2013 Free Dining Watch

[ngchiro]

Interesting.

 

[tracydeech]

do you guys think its worth it even if i dont have a branch close to where i live? How will I manage the account ?

I would really like to utilize this account as a savings for my disney vacations?

They told me on the phone tht I could manage everything through the mail. By sending my cash in money order. She said it would take longer that way but can be done. She also put my zip code in her comp and brought up the closest chase branch to me.

And we get to pick from a few really cute Disney cards!!! ( cuz that's what really counts! Haha)

 

[Tommyboy2529]

I went to the bank on Sat, and got one, I did not want the credit card as it could end up getting me in a lot of trouble. I went to the branch and opened an account, they set it up so that I can transfer funds from my regular checking account. If you call they will tell you that you can not do it over the phone, the chase that was near me was out of state but only 30 miles away. This way I will only spend what is in the account. Going in December hoping that we have free dining.

 

[micknpluto]

I would feel better if I had a branch close by. There are a lot of fees involved. One of the fees being $12 a month. There were options. Like the $500 deposit every month. With no fees. But I would have to utilize this as my main bank account. Like I said if it was closer. Oh well

 

[tracydeech]

I would feel better if I had a branch close by. There are a lot of fees involved. One of the fees being $12 a month. There were options. Like the $500 deposit every month. With no fees. But I would have to utilize this as my main bank account. Like I said if it was closer. Oh well

There is a fee for the debit card?

 

[momto3gr8boys]

There is a fee for the debit card?

That was my first reaction, then I went to the Chase site and if you don't have either direct deposit (of $500 or more a month), keep a minimum balance of $1500 in your checking account, or have other Chase accounts totaling $5,000 or more, there is a $12 monthly service fee for the checking account that that debit card is linked to.

Chase is my main bank, so I wouldn't have any fees, but I can see how this wouldn't work if you were only looking for it for the Disney discounts.

BTW, I literally can't walk a 1/4 of a mile without bumping into a Chase on Long Island. I didn't know they were so infrequent elsewhere.

As for managing it, their mobile app is great - you could deposit checks by phone and manage everything without having to go to a branch. And the ATMs in WDW are all Chase as well, so you'd save on fees if you withdraw money there. But again, to save 10% in a few places it may not be worth it. I haven't even changed my own debit card over because I need to see if I'd be giving up the perks I currently have (which are more than the Disney ones) by changing. I'm hoping they are in addition.

 

[tracydeech]

That was my first reaction, then I went to the Chase site and if you don't have either direct deposit (of $500 or more a month), keep a minimum balance of $1500 in your checking account, or have other Chase accounts totaling $5,000 or more, there is a $12 monthly service fee for the checking account that that debit card is linked to.

Chase is my main bank, so I wouldn't have any fees, but I can see how this wouldn't work if you were only looking for it for the Disney discounts.

BTW, I literally can't walk a 1/4 of a mile without bumping into a Chase on Long Island. I didn't know they were so infrequent elsewhere.

As for managing it, their mobile app is great - you could deposit checks by phone and manage everything without having to go to a branch. And the ATMs in WDW are all Chase as well, so you'd save on fees if you withdraw money there. But again, to save 10% in a few places it may not be worth it. I haven't even changed my own debit card over because I need to see if I'd be giving up the perks I currently have (which are more than the Disney ones) by changing. I'm hoping they are in addition.

That bums me out!

 

[bluejasmine]

It's fairly new! https://www.chase.com/online/Checking/disney-visa-debit.htm

It's not available in my area??? Oh no!! I guess that cause there are no Chase banks in SC

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[micknpluto]

If they opened a chase in south jersey near where i live, i would kick my other bank to the curb for sure.

 

[jpessa]

In Canada we can't even get the Disney Visa. Boo! Hiss!

 

[SadieG]

Hello! It has been a long time since I have visited the boards. I would really like a link as to how the free dining usually works. Are the free dining plans based on the hotel you choose? Can you upgrade to a different plan by paying more money? Thanks!

 

[TheDisney411]

Hello! It has been a long time since I have visited the boards. I would really like a link as to how the free dining usually works. Are the free dining plans based on the hotel you choose? Can you upgrade to a different plan by paying more money? Thanks!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2771101

Maybe this will help with all of the reoccurring questions and misunderstandings that keep popping up about the WDW Free Dining Promotion and Promotion Guidelines (Of course, this info will be based on Free Dining Guidelines for the past 7 years, Disney can change their policies at any time.):

FREE DINING FACTS AND INFORMATION

The Free Dining Promo/Discount was first introduced in the fall of 2005 and up until the fall of 2009, was, basically, just offered during the timeframe of mid August to the first of October (height of hurricane season) and included the Basic/Plus Dining for all levels of WDW resort. Starting in the fall of 2009, they offered a second Free Dining Promo/Discount that covered dates between October 1st and the third week of December and they also started including the Quick Service DDP for Value resorts and the Basic/Plus DDP for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. With the popularity of the Free Dining Promo, last year, for the first time, WDW offered multiple Free Dining discounts during this year that included many value season/low crowd weeks.

To take advantage of a Free Dining (FD) discount you must be booked at a Disney-owned resort and purchase a Magic Your Way Package that includes room, tickets and dining with a 2 day base ticket purchase. The FD promos have a 3 day booking minimum and a 14 day booking maximum. You can not include Annual Passes or previously purchased tickets for Disney or any other outside ticketing agent.

The current FD promos have included the Quick Service Dining Plan for Value Resorts and the Basic/Plus Dining Plan for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. You can not downgrade to the Quick Service Dining if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort - there have been reports that, once in the parks, guests have been able to trade/convert Table Service (TS) credits for Counter Service (CS) credits, but this is not advertised on the WDW website and should not be considered WDW "policy." You can however pay the monetary difference and upgrade to the Basic/Plus DDP or the Deluxe DDP if you are staying at a Value Resort and can upgrade to the Deluxe Plan if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. The Deluxe Dining Plan has never been included in any free dining promos.

Your check in date must fall within the dates of the FD promo to apply the discount to your reservation. If your check in dates do not fall within the FD dates, you can not apply the discount - even if every single night of your vacation falls within the promo, except for your check in date, you can not take advantage of the FD promo.

If any of your vacation dates fall within a FD promo dates you can receive the FD discount for your entire vacation stay, up to 14 nights, even if you are checking in on the last day of a FD promo, you can still recieve the discount for up to 14 nights.

If your vacation starts a couple of days before a FD promo, it's possible to do a Split Stay - meaning, you can do a room only reservation for 1 to 3 nights at the beginning of your vacation, pay for your food out-of-pocket for those days, and be allowed to pick up your PACKAGE TICKETS up to 3 days early at guest relations at any of the four parks or at Downtown Disney (For further info on picking up tickets early, please see Diser, CheshireFigment's, Ticket Sticky on the top the Themeparks Board.)

If you already have an existing reservation that falls within the dates of a FD promo, you can call and have the FD code added to modify that reservation. You can not add the FD code on line, you will need to call WDW Reservations, 407-W-Disney. You do NOT have to rebook, your reservation number does not change and there is not a fee - if you are within your 45 day window, they can charge you a $50.00 change fee, but, most FD promos come out before the 45 day window, so this shouldn't be an issue. If you have already paid your package in full, WDW will refund you the monetary difference - this can take up to 2 billing cycles or about 2 months. Each resort is only allotted so many FD rooms, so if you call and your resort is sold out of FD promo rooms, you can change your resort and do not have to cancel or pay a fee and your reservation number stays the same. If your existing reservation is a room only reservation, then you would have to cancel and rebook under a Magic Your Way Package to receive the FD discount. If you booked with a Travel Agent, then the TA must call and add this discount to your existing reservation. The TA owns your reservation and Disney will not change the discount/code for without going through your TA.

Typically, in the past, other than last's August FD announcement, Disney Visa holders ere given the FD Promo Code three (3) days before it opens to the general public. In the past, all you had to do to get the Disney Visa FD discount was put $200.00 down with your card, the balance did not have to be put on the Disney Visa. If you are already booked with a Disney Visa, you will simply have to put another $200.00 deposit down to apply the code. If you have paid the trip in full with a DV, they will still refund the monetary difference and you will not have to re-apply any money.

If you already have Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) changing or modifying a reservation does not effect or cancel your ADRs. You would have to go on-line or call WDW Dining to cancel ADRs, even if you completely cancel a vacation/reservation. Remember, anyone can make ADRs, even offsite guests and don't have to be linked to your reservation in any way. If you have already booked and paid for any restaurants and/or dinner shows, and then a FD promo/discount is released, you can contact Disney Dining once you modify your reservation to include the FD code and give them your reservation number, and they will credit you the amount you pre-paid. This type of refund also takes 2 billing cycles or about 2 months.

Hopefully this info will give everyone an overview of the current Free Dining Guidelines.

 

[faindrops27]

Hi Sadie!

Yes, for free dining value resorts receive Disney' quick service dining. Which includes one snack per person, two counter service meals per person, per night of stay, plus a refillable mug per person(refillable only at your resort home.) Moderates resorts receive the regular Disney dining plan which includes, one snack per person, one counter service meal per person, one table service meal per person, per night of stay plus the refillable mug. There is also the deluxe dining plan which includes two snacks pp, three meals per person per night of stay you can use any way you wish counter service or table service, plus the mug.

You can stay at a value resort, and upgrade to any dining plan for a nominal fee. Hope this helps, enjoy!!

 

[faindrops27]

Disney 411 you beat me!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

That was my first reaction, then I went to the Chase site and if you don't have either direct deposit (of $500 or more a month), keep a minimum balance of $1500 in your checking account, or have other Chase accounts totaling $5,000 or more, there is a $12 monthly service fee for the checking account that that debit card is linked to.

Chase is my main bank, so I wouldn't have any fees, but I can see how this wouldn't work if you were only looking for it for the Disney discounts.

BTW, I literally can't walk a 1/4 of a mile without bumping into a Chase on Long Island. I didn't know they were so infrequent elsewhere.

As for managing it, their mobile app is great - you could deposit checks by phone and manage everything without having to go to a branch. And the ATMs in WDW are all Chase as well, so you'd save on fees if you withdraw money there. But again, to save 10% in a few places it may not be worth it. I haven't even changed my own debit card over because I need to see if I'd be giving up the perks I currently have (which are more than the Disney ones) by changing. I'm hoping they are in addition.

I don't know if things have changed, but I've NEVER paid a fee for my checking account. I don't comply with ANY of the things you mentioned either, so I'm a little confused.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Li Li]

Clarification question: it says you need to get a 2-day base ticket in package to get free dining. Is that 2 days per person? Or, 2 days total for the package? So, if it is me and hubby, can we each order a one day ticket, thus equaling two tix, or do we each need a 2-day ticket?

 

[smitch425]

Clarification question: it says you need to get a 2-day base ticket in package to get free dining. Is that 2 days per person? Or, 2 days total for the package? So, if it is me and hubby, can we each order a one day ticket, thus equaling two tix, or do we each need a 2-day ticket?

Everyone needs their own minimum 2 day ticket. When you book a package, everyone in the room must have the exact same entitlements. You can adjust length of tickets once you have them in hand if someone needs more days than the others.

 

[Li Li]

Thanks smitch!

 

[smitch425]

Thanks smitch!

You're welcome! Happy to help!

 

[faindrops27]

Hello all, I am going on 9/3-9/7. I booked a room only with a military discount. For military personnel, we are allowed to book room only and still obtain the dining plan, due to the nature of how we receive our tickets with the discount.

Does anyone know If I am eligible to receive free dining under the circumstances outlined above?

Thanks for any help!

My uncle is military sorry, no you cannot.

If I were you, I would cancel the room only and set up a package for your dates, and just call back to add free dining.: