2016 Free Dining Watch ~ Part 2

[Robertfam08]

If every year prior to this is the standard, more rooms will eventually become available. I want to say they release them in waves, because at least a month after the release last year we were just getting literature in the mail advertising the promotion. Most of the world doesn't stalk for it compulsively, haha. We ended up booking a standard view room at CBR with FD in June for our semi last minute September trip last year. Not only that, but the CM told my husband there was another FD promotion going on and we didn't need to add park hoppers to our tickets. I have no idea what that promotion was, but we took it!

 

[Nezumi Fan]

That's ridiculous that you tried to book a moderate at 4am and couldn't get one. Disney should just stop this free dining if they are going to just tease people with it. You were right there when it dropped and couldn't even get a moderate.

According to Pete on this morning's show, the availability was as limited as he's ever seen it -- and it was pretty bad last year. Definitely understand your frustration but think perhaps you will feel differently if you manage to book it. Hang in there! By being here on the boards and listening to the Dis Unplugged, you are already far ahead of those who can't take advantage of the collective wisdom available here.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

I did a side by side compare for my dates and there was slightly more availability on the Visa site...BW Water view, and standard club view. YC and BC and Saratoga Springs available on the visa link and not on WDW site with FD offer.

@black562 , is what I noticed above indeed true? Do you think they have they set aside separate inventory for DV?

 

[catlady7]

If every year prior to this is the standard, more rooms will eventually become available. I want to say they release them in waves, because at least a month after the release last year we were just getting literature in the mail advertising the promotion. Most of the world doesn't stalk for it compulsively, haha. We ended up booking a standard view room at CBR with FD in June for our semi last minute September trip last year. Not only that, but the CM told my husband there was another FD promotion going on and we didn't need to add park hoppers to our tickets. I have no idea what that promotion was, but we took it!

was that for a summer package or fall?

 

[black562]

@black562 , is what I noticed above indeed true? Do you think they have they set aside separate inventory for DV?

I've heard they aren't, but it's hard to say. The main issue with some seeing availability and some not seems to be in their system, or at least it was yesterday. Two agents literally sitting side by side doing the same search, with one getting results and the other getting sold out.

Do you think there may be a possibility that Disney may release more rooms for free dining? Hoping this will happen since we need several rooms and not everyone could get FD for our dates 9/24-10/1. In fact, we had to come in one day earlier to get FD but could only get 4 rooms and we still need 3 or 4 more rooms. I think I remember this happening last year or maybe it was the year before, but it seemed like it was several days or a couple of weeks later that they released more rooms.

I think it's a good chance and that's exactly what happened last year. I certainly wouldn't give up just yet.

 

[Nezumi Fan]

I used one once and didn't like it because everything you wanted to add/change, you had to go thru the TA. I like working directly with Disney.

I hear you. This isn't at all the situation with Dreams Unlimited* though -- I'm always able to fiddle with my own reservations through MDE or on the Disney website, both dining and FP+'s. We've used Dreams Unlimited** for several trips now and there's never been any pressure.

*not a paid spokesperson of Dreams Unlimited
**not a paid endorser, swear

 

[Attracted to Beasts]

are you checking under visa free dining online or just free dining online? I haven't seen anything pop up

I was checking both because I have the visa but this came up at 3pm (EDT) on the regular free dining. I couldn't believe it! I should add that I also switched my parents king at POR over to CBR so I wonder if someone was able to snag that up!

 

[BAS1]

I was able to get free dining at Coronado Springs for my week. I just randomly woke up and logged on to the Disney website at about 4am central time. I feel very fortunate because there was almost nothing left during my week except high priced deluxe resorts by about 8am. I don't really like the limited availability, but I'm happy that Disney shut down free dining for people that had booked a resort with the hope of getting it later. With all of these prebookings, it just tells Disney that they don't have to give too many discounts to sell rooms. As an added benefit, hopefully the sit down restaurants won't be as crazy as during a normal free dining period.

 

[SGMCO]

I was able to get free dining at Coronado Springs for my week. I just randomly woke up and logged on to the Disney website at about 4am central time. I feel very fortunate because there was almost nothing left during my week except high priced deluxe resorts by about 8am. I don't really like the limited availability, but I'm happy that Disney shut down free dining for people that had booked a resort with the hope of getting it later. With all of these prebookings, it just tells Disney that they don't have to give too many discounts to sell rooms. As an added benefit, hopefully the sit down restaurants won't be as crazy as during a normal free dining period.

I got Coronado Springs also at 3:30 am MT time which was 5:30 East coast, and right after I got my package checked back and nothing but Junior Suite. When did Disney Shut Down people who pre-booked hoping to add FD?

 

[BrookieM2001]

I got Coronado Springs also at 3:30 am MT time which was 5:30 East coast, and right after I got my package checked back and nothing but Junior Suite. When did Disney Shut Down people who pre-booked hoping to add FD?

Right? We had an existing res at POR in a Royal Room during the acceptable dates, and they applied FD to it...

 

[BAS1]

Right? We had an existing res at POR in a Royal Room during the acceptable dates, and they applied FD to it...

There had to be free dining availability in your resort to get free dining on an existing reservation. I've read a lot of threads from people that had prebooked into an eligible resort, but got to the game too late. Disney wouldn't give them free dining even though they were booked in an eligible resort during eligible dates.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Now this is very interesting. I could not find the "Visa" offer when I went to the specials website even though I'm a Disney Visa holder, maybe it's because I don't have the card in my profile. In any event, I used the link above and looked for the week of Labor Day and found for 9/4-9/9 at Water view at CBR under the Visa free dining, BUT when I changed it to the regular free dining promo then it went away but when I switched back to the VISA it was there again. SO, this tells me that there is different inventory available for Visa than for non Visa which is VERY interesting.

Yep. Definitely different inventory. This was apparent to me from start of the promo. The choice of eligible resorts is the same but, for example you may find standard rooms at resort on the Visa promo but no standards from the same resort and same dates on the GP promo.

Also: same thing here with regard to the DW website. I have my DV saved to my profile and I can't find that promo anywhere on the site. Only way I accessed it was from the kind folks on here sharing the link.

 

[glitzybabes]

I thought I had.......

With all the different promotions in all the different countries and travel sites with room blocks, I bet free dining for the U.S was extremely limited, probably less than 10% of rooms at any given resort. Think about that. If I resort has 300 standard view room, then only 30 SV rooms would be available.

 

[FBandA]

Thanks Everyone, was able to get FD at CBR just what I wanted online at 4:12am yesterday, had to pick Water/Pool view, will keep looking for a standard, but I am happy with what I got! Without a TA thanks to this board. I am a little sleep deprived.

 

[littlelamb70]

Does anyone know how late the call center is open? I've tried early morning hours with no success. Planning on trying after work.

I believe 11pm EST

 

[Aep12558]

I just went and checked our reservation, it's a little strange...it shows 2 adults, but dining for 1 adult and 1 child, is that how you guys interpret this....we are 2 adults(at least in years, mentally that's anyone's guess.) Should I call about this?

Guests: 2 Adults
Dining Plan: 2016 Quick Service Meals, 2016 Table Service Meals - Child, 2016 Table Service Meals - Adult[/QUOT



I have the exact same situation. 2 adults but it says something about child for the dining plan. I have had it that way since before i modified my existing reservation to include free dining.

 

[RedWolf95]

Yep. Definitely different inventory. This was apparent to me from start of the promo. The choice of eligible resorts is the same but, for example you may find standard rooms at resort on the Visa promo but no standards from the same resort and same dates on the GP promo.

Also: same thing here with regard to the DW website. I have my DV saved to my profile and I can't find that promo anywhere on the site. Only way I accessed it was from the kind folks on here sharing the link.

So Coronado Springs Week after Thanksgiving....

Regular FD vs. DV FD for the same dates. Switching back and forth between the two offers shows the standard available under DV. I can go keep on going back and forth and each it will show under the DV so it's not like it's popping in or out of inventory.

 

[xipotec]

Trying to decide if;

1. Keep my inital Poly reservation , no FD
2. Go with my AKL with FD

The rubs is we LOVE POLY and the convienece of monorails, Ohana and Kona.

At AKL I am worried about spending all the time driving and parking. Plus then have to split stay over 1 day.

FD is temping me to put up with all the extra lost time staying at a non monorail resort.

Yeah I know, first world problems........

Our dates were Nov 14-20......

 

[LovingDisney2012]

Is there a link for DV?

 

[sullygirl14]

WWYD- so after being disappointed that the Poly didn't offer free dining, we booked Old Key West in a Deluxe Studio for the first 5 nights and a Poly Club level lagoon view for 6 nights. After playing around and more searching, I was able to find availability at the Grand Floridian Outer building Garden View for 8 nights and then 3 nights at the Poly Club Level. This whole switch cost us $72 LESS to stay at the Grand Floridian/Poly stay. It's only because the Polynesian club level is so expensive. but I did get the 25% off that room rate and free dining at the GF. I've never stayed at either... any thoughts on the GF outer building garden view and the lagoon club level? Has anyone stayed at either? It's our 15th wedding anniversary which is the only reason we are being a lot more extravagant than usual. We have stayed at WL once, but normally we're moderate level people =)