2016 Free Dining Watch

[Sharongal74]

I can see both sides of to book or not to book. But I also think that there are people that are double or tripled book in hopes of getting their dates depending on free dining.

Are TA's always able to add the free dining? I have never used one since I enjoy the "game" of booking. I have read several sites that say use this travel agent and let them know you want it added. Sounded like a given. Just something my mind was wandering about.

 

[Mickeycrocs]

What's everyone thinking with the website showing no availabilities? Certainly they wouldn't keep them blocked off (if they even are) until Monday? Could it be tonight??

 

[DennisandAngel]

What's everyone thinking with the website showing no availabilities? Certainly they wouldn't keep them blocked off (if they even are) until Monday? Could it be tonight??

I've always notice when they system is glitching there is something coming! Lol

 

[TraceyL]

Well the UK free dining offer (2017) launches tomorrow. Not sure if the booking systems are interlinked in any way. The UK reservations are handled by the Walt Disney Travel Company.

 

[DennisandAngel]

Never thought about that. Triple booking is bizarre. I've always had luck with Disney booking. Had to switch resorts once, but I'm always flexible with my dates. You just need patients and pixie dust. Just like dining ADR's they get booked and canceled all the time.

 

[Mrspeaks]

I hope its tomorrow. I'm finally rested after Sunday night's little sleep checking so much.

 

[SGMCO]

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've heard of people who booked early expecting FD to lose out on getting it because they have to change their package and scramble to see what Resort was left, they couldn't apply the discount. I don't know why they would want to make more work for themselves.

 

[SJSloan]

I can see both sides of to book or not to book. But I also think that there are people that are double or tripled book in hopes of getting their dates depending on free dining.

Are TA's always able to add the free dining? I have never used one since I enjoy the "game" of booking. I have read several sites that say use this travel agent and let them know you want it added. Sounded like a given. Just something my mind was wandering about.

The availability to TA's is the same as the general public.

 

[ehoops120912]

You guys are right, Disney site looks different than normal. IMO: There is something stirring up and FD could be possible very soon (I'm thinking they wouldn't have a funky abnormal site for days till they release it (Monday), so IMO it could be possible tomorrow is the date).

*I have no inside information, just putting out my 2 cents worth.

 

[donp]

Last year aside, the Thursday release for DV and the Monday release for general public happened several times.

 

[CandiceF]

I think if it was to release soon we would hear something from our excellent experts on this site (Black562, Steve and Smitch)!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm hoping maybe for Free Dining to drop tomorrow. I can't spend many more nights sleeping like I did on Monday.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Last year aside, the Thursday release for DV and the Monday release for general public happened several times.

They did not release fall free dining early for Disney Visa cardholdets last year. They only had a general public release.

 

[RedWolf95]

That is exactly what I said. Disney holds rooms for the promotion. Those rooms are booked. The guests who booked rooms just in case but couldn't rearrange their dates or resort of choice cancel. Disney knows everyone who books isn't going to stay booked. They then have more rooms to release for the promotion on top of the rooms they previously held. It didn't change the fact that there was already a block of rooms held aside.

Whether everyone waited until the day FD was released to book or booked a year in advance, there would still be cancellations and Disney would still release some of the canceled rooms.

Booking in advance doesn't stop anyone from getting FD. But not booking in advance may stop you from staying at the resort you would like at the time you would like if you wait.

I completely disagree with you. It is a fact that when FD comes out that if for example there are no Standard rooms available to book at that time (i.e. if you were trying to make a new reservation) then you will not be able to modify a previously booked Standard room to FD. So, if all the Standard rooms in a resort are already on a reservation then you are not going to be able to get FD on a standard at that resort. There has to be room availability in that category in order to be able to get FD regardless of whether you are booking a new reservation of converting an existing reservation to FD. In fact, if you already have a reservation you cannot even remove a day from the reservation unless there is currently availability for that same room category at the resort for the new number of days you want.

 

[vicarrieous]

They did not release fall free dining early for Disney Visa cardholdets last year. They only had a general public release.

That's why it says "last year aside"

 

[dizneygirl55]

I think if it was to release soon we would hear something from our excellent experts on this site (Black562, Steve and Smitch)!

I agree! Our SME's (subject matter expert's ) are very quiet!!!

 

[jimjenkids]

I have a quick question, kinda silly but, I will be calling once/if fd is offered and at that time I will be trying to add it to our reservations. not sure if it can be modified on line-we have 2 rooms. I will also be trying to add another reservation for my son and his gf(they are paying iit themselves, I just have to call and try to book it) now IF things change and he decides to change his plans and room in one of our rooms(and not bring the gf)can he then be added to our room(and get fd if we have it) hopefully this makes some sense. kids can be so unpredictable. I still am holding out that my 1 son will be able to catch a break and have his college wrestling trip/meet not effect this and he could maybe fly out of Orlando and meet up with them but not holding my breath. he is always the "life of the trip" when we go to Disney.

 

[donp]

I have a quick question, kinda silly but, I will be calling once/if fd is offered and at that time I will be trying to add it to our reservations. not sure if it can be modified on line-we have 2 rooms. I will also be trying to add another reservation for my son and his gf(they are paying iit themselves, I just have to call and try to book it) now IF things change and he decides to change his plans and room in one of our rooms(and not bring the gf)can he then be added to our room(and get fd if we have it) hopefully this makes some sense. kids can be so unpredictable. I still am holding out that my 1 son will be able to catch a break and have his college wrestling trip/meet not effect this and he could maybe fly out of Orlando and meet up with them but not holding my breath. he is always the "life of the trip" when we go to Disney.

Yes, if there is space in your room, you can add and they will adjust the price accordingly for his ticket cost and the cost of adding another adult into the room.

 

[Jordyn1123]

The site is still going back and forth between showing nothing and showing availability for me. Fingers crossed for tonight

 

[SGMCO]

The site is still going back and forth between showing nothing and showing availability for me. Fingers crossed for tonight

I've also had this problem. Keep checking to see what still available for our week. Are we causing the site to Spaz out?