SEPT 2009 code watch

[HollyP]

DId you get us? WE are going Sept 19- 27 at POFQ . 2 adult and 2 kids - ages 8 (boy) and 4.5 (girl).

Got you on the list. I updated your name to add your dates.

 

[HollyP]

count me in too! MY fiance and I are thinking about having disneymoon after we get married in September. What kind of discounts were offered last September, was it the free dining?? If so, outside of the restaurants being crowded because of free dining, were the parks/resorts super crowded during this time of year? Also, as long as you made ADRs did you have a hard time as far as being able to eat at your time?

Some of code would really convince me fiance that we should take a disneymoon, so I am crossing my fingers!!

I've added you to the list. Just let me know when you've settled on dates. Last year they did have Free Dining. I'm hoping for that again. Hopefully someone who went last year will answer your questions.

 

[rngclick]

The DH and me at the Poly 9/22 - 9/24. Thanks!

 

[HollyP]

The DH and me at the Poly 9/22 - 9/24. Thanks!

You're added

 

[WalkingintheFog]

count me in too! MY fiance and I are thinking about having disneymoon after we get married in September. What kind of discounts were offered last September, was it the free dining?? If so, outside of the restaurants being crowded because of free dining, were the parks/resorts super crowded during this time of year? Also, as long as you made ADRs did you have a hard time as far as being able to eat at your time?

Some of code would really convince me fiance that we should take a disneymoon, so I am crossing my fingers!!

KellBelle,

I was there last 2 wks of Sep 2008. I called in May and Jun to make ADR, some were avail, some not. But I did some rearranging, and calling back every couple weeks, and got all that I wanted.
Most places I did have to wait a bit, 5-15 mins, but Chefs de France was the worse: 1/2 hr wait (and I was starved! )

I stayed at Port Orleans, and it was NOT crowded! Check-in was, and the special pool was well attended, but otherwise, I had a lot of space there!
A friend was at Pop the year before, and was pleased with that--many people but not crazily so.

The parks were great, enough people there to assure me Disney was still in high demand, but never so many that I gave up waiting for an attraction (max lineup was maybe SnowWhite's adventure... maybe 30mins?).
No, wait! MGM the Toy Story Mania! 1 hr lineup. That one seems to always always have a lineup. Fastpasses disappeared early in day. I joined the line because I figured the estimated wait time was wrong.... well it was spot on!
Note to self: Go to MGM in morning early. Experience Toy Story right away, and get fast pass for 2nd time right away.

And I went to the MNSSHP--hoo woo! Walked right on to Pirates and Space Mountain.. a couple times!

Seems like the codes to hope for are
1. That elusive usable-only-by-you pin code for 40% off room rates only
2. The hopefully-to-be-offered-in-a-couple-months-time Free Dining Plan
Rumors are that something else might be offered (maybe Feb 5?), and they might introduce some other incentives.
You have to consider your eating habits, the number of people in your party and your level of resort/room view in determining which discount might be right for you.

I did receive a 40% off pin, and crunched the numbers myself based on Sep 2008 stay, realizing that I don't eat exactly like the Dining Plan, so there will be some out of pocket expenses. So, for me, I decided:
--if party of 1, Free Dining can be worth $35-$40 to me, but 40% Rm Discount can be worth that much or more. Unless staying in Value Resort (you might have $32-$37 off room depending if on standard or preferred room), take 40% Rm Discount.. I'd go with the free dining, and have some great table service meals.
--if party of 2, Free Dining can be worth $70-$80; 40% Rm Discount can only be more than that at a Moderate (maybe!) or at the Cabins or a Deluxe (definitely)
--if party of 3, Free Dining can be worth $105-$130 (you eat more in a crowd!), 40% Rm Discount can only be worth more at a Deluxe that costs $335 or more to begin with.
So it comes down to the more people in the party, the more value Free Dining brings. The lower cost the resort, the less value a room discount brings.

My advice to you? GO!! Last part of Sep is food/wine show, and you guys could wear those cute ears w/ the top hat or wedding veil!
Happy Wedding!

 

[DonnaBoo]

I was there last 2 wks of Sep 2008.
I did receive a 40% off pin, and crunched the numbers myself based on Sep 2008 stay, realizing that I don't eat exactly like the Dining Plan, so there will be some out of pocket expenses.
--if party of 1, Free Dining can be worth $35-$40 to me, but 40% Rm Discount can be worth that much or more. Unless staying in Value Resort (you might have $32-$37 off room depending if on standard or preferred room), take 40% Rm Discount.. I'd go with the free dining, and have some great table service meals.
--if party of 2, Free Dining can be worth $70-$80; 40% Rm Discount can only be more than that at a Moderate (maybe!) or at the Cabins or a Deluxe (definitely)
So it comes down to the more people in the party, the more value Free Dining brings. The lower cost the resort, the less value a room discount brings.

Walking in the fog,
You seem to really be on top of this number crunching. So, I thought I'd ask for your opinion. DH and I will be staying at a Value Resort from Sept 17 to Oct 1st. Not sure if Free Dining or 40% Rm Discount would be better for us. Any thoughts?

 

[DonnaBoo]

DH and I will be there from Sept 17th to Oct 1st. Staying at Pop Century

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Donna, I figure party of 2 at Value should take free dining if offered.
Here's how I see it:
--Standard room costs $82 a night. 40% of that is $32.80
--Preferred room costs $97 a night. 40% of that is $38.80
--The dining plan, if purchased, is $40 per person. $80 for 2 people.

So, Free dining for 2 people means savings of $80 per day, versus Discounted Room savings of $32-$38 dollars---this is assuming you have the elusive 40%pin code, and that dear Disney offers free dining like other years. And also assumes you want to eat by the plan (I was sick of desserts......ohmy gosh..did I just type that?)

If anybody sees any flaw in this, let me know!!!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

I'll also be at Pop at the time! Maybe with sister from Calgary (I'm from the Rock... albeit a snowcovered rock today).

I was at MNSSHP last year! Loved it! Even tho I didn't have a good grasp of the park layout... it was dark, and MNSSHP map was sketchy. I dressed up! And the crowds were only on Main Street it seemed.

 

[Disneynut5]

Anyone else taking school age kids in September or will the Disney be full of adults (not that I would mind)? We are homeschoolers so that is why we are going in September. Just wondering if we will see other kids?

 

[texasbloke]

We are planning on having our kids at WDW in September! We are not sure right now if DS (7) will be attending Public School or if we will be homeschooling too.

You will see other kids there, I have never been on a WDW trip where there have not been kids.

 

[lisalonglash]

Anyone else taking school age kids in September or will the Disney be full of adults (not that I would mind)? We are homeschoolers so that is why we are going in September. Just wondering if we will see other kids?

We homeschool our two boys too That's one of the reasons we're able to go in September too! So you'll see at least two other children there

 

[inkedupmomma]

My kiddies will be there! age 3 and age 8! I didn't have a problem taking he rout this past year..hopefully we wont this coming sept!

 

[HollyP]

Anyone else taking school age kids in September or will the Disney be full of adults (not that I would mind)? We are homeschoolers so that is why we are going in September. Just wondering if we will see other kids?

I will be taking my daughter out of school next September. I've already talked to the school about it. They will flip her over to independant study for 2 weeks and give us a packet of homework for her. No problem.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Anyone else taking school age kids in September or will the Disney be full of adults (not that I would mind)? We are homeschoolers so that is why we are going in September. Just wondering if we will see other kids?

We are planning on having our kids at WDW in September! We are not sure right now if DS (7) will be attending Public School or if we will be homeschooling too.

You will see other kids there, I have never been on a WDW trip where there have not been kids.

We homeschool our two boys too That's one of the reasons we're able to go in September too! So you'll see at least two other children there

We're homeschoolers also. We see A LOT of kids there in Sept.
Even though it is super hot then, we have a hard time turning down free dining.
So that's one of the great benefits of homeschooling is setting your own schedule.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Can you add me? We're going the 10th-18th!

 

[LPNmom]

Anyone else taking school age kids in September or will the Disney be full of adults (not that I would mind)? We are homeschoolers so that is why we are going in September. Just wondering if we will see other kids?

Taking my two girls out of school (ages 7, and 12). Going to WDW Sept 24-Oct 5th with a Grand Gathering Group.

 

[kellbelle0618]

KellBelle,

I was there last 2 wks of Sep 2008. I called in May and Jun to make ADR, some were avail, some not. But I did some rearranging, and calling back every couple weeks, and got all that I wanted.
Most places I did have to wait a bit, 5-15 mins, but Chefs de France was the worse: 1/2 hr wait (and I was starved! )

I stayed at Port Orleans, and it was NOT crowded! Check-in was, and the special pool was well attended, but otherwise, I had a lot of space there!
A friend was at Pop the year before, and was pleased with that--many people but not crazily so.

The parks were great, enough people there to assure me Disney was still in high demand, but never so many that I gave up waiting for an attraction (max lineup was maybe SnowWhite's adventure... maybe 30mins?).
No, wait! MGM the Toy Story Mania! 1 hr lineup. That one seems to always always have a lineup. Fastpasses disappeared early in day. I joined the line because I figured the estimated wait time was wrong.... well it was spot on!
Note to self: Go to MGM in morning early. Experience Toy Story right away, and get fast pass for 2nd time right away.

And I went to the MNSSHP--hoo woo! Walked right on to Pirates and Space Mountain.. a couple times!

Seems like the codes to hope for are
1. That elusive usable-only-by-you pin code for 40% off room rates only
2. The hopefully-to-be-offered-in-a-couple-months-time Free Dining Plan
Rumors are that something else might be offered (maybe Feb 5?), and they might introduce some other incentives.
You have to consider your eating habits, the number of people in your party and your level of resort/room view in determining which discount might be right for you.

I did receive a 40% off pin, and crunched the numbers myself based on Sep 2008 stay, realizing that I don't eat exactly like the Dining Plan, so there will be some out of pocket expenses. So, for me, I decided:
--if party of 1, Free Dining can be worth $35-$40 to me, but 40% Rm Discount can be worth that much or more. Unless staying in Value Resort (you might have $32-$37 off room depending if on standard or preferred room), take 40% Rm Discount.. I'd go with the free dining, and have some great table service meals.
--if party of 2, Free Dining can be worth $70-$80; 40% Rm Discount can only be more than that at a Moderate (maybe!) or at the Cabins or a Deluxe (definitely)
--if party of 3, Free Dining can be worth $105-$130 (you eat more in a crowd!), 40% Rm Discount can only be worth more at a Deluxe that costs $335 or more to begin with.
So it comes down to the more people in the party, the more value Free Dining brings. The lower cost the resort, the less value a room discount brings.

My advice to you? GO!! Last part of Sep is food/wine show, and you guys could wear those cute ears w/ the top hat or wedding veil!
Happy Wedding!

Thank you so much!! This is great advice. I will show this to the ole fiance and hopefully he will agree that this is a great idea!

 

[Jennygt]

I finaly called and we are booked using the %40 off code. The CM did check for me if I had any pins with my name, I did not but my Mom did and she is going so we are ok! 9/23-10/2 at the POLY!! I don't know if we can afford all the days so I might have to drop off a few but no big deal.

 

[lsutiggergirl]

My stepdaughter comes with us every year in September. She's 10. We take her out of school for a few days. For the light crowds in September, it's worth it!