2016 Free Dining Watch

[ELSA711]

Can you also change the days by a day or two if you modify online?

I did, first I adjusted a day or two and then ended up changing resorts all together.

 

[mfly]

This could be a game changer for me. I need to book three rooms together this year and was told I'll need to call in to make those reservations . So I was already bummed I'd have to wait until the phone lines open and then wait forever.

I may be wrong (if so, someone please correct me), but it sounds like the PP had to change their reservation in order to apply the FD; they did not keep their previous room. I'm not sure that having three rooms booked together will benefit you, as it sounds like you'd need to change them to 3 rooms that are FD eligible. Again, I may be wrong.

 

[ELSA711]

I may be wrong (if so, someone please correct me), but it sounds like the PP had to change their reservation in order to apply the FD; they did not keep their previous room. I'm not sure that having three rooms booked together will benefit you, as it sounds like you'd need to change them to 3 rooms that are FD eligible. Again, I may be wrong.

I'm old so bear with me, but if I remember correctly at first I just had to change my dates as I was off by one day (checking in to early), I was at AoA. I was really hoping to snag a Lion King Suite but ended up having to sick with Family Suite. It prompted me to an hour later check CBR to get the better dining deal, at that point I changed everything around and took a preferred room there as I heard it was a big resort. Still saved me 1500 off my package which I did

(edited - all modifications were done online) I did not have the modify button leading up to this either, which was putting me in a panic.

 

[CandiceF]

Maybe you could change you reservation online because you changed resorts and got one of the available FD rooms available for the promotion at the new resort? I don't know if it would work on a current reservation at the same resort. Just a guess though!

 

[ELSA711]

Maybe you could change you reservation online because you changed resorts and got one of the available FD rooms available for the promotion at the new resort? I don't know if it would work on a current reservation at the same resort. Just a guess though!

Well, originally I did modify at the same resort. I just changed my dates

 

[2lovebugs]

Getting excited about our next Disney vacation! I have even started planning where we would like to eat and places to try. It would be great to get FD to help out We are going to be there over Halloween and the first week of Nov. Last year Jersey Week was the first week of Nov. and those dates were blacked out. If everything goes as planned we should be able to get FD this year bc JW is the second week of Nov. We will see!!

 

[CandiceF]

Maybe if you change the dates the system sees it as a new reservation and lets you re-book as FD?

 

[ELSA711]

Maybe if you change the dates the system sees it as a new reservation and lets you re-book as FD?

I went into my original reservation which did not qualify for FD due to check in date. When I selected modify (which I was scared to death to click it brought up new offers and a window which allowed me to check the current offers. I had to check in a day earlier to qualify so that is what I did. Does that make sense?

Then about an hour later, I decided I wanted the regular dining plan and modified it to CBR instead of AoA. In hindsight, I guess I have heard that if you stay value at FD you can still upgrade to the reg DDP out of pocket

 

[2lovebugs]

While I am here, I do have a question/concern. We are using a Travel Agent (my cousin's idea). I am worried that we wont get FD bc of this. Has anyone had trouble booking deals when using a Travel Agent?

 

[CandiceF]

We are flexible on our dates so this might work for us, if we decide to change our current POR reservation to a resort that is available. I understand being scared to death to modify, I am panicking right now at the thought of having to do that!

 

[piglet1979]

While I am here, I do have a question/concern. We are using a Travel Agent (my cousin's idea). I am worried that we wont get FD bc of this. Has anyone had trouble booking deals when using a Travel Agent?

I used a travel agent last year. She is a friend from high school. She added the free dining. It took some time but we got it. She was having the same problems on the TA site as we were on the regular site. I think it was about 12 or 1 before she was able to get everything booked. We gave about 3 options of hotels that we wanted and it the order that we wanted them. We ended up with the 3 rd option (coranado). We ended up loving the report.

 

[ELSA711]

We are flexible on our dates so this might work for us, if we decide to change our current POR reservation to a resort that is available. I understand being scared to death to modify, I am panicking right now at the thought of having to do that!

I was so nervous, LOL
But it worked out and we saved 1500 or so. Which I am now using on an anniversary trip for DH and I.
Not sure what we will do this year for the family. Still waiting on summer discounts

 

[Kingdome8]

When I booked my October week. The cast member said I would have to call in to add free dining when it's offered. If I remember it came out in April last year

 

[Funfire240]

When I booked my October week. The cast member said I would have to call in to add free dining when it's offered. If I remember it came out in April last year

I was able to do mine online. I had the modify button - was on very early in the morning on the day it was rumored to start booking and was able to add the free dining with no problems. At the time we were booked preferred ASSp but I changed to standard. I then later went on and switched to Pop Century.

 

[Kingdome8]

Cool. I'll try. Can't hurt since I'll be up that early anyway. Thanks

 

[2lovebugs]

I used a travel agent last year. She is a friend from high school. She added the free dining. It took some time but we got it. She was having the same problems on the TA site as we were on the regular site. I think it was about 12 or 1 before she was able to get everything booked. We gave about 3 options of hotels that we wanted and it the order that we wanted them. We ended up with the 3 rd option (coranado). We ended up loving the report.

Thank You! I wonder if we should do the same? We are currently at PoP and have Disney Dinning for the Dinning. I'm hoping for FD and then we just pay the difference. Maybe we should give her choices of hotels just in case we have to move things around. When I looked last week at other options/prices I did Coranado and wasn't able to choose a room. It said they were all unavailable.

 

[Disneylover99]

I went into my original reservation which did not qualify for FD due to check in date. When I selected modify (which I was scared to death to click it brought up new offers and a window which allowed me to check the current offers.

I've always been too afraid to hit the modify button. That's my problem.

 

[ELSA711]

I've always been too afraid to hit the modify button. That's my problem.

I just hit modify again yesterday for my anniversary trip, now when I log in to MDE it reads Animal Kingdom Lodge , it has me again!
It's a surprise for my hubby. I'm becoming a pro at modify now. And just so everyone knows, once you hit modify, each category is sectioned out to modify. Pretty easy

 

[Disneylover99]

I just hit modify again yesterday for my anniversary trip, now when I log in to MDE it reads Animal Kingdom Lodge , it has me again!
It's a surprise for my hubby. I'm becoming a pro at modify now. And just so everyone knows, once you hit modify, each category is sectioned out to modify. Pretty easy

If you hit modify, and then decide you don't really want to modify based on what you see, can you just stop without changing anything in your reservation?

 

[PK Disney Dork]

Here's a question I've not found an answer to yet. (If I missed it in the thread I'll apologize here)

But we already have a trip booked for September along with the deluxe dining plan. It's not paid off yet. If free dining is announced during our dates would we be able to call and have our booking changed to the free option versus still paying for it?

You'd think I'd know this answer but it eludes me.