Need Advice on best way to do FW cabin booking?

[hunter1211]

I am new here and have been searching some things, but have so many more questions to ask. Dh and I are hoping to make our first trip to disney world since 12 years ago. This time we have 5 kids in tow with us! (Last time we had none.) Their ages this year will be 9, 7, 6, 4, and 2.

We are hoping to go this year, but some of that decision depends on if that tax rebate goes through. If it does we want to go down there from Sept. 14th - Sept. 19th. (The kids get that week off school, so that time frame is a must.) We really want the free dining and a FW cabin. We are just worried that we won't be able to get the free dining with the cabin. (If there are all booked.) We also want to do a couple character meals too. What is the best thing for us to do?

Should we make the ressie for the the package and then call for adr's 180 out. Then when/if in April the free dining comes available we change it too that? (I know it might not be offered) Can we do that? If the cabins are available for the free DDP and we have already made the ADR's, do we get to keep the ADR's even though they might have had to change our booking with the Free DDP?

Also, does it cost anything to call when they open the Free DDP and for them to change your ressie to that if you already have your package without the free DDP booked?

Does anyone know how likely the cabins are to be booked for that time frame for the Free DDP?

We really want to go so bad, but are just so confused and not sure the best way to do it all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

 

[RMulieri]

I am new here and have been searching some things, but have so many more questions to ask. Dh and I are hoping to make our first trip to disney world since 12 years ago. This time we have 5 kids in tow with us! (Last time we had none.) Their ages this year will be 9, 7, 6, 4, and 2.

We are hoping to go this year, but some of that decision depends on if that tax rebate goes through. If it does we want to go down there from Sept. 14th - Sept. 19th. (The kids get that week off school, so that time frame is a must.) We really want the free dining and a FW cabin. We are just worried that we won't be able to get the free dining with the cabin. (If there are all booked.) We also want to do a couple character meals too. What is the best thing for us to do?

Should we make the ressie for the the package and then call for adr's 180 out. Then when/if in April the free dining comes we change it too that? Can we do that? If the cabins are available for the free DDP and we have already made the ADR's, do we get to keep the ADR's even though they might have had to change our booking with the Free DDP?

Also, does it cost anything to call when they open the Free DDP and for them to change your ressie to that if you already have your package without the free DDP booked?

Does anyone know how likely the cabins are to be booked for that time frame for the Free DDP?

We really want to go so bad, but are just so confused and not sure the best way to do it all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

First, the free dining is not a guarantee yet this year.If it is available it is not available for every resort and every room category.Disney bases its decision to offer free dining on projected and scheduled occupancy levels for a particular time period.If a resort is already at occupancy for that time period,free dining will not be offered.I am not sure if the wilderness cabins are or have been included in the free dining promom in the past so I will defer to someone who knows more.As for booking a package ,then hoping to add free dining...it doesn't necessarily work that way( there is a thread on this subject ).I think alot of people are booking pkgs and hoping for the free dining ,so they can add it on.but if people book on the off-chance they may get free dining 1) you may not qualify for the dates you want at your resort choice or 2) Disney may not offer it at all...why offer an incentive to get people to come if resorts are already at the projected occupancy.If the DP is avail for your resort on those dates ,yes you can ask the Cm to add free dining,it should not cost extra, however you may have to cancel and rebook.You can keep your adrs the same.Hope this helps

 

[hunter1211]

Thanks so much.

So, the only problem we have is 180 days out. For us for the ADR's is the end of March. You have to have a hotel/ticket booking to make ADR's right? If not, is it possible to make the adr's and then if they offer the free DDP call when they open it and book everything else?

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks so much.

So, the only problem we have is 180 days out. For us for the ADR's is the end of March. You have to have a hotel/ticket booking to make ADR's right? If not, is it possible to make the adr's and then if they offer the free DDP call when they open it and book everything else?

I really don't think it is a problem, I have known people that have booked adrs without a room or pkg ressie yet.If those dates are definitely concrete then book your ressies otherwise wait till you book your trip.Free dining promo was announced the beginning of April last year for Disney Visa holders followed closely by general public.

 

[hunter1211]

Thanks again. As far as free DDP dates that is our only dates we can go that the kids are out of school. We are Disney Visa holders so we are hoping for that.

With our baby still being only 2 (turns 2 in August) we really want to stay in the FW cabin. (since she is under 2, we can still fit in a cabin.) It's either that or 2 value resort rooms. We are kind of worried about the bus system problems/crowds at the values with young kids. If we wait until next year we can probably go for a moderate, but we really want to go this year. If we also wait until next we will have to get 2 rooms, because youngest will be 3 then.

 

[ntsammy5]

You don't need a reservation to make ADRs 180 day out. Anyone can make them then. As for the cabins having free dining, to be quite honest I never heard of ayone getting free dining at the cabins. We switched to Movies a couple of years ago to get it because we couldn't get it at FW. Of course that doesn't mean they won't offer it. Good luck.

 

[hunter1211]

Thanks. We aren't really worried about getting the Adr's with the free dining. Yes, that is ultimately what we would want, but if we don't that is ok. We just are worried the character meals book up quickly.

I saw a post earlier about someone stayed in a FW cabin last year with the free DDP. So, we are hoping we can do the same.

 

[auntie]

I'm pretty sure that the free dining does apply to the cabins in FW...just not the campsite reservations. At least that was my understanding a couple of years ago, when I inquired.
I would also like to suggest to you that you pose these questions on the camping board here on the Dis. There are MANY people there that frequent the cabins and will be able to help you out. The moderator on that board(Rhonda) also works for Dreams Unlimited..the travel agency for this site, and she is very familiar with FW, and I'm sure she would be able to tell you which promotions are applicable to the time you are traveling and your family.
As far as ADR's...I've made them when I wasn't sure whether we'd be using the dining plan or not. Doesn't matter. When you show up for your reservation if you are on the Dining plan, just indicate that to them at that time.