2016 Free Dining Watch

[vrajewski10513]

sorry, I didn't say that very well. what I meant was the quick service package was new. people were expecting fd however while I made it sound like it was for the same time what I actually meant/should have said was they were waiting for fd offers. Disney switched it up with a new offer. they could switch it up again.
I still stand behind my thought that the more rooms reserved, the less they have to offer.
again, jmo and not meant to change minds.

Oh no, I don't mind other people's opinions at all lol I just think that in summer people aren't expecting much of any discount, so I think the deal they got wasn't too bad compared to the norm.

 

[MichiganScott]

Even if you pre-book there are no guarantees that the resort that you booked is going to be on FD list of resorts,
I have heard of people missing out on FD because of pre-booking resorts expecting to add FD.
Having to scramble to find any resort that offers FD if any or left.

That's still better than having zero reservations, and no chance of adding FD right?

 

[shap39]

I'm staying at AoA family suite. I booked it with DDplan. Instead of getting the FD which would be QS and upgrading to the DD I think the room discount would be greater. Your thoughts?

 

[NicoleLarson]

I'm staying at AoA family suite. I booked it with DDplan. Instead of getting the FD which would be QS and upgrading to the DD I think the room discount would be greater. Your thoughts?

It really depends on your party but the discounts aren't usually that great for AoA. Even at 20% off a 300/night room would only be saving $60. A Quick service plan is 44/person, so even 2 adults, 2 kids (at $19each) , that's $126 savings. Its $4/kid to upgrade and $20 for each adult. So then your net savings is $78/night. So depending upon your party and the actual discount given, it could go either way

 

[SGMCO]

That's still better than having zero reservations, and no chance of adding FD right?

NO it's not Better!!! Doesn't mean you will be able to add any discount code if booked already, and they may not even offer any discounts--Because it can make Disney think that there is no need to offer any discounts because everyone has booked already. So if you are willing to not have any discounts, then go ahead and book, but if you want more of a chance for Disney to offer a discount, Wait to book.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I'm staying at AoA family suite. I booked it with DDplan. Instead of getting the FD which would be QS and upgrading to the DD I think the room discount would be greater. Your thoughts?

You have to crunch the numbers. It's tedious but it's doable. For us, the free dining is the best promotion, saving us a couple thousand at least for our two week trip. (We are all 6 considered adults on the DDP).

 

[PirateD]

How exactly does it work when booking more than one room online? TIA!

Please anyone jump in if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that you have to book one room at a time and that you can only book two on one account online. You can book more than two rooms by calling. So last year, I had two computers at 2:30 AM logged into two separate MDE accounts (my dad's and mine). I was reserving four rooms, so I booked each room separately but two at a time on the two different computers. I was worried that I would book the first two and then there wouldn't be availability for the last two but it all worked out. Hope that helps!

 

[mandis77]

Please anyone jump in if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that you have to book one room at a time and that you can only book two on one account online. You can book more than two rooms by calling. So last year, I had two computers at 2:30 AM logged into two separate MDE accounts (my dad's and mine). I was reserving four rooms, so I booked each room separately but two at a time on the two different computers. I was worried that I would book the first two and then there wouldn't be availability for the last two but it all worked out. Hope that helps!

Yikes good to know - I need to book 3 rooms. So I'll need to get someone in my party to do an MDE account? Can my husband do it with same home address? Can we still use the same card to put deposit on rooms? I am trying to avoid waiting to for phones to open, want to do it all online.

 

[sweetcarolinamoma]

If you currently have a reservation and the free dining is released and your resort is included, can you call and ask for the free dining to be added to your package?

 

[antigwa]

That's still better than having zero reservations, and no chance of adding FD right?

From my experience over the last 4 years it doesn't help to have a pre-booked reservation at all unless you are going to keep your reservation regardless of if you are able to receive the Free Dining discount.

There are various reasons.
1. Your taking a spot out of the available rotation reducing availability and need for Disney to offer a discount to that resort.
2. People are assuming the Edit/Modify button is going to work and allow you to add Free Dining. It hasn't at times in the past, forcing you to call to make changes.
3. Free dining does not give preference if you have a pre-booked vacation, there is a finite amount of availability and it will be available for booking at that time or it won't.

IIRC, a lot of this can be rehashed in last year's free dining threads.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm in the camp of having rooms booked in hopes for free dining being a bad idea. The only reason I would book before is if you're going to go regardless, and your dates weren't flexible.

 

[tinkerone]

Pete Werner posted this on his fb

'Follow up - hearing free dining dates as 8/23-10/1, 11/15-11/21, 11/26-11/28,12/10-12/21 - this is not confirmed yet.'

take from it what you will.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

We are booked because we are going for the same week with dining plan regardless

 

[Iowamomof4]

Pete Werner posted this on his fb

'Follow up - hearing free dining dates as 8/23-10/1, 11/15-11/21, 11/26-11/28,12/10-12/21 - this is not confirmed yet.'

take from it what you will.

ACK!!! I never dreamed we might be able to take advantage of this for our week after Thanksgiving trip!

 

[mandis77]

Pete Werner posted this on his fb

'Follow up - hearing free dining dates as 8/23-10/1, 11/15-11/21, 11/26-11/28,12/10-12/21 - this is not confirmed yet.'

take from it what you will.

Eek!! Well even if it's just rumor - it's nice to see some dates right now. Not surprised October is out - when I was there in 2014 it was packed.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Please anyone jump in if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that you have to book one room at a time and that you can only book two on one account online. You can book more than two rooms by calling. So last year, I had two computers at 2:30 AM logged into two separate MDE accounts (my dad's and mine). I was reserving four rooms, so I booked each room separately but two at a time on the two different computers. I was worried that I would book the first two and then there wouldn't be availability for the last two but it all worked out. Hope that helps!

It does help! Thank you!

 

[G719]

Pete Werner posted this on his fb

'Follow up - hearing free dining dates as 8/23-10/1, 11/15-11/21, 11/26-11/28,12/10-12/21 - this is not confirmed yet.'

take from it what you will.

Those dates around Thanksgiving are a little strange. Typically free dining ends the weekend before Thanksgiving. I'd be surprised if those dates hold true.

 

[otg]

I find it hard to believe they would offer free dining for the week of thanksgiving and the busiest time in November is 19-26 but we will see.

 

[Just Love Disney]

Pete Werner posted this on his fb

'Follow up - hearing free dining dates as 8/23-10/1, 11/15-11/21, 11/26-11/28,12/10-12/21 - this is not confirmed yet.'

take from it what you will.

Rumor or not, thanks for posting this! My dates are not in there (we only have flexibility from 10/14-11/6).

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

NO it's not Better!!! Doesn't mean you will be able to add any discount code if booked already, and they may not even offer any discounts--Because it can make Disney think that there is no need to offer any discounts because everyone has booked already. So if you are willing to not have any discounts, then go ahead and book, but if you want more of a chance for Disney to offer a discount, Wait to book.

I agree. 100% not better! In fact, it is more difficult sometimes to change a reservation than make a new one! Sure, you will still have a reservation at full price, but you would be able to get that anyway, even if you can't get one with FD.