DisneyWorld newbie

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Deva Link

26,934 posts

244 months

Sunday 2nd December 2012
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Olf said:
What don't you like about it?
I suppose my biggest gripe when it's being offered free is that nothing is really free - it's simply being included in the price. I'd rather the price was discounted.

I actually paid for it a few years ago, but then for the table service meals it included all three courses and the tip.

We've done the free standard dining plan (1 quick service and one table service meal per day) a couple of times and the free table service gives you a main course and a desert. I'd rather have a starter than a desert, which you can buy, of course, but a Disney starter is about the same price as a main course somwhere else!

You then feel obliged (as it's "free") to have the desert even if you don't really want it.

You still have to pay the tip which they kindly calculate at both 18 & 20%. So if you buy a starter, have a drink, and then add the tip you're paying an amount which would buy a decent entire meal off-site.

If you have days off site, it's impossible to catch up with the QS meals and you can't use them for anything else so they're wasted. The TS meals can be doubled up for Signature dining which is nice, but not a good value use of the credits.

Free dining has also made the restaurants mentally busy so it's not always the experience you should get for what it costs, and it's pretty well impossible to eat in a park restaurant without booking 6 months ahead.

telecat

8,528 posts

240 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
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Just Back after 10 days in Orlando. Flight out on Virgin 747 was on "old" 747-400. Flight back on a refurbished 747-400. Old Jet has films and TV on a loop system. New has the "on demand" with a far bigger choice and Pause when you had for a walk to the toilets. Seats are also better on the Refurb with no impact on the legroom.

Car Hire was for a Chevrolet Aveo but got an upgrade to a V6 Camaro for $29 a day which was cheaper than the Hertz Mustang at about $500 for the week. The Insurance was upgraded as well but wasn't too bad. Can definitely recommend the Camaro if they is only two of you or you have small children. The Boot is big enough for two full size suitcases and a smaller one. Getting them in is more of a problem as the opening is quite small but I managed. They are right about the Height issue inside. I'm 5'8" an had no problem but there was only about 2 inches more headroom with the seat totally down. It has more than enough poke even with the Auto box and the handling can easily cope with US roads and those tightening on ramps onto the freeway. Basically the most enjoyable car I have had in the USA. Given how well it went I'd love to have a RHD version for the UK especially if they could keep the Dollar/Pound ratio that low. I mean £14K for a Car that good. Couldn't find an angle it did not look good from unlike some "German" brands either.

Missed out on the re-opening of "Test Track" and it looks like there will be a few more "rides" at both Universal and Disney next Year. The "Seven Dwarfs" and associated area at Magic Kingdom. "Gringotts", "Hogwarts Express" and "Diagon Alley" at Universal/Islands of Adventure and "Transformers 3D" at Universal.

Only Down Side is that many Motels, Hotels, restaurants and Shops appear to be having a hard time. Lots of "closed" ones in Kissimmee and a few even on I-Drive. The Malls and Outlets are still there although even then there were a few closed stores.

Still Me and My (17 year old),daughter had a good time even getting down to Busch Gardens despite the best efforts of the Road workers to wipe out the direction signs on the I-75. Overall a good Holiday with lots to do but next year she is thinking of going with her Boyfriend so that leaves me in the lurch until my other half feels able to leaves my MiL at Home.

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Original Poster:

39,688 posts

195 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
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Deva Link said:
That $1710 will be plus tax, which I think is 6.5%.

I suppose looking at 7 days distorts it a bit - for years Disney has sold the 14 day Ultimate pass for the same price as 7. Their current price (on WDW UK) is £252 for adults and £232 for kids. That does also include water park admission and park hopper which you may or may not find useful.

So you're really looking at a difference of £200, which across 6 people and 2 weeks would be an absolute no-brainer to me. But YMMV.
Will be having another look as we are now going for 14 days rather than 10. smile

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Original Poster:

39,688 posts

195 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
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Re: Disney Dining Plan - definitely a non-no for us. Catering options outside Dismey seem more attractive to us, plus I'll get a chance to drive round a bit rather than just Disney-Hotel-Disney-Hotel...... biglaugh

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Original Poster:

39,688 posts

195 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
telecat said:
Just Back after 10 days in Orlando. Flight out on Virgin 747 was on "old" 747-400. Flight back on a refurbished 747-400. Old Jet has films and TV on a loop system. New has the "on demand" with a far bigger choice and Pause when you had for a walk to the toilets. Seats are also better on the Refurb with no impact on the legroom.
.
You were unlucky -apparently you were on Virginia Plains aka G-VTOP, the last of the unrefurbished Virgin jumbos . It's due to be retired next year. nerd

I've decided to pay a bit extra and go on the Dreamliner