As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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We are definitely going in December...just a matter of where we're staying. DH has a friend who will rent us DVC points for $125 a night (we would stay at the Boardwalk). But we love to do dining plan. If we rent points can we still add on basic dining plan??? And if a promo for free dining comes out....can we get that or no??
I'm hoping for some kind of promo for early December this year...we're going regardless, but the promo would be a bonus. Last year it was free dining. We would most likely do a mod with free basic dining. If there is no promo or just a room discount, we'd probably just do value with basic ddp.
For us, the room is just that...a room to sleep and shower in. We rarely spend much time at the resort. And in December, we definitely wouldn't be swimming.
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Yes, when you stay on points at a DVC - you can add a dining plan. However, it MUST be on the reservation before your check-in date. We've heard guests arguing with the front desk over this matter, and there is nothing they can do about it. Enjoy your stay!
I believe that if you are renting points you can get the dining plan, but the member from whom you are renting must call DVC Member Services to arrange it.
You cannot, however, take advantage of any specials that require a package, such as Free Dining.
$125 a night is a great deal for the Boardwalk -- that's less than the standard rate at a Moderate resort, the rooms are larger, and the location is much more convenient. You'd have to decide how much the convenience and larger rooms are worth if free dining is offered. If it's not, I'd definitely go with the Boardwalk (assuming your husband's friend can still get it).
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Congrats! $125/night is an awsome deal. I think that may trump free dining! And having a larger room, fridge and microwave, and a kitchen if it's a 1 bdrm.
Don't write off swimming in Dec, some afternoons can be high 70's low 80's. We swam just a few weeks ago twice. And the hot tub is always nice!
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Be SURE that you want to rent the points from the friend before you do it. It would be nearly impossible to change or cancel the reservation. If you were to see another deal that you like later, you wouldn't be able to get it.
That said. I don't think you'll find a better deal than $125 a night at BWVs!!! We'd do it in a skinny minute. We've rented points to stay there twice with great results.
And yes, you'll be able to add dining, but your friend will have to add it to the reservation for you at least 5 days before your arrival. If things haven't changed, you'll pay for the dining when you check in.
Thanks for the advice!!!!! Gives me lots to think about!!!
As nice as it would be to stay there, we just have to decide if it's really worth it for us. To stay at a mod with free dining would cost us about $150 a night...whereas, staying at BW on DVC points plus dining plan would cost us about $225 a night. Yes, it's a great deal for a deluxe, but I'm not sure if I'd really want to spend an extra $600. Our kids are small and we really could care less about a bigger room or a fridge or microwave..we would never use them anyway.
Thanks again!!
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I'm not sure you can count on free dining in December this year. Last year was really unusual.
But, it is wise to think of what you'd get out of staying at BWVs if you truly don't use your room for much other than sleeping of showering. The location would still be a big plus for you (no need for buses for two parks) and entertainment right outside in the evenings is a nice plus too.
I'm not sure you can count on free dining in December this year. Last year was really unusual.
Oh, I know....free dining is not a guarantee...so I need to also consider the full prices of the packages without any discounts at all. That's the hard part, LOL!! Value room plus basic ddp, no discounts, would run about $200 a night.
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Stephanie- Mom to Jaden and Emerson, Wife to Keith, Novelist
I'm an independent agent with Fairytale Journeys, specializing in Disney vacations!
Visit my Facebook page!
I hear what you're saying about the free dining on the mod, but free dining is scheduled 8/15 to 10/2. As said, free dining in December was really unusual and I wouldn't count on it. Besides, I kinda think it stinks they give you certain levels of free dining depending on what resort you stay at where it was the same for everyone. However, I can understand the "pay more to get more" concept.
With two small ones I don't know how room choice isn't important. I have an 8 year old and I need that fridge for his juice and milk and my medications as well as need some space so that he can play while Momma rests or having a comfortable room for us both to relax in.
I'm renting points for stay at AKL and I am not going during a period of traditional free dining so I'm not worried about it and I'm less than 3 months out so I can be comfortable with the fact that I'll likely only see room discounts offered.
Anyway, you can add the dining plan and pay for it on check in. Since you are going in December, I would really give Boardwalk more consideration. The decorations at the deluxe resorts are fantastic, there will be lots of entertainment on the boardwalk, lots of great restaurants in that area which would be important being on the dining plan, and the ability to skip the bus for two parks.
I really think you aren't comparing BW to a mod fairly. BW has much more to offer in terms of room and location and activities.
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