No Free Dining = No WDW This Year?

[ToddlerTN]

I registered just to put this out there.

Last year, our family of four (two young kids) went to WDW--two weeks at ASMo. We only went because the free dining plan made it such a great deal. We love Disney, but there are other vacations we'd love to take. The free dining promo is what hooked us last year, when we hadn't even planned on taking a vacation at all.

Based on how much we enjoyed that experience, I've gotten my parents, sister and brother-in-law excited about a WDW vacation with us this year. That's eight people, three rooms, ten days at ASMo. That's at least $8,000 we're looking at spending. It would cost us another $2,000 to add the dining plan, so we've really been hoping for a free dining promo.

With two kids in school, we're pretty limited on when we can visit. We've got one specific week available in October, otherwise--MAYBE--December. Which means we can't delay any longer if we're going to go this fall.

I can tell you two things with absolute certainty:

1) We will NOT go without free dining.

2) We will NOT go unless we can make dining reservations 180 days in advance.

If Disney really isn't going to release any free dining discounts until summer, there goes your 180-day window for making reservations, which severely limits your options.

Simply put, if I can't plan 180 days in advance, I won't go.

I realize there are Disney addicts who are holding out for the best deals, but will still go at all costs. As well, there are people who will make impromptu plans based on a promo (the kind of people who will not know what they're missing, or will post here 2-3 weeks before their trip to complain that they can't get a Castle dinner or Le Celier). But I don't fall into either category.

There are other vacations and experiences on my "bucket list" out there. If I'm paying full-price for a vacation this fall, I'll spend my money elsewhere (Yosemite?) and look for the right Disney deal to come along in the next few years.

It's looking more and more like Disney simply lost us this year.

P.S. I've got the Disney card, I've registered and planned iteneraries, etc., and the entire PIN code thing is still a mystery. How people seem to get those codes almost at will is beyond me. It kills me when people post that they've received a free dining or 40% off code, and that they don't intend to use it. I'm sure Disney's promos are designed to attract visitors who otherwise wouldn't go. Well, that is me--I just wish their magical marketing computer realized it!

 

[Melanie230]

We are the same way. No FD...no Disney. We will keep our reservations at Universal Studios! But on a side note...we go every year the first week of October. Our children attend Year round school and are on their break during that time. Yesterday they opened Oct 1 for ADR's. Today they opened Oct 2. So far I have had no trouble getting exactly what I want for ADR's. So go ahead and book ADR's now for the time frame you are looking at. If you can't go...just cancel them or give them away on the Dis!!!

 

[mking624]

A lot of people are discussing whether or not they'll go if FD (or some other fall promo) is or isn't offered on a couple of threads...feel free to jump in the conversation.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2432710
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2435987

 

[Port Orleans fan]

I registered just to put this out there.

Last year, our family of four (two young kids) went to WDW--two weeks at ASMo. We only went because the free dining plan made it such a great deal. We love Disney, but there are other vacations we'd love to take. The free dining promo is what hooked us last year, when we hadn't even planned on taking a vacation at all.

Based on how much we enjoyed that experience, I've gotten my parents, sister and brother-in-law excited about a WDW vacation with us this year. That's eight people, three rooms, ten days at ASMo. That's at least $8,000 we're looking at spending. It would cost us another $2,000 to add the dining plan, so we've really been hoping for a free dining promo.

With two kids in school, we're pretty limited on when we can visit. We've got one specific week available in October, otherwise--MAYBE--December. Which means we can't delay any longer if we're going to go this fall.

I can tell you two things with absolute certainty:

1) We will NOT go without free dining.

2) We will NOT go unless we can make dining reservations 180 days in advance.

If Disney really isn't going to release any free dining discounts until summer, there goes your 180-day window for making reservations, which severely limits your options.

Simply put, if I can't plan 180 days in advance, I won't go.

I realize there are Disney addicts who are holding out for the best deals, but will still go at all costs. As well, there are people who will make impromptu plans based on a promo (the kind of people who will not know what they're missing, or will post here 2-3 weeks before their trip to complain that they can't get a Castle dinner or Le Celier). But I don't fall into either category.

There are other vacations and experiences on my "bucket list" out there. If I'm paying full-price for a vacation this fall, I'll spend my money elsewhere (Yosemite?) and look for the right Disney deal to come along in the next few years.

It's looking more and more like Disney simply lost us this year.

P.S. I've got the Disney card, I've registered and planned iteneraries, etc., and the entire PIN code thing is still a mystery. How people seem to get those codes almost at will is beyond me. It kills me when people post that they've received a free dining or 40% off code, and that they don't intend to use it. I'm sure Disney's promos are designed to attract visitors who otherwise wouldn't go. Well, that is me--I just wish their magical marketing computer realized it!

Welcome!

BTW, great first post. Well said.

 

[mking624]

P.S. I've got the Disney card, I've registered and planned iteneraries, etc., and the entire PIN code thing is still a mystery. How people seem to get those codes almost at will is beyond me. It kills me when people post that they've received a free dining or 40% off code, and that they don't intend to use it. I'm sure Disney's promos are designed to attract visitors who otherwise wouldn't go. Well, that is me--I just wish their magical marketing computer realized it!

Just to comment on this, no one knows exactly how the PINs are sent out. I've received a few PINs that I didn't intend to use. One was for QSFD for this summer. I don't intend to use it because we can't travel this summer. Sometimes people don't intend to use a particular pin because something better is available. Or the particular promo isn't of use (outside of travel dates). For example, the kids play/eat free PIN does me no good because I'm traveling with only adults and even if I took my kids, they'd be free anyway since they'd be under 3. But I can understand if you're waiting and waiting for a PIN, never get one, and see someone else getting a bunch they never use (though many times the PINs become general public offers anyway)...I guess I just look at it from a perspective that there's a reason why they can't/won't use it.

 

[ToddlerTN]

Yesterday they opened Oct 1 for ADR's. Today they opened Oct 2. So far I have had no trouble getting exactly what I want for ADR's.

We also went the first week of October last year, and my wife and I were up at 6am to make ADRs the first day they were available. Although we were thrilled with how they worked out, it was a challenge to get everything we wanted. If it's really that much easier this year, there must be fewer bookings to contend with, which makes me wonder all the more why they're waiting so long for fall promos. Don't most people plan Disney trips well in advance?

 

[verlee]

This sounds like it was in responce to what you were reading on other threads. I think your reasons are well stated.

I agree that Disney is making a mistake by not allowing enough time for people to plan. Disney is not like other vacations where you can just go. It has to planned, especially during busy times. I hope they realize this. There are other places where our money can be spent.

 

[rie'smom]

See the thing is WDW may not need to have the free dining. I know that the early Fall months are very popular with DVC members. It's also a popular time for those who attend the Food and Wine Festival. Many adults liked to go at this time because kids are in school.
They may release the FD or it may be that they'll stick to their word and release fewer discounts. If there is no free dining, it will come as a shock to many.
As for the pin codes, last year it seemed that I received one at least once a month. This year nothing, so it really is the luck of the draw.

 

[jlk806]

I'm not necessarily shutting out going if they dont offer FD - BUT we do really need some type of offer. FD is the best for us (myself, DH, DS2, and my sister16). The kids free thing does nothing - my son is free and sis is too old. Between myself and my husband, we have gotten pin codes - 2 for free QS this summer, and one for the fall- free upgrade to park hopper and water parks. We are going on Aug 29 for 10 days so the two summer QS ones wont help us - and we never use park hopper or go to water parks anyhow so i wont use that one. If they send us a free QS for fall I will jump on it and upgrade to traditional dining plan.

We have done the free dining twice before, including this last Sept. I am kicking myself hard for not booking the bounceback, but we were unsure at that time if we were going to have another baby this year and then not be able to go. And I also didnt know at the time that the deposit was refundable within a time frame- i thought if you didnt end up going you lost your deposit. (Kicks self hard). But anyhow, if they dont offer a good deal, we will stay offsite- probably in a suite for less than the cost of a value resort - we may do one or 2 days at Disney, and also do Sea World and maybe the beach. We will still do something but may change the plans a bit.

As for the dining ressies, I made them several weeks ago at exactly 180 days out - each day I made the ressies for the next day for the length of the trip - I dont have a hotel res yet but I still did that- if we dont go i will just cancel them but I wanted to be all set with dining ressies if we do stay onsite.

 

[my3squeals]

Welcome! And well said. We planned a WDW trip last year during FD but because of a unexpected move we cancelled our plans. We have regrouped and plan on going again this year. A big part of our plan do have to do with FD. Luckily we have a 40% room only code and were able to book CR. That being said, I wouldn't have hesitated booking and then cancelling or changing if no discount were available. I refuse to pay full price at WDW, why would you. If the next fall promo isn't FD, then it will be something. I have been going long enough to know they offer something. That said, there are many out there that do not. My freinds are always asking me about deals and such, some even with the mindset that you can't get a deal, or maybe it isn't truly legit ( yeah I don't get that one either) but remember those of us on this board are truly a small representation of WDW customer base. Many ppl do pay rack rate. Some by booking months in advance some by booking it 1 month out. I though will not. If someone thinks I "expect" a discount then so be it. I guess I "expect" a discount. It makes my vacation more magical if I know I saved a few hundred (or Thousand) bucks along the way.

 

[Korileigh]

Thanks Melanie - you are right - we can go ahead and book dining without having the reservation for a package and then just cancel them if we can't go. Forgot that is how that works.

Still hoping for the free dining - wishing we had booked bounce back now.

 

[Don Disney]

If someone thinks I "expect" a discount then so be it. I guess I "expect" a discount. It makes my vacation more magical if I know I saved a few hundred (or Thousand) bucks along the way.

I am inclined to agree with you whole heartedly-I,for one "expect" FD,if not Disney can "be certain" that MY money wont be going into their coffers this year!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We have already made alternative plans that do not include WDW if there is not a Free Dining promo that offers free QSDP (we did not like Free Dining last year with ADRs).

 

[5boyz]

I'm not necessarily shutting out going if they dont offer FD - BUT we do really need some type of offer. FD is the best for us (myself, DH, DS2, and my sister16). The kids free thing does nothing - my son is free and sis is too old. Between myself and my husband, we have gotten pin codes - 2 for free QS this summer, and one for the fall- free upgrade to park hopper and water parks. We are going on Aug 29 for 10 days so the two summer QS ones wont help us - and we never use park hopper or go to water parks anyhow so i wont use that one. If they send us a free QS for fall I will jump on it and upgrade to traditional dining plan.

We have done the free dining twice before, including this last Sept. I am kicking myself hard for not booking the bounceback, but we were unsure at that time if we were going to have another baby this year and then not be able to go. And I also didnt know at the time that the deposit was refundable within a time frame- i thought if you didnt end up going you lost your deposit. (Kicks self hard). But anyhow, if they dont offer a good deal, we will stay offsite- probably in a suite for less than the cost of a value resort - we may do one or 2 days at Disney, and also do Sea World and maybe the beach. We will still do something but may change the plans a bit.

As for the dining ressies, I made them several weeks ago at exactly 180 days out - each day I made the ressies for the next day for the length of the trip - I dont have a hotel res yet but I still did that- if we dont go i will just cancel them but I wanted to be all set with dining ressies if we do stay onsite.

Man you are soooo lucky! I could use any of the 3 of your pins!!!

 

[RedArt]

I am waiting (im)patiently for FD, but I went ahead and booked ADRs last week for the end of August.

I was still able to get a lunch service at le Cellier, much to my surprise.

If you don't mind making your ADRs 180 days out, 1 day at a time, you should be able to get what you want.

I was booking my entire 9 day plan 150 days out and got the exact timeframes I wanted on all except Le Cellier where I settled for lunch instead of dinner.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I registered just to put this out there.

Last year, our family of four (two young kids) went to WDW--two weeks at ASMo. We only went because the free dining plan made it such a great deal. We love Disney, but there are other vacations we'd love to take. The free dining promo is what hooked us last year, when we hadn't even planned on taking a vacation at all.

Based on how much we enjoyed that experience, I've gotten my parents, sister and brother-in-law excited about a WDW vacation with us this year. That's eight people, three rooms, ten days at ASMo. That's at least $8,000 we're looking at spending. It would cost us another $2,000 to add the dining plan, so we've really been hoping for a free dining promo.

With two kids in school, we're pretty limited on when we can visit. We've got one specific week available in October, otherwise--MAYBE--December. Which means we can't delay any longer if we're going to go this fall.

I can tell you two things with absolute certainty:

1) We will NOT go without free dining.

2) We will NOT go unless we can make dining reservations 180 days in advance.

If Disney really isn't going to release any free dining discounts until summer, there goes your 180-day window for making reservations, which severely limits your options.

Simply put, if I can't plan 180 days in advance, I won't go.

I realize there are Disney addicts who are holding out for the best deals, but will still go at all costs. As well, there are people who will make impromptu plans based on a promo (the kind of people who will not know what they're missing, or will post here 2-3 weeks before their trip to complain that they can't get a Castle dinner or Le Celier). But I don't fall into either category.

There are other vacations and experiences on my "bucket list" out there. If I'm paying full-price for a vacation this fall, I'll spend my money elsewhere (Yosemite?) and look for the right Disney deal to come along in the next few years.

It's looking more and more like Disney simply lost us this year.

P.S. I've got the Disney card, I've registered and planned iteneraries, etc., and the entire PIN code thing is still a mystery. How people seem to get those codes almost at will is beyond me. It kills me when people post that they've received a free dining or 40% off code, and that they don't intend to use it. I'm sure Disney's promos are designed to attract visitors who otherwise wouldn't go. Well, that is me--I just wish their magical marketing computer realized it!

Wow...maybe you should pick another place to go. I can understand people saying they can not afford to go without a deal, but your demands of Disney are just plain shocking!

Here is from wikipedia...

"Walt Disney World Resort is the largest and most visited recreational resort in the world[citation needed], containing four theme parks, two water parks, 24 themed hotels, and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. The resort complex is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, a division of the The Walt Disney Company. It is located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, a tourist area southwest of Orlando. The property is often abbreviated as Disney World or WDW."

It also goes on to say that there are over 20 million visitors to the MK annually. Another 15 Mil + to Epcot and over 10 mil each to AK and DHS.

Disney resorts and theme parks make billions in profit annually, even in hard times. This does not include The Disney Companies other businesses like entire TV networkS. This is only the parks and resorts portion.

Next time you wish to give a shout out to Disney saying you will "NOT" go because they wont feed 8 of you for a week, think about the other 19,999,999 people who will go. I dont think they really care about your $8000, which is not all profit. Another 8 will come along and take your place.

Have fun at Yosemite.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

This sounds like it was in responce to what you were reading on other threads. I think your reasons are well stated.

I agree that Disney is making a mistake by not allowing enough time for people to plan. Disney is not like other vacations where you can just go. It has to planned, especially during busy times. I hope they realize this. There are other places where our money can be spent.

I'm going to sound very selfish here, and I'm sorry........

However, it would benefit myself and others if Disney doesn't offer the 'fall promo' until much closer to June. If some people have to cancel because of the uncertainty of a fall promo, then that means there will be more room at the parks and at the restaurants.


........I know, I'm a bad person for thinking like this.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

........I know, I'm a bad person for thinking like this.

My wife said the same thing - she hopes that they wait until July...

 

[rie'smom]

I'm going to sound very selfish here, and I'm sorry........

However, it would benefit myself and others if Disney doesn't offer the 'fall promo' until much closer to June. If some people have to cancel because of the uncertainty of a fall promo, then that means there will be more room at the parks and at the restaurants.


........I know, I'm a bad person for thinking like this.

You're not a bad person and you're entitled to your opinion. I bet that you're not alone in thinking this way.

 

[Jenny Wren]

ToddlerTN, It is the same way with us.....No FD=No WDW. I simply cant afford it. Hopefully they will offer it for Dec.