November/December 2012?

[shushh]

Free dining has been released to the public this morning!

And congrats on the booking Shushh Looking forward to your pre trip/trip report too.

Thanks! It's a big relief to be honest. Europe isn't the easiest when it comes to finding accommodation for large groups with mobility issues. Think no lift, narrow stairs, tiny rooms...arghh!!! But it's done!

I'm planning to continue my blog and DLP is close to the beginning so no one has to wade through our whole trip before getting to the Disney bit!

 

[battymum]

Thats a huge saving!!

You know my thoughts on Disney resorts - although I didnt ever see this resort I know you are going to love it at POFQ - and unless you are a regular visitor - you are not going to be spending much time at the resort anyway.

 

[shushh]

Okay so when we booked our whole US/Canada trip I had "free dining" in mind with our dates the whole time. I had looked at historic dates for when free dining was offered and made some calculated choices and we booked our flights and accom with those dates in mind.

We had originally booked a split stay with 5 nights at AKL and 6 nights at POFQ. Well free dining has been announced very briefly for our dates and it has turned our whole booking around.

We arrive very late in the evening on 9 Dec after a mammoth trip from Canberra. Free dining starts on 10 Dec and only lasts until 13 December. On one hand this is amazing. On the other, this doesn't work with our split stay because you have to be checked in by 13th Dec.

We could've still done a modified split stay but it meant 1 less night at AKL, much more expensive park tickets and much dearer price for us overall.

Our best option was to choose1 resort or the other for the whole stay with the 9th of December being a room only booking and the free dining/park hoppers/accom package kicking in on 10 December.

Once we saw the price of the 2 resort options it really became a no brainer decision. As much as we dearly wanted to stay at AKL, staying at POFQ is so much cheaper we just couldn't do anything else.

In fact, free dining being offered and us having to go with one resort has ultimately saved us $1900 off our original room and ticket booking (no dining included).

Who would have thought that free dining would save us not only the thousands we would have spent on food for our family of 4 over 11 nights, but an additional $1900 in accom prices by our choices being limited.

I feel weirdly blessed by having our choices narrowed down and in a day or two when I get over my sadness of not staying with a Savannah view at AKL for 5 nights, I will be jumping for joy without a doubt .

You know Ms Shuttergirl, the exact same thoughts were going through my head as the 2013 dates were released today and I was going to try to do some 'maths'. I too am planning for free dining to be offered, and was thinking about split stays as we wanted to try different resorts. We really enjoyed the boardwalk last time. But like you've pointed out, that means we miss out on the dining bit when/if we move. Sigh...I do understand what you mean by it being a strange sort of blessing. We will probably end up in exact the same boat next year!

An option though that I'm tossing up, is renting a villa at one of the luxury resorts via DVC for the last 3 nights. These we'd use for our non-Disney days eg universal, outlet shopping when we're unlikely to dine within Disney property anyway. Perhaps this might work for you? I'm not sure what a availability would be like for December. From memory, you have to make reservations either 7 or 11 months out.

 

[Minniemum]

Who would have thought that free dining would save us not only the thousands we would have spent on food for our family of 4 over 11 nights, but an additional $1900 in accom prices by our choices being limited.

Wow! What an amazing saving. That's almost enough for another trip! AKL?

 

[ColinA]

An option though that I'm tossing up, is renting a villa at one of the luxury resorts via DVC for the last 3 nights. These we'd use for our non-Disney days eg universal, outlet shopping when we're unlikely to dine within Disney property anyway. Perhaps this might work for you? I'm not sure what a availability would be like for December. From memory, you have to make reservations either 7 or 11 months out.

Very little left in the DVC options for December. Have been down this path with Shuttergirl already! LOL

 

[ColinA]

Today is 5 months before we leave!

 

[shushh]

Today is 5 months before we leave!

Yay!!!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks! It's a big relief to be honest. Europe isn't the easiest when it comes to finding accommodation for large groups with mobility issues. Think no lift, narrow stairs, tiny rooms...arghh!!! But it's done!

I'm planning to continue my blog and DLP is close to the beginning so no one has to wade through our whole trip before getting to the Disney bit!

You really have done such an amazing job organising this trip Shushh. If you get time it would be great to see your itinerary again with links to the accom chosen, etc. I know you probably don't have time now but as you get closer it would be great to see.

Thats a huge saving!!

You know my thoughts on Disney resorts - although I didnt ever see this resort I know you are going to love it at POFQ - and unless you are a regular visitor - you are not going to be spending much time at the resort anyway.

This is so true. I know we won't spend alot of time there and in the end this was what won out. It just takes me a day or 2 to digest change .

I'm all good now and can't wait.

You know Ms Shuttergirl, the exact same thoughts were going through my head as the 2013 dates were released today and I was going to try to do some 'maths'. I too am planning for free dining to be offered, and was thinking about split stays as we wanted to try different resorts. We really enjoyed the boardwalk last time. But like you've pointed out, that means we miss out on the dining bit when/if we move. Sigh...I do understand what you mean by it being a strange sort of blessing. We will probably end up in exact the same boat next year!

An option though that I'm tossing up, is renting a villa at one of the luxury resorts via DVC for the last 3 nights. These we'd use for our non-Disney days eg universal, outlet shopping when we're unlikely to dine within Disney property anyway. Perhaps this might work for you? I'm not sure what a availability would be like for December. From memory, you have to make reservations either 7 or 11 months out.

Hey Shushh - good suggestions but I must say I've had time to process it all and since we won't arrive until very late the first night, AKL was probably wasted on us that night. Then we only had 4 more nights there and were heading to POFQ for the remaining 6. It's not alot to give up for the free dining and additional savings and not having to pack the room up now will be nice. We will definitely go over to AKL and perhaps have a breakfast at Boma which we so enjoyed last time. That way I can check the resort out, take beautiful pics of the big tree and feel like I still got to enjoy it.

Wow! What an amazing saving. That's almost enough for another trip! AKL?

Hahahaha, I like the way you think. That money will now go into paying for our accom at Disneyland Paris since I really really would love to stay at the Disneyland Hotel there but wasn't sure I could stomach the "unbelievable" cost.

Very little left in the DVC options for December. Have been down this path with Shuttergirl already! LOL

I'm such a disappointment Colin, I know

 

[ColinA]

I'm such a disappointment Colin, I know

Haha, just don't let Queenie get to you!

 

[Travel Mum]

Very little left in the DVC options for December. Have been down this path with Shuttergirl already! LOL

Colin, is that normal for December? Not the Christmas end but the first two weeks?

 

[ColinA]

Colin, is that normal for December? Not the Christmas end but the first two weeks?

I did a search from 1st December to the 10th, the Boardwalk, Beach Club, BLT fully booked.

Animal Kingdom and Saratoga Springs had a night or two. I also checked the one bedrooms and much the same.

We book our home resort BWV at the 11 month window to the minute starting 14th December and through Christmas to make sure we get our lake view.

At the 7 month window you would have a good chance of getting DVC for the first week of December as long as you are free with the resort selection.

 

[Travel Mum]

Thanks Colin - that is very helpful

 

[queenie82]

Haha, just don't let Queenie get to you!

Given I haven't uttered a word...what made this necessary? Useful? or helpful in ANY way?

 

[ColinA]

Given I haven't uttered a word...what made this necessary? Useful? or helpful in ANY way?

Where's your sense of humour! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2897714&page=3

 

[dabecs]

Ms Shuttergirl - POFQ looks gorgeous and was my first choice before we decided a villa would suit us better than 2 rooms. I look forward to your photos around the resort. Free dining is a great money saver and and this way you don't have to pack mid trip which is a bonus too

I just purchased insurance through Travel Insurance Direct - they gave a good price and have unlimited medical cover which is the most important part. Another thing to tick off my list

I am researching shoes at the moment for the girls and myself (hubby wears Nike free runs so he is going to wear his current pair and buy another pair over there), but I don't know which way to go. I am planning on buying a pair of Crocs Cleo (mentioned heavily in a recent Aussie thread on footwear) they are a sandal style and very comfortable. I also want another pair so I can swap around a bit, something in a mary jane style but with a runner sole so I can wear them with pants or a skirt but they will be good for walking.

Any suggestions?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ms Shuttergirl - POFQ looks gorgeous and was my first choice before we decided a villa would suit us better than 2 rooms. I look forward to your photos around the resort. Free dining is a great money saver and and this way you don't have to pack mid trip which is a bonus too

I just purchased insurance through Travel Insurance Direct - they gave a good price and have unlimited medical cover which is the most important part. Another thing to tick off my list

I am researching shoes at the moment for the girls and myself (hubby wears Nike free runs so he is going to wear his current pair and buy another pair over there), but I don't know which way to go. I am planning on buying a pair of Crocs Cleo (mentioned heavily in a recent Aussie thread on footwear) they are a sandal style and very comfortable. I also want another pair so I can swap around a bit, something in a mary jane style but with a runner sole so I can wear them with pants or a skirt but they will be good for walking.

Any suggestions?

The Cleo's are AMAZING!!!!!! I don't have other suggestions but as a fragile/blister ridden/foot challenged person I can 100% vouch for Cleo's.

 

[shushh]

All this talk about shoes makes me feel like I need to buy some! Going to check out the cleos now!

 

[queenie82]

Where's your sense of humour! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2897714&page=3

It was removed by having EVERY best intention in trying to inform and help the MOST people ripped to pieces by the selfishness of one...

 

[queenie82]

Thanks! It's a big relief to be honest. Europe isn't the easiest when it comes to finding accommodation for large groups with mobility issues. Think no lift, narrow stairs, tiny rooms...arghh!!! But it's done!

I'm planning to continue my blog and DLP is close to the beginning so no one has to wade through our whole trip before getting to the Disney bit!

That IS an achievement.

I still don't know if I'll need it so can't review them...but I've found a couple of places in nice areas with up to 3 bed apartments in London now. They are out there but you do need to hunt hunt hunt...
All I was looking for was something more than a double bed...I wanted a KING!!!! And a bath

Really looking forward to your report.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Came across this link in another thread. Gives you the low down on the party and if you scroll down it shows you the best way to maximise your night.

http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/is-2010-mickey’s-very-merry-christmas-party-mvmcp-worth-the-cost/