Value resorts and free dining

[leslie826]

We are staying at Pop in Dec., not with free dining, since we are using the military discount. I believe I read that the free dining that is available at the values is the QSDP, right? Also can that be upgraded by paying the difference? The reason I ask is I am wondering if the food court will be more packed than usual if most people are on the QSDP, but may it be easier to get the TS ressies I'm hoping for?

 

[Mickey country]

I doubt it will be any easier to get TS restaurants, because value people can upgrade their free dining, and all other resorts were offered the regular dining plan. your best bet is going to be to book online @ your 90 day mark, or call at 7am that day.

 

[leslie826]

Yes I plan to do that anyway. Thanks for responding. How about you others that have been around a while? You think most people at values will stick with the QSDP or upgrade?

 

[carmie3377]

Yes I plan to do that anyway. Thanks for responding. How about you others that have been around a while? You think most people at values will stick with the QSDP or upgrade?

I'm thinking that a lot of people will upgrade. However, I've heard of some people glad it's the QSDP offered out of convenience of no ADR's. I've even seen some posts where people staying in moderates and up want to downgrade, which is NOT allowed. So, while a lot will upgrade, I think there will be quite a few that don't too.

We are booked on 2 pacakges at Pop - one at each end of our Disney cruise. I received a Pin for the regular dining plan Free even on the values. On our stay AFTER the cruise, I did opt for the free DDP since MIL will be with us and it will be nice for her to have a break with a TS. However, for our stay BEFORE the cruise, I have opted to book the Visa code of QSDP free even though I could have booked the DDP for free with my Pin. Since it will be just the kids and I then, I want the convenience of no ARDs.

So, my point is, there will be some that like the convenience of no ADRs that they will even pass up the DDP free with a PIN and opt for the visa code/general public code free QSDP. But a fair share will upgrade or use their PIN.

I don't think I was very helpful was I ?

 

[1disneynutt]

I am staying at Pop this month with free dining and it is the regular dining plan. Not the QSDP? Maybe its different in November/December?

 

[carmie3377]

Yes, when they extended the free dining until Mid Dec, the values get the QSDP and the moderates up get DDP. Now, there were some PINs sent out for free DDP for all for up until check-in on Dec 17.

 

[siskaren]

I'm staying at Pop in December and getting free dining with the QSDP. I'm happy with this because I was already planning to use reward dollars to pay for a few TS meals, so it's kind of like I'm splitting the difference between QSDP and DDP. The food courts are generally busy at breakfast (especially around 8:00 or so), so I don't think free dining will affect that. (I would think that lunch or dinner at a resort food court isn't going to be very busy because I would assume that most people are eating those meals in the parks.) As for TS reservations being easier, although value resorts are getting the QSDP for free (and yes, you can upgrade by paying the difference), moderates, deluxes and villas get the DDP for free.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am guessing many, many value guests will upgrade because it doesn't cost much to upgrade to the basic plan. Please do not count on it being easier to get ADRs because the values get free QS dining this fall.

 

[beroh2253]

We just booked this morning, we got the pin about a month ago and I guess it was burning a hole in my pocket by not using it. So this morning DW went to AAA to book at POP, I told her to watch because we have the pin to get the regular DDP, 1TS, 1CS and 1SC, and at first they started to ring her up with the QSDP till she pointed out about the pin. The girl at AAA called Disney and all is straight now we get the regular DDP @ POP and will be there the last week in October. 75 days and counting

 

[choirchic]

I am staying at Pop this month with free dining and it is the regular dining plan. Not the QSDP? Maybe its different in November/December?

I was thinking the same thing...we're staying at ASMu in September and have the regular dining plan too.

I have read on here that the Value Resorts do tend to be more crowded during this Free Dining offer...We're just gonna take it as it comes. Crowds are part of Disney no matter how you look at it.

 

[TDC Nala]

The August/September offer is for the basic dining plan in all resorts. The October to December offer includes QS plan with value resorts and basic plan with moderates, deluxes and villas.

 

[maznorm]

I though free dining plan was only offered at moderates and deluxes. I didn't think you could get in on value resorts.

Am I wrong?

 

[TDC Nala]

I though free dining plan was only offered at moderates and deluxes. I didn't think you could get in on value resorts.

Am I wrong?

For stays beginning September 29 through December 17, you can book a value resort with free dining, but the plan you receive free will be the quick service plan. If you book at moderates or above, you will receive the basic dining plan free.

If you are from the UK, what you've heard is correct - UK visitors can't get free dining with a value resort booking.

 

[disneynewbee]

I'm staying at POP and upgraded my plan. I'm going end of Oct though.

 

[skier_pete]

We are going in December, staying at POP. Free public Quick Service dining. The upgrade to standard DDP is $10 per adult a $2 per child, which to me is an absolute no brainer. I would suspect a lot of people will upgrade, and would expect restaurants to be pretty crowded. I do think the % of rooms they are opening up to Free Dining may be lower than in September...but I still expect it will be hard to make ADRs.

SkierPete

 

[koryandleslie]

Yes, when they extended the free dining until Mid Dec, the values get the QSDP and the moderates up get DDP. Now, there were some PINs sent out for free DDP for all for up until check-in on Dec 17.

Carmine, I received this offer in the mail, but threw it away. Nobody at Disney can help me. Do you know where/who I can call to get this again? We went last year and are Disney cc holders.

Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

If you had a PIN code that was specifically sent to you, you've got to have the code to make the booking. They will not let you book without it.


Try calling Disney back and saying you had a PIN code offer but you lost the card.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I'm thinking that a lot of people will upgrade. However, I've heard of some people glad it's the QSDP offered out of convenience of no ADR's. I've even seen some posts where people staying in moderates and up want to downgrade, which is NOT allowed. So, while a lot will upgrade, I think there will be quite a few that don't too.

We are booked on 2 pacakges at Pop - one at each end of our Disney cruise. I received a Pin for the regular dining plan Free even on the values. On our stay AFTER the cruise, I did opt for the free DDP since MIL will be with us and it will be nice for her to have a break with a TS. However, for our stay BEFORE the cruise, I have opted to book the Visa code of QSDP free even though I could have booked the DDP for free with my Pin. Since it will be just the kids and I then, I want the convenience of no ARDs.

So, my point is, there will be some that like the convenience of no ADRs that they will even pass up the DDP free with a PIN and opt for the visa code/general public code free QSDP. But a fair share will upgrade or use their PIN.

I don't think I was very helpful was I ?

Makes no sense to opt for qsdp when for the same price with a pin you could have regular ddp for same exact price. Whatever, if you want to get less value for your money, makes no sense to me.

 

[beroh2253]

If you had a PIN code that was specifically sent to you, you've got to have the code to make the booking. They will not let you book without it.


Try calling Disney back and saying you had a PIN code offer but you lost the card.

Or maybe call Disney Destinations, that is where I got mine thru the mail, then booked the regular DDP at POP but you do need that pin to get the 1TS, 1CS and 1SC or you get the QSDDP and have to pay to upgrade.

 

[carmie3377]

Makes no sense to opt for qsdp when for the same price with a pin you could have regular ddp for same exact price. Whatever, if you want to get less value for your money, makes no sense to me.

Other people have stated they are doing the same or wish they could but can't because they're not staying value. I've read several post where people are asking if they can downgrade to the QSDP

It works for me for 3 reasons:
1) We will be at Pop for 4 nights (QDSP), then a 7 night Disney Cruise, then 5 more nights at Pop (DDP). That's already being tied to a schedule for 12 nights. I am looking forward to the freedom of no ADR's for the first 4 nights and more time in the parks since I won't be spending 1+ hour each day in a restaurant. Time is worth something isn't it?
2) The QDSP doesn't have additional costs. By the time I add the mugs (which I would buy if on the DDP), and the tip, it would add approx $75 to my costs. Is that bad? No. But when I'll have more food than I know what to do with over the rest of my trip (including 3 TS meals a day if wanted on the cruise), I see no reason to spend it.
3) There are several CS places I'm looking forward to trying: Wolfgang Puck Express for breakfast AND dinner, Captain Cooks for breakfast AND dinner, Columbia House Harbour, The Moroccan place at Epcot just to name a few.

Don't get me wrong. I love the DDP. I've paid for it on 2 prior trips. In fact, I'm looking forward to even trying the DxDP someday when it's just the hubby and I. But for the first 4 nights at Pop, the QSDP works out better for us.