Another "free dining 200" question

[caroline1851]

If in the UK it's offered to only moderate and over resorts but offered as a bounce back right now at value resorts......what kind of offer would it be in april to general public??

 

[kaytieeldr]

If it's offered to the general public... the same as the current BounceBack.

This is an educated guess, based on my thinking when I first read about the UK restrictions that it was the Travel Agency(ies) that set the resort level restriction, not Disney. It's got to do with commission, and return vs. amount of work, and all that. Likely, either what they get for Value Resorts isn't worth the work (including salaries and commissions, and they are different things and they may both apply); or, the agency merely wants to 'sell' the higher-priced resorts.

 

[n2mm]

If it's offered to the general public... the same as the current BounceBack.
This is an educated guess, based on my thinking when I first read about the UK restrictions that it was the Travel Agency(ies) that set the resort level restriction, not Disney. It's got to do with commission, and return vs. amount of work, and all that. Likely, either what they get for Value Resorts isn't worth the work (including salaries and commissions, and they are different things and they may both apply); or, the agency merely wants to 'sell' the higher-priced resorts.

They didn't offer the same thing this year, so doubt it will be the same last year. When we saw the BBP offer for most of August we booked our plane tickets for the third week of August, only to find out that the GP/Visa offer was not the same as the bounce back and didn't start until the end of August.

 

[caroline1851]

Im wondering if booking my trip from 9/21-9/27 would have a good shot of being within the time frame (if it's offered).

 

[n2mm]

Im wondering if booking my trip from 9/21-9/27 would have a good shot of being within the time frame (if it's offered).

Your chances are good. However, we never seem to know what Disney is going to do next. If the BBP is successful, then capacity will be high. Keep in mind that if it is offered to the public, your choices of resorts will be slim. Good luck. I would love to see the free ddp for mid August, but after getting burned this past August, I'm not too hopeful.

 

[JimMIA]

If it's offered to the general public... the same as the current BounceBack.
This is an educated guess, based on my thinking when I first read about the UK restrictions that it was the Travel Agency(ies) that set the resort level restriction, not Disney. It's got to do with commission, and return vs. amount of work, and all that. Likely, either what they get for Value Resorts isn't worth the work (including salaries and commissions, and they are different things and they may both apply); or, the agency merely wants to 'sell' the higher-priced resorts.

They didn't offer the same thing this year, so doubt it will be the same last year. When we saw the BBP offer for most of August we booked our plane tickets for the third week of August, only to find out that the GP/Visa offer was not the same as the bounce back and didn't start until the end of August.

I think you're both right. Last year, the "public" free dining was the same -- as far as content (resorts, plan features, etc) -- as the Bounce Back. The difference was that the dates available were more restricted, and of course, there was less availability because a lot of the availability had already been taken by the UK and Bounce Back promotions.

What you see here is Disney continuing to focus the "free" dining offerings more and more on repeat visitors. It seems logical that they will continue to offer "public" free dining as long as they have low occupancy during September, but I think the number of rooms and the length of the program will shrink a little each year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They didn't offer the same thing this year, so doubt it will be the same last year.

Oh. What was different between the two offers, other than the dates?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Im wondering if booking my trip from 9/21-9/27 would have a good shot of being within the time frame (if it's offered).

Keep in mind that if it is offered to the public, your choices of resorts will be slim.

That also backfired on a lot of people this year. By booking a room at a given resort in advance of any announcement to the general public, it reduced the stock of rooms available there AND the need to make the promotion available, since the resort was at a predetermined reservation level or percentage already. So a lot of Guests trying to get, for example, Pop Century, couldn't. At least at the beginning. Once they chose "promo" over "Pop" and booked a different hotel, rooms - and therefore promotion rooms - became available at Pop. It was not possible to just convert a reservation.

 

[ScrappinGran]

So if someone in the general public category booked their package well in advance, at the resort they preferred WITH the DDP, their package could not be modified,ie...the cost of the DDP cost taken OFF their package when the free dining promo for the general public is announced? Trying to understand.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Based on 2007 experience (which we know is no indication of the future ), that's correct. You would need to book an entirely new reservation with the Dining Plan promotion, and then cancel your existing reservation. Do it in this order, just in case next year is different and you CAN convert the reservation. No sense losing it if you don't have to.

 

[caroline1851]

Would it be smart then just to wait until April 08 to book a September 08 package? Then the promotion, if it's offered, should be out then, right? Prior to booking in April, the CSR wouldnt' be filled most likely, right? I can't imagine that it would being that it's the slowest season.

 

[ScrappinGran]

I went last year in Sept. Booked in March. Free Dining Promo was announced (don't remember when) My AAA agent called me and the cost of the Dining came off my package. Katieeldr, I should have clarified that I for my current reservation, for next Sept, I did not book thru Disney, used AAA. I did not want to wait to reserve my package as I want to be sure I get in the resort I want, and we have 2 families in the package, so lots of planning. I feel like the bounceback offer is great for those going this year. But I consider myself a "repeat" customer, too. I just can't go every year, only every other. I am wondering if the free dining IS offered, when announced could my AAA TA call Disney, cancel my existing reservation as Katieelder suggests and then re-book the exact same thing w/ Free Dining. I'm paying for it on my current reservation. Of course that'd IF it's offered to the general public. I guess I just have to wait and plan on paying for it, and see what happens.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ask her to ask about it exactly like that: "My client has a package, reservation number XXXXXXXX, and we'd like to convert that to the Magic Your Way Package code 123".

Here's another option: If you're absolutely positive you're going anyway, make a reservation at your SECOND choice resort, with or without dining, your choice. Make sure it's somewhere you'd stay anyway. Then, if Free/Reduced Dining is offered to the general public next spring, you can have your TA try to get you a reservation at your first choice. If not, you still have a backup. Plus, don't give up. I had a package at Pop that could not be converted (note to self: next time you use a TA, use a Disney Travel Specialist who will be on the phone at 7 AM, not a local Agency that opens at 9 AM, and where is 'that thwack myself on the forehead smilie'?), so I ended up at Sports. Temporarily. Persistence on my own got me into Pop after all, only a few days later. Nothing wrong with Sports, it's just not for me. Music, yes. Movies, sure. Sports, pass.

 

[ScrappinGran]

Thanks Katieeldr for your back-up plan idea. I think to book another plan I would have to spend more $$$ on deposits, etc...I was going to use Disney, but saved 911.00 booking thru AAA.MY DH thinks I am too much of a planner, and if I stayed away from this board I would'nt know as much and wouldn't worry so much!(he's a "it'll all work out kinda guy"..I'm a "It'll all work out because of my planning" kind of girl) I think I learn way too many good things to ever.wean.myself.from.the. Dis.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Get that thought out of your head RIGHT NOW!!!! I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Wean oneself from the DIS? Please! :