2016 Free Dining Watch

[kellyjeanie]

I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can answer!!!!

My fiancé and I are going to Disney for our honeymoon and just recently found out about free dining!

I'm afraid to wait until free dining opens to book anything because I've read how fast everything starts filling up! If we go ahead and book would we still be able to modify our reservation for the offer? Or would we need to start a whole new reservation over?

Question 2: if we're able to modify our reservation would I still have to wake up when its first released to modify? Or can I wait?

And last question! If we have to start a whole new reservation, would we lose our deposit?

Thanks in advance! Haha hopefully this made sense!!!

I don't know about the deposit, but you don't need a reservation to make dining reservations - they're tied to your account, not your reservation. So you don't have to wait until you book your package to book your meals.

 

[KT0191]

I'm afraid to wait until free dining opens to book anything because I've read how fast everything starts filling up! If we go ahead and book would we still be able to modify our reservation for the offer? Or would we need to start a whole new reservation over?

Question 2: if we're able to modify our reservation would I still have to wake up when its first released to modify? Or can I wait?

And last question! If we have to start a whole new reservation, would we lose our deposit?

You should have the modify option on your MDE. Not everyone has it but I've found when you book a regular package directly on the Disney website, you should have it.
You can book a whole new reservation if you want or you're having problems changing it. You will get your 100% of deposit back (which you always will if you cancel at least 30 days out). It can take up to two billing cycles to get it back.

Could this be why I don't see a MODIFY button on my MDE? I booked through a TA.

Yeah. If you booked through a TA, you won't have the modify option.

 

[babydoll65]

I was not able to get a standard last year at POR for sep 7-15 so had to go with garden. When I booked immediately upon release at 4am, there were standard rooms available at full rack rate for my dates. When trying to book the special offer of FD the lowest available was a garden view which we booked. So you might want to be prepared just in case.

I already have free dining thanks to the bounce back offer when I was there last September. I was just answering a question for another poster. I know they have very limited standard view rooms. I got lucky in 2013 and was able to get fd at Por in a standard view room but it was probably because we booked an accessible room for my mother.

 

[babydoll65]

So was POR offered last year up to Oct or was it just earlier in Sept? Just planning in my head. Wondering if I might catch that last day meaning the Oct 1st date. Do you find CBR historically easier to book FD?

In the bounce back offer, Por was offered up to Oct 1st.

 

[TraceyL]

Now all the values for MY dates in September are coming up as unavailable

 

[SuperJess]

If I get FD and I'm in a value resort do I have to decide then and there that I want to do the upgrade? Or once I have FD can I take my time to decide on the upgrade? Also, if I chose the upgrade can I later on choose to downgrade?

You can take your time to upgrade. No worries there.

 

[FBandA]

This is the message I am getting for most value and moderate choices. "This room type is unavailable for the dates, party size or offer selected."

 

[Disneylover99]

This is the message I am getting for most value and moderate choices. "This room type is unavailable for the dates, party size or offer selected."

It seems to be happening to many of us, off and on. If you check back later, there may be room availability in all room categories, and then you get the message again.

 

[revdisney33]

I know so many people are booking rooms in hope that free dining comes out. It seems it could be counter productive. If these rooms are booked, Disney will release a very limited number as they use the promotion to fill rooms.
For example..... Disney plans on opening 300 rooms (making up numbers) for FD. Rumors start and those 300 rooms get booked in anticipation.....Those will not be offered and the early reservations don't get their FD and means either none or even more limited numbers when offered.

Year after year, it is said don't make reservations unless you are planning on going anyway at regular prices as the faux reservations can hinder FD promotion. Why would Disney offer if they have rooms booked?

 

[Hope2016]

I know so many people are booking rooms in hope that free dining comes out. It seems it could be counter productive. If these rooms are booked, Disney will release a very limited number as they use the promotion to fill rooms.
For example..... Disney plans on opening 300 rooms (making up numbers) for FD. Rumors start and those 300 rooms get booked in anticipation.....Those will not be offered and the early reservations don't get their FD and means either none or even more limited numbers when offered.

Year after year, it is said don't make reservations unless you are planning on going anyway at regular prices as the faux reservations can hinder FD promotion. Why would Disney offer if they have rooms booked?

I really don't think that all the rooms are being booked out, I have checked a huge variety of dates and many resorts and all have sold out just today. Even the resort I had in my cart (which has been there all week), was just removed by Disney in the last 30 mins. Hold on to your hats everyone, I really think it's going to drop today!

 

[VACamm]

I really don't think that all the rooms are being booked out, I have checked a huge variety of dates and many resorts and all have sold out just today. Even the resort I had in my cart (which has been there all week), was just removed by Disney in the last 30 mins. Hold on to your hats everyone, I really think it's going to drop today!

Unfortunately I Don't Think it will drop on a Wednesday.

 

[chewysmom]

Ok, quick question-I finally got my Disney visa in the mail yesterday but I'm wondering- in order to get the no interest for 6 months, do I have to charge the entire balance, or just the deposit? If I do just the deposit now, but wait til closer to the trip to charge the balance, would that still be 0 percent for 6 months as well?

Just curious how it works, and trying to cover all possibilities.

 

[aballerina]

I know so many people are booking rooms in hope that free dining comes out. It seems it could be counter productive. If these rooms are booked, Disney will release a very limited number as they use the promotion to fill rooms.
For example..... Disney plans on opening 300 rooms (making up numbers) for FD. Rumors start and those 300 rooms get booked in anticipation.....Those will not be offered and the early reservations don't get their FD and means either none or even more limited numbers when offered.

Year after year, it is said don't make reservations unless you are planning on going anyway at regular prices as the faux reservations can hinder FD promotion. Why would Disney offer if they have rooms booked?

Very well said!
Unfortunately many don't seem to grasp this logic.

 

[scard192]

I have a quote from a TA for our dates at ASsp, qs dining, 8 day park hoppers for $450 more than if we got FD at that resort. plus one complimentary visit to a water park which the kids have wanted to do but never wanted to spend the $$ for that ticket upgrade. If the rumored start date for FD is 11/15 ( we check in on the 12th), this may be the best option. I would not have to do a split stay for 11/12-11/15 and could make FP+ 60 days out. ASsp would have been our 3rd choice but we stayed there in 2009,so familiar with the resport. $225 each is not that much for me and my sister and would be SO much easier if FD does not start at the beginning of our stay. feeling like I have all my ducks in a row and am ready for whatever FD turns out to be

 

[Kshell40]

Ok, quick question-I finally got my Disney visa in the mail yesterday but I'm wondering- in order to get the no interest for 6 months, do I have to charge the entire balance, or just the deposit? If I do just the deposit now, but wait til closer to the trip to charge the balance, would that still be 0 percent for 6 months as well?

Just curious how it works, and trying to cover all possibilities.

If you have the premium card yes. It's 6 mo for any package. We always just put deposit and pay right before payment is due and then you have 6 months interest free. We always wait till right before it's due so we can rack up as may points as we can

 

[Funfire240]

So this morning I went in to check (even though rumor shows we won't get free dining) and I can no longer change the offers or hotel online. Instead of the change button they all say to call now.... (Yes I am booked now for Nov 4-13 because our dates are set and we knew where we wanted to stay and we are going with or without a discount)

 

[Disneylover99]

So this morning I went in to check (even though rumor shows we won't get free dining) and I can no longer change the offers or hotel online. Instead of the change button they all say to call now.... (Yes I am booked now for Nov 4-13 because our dates are set and we knew where we wanted to stay and we are going with or without a discount)

Yeah, it won't let me check availability at any resort for any date at the moment.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm afraid to wait until free dining opens to book anything because I've read how fast everything starts filling up! If we go ahead and book would we still be able to modify our reservation for the offer? Or would we need to start a whole new reservation over?

You will hurt your chances of getting free dining if you book a room ahead of time, imo. Disney won't offer free dining if a resort is booked up already. I agree with all the other people who say that booking a room ahead of time will reduce the inventory for free dining rooms.

Question 2: if we're able to modify our reservation would I still have to wake up when its first released to modify? Or can I wait?

Modifying an existing reservation is no different than booking a new reservation. You can't modify an existing reservation unless there is a free dining room available. So you might as well wait to see what the dates and resorts are first.

 

[Sharongal74]

I really hope the glitching is a sign so I can quit obsessing over this......and move to dining and fast passes. I'll need another board for that haha.
But I believe uk free dining 2017 releases tomorrow. Wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Or Disney is watching these boards and torturing us!

 

[scard192]

If you have the premium card yes. It's 6 mo for any package. We always just put deposit and pay right before payment is due and then you have 6 months interest free. We always wait till right before it's due so we can rack up as may points as we can

I put the deposit down when I book and pay the full amount on the DVisa about 60 days before the trip so I can get the Rewards for the cost of the trip, have enough time for the rewards to hit my account so I can transfer them to a Rewards card to use for our trip. I have the full amount to pay for the trip in my bank account now so am trying to maximize the rewards.