August at Pop Century

[Mommyto4]

we stayed on the fourth floor also and prefer it to the lower floors . last trip we got right next to the food court and it was so nice. Once by the lake, that was real nice to! we always request a end room, we like those better and always always the forth floor .

[Barbaraann]

I really don't have a preference as far as room location. I booked through a travel agent and the only thing that I requested was "connecting" rooms. Having stayed at several moderate resorts in the past, I have been both close, and far away from bus stops, and food courts. It's part of the experience. I am an early riser, and most likely, I will be in the food court near opening time in the morning.

[Barbaraann]

I used to use my Disney Visa for all of my purchases. That way, I could accumulate a few Disney Rewards dollars, for use on my trip. I had about 100 when I recently went to Disneyland. Well my bank now has it's own credit card, and I have been using that instead. I now have quite a lot of points, and the way the program works, I can apply those points to any type of travel related transactions.

Today, I was in the store, and realized that my bank credit card was not in my wallet. So I used the Disney Visa one instead. The girl looked at it kind of funny. I asked her what the problem was, and she said there's a different name on the card. It turned out that Disney had mailed me one card, with my husband's name, and I had not even noticed. Well since it was only a $10 transaction, she put it through.

Now when I came home, I called the Disney Visa people. I requested a card with my name. I am the primary card member, and their records showed that. While I was at it, I changed the design on the card. What design did I choose? Why Tinker Bell won out. I almost went with Mickey. My old card still had the design from the 50th.

Tinker Bell should arrive in the mail in a few days time. I am glad that I noticed this way before my August vacation to WDW.

[Barbaraann]

I just received an e-mail from my travel agent regarding the up and coming offer from Disney Visa regarding Free Dining. Now, in the past, I would have jumped at the offer. However, my grandson, his mom and I have decided to not plan any special dining on this trip. We have pretty much done it all in the past. Our vacation will be spent at Disney World, Universal, Sea World, and also at a nearby hotel that is not owned by Disney.

I have also booked a Room Only reservation, so in order to take advantage of this, I would have to switch to a package.

Some may think it strange, but free dining doesn't fit into my plans for this vacation. It's a good deal for those that would use it to their advantage. Keep your eyes and ears open. I understand the announcement will be made public shortly.

[Jerren]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

I just received an e-mail from my travel agent regarding the up and coming offer from Disney Visa regarding Free Dining. Now, in the past, I would have jumped at the offer. However, my grandson, his mom and I have decided to not plan any special dining on this trip. We have pretty much done it all in the past. Our vacation will be spent at Disney World, Universal, Sea World, and also at a nearby hotel that is not owned by Disney.

I have also booked a Room Only reservation, so in order to take advantage of this, I would have to switch to a package.

Some may think it strange, but free dining doesn't fit into my plans for this vacation. It's a good deal for those that would use it to their advantage. Keep your eyes and ears open. I understand the announcement will be made public shortly.

That's what I am hearing as well, but it's not official yet. One thing you could try is sign up for it and use up all the quick service coupons then go back and use the table service for your quick service meals, normally this is a bad idea as your loosing the price difference but when it's free it's not a big deal to do it that way....

[Barbaraann]

I appreciate the advice, but I am sticking with my original reservation. I have already saved money with my AAA discount, and our park tickets will be discounted slightly by my grandson's mom employer. I have been crunching numbers, and as I stated, because of our vacation itinerary, we are passing on Free Dining.

[Barbaraann]

I forgot to mention. The airlines changed my flight. I got a great rate a few weeks ago, and booked a flight that went out at 6:40 a.m. I wanted to leave just a little bit later. Yesterday, I received an e-mail that notified me that my flight has been changed to 8:15 a.m. I am quite happy about this. It is about an hour and a half later, and that suits me fine. My grandson frowned a little when I told him.

I remember years ago, when I had a flight change. They took me off a non stop flight, and put me on one with stops. I complained about that change, and got a refund. They even wanted us to change flights in Puerto Rico, which was ridiculous. This was back when ATA was in business. Made no sense at the time.

So we laughed last night about the change. At least we are still going to Florida, and we should still be arriving before noon.

We are always at the mercy of the airlines. I just checked the Yahoo Travel, that I booked from, and I see the prices have gone up again, so I am happy my flight is all booked.

[labyron]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

I just received an e-mail from my travel agent regarding the up and coming offer from Disney Visa regarding Free Dining. Now, in the past, I would have jumped at the offer. However, my grandson, his mom and I have decided to not plan any special dining on this trip. We have pretty much done it all in the past. Our vacation will be spent at Disney World, Universal, Sea World, and also at a nearby hotel that is not owned by Disney.

I have also booked a Room Only reservation, so in order to take advantage of this, I would have to switch to a package.

Some may think it strange, but free dining doesn't fit into my plans for this vacation. It's a good deal for those that would use it to their advantage. Keep your eyes and ears open. I understand the announcement will be made public shortly.

Thanks so much for sharing that info. I've been waiting to hear if the free dining would be offered again this year. Yeah, now we can go to WDW this year, we havn't been since 2005. Do you happen to know the dates of when the offer will run (I assume in the fall sometime)? We're also planning to stay at the Pop Century, taking our 14 month old daughter for the first time! Can't wait, we've stayed there before and loved it!
Thanks again for the info, if you have any more details please share!
You made my day, no week! It's been a long sleepless week with the little one, she's teething.

[Barbaraann]

The dates are August the 16th, until October the 3rd. That's what I was given, by my travel agent.

I wish you a wonderful vacation.

[Stitchy]

Layover in Puerto Rico? What toddler drew up that flight plan? ick.


I hope they do have the free dining this year...last year we LOVED it. Saved SOOOO much money!

[Barbaraann]

That incident with ATA happened back in either 2003 or 2004. Then ATA stopped flying altogether out of Midway Airport in Chicago. Now we always fly out of Ohare. I am usually on American Airlines, or United, and I won't book a flight, unless it is nonstop.

[Jerren]

Isn't it funny how most of the older airlines that try to sell you those 2-3 transfer flights all the time are the ones that seem to be having the most trouble the past few years where others that specialize in direct flights are doing so well...

I'm with you Barb I fly direct unless there is absolutely no other way to avoid it myself. Sometimes it does cost more but it's way better than scrambling to try to figure out how to get to your destination if one of your connecting flights doesn't work out.

I was booking a flight for myself a while back from BWI to Orlando and yes I could get an a flight for only 59$ but it was with 3 transfers and the total travel time was listed at over 10 hours, or I could pay 89$ for a two hour direct flight. I guess it comes down to how much is your time worth and not having to worry about making the next leg of the jorney or being stranded somewhere. (That and I don't see the need to fly from Orlando, to Atlanta to St Louis to Chicago to get to Baltimore... maybee it's just me...and don't ask me how to explain how that is cheaper either it defies logic)

[Barbaraann]

The other time that we got switched off a nonstop flight, was when my grandson was 4, and we were going to Disney World for the first time. The flight was booked on Delta. Back in 1997, you booked a flight by calling the airlines. One day, I received a call, that my flight was changed. I think I am remembering this correct. Anyway, they wanted us to transfer in Philadelphia. My 2 1/2 hour flight now became an almost 8 hour day spent on planes, and in airports. I demanded a refund, and booked on United. No way, my first time flying with a 4 year old, was I transfering planes.

I don't like flying, but it's a necessary evil to get to the place that I love to vacation at.

[Mouse princess]

That was my flight last year. I always try to get a direct flight, but my sister gave me free flight coupons on US Air and they had no direct flight. I had a lay over in Washington DC. It wasn't too bad, but my 2 1/2 hour travel time was increased to 4 hours. But it was free. But the flight between NY and Washington was on this 50 passanger plane. Yeah, never again! That "plane" was being held up by duct tape.

[Barbaraann]

I did check the Walt Disney World website this morning to see if the Free Dining offer was shown, and there it was. The difference was the requirement to book a 5 night stay. The Disney Visa offer would allow a minimum 3 night stay.

Yesterday, I spent a good deal of time looking at dining at Disney World. Since I have done a lot of sit down meals in the past, I was mostly looking at places, and menus where I good eat, when I get hungry. I'd like to have an idea, ahead of time, which places I would maybe like to try, and which places I would not care for, due to menu mostly. It was an interesting look. I found great menus on Allears.net. They were pretty up todate.

I know for sure that I will be making a reservation for Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. This time, I'd like to try a different tea, and a different sampling off the menu. I like visiting that hotel at least one time during my trip.