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

[570traveler]

Have you cancelled yet? I would love to know when - this is exactly what I'm trying to get

I have 11-19-11-26 CBR in standard with free dining. I haven't cancelled yet. But keep looking, I've seen those dates come up a few more times since I've booked.

 

[Neeky78]

Aruba and Jamaica are great! I have stayed in both. A few days before your trip call the hotel and ask for Jamaica 44,45, or 46....they are closest to bridge. I have always called the resort I am staying at a few days before and request a room and bedrails.....I've been very lucky to have gotten my requests filled every year! Jamaica is also usually first bus stop

Oh no! I put in a building request when I booked CBR but I saw the main entrance and assumed that was where buses came in. My plan was for a room halfway between the first stop and the last stop. That way we could get on as it's leaving (save sitting on the bus all the way around the resort) and then get off first when it comes back.

But I went for Barbados!

Which building would be the best one for my plan? We have a water/pool view room.

 

[aballerina]

So here's my story:

I wanted November 25 to Dec 5 at All Star Sports.

On Monday I could only get Nov 25 to Dec 1 so I booked.
On Tuesday I could get Nov 26 to Dec 4 so grabbed that and canceled the first reservation.
Today I could get Nov 25 to Dec 4 so grabbed that and canceled second reservation.
I will continue to try to get the final night added, if not I'll add a room only for the last night.

Morale of the story: Do not give up! Keep checking! Make and cancel reservations as needed. Yes, you will have to wait on your deposits to be refunded but the end result will be worth it.

 

[Sharongal74]

Oh no! I put in a building request when I booked CBR but I saw the main entrance and assumed that was where buses came in. My plan was for a room halfway between the first stop and the last stop. That way we could get on as it's leaving (save sitting on the bus all the way around the resort) and then get off first when it comes back.

But I went for Barbados!

Which building would be the best one for my plan? We have a water/pool view room.

Barbados and part of martinque are suppose to be torn down. I am not sure how soon that will be starting. Buses start in Jamaica. For pick up and drop off. In the morning buses usually split on in Jamaica and one in Martinique. But no one know what till happen during construction. Ds buses start at Martinque. Hope that helps!

 

[LauraJean]

So here's my story:

I wanted November 25 to Dec 5 at All Star Sports.

On Monday I could only get Nov 25 to Dec 1 so I booked.
On Tuesday I could get Nov 26 to Dec 4 so grabbed that and canceled the first reservation.
Today I could get Nov 25 to Dec 4 so grabbed that and canceled second reservation.
I will continue to try to get the final night added, if not I'll add a room only for the last night.

Morale of the story: Do not give up! Keep checking! Make and cancel reservations as needed. Yes, you will have to wait on your deposits to be refunded but the end result will be worth it.

I am trying to get CBR for these dates and the best i have seen is 25-4. Now it is 25-2.
I have my full 10 nights booked in Dec here with FD. Would like to switch but if I can't not a big deal.

 

[TennesseeGirl]

Advice from those who have stayed at POP and Coronado. I am torn between the 2. I can save $600 by going to POP, but Coronado looks so much nicer in the pictures. Is it worth $600?

First of all I'm cheap so saving $600 is almost always the way I would go. I haven't been to Coronado- just never had the desire - but have stayed at other moderates and for us we prefer to spend the majority of our time in the parks so we don't reap the benefits of what moderates offer over values - the benefits to me being roomier rooms, feeling less crowded, nicer grounds. The pools are definitely better so if you have kids that would be a reason to stay at Coronado. Hot tub....The food courts I've experienced at the mods we've stayed are just ok. I don't like the bus system as much only because you spend time driving around picking people up. POP feels more crowded - especially in the food court at all hours it seems - that is the major downside to me. But I like the theming at POP and I like the bridge going across to AOA and I like being able to have to have two food courts withing walking distance. It feels smaller in the sense of how long it takes to walk to the main building too which is a big plus especially when you are tired. The pool is pretty boring and seems even more so if you walk across to AOA and see their pool. I can't tell if this is your first trip or first time staying on site but if so I would say save the $600 if you feel like you'll miss it and spend it on other things in disney. I guess in other words if this is a splurge for you use it on something else - POP is a fun place to stay overall.

 

[lovi]

I am about to cancel a reservation for Animal Kingdom Lodge standard room for the dates 11/25 - 12/2 Just wanted to give everybody a heads up in case they need it. I hope everyone has a magical trip.

 

[bebec22]

Question: I know you can walk over to AoA from Pop and use their food court but can you use their pool too?

 

[pigletto]

Barbados and part of martinque are suppose to be torn down. I am not sure how soon that will be starting. Buses start in Jamaica. For pick up and drop off. In the morning buses usually split on in Jamaica and one in Martinique. But no one know what till happen during construction. Ds buses start at Martinque. Hope that helps!

Hmmm. I'm trying to decide where to request to be furthest from the construction. We will have a car, so busses don't matter, and I don't care if I am looking at a parking lot. I just don't want to be near the construction if I can avoid it.

 

[ShinyRedGloss]

First of all I'm cheap so saving $600 is almost always the way I would go.

This is why we selected a value resort too. We have the money for a moderate but I'd rather spend extra cash on souvenirs than a room I only see for such a short time.

 

[pigletto]

Question: I know you can walk over to AoA from Pop and use their food court but can you use their pool too?

No. There's no pool sharing between the two.

 

[bebec22]

No. There's no pool sharing between the two.

Ok. I didn't think so. Thanks!

 

[ThistleMae]

In addition to the Pooh-size thread others have mentioned, this video may be helpful:

Thank you for sharing this video, you gals are delightful. Have you ever watched My Big Fat Fabulous Life? You have the same self confidence and presence as Whitney, and she sponsors the "No Body Shame" campaign. Even fat girls can have fun...who knew....LOL!

 

[ThistleMae]

Happy to hear so many folks are getting what they wanted, or are happy with what they finally got. We have a plan for next year, hoping the dates are the same as what's dropped this year. Good luck to the rest of you still trying!

 

[DisneyMemee]

Am I the only one who thinks Pop is over rated and the All Stars are equally good. I stayed all both and actually like All Stars better for a few reasons....

1. Sharing buses yes but.....at park closing they always send multiple buses or individual All Star buses, plus you can get on whatever one comes first and walk to you respective resort since they are so close
2. Since they are so close you can go to any of their restaurants and lobbies and pools, if you are looking for a change
3. Room sizes, theming, lay out , are all similar so quality of rooms are the same

JUST NOT SURE WHAT THE HYPE IS ALL ABOUT WITH POP? (Please don't shoot me POP fans, just my opinion)

I am a BIG Pop fan..heading there this weekend...but I have also stayed at All Star Sports many, many times (including my first ever trip to Disney 20 years ago!) and have always had a great time there as well, never an issue. There can be a lot of tweens/teens (which I typically do not mind at all), so that may be an issue for some?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Advice from those who have stayed at POP and Coronado. I am torn between the 2. I can save $600 by going to POP, but Coronado looks so much nicer in the pictures. Is it worth $600?

It would be worth it to my family. My kids would boycott if we stayed somewhere with no hot tub. We also like the option of a TS restaurant.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We lucked out and ended up getting 11/27-12/3 at CBR, but we got put in the pirate rooms. Anyone have any thoughts on these? From what I've read, the beds are smaller and the location is distant (but we couldn't pass up the cost savings!).

 

[KimBean]

I've got nothing against the AllStars. I've had two great stays at Music, but I just love the theming and vibe at Pop! If you stay in a room facing Hourglass Lake, you do not even feel like you're at a Value resort. Many nights we sat on Generation GaP bridge and watched the Star Wars fireworks or Illuminations in the distance. So peaceful.

You know I saw the hippies and the dancing people at POP and thought nah it isn't for me. But, the whole week before POP came up more available then ASMu/Sp. So I looked at it more and it was the lake and the ability to see fireworks that sold me. And with the new refurbed rooms, We are going later in the year so I was hoping it might not be hard to get one. No carpet really makes me happy. But, I'm happy with what I got too. I'm glad I was really open. This wasn't the year to be picky with FD.

 

[heath92681]

We lucked out and ended up getting 11/27-12/3 at CBR, but we got put in the pirate rooms. Anyone have any thoughts on these? From what I've read, the beds are smaller and the location is distant (but we couldn't pass up the cost savings!).

We enjoyed the pirate room. Clean and nicely refurbished. Beds were comfortable even though they were a double (I didn't even realize they weren't queen!). Only complaint was walk to food court was about 10 minutes or so. Until the other rooms are refurbished, I'd only stay at CBR again if it was a pirate room.

 

[pdz]

If

Off topic...somehow I've never been to BOG. We're going this trip, can't decide to use a TS credit and do dinner or go QS for lunch. I know Beast is at dinner, but that doesn't matter much to us. Other than that, which would you recommend ?

Off topic...somehow I've never been to BOG. We're going this trip, can't decide to use a TS credit and do dinner or go QS for lunch. I know Beast is at dinner, but that doesn't matter much to us. Other than that, which would you recommend ?

I would do QS. I think it is a very nice experience to see the inside of the castle (it snows outside the windows)and the food is good but I also think you can get much better food for a TS credit elsewhere. So if the beast is not important definitely do QS.