For the first time I was not excited to get a PIN

[bethymouse]

I'll take your pin!! Bummed we haven't gotten one yet

Me 2!

 

[bethymouse]

1/3-3/5...3/14-3/22...3/30-4/12...4/21-5/31...8/17-9/27

Up to 35% on stays or free dining

I couldn't use any of those dates.

 

[bethymouse]

I never thought I'd say this because I enjoy planning, but it's "overplanning". I just can't imagine planning FP! I enjoy Disney World very much! It is becoming too much $$$ for us sadly. We stayed off site for 4 days in September 2013, and it wasn't bad. It was Embassy Suites on Lake Avenue. The "free" breakfast and snacks were nice. The food was hot, and there was a guy making omelets. We ate off site mostly, but still ended up paying quite a bit $$$ ( expensive tastes), my DH loves steaks! Still... it isn't 45$ plus porterhouse steaks.

 

[cynic710]

i dread sounding like a noobie (been there a million times, never on site((except for honeymoon)) with dining plan), but how does one aquire a pin? im going november 4th-11th and plan on staying at aoa family suite. i didnt purchase my trip yet (waiting for tax return), but would like to be on board for some discounts. what do i have to do?

 

[stevehousse]

i dread sounding like a noobie (been there a million times, never on site((except for honeymoon)) with dining plan), but how does one aquire a pin? im going november 4th-11th and plan on staying at aoa family suite. i didnt purchase my trip yet (waiting for tax return), but would like to be on board for some discounts. what do i have to do?

For the time you are going you shouldn't need a pin. Free dining runs around that time!

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

i dread sounding like a noobie (been there a million times, never on site((except for honeymoon)) with dining plan), but how does one aquire a pin? im going november 4th-11th and plan on staying at aoa family suite. i didnt purchase my trip yet (waiting for tax return), but would like to be on board for some discounts. what do i have to do?

Great dates to go. You'll be able to do a MVMCP. I always reserve our room and wait for the discount to come out and call and have it applied to the ressie.

 

[cynic710]

For the time you are going you shouldn't need a pin. Free dining runs around that time!

when do they typically announce that? and to my understanding even if i book in the next few weeks i can change my reservation to include the free dining when its announced? thanks for the help btw!

 

[stevehousse]

Usually end of spring for fall discounts. And yes, as long as the dates of the offer fall on your vacation, you can call and have them update your package as long a it is 45 days before your trip is the rule I believe...

 

[ginadee]

i dread sounding like a noobie (been there a million times, never on site((except for honeymoon)) with dining plan), but how does one aquire a pin? im going november 4th-11th and plan on staying at aoa family suite. i didnt purchase my trip yet (waiting for tax return), but would like to be on board for some discounts. what do i have to do?

PIN numbers are just randomly sent out. If you have put in your info to anything Disney related then they have it. It has been my experience that everyone you travel with will get a PIN except you.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

The worst times when you get pins in the mail is when they are dates that are not even remotely close to the dates your going or it either the first 3 or or last 2 days your at the resort of when it can be used..I get those and am not a happy person..

 

[miles1]

We got a PIN in the mail the other day...nothing special just the 30% off hotel stay or free dining but for the first time ever I was not excited. Usually my mind would race with a torrent of ways to spin doctor this into a possibility and how to weasel cheap airfare. This time there were no butterflies...no hopefulness...no "Oh boy!". There was just a general sense of malaise over my memories of what once was and the dread I feel of ever having to plan every single aspect of my vacation from ADR's to FP+ reservations to deciding on hopper or non hopper to what time of year would be less filled with tour groups to $20 missed ADR charges, either carry a smart phone or you don't get the full experience...it all gets so overwhelming that I really tense up just thinking about a vacation at the world anymore. I am sad...just so, so sad...

You've summed up how my family feels as well. While I look back fondly at our Disney trips, the thought of going there now doesn't sound all that relaxing. Maybe Disney has decided that we're not their target market anymore?

 

[wendysue]

I agree to some extent - and also agree that this thread will likely become a deddie downer but I digress. I just returned earlier this week on a pin stay at sports. I have to admit the room was perfect (for the price at $60 a night); the updated food court was perfect - food options are plentiful. However, I think for me what is missing is the quality of guest service is decreasing. I was there during a slow period but I did not feel like I was immersed in the magic from the CMs. Everything felt rushed and impersonal (both at the hotels and parks). In the past - attention to detail was made on each guest (at least to a basic extent) but now it was rush rush rush. To me the magic of WDW is that you feel VIP staying at their resorts - I did not get that.

In regards to FP+ - It is honestly not as bad. You have to experience it to make a judgement call. Excluding the limitations- it is very nice to select your 3 attractions ahead of time and be able to make changes on the fly. It sounds easy (and it is) granted there are no technical issues. MB is actually nice - I did not have to bring out my wallet the entire time until the last night when I was getting popcorm and their MB scanner didnt work. I do agree that standby lines will increase especially during busy season. I waited 45 minutes for JC last week - that has never happened in the 5 years I have went in January.

I say use your pin and enjoy it. If it turns out to be your last disney resort stay or disney vacation - at least you can say you experienced it. As for me - I have another pin as well but I am going to wait until 2015. If I return to Orlando this year - i am staying in my timeshare (Mariott Grande Vista) for $250 total for the week and will visit USF.

Sorry, didn't mean to be such a downer reporting from POP, I was just disappointed the first day. We did go over to Art of Animation and had much better food. It's almost as if AOA is the new kid on the block, so they get the better stuff and now POP has to take whatever... I also agree with your comment on guest service. We did not get the envelope hanging on the door the night before we left with instructions, boarding passes and ME information (in fact, we never saw any hanging on the doors) so I spent some time figuring out what time we were supposed to get on the ME bus and what to do with checking the suitcase. (first time checking luggage) Don't get me wrong, we still had a great vacation and I'm sure we will go back. Well, I know we will, as we booked a bounceback for November for 25% off. When we DO go back, I guess I will let them know what I expect for all that money we paid when we check in.

 

[luv]

i dread sounding like a noobie (been there a million times, never on site((except for honeymoon)) with dining plan), but how does one aquire a pin? im going november 4th-11th and plan on staying at aoa family suite. i didnt purchase my trip yet (waiting for tax return), but would like to be on board for some discounts. what do i have to do?

Having someone else add you to their room works very well. Every time I book a room and include someone else with a different address, they get tons of offers.

I have yet to get any offer that beat what everyone else could get. Sometimes it takes a little while before they announce it, but I've never received anything "special", really. I have, at one time or another done and bought just about every single thing others might. I can't think of anything that you could get you on a list that I haven't done except buying time-share slots.

 

[disney4life2008]

Sorry, didn't mean to be such a downer reporting from POP, I was just disappointed the first day. We did go over to Art of Animation and had much better food. It's almost as if AOA is the new kid on the block, so they get the better stuff and now POP has to take whatever... I also agree with your comment on guest service. We did not get the envelope hanging on the door the night before we left with instructions, boarding passes and ME information (in fact, we never saw any hanging on the doors) so I spent some time figuring out what time we were supposed to get on the ME bus and what to do with checking the suitcase. (first time checking luggage) Don't get me wrong, we still had a great vacation and I'm sure we will go back. Well, I know we will, as we booked a bounceback for November for 25% off. When we DO go back, I guess I will let them know what I expect for all that money we paid when we check in.

Well said - I realize that as much as I dislike the "new disney" I am already planning on returning in late May before my AP expires.

 

[stevehousse]

Just wondering, when u book a free dining discount are the rooms more expensive or the same price listed on the site already for that time period?

You see, I have a reservation already for Pop century with the dining plan, an was planning on when the dining plan discount come out to upgrade my packag to free dining and pay the difference between the quick service plan and the regular dining plan. I already have my $200 deposit in. With that stated, the difference of paying to upgrade would be a remaining balance of $2406.

However, if I go on the website and book at Caribbean beach, same tickets, without having to upgrade the dining plan, that total after my $200 deposit is only $2466!

Am I doing this math right? If I am I would definitely upgrade my resort for only $60 dollars extra! Is my math right?!?

I'm only asking here because I did have a code for free dining this spring but had to change my vacation dates to th fall. I know the general public free dining discount usually come out end of summer...

 

[John]

Just wondering, when u book a free dining discount are the rooms more expensive or the same price listed on the site already for that time period?

You see, I have a reservation already for Pop century with the dining plan, an was planning on when the dining plan discount come out to upgrade my packag to free dining and pay the difference between the quick service plan and the regular dining plan. I already have my $200 deposit in. With that stated, the difference of paying to upgrade would be a remaining balance of $2406.

However, if I go on the website and book at Caribbean beach, same tickets, without having to upgrade the dining plan, that total after my $200 deposit is only $2466!

Am I doing this math right? If I am I would definitely upgrade my resort for only $60 dollars extra! Is my math right?!?

NO I think you are correct, I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct us both but I think the difference is that when you book the moderate resort you get the regular dining plan free....paying "rack rate" vs paying rack rate for the value and upgrading the dining plan. I just stayed at CB this past week. Little tip, pay the extra hundred or so bucks and ask for building 25....you wont be sorry. If you get a room on the other side of the resort you will wish you did this.

 

[stevehousse]

NO I think you are correct, I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct us both but I think the difference is that when you book the moderate resort you get the regular dining plan free....paying "rack rate" vs paying rack rate for the value and upgrading the dining plan. I just stayed at CB this past week. Little tip, pay the extra hundred or so bucks and ask for building 25....you wont be sorry. If you get a room on the other side of the resort you will wish you did this.

Thank u! I was planning on if switching to ask for a room in Jamaica! Close to the bridge for pool and food, and close to a bus stop!

Just a question for u, the busses for the parks stop at all the villages right? We have never stayed here before but have wanted to for awhile because it would be new to us! We have stayed at countless other resorts at all tiers,but have never stayed at Pop or Caribbean Beach yet!

 

[John]

Thank u! I was planning on if switching to ask for a room in Jamaica! Close to the bridge for pool and food, and close to a bus stop!

Just a question for u, the busses for the parks stop at all the villages right? We have never stayed here before but have wanted to for awhile because it would be new to us! We have stayed at countless other resorts at all tiers,but have never stayed at Pop or Caribbean Beach yet!

No, you want to stay at Martinque, building 25. The resort has a internal bus line and most times its no more then a 15 minute wait. Also the park buses were extremely frequent. I don't think we ever waited more then 10-15 minutes for any bus. I highly recommend this resort.....as long as you are close to Old Port Royale ( food court)

 

[DebDeb]

Me 2!

I got the email "pin" yesterday too! Tell me how it works.

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

You've summed up how my family feels as well. While I look back fondly at our Disney trips, the thought of going there now doesn't sound all that relaxing. Maybe Disney has decided that we're not their target market anymore?

my grandma used to say "when the mouse gets full...the cheese tastes bitter." time to move on - do something else.