Help family of eight decide free dinning or FW?

[seven dwarfs]

Hi! I hope u guys can help me decide what I should do. I am going crazy back and forth and was looking for others opinion. We are a family of eight. My husband and I and six kids all ages 7 and under. We have done the "free" dinning deal for the last two years. I am really having a hard time (if they do offer free dinning again) with what to do. I have to book two rooms and we do value to make it as cheap as possible. But with the plan being re vamped with the tip not being included and the loss of the appetizer I am not sure it is a great deal for us anymore. Last year we stayed 14 days and had mixed emotions about the dinning plan. As a party of 8 we waiting at most restaurants for over an hour and at coral Reef one night it was 2! I did not book the bounce back when we left cause I just figured the changes in the dinning plan work against us. We could still eat out at one or two TS and share meals since kids are so small and are ok sharing. But of course Disney has increased prices once again. We love the camp ground and I love to cook so if we camp I would make most of our meals. I know everyone is different and has things that work best for their family and only I can decide. But I am just looking for comments. What would u do? Thanks in advance!

 

[AlyLynn]

We are a family of 6, and we love FW so much, we bought a trailer just so we could go more often. We were afraid our oldest would miss eating out so much, but she actually loves camping. We do eat out, just not as often, and with the size of our family, we save so much money that we get to go more often! You can't beat the people at FW either, they're the nicest around. And we've stayed in just about every Disney resort.

 

[proudmomof4]

I'd say go with FW, the memories you will make while camping will be ones your kids will remember throughout their lives and will be much better than memories of how long they waited at a TS place just to eat.

 

[tw1nsmom]

We've never done the dining plan, and we haven't made it to FW yet, but I would go with camping over the dining plan. It always seemed like too much food and too much of a hassle to make the cost worthwhile. When I'm on vacation I don't want to have to plan every day around our meals. I don't want to be tied into a certain park or touring plan because we planned to go to a particular sit down restaurant that day. With the money you would be saving at FW, you could still afford to go to any of the restaurants you felt were must do's at Disney.

Now, having said that, it would depend slightly on your camping set-up. I wouldn't find it very relaxing to tent camp at Disney, but that's just me. A lot of other people love to tent camp there.

 

[seabee]

I say go with FW, we have never used the dining plan because if we weren't at the fort we were at Shades Of Green(can't use the dining plan). We found that either way the dining plan wasn't worth it for us. Especially now that it has changed. We still eat out as much as we want-though we are a family of 4, but it was cheaper for us to stay at the fort or SOG and pay for our meals, then to add the plan to our tickets. Although we get our tickets through the military too. I guess you could run the numbers and see what works. But I have to agree with everyone else, staying at the fort is so much fun, and makes awesome memories-I'd give up the dining plan for it anyday.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Thank you all so far. It is nice to see other peoples ideas and things we haven't though of. This site rocks!

tw1nsmom: We have a class A and pull our everyday family SUV behind. I always loved the idea of tent camping but no way would I even attempt that with my family!

proudmomo4: We have stayed at FW before when we had a TT. The kids loved it and we did feel like it was more enjoyable. That is why I am having a hard time with this!

AlnLynn: My husband and I get a kick out of it. We come across a lot of people who see us with the kids and always strike a conversation and always want to know where we are staying. We have had people put their nose up when we would say FW. But we have always met the nicest people there!

seabee: I am going to go through all the different places we like to eat. There is only a hand full we love! My kids are water drinkers and foodies. The kids meals did get old for them and I could order what they wanted if I didn't do the plan. Plus a lot of the desserts we ordered last year were not worth it. Only a couple would I order again.

There are pros and cons for both! And I am going crazy! Kids are doing the same thing we are. One minute they say camp and the next they say free food! lol

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Thank you all so far. It is nice to see other peoples ideas and things we haven't though of. This site rocks!

tw1nsmom: We have a class A and pull our everyday family SUV behind. I always loved the idea of tent camping but no way would I even attempt that with my family!

proudmomo4: We have stayed at FW before when we had a TT. The kids loved it and we did feel like it was more enjoyable. That is why I am having a hard time with this!

AlnLynn: My husband and I get a kick out of it. We come across a lot of people who see us with the kids and always strike a conversation and always want to know where we are staying. We have had people put their nose up when we would say FW. But we have always met the nicest people there!

seabee: I am going to go through all the different places we like to eat. There is only a hand full we love! My kids are water drinkers and foodies. The kids meals did get old for them and I could order what they wanted if I didn't do the plan. Plus a lot of the desserts we ordered last year were not worth it. Only a couple would I order again.

There are pros and cons for both! And I am going crazy! Kids are doing the same thing we are. One minute they say camp and the next they say free food! lol

This may help you to make youre decision a little easier....Ive called Disney at least a dozen times asking about them offering the free dining to the general public. The first few times I called I was told that it was undecided whether or not they would be offering this to the public again this year to call back soon to find out any newly developed information....the last four times I called I got the same response from 4 different CMs, if you know Disney CMs, you know to NEVER trust what you hear from them as correct info untill you dig as deep as the well will allow, but after 4 of the same answers, I figure its PROBABLY true......the free dining WILL NOT be offered this year to the AMERICAN PUBLIC. They've had enough response from the "bounce back program" and foriegn market. This is not confirmed information, as I said, It was told to me by 4 CMs at the CRO office, but I have not seen it in print anywhere, and most of us know.....CMs sometimes will tell you anything to hurry along the "Thank you and have a magical day" line. IMHO I'd make ressies based on anything besides the free dining this year. It would be interesting to hear what they tell you if you were to call and ask it they would be offering it this year. If ya happen to call and inquire about it, please post us on their response to you.

 

[AlyLynn]

I know what you mean. My kids were mortified the time we were waiting to go go to the MK and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"! DH and I were upset that our kids had to hear it, but my kids were angry. Keeping them quiet was rough, and I was proud of how they handled themselves. We'd much rather keep bringing them to FW where we've only met kind people who care about spending time with their families.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I've been to WDW in so many different ways, and I have to tell you that they are all wonderful! No choice is a bad choice! I will say that the DP is not quite the deal it once was, but if you can manage to get it for free than, by all means! It really depends on the vacation experience you want to have. Personally, I would rather stay in my own camper, with space outside, than in two rooms at a value resort. FtW is closer to MK, has so many ameneties like the campfire/movie. It is it's own mini-resort inside a bigger one! What I would try to do, is book the campground and still try to get the free DP. That way, you can cook some of your own meals and try to use the DP for a couple of signature restaurants where, hopefully you will get some amazing meals and not have to wait quite so long!

Good luck! And let us know what you decide!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I know what you mean. My kids were mortified the time we were waiting to go go to the MK and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"! DH and I were upset that our kids had to hear it, but my kids were angry. Keeping them quiet was rough, and I was proud of how they handled themselves. We'd much rather keep bringing them to FW where we've only met kind people who care about spending time with their families.

Huh?! Are you serious!? Snooty people don't belong at WDW. if you can't relax and enjoy yourself there, then where can you?

 

[BigDaddyRog]

What I would try to do, is book the campground and still try to get the free DP.

Free dining was NEVER available to FtW unless in a cabin due to the amount of people you can cram onto one site

 

[AlyLynn]

Huh?! Are you serious!? Snooty people don't belong at WDW. if you can't relax and enjoy yourself there, then where can you?

Unfortunately, I'm serious. It happened during our trip last Thanksgiving. I agree with you -- FW is a place to relax, not put other people down!

 

[tinah159]

We have used the DP but I didnt like all the planning involved. I would stay at FW and have a more relaxing stay.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Free dining was NEVER available to FtW unless in a cabin due to the amount of people you can cram onto one site

That's a bummer. So much for that idea.

 

[abbdrey]

I am not familiar with the free dining plan. I have heard of Disney dining where you pay so much per person and you get one sit down meal, one counter service and one snack. Is this the same thing??

To answer the original thread question: We have stayed at almost every resort at Disney. Besides Fort Wilderness, the Beach and Yacht club would have to be one of our favorite resorts. Our young children love the Stormalong Bay pool. It is convenient to everything and really fun. That being said, our most memorable vacations are always at Fort Wilderness. The campgrounds allows you to cut loose and not worry about being quiet because you may disturb others in their rooms. The kids can run around and really enjoy themselves. There is alot more room to play and move around than the standard rooms and resorts. I would vote for Fort Wilderness and cook at your site.

Have a great time!!!

 

[seven dwarfs]

abbdrey: Yes it is the basic plan but it is free. You do have to pay rack rate for the room but for us having 4 in each room it was still a deal. Last year I priced it both ways the free dinning was the way to go. But since the basic plan has changed some it may not be the best way for us to go. This year I am torn with what we should do. Of course free dinning may not even be offered. I knew we could book it when we left last year but decided against it and to camp at FW. Now I am wondering if I made the wrong choice. We have stayed at the boardwalk when we just had the twins. The pool closed and they allowed us to use stormalong bay pool. Oh my that was the best day! We had such a blast. If we go now though it is FW or value. With the size of my family we just can't do deluxe or mod anymore. Right now I am leaning toward FW. It has been 2 years since we have camped there. Oh and when I call I will ask the question about free dinning and let u know what they say. I am sure it will be a who knows answer.

 

[ntsammy5]

....... and a very well to do woman who had just come out of the Hoop Dee Doo was saying that "she didn't mind the show, but you have to put up with these FW people"!

I'm sorry I wasn't there because I wouldn't have kept quiet.

OP: It's definitely not a given that Disney will offer free dining to the general public. There are all sorts of rumors about that. We did free dining in 2006 and it was great, but with the changes now it's not such a great deal. It probably won't be announced until April anyhow. IMHO I'd go with FW. But having said that, free food is good too. Good luck and have a great time whatever you decide

 

[des1954]

DH & I have stayed at FW Cabins, POR, DL, CR, PR, SOG & CBR in the 8 or 9 years (out of our 34) we didn't have any camping equipment. I would definitely stay at FtW Campground. Nothing else compares, IMHO!!

On another note... Disney resorts (all of them) are having problems with bed bugs & lice, and have been having the problem since December. I can't say if there's a problem with "Mousekeeping", but from what I've read on some of the other forums, the cleaning staff seems to leave a bit to be desired. In the first part of January, over 1/4 of the CBR had to be closed & guests relocated so they could rip out all the bedding & replace it due to bed bugs. With that in mind, you may want to camp at FtW!!

 

[ntsammy5]

With that in mind, you may want to camp at FtW!!

Then allyou have to worry about is the drunk otters and peacocks!

 

[LarryJ]

This is sort of a hard one since taking 6 kids all under 7 to WDW is something I would never consider doing (I'm not sure any kid under around 8 will ever remember the experience, but that is JMHO), but I think taking your Class A, staying at FW and paying OOP for those meals not at FW would be the way to go.

Larry