POR or CBR for FD?

[sahm2two]

Whew, that's a lot of abbreviations! We are planning a trip for late september/early october. I know POR is blacked out sometimes, but last year it wasn't blacked out for the times we want to go (at least not from what I've googled). It also happens to be cheaper...

These are the 2 we are considering because we're a family of 5, we need to rooms that sleep 5, and we're budget conscience so these are the cheapest options that sleep 5. If we can't get free dining, we won't be staying on-site, so this is a big consideration.

Also, we don't want to wait until April/May when they announce FD to book bc we don't want all the 5 person rooms to be gone! So, what do y'all think? We've got our gift cards from target bought and plan to book this week.

 

[nkereina]

Also, we don't want to wait until April/May when they announce FD to book bc we don't want all the 5 person rooms to be gone! So, what do y'all think? We've got our gift cards from target bought and plan to book this week.

If you book your room now before free dining is announced, it does not matter. Disney allots a certain number of room for the free dining promotion, so the day the free dining announcement is made (morning), you will need to go on or call and convert your reservation to free dining. Having one reserved already won't grandfather you into the promotion or guarantee you will get it. If you act too late on converting it, you may not be able to get free dining at all.

Of the two resorts, we prefer POR. It's smaller, easier to navigate, and the boat to DTD is great. We also love the food court. And you have POFQ in walking distance for their amenities. All the 5 person rooms at POR are in the Alligator Bayou section so even if your rooms aren't next door to each other, you know the other party at least won't be on the opposite end of the resort in the mansions.

We stayed at CBR two years ago and had an ok stay. The food court was good and the pool was nice, probably better than POR's main pool. We did have really bad luck with the bus service, and found the resort too big to walk around and enjoy. It's also my understanding that the 5 person rooms are scattered about at CBR and not concentrated in one area.

 

[sahm2two]

If you book your room now before free dining is announced, it does not matter. Disney allots a certain number of room for the free dining promotion, so the day the free dining announcement is made (morning), you will need to go on or call and convert your reservation to free dining. Having one reserved already won't grandfather you into the promotion or guarantee you will get it. If you act too late on converting it, you may not be able to get free dining at all.

Of the two resorts, we prefer POR. It's smaller, easier to navigate, and the boat to DTD is great. We also love the food court. And you have POFQ in walking distance for their amenities. All the 5 person rooms at POR are in the Alligator Bayou section so even if your rooms aren't next door to each other, you know the other party at least won't be on the opposite end of the resort in the mansions.

We stayed at CBR two years ago and had an ok stay. The food court was good and the pool was nice, probably better than POR's main pool. We did have really bad luck with the bus service, and found the resort too big to walk around and enjoy. It's also my understanding that the 5 person rooms are scattered about at CBR and not concentrated in one area.

I understand the way FD works, the thought is that by April all of the 5 person rooms could be sold out, and that's the type of room we need. We have a travel agent we're working with who will make sure we get added to FD when the discount is announced. But if it's announced and we have a room booked at POR, but POR is blacked out, then we'd have to change to CBR and what if all the 5 person rooms are booked at CBR? That's what I'm worried about. Right now I'm leaning toward POR bc it's cheaper and from what I've heard there are good/bad things about both resorts.
If all of the 5 person rooms ARE sold out, I would still be able to add FD to my package, right? Or do they do their matching that specific? I know there has to be rooms available to book, but I didn't know if it was specific enough to say there has to be 5 person rooms available in order to add FD to an existing package...

Thanks for the advice! I am working with a travel agent, but I'm also a super planner, so I like to have all my ducks in a row way in advance lol

 

[nkereina]

If all of the 5 person rooms ARE sold out, I would still be able to add FD to my package, right?

No. They would have to have 5 person room availability under the free dining promotion in order for you to add free dining. You wouldn't know this until free dining is released, which is why your TA would need to act early. Last year, specific room types went pretty fast. Having a 5 person room booked in advance of the free dining promotion announcement won't make or break your chances.

The only reason to book a 5 person room now would be if you were still going to stay there regardless of whether or not you could add free dining. If you can't add free dining and will be moving off-site, then there is no reason to book a room now. In fact, the more rooms booked now, the more it hurts the free dining availability.

 

[minnie mum]

If all of the 5 person rooms ARE sold out, I would still be able to add FD to my package, right?

Nkereina is right. Even if you already have a package booked, if there are no 5 person rooms available inside the FD inventory, you won't be able to change your reservation. Remember, its NOT a case of just adding FD to your existing reservation. You have to MODIFY your existing reservation; essentially moving from one booking inventory (rack rate package) to another (FD package). If you can only stay at a resort if you have a discount, there is no point in booking until the discount is offered.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If all the 5 person rooms are sold out, they probably won't get free dining at all.

FD exists to fill rooms. If rooms are full, no need to discount.

 

[bigbabyblues]

CBR seems to be more popular now, so no guarantees there either. We couldn't get CBR for the spring discount for our dates we wanted to book, except a pirate room. We ended up at CSR, which was the only moderate available for our dates when we booked.

 

[mickeynut1]

The pp's are correct that if you book now, there's no guarantee a discount can be applied to your existing reservation. If your trip is dependent on FD, you are better off waiting to see if FD is offered for your dates. Since Disney offers discounts to fill rooms, if you book now in hopes of FD, that's one less room Disney needs to fill. If you want/need a room that accommodates 5 and are willing to pay rack rate, it's best to book now so you are guaranteed that room type; otherwise, it's better to wait as having a reservation in place does not guarantee a discount can be applied later.

 

[sahm2two]

Well... bummer. Thanks everyone! If we aren't able to get free dining, we'll stay offsite and just eat what we want. The prices would equal out pretty much. I really want free dining though!

 

[ShannonMB]

I agree that it really doesn't matter if you book now or not if your on-site stay is dependent on free dining. Just have your travel agent call and get whatever is available 5 person room-wise when it's released. The only reason to book before the discount is released is that often times the deals are released AFTER your 180 day mark, so if there are certain ADRs you want, you might need to have something booked to secure those. I always book my trips before 180 days, with the understanding that until the deals come out, we don't know exactly WHERE we are staying until the reservation is modified with the deal. CBR has always been a safe bet and we love staying there, but this year the only thing they could offer us when our deal came out was a pirate room. No thanks! They are cute, but I'm not paying extra to be a million miles from the main building/main pool, etc. So this year we are actually staying at POR for the first time. New adventure! We love POFQ, so hopefully we will like it. If you do have your choice when the time comes, I personally prefer the size/ease of the PO's, but DD usually gets her way because she LOVES the island theme of CBR. Really can't go wrong, they are all great!! Here's hoping you get FD and stay on-site!!!

 

[sahm2two]

Ooo good point. My adr date is April 3rd, so there's a good chance the free dining dates won't be out by then. Thanks!