 to add another two day ticket, or pay $469 to upgrade to an AP.

 

[enchantingodin]

The ten day base ticket (which is all we bother to buy) is $237. For days 4 through ten, they only add $3 per day. It would follow that a 14 day pass would cost $249 if they offered it following the current pricing structure.

Annual passes cost $469, which is a BIG difference from the 10 day base ticket. Now, if you add the park hopper, and no expire to your base ticket, then it costs $487 for the ten day, but we don't park hop, and we use all 10 days in a row. They would get more park days out of at least my family, if we could buy a 12 day base ticket for $243, but I'm not willing to pay $150 to add another two day ticket, or pay $469 to upgrade to an AP.

WHOA!!! Man I'm never moving! Our Season Pass is only $239. Sure there are black out dates - but I wouldn't be caught dead in the park at peak times anyway.

Like I said before I had never bothered to look at home much it was for non-FLRs, I was just taking a guess as to why. But sheesh... that's just crazy talk.

 

[LorilieMarie]

WHOA!!! Man I'm never moving! Our Season Pass is only $239. Sure there are black out dates - but I wouldn't be caught dead in the park at peak times anyway.

Like I said before I had never bothered to look at home much it was for non-FLRs, I was just taking a guess as to why. But sheesh... that's just crazy talk.

That's kinda funny . . .and not fair! We live close to 6 Flags and if you are out of their TV viewing area you get them cheaper than if you live close! I can't get a break on any park

 

[Evita227]

Why would you be angry? You are getting a better deal than the free dining . . .is all about the total cost. Celebrate!

I know I know..... I was just getting all excited about eating for free LOL.

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

I'm new at this, so maybe you can all clear this up for me....we are currently booked for Nov 29th-Dec 5th at All Star Music in a Family Suite. We are doing the dining plan. There has been some talk of possible extension of the free dining...that would be great and we would be happy to take it if its available but heres my question. Most of the packages I see say that the package is based on 2 adults, a junior,and a child. We are sharing a suite with my inlaws so we would be 4 adults and a toddler, would we even qualify?

My MIL, has even discussed moving our trip to get free dining...but I thought I would ask this question anyway...thanks..

Hope I explained that well. Thanks in advance if anyone has any info. I love reading everyones excitement...I havent been to Disney since I was 8. I cant wait to go back...