It never occurred to me....

[momxx5]

It never crossed my mind, until talking to my mom today. I was telling her about the free dining plan and how it is not the dates we are able to visit WDW, but wow what a great deal it is.

She pointed out that it was during that time last year when the hurricanes hit Florida, and maybe WDW is offering this so that people will want to come to WDW during this time.

Just something to think about.

 

[*Fantasia*]

That's my guess too. And also...it is back to school. The crowds will be low, so they need to boost their sales up. I know I want to take advantage of this, but wrong timing and there is no way I can take the kids out at the beginning of the school year.

 

[ktink]

Yeah, our vacation was delayed for 1 week last Sept due to Frances and went on down w/ Ivan lurking but it was a beautiful week for us. This is the time that we are able to take our vacation yearly due to DH's job and our schools are very understanding of a few days off during this time. So we would be down there anyway and might as well take advantage of the free dining.

You can't plan your vacations on what if so just go with the flow and hope for the best, after all , it's only our vacation and it's the residents that I worry for. I hope that they are spared this year.

 

[MomofKatie]

Yes- late August and September is prime hurricane season. This is also a historically slow time at WDW- most school districts around the country have started for the year, and there are no holidays (other than Labor Day) allowing long weekend visits. Because of all these reasons, Disney usually offers some type of package discounts to lure people in- they want to fill rooms.

But, it is worth noting that WDW has only had to close due to weather a handful of days since their opening more than 30 years ago. So, the odds are pretty slim, even in the middle of hurricane season, that anyone's whole vacation would be ruined by a hurricane (not that it hasn't happened to some).

 

[lajones81]

It never crossed my mind, until talking to my mom today. I was telling her about the free dining plan and how it is not the dates we are able to visit WDW, but wow what a great deal it is.

She pointed out that it was during that time last year when the hurricanes hit Florida, and maybe WDW is offering this so that people will want to come to WDW during this time.

Just something to think about.

What a smart lady! I just assumed it was because school was back in session leaving people like me disappointed that they can't go! Oh, well, maybe some day my boss will let me take off a couple of weeks during the beginning of the school year! Yeah, I'll keep dreaming...

 

[LWcalif]

Yep, we're bringing flip flops, buying rain ponchos at the park and going in Sept. anyway. For the free dining it's worth it. Switched from the AKL to BC for 5 of us due to the dining freebee. Can't wait to eat at restaurants without looking at the price first. 90 days and counting.

 

[peter11435]

Yep, we're bringing flip flops, buying rain ponchos at the park and going in Sept. anyway. For the free dining it's worth it. Switched from the AKL to BC for 5 of us due to the dining freebee. Can't wait to eat at restaurants without looking at the price first. 90 days and counting.

Well, just so you know a hurricane is far more than a storm. And if one comes your way while in WDW the parks will be closed for possibly a day or two. You also may be asked to remain in your room for hours at a time.

 

[momxx5]

Lajones -
I also assumed it was because school was back in session.

We are hoping for a trip in mid-August, but simply cannot go during school - first day here in NC is August 25th.
In August there is lots of rain too, we don't let it stop us either.

However a hurricane would be too much for me. A boxed dinner in our room would not be the same "free dining" we'd hope for.

We lived in FL for over 10yrs and never had a hurricane hit us. Then we moved to NC and we've been hit by quite a few. Go figure.

 

[milmore104]

We too are taking advantage of this great offer. It is just to good to pass up. We usually have one character meal a day anyway. Our dining charges are usually around $800 so it's definately a great deal. Plus the fact that we arrive late on the 1st day so will not be using any meals then and on our last day it's get up and off to the airport so no meals then. so we can do 2 character meals in one day! As for the issue w/ the hurricanes well we live in Northern NY and the weather is so unpredictable. One day (like yesterday) it's up to 85 and today it's 50. I worry all winter long about surviving another Ice Storm or Blizzard I can't worry about the weather on vacation. We just take what we get and don't let it stop us. Besides if 9/11 didn't stop our vacation a month after it happend some rain isn't!!!

 

[peter11435]

Just don't underestimate what a hurricane is. A hurricane is not "some rain." It is a very powerful storm. That usually has a ton of rain dozens to sometimes hundreds of tornados and winds that sometimes reach over 170 mph. They destroy entire buildings, and neighborhoods. Not to mention wipe out power to nearly everything in their path, that will often times not come back for days to sometimes even weeks. IN the case of WDW you will not see the power go out, nor will any buildings be destroyed. However it will stop your vacation as they will close everything for a day or two during the storm and for clean up. Not to mention it can be a very scary experience. I am not telling your to change your vacation plans just telling you not to be under the impression you will simply put on your poncho and everything will be fine.

 

[Becky2005]

See...I was opposite of most, I just assumed it was because of the Hurricane season and didn't even think about it being school time.

I just figured it was a marketing blitz to get people to visit during the time the hurricanes came last year since most people who are not inundated with Disney would think "I don't think I want to go during that time, remember all the hurricanes last year, let's not take the chance" but now it's Hmmm....we can get most our food for free.

We wouldn't go then anyway though because of the school issue.

 

[tn_disney_addict]

Disney offers a fall deal every year. A few years back it was "pay for 4, stay for 7"; last year was "pay for 5 stay for 7"...it is just this years fall special.

I think it is a combination because, historically, this is their slow time of year with school starting back and this year they made it extra sweet to overcome your fear of hurricane postponements.

 

[WDWendy]

LOL, I bet you are right! Although it is not something I have ever thought about, a hurricane would put a pretty big damper on your trip!

 

[crisi]

And the news is full of the weather service saying this will be another bad hurricane year.

 

[dznyntnh]

After the hurricane season last year, many were prediciting Disney and Universal would be offering 'huge' discounts to lure customers back. So bookings must not be too off from what they usually are, cuz while the 'free' meals is a good deal it's not as great as some of the ones they've offered the last few years.

 

[momxx5]

In 2003, we did the FTP(7 nights for the price of 4) at the end of July.
In 2004, we did the pay for 5 stay for 7 nights....again at the end of July through August 2nd.
Both of these packages were offered from July through November.

This year the "free dining" package doesn't start until very late August and ends in early October. So it definately is isolated to a fall only discount.

The only time we can travel in early/mid August this summer. We are still up in the air about going to WDW. With a family of 7, those previous package deals were really inticing for us. The free dining would really be awesome for us too, but unfortunately we are not able to take a vacation during that time.

I am so happy for everyone who can, and cannot wait to hear all the trip reports.

 

[aubriee]

I booked my pkg just yesterday and was talking about this with the CM. She said the parks were closed only two days last year because of the hurricanes. She also said they were expecting more this year than last year, but Disney is one of the safest places to be in a hurricane and people should not be afraid to come. She said at the most the parks might close for a day, but she also said Disney was very good last year about adding days to people's tickets to make up for days lost and they were very good about people who cancelled, came in late, or left early because of the hurricanes and she expected them to do the same this year if needed. This conversation came up when I asked her about trip insurance. She told me she would sell it to me if I wanted, but Disney was very good about refunding money last year during that time. I didn't buy Disney's insurance, but am thinking about buying it elsewhere. Does anyone know of a company that sells good travel insurance?

 

[jeast]

try www.insuremytrip.com

It gives you a bunch of different quotes.