So...how many of you did NOT book bounceback?

[jgallant]

We did not book either. This was our third year going in September and we have come to the conclusion that we won't be returning in September anymore. The free dining promotions have turned what used to be a quiet time at the world into crowd central. I myself have benefited from free dining and it is a fabulous offer but the restuarants were crowded, service was off a bit and it is too much food for us. Add the hot and humid weather and we are now going to stick with December, with the AP rates and the dining discount card and MUCH nicer, cooler weather.

ditto to that.... we are n the exact same boat. just haven't decided which time of year to go....thinking late november, early december too though...

 

[jgallant]

and sick of our vacation revolving around dinner and food....the dining plan is not what it used to be....imho

 

[missmun52]

I am not sure if I am going. I went last year and it was so nice and slow; I walked on to everything just about. This year it was much more crowded. Although I did not have to wait long for the most part because of planning and fast passes, I hated being in such a crowd of people fighting to get any where in the very HOT weather (except at Epcot which became my fav park because of this). Also I am trying to get my son in school for Sept and if they let me slide past the 28 day mark for him turing 4 I wont let him miss his first day ever of school.

I think I might start planning for a Jan vacation, right after my sons B-day and before my Anniversary. Just hope i can wait till Jan 2009, seems so far away, but in reality its only 4 months farther out than Sept 2008, or thats what I tell myself anyway

 

[LilyU]

We did not book a bounceback. We did see the flyer in our folder, but didn't realize it had to be booked while we were still there. Plus I don't think I want to stay at OKW again anyway.

Lily

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We didn't get anything in our room about it, but even if we had we wouldn't have booked it. You can't pay me to deal with that heat again!!!!!!!!
We are booked for December 2008 instead

 

[Diznotyzed]

We had the offer in our room upon arrival, but didn't book it. We didn't do free dining this year, either. We had it last year but weren't really thrilled with it for several reasons. This year we were much happier with mostly CS and more spontaneity. The trade off for Sept temps used to be lower crowds, but that's paying off less now, so we're keeping other options in mind.

 

[tinklvr64]

Did not book bounceback offer:

1. Student teaching next fall
2. Can do better with room discount and on our own for eating

 

[Catrinabeach]

We didn't book it. Dh didn't want me to since he wants to do something other than Disney. And it was busy enough this trip that we don't want to do it in Sept again.

 

[jmpellet]

We got the offer in our room on 8/30 or so and didn't book. We went in 2006 for free dining and this year and plan to do sw/dc/aquatica/BG and US/IoA next summer using timeshare promos, the changes in the plan, and we go back to school right after labor day made us say no. The weather was pretty hot but I found the crowds to be lighter 8/26 - 9/3 this year than 9/30 - 10/10 last year -- way less crowded.

 

[delauzons]

We also got the offer in our room and turned in down. I really neeeded August-not September. The last 2 years we had free dining but in August. We also felt more constricted this year. We weren't hungry when it was time for a reservation or were doing something fun and had to stop to get to our reservation. Also we had some not so great servers this time and overall weren't as thrilled with the resataurants as in the past. Also tips for a family five add alot on and its not as big a savings. We decided to give Universal a try next year instead.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Didn't book, our son will start kindergarten, and school here starts around the first of August. So the dates didn't work. I am hoping for a great code/discount in Feb or March though.

 

[Twende]

We had the offer in our room at the Pop and we turned it down.

If it had been the same offer as this year I think we would have booked it a year in advance.

I think with the appetizer gone and the tip now out of pocket that we will use a room only code and then use mostly counter service meals for our next trip.

It was wonderful while it lasted but it's over!

 

[momof1princess]

i'm in the same boat as most of the other posters-i got the deal flyer, but didn't book b/c i'd have to take my DD out of school again, and it's just not as great a deal w/o the tip and appetizer. we're looking at dec. 2008 or jan. 2009.

 

[lookingforward]

ditto to that.... we are n the exact same boat. just haven't decided which time of year to go....thinking late november, early december too though...

You will LOVE that time of year at WDW. We go every December too (we live 3 hours away) and the holiday decorations, cooler weather and spirit is fabulous. Living in south Florida my daughter looks forward to the Mickey Christmas party because it "snows" and I love the lights and caroling, etc.

You won't be dissapointed!

 

[Nwfdrool]

We did not book either. After this trip, I think DH is Disney'd out. Next time, we'd like to go in November or December, maybe in another 2 or 3 years. September was a bit more crowded that I would have liked, albeit not nearly as crowded as in the summer. There were alot of people milling around. Lots of strollers to dodge. I have never seen so many strollers in my life! We didn't go on the popular thrill rides since our kids are too young, so the lines for the rides we did go on really weren't that long. If the wait was more than 20 minutes, we would fastpass. Anyway, the weather was too humid for us and wore us down by early afternoon. I would like to go on the Disney Cruise.

 

[fla4fun]

My September trips are usually solo ones, so I typically do better with the room discount than I would with free dining. Plus, I have an annual pass, so I don't need package tickets. So I didn't book it.

 

[poohangel]

I did not book the bounceback because I did not like going in September, too hot for me.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We didn't book bounce back either - we have AP's and don't have need for a package.

 

[northie]

We were there from 9/19 to 9/25, and we didn't book the bounceback either. We found out September in Florida is not just hot. It's amazingly hot. And humid. Because of it we didn't get to do nearly as many things as we normally do...we even skipped the AK parade, which I love, to go back to the hotel and nap before MNSSHP! We have never, ever gone back to the hotel in the middle of the day before, not even when we took kids. And I certainly have never taken a NAP at WDW! The heat nearly did us in. (I should probably add we are mature adults with grown children so there was only the two of us on this trip, no children. Although most of the kids we saw seemed to be handling the heat better than I was!)

I asked DH what he thought about braving September again and he agreed, we'd rather pay for our food than face that heat again. When this family turns down free food...well, let me tell you that just doesn't happen all that much! We are all foodies...we are the ones who book ADR's on day 180 out, and know weeks before "booking day" where we want to eat! Even free eats couldn't get us back to WDW in September again.

We are going back in three weeks for a weekend trip for the F&W and I am SO looking forward to not having heatstroke!

 

[northie]

We didn't book bounce back either - we have AP's and don't have need for a package.

We have AP's too and we booked the bounceback in December to get the free dining in September. It was pretty cheap and we just hung onto the one-day base tickets we had to buy to qualify as a package, and will use them against getting new AP's when the time comes. So not needing a package wouldn't stop us. The heat...that was another story!