180 Day Advance Bookings Question

[Oz-kateer]

Ok, I know some may think this is unethical so don't flame me, I'm just asking....

I have a booking for 1 adult (me!) and 4 kids (ages 16 through 7) for 2 weeks for Sept next year, 10 days. Glutton for punishment I know but we'll have a blast. I think

Anyway, our 180 days falls at the end of March 2010.

I'm waiting to see if they announce any free dining like we had this year (the plan where we had 1 TS meal, 1 CS meal and 1 snack per day).

Now, IF they announce free dining of course we'll take whatever we can get. IF they do not, then we'll still come, but because I'm paying for 5 mouths next year I'll probably restrict our dining to CS meals, and maybe only a couple of TS character meals.

My question is - when my 180 days falls due, if they haven't announced free dining can I still go ahead and make 10 TS meal reservations in anticipation of them *maybe* announcing free dining, and then if they DON'T have free dining, or only have free dining with CS meals, cancel my TS bookings?

Is this okay to do, or is it wrong?

Do they make you reserve with a credit card or something? (last time all my TS meals were 90 days out and by that time we knew exactly where we stood with the free dining plan).

Following on from this, how many years have they been doing free dining and when in the past has it actually been announced? We didn't book last year until after free dining was already in place (we booked in April).

Many thanks, any and all information/experience is appreciated.

[Cafeen]

Originally Posted by Oz-kateer

Ok, I know some may think this is unethical so don't flame me, I'm just asking....

I have a booking for 1 adult (me!) and 4 kids (ages 16 through 7) for 2 weeks for Sept next year, 10 days. Glutton for punishment I know but we'll have a blast. I think

Anyway, our 180 days falls at the end of March 2010.

I'm waiting to see if they announce any free dining like we had this year (the plan where we had 1 TS meal, 1 CS meal and 1 snack per day).

Now, IF they announce free dining of course we'll take whatever we can get. IF they do not, then we'll still come, but because I'm paying for 5 mouths next year I'll probably restrict our dining to CS meals, and maybe only a couple of TS character meals.

My question is - when my 180 days falls due, if they haven't announced free dining can I still go ahead and make 10 TS meal reservations in anticipation of them *maybe* announcing free dining, and then if they DON'T have free dining, or only have free dining with CS meals, cancel my TS bookings?

Is this okay to do, or is it wrong? - This is perfectly acceptable (IMO). Especially since you really have to get in there to get what you want. Right now, it's not that bad, but as time goes, it will get a bit worse. So long as you cancel the ones you don't want within appropriate time, all is good.

Do they make you reserve with a credit card or something? (last time all my TS meals were 90 days out and by that time we knew exactly where we stood with the free dining plan). - Only for select locations. CRT, HDDR, Luau at Poly, (I think) CG. I'm pretty sure the first 3 are actual pre-payments (if you don't have the Dining Plan booked) and CG may just be a CC Guarantee (Akershus is also a CC Guarantee). Typically, this money would be refunded if canceled within appropriate time.

Following on from this, how many years have they been doing free dining and when in the past has it actually been announced? We didn't book last year until after free dining was already in place (we booked in April). I'm not entirely sure how long it's been going on (I do know it's been at least a few years, but not sure of the exact timing). Word around the boards is that it's usually announced in or around April.

Many thanks, any and all information/experience is appreciated.

Comments above in Green

[Oz-kateer]

Thanks.

I might ask that last question in a separate thread so it stands out.

[TDC Nala]

Following on from this, how many years have they been doing free dining and when in the past has it actually been announced? We didn't book last year until after free dining was already in place (we booked in April).

Free dining in the August/September timeline has been offered every year beginning in 2005. The exact dates have differed from year to year.

Look for the announcement toward the end of March with booking available starting in either late March or early April. Disney Visa cardholders usually get first shot, with the bookings opening up for the general public within a couple of days of the Visa booking date.

You could book the promotion up to July 25 (based on availability), so you could have booked it in April last year.

[skier_pete]

In both 2007 and 2008 we did exactly what you are planning, we booked our ADRs in March, but didn't get in on free dining ADR until April. The second trip we would not have even gone had they not had free dining. As long as you are polite enough to cancel your ADRs when you know you won't use them...there is nothing wrong with doing this.

[Oz-kateer]

Thanks! I feel quite ok with this.

I will be sure and cancel any unwanted reservations as soon as we have a clear idea of what we are entitled to or want to do, which will be months in advance.