2016 Free Dining Watch

[Just Love Disney]

When I check alot of the standard room are unavailable for the week we are going--in the MOD resorts--So I'm thinking people are booking expecting FD to be offered for the Resorts and think that they can add it to their package, but Disney would only offer room categories that are available at the time. They may not have FD offer Standard rooms for certain MODs because they are already booked.

Maybe Disney is pulling rooms out of circulation to set them aside for FD and/or Room Only Discounts

 

[SGMCO]

Maybe Disney is pulling rooms out of circulation to get them ready for FD and/or Room Only Discounts

I don't see why Disney would pull rooms out of Circulation--I sure hope that's the case.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Maybe Disney is pulling rooms out of circulation to get them ready for FD and/or Room Only Discounts

Not a chance. They would rather book them full rate. Bird in hand.

 

[1437disney]

A question for all you pros, we are 3 newbie families arriving on November 28. We already have our hotel, dinning and tickets booked (before all the price increases), if free dining is avaible this date (which we didn't expect!) should I try to book 3 new reservations online or call to modify? I am so excited, with the money we save we can do mvmcp!!!

 

[Minnieloves4]

How's everyone doing in here?

Love hearing from you

 

[donp]

Hello, all. Have participated many years on this thread in the past, and always enjoy the anticipation. We are, thankfully, booked on a BB for this next year, but wanted to offer some encouragement from last year (maybe this has been mentioned before in one of the early myriad of pages). The no Disney Visa pre-booking, and online booking starting at 4AM threw everyone for a loop last year. Folks were not able to get their room type, dates, or resort selection in the beginning and there was much consternation and gnashing of teeth. However, in the ensuing weeks, either kinks were worked out, more rooms opened up, or large blocks of rooms that were reserved were released and many people were able to get what they wanted. It does seem like they are tightening this offer each year, but don't give up hope if you cannot get what you want right away! (Free) Disney Dining Plan has become so part of the experience for our family, it would be a completely different trip without it. Good luck to all!

 

[Kshell40]

When I check alot of the standard room are unavailable for the week we are going--in the MOD resorts--So I'm thinking people are booking expecting FD to be offered for the Resorts and think that they can add it to their package, but Disney would only offer room categories that are available at the time. They may not have FD offer Standard rooms for certain MODs because they are already booked.

Same thing happened to me. We were looking to come in the 27th. The only resort we were interested in that was available was Caribbean. I only want a preferred room there bc I heard it is so big and I have a little one with mild CP who tires out. Had to book 26th to get that type of room. Did this prior to knowing about these FD dates. Last year was a disaster and vowed never to do it again. Purposely picked after Thanksgiving to avoid and lots of resorts were blocked these dates prior to this rumor being released.


These dates haven't been used before right after thanksgiving now Im right back in it. (And driving myself nuts)! I'll see how it all shakes out. Will definitely try to update reservation when released. But haven't ever done that have always waited till offer released.

 

[Kshell40]

Hello, all. Have participated many years on this thread in the past, and always enjoy the anticipation. We are, thankfully, booked on a BB for this next year, but wanted to offer some encouragement from last year (maybe this has been mentioned before in one of the early myriad of pages). The no Disney Visa pre-booking, and online booking starting at 4AM threw everyone for a loop last year. Folks were not able to get their room type, dates, or resort selection in the beginning and there was much consternation and gnashing of teeth. However, in the ensuing weeks, either kinks were worked out, more rooms opened up, or large blocks of rooms that were reserved were released and many people were able to get what they wanted. It does seem like they are tightening this offer each year, but don't give up hope if you cannot get what you want right away! (Free) Disney Dining Plan has become so part of the experience for our family, it would be a completely different trip without it. Good luck to all!

True. I couldn't get anything day 1,2,or 3. We ended up at a deluxe, which we had previously considered anyway, after about 2 weeks.

 

[SunnieRN]

Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere.

Love this!!! I can't say I'm exactly worried, but full of anticipation and a dash of hope!!! It's nice to see you here! I really appreciate you both for giving us any information you can pass along!

 

[6loversofdisney]

How do people know that there are limited rooms available? I mean obviously if you go to book and it says no availability, you'd know but how else? You can't assume that the agent telling you that the resort is really booked up is being truthful because let's face it, the agent who works for Disney is not going to say "yes we have lots of rooms avaliable". It makes Disney look bad if they do that.

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Hi Joe!! How are you? This is one of my favorite threads to watch, it's getting to the good part!

How's everyone doing in here?

 

[SunnieRN]

Hi Joe!! How are you? This is one of my favorite threads to watch, it's getting to the good part!

There's certainly lots of electricity in the air!!

 

[donp]

Hi Joe!! How are you? This is one of my favorite threads to watch, it's getting to the good part!

Yes, it always gets really fired up around now! You know, too, if you missed the opening offer of Free Dining when you check back the next day and 50 pages have been added from the day before!!

 

[RedWolf95]

How do people know that there are limited rooms available? I mean obviously if you go to book and it says no availability, you'd know but how else? You can't assume that the agent telling you that the resort is really booked up is being truthful because let's face it, the agent who works for Disney is not going to say "yes we have lots of rooms avaliable". It makes Disney look bad if they do that.

Really just by trying to book, for example right now try getting a Standard room at any MOD where your reservation includes Friday November 4th. None available. Generally, I think there are plenty of nights with availability but it's a night here or there that is causing most of the concern and making it look difficult to get what you might want.

 

[wilkeliza]

How do people know that there are limited rooms available? I mean obviously if you go to book and it says no availability, you'd know but how else? You can't assume that the agent telling you that the resort is really booked up is being truthful because let's face it, the agent who works for Disney is not going to say "yes we have lots of rooms avaliable". It makes Disney look bad if they do that.

If you are online you can usually turn off the discount and see that stuff that was previously unavailable suddenly has a ton of rooms to book. Also all the discounts say that it does not include all rooms available.

 

[CandiceF]

How do people know that there are limited rooms available? I mean obviously if you go to book and it says no availability, you'd know but how else? You can't assume that the agent telling you that the resort is really booked up is being truthful because let's face it, the agent who works for Disney is not going to say "yes we have lots of rooms avaliable". It makes Disney look bad if they do that.

I have been checking once a day for availability in November at the Moderate resorts and noticed when the rumoured dates were announced there was less availability for the dates I was checking. I can't possibly check every combination of dates at all the Moderates in November so there maybe more availability depending on when someone wants to check in or out. I think most people are just speculating rooms are booking up, or the dates they want are booking up. Last year I didn't realize FD was announced until 6:00PM because I didn't know about the DIS and I was out with kids all day. When I frantically called I was only on hold for about 5 minutes and got FD at CBR. The agent said I was the first customer she had all day that got what they wanted! Sometimes it is just pure luck that you pick the right check in day! If you are flexable with dates it pays to try different check in and out days and you may still find what you want!

 

[mstblu]

I have been checking once a day for availability in November at the Moderate resorts and noticed when the rumoured dates were announced there was less availability for the dates I was checking. I can't possibly check every combination of dates at all the Moderates in November so there maybe more availability depending on when someone wants to check in or out. I think most people are just speculating rooms are booking up, or the dates they want are booking up. Last year I didn't realize FD was announced until 6:00PM because I didn't know about the DIS and I was out with kids all day. When I frantically called I was only on hold for about 5 minutes and got FD at CBR. The agent said I was the first customer she had all day that got what they wanted! Sometimes it is just pure luck that you pick the right check in day! If you are flexable with dates it pays to try different check in and out days and you may still find what you want!

When you call in to book/modify reservations, do the Cast Members have access to see what is available and tell you that rather that wasting time trying different dates one at a time? Something I've always wondered.

 

[chewysmom]

It's going to be a fun FD watch party, whenever that may be. I'm so stinking excited!

 

[LovingDisney2012]

Waiting for FD is like being in a bad relationship. It keeps you up at night, makes you irrationally nervous, and causes you to sit on edge waiting for it to give you what you need. It gives you the hope of a happy ending, but the rumour mill is always buzzing, and making you question your relationship. FD may or may not show up when it is expected, and it may deliver more or less than you hoped. However, inspite of what it does to your sanity, FD keeps you at it's beck and call.

 

[CandiceF]

When you call in to book/modify reservations, do the Cast Members have access to see what is available and tell you that rather that wasting time trying different dates one at a time? Something I've always wondered.

Last year when I called they said they had to put in different dates to try and find availability and it does not automatically show all available dates.