2015 FREE DINING THREAD _ All Questions HERE!!

[Aubrav]

WE HAVE FREE DINING!

Some how it magically appeared on my Disney experience page. I know my TA has been working very hard at this, but I haven't heard from her since this morning. Before bed I thought I would mess around on the Disney experience page and was shocked to see that a dining plan had been added - and it was free! I guess I owe my TA a big kiss!
Now I'm afraid to go to bed - what if it's gone in the morning.

Congratulations!

 

[kingd4066]

Just an interesting bit of information I got from a CM this am. I called at 7 am, got right through and talked to a very nice woman. I was trying to downgrade my FD offer from a preferred room which is all I could get. No luck but that is ok. I will take what I can get. The important conversation we had was that she said "If people cancel those rooms they don't go back into the promotion circulation. They may add more rooms to be released at a later time so keep checking, but there is no way to know if they will do that and cancelled reservations wont make rooms available for the current offer." She said that she is not sure if they would release more rooms or not right now because they are booking at a very full level for the time frame of the FD. She was so nice and very hopeful for more offers. I figure that when people start to cancel as time gets closer to the promo end, which will be closer to travel time, people who are not going to go without the FD will cancel and those going with or without will be set in there plans and there may be some availability. Still hoping everyone can find something that works for them!

 

[twoolle]

We're in the STL too, and I saw that sale, but we're driving (5 airfares are not cheap)!

From STL area also! We will make the drive as well.

 

[PirateD]

Thank you @smitch425 and others for the heads up about when flights are released for December for SWA. We were assuming June which would have made us miss that window. Thank goodness for the Dis!

 

[Honeybee83]

WE HAVE FREE DINING!

Some how it magically appeared on my Disney experience page. I know my TA has been working very hard at this, but I haven't heard from her since this morning. Before bed I thought I would mess around on the Disney experience page and was shocked to see that a dining plan had been added - and it was free! I guess I owe my TA a big kiss!
Now I'm afraid to go to bed - what if it's gone in the morning.

Take a screen shot for proof!

 

[Honeybee83]

I've been off the boards for a few days for the most part so I'm sure this has been asked, and if so I am sorry for the repeat question. Has there been any information about room only discounts for later in the fall? Primarily mid October through December. If so, any idea how much the discount would possibly be for? Are the fall break times typically included in a room only discount offer?

 

[Taran430]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Like if you cancel list your dates and cancelled resort so we could match them up. But I don't know if it works that easily. I run a group for an online game with rewards and we do that. If someone returns a reward it shows up within a minute so someone else can be ready to grab it.

While we're on the subject, is anyone canceling pop around October 1-10???

I was thinking th same thing. I was actually one that happened to be awake when the offer went live AND had made reservations previously due to needing adjoining rooms guaranteed because we're a family of five. I could not modify my pop reservations due to it being two rooms so I panicked and booked AOA. Now I've pondered and researched and have decided it's not worth the extra stress of worrying if they will guarantee the adjoining rooms because I also called in and was able to modify my existing reservations, but the cast member told me they put in a memo, but it isn't a guarantee. So long story short I have two Pop rooms with free dining for 10/25-10/31. I'd rather someone from the disboard get it if they want it.

 

[Taran430]

This question falls under the and more part of the post. I did our ADR's today. The only BOG available was on the last night of our stay at 9:25 pm. Does anyone know is this time a good time or are they winding down for the night so rushed? I'm wondering if I should keep an eye out for an earlier time so as to not risk this and also because we have 2 children who have never been so I wanted them to see the electrical parade and fireworks. I'm thankful for PH at this point because it may be the only way they do all three. Any suggestions?

 

[Disneylover99]

My SIL Is considering upgrading their park hoppers to annual passes. I'm assuming that they can do this at the parks before the last day is used. Has upgrading park tickets ever caused FP+ reservations to be lost or is that pretty seamless?

Yes, upgrade in the parks at Guest Relations. We've done this a few times and we've never lost our fp+ reservations.

 

[kingd4066]

I was thinking th same thing. I was actually one that happened to be awake when the offer went live AND had made reservations previously due to needing adjoining rooms guaranteed because we're a family of five. I could not modify my pop reservations due to it being two rooms so I panicked and booked AOA. Now I've pondered and researched and have decided it's not worth the extra stress of worrying if they will guarantee the adjoining rooms because I also called in and was able to modify my existing reservations, but the cast member told me they put in a memo, but it isn't a guarantee. So long story short I have two Pop rooms with free dining for 10/25-10/31. I'd rather someone from the disboard get it if they want it.

The CM told me yesterday, (again we all know not the most accurate info...) that when rooms for a certain peomotion are canceled they go back into general availability they (as in Disney promotions folks) have to release more rooms. So all the rooms that were booked and canceled show up as available for stanard rates. She did say that at this time the resorts appear so full that there prabably is no real need for them to release more rooms. But she felt that I should keep checking because people will cancel and that there is always a chance! So I will keep checking back. She seemed very knowledgeable and was very helpful and hopeful for everyone!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I've been off the boards for a few days for the most part so I'm sure this has been asked, and if so I am sorry for the repeat question. Has there been any information about room only discounts for later in the fall? Primarily mid October through December. If so, any idea how much the discount would possibly be for? Are the fall break times typically included in a room only discount offer?

Current room discounts run through October 3rd. Discounts for the end of the year could possibly be released around July. May be up to 30% off, Thanksgiving and Christmas excluded. We'll see!

 

[kingd4066]

This question falls under the and more part of the post. I did our ADR's today. The only BOG available was on the last night of our stay at 9:25 pm. Does anyone know is this time a good time or are they winding down for the night so rushed? I'm wondering if I should keep an eye out for an earlier time so as to not risk this and also because we have 2 children who have never been so I wanted them to see the electrical parade and fireworks. I'm thankful for PH at this point because it may be the only way they do all three. Any suggestions?

2 years ago we got FD dining really late after the promotion was out for months. All of our ADR's were for really late times and it made it so hectic gor us, we were up really late and travel between resort and parks was always busy. Plus every morning we felt like slugs becuase we had big dinners really late..lol. We learned to try and get early times if we could, this way we coud wake up earlier the next day and tey to get put before he heat set in! But, sometimes you have to take what you can get..lol. Keep your eyes peeled, an earlier time may come up! Good luck.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I blame you Black. It's all your fault. LOL. Thanks for the BB info. I never seem to get the flyer. Do BB change? For instance, if it's a RO BB the day I check in, is it possible for a FD one to become available for me before I leave? And if so can I assume I would be able to cancel the RO and take the FD?

I rarely get flyers either. If you call, be sure to inquire specifically about room only, free dining, or other discounts (I've had agents just offer one until I inquired about the other). And, yes, bouncebacks can change before you leave. It depends if you happen to be visiting during a changeover. I think it was last year when I called, that one of the bouncebacks was only available for booking the next couple of days. You can always cancel a bounceback (I just canceled one online this week). However, changing them can be difficult, particularly if the bounceback is no longer being offered.

 

[FBandA]

Was a very frustrating 2 days, didn't get what I wanted but did get a reservation for the time that I had booked my airfare. Last week was told by CM to book now and free dining can be added later, phone connection was not good at time so I went over to TA and booked, was told by TA she could also add FD. Wanted CBR Jamica standard when FD came out I would be able to save $700. Was checking every day since, at 4:00am Monday morning I am seeing what I want on site, but can't modify my reservation. What I wanted was available, at that time. Was watching people post that they were being successful on the boards! I was watching and waiting and going nuts! Called Disney at 7 was lucky got through, just to be told sorry TA has to make change, at that time CBR standard was still available. Had to wait for TA to open at 9 sent email about FD could she add. At 9:30 TA emailed me lines are busy at Disney she would keep trying and get back to me. At 12:30 didn't hear from her so I email her again knowing that standard is no longer available, but king room is available at $500 saving I'm ok with that at the time, she emails me back telling me she has 2 1/2 hour wait on phone, she is doing her best. I call DH who gets off work at 2 and ask him to go to TA, he does, TA's are all just waiting on phone lines he said. Waiting for the first one to get through to Disney each one will take turns after one is done. Get email at 3:30 was able to get FD but could only get preferred, only $300 saving. I should be happy with this I know now, but at time I was not. I could still see King available on web site with $500 savings or I could switch to CSR, with $700 savings. At this point I call and apologize, and tell her what I see, and could she try agian. At this point she says tomorrow I will try. I check site through the night to morning King is available some of the time. So I come up with the idea of one less night at CBR and one night at a Delux. TA tells me on Tuesday one less day was not working for her with standard, I am seeing it on web site as being available I am going nuts, after MUCH going back and forth with TA, and sending her screen shots of my computer she was able to get me, first night Delux BC room discount no ticket or dining just hang out and head to CBR 2nd day for FD the rest of vacation. $700 saving with one less day of dining and tickets but got CBR with Jamica requested for rest of vacation. Just wanted to vent and share my experience, good luck everyone who is still trying!

 

[FBandA]

Wanted to add I have done 8 Disney trips with this TA and other vacations with them, they know us. I am more frustrated as to how Disney handles FD. This was our first time trying to get FD we have had the dinning plan on most of our trips. Not sure if I would try to get FD again. Feel sorry for any travel agent when FD comes out.

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

I finally got my confirmation email stating magic package with free dining is booked

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Wanted to add I have done 8 Disney trips with this TA and other vacations with them, they know us. I am more frustrated as to how Disney handles FD. This was our first time trying to get FD we have had the dinning plan on most of our trips. Not sure if I would try to get FD again. Feel sorry for any travel agent when FD comes out.

I know many other people ended up dropping their TA in favor of grabbing their own reservation. The fact that you've used your TA for so long explains why you waited.

Even so, I'm glad you were able to secure CBR like you wanted!

 

[petrymom]

Ok.... after 3 days of reserving and switching and holding and stressing over where to stay I went back to the original hotel I got at 440am monday but this time we are in a cars suite at AOA..... no more 2nd guessing......

 

[oddball1214]

Does anyone know if TAs have the ability to modify reservations and add free dining on the Disney website like everyone else? My TA was on hold for most of the day on Monday and yesterday, so if anything opened up, it was gone by the time he got through. Unfortunately, we didn't get free dining this year and are really hoping for a UOC!

 

[ThistleMae]

Speaking of sw do you know when December flights will come out?

May 14th.