1st Post w/Possible Dumb Question(s)....Bear w/me

[wvdisluv2]

My Mom & I are planning to take a Mother/Daughter trip from 9/13/08-9/20/08
We are hoping to stay at a Moderate (probably CSR) I know from all my lurking about Free Dining possiblility during this time period....
Ok, this is actually 2 possibly Dumb Questions:

1. We are not planning to sign up for Dining Plan unless it is free....do we need to add it to our reservations to be able to take advantage of Free dining when/if it is available during that time? Or can we add it when it comes out?

2. How soon do we need to book our ressies?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[sandybobandy]

Hello and welcome to the Dis! You're picking a WONDERFUL time to go to Disney-my husband and I will be there a few days after you!

Anyway, to answer your questions.

1. You can add free dining when it comes out. No need to add the dining plan now (unless you were going to use it regardless if it was free or not which you said you weren't).

2. Book your ressies whenever you're ready! We book ours for the next year the day we get home from the current year's vacation. So go ahead if you've got your dates settled.

Have fun!!

 

[wvdisluv2]

Thank you so much for your super-fast reply!
I knew someone would help me here~I have been addicted since the hubby and I returned from our trip this past Sept. (and I said it was a once-in-a-lifetime-trip HA!)
I love reading the trip reports~but was sooooo nervous about my first post lol~go figure
Thank you again!

 

[sandybobandy]

Oh you're welcome! The Dis is one of the least intimidating message board I'm aware of, so never be shy to ask a question!

Where did you stay last September?

 

[wvdisluv2]

I'm checking out your Food Trip report and getting hungry! Love all the pics!
We stayed off-site at a condo with a group of family/friends, but my Mom stayed on-site in 1995 with her sisters and says it's def. the way to go (all that Disney Magic) It didn't take much convincing for me lol! Hubby and I were there 9/15-9/22/07 and LOVED it all
I'm getting less intimidated by the minute

 

[sandybobandy]

Yes, we had a GREAT trip and for us, food is just as important as the parks. We love to eat! lol

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

A couple of things to keep in mind:

If you book a room-only reservation for CSR (or any other resort), you will have to cancel that and book a package to take advantage of free dining. If you have already booked a package (which includes at least one day of tickets), you can modify your package if free dining is available at your resort for your dates. So, if you were planning to buy tickets separately (from Undercover Tourist or another ticket broker), keep in mind that you must buy a package with at least a one day ticket for each person to be eligible for free dining. You don't have to actually use that ticket - it can be saved for a future trip. But if you were trying to figure out costs and thought you might save a bit by using a ticket broker, keep in mind you will have to buy a one-day ticket to get the dining plan (free or not).

Also, availability of free dining is limited. Having a room reserved at a resort does not guarantee that you will be able to get free dining at that resort for those dates, even if free dining is offered for those dates. You will need to call WDW with the code for free dining to see if packages are available for your resort and your dates. Depending on how quickly you call, you might need to be flexible about your resort and/or your dates. Lots of people on the DIS watch for free dining each year!

Free dining has historically been available only when paying rack rate for your room. Be sure to compare the value of any discounts you might have on your room (AAA, AP, any other discounts) to the cost of the dining plan (which would be about $80 per day for the two of you, but you have to pay your own tips).

Hope this helps!

 

[wvdisluv2]

Thank You PoohandStichesMom! Good info to know! We are planning to book the package with tickets through Disney so I will definately be on the look out for free dining codes~You guys know so much!!!! Love being able to benefit from the DIS member's wisdom!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thank You PoohandStichesMom! Good info to know! We are planning to book the package with tickets through Disney so I will definately be on the look out for free dining codes~You guys know so much!!!! Love being able to benefit from the DIS member's wisdom!

You're welcome! And to the DIS!