2015 FREE DINING THREAD _ All Questions HERE!!

[Aubrav]

I had a chat lady tell me you can indeed cut days off of your stay without treating it as a cancel/rebook. I am 99.9% sure that is wrong but I still saved the conversation. I couldn't get through on the phones today, only a busy signal. It is annoying that they had availability at CBR for 9/24-9/30 but nothing shows when you search for 9/24-9/28 (what we wanted!).

It will be interesting to hear what they say if I call. Maybe some CM's just aren't informed or if it's a recent change it takes time to get everyone on the same page.

I might just leave it.

 

[smitch425]

I had a chat lady tell me you can indeed cut days off of your stay without treating it as a cancel/rebook. I am 99.9% sure that is wrong but I still saved the conversation. I couldn't get through on the phones today, only a busy signal. It is annoying that they had availability at CBR for 9/24-9/30 but nothing shows when you search for 9/24-9/28 (what we wanted!).

It is very possible that the chat CM doesn't know the recent policy change, but a manager may override it with your saved conversation.

 

[linzjane88]

It is very possible that the chat CM doesn't know the recent policy change, but a manager may override it with your saved conversation.

That was my sneaky thought I actually am on hold! I got "greater than 60 minutes" for the hold time.

 

[Ladyfish77]

I've enjoyed following this thread. I'm not doing FD since I have a RO discount. It has been very informative, though so thanks to everyone for all the great information! Good luck to those still trying to get their FD!

 

[blessedby3]

I had a chat lady tell me you can indeed cut days off of your stay without treating it as a cancel/rebook. I am 99.9% sure that is wrong but I still saved the conversation. I couldn't get through on the phones today, only a busy signal. It is annoying that they had availability at CBR for 9/24-9/30 but nothing shows when you search for 9/24-9/28 (what we wanted!).

Wait…you can't adjust your days on your reservation? I booked 8 nights, but need to lose one of them (once I get airline reservations) and I figured I could drop a day as long as I am still in the free dining period for check in. Am I wrong?

 

[linzjane88]

Apparently not anymore unless your offer was available for the new dates. Basically it's like a cancel and rebook now as of like 1-2 weeks ago per boards.

 

[blessedby3]

Apparently not anymore unless your offer was available for the new dates. Basically it's like a cancel and rebook now as of like 1-2 weeks ago per boards.

Oh wow….didnt realize that! Yikes!!

 

[linzjane88]

I know! I guess there have been a few threads about it that I only discovered yesteray. Rumors are it was to curb the sneaky peeps booking extra days at the beginning of their intended stay so they could get earlier access to ADR's and whatnot.

 

[blessedby3]

I know! I guess there have been a few threads about it that I only discovered yesteray. Rumors are it was to curb the sneaky peeps booking extra days at the beginning of their intended stay so they could get earlier access to ADR's and whatnot.

Great…I just added a day at the beginning because I didnt know if we will have to take the budget carrier (Allegiant) and they only fly on Mon and Friday…so I added a Friday as check in instead of Saturday. This is so nerve wracking to plan a Disney trip anymore

 

[ThistleMae]

I just joined this group yesterday but I have to say that this thread is refreshing compared to the facebook group I follow. Everyone here is encouraging and polite. Things were getting ugly on facebook yesterday.

Sorry to hear that...and welcome! We have the Disney Magic here!

 

[Aubrav]

Oh wow….didnt realize that! Yikes!!

I'm in the same boat. Last year I was able to drop a day. This year I wasn't sure if I could swing the extra day or not (cost plus days off) but didn't want to lose out on it if I could. So I booked the extra day but now it seems I can't knock it off even if plans don't work out for it.

 

[ehoops120912]

I know this is random, but does anyone know when the best time to buy airfare is?

 

[smitch425]

I know this is random, but does anyone know when the best time to buy airfare is?

It varies by airline and location. For us, we always book with Southwest the morning of the release. It never gets cheaper and the nonstop flights go quickly.

 

[kellief]

I tried to add one more day to our vacation and it wouldn't let me so I checked adding 2 more days and it was available. Called my awesome husband and he was all for adding 2 more nights so 8 nights it is!! With the drive down and stopping at the ocean for one night on the way back this is going to be a looong wonderful vacation!!! This is the last time we're taking the kids out of school since my daughter will be middle school age soon. I feel guilty she'll miss so much school but we can't go in the summer or holidays because of my husbands work and my son couldn't handle those crowds. She can take the work with her and she get's all A's right now so I'm sure she'll do fine. Feeling like an awesome Mom on one hand and a bad Mom on the other!

 

[samsteele]

I know this is random, but does anyone know when the best time to buy airfare is?

The general rule used to be approx 3 months before flight date for non-peak dates (eg not holidays, school breaks, etc). However, it doesn't always pan out. I just got a return flight JetBlue to Orlando for $255 end of October so grabbed it while I could. I might have saved $50 in a few months time but not a sure thing. Good luck!

 

[ahiller12]

So is the week of November 14-21 going to be completely crazy town as far as ADR's go because of Free Dining? This is our first and likely only trip and I want my kids (ages 5 & 3) to be able to experiences some different character meals, etc. If I book when my window opens up, will I have a chance or am I better off moving our trip to November 28-December 5? We don't qualify for FD because we are staying at BLT. Any thoughts?

 

[G719]

So is the week of November 14-21 going to be completely crazy town as far as ADR's go because of Free Dining? This is our first and likely only trip and I want my kids (ages 5 & 3) to be able to experiences some different character meals, etc. If I book when my window opens up, will I have a chance or am I better off moving our trip to November 28-December 5? We don't qualify for FD because we are staying at BLT. Any thoughts?

That's our week too. I think you'll be good If you book as soon as your booking window opens. Just from randomly searching yesterday, there were still lots of rooms available at rack rate but not available with the promotion. I think it was really limited this year.

 

[samsteele]

Heads up for those getting ready to make your ADRs. I was up at 6am to make mine (yes, lucky my 180+10 window opened up the day after I book my free dining pkg) and I found BOG availability for dinner and lunch. Believing that could be an issue, I made that ressie my first priority and so far so good. However, when making my Epcot ressies, I noticed limited availability already for places like San Angel, Coral Reef, Les Chefs, Teppan Edo and even Tokyo Dining (?) I really like Tokyo Dining but sushi & tempura isn't every family's cup of tea. While Coral Reef and Teppan Edo traditionally book quickly (along with Via Napoli), the mid-tier ones like San Angel don't usually begin to book this early. Tokyo Dining is a real surprise because it, along with Marrakesh, simply aren't that popular and so can be good walk up finds. Anyway, I needed to book dinners after 6:30pm for a couple of these. Why is this happening? Possibly my dates: going late October through first week November. But maybe the mandatory Park Hopper has led to some already starting to book Epcot restaurants hard rather than defaulting to table service at their home resort for some dinners. Anyway, thought I'd throw this out so those with Epcot dining favs know to make them a priority (right after BOG) when your ADR window opens.

 

[lazer]

So is the week of November 14-21 going to be completely crazy town as far as ADR's go because of Free Dining? This is our first and likely only trip and I want my kids (ages 5 & 3) to be able to experiences some different character meals, etc. If I book when my window opens up, will I have a chance or am I better off moving our trip to November 28-December 5? We don't qualify for FD because we are staying at BLT. Any thoughts?

You should be ok morning of booking. We've gone a few times during fall free dining and always gotten what we've wanted (after well after 180 days). We don't do CRT or Chef Mickeys, but have had success at most other character meals and getting the ADRS we want. Good luck
It's our week too

 

[5kidsmommy]

Heads up for those getting ready to make your ADRs. I was up at 6am to make mine (yes, lucky my 180+10 window opened up the day after I book my free dining pkg) and I found BOG availability for dinner and lunch. Believing that could be an issue, I made that ressie my first priority and so far so good. However, when making my Epcot ressies, I noticed limited availability already for places like San Angel, Coral Reef, Les Chefs, Teppan Edo and even Tokyo Dining (?) I really like Tokyo Dining but sushi & tempura isn't every family's cup of tea. While Coral Reef and Teppan Edo traditionally book quickly (along with Via Napoli), the mid-tier ones like San Angel don't usually begin to book this early. Tokyo Dining is a real surprise because it, along with Marrakesh, simply aren't that popular and so can be good walk up finds. Anyway, I needed to book dinners after 6:30pm for a couple of these. Why is this happening? Possibly my dates: going late October through first week November. But maybe the mandatory Park Hopper has led to some already starting to book Epcot restaurants hard rather than defaulting to table service at their home resort for some dinners. Anyway, thought I'd throw this out so those with Epcot dining favs know to make them a priority (right after BOG) when your ADR window opens.

Thank you for the heads up, Teppan Edo is a must do for us.