2016 Free Dining Watch

[Just Love Disney]

I am feeling really sad now. I have been planning for so long for my family. My husband had to schedule his days off a year in advance, and we went by the history of free dining thinking we would get it for the days of 11/12-11/19. Now, it doesn't look like we will get that or a room discount. I feel like crying. My kids are already excited. They have already picked restaurants. My daughter has already scanned all of the rides to see which ones her doctor will allow her on, and now, I don't know if I can make it happen. I really just want to cry.

I will cry right along with you ~ misery loves company

 

[1437disney]

Thank you. I have been crunching numbers for a while now trying to figure this out. I think I need to get some sleep tonight, then come up with a bunch of scenarios, including split stay in the morning.

Wishing you and your family the best. I really hope you can find a way to go. Sending pixie dust your way

 

[aaarcher86]

So when should I start checking online Sunday night?

Hard to say. Once someone got it at 12:30a. Once someone got it at 4:30a. Sometimes the system is down well into the phone operating hours.

 

[Just Love Disney]

Thank you. I have been crunching numbers for a while now trying to figure this out. I think I need to get some sleep tonight, then come up with a bunch of scenarios, including split stay in the morning.

I am crunching numbers as well. So far haven't come up with how we'll pay for dining. Maybe we'll both get lucky and get a PIN for FD for our dates

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I have two rooms booked at Cbr. Why can I only modify one online? The other says I have to call.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

The Air Canada website is showing room discounts being released on Monday as well for dates between August 26- November 5

ETA: Found it! Posted below.

Anyone have experience booking with Air Canada? The site says "April 25," but is that (online) at 12:01am on Sunday night, or do they have a call center we have to wait for in the morning?

I'll re-post some info for people who can't sift through the last few pages to find it. Under resorts you can book at Air Canada's site, you can click on the resort that interests you. A new, smaller window opens with tabs at the top. On the far right is "Promotions." Click on that and then click on "Dining Special." If you are looking ASMo, there is NO "Dining Special" or anything like that under Promotions.
Under AoA and ASMusic, you see this (bold added by me except at the very top):

"Dining Special
For a limited time, Guests who purchase a minimum three (3), maximum fourteen (14) night stay with a minimum 3-Day Magic Your Way ticket with Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More options will receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan FREE.

• Valid for Booking made between April 25, 2016 through August 31, 2016
• Valid for arrivals dates August 14 – October 1, 2016, November 15 – November 21, 2016, November 26 – November 28, 2016 and December 10 – December 21, 2016

Restrictions

• Minimum three (3), maximum fourteen (14) night stay required
• Must be booked with a minimum 3-Day Magic Your Way ticket that includes the Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More options
• This offer cannot be booked with a Magic Your Way Base Ticket
• Guests may also upgrade to the Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan at a discounted rate
• Offer discount is on the Disney Dining Plans only. There is no discount on the room rate or Magic Your Way tickets
• To be eligible for this promotion, please select the Free Dine Room Category.
• Discounted is reflected in the rates

NOTE: Disney’s All Star Movies Resort and The Little Mermaid Standard Room category at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are not valid with the Offer."

Under Promotions, there is also:
"Save up to 25% off your hotel stay

• Valid for travel August 26 – November 5, 2016
• Book Between April 25, 2016 and August 31, 2016

Restrictions

• Minimum 2, maximum 14 night stay
• This offer can be booked as ‘Room Only’
• This offer can also be booked as a ‘Magic Your Way”
• This offer can also be booked as a ‘Room and Dine Only Package’ (no ticket required)
• The Disney Dining Plan, Quick Service Dining plan and Deluxe Dining Plan may be added at regular rates
• Discounted offer room rates are not applicable to any nights after November 5, 2016
• The room rate discount is a tiered discount which varies by resort and room type
• Magic Your Way Tickets are not discounted
• To be eligible to receive this offer, please select the room only offer category

NOTE for each hotel: The “Special Offer” is not applicable to 3-bedroom villas, the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (Category MV), Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Room (Room Type VA) Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter is at regular net rates form August 1 - 25, 2016"

Note a difference between the room discount and FD in that the room discount ends on Nov 5, even if you check in earlier. If you check in Nov 1 and check out Nov 7, there is no discount for Nov 6-7, for example.

 

[JargonX]

Hard to say. Once someone got it at 12:30a. Once someone got it at 4:30a. Sometimes the system is down well into the phone operating hours.

Well, since I'm on the west coast, I guess I'll start checking at 9 and stay up until it's booked. Thanks

 

[Just Love Disney]

Actually now that I said that about the PIN (or UOC), do those always have the same dates as what's offered to the GP for FD or are the dates determined by some other criteria?

 

[Confederate Scott]

Thank you! Totally missed that...

The advice given by aaarcher86 is good advice.

 

[Burlingtondw]

7:00 a.m. Eastern

I did mine earlier this year at 6 am est

 

[aaarcher86]

Actually now that I said that about the PIN (or UOC), do those always have the same dates as what's offered to the GP for FD or are the dates determined by some other criteria?

Sometimes they have a few more dates, more availability, and resorts that are excluded to the public.

 

[scard192]

Actually now that I said that about the PIN (or UOC), do those always have the same dates as what's offered to the GP for FD or are the dates determined by some other criteria?

UOCS/PINs usually have more dates and less exclusions. My sister got an FD PIN in 2013 that we used to book FD at POFQ, which was excluded from the GP offer.

But UOCs are not easy to come by

 

[Confederate Scott]

I go out for a few hours and return to 15+ more pages to go through. Well I am caught up for now at least.....

 

[revdisney33]

Did you consider making the trip to Manchester? Depending on your dates you can shave that down to $220 each after taxes and not have to worry about baggage fees with Southwest. What airline got you $250 round-trip from Bangor? I was seeing flights almost that much one way...

United and the drive before we leave and after we get back isn't worth the savings. I like to get off the plane and know I have a 15 minute not a mulitple hour drive. Of the 5 I only pay for myself and DD. We are leaving after school on the day we leave to reduce the number of days missed. There was. 9 am flight for the same price (always check prices midweek on kayak). This flight had been $351 and then bang...5 tickets left at this price. Cheapest I have ever flown out of Bangor and only $30 more than my cheapest from Portland.

 

[kellyjeanie]

UOCS/PINs usually have more dates and less exclusions. My sister got an FD PIN in 2013 that we used to book FD at POFQ, which was excluded from the GP offer.

But UOCs are not easy to come by

We got that PIN in 2013. I used it to book CBR. What a waste. lol But it came before the GP offer that year. Maybe if this year's GP doesn't fill the rooms like Disney hopes they'll send out some PIN love.

 

[KT0191]

Thank you. I have been crunching numbers for a while now trying to figure this out. I think I need to get some sleep tonight, then come up with a bunch of scenarios, including split stay in the morning.

We are here to help If you have questions over what the best scenarios would be and getting the best prices, ask away on here.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

Our flights went up $62 per person overnight. Combine that with no FD for October and I just want to

Definitely wait a bit longer. Rates will get better.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I am feeling really sad now. I have been planning for so long for my family. My husband had to schedule his days off a year in advance, and we went by the history of free dining thinking we would get it for the days of 11/12-11/19. Now, it doesn't look like we will get that or a room discount. I feel like crying. My kids are already excited. They have already picked restaurants. My daughter has already scanned all of the rides to see which ones her doctor will allow her on, and now, I don't know if I can make it happen. I really just want to cry.

I haven't seen any rumored room discount rates...don't give up yet! They may even be released on Monday with FD for a we know.

 

[rymahoney]

Will a room only discount come out for later November and early December at some point?

 

[Confederate Scott]

Will a room only discount come out for later November and early December at some point?

Historically speaking yes but that does not guarantee it will happen this year.