Anyone else nervous???? (free dining and no rooms)

[chewysmom]

I'm not a disney cardholder so I'll have to wait about a week later to book my room. I'm scared there won't be any available w/ all the chatter here, and all the ones who are anxiously waiting-plus the ones that have already booked in anticipation of free dining. :sad1: Anyone else nervous??? Or am I the only one? :lmao:

(where's the chewing nails smiley??? ;) )

[nbodyhome]

No, not nervous. Disney already has done the offer at least twice - for UK residents and as a bounceback offer. Plus they've done pin code offers for that time as well. The free dining hasn't sold out the last couple of years, I know that one year they extended the offer period. (though in this case, if it becomes available, it will only be good for about a month instead of 7 weeks).

If I don't get it, I don't get it - but I'm not worried about the Visa people. That said, I'm very flexible with my dates as well.

[Aimros]

Yah! I'm nervous!! :scared: Only cause I already booked my week and can really only go one certain week since I missed a week of college last year, and don't want to do it again this year. I don't mind paying for the DDP- we are anyway, but I would be kind of upset if I was eating and knowing I paid for it and everyone else in the restaurant was there for free! With that said, I'm EXTREMELY nervous not being a Visa Card Holder!!!

[HotMama]

But it hasn't been announced that cardholders will be able to book first, right?

[rie'smom]

But it hasn't been announced that cardholders will be able to book first, right?

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

[skater]

I've told so many people about the free dining and not one is interested. I don't know anyone willing to pull their kids out of school in Sept. I also don't know anyone willing to make plans to go to Disney just because of a good deal. If one of my friends or aquaintances decides to go to Disney, they choose dates a long time in advance and those dates fit their schedule. So, I think we'll all be OK on rooms during free dining. (Have to admit, sometimes I get a little nervous too!) :goodvibes

[Microcell]

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.


Ditto! Relax! I got my choice of hotels and dates when I stumbled on this at the end of May last year!

[nbodyhome]

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

IF the Disney Visa card holders have 1st shot, sometimes it is just a few days (a week would mean that it would start tomorrow - IF free dining was available as of April 12th). But nothing has been officially announced yet.

[sleeping beauty 2]

I don't know anyone willing to pull their kids out of school in Sept. I :goodvibes

Actually, we take our kids out of school for a fall disney trip, but try to plan it around school holidays - Columbus day or Rosh Hashanah. So depending on when the free dining is (unlikely to extend into October based on the buzz on this forum), we will be trying to go in September. Kids are in elementary school and missing 3 or 4 days at the beginning of the school year has never been a problem.

Sure there are other opinions.

[rstamm]

Actually, we take our kids out of school for a fall disney trip, but try to plan it around school holidays - Columbus day or Rosh Hashanah. So depending on when the free dining is (unlikely to extend into October based on the buzz on this forum), we will be trying to go in September. Kids are in elementary school and missing 3 or 4 days at the beginning of the school year has never been a problem.

Sure there are other opinions.

We are taking our son out too, for the end of September till Columbus day, we booked the bounceback program.

[rjeash]

Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

What are you talking about??? I thought that EVERYONE that goes to WDW was on these boards :rotfl2: Actually, I am hoping that the only people that are at WDW when I am there are the people on this board and TGM's boards :goodvibes That would make for very pleasant touring :banana:

[krystalleigh1]

I too am a little nervour, although the logical side of my brain tells me not to be. I have a Dis. Visa, but don't know for sure that we'll get the offer first-so far it's just speculation. And I know that I want to stay at a value resort, and from what I hear deluxe rooms will have the most availability. The value I want (Pop) fills up the fastest, from what I hear. But I can go just about anytime during Sept. (except over the 15th-my DH has a football game that he absolutley HAS to watch that day :rolleyes: ).

So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that when it's announced I'll be able to get the resort I want. I'm keeping a close eye on the DIS boards so that I can call in as soon as it's announced.

[Reese]

I'm very nervous :scared:. Only because we went in Jan and have a trip with other family members in Dec 08 but I was able to convinve DH to go this Sept as long as we can afford it. Well the only way we can afford it is with free dining. If not I'll have to wait until Jan.

[dijid]

I think you have the right to be nervous. I don't think there's going to be all that much availability for free dining. I called with dates of 9/11 - 9/18 (only dates I could get frequent flyer tickets) and there was limited availability at the deluxes. The only rooms available at the Contemporary were concierge and suites! I told her I was shocked because it was supposed to be low season and she said that's what everyone else thought, too!

We're now looking at early December instead.

[nbodyhome]

I think you have the right to be nervous. I don't think there's going to be all that much availability for free dining. I called with dates of 9/11 - 9/18 The only rooms available at the Contemporary were concierge and suites! I told her I was shocked because it was supposed to be low season and she said that's what everyone else thought, too!

We're now looking at early December instead.

Early December will be packed at the resorts, though you can probably at least find rooms now (discounts are harder to get at that time, it depends also how far in advance they are released).

The Contemporary is a major convention resort, I'm not surprised it's not available (plus one wing has been demolished, with about 25% of the total rooms).

[Colleen27]

I'm not a disney cardholder so I'll have to wait about a week later to book my room. I'm scared there won't be any available w/ all the chatter here, and all the ones who are anxiously waiting-plus the ones that have already booked in anticipation of free dining. :sad1: Anyone else nervous??? Or am I the only one? :lmao:

(where's the chewing nails smiley??? ;) )

Nah. I might have been, if not for the fact that we've gone for free dining before. In 2005, we booked free dining about a week before the booking period ended for dates at the end of the promo that coincided with both MNSSHP and F&W, and didn't have a problem getting 2 rooms at our first choice (POR). And even though that was a pretty short notice trip, deciding to go less than 90 days out, we didn't have a hard time with any availability, not even for character meals or the princess tea @ GF. MNSSHP was sold out the night we went, but the only ADR I had a hard time getting was Le Cellier (had to settle for lunch instead of dinner), and aside from MNSSHP, the crowds weren't bad at all.

I think the fact that so many people are reluctant to have their children miss school combined with the worries about hurricane season will always limit interest in WDW in Sept, no matter how good the seasonal promo might be.

[Neelloc]

I'm not worried either. I figure if we are meant to go, then we will go and there will be a room for us. As I understand it, people will have to make a new ressie for the free dining, not modify an exisiting one. Even though I have a Disney Visa, if my resort of choice is sold out, (POP) then I will chose an All Stars or convince my hubby to do a moderate.

I personally think a lot of people are panicking for no reason. Last year, I booked free dining on 6/5 and had no problem getting ressies for POFQ for 9/16-9/20, and there was also availability for all the values. There are a lot of people who won't go because they won't pull their kids out of school, or won't travel to Florida during hurricane season.

I'm going to wait for the announcement and then call Disney to book. There's no reason for me to bug them beforehand.

[chewysmom]

Ok, you all are making me feel better. :goodvibes Now, if they would just go ahead and announce it already!popcorn::

[disneyfan551]

I didn't book until the last minute in June either. We went to Disney for 10 days at the end of May, and I just couldn't pass up the deal for free dining! And, we had a GREAT trip in Sept., thanks partially to free dining! :thumbsup2

[C_leen]

Hi-

Although I am hanging around and checking for free dining (like everyone! ;) ), I think the 'don't worry' group is probably right. Just because we are going nuts on the boards worrying and seeking confirmation for free dining, a ton of people aren't going to be at WDW during this time and they aren't going to be able to drop everything to go. There's also people who just don't plan their trip thoroughly. These people aren't likely to be reading these boards...

In the meantime, I debate how much to bug my TA.... Take a breath, April 12. Take a breath, April 12... :hippie:

[missmun52]

I am not really worried about it. Last year I think I might have been one of the first to call and low and behold I was able to change things around from resort to resort sooooo many times way after and then it ended up being extended.

Even with it being on disney boards, Disney dicount sites, AND the OFFICIAL disney site it STILL did not get booked up! I think that why they have offered it twice already. And if anyone recalls it was also offered in two ways last year the second being the "Little ones travel time" package.

When I was checking in last August I was talking to a nice lady and saying how great the free dining was and she was like :eek: WHAT! I did not get that. :scared: I dropped it because I quickly realized that if your like the average person you just go on the main site or call and book a room never asking about dicounts because most people dont think Disney offers any (like I did at one time) And the vast majority of the time even if a discount is avalible CMs wont tell you about it unless you ask or have a code:thumbsup2

[Tink3Belle]

I have a disney visa and didn't know about this unless I looked on these boards. That's how I found out last year. Can't go two years in a row though - too hard on my son who will be going into first in sept. I think it will be fine the was a max wait of 5 minutes everywhere for the rides and one 15 min. expedition everest. Not crowded at all. Wish I could go.:scared:

[Nurse_Mommy4]

I'll admit that I am sort of nervous. I too am not a Disney Visa cardholder (nor would I really want be except maybe for free dining :rolleyes1 ).

I understand Disney is a BIG place but FD has already been offerred twice (UK and Bounceback), so I wonder what is really left? :confused3

[Aimros]

I'll admit that I am sort of nervous. I too am not a Disney Visa cardholder (nor would I really want be except maybe for free dining :rolleyes1 ).

I understand Disney is a BIG place but FD has already been offerred twice (UK and Bounceback), so I wonder what is really left? :confused3
Yeah, I agree with you Nurse_Mommy, I think thats why I'm nervous...people keep saying how they had space in other years, but this year seems a lot different with less availability.

[disneyjunkie]

Ditto! Relax! I got my choice of hotels and dates when I stumbled on this at the end of May last year!



This year is different.

They've already offered the plan to other groups.
The number of allotted rooms won't be as plentiful as in the pass. Someone who booked the bounce back plan said she couldn't get her first choice of resorts and dates back in December.:scared1:

I'm nervous because my dates are set. We'll be there August 22-September 4.
(Free dining 8/26-9/4). Pulling my son out of school for WDW isn't an option.

I'm only interested in staying at PC. We're willing to book All Stars, but really don't want to.

If they hadn't offered the UK and bounce back packages, then I wouldn't be concerned.

[ncbyrne]

I'm nervous because my dates are set. We'll be there August 22-September 4.
(Free dining 8/26-9/4). .


IF free dining is offered starting on the 26th, how could you apply free dining to your package?
Our dates are booked and set too...Aug 22-28, POP. I booked with AAA and I specifically asked about free dining. I was told there would be no problem adding free dining IF our dates fell into the right time frame.

[disneyjunkie]

IF free dining is offered starting on the 26th, how could you apply free dining to your package?
Our dates are booked and set too...Aug 22-28, POP. I booked with AAA and I specifically asked about free dining. I was told there would be no problem adding free dining IF our dates fell into the right time frame.

I'll have two reservations. The first four nights will be room only and I might purchase 10 day tickets from Ticketmania. Or I may purchase PAPs not sure about this part yet.

The last 9 nights will be the free dining package with one day base tickets.

Once free dining is released, I'll have the two reservations linked. I hope by doing this, I won't have to change rooms when I check in/out on the 26th.

[TheRatPack]

I'm not too worried, if they run out of free dining we'll stay offsite and eat like we always have. I would love to have free dining like we did 2 years ago, but we missed it last year and we didn't die LOL I'd much rather take a vacation and stay off site then not take one at all because we didn't get a discount :)

[twinspluscade]

This year is different.

They've already offered the plan to other groups.
The number of allotted rooms won't be as plentiful as in the pass. Someone who booked the bounce back plan said she couldn't get her first choice of resorts and dates back in December.:scared1:

I'm nervous because my dates are set. We'll be there August 22-September 4.
(Free dining 8/26-9/4). Pulling my son out of school for WDW isn't an option.

I'm only interested in staying at PC. We're willing to book All Stars, but really don't want to.

If they hadn't offered the UK and bounce back packages, then I wouldn't be concerned.


I read that on the other thread too, and that poster was booked with bounceback for EARLY AUGUST--which is quite busy anyway. I would imagine a lot of the bounce back people booked in August if they have older kids--which might explain why they supposedly will be shortening the free dining period for the general public.

I'm hoping September is still super slow, and will have lots of availabilities! We'll be going regardless, but I'm so not a crowd person--I'm hoping it's like when we went last year, and DEAD:lmao: !

[nbodyhome]

I would be that as well, if the bounceback started in August for this year. I remember last year, the most popular timeframes for taking the free dine seemed to be August 13th and September 29th/30th. Very beginning or very end. The middle didn't book up so fast.

[Alisha's mom Sarah]

I'm a bit newrvous only because I'm so excited:banana: . I have a Disney Visa so I keep checking every day hoping to find something.. We're going to my in-laws tomorrow for the weekend and they have dial-up so I'm afraid I might miss something:eek:

[CarolA]

I'm not a disney cardholder so I'll have to wait about a week later to book my room. I'm scared there won't be any available w/ all the chatter here, and all the ones who are anxiously waiting-plus the ones that have already booked in anticipation of free dining. :sad1: Anyone else nervous??? Or am I the only one? :lmao:

(where's the chewing nails smiley??? ;) )

Remember the DIS boards do NOT reflect reality.... Cruise other Disney boards... NADA. The 100 folks on the DIS boards having panic attacks and obsessively calling Disney don't reflect the majority of the Disney world.

[Budahman]

I AM a Disney visa card holder, and I am STILL nervous. I am planning on coming Sept 22- Oct 2nd and with a larger group of about 1-12 of us. We'll be staying at POP probably and it'd be nice to be able to get in on that deal.

Not to mention I'm also nervous that the dining ressies will be gone even before free dining is announced. LOL

[Aimros]

NOW IM SUPER NERVOUS! HAHA now its been confirmed and I have to wait until Thursday I'm going to go nuts! This is worse than a kid waiting for Christmas morning! I have this bad feeling that all the Disney Visa holders will call on Monday and take all the rooms and there won't be any left by Thursday! :( :( OK, someone calm me down! I'm so excited/nervous!

[Aimros]

I knew I should of applied for a Visa card!!!!

[twinspluscade]

NOW IM SUPER NERVOUS! HAHA now its been confirmed and I have to wait until Thursday I'm going to go nuts! This is worse than a kid waiting for Christmas morning! I have this bad feeling that all the Disney Visa holders will call on Monday and take all the rooms and there won't be any left by Thursday! :( :( OK, someone calm me down! I'm so excited/nervous!

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.;)

Keep in mind that Disboards is a small proportion of everyone going to WDW. Most people will have no idea about free dining. And....most people "not in the know" already planning to go during September will probably have booked a while ago. Plus late August, early September is such a hard time for many people to go, so many won't. Just check all the threads on here about disappointed people who can't switch their dates for free dining.

I have a feeling when free dining is released--for Visa and general public--90% of the people calling will be DISsers.:rotfl: .

Oh, and you know what (can't believe I'm admitting this here...)? Last year my family went during September...and PAID for the dining plan....because I had no idea free dining was being offered! I wasn't "in the know" back then, and the general public is going to have no idea about free dining.

Kelly

[Aimros]

Hmm good point. Do you think we can shut down the Disboards to any new members so no one else can find out? :lmao: Just kidding, that would be very selfish!!

[Reese]

NOW IM SUPER NERVOUS! HAHA now its been confirmed and I have to wait until Thursday I'm going to go nuts! This is worse than a kid waiting for Christmas morning! I have this bad feeling that all the Disney Visa holders will call on Monday and take all the rooms and there won't be any left by Thursday! :( :( OK, someone calm me down! I'm so excited/nervous!


Same here. Also I already have the plan for Thursday. I have to take DH to work for 7 and than I'm going to sit in the parking lot and phone at exactly 7. We aren't telling the kids about it until we get on the airplane so this way I don't have to worry about anyone overhearing too.

[gypsydoodlebug]

Well, now I'm wavering. We're going for a week in late October and were going to add on the dining plan. If I move that up three weeks, we can eat for free, but it's totally going to screw with my work's travel schedule. My boss is mad, but he said we could work it out.

It basically comes down to saving $566 versus heat, crowds, no ADRs left, etc.

[seven dwarfs]

I applied for a card a week ago when I thought this might happen. The link said use card now! Then when I was done it said 30 days to see if approved!!!! :scared1:

Maybe Disney will release a certain amount of rooms to card holders and then a certain amount on Thursaday for the rest of us. Kind of how they do CRT. I am a little nervous. Only becuase a lot more people know about this deal then in the past. But, it is still a lot of money if you had no plans to go. And it is a bad time to go for school aged kids. I will be glad when it is all over. It is amazing how much stress this all is! LOL

[skater]

I wasn't nervous before, but now that it seems to be a reality, I'm terrified. :rotfl2: :rotfl2: We applied on Monday for the Disney Visa and were approved online, but are still waiting for the card. We would have been able to book immediately online with the bank reference number we were given, but of course that would do us no good for the free dining deal! Does anyone know if we will be able to use that bank reference number on Monday?

[nluvwithmickey]

Somehow, I'm a little (very little) less nervous now that I knw that it is being offered to Disney visa cardholders...and I don't even have a card!

My reasoning is this: they must have alot of rooms to fill up if they are offering it first to cardholders and then to the general public. If the amount of rooms were THAT limited, wouldn'T they just offer it to the general public so that everyone would get a fair chance at getting what they want?

Does my reasoning make any sense?

I know that we disers are just a small percentage of Disney visitors but I am trying not to get too paranoid. It seems that EVERYONE here is going during free dining! I have to start reading other threads lol!

It's gonna be such a long week, you can bet your last disney dollar that I am going to be on that phone bright and early on the 12th....