******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[kels420]

Bigger rooms, queen beds, nicer pool area - lots of reasons to choose mod over value.

Well all those are true but for families like us- we don't hang out at the resorts much. So not worth it to us to pay all that extra $ just for a bigger bed and a water slide. That's just our family though

 

[Acrosthec]

So "cons" of staying offsite... (1) not completely immersed in the "Disney Magic" (two of the adults will be their first trip to WDW, though we make annual trips to DL); (2) transportation/parking (thinking of adding a car rental as free shuttle times seem sparse); (3) have to wait until later to make FP+ reservations.

Am I missing anything? If not, just trying to weigh the benefits of a comfy room with 2 bathrooms, kitchen, etc. with the listed cons versus the convenience of being onsite.

While not a huge thing for some people, we really like to get at least one nice souvenir while in the parks, especially when we go to Epcot. It's really convenient to be able to have it sent to the hotel instead of having to figure out where to put it/store it or lug it around all day. Also, when determining between onsite and offsite, we try to factor in mileage from the parks, probable traffic in the mornings to get into Disney World (it's usually crazy lines at the turnstiles, and you bypass this with the onsite buses), time walking from the parking lots to the gates, and gas to drive back and forth to offsite lodgings.

 

[KimBean]

Well all those are true but for families like us- we don't hang out at the resorts much. So not worth it to us to pay all that extra $ just for a bigger bed and a water slide. That's just our family though

Us either. We stayed at CSR and I really only saw Pepper Market first evening and whatever the walk was from my room to the washers. Other than that we were at the park or Disney springs. It was too cold to swim.

 

[DisLoverExtreme]

I just talked to a CM. It's been 5 years since our last trip so I'm out of the loop a bit.

He mentioned that the monorail resorts have been excluded from FD. Do you think it's likely to happen again?
And what time should I be ready Monday morning? I think I recall 7am for phone lines. Is online earlier?

I cannot imagine how they could exclude the monorail resorts! I know they haven't done it in the past, and I doubt they will this year. If rumor is true and Mods only get QS Plan, Disney is counting on people upgrading to deluxe resorts. That will eliminate 3 of them right off the bat if monorail resorts aren't included!

 

[Neeky78]

If QS is offered at the mods I'm considering stepping down into a value and paying OOP for our TS instead of upgrading to DDP. I'm thinking the difference would be about $300 ($800 to upgrade to DDP or $1,100 to pay for our TS OOP) It kind of seems worth it to pay $300 to keep those extra QS meals. It would be 40 meals. Is anyone else thinking about this? Obviously $300 for 40 meals is a good value but will we really eat 2 QS, 2 snacks and a TS every day????

It basically works out to be $300 for breakfast for your trip. Would you spend that OOP normally for brekkie?
If yes, then go for it and keep the QS!

 

[DisLoverExtreme]

While not a huge thing for some people, we really like to get at least one nice souvenir while in the parks, especially when we go to Epcot. It's really convenient to be able to have it sent to the hotel instead of having to figure out where to put it/store it or lug it around all day. Also, when determining between onsite and offsite, we try to factor in mileage from the parks, probable traffic in the mornings to get into Disney World (it's usually crazy lines at the turnstiles, and you bypass this with the onsite buses), time walking from the parking lots to the gates, and gas to drive back and forth to offsite lodgings.

I have been trying to weigh the offsite option also. We are a family of 5 who go for at least 7 nights. Mods are just too small for us, so we need deluxe for the room. But the prices are getting extreme now! If I can't get FD, I may consider offsite. Your "cons" seem spot on! Plus you have to make ADR's every day beginning at 180 day mark....can't book for length of stay if you are offsite.

 

[JackieO]

It basically works out to be $300 for breakfast for your trip. Would you spend that OOP normally for brekkie?
If yes, then go for it and keep the QS!

Oh that's a good way to think of it. If I think of it like that I'd much rather spend $300 shopping than on breakfast!

 

[keishashadow]

I don't think historically they are at POP. It's usually All Stars and CSR and CBR. Don't know exactly this year.

It's been years but have been @ PORFQ with Pop warner, no issue at all. Was told it was 'overflow". Also ran into participants @ AS, again well supervised unlike other youth groups with which we've cohabited

I have no idea what Pop Warner Week is....what is it?

There are plenty of mini cheerleaders too lol. There is a good number of parents & families along. They keep the kids busy during the day, rarely saw them at the resorts until early evening.

http://www.popwarner.com/Assets/01-assets/championships/16forms/PW_Manual.Championships+16.pdf

 

[trucker den]

Well...here we go winding down another day, and one day closer to Friday! Do other folks think the info will drop on Friday?

I know what you mean mae. Info will come out on Friday for a Monday drop

 

[Neeky78]

I use Google chrome and I can't get in. I click the link ever effin time and get not there. I search for the group and can't get in either. You just don't want me to join, I get it. I'll just sit over here and play by myself.

Is there a limit to how many people can join a Hangout? Perhaps it's at its limit.

 

[DisLoverExtreme]

I know what you mean mae. Info will come out on Friday for a Monday drop

I would love it if it dropped on Friday, but I think Monday will be the day! But I agree that we should have more solid info on Friday for sure! Counting down the minutes!

 

[karaintn]

I just talked to a CM. It's been 5 years since our last trip so I'm out of the loop a bit.

He mentioned that the monorail resorts have been excluded from FD. Do you think it's likely to happen again?
And what time should I be ready Monday morning? I think I recall 7am for phone lines. Is online earlier?

I think others on this thread have debunked this, but I will add my 2 cents. We've gotten free dining while staying at the Poly 2 or 3 times over the last several years.

 

[Just Love Disney]

Us either. We stayed at CSR and I really only saw Pepper Market first evening and whatever the walk was from my room to the washers. Other than that we were at the park or Disney springs. It was too cold to swim.

What time of year were you there that it was too cold to swim? Historically, we go every year at the end of October which is really beautiful weather but this year we will be going in December. My daughter is a fish and would be devastated if she couldn't swim due to temps!

 

[mowork48]

Do you know the name of the group?

This link seems to work now
https://hangouts.google.com/?action=group&key=cjHULxZbUIzyZVhh1&pli=1

 

[DisLoverExtreme]

What time of year were you there that it was too cold to swim? Historically, we go every year at the end of October which is really beautiful weather but this year we will be going in December. My daughter is a fish and would be devastated if she couldn't swim due to temps!

We were there for Thanksgiving last year. Two evenings were chilly, but all 3 of my girls were swimming on Thanksgiving Day! I think your little "fish" should be fine!

 

[KimBean]

Okay I have hangouts and ******* now. Which one are we settling on?

My vote is for *******. It looks nicer and easier to follow.

 

[KimBean]

What time of year were you there that it was too cold to swim? Historically, we go every year at the end of October which is really beautiful weather but this year we will be going in December. My daughter is a fish and would be devastated if she couldn't swim due to temps!

I was there 12/12-12/21. But we were in parks during day. So it was too cold to swim in evening. I'm sure day swimming would have been possible. Also, my girls can take or leave swimming. It was 50 degrees at night but I still saw others in pool (small one) near the laundromat.

 

[Just Love Disney]

This link seems to work now
https://hangouts.google.com/?action=group&key=cjHULxZbUIzyZVhh1&pli=1

I just tried it but it didn't work for me. It said the link is no longer valid...

 

[Neeky78]

I just tried it but it didn't work for me. It said the link is no longer valid...

I think the limit of members has been reached. A few people have dropped out over the past few hours which is why some people may be able to get in and others not.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

it says there is 149 and has since i got on days ago.