2013 Free Dining Watch

[smitch425]

That is good to know. I asked about that on a thread before I booked my package and was told I would have to cancel everything if I wanted the room only. I've sense seen that contradicted by several though.

You would only have to cancel your package if you wanted to switch to a room only reservation (and vice versa). If you simply want to add a room discount to your existing package, you can do it without having to completely rebook. Provided there is availability at the resort for the deal, of course.

 

[LikeSeriously]

I was really trying to stay away from your bated posts because after looking at your previous posts you clearly like to start trouble, attack people and thrive on drama, but this response is beyond ridiculous! No false information has been shared and everyone knows you deleted that original response because it was full of inaccuracies on YOUR part.

And as far as the black out dates in October, I have no plans to be in WDW during those dates. We will be in Disneyland in May and back at WDW in December. Acting like its some conspiracy against you by listing potential black outs dates for a certain time frame is, well, just bizarre.

This is a great Disney planning site with indispensable information from numerous people, and you are certainly not making any friends with your bizarre accusations and unkind responses on this thread and many others.

Oh yes, I tried to "hide my inaccuracies" after it had already been quoted. Like that would work. I'm so glad you speak for "everyone". I guess that's why you are so worshipped.

I came here for ACCURATE information, not for friendship. And I've found far more accurate info than not, it just happens that I feel your's is misleading and negative. It's bizarre when people have no life outside of Disney.

 

[Kat016]

I do too BUT the RO can help. Depending on where you are staying and how many ppl are in your party RO can sometimes save you more than FD.

Example in 2010 I had FD booked at CSR but wanted to upgrade to Poly.. The savings with the RO since it was just two of us was more than the FD! So all I had to do was call and add the discount code and have them upgrade the resort and they added tickets and the DDP in and all the payments I had already made rolled over!

Rule of thumb NORMALLY if staying deluxe RO can save more, FD can save you more at Mods and Values..

We are staying POFQ and there's 4 of us. So I'm guessing that FD will probably save me more.

 

[LikeSeriously]

I was really trying to stay away from your bated posts because after looking at your previous posts you clearly like to start trouble, attack people and thrive on drama, but this response is beyond ridiculous! No false information has been shared and everyone knows you deleted that original response because it was full of inaccuracies on YOUR part.

And as far as the black out dates in October, I have no plans to be in WDW during those dates. We will be in Disneyland in May and back at WDW in December. Acting like its some conspiracy against you by listing potential black outs dates for a certain time frame is, well, just bizarre.

This is a great Disney planning site with indispensable information from numerous people, and you are certainly not making any friends with your bizarre accusations and unkind responses on this thread and many others.

Also, just to take you down a notch from thinking everything is about you, I didn't say you were the one trying to detour people from going on your week. I said it seems like there are several that do that. I guess you missed my disclaimer at the bottom as well. Didn't realize I'm not allowed to make jokes.

 

[ladynmom94]

Wow! I used to come here cuz it was my happy place. What happen? LOL
"Laughter is America's most important export." -Walt Disney

 

[LikeSeriously]

I do too BUT the RO can help. Depending on where you are staying and how many ppl are in your party RO can sometimes save you more than FD.

Example in 2010 I had FD booked at CSR but wanted to upgrade to Poly.. The savings with the RO since it was just two of us was more than the FD! So all I had to do was call and add the discount code and have them upgrade the resort and they added tickets and the DDP in and all the payments I had already made rolled over!

Rule of thumb NORMALLY if staying deluxe RO can save more, FD can save you more at Mods and Values..

Is it difficult to switch resorts when a discount is released? We are at AoA LM but with FD, POR would actually be cheaper for us. We might move to an AoA suite with FD for about $300 more than our current package and I don't anticipate that switch to be hard. But I wasn't sure about moving to POR.

Does it interfere with ADRs?

 

[TheDisney411]

I tried to book Be our guest and it says unavailable for every date I tried ..Doyou know if they take reservations?? Also what do you think are the best to reserve? taking three teenages THANKS

Yes, BOG takes advance dining reservations, unfortunately they seem to book up right at the 180 day mark. Once the newness wears off they will have more openings, but that will be a while.

Our favorite restaurants are:

Ohana
Whispering Canyon
Kona
Liberty Tree
Coral Reef
Mama Melroses
Bombs
Chef Mickeys
Crystal Palace

 

[Kat016]

There are numerous posts here with inaccuracies concerning the historical data. All I have said about Columbus Day is that you can see what part it plays in the historical data since you know the blackout dates and you know the Columbus Day dates. I've asked for links to show me where Columbus Day is not proven to play a part in the blackout date but no one has shown me a link yet. All of the historical data I've seen shows me that Columbus Day appears to be the deciding factor. Maybe I have bad data, but someone could point me towards the correct data if that's the case, instead of telling me I'm wrong.

No one can say for sure that fall breaks play a significant roll in the historical data of blackouts because fall breaks are spread far and wide. In my state alone, they spread anywhere from mid-September to Thanksgiving. Disney doesn't say, "we won't offer discounts during major fall break weeks".

There were statements that "historically" blackouts were also caused by certain conventions. Again, what I have seen, does not reflect that at all since some form of discount has often been available during the conventions.

My whole point is that I don't feel like truthful historical information is being represented here a lot of the time. Why not point folks in that direction and let them see for themselves?

I keep being told that I can't be linked to the historical data that people are referring to because it's on competing sites... even when I PM people.

In fairness, my frustration is not just with this thread, it's spread over other discount threads as well.

I agree that the majority of folks are here to help others but it's just a little fishy and irritating when you argue with someone point but refuse to backup your information.

If you want some form of proof, I get it,but your way of getting people to "talk" to you, could use some help. Whether you realize it or not, your very rude in your responses....you get more with sugar than vinegar, I believe is the saying.

 

[TheDisney411]

Thank you so so much - that is a big help - i kept trying to figure it out and just couldnt...thanks very much

You're welcome

 

[smitch425]

Is it difficult to switch resorts when a discount is released? We are at AoA LM but with FD, POR would actually be cheaper for us. We might move to an AoA suite with FD for about $300 more than our current package and I don't anticipate that switch to be hard. But I wasn't sure about moving to POR.

Does it interfere with ADRs?

Not hard at all. As long as you are already booked as a package, you can switch resorts easily. You will keep the same reservation number, so it will have no effect on your ADRs. If you have booked a prepay meal without having a dining plan, you can get a refund once you are booked with FD. All you need to do is call Disney dining and let them know that you now have a dining plan tied to our reservation and that you would like your money back for the pre-paid meal.

 

[LikeSeriously]

If you want some form of proof, I get it,but your way of getting people to "talk" to you, could use some help. Whether you realize it or not, your very rude in your responses....you get more with sugar than vinegar, I believe is the saying.

Like I said, I'm not here to make friends. I have a life outside of travel forums. Just here for info that people don't seem to want to share when they get called out on something.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Just curios...I'm coming to WDW Oct 17th-27th. If free dining becomes available, are my dates normally in the "safe zone"?
Thanks!!

 

[LikeSeriously]

Not hard at all. As long as you are already booked as a package, you can switch resorts easily. You will keep the same reservation number, so it will have no effect on your ADRs. If you have booked a prepay meal without having a dining plan, you can get a refund once you are booked with FD. All you need to do is call Disney dining and let them know that you now have a dining plan tied to our reservation and that you would like your money back for the pre-paid meal.

Thanks, I'm already booked for the dining plan too. We will be using it regardless of FD or not so that part shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Kat016]

Like I said, I'm not here to make friends. I have a life outside of travel forums. Just here for info that people don't seem to want to share when they get called out on something.

I take this site for what it is...just to get an idea for what's out there and "possible" offers, blackout dates and discounts that might be available sometime soon. I don't need proof, I just want ideas. My proof will be when it actually happens.

 

[martinezmom3]

I hear ya! I have been running numbers, different scenerios all day instead of cleaning. We can afford where we are but anything will help. My DH keeps reminding me that it doesn't matter, we will be in Disney. I know he is right but I can't get off this wheel...lol.

I'm lol-ing about the "not cleaning"!!! I'm am so distracted from my housework since I've started planning! Glad to know I'm not the only one who's succumbed to this planning monster!

 

[smitch425]

Just curios...I'm coming to WDW Oct 17th-27th. If free dining becomes available, are my dates normally in the "safe zone"?
Thanks!!

Going by historical data, FD would likely start on the 18th this year, but there are so many unusual things going on with discounts that it really is very difficult to predict. I can tell you that the last two years, FD has started on that Friday. The bounceback offers for those two years were for room discounts starting on the following Sunday. The 2013 bounceback starts on Sunday Oct. 20. If it were to follow the usual pattern, that makes Friday Oct. 18 a good guess. As I said though, there are a lot of unknowns this year.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Going by historical data, FD would likely start on the 18th this year, but there are so many unusual things going on with discounts that it really is very difficult to predict. I can tell you that the last two years, FD has started on that Friday. The bounceback offers for those two years were for room discounts starting on the following Sunday. The 2013 bounceback starts on Sunday Oct. 20. If it were to follow the usual pattern, that makes Friday Oct. 18 a good guess. As I said though, there are a lot of unknowns this year.

Thank-you for the info! I understand its never in stone, but its nice to have something to go by..

If the 18th is in fact the start date for FD in around my dates of travel, it really complicates things

I have a split stay already booked. 5 nights AKL from the 17th-22nd with the Dining plan, and 5 day tickets with park hopper & water park and more option..

And..

5 nights Poly, room only. We will pay out of pocket for meals etc..(I'm hoping to get a R0 discount for this 5 nights since its a seperate reservation, and would save me more $$)

If FD is the 18th, then that would mean I would have to book a R0 for the 17th, then book my package from the 18-22nd, and then I have my R0 at the Poly for another 5 days. That would be 3 reservations..lol..

I don't like the thought of having to possibly switch rooms on the 18th. I would like to stay in the same room for the 5 nights.

Now, I think I will run my numbers again and see if I would save more $$ by applying a discount (if one comes out) vs the FD.

Thanks again, its good to have all scenario's so when/if the discounts come out, I've already got the info in hand

 

[Victoriasmom98]

My best advice to anyone who is even just "thinking" about going back in 2014, if Free Dining is the BounceBack offer, reserve it!! That way you don't have to play the wait and see game with this particular discount. This is the second year we take advantage of it and boy am I ever thankful.

That's just my two cents!!

 

[TARAMEOW]

My best advice to anyone who is even just "thinking" about going back in 2014, if Free Dining is the BounceBack offer, reserve it!! That way you don't have to play the wait and see game with this particular discount. This is the second year we take advantage of it and boy am I ever thankful.

That's just my two cents!!

You are so right! We haven't been since 2010 so not an option this time Now I have to decide if we are going in 2014 also

 

[Victoriasmom98]

You are so right! We haven't been since 2010 so not an option this time Now I have to decide if we are going in 2014 also

Of course you are!!!