Free Dining pin - Best time to go.

[EnchantedRose]

So yesterday I got an email with the BEST pin code ever - we've been waiting for this and hoping they would have it. We got a pin for Free Dining for dates in Oct/Nov/Dec. We have actually been dying for them to have some sort of deal for this time because we have been wanting to book a trip to see Disney all decked out in holiday cheer! It will be our first time going during this time, and it was also be our latest family members first trip! He will be 10 or 11 months old, depending when we go. So my question is, for those that have gone around this time, when is it better to go before or after Thanksgiving? Our pin gives us dates for both and I am just trying to figure out when would be best.

Thanks!

 

[Tom 55]

So yesterday I got an email with the BEST pin code ever - we've been waiting for this and hoping they would have it. We got a pin for Free Dining for dates in Oct/Nov/Dec. We have actually been dying for them to have some sort of deal for this time because we have been wanting to book a trip to see Disney all decked out in holiday cheer! It will be our first time going during this time, and it was also be our latest family members first trip! He will be 10 or 11 months old, depending when we go. So my question is, for those that have gone around this time, when is it better to go before or after Thanksgiving? Our pin gives us dates for both and I am just trying to figure out when would be best.

Thanks!

I did the same thing last year. After many years of coming down in September and seeing Disney dressed up for Halloween. I wanted to see Christmas. We looked at the crowd level data and decided to come the first week on December. Them when free Disney dining was offered we changed to the 28th of November arrival date. The first week of December is when Pop Warner football teams come down for the national championship plus there was a Cheerleader and Dance competition going on. With Thanksgiving being the 28th this year I would suggest December 10th arrival date. Get the Mickeys Christmas party extra ticket it is worth the price. Just seeing it snow on main street during the parade made my trip. Visit the deluxe resorts and look at how they are decorated for Christmas season. Now that I have seen Christmas I will be back to going in September.

 

[EnchantedRose]

I did the same thing last year. After many years of coming down in September and seeing Disney dressed up for Halloween. I wanted to see Christmas. We looked at the crowd level data and decided to come the first week on December. Them when free Disney dining was offered we changed to the 28th of November arrival date. The first week of December is when Pop Warner football teams come down for the national championship plus there was a Cheerleader and Dance competition going on. With Thanksgiving being the 28th this year I would suggest December 10th arrival date. Get the Mickeys Christmas party extra ticket it is worth the price. Just seeing it snow on main street during the parade made my trip. Visit the deluxe resorts and look at how they are decorated for Christmas season. Now that I have seen Christmas I will be back to going in September.

Same here!! We have gone in Sept/Oct for the past 3 years! It's great, but way too hot still and humid and we want a change of scenery and are dying to see the decorations everywhere! Great to know about Pop Warner!!! That's a week we do not want to go!! I was actually looking at Nov-16-25, I did look at the start date of Dec 10, but we want to do Pop and no rooms are available for that week. I am really thinking of going with the Nov 16 date...i've read that the crowds are still low at this time.

The Christmas Party - is this a must? We have done the Halloween and enjoyed it but wouldn't do it again. I want to make the most of this trip since it will probably be the only time we go around the holidays (I think were going to start doing Jan/Feb for future trips!), do you think it's worth the extra cost? Our boys will be 6 & 10 moths by that time.

 

[jdnetone]

What does the Disney pin code email look like? We get a lot of Disney email and I don’t want to miss one if they send me one. I am also wanting to go in December this year.
Thanks

 

[EnchantedRose]

What does the Disney pin code email look like? We get a lot of Disney email and I don’t want to miss one if they send me one. I am also wanting to go in December this year.
Thanks

It's from Disney Destination and it has Goofy holding plates of food! lol. It said that since we visited so often, they wanted to give us a special treat to make sure we go back...which was exactly the offer we were waiting and hoping for. These are the dates on the PIN:
For arrivals most nights 8/25–10/2/13,
10/18–10/31/13, 11/11–11/23/13,
11/30–12/4/13 and 12/15–12/22/13.

 

[JillC LI]

The Christmas Party - is this a must? We have done the Halloween and enjoyed it but wouldn't do it again. I want to make the most of this trip since it will probably be the only time we go around the holidays (I think were going to start doing Jan/Feb for future trips!), do you think it's worth the extra cost? Our boys will be 6 & 10 moths by that time.

We had our first holiday trip last year (12/13-12/16). We had also done MNSSHP and opted NOT to attend MVMCP, and I don't regret it. We saw all the parks and their decorations. We saw Holiday Wishes from the Observation Deck of the California Grill while eating dinner there on a night of MVMCP. We saw many resort decorations. We saw the Osborne Lights. It was a fabulous trip.

 

[Cindee75]

We received this pin a few weeks back. I booked November 15-22. I am really looking forward to the Christmas decorations and holiday excitement however, we wanted to avoid the American Thanksgiving and not use to many days off before the Christmas break (for school) hoping to take time off then as well. Didn't book the MVMCP - my DH is not so keen on the idea and we plan on heading to different parks the few days it is offered during our trip.
Congratulations on getting (as I like to call it) the "golden ticket of Disney vacations. Have fun planning.

 

[EnchantedRose]

We had our first holiday trip last year (12/13-12/16). We had also done MNSSHP and opted NOT to attend MVMCP, and I don't regret it. We saw all the parks and their decorations. We saw Holiday Wishes from the Observation Deck of the California Grill while eating dinner there on a night of MVMCP. We saw many resort decorations. We saw the Osborne Lights. It was a fabulous trip.

Yeah, I mean MNSSHP was good, not GREAT! I love the fact that they have rare characters out for M&G but you have to wait in line for hours! I think we're going to opt out of it as well. Like you did I can book a dinner somewhere with a view or even hop over to the Poly to see wishes!

We received this pin a few weeks back. I booked November 15-22. I am really looking forward to the Christmas decorations and holiday excitement however, we wanted to avoid the American Thanksgiving and not use to many days off before the Christmas break (for school) hoping to take time off then as well. Didn't book the MVMCP - my DH is not so keen on the idea and we plan on heading to different parks the few days it is offered during our trip.
Congratulations on getting (as I like to call it) the "golden ticket of Disney vacations. Have fun planning.

The Golden ticket it is!!! I am actually thinking of doing Nov 16-25...trips overlapping!! Yeah I'll be taking my son out of school for a week, I refuse to travel during Thanksgiving week/weekend! He will be in first grade, and honestly I do not mind him missing a week for a great family vacation! I'm really thinking we'll go before thanksgiving week. Were from NY, and I don't want to risk us having a snowstorm and not make the trip. Chances of snow before thanksgiving are light compared to mid December. My DH isn't that Keen on the MVMCP either. I'm mixed on it...I would love to do it just to say we went, but I am also going to have a baby, my son will be 10 months old by then...and I'm not sure if I want to keep him up and out that late.

 

[Cindee75]

Yeah, I mean MNSSHP was good, not GREAT! I love the fact that they have rare characters out for M&G but you have to wait in line for hours! I think we're going to opt out of it as well. Like you did I can book a dinner somewhere with a view or even hop over to the Poly to see wishes!



The Golden ticket it is!!! I am actually thinking of doing Nov 16-25...trips overlapping!! Yeah I'll be taking my son out of school for a week, I refuse to travel during Thanksgiving week/weekend! He will be in first grade, and honestly I do not mind him missing a week for a great family vacation! I'm really thinking we'll go before thanksgiving week. Were from NY, and I don't want to risk us having a snowstorm and not make the trip. Chances of snow before thanksgiving are light compared to mid December. My DH isn't that Keen on the MVMCP either. I'm mixed on it...I would love to do it just to say we went, but I am also going to have a baby, my son will be 10 months old by then...and I'm not sure if I want to keep him up and out that late.

Being from Canada I was thinking the same about snow storms in December. We are close to Michigan and cross the boarder to get cheaper flights but understand the weather issues.
I took my children out of school in 2011 (then JK, Grade 1 and Grade 3) for our trip in September only 3 weeks after class began and the teachers wished them a good time - no problems at all. This trip they will be in Grades 1, 3 and 5 and even though they are in a different school I don't expect any problems. To tell the truth I really don't care - we prefer to travel in the off season. DH and I both work in health care and we don't have extended vacations when the children are off - so we go when it works for us.
Enjoy planning.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Being from Canada I was thinking the same about snow storms in December. We are close to Michigan and cross the boarder to get cheaper flights but understand the weather issues.
I took my children out of school in 2011 (then JK, Grade 1 and Grade 3) for our trip in September only 3 weeks after class began and the teachers wished them a good time - no problems at all. This trip they will be in Grades 1, 3 and 5 and even though they are in a different school I don't expect any problems. To tell the truth I really don't care - we prefer to travel in the off season. DH and I both work in health care and we don't have extended vacations when the children are off - so we go when it works for us.
Enjoy planning.

Yeah...December is a toss up when it comes to snow storms for us, I can only imagine for you guys! Id rather play it a bit safer and go in November. As for school, I have no issues taking my son out for a week. If i am going to spend thousands on a vacation, I am going to enjoy it and not go when the park is filled to the masses! I want to enjoy my vacation, not be stressed and waiting in lines for hours. I have been to Disney in the middle of summer, and i can say I will NEVER go during their busy times ever again! lol He will being first grade...and I also explain it to the teachers and they always say HAVE FUN!! I cannot wait for this trip! It's been a year since we've been to Disney....and by the time we go it'll be a year and half...the longest we've ever waited between trips! I need my fix!

 

[mmcouling]

I just received the PIN offer today for the free dining! It says that you have to book 5 nights, but didn't see how many park ticket days you have to purchase. I read elsewhere that was not correct and its actually only 3nights/2park days. We are looking to spend a little less park days and more resort time this time around. Help anyone? Thanks!

 

[EnchantedRose]

I'm not sure about this deal, but on previous ones - anyone correct me if i am wrong - you needed at least a one day park ticket for each person. Also, you can book it for more than the 5 days they mention, that is just the minimum....we are going for 10days9/nights.

 

[bethymouse]

It's from Disney Destination and it has Goofy holding plates of food! lol. It said that since we visited so often, they wanted to give us a special treat to make sure we go back...which was exactly the offer we were waiting and hoping for. These are the dates on the PIN:
For arrivals most nights 8/25–10/2/13,
10/18–10/31/13, 11/11–11/23/13,
11/30–12/4/13 and 12/15–12/22/13.

I wish it were for dates in 2014! I haven't gotten one in the mail yet though.

 

[bethymouse]

There are always "stipulations" to these offers. Usually I'm unable to go when they're offered.

 

[JillC LI]

Yeah, I mean MNSSHP was good, not GREAT! I love the fact that they have rare characters out for M&G but you have to wait in line for hours! I think we're going to opt out of it as well. Like you did I can book a dinner somewhere with a view or even hop over to the Poly to see wishes!

Exactly.
Funny but I got this same PIN in the mail yesterday. Wish I could use it this year.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Sooooo....we are officially booked as of this morning. We will be staying at Pop from Nov 16-25!!!

Now my compulsive planning will commence!! I have to do some extra planning because it'll be Hubby's bday on the day we head out there (11/16)!! My next step is airfare - i try REALLY hard to only travel via JetBlue because we can each check in a bag for free and seeing as how I will need diapers, wipes, formula, the bags will be needed! I already looked it up and it's a pretty decent cost for the time frame...and we would leave on the first flight and get to enjoy hubbys bday at Disney. I already have reservations at Bongos set up!

 

[cbj1979]

So excited that me and the wife got this PIN offer too in the mail. We have been needing a Disney fix as we hadn't been since February 2011. We are going for the week after Thanksgiving and will get to celebrate our anniversary at WDW.

BTW, for those of you wanting to schedule around Pop Warner Football, I found this on the Pop Warner website:

"The 2013 Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships will take place from Saturday, December 7th through Saturday, December 14th at ESPN Wide World of Sports™ Complex."

 

[EnchantedRose]

So excited that me and the wife got this PIN offer too in the mail. We have been needing a Disney fix as we hadn't been since February 2011. We are going for the week after Thanksgiving and will get to celebrate our anniversary at WDW.

BTW, for those of you wanting to schedule around Pop Warner Football, I found this on the Pop Warner website:

"The 2013 Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships will take place from Saturday, December 7th through Saturday, December 14th at ESPN Wide World of Sports™ Complex."

Congrats!!! I screamed when I got that pin btw! So excited to be able to finally book!!

Thanks for finding the Pop Warner info....sure lot's of people need it. I've heard about them before...never really paid mind to what time of the year they happen. Glad to know i'll be missing them by a few weeks! lol

 

[Brandon Bowman]

What are some ways to get a pin or increase your chances of getting one?

 

[cbj1979]

What are some ways to get a pin or increase your chances of getting one?

That is the $64,000 question. There is no "guaranteed" way to get a PIN offer. I have read elsewhere the best way to increase your chances is to sign up for anything/everything related to Disney vacations on their website. Also it may help to order the free planning CD.

This is only the 2nd mailed PIN code that I recall getting. Funny thing is that it was mailed to my wife's maiden name. So I don't know how they decide who to send these things to.