****Official August 2014 Thread****

[Heidi K]

OK, well obviously I'm just thinking here... I'm trying to think through dining while we're on vacation. The last two times we went, we got the free quick service dining plan and I really liked just ordering meals and not worrying about prices, etc. But this time we're renting DVC instead and staying at 3 different villas. I thought about just buying the dining plan, but I don't think it makes sense for us. First off, I would have to get it 3 times, and I really don't want 12 mugs. Secondly, I don't know how hungry we'll be in August. Lastly, there's not a lot of QS options on the BW.. But here's the problem, my DH will feel like he has to budget every time that we're eating. He saying he won't, but I know he will. He can't help himself; it's just built into him. I would prefer not to think that way and just have fun.

So, we'll have a Disney Redemption Card and the rest will be charge or Disney Gift Cards. Any suggestions on how to just relax and enjoy our meals? Anyone find anything that works? My two thoughts right now are to either use my bands and pay up the night before I check out each stay (I'd have to do that 3 times, though), or to just take those cards around with us and pay that way as we go. I'm not sure which will give us the best "away from worrying about it" feeling...

What we do is set up a food budget in advance. We record the average price per each meal we have planned, using the numbers in the Passporter guidebook, and add it all up to get our budget. Those numbers are generous, though (usually include an appetizer, entree, dessert, drink, and tip), so we almost always come in under budget! Even my husband, who is a big eater, rarely exceeds the budgeted number. We're not saving money this way, but it definitely allows us to relax--we've used hard data to set up a budget, but then we spend less than our expectations. I prefer to charge to the room--if you were staying at a value, you'd probably have to pay up several times anyway (we do!) so that doesn't seem like a big hassle.

I am planning to get gift cards at Target this time around, also, to save that extra little bit!

 

[IndyDisney]

So with the discounts becoming public today, we decided to upgrade from POR Royal room to Yacht Club for our stay 8/2 - 8/9. What might be the best part, though, is that with the discount, we were able to add a night at AKL on arrival day on the 1st.

Cheers,
Indy

 

[Disneylover99]

So with the discounts becoming public today, we decided to upgrade from POR Royal room to Yacht Club for our stay 8/2 - 8/9. What might be the best part, though, is that with the discount, we were able to add a night at AKL on arrival day on the 1st.

Cheers,
Indy

That sounds amazing!

 

[IndyDisney]

That sounds amazing!

Kind of excited.....DW and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary and it's DS2's first trip.

Cheers,
Indy

 

[KarmaLady]

Thank you! I live just over the border from you. It sounds like the job situation is the same in both places. He graduated in December, and we got offers (several) from out West, but Ontario was very difficult. So we're grateful he'll just be north of Toronto and not out west.

Pigletto, you must not be very from me! I'm just in Norfolk County on Lake Erie, just west of Hamilton!

I'm trying to decide what the best deal is: the % off the resort or free dining? Think free ddp will be a reality for our august trip?

 

[DougEMG]

Aug 18-23 SSR
Aug 23-28 Royal Pacific (Universal)
Aug 28 - Sept 06 BCV
Sept 06 - Sept 13 VGF
Sept 13 - Sept 20 BWV

 

[seenellie81]

Exactly... we've been trying to find things to use up our credits on the last day. And I eat way more on the plan than off. And the sharing is spot on. I thought about the gift cards because at Target I get 5% off using my card. That's $25 for every $500, but I don't know.. maybe juggling a bunch of gift cards isn't worth the savings? They only come in $50s.

Yeah thats why i want to do just one card for dining, like a visa or something that i can get in larger amounts. Plus the august heat we wont eat as much i dont think. I really think it will be more meals but smaller shared meals. None of us can eat a bunch when its so hot out. I may even just charge meals to my band and then attach the prepaid to that. I have in the past called each night to pay off my KTTW balance and it was easy peasy.

 

[seenellie81]

We do the Disney gift cards and love it. Another option is if you have a BJ's membership, those are sold at about a 5% discount too and come in bigger denominations.

BJ's sells disney gift cards in bigger denominations? Didnt know!! Will have to check that out!

 

[seenellie81]

So yesterday i called to add the room discount to our already booked reservations at POP. I was staying 7 nights so it should have been 20% off. Well what a waste of time on the phone that was... well kinda. The CM i spoke with said that the discount would only be $74 and i would lose memory maker. I knew that i would lose memory maker, but i thought that the discount would be more like $190. I asked how she came up with $74 that the one day tickets added up to around $20 themselves plus the 20% off the room this made no sense to me. She said that when i booked the room rates were lower then what they are now. Plus the ticket prices have gone up. I knew the ticket prices went up but i didnt think it was that much. I also didnt know that they raised the room rates sense i booked.
So the outcome??? I did not use the new room discount i kept the one with memory maker because memory maker is a bigger value. I also added a night to our reservation and another day to our park tickets. I woke up wanting to save money and just spent more HAHA.
So our plans are now flying into MCO 8 nights at POP 8 days water park park hopper and more tickets then heading over to Clearwater beach for 2 days. Flying home from Tampa.
We have never been to the gulf beaches. I am excited for this part of our trip, but it is so tempting to just keep taking away from beach days and adding them to disney. Good think i booked our tickets coming home out of Tampa, thats one thing that is keeping me going that way the last days of our vacation.

 

[pigletto]

Pigletto, you must not be very from me! I'm just in Norfolk County on Lake Erie, just west of Hamilton!

I'm trying to decide what the best deal is: the % off the resort or free dining? Think free ddp will be a reality for our august trip?

Howdy neighbour!! We're in Niagara. I have a lot of family in the Hamilton area though, and we used to drive to Simcoe to see the Christmas lights every year when I was growing up!

I don't know that free dining will be coming out for late August unless they have trouble filling rooms with this promo.

 

[mcwheelee]

I literally just received an email with a PIN for up to 30% off room AND free park hopper upgrade if I make it a package of 5 days or more. Is this a new PIN? I was hoping for free dining. I haven't read about this offer before.

 

[KarmaLady]

Howdy neighbour!! We're in Niagara. I have a lot of family in the Hamilton area though, and we used to drive to Simcoe to see the Christmas lights every year when I was growing up! I don't know that free dining will be coming out for late August unless they have trouble filling rooms with this promo.

I'm in Simcoe! Well, just outside, but I work in Simcoe. What a small world (after all )

That's awesome! Free hopper upgrade and % off? Start the car!

 

[alicat8]

I literally just received an email with a PIN for up to 30% off room AND free park hopper upgrade if I make it a package of 5 days or more. Is this a new PIN? I was hoping for free dining. I haven't read about this offer before.

I've never heard of that! Seems like a pretty good deal though. I always hope for free dining too-no luck yet!

 

[digiMom]

I literally just received an email with a PIN for up to 30% off room AND free park hopper upgrade if I make it a package of 5 days or more. Is this a new PIN? I was hoping for free dining. I haven't read about this offer before.

We had something similar back in 2006. If I remember right it was discount on the room and free PH & WPM. Or whatever it was called then. I thought it was a good deal at the time. I wonder if they're going back to those types of offers??

 

[mcwheelee]

I literally just received an email with a PIN for up to 30% off room AND free park hopper upgrade if I make it a package of 5 days or more. Is this a new PIN? I was hoping for free dining. I haven't read about this offer before.

SAVE UP TO 30%
ON ROOMS AT SELECT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS!

Plus, when you upgrade to a package that includes a minimum 5-Day Magic Your Way® Theme Park Ticket you get the PARK HOPPER® OPTION added to your ticket FREE!
For stays most nights 6/1-8/28/14.
Book by 6/26/14.

 

[guinness408]

SAVE UP TO 30% ON ROOMS AT SELECT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS! Plus, when you upgrade to a package that includes a minimum 5-Day Magic Your Way® Theme Park Ticket you get the PARK HOPPER® OPTION added to your ticket FREE! For stays most nights 6/1-8/28/14. Book by 6/26/14.

Lucky you! I've yet to receive a pin after all these trips to disney. Maybe they know they've got me!

 

[Disneylover99]

SAVE UP TO 30%
ON ROOMS AT SELECT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS!

Plus, when you upgrade to a package that includes a minimum 5-Day Magic Your Way® Theme Park Ticket you get the PARK HOPPER® OPTION added to your ticket FREE!
For stays most nights 6/1-8/28/14.
Book by 6/26/14.

This sounds very similar to the new special offer that just opened up to everyone on Monday that is also valid for stays until Aug. 28th. Maybe the free park hopper option is the bonus.

 

[nadira36]

SAVE UP TO 30%
ON ROOMS AT SELECT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS!

Plus, when you upgrade to a package that includes a minimum 5-Day Magic Your Way® Theme Park Ticket you get the PARK HOPPER® OPTION added to your ticket FREE!
For stays most nights 6/1-8/28/14.
Book by 6/26/14.

Ohh nice! This would, possibly, have me upgrading to BC! For me this would be much better than free dining!

 

[pigletto]

Trip time feels far away today. I guess I could make some ADRs tonight. We aren't doing the ddp this time (usually go with free dining) and we are one less person than usual. So I really should work out the food budget and then decide where we want to eat. I know we'll be eating at Beaches and Cream, and the Plaza and I plan to do a BOG lunch (REALLY enjoyed the lunch on the last trip). Other than that, I don't know. After so many trips I am not in a huge hurry to make ADR's. The kids suggested eating at mostly new places for TS.. so maybe I will try that.

 

[Disneylover99]

Trip time feels far away today. I guess I could make some ADRs tonight. We aren't doing the ddp this time (usually go with free dining) and we are one less person than usual. So I really should work out the food budget and then decide where we want to eat. I know we'll be eating at Beaches and Cream, and the Plaza and I plan to do a BOG lunch (REALLY enjoyed the lunch on the last trip). Other than that, I don't know. After so many trips I am not in a huge hurry to make ADR's. The kids suggested eating at mostly new places for TS.. so maybe I will try that.

I can't remember if you've got hoppers or not. If you do, and since you're staying at the BC, I don't think I would bother too much with TS. But if you have hoppers, I would grab fish n chips or a yummy sandwich from the French bakery since you are so close.