For those posting about calling the day of free dining announcement...

[tkmmc]

Do you already have room reservations or other package reservations or will you be booking for everything for the first time if free dining is announced? I'm seeing all of these posts about folks calling early, waiting for hours, etc.
Since I already have a package reserved (room & dining) I'm ASSUMING that if they announce free dining that I just need to call for a price adjustment of some sort but that I won't have to be in a big or worried rush since I have reservations already. Is this right? I'm quite OCD about planning and calling and I'm just trying to determine whether or not I need to join the masses in the free dining calling frenzy!

[carmie3377]

From my understanding, they only have a limited number of discounted rooms or promotional packages per resort. So, even though you already have reservations, there is a possibility that the limited number at your resort could be booked before you have a chance to have the code applied.

Could be wrong, but from past experience on discounted rooms, that is how it worked. When we went in Aug. 04, we booked FW Cabins discounted only because the discounts for AKL and WL were gone by the time I called

[tkmmc]

Wow, thanks. I was just sitting around here pleased as plum about the security of my reservation. I'm glad you responded - I need to get in gear with the waiting/calling. I don't have a Disney Visa so I'll get the "leftovers" of the offer I guess. I guess I'll be turning my $4000.00 reservation into a much cheaper reservation at another resort if I can't get free dining. Either way, I know we'll have fun.

[mkycrzy1971]

Wow, thanks. I was just sitting around here pleased as plum about the security of my reservation. I'm glad you responded - I need to get in gear with the waiting/calling. I don't have a Disney Visa so I'll get the "leftovers" of the offer I guess. I guess I'll be turning my $4000.00 reservation into a much cheaper reservation at another resort if I can't get free dining. Either way, I know we'll have fun.

You should be able to snag a free dining room...however, it may not necessarily be at the resort of your choice...the availability is based on how many rooms they need to fill at a particular resort.

[angelmav]

Which is why there is no advantage to already having a reservation, because in order to take advantage of the offer, you have to rebook anyway, and that original room is one less that will be in the pool for consideration.

[ShellyLynn3630]

Which is why there is no advantage to already having a reservation, because in order to take advantage of the offer, you have to rebook anyway, and that original room is one less that will be in the pool for consideration.

That may be true, but the advantage that I wanted I got, the ability to make my ADRS 180 plus 10.

[tkmmc]

Yes, there are several resorts that would be fun to us and there is great peace in knowing that my ADR's are booked. The fall break for Georgia residents seems to be a busy time for Disney. Knowing there will be a lot of us there, I'm glad to at least have ADR's solidified.

[aubriee]

That may be true, but the advantage that I wanted I got, the ability to make my ADRS 180 plus 10.


Us too! I booked PORS at 181 days out, mainly so we could make ADRs. Even though I have an AP (and will use it for room AP discount if free dining does not come out), I booked the room plus one day tickets for all of us. If we have to change resorts, it's no biggie. We still got the exact ADRs we wanted at 180 days out.

Not last year, but the year before, we had to change resorts when free dining came out.

[RMulieri]

Having a pkg booked already offers no advantage.Trust me.Last year I booked a pkg a POP thinking whoo-hoo I can just add it on.Not so.I had to move on over to the As movies, and slightly tweak my dates.The only advantage I had was, I had all my adrs already.Would have probably been a moot point if I had no reservation though...:hippie:

[redc]

Well I've learned something. I'm sitting here with a AAA room-only ressie AND a MYW package with tix for identical 5 night stays at WL in August. Thinking that if free dining is announced, I would simply cancel the AAA and convert my MYW to free dining.

There's my Duh for that other thread.

So I guess I should just cancel the MYW, correct?

[Momto8]

Which is why there is no advantage to already having a reservation, because in order to take advantage of the offer, you have to rebook anyway, and that original room is one less that will be in the pool for consideration.

That is not necessarily true. Last year they just modified our existing reservation and gave us the free dining. We had 4 separate packages for our Grand Gathering and all of them were modified. I also made new reservations for DS Tony when free dining came out and his reservation number started with a K. I remember the CM saying that all new free dining ressies started with a K. Ours did not even though we had FD because we had existing reservations. That's how I remember that ours were modified.

Originally we had the 40% discount and then took the free dining, because this was a better deal for us. DS John kept the 40% discount because it was a better deal for him at the CR.

Of course, the discount has to be available at your resort in order to do this. If not, you will have to rebook at a resort that does have availability. Also if you have a room only reservation, then you will probably have to make a new reservation as a package. At least that was the way it used to be.

As far as there being no advantage to booking early, we were going whether we got the free dining or not, so this way we were at least able to get the resort we wanted if they did not offer the free dining.

[angelmav]

That is not necessarily true. Last year they just modified our existing reservation and gave us the free dining. We had 4 separate packages for our Grand Gathering and all of them were modified. I also made new reservations for DS Tony when free dining came out and his reservation number started with a K. I remember the CM saying that all new free dining ressies started with a K. Ours did not even though we had FD because we had existing reservations. That's how I remember that ours were modified.

Originally we had the 40% discount and then took the free dining, because this was a better deal for us. DS John kept the 40% discount because it was a better deal for him at the CR.

Of course, the discount has to be available at your resort in order to do this. If not, you will have to rebook at a resort that does have availability. Also if you have a room only reservation, then you will probably have to make a new reservation as a package. At least that was the way it used to be.

As far as there being no advantage to booking early, we were going whether we got the free dining or not, so this way we were at least able to get the resort we wanted if they did not offer the free dining.

Well thats not how it works this go round. I believe Katieelder posted the exact info, but they wont be allowing you to 'add' free dining to an existing reservation this time.

Making said reservations actually hurts your chances of getting the package you want as those rooms are no longer in the mix for consideration of any potential offer.

ShellyLynn3630, what ADR's did you feel you needed the + 10 for? We called at about 170 and got everything we wanted, to and including Le Cellier at a prime time.

[Brooknwdw]

Which is why there is no advantage to already having a reservation, because in order to take advantage of the offer, you have to rebook anyway, and that original room is one less that will be in the pool for consideration.


That is not absolute. I have never had to "rebook", only had to "add" the code to my existing ressie. I have done this twice, two years in a row.
As long as you go ahead and call the first day, there should be no problem.

I will say, you should be prepared with a second choice resort, in case the one you are booked at is not available with the discount. Never happened to me and I don't have a disney visa..but apparantly it happenes, especially with the values.

[Brooknwdw]

Well thats not how it works this go round. I believe Katieelder posted the exact info, but they wont be allowing you to 'add' free dining to an existing reservation this time.

Making said reservations actually hurts your chances of getting the package you want as those rooms are no longer in the mix for consideration of any potential offer.

ShellyLynn3630, what ADR's did you feel you needed the + 10 for? We called at about 170 and got everything we wanted, to and including Le Cellier at a prime time.

Not being argumentative here, just asking....but how do you guys know what they "won't be allowing" for a promo that has not even come out yet? As far as we know, it may not even be offered at all..at this point its a rumor. ??
Why all the "absolute" answers? Or do you have inside info?

[Momto8]

Well thats not how it works this go round. I believe Katieelder posted the exact info, but they wont be allowing you to 'add' free dining to an existing reservation this time.

Making said reservations actually hurts your chances of getting the package you want as those rooms are no longer in the mix for consideration of any potential offer.

ShellyLynn3630, what ADR's did you feel you needed the + 10 for? We called at about 170 and got everything we wanted, to and including Le Cellier at a prime time.

I've read that too, but has this been confirmed or is this just speculation or rumors at this time?

Also we have the free dining bounce back, so that is why we are already booked. However, even if we didn't have the bounce back offer, I still would have booked early, because I would prefer to have my resort than nothing at all. We would still go regardless if they didn't have the discount. If we were only going because of FD, then I would wait for the discount to be released before I booked.

We also needed to book our ADRs at the 180 day mark because we have 28 in our party, and if we had waited, we would not have been able to get the times we wanted with our large party with the least amount of tables as possible.

[ShellyLynn3630]

Well thats not how it works this go round. I believe Katieelder posted the exact info, but they wont be allowing you to 'add' free dining to an existing reservation this time.

Making said reservations actually hurts your chances of getting the package you want as those rooms are no longer in the mix for consideration of any potential offer.

ShellyLynn3630, what ADR's did you feel you needed the + 10 for? We called at about 170 and got everything we wanted, to and including Le Cellier at a prime time.

Well the only one that really shocked me was getting the very last table for the night that I wanted at Chef Mickeys. Don't get me wrong, other tables might open up to others and hopefully so, but I was SHOCKED to say the least that at 180 days out this place at the day I was calling was full!!!!

[Momto8]

We could not get Raglan Road for the time we wanted either. We wanted about 6:00pm for a party of 11. Our only choices were 4:00pm, 5:00pm or 9:00pm. 4:00 is too early and 9:00 is too late. We had to go with 5:00 but that is also going to be hard to get there on time as some of us will be coming from TL and some from Epcot.

This was one restaurant that you could not do 180+10. You have to call exactly on 180 days, which I, unfortunately, forgot to do. I called on the 177 day and those were my choices.

[MODisFan]

I'm relatively new to the boards and have been reading the discussion about the potential for free dining. When does Disney typically offer that deal? We have a vacation booked in September but I haven't made my ADRs yet. I'm starting to feel kind of anxious.

[Momto8]

It usually starts sometime in August and goes through late September. Last year it went to Sept. 22 but as long as you checked in by that date, it carried through your stay.

This year the FD bounce back offer went to Sept. 27.

[MODisFan]

Thanks for the information. We are DVCers and are doing the DDE this year instead of the DDP. We are going to WDW in May and wanted to wait until after that trip to book our ADRs for September. However, after reading quite a few posts on this website and listening to the DIS Unplugged it sounds like the prime dinner ADRs are being booked like crazy for September.

[ShellyLynn3630]

Thanks for the information. We are DVCers and are doing the DDE this year instead of the DDP. We are going to WDW in May and wanted to wait until after that trip to book our ADRs for September. However, after reading quite a few posts on this website and listening to the DIS Unplugged it sounds like the prime dinner ADRs are being booked like crazy for September.

Yes, exactly. Even if the parks are'nt quite as busy the resturants will be packed!!!! I have two weeks worth of ADRs in place and when the details for the dates of Free Dining come open I will be cancelling one of those weeks ADRs. There may be other people out there too that might be doing the same thing, so there may be more openings here in the next week. Good luck!!

[Brooknwdw]

Yes, exactly. Even if the parks are'nt quite as busy the resturants will be packed!!!! I have two weeks worth of ADRs in place and when the details for the dates of Free Dining come open I will be cancelling one of those weeks ADRs. There may be other people out there too that might be doing the same thing, so there may be more openings here in the next week. Good luck!!


How do you book ADR's without a ressie number for that week? I thought you had to have a reservation to make ADR's?

[JLKennedy]

You can book 180+10 if you have a reservation number. Only 180 if you don't. So that means each day, you'd have to call to make your adr's if you didn't have a reservation.

I did all mine first thing in the morning at 180. BUT, we have 2 parties travelling with us, and didn't want to "eat" together, so I had to do it to make sure there was enough room for all of us.

[Snork]

If you can't get the resort you wanted on the first day, try back after 7 or 8 days.

My TA gave me that advice because Disney will hold a room for 7 days without a deposit (at least they did last year). After 7 days those who do not pony up the deposit get bumped off. We wanted POP last year, it was full. We waited 7 days per my TA, got what we wanted. :thumbsup2

Now, who knows if that will still work. I don't stay on top of Disneys booking policies...:confused3

[pigletto]

If you can't get the resort you wanted on the first day, try back after 7 or 8 days.

My TA gave me that advice because Disney will hold a room for 7 days without a deposit (at least they did last year). After 7 days those who do not pony up the deposit get bumped off. We wanted POP last year, it was full. We waited 7 days per my TA, got what we wanted. :thumbsup2

Now, who knows if that will still work. I don't stay on top of Disneys booking policies...:confused3

Right now I believe it is 14 days. I booked a one night room only reservation for the night we fly in and my confirmation e-mail states 14 days before it is cancelled.

[kaytieeldr]

Not being argumentative here, just asking....but how do you guys know what they "won't be allowing" for a promo that has not even come out yet? As far as we know, it may not even be offered at all..at this point its a rumor. ??
Why all the "absolute" answers? Or do you have inside info?
Nope. We don't have any inside information - it's just based on reasoning, and past experience :)

While the Cast Member you (any you, not you in particular) work with may say they're applying the promotion to your reservation, in actuality the reservation system is programmed so that they have to cancel your existing package and make you - in the system - a new reservation. They can and will use the same reservation/confirmation number. But having an existing Magic Your Way Package at, say, Pop Century for September 20-27 doesn't mean your Free-Dining-if-offered reservation will be available at Pop Century for those same dates.

angelmav said I've explained it pretty well in the past, so I'll try to synopsize: Say Disney's goal is 87% occupancy each night. Right now, in large part because so many people have booked on spec, Pop is at 85% each of those seven nights (example only - I don't know the current predicted occupancy, or the goal); All Star Movies is at 82%; All Star Sports is at 55%*.

That means right now, if nobody books between now and April 7**,
Pop has 58 Free Dining rooms available;
Movies has 96 rooms to fill;
Sports has 614 promo rooms for new reservations.

Now, chances are those 58 rooms at Pop will go in the first couple of hours Monday morning, and Movies will fill if not that day, certainly by Wednesday night.

Guests calling later on Monday, or on Wednesday, or not eligible until Thursday, will likely be able to get A reservation for Free Dining, but not at Pop or Movies - even if they currently have a package or room-only reservation at one of those resorts. They will, very likely, be able to book it at Sports.

*Music not used in example due to I don't know if the Family Suites will be eligible, so my numbers might not make sense.

**Assumes that (a) Free Dining will indeed be offered, the dates being bandied about are accurate, and (c) Disney VISA holders will get the normal three days' advance booking privilege

[Momto8]

I don't think Brooknwdw was questioning the fact that discounts are based on availability. I know I wasn't questioning how discounts are offered. What you're saying is nothing I didn't already know. This has always been the way discounts are offered - based on availability whether it is for Disney resorts or with the airlines. No dispute there. What I was questioning was the statement from Angelmav that all reservations will be canceled and rebooked under a new package different from previous years. I was wondering if she or you knew this for a fact.

Last year they kept our same reservation or at least the same reservation number, because it was available at our resort. We had the exact same package, 10 nights at POP with 10 day MGIW PH, with dining, same reservation number. The only difference was in the price, we had to pay rack rate for the room (gave up our 40% discount) but instead got the free dining, which lowered the price of the package. They could have canceled our reservation and then re-booked it under the same number, but I wouldn't have known if they did because the CM didn't tell us at the time.

Posted by Angelmav
Well thats not how it works this go round. I believe Katieelder posted the exact info, but they wont be allowing you to 'add' free dining to an existing reservation this time.

Making said reservations actually hurts your chances of getting the package you want as those rooms are no longer in the mix for consideration of any potential offer.

So are you saying this year that those who book the FD (if they offer FD) who already have current reservations will have their reservations canceled and will be rebooked with a new reservation number. I was just wondering if you knew this for a fact.

[Brooknwdw]

Nope. We don't have any inside information - it's just based on reasoning, and past experience :)

While the Cast Member you (any you, not you in particular) work with may say they're applying the promotion to your reservation, in actuality the reservation system is programmed so that they have to cancel your existing package and make you - in the system - a new reservation. They can and will use the same reservation/confirmation number. But having an existing Magic Your Way Package at, say, Pop Century for September 20-27 doesn't mean your Free-Dining-if-offered reservation will be available at Pop Century for those same dates.

angelmav said I've explained it pretty well in the past, so I'll try to synopsize: Say Disney's goal is 87% occupancy each night. Right now, in large part because so many people have booked on spec, Pop is at 85% each of those seven nights (example only - I don't know the current predicted occupancy, or the goal); All Star Movies is at 82%; All Star Sports is at 55%*.

That means right now, if nobody books between now and April 7**,
Pop has 58 Free Dining rooms available;
Movies has 96 rooms to fill;
Sports has 614 promo rooms for new reservations.

Now, chances are those 58 rooms at Pop will go in the first couple of hours Monday morning, and Movies will fill if not that day, certainly by Wednesday night.

Guests calling later on Monday, or on Wednesday, or not eligible until Thursday, will likely be able to get A reservation for Free Dining, but not at Pop or Movies - even if they currently have a package or room-only reservation at one of those resorts. They will, very likely, be able to book it at Sports.

*Music not used in example due to I don't know if the Family Suites will be eligible, so my numbers might not make sense.

**Assumes that (a) Free Dining will indeed be offered, the dates being bandied about are accurate, and (c) Disney VISA holders will get the normal three days' advance booking privilege


I understand your explanation, and thank you. :)

However, As I've said on this or maybe the free dining watch thread..I don't believe the people booked now in anticipation of free dining would be enough to make Disney NOT offer free dining (ie: enough room are booked without offering FD).
I believe they are smart enough to realize that alot of people ARE booked in anticipation..and will cancel/rearrange dates depending on the FD offer.
Why would all those people go in the heat and possible hurricane weather when their kids just started school in Sept when they could wait a few weeks when its cooler, if there is no FD promo? I just don't think Disney would NOT offer it based on this, they would be leaving themselves open to lots of vacancies.

Now that being said, this year is alittle different because so many have already been offered it through bounceback.

I am booked at a moderate instead of a value, just to increase my chances of not having to change anything about my ressie except adding the free dining to my package.

I have been four times, two of which I used free dining and I have never had a problem doing it this way. I will be calling at 6:00 AM Thursday morning (if the April7th/ April 10th dates are true) to add it to my ressie.

Thanks again

[OnourwaytoWDW]

well crap. I hope I"m not stressing here about anything., BUt from reading the boards and all, are you all saying that FD was only offered at the value and or moderate resorts??
What about the deluxe? We have ressie's at Poly in the thought of hoping for FD. Anyone know anything about that?

[Momto8]

well crap. I hope I"m not stressing here about anything., BUt from reading the boards and all, are you all saying that FD was only offered at the value and or moderate resorts??
What about the deluxe? We have ressie's at Poly in the thought of hoping for FD. Anyone know anything about that?

They had FD last year for the deluxes. DS was able to get it at the CR, but chose instead to keep the 40% discount as that was a better deal for a tower room MK view. Also my nephew wanted to get WL but it wasn't available (he called 1st day for Disney Visa). However, he was able to get Poly w/FD. A couple of weeks later they opened up WL but he decided to stay with Poly.

[OnourwaytoWDW]

ok..feeling better. thanks!

[MScott1851]

They offer 'free' dining for the deluxes as well, but it's just not as good a deal.

We used free dining three years ago while staying at the WL, and we came out way ahead (mostly because the DDP was a better value then, with tip and appetizer included.) But the next year we had booked with a 40% off code at the Contemporary, and keeping that rate and paying for DDP out of pocket was a better value for us than paying rack rate and getting the dining plan for 'free.'

If I could have talked myself into staying value, we would have made out like bandits!!!

I was also wondering if all the reservations people have made in anticipation of free dining will affect the availability of the package. I tried to book a room only reservation for 9/21-9/25 at Contemporary, and there was no availability AT ALL, much less any rooms available for free dining. I'm pretty sure that Pop and most of the values/mods are already filling up during September as well.

I have mixed feelings about free dining. We always go in September for our anniversary, and it used to be deserted and you could literally walk up and get a table anywhere. Now, it's getting crowded and it's difficult to get prime ADR's, not to mention the value and the food quality/quantity/service at a lot of restaurants has declined.

[OnourwaytoWDW]

I would agree with making out like bandits for staying at value, but with a 2 almost 3yo in tow, it would make it way easier for that monorail. Plus we stayed there before and LOVED it!

If we have been offered the 40% off our room and then had to pay for dining, I would have done that. But that wasn't offered to me. :confused3 Dang..that would have been like 5 nights for free!! LOL