PTR - Seaworld, DCL, WDW in October 2014

[CJ2001]

No. You must buy the tickets through Disney as part of a package to be eligible for the free dining.

If free dining is offered for your dates, you will need to ring up and essentially cancel your POR booking and rebook it as part of the Dining Package. Be aware that only a certain amount of rooms at each resort are eligible for the package, so if you want to ensure that you get POR you will need to book quite quickly.

The rumor is that in the next few days, free dining will be offered to Disney Visa holders for select dates between Sep and December. The same offer will then be released to the public about a week later. Keep checking the WDW website over the next few days, and if and when the Visa offer is released you will be able to get an idea if the dates apply to you. If they do, keep checking for the public release and be prepared to call Disney that day.

Thanks Wanderlust, we have already made our booking with POR and paid the deposit.

Will just have to work out whether getting the free dining is worth it and whether they will release a room discount for October.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks Wanderlust, we have already made our booking with POR and paid the deposit. Will just have to work out whether getting the free dining is worth it and whether they will release a room discount for October.

For moderate and value resorts the free dining is a pretty good deal. For Deluxe resorts a room discount is usually better (unless you're a big family). With Disney it is easy to cancel a booking and rebook. You should be able to sort it all out within one phone call.

There is a well known Disney blogger who has blogged about the upcoming free dining rumor, but unfortunately his blog is blocked from this site. Try googling 'Tourist Blog Free dining 2014 Disney'. You may have some luck. ;-)

 

[dabecs]

That is a tough one. I don't have a girl, so I'm a bit biased towards the Pirates League. But I think either would be great. Which is the cheapest? I think that's the way I would lean given that they would have a blast either way.

Pirates League is cheaper and they did BBB last time (loved it!) but I think if we went back and didn't do BBB they would really miss it. They have no idea Pirates League exists so they wouldn't notice if we didn't do it.

I think I have just answered my own question Thanks WL for being a sounding board and helping me come to a decision I will book BBB for our last MK day when we will (hopefully) be eating in the Castle. And we will give PL a miss.


ps- WL, the girls doing Jedi training is one of my favourite memories too!

 

[CJ2001]

For moderate and value resorts the free dining is a pretty good deal. For Deluxe resorts a room discount is usually better (unless you're a big family). With Disney it is easy to cancel a booking and rebook. You should be able to sort it all out within one phone call.

There is a well known Disney blogger who has blogged about the upcoming free dining rumor, but unfortunately his blog is blocked from this site. Try googling 'Tourist Blog Free dining 2014 Disney'. You may have some luck. ;-)

Thank you so much for all the information - this forum is fantastic

 

[dabecs]

Thank you so much for all the information - this forum is fantastic

The people on this forum are so knowledgable and willing to share that knowledge, it really is a great place

So tell me your plans, you arrive at WDW on the 27th October - is it your first stop on your trip?

 

[CJ2001]

The people on this forum are so knowledgable and willing to share that knowledge, it really is a great place

So tell me your plans, you arrive at WDW on the 27th October - is it your first stop on your trip?

We arrive in San Francisco on 21st October, stay for 2 nights at fishermans wharf, then we fly out to New York on the 23rd and are there for 4 nights, then arrive in Orlando on the 27th - November 7th back to San Fran airport hotel for a night and home to Adelaide on 8th November.

Just starting up a spreadsheet now on what park to go to which day, we are staying at POR from 27th-1 Nov, then not sure where we are staying after that but we are in Orlando for a total of 10 days (arrive late on first day) and want to do Univeral & shopping.

So far I can only fit 7 days in for Disney, 2 days for Universal and 1 day of shopping (would like another day of shopping!!). Trying to avoid the parks that crowd calender says are too busy on the weekend but we may just have to deal with it, especially if we get the free dining cause we are only on disney property for 5 nights (may change that to 6) so trying to allocate the parks in those first 5 nights. I also want to include the water parks aswell - do you think that is doable in the time we have?

 

[dabecs]

We arrive in San Francisco on 21st October, stay for 2 nights at fishermans wharf, then we fly out to New York on the 23rd and are there for 4 nights, then arrive in Orlando on the 27th - November 7th back to San Fran airport hotel for a night and home to Adelaide on 8th November. Just starting up a spreadsheet now on what park to go to which day, we are staying at POR from 27th-1 Nov, then not sure where we are staying after that but we are in Orlando for a total of 10 days (arrive late on first day) and want to do Univeral & shopping. So far I can only fit 7 days in for Disney, 2 days for Universal and 1 day of shopping (would like another day of shopping!!). Trying to avoid the parks that crowd calender says are too busy on the weekend but we may just have to deal with it, especially if we get the free dining cause we are only on disney property for 5 nights (may change that to 6) so trying to allocate the parks in those first 5 nights. I also want to include the water parks aswell - do you think that is doable in the time we have?

Sounds like a great trip!

It will be doable but tight. Are you travelling with children? That always slows things down! I think the most important thing is not try to do everything. If you are travelling as a group let each person pick 3 attractions they want to experience, then make a list of everyone's choices and as long as those things get done then everything else is a bonus.

Try to plan some down time, a late morning start one day or a half day at a park with he rest of the day spent swimming/lounging at the resort. If you let your group get overtired then no one enjoys anything. Seeing your WDW portion is near the end of your trip you may find travel fatigue has set in and you need more down time than you expect.

I've never been to Universal but people on these boards have and will help you out with the ins and outs there. Last trip we didn't go to a waterpark because our youngest was 5 and I just felt like it was too hard. We really want to include one waterpark day this trip

How many days are you thinking at each Disney park?

 

[PrincessInOz]

CJ2001 - I had 7 full days at Disney on my last trip. I carved it up by 1.5 days MK, 1.5 - 2 days Ep, 1/2 day DTD, 1 day AK, 1 day DHS and 1 day at a water park. It was my 4th trip to WDW and I didn't feel like I had to do everything.

You can do UO in 2 days; but it is better to allocate 3 days so that you can really enjoy it all. I do tend to recommend staying on-site at the UO hotels because of proximity and also for the Unlimited Express Pass, and early entry for WWoHP privileges. Others might have a different opinion....it will come down to what works for you. You might want to keep an eye out for deals on the UO hotels. They tend to offer 30 - 40% discount if you stay a minimum of 3 nights on site.


Your plans look great. And if I could be so bold to say so......you might want to consider starting a PTR/TR for your trip. That way, we can all cheer along the sidelines and if you have questions like this, anyone who wants to contribute can answer and you will know where to come back to if you need to reference the answers at a later date. No pressure...totally up to you, of course.

 

[CJ2001]

Sounds like a great trip!

It will be doable but tight. Are you travelling with children? That always slows things down! I think the most important thing is not try to do everything. If you are travelling as a group let each person pick 3 attractions they want to experience, then make a list of everyone's choices and as long as those things get done then everything else is a bonus.

Try to plan some down time, a late morning start one day or a half day at a park with he rest of the day spent swimming/lounging at the resort. If you let your group get overtired then no one enjoys anything. Seeing your WDW portion is near the end of your trip you may find travel fatigue has set in and you need more down time than you expect.

I've never been to Universal but people on these boards have and will help you out with the ins and outs there. Last trip we didn't go to a waterpark because our youngest was 5 and I just felt like it was too hard. We really want to include one waterpark day this trip

How many days are you thinking at each Disney park?

It will be me, hubby, DD 13 & DS 11. Looking at doing Magic Kindom 2 1/2 days, then all the others 1 day each including water parks. We wont be on disney property from 1/11 probably staying at Hilton Bonnet creek or Caribe Royale.

 

[dabecs]

It will be me, hubby, DD 13 & DS 11. Looking at doing Magic Kindom 2 1/2 days, then all the others 1 day each including water parks. We wont be on disney property from 1/11 probably staying at Hilton Bonnet creek or Caribe Royale.

At those ages they will be able to handle much longer days than I am used to with two young ones That will certainly make it easier.

 

[dabecs]

Small change in my ADRs - I couldn't get Crystal Palace so I have booked Liberty Tree Tavern for that day instead. Not sure why but when trying to book CP said 'no times available' for the whole day..

Anyway I think LTT sounds great and is somewhere new. I will miss the crowdless walk up Main St but that is the day planned for MVMCP so dinner at LTT makes more sense than early breakfast at CP anyway. I have booked dinner for 5:15pm so we can fuel up before the party starts

I am loving the ease of online booking, last trip I had to ring and for each booking I had to repeat the credit card number, full name and address etc so it took forever. And I find it easier to see a list of times and pick from one rather than have a CM read them out and try to work it out that way.

 

[Millsie7]

Dabecs, I had the same problem with it showing no times available and I just kept checking it each day, it seemed to work best booking in the morning Aust time. I managed to get all the ADRs on the days and times I wanted

 

[dabecs]

Dabecs, I had the same problem with it showing no times available and I just kept checking it each day, it seemed to work best booking in the morning Aust time. I managed to get all the ADRs on the days and times I wanted

Thanks for that info Millsie

 

[CJ2001]

Small change in my ADRs - I couldn't get Crystal Palace so I have booked Liberty Tree Tavern for that day instead. Not sure why but when trying to book CP said 'no times available' for the whole day..

Anyway I think LTT sounds great and is somewhere new. I will miss the crowdless walk up Main St but that is the day planned for MVMCP so dinner at LTT makes more sense than early breakfast at CP anyway. I have booked dinner for 5:15pm so we can fuel up before the party starts

I am loving the ease of online booking, last trip I had to ring and for each booking I had to repeat the credit card number, full name and address etc so it took forever. And I find it easier to see a list of times and pick from one rather than have a CM read them out and try to work it out that way.

I kept trying too, I got Crystal palace for morning of 28th & there was still 2 other times for that morning too. I just kept clicking back on my profile & back to dining or logging off. I also got Coral Reef, I think I have finished now & hopefully got it right!

When you book for ADR's do u give hotel number phone number as it won't accept oz mobile & I don't have an international one yet?

 

[CJ2001]

At those ages they will be able to handle much longer days than I am used to with two young ones That will certainly make it easier.

Hopefully!! They act like toddlers sometimes

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Small change in my ADRs - I couldn't get Crystal Palace so I have booked Liberty Tree Tavern for that day instead. Not sure why but when trying to book CP said 'no times available' for the whole day.. Anyway I think LTT sounds great and is somewhere new. I will miss the crowdless walk up Main St but that is the day planned for MVMCP so dinner at LTT makes more sense than early breakfast at CP anyway. I have booked dinner for 5:15pm so we can fuel up before the party starts I am loving the ease of online booking, last trip I had to ring and for each booking I had to repeat the credit card number, full name and address etc so it took forever. And I find it easier to see a list of times and pick from one rather than have a CM read them out and try to work it out that way.

That's a shame. I can see though why you wouldn't want an early morning on a day you have a party. Can you go to CP on another day?

Are you going to MNSSHP and MVMCP? If so, I'm so jealous.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We really want to include one waterpark day this trip

We went to both and loved them both. I might even go as far as to say we enjoyed them more than the other parks.
I'm not sure if both will still be open by late October, but if they are, they are both worth it.

It's quite nice to go to a waterpark for a few hours on the morning of a party. I found the time I spent floating around the lazy river quite relaxing.

Of the 2 I preferred Blizzard Beach. I wasn't expecting to as the pictures make Blizzard Beach look more concrete and sterile. However the Blizzard Beach lazy river is just as lush and tree-lined, plus the slides at Blizzard Beach are newer and more modern. They have escalator things to take the tubes to the top rather than having to carry them like at Typhoon Lagoon.

Plus my biggest tip, don't do the 3 person hydrocoaster at Typhoon Lagoon. For some reason the 3 person tubes they use don't have lining to sit on like the 2 person tubes do. My whole family felt every painful bump and my son and I ended up with bruises on our backsides. Plus I was clinging onto my son for dear life as he slipped further and further through the hole. They told us at the top to sit back with our backsides raised up, but it's easier said than done to maintain this position throughout the whole ride - especially when you have to change position and lean forward to grab onto your child. Not fun.

 

[dabecs]

That's a shame. I can see though why you wouldn't want an early morning on a day you have a party. Can you go to CP on another day? Are you going to MNSSHP and MVMCP? If so, I'm so jealous.

Yep - both parties! We went to MVMCP last trip so this will be our first MNSSHP!

 

[dabecs]

We went to both and loved them both. I might even go as far as to say we enjoyed them more than the other parks. I'm not sure if both will still be open by late October, but if they are, they are both worth it. It's quite nice to go to a waterpark for a few hours on the morning of a party. I found the time I spent floating around the lazy river quite relaxing. Of the 2 I preferred Blizzard Beach. I wasn't expecting to as the pictures make Blizzard Beach look more concrete and sterile. However the Blizzard Beach lazy river is just as lush and tree-lined, plus the slides at Blizzard Beach are newer and more modern. They have escalator things to take the tubes to the top rather than having to carry them like at Typhoon Lagoon. Plus my biggest tip, don't do the 3 person hydrocoaster at Typhoon Lagoon. For some reason the 3 person tubes they use don't have lining to sit on like the 2 person tubes do. My whole family felt every painful bump and my son and I ended up with bruises on our backsides. Plus I was clinging onto my son for dear life as he slipped further and further through the hole. They told us at the top to sit back with our backsides raised up, but it's easier said than done to maintain this position throughout the whole ride - especially when you have to change position and lean forward to grab onto your child. Not fun.

I think one will be closed, can't remember which though. Thanks for the tip about the 3 person tube, that doesn't sound fun! I will have a few possible waterpark days and then at the time we will see which day has good weather I love the sound of the lazy river, sounds like a great way to relax

 

[PrincessInOz]

Plus my biggest tip, don't do the 3 person hydrocoaster at Typhoon Lagoon. For some reason the 3 person tubes they use don't have lining to sit on like the 2 person tubes do. My whole family felt every painful bump and my son and I ended up with bruises on our backsides. Plus I was clinging onto my son for dear life as he slipped further and further through the hole. They told us at the top to sit back with our backsides raised up, but it's easier said than done to maintain this position throughout the whole ride - especially when you have to change position and lean forward to grab onto your child. Not fun.

I think one will be closed, can't remember which though. Thanks for the tip about the 3 person tube, that doesn't sound fun! I will have a few possible waterpark days and then at the time we will see which day has good weather I love the sound of the lazy river, sounds like a great way to relax

Surprisingly, we enjoyed Crush N Gusher. And my back fanny had a great old time in the 3 person tube. I think our CM that loaded us on checked our...er....bottom positions and got us to shift back and forth until he was satisfied.