Should I book now or wait?

[Jess_Loves_Disney]

Hello all I finally convinced my husband we need a vacation and decided on Disney! We decided to go in September because of the low crowds so I know I have to start planning right away! My question is I know they typically offer free dining in the fall and that info should come out around the end of April. So my question is do I book now? Or do I wait until the offer comes out? And if I book now how easy is it to switch your reservation to add the free dining? Also we would like to stay at Art of Animation but I know last year it wasn't included in free dining...but I was thinking maybe it was due to it being so new? Help please!!

 

[Confederate Scott]

If you book and any offer comes out you can call and update your reservation based on availability. The Little Mermaid rooms have always been excluded from any offers and I doubt this will change. The Family suites would likely be included and have included quick serve dining in the past. You can always upgrade this to the Dining plan at an additional cost. However, if there are only two of you a moderate would likely be cheaper and include the Dining plan. Hope this helps.

 

[Shanti]

It depends on your priorities.

If you'll only take a room with the free dining discount, there is no advantage in reserving a room now with no discount.

If the discount is not critical, but you just want to ensure a spot at one particular resort that you fancy, then you should reserve now to guarantee a spot at the resort. If free dining ends up being available for the resort/room combination you want, then you can easily call to change your reservation to include the discount, or change your reservation online.

 

[Jess_Loves_Disney]

Thanks for the responses, are there other hotels that are excluded from free dining or only art of animation little mermaid rooms? Also if I book now should I add on dining or leave it off until the free dining promo comes out?

 

[Confederate Scott]

Thanks for the responses, are there other hotels that are excluded from free dining or only art of animation little mermaid rooms? Also if I book now should I add on dining or leave it off until the free dining promo comes out?

I do not think it matters if you have the dining on now or not. Typically Port Orleans French Quarter is not included in the free dining offer and often not on a room discount. That is my personal favorite resort.

 

[Jess_Loves_Disney]

So it's best to book Coronado springs or Carribean beach?

 

[Confederate Scott]

So it's best to book Coronado springs or Carribean beach?

Never stayed at Coronado so I cannot comment on that. We stayed at Carribean Beach in 2014 and it is very nice. Lots of stops by the buses and can be a distance to the food court but otherwise very nice. Take a look at Port Orleans Riverside also. I think this has been included in free dining in the past but I am not sure on that. We have not stayed at Riverside but it is very nice, just bigger than French Quarter. Good luck. You will be at Disney so it is tough to make a bad choice.

 

[Kingdome8]

Book now. So I can get dinner reservations. Can always cancel

 

[Scootchu]

So it's best to book Coronado springs or Carribean beach?

Just stayed at Carribean Beach in December 2015 and Coronado Springs in 2014. They are very similar in layout and rooms. They are both big. If it were me I would try French Quarter or Riverside. I enjoyed them much more and a little less crowded. If you're set on CB or CS its a coin toss. Get a water (lake) view and you won't care. Just remember Disney considers a pool, a water view. I always ask while checking in and they always try to stick me by a pool. They will change it if they can, but you have to say something.

 

[Jess_Loves_Disney]

Just stayed at Carribean Beach in December 2015 and Coronado Springs in 2014. They are very similar in layout and rooms. They are both big. If it were me I would try French Quarter or Riverside. I enjoyed them much more and a little less crowded. If you're set on CB or CS its a coin toss. Get a water (lake) view and you won't care. Just remember Disney considers a pool, a water view. I always ask while checking in and they always try to stick me by a pool. They will change it if they can, but you have to say something.

We stayed at Coronado last visit when we got married at Disney, we both thought it was too large and after walking around the parks all day did not enjoy the long walk back to the room. I really like PO French quarter but I think Scott said they don't usually include free dining plans.