2018 Free Dining Watch Thread V3

[Shandy1121]

So Stoked! My TA emailed me this morning after it dropped and got me the free dining...woot!

 

[Lovetherodent]

Just got the email from Chase about the Visa FD offer.

 

[h&D3]

I swear.. I'm so frazzled right now. I did the all nighter, then I was able to modify online. Now the PIN code that I got about a month ago is finally working for the room we have and it's giving me the best price. So I guess I'm on hold (wait time now said 60 minutes) but there is no music playing. Just silence. Am I screwed? I don't want to hang up if in fact this does go through.... What should I do????

~D

 

[kathleen29]

Did anyone who went last year in December for free dining have a hard time making table service reservations? What if you're on the site each morning it opens (180 days prior)? Thanks!

 

[areno79]

For those who aren't finding availability or getting a message that the offer isn't available, the site is super glitchy.
I was just able to go in and modify the FD reservation I made this morning and change from a Standard room at Pop to a Preferred room at Pop. It's only $60 extra for my stay and I don't want to take the chance of not getting the location I want when the resort will most likely be booked to capacity in September.

 

[anomamatt]

Did anyone who went last year in December for free dining have a hard time making table service reservations? What if you're on the site each morning it opens (180 days prior)? Thanks!

December is typically very difficult for ADRs, regardless of free dining or not.

 

[rockinrhonda]

My TA was able to modify my two Standard rooms at POP for our 8/19-8/26 stay to free dining! I got the confirmation at 5:30 am this morning I'm a Disney Visa holder so we got 8/19 included. Good luck everyone, especially my Maine girls!

Glad to hear you got what you wanted. We did as well. Did ours online 5:05 am

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Just got the email from Chase about the Visa FD offer.

I never got an email from chase.....but I did see the offer after someone posted the link.....hmmm

 

[kathleen29]

December is typically very difficult for ADRs, regardless of free dining or not.

Do you have any recommendations for getting the reservations I want? Should I wake up really early every morning ?

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We did Animal Kingdom Lodge for the week before Xmas a few years ago with FD and it was so beautiful. There's still availability and I wish we had a WDW trip planned this year, especially since I have a relative in the college program! Enjoy your FD everyone!

 

[rockinrhonda]

Just got the email from Chase about the Visa FD offer.

I still have not received one from them yet.

 

[Greg36]

Did anyone who went last year in December for free dining have a hard time making table service reservations? What if you're on the site each morning it opens (180 days prior)? Thanks!

no, we did not. Just get on right at 180 days

 

[Kathy Muniz]

Do you have any recommendations for getting the reservations I want? Should I wake up really early every morning ?

I believe you can start making your reservations at 6am EST on your 180 day mark

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Do you have any recommendations for getting the reservations I want? Should I wake up really early every morning ?

I have started mine just after midnight on opening day and usually do well.


I also have elected to have DSS help as a backup also.

 

[Disneylover99]

Do you have any recommendations for getting the reservations I want? Should I wake up really early every morning ?

I've never had difficulty getting ADR's 180 days out for our December trips. Why get up every morning? You can make them all together at 180 days +10.

 

[anomamatt]

Do you have any recommendations for getting the reservations I want? Should I wake up really early every morning ?

Make a plan and then at 6am on 180 days from your check-in, you can book ADRs for your entire trip (up to 10-days and then rolling 190). I would highly recommend anyone doing free dining to be ready to book at 6am on their 180 day.

In your pre-planning, make the hardest to get ADRs on the later days. And if you don't get something you want, using the touring plans reservation finder.

 

[IceQueen182]

Did anyone who went last year in December for free dining have a hard time making table service reservations? What if you're on the site each morning it opens (180 days prior)? Thanks!

I went late November/early December last year during the FD period. It was insanely hard to make ADRs, even at 6 a.m. 180 days for the duration of my trip. I spend the next few months constantly checking, and had my best luck getting the times I wanted a day or two before my trip.

 

[JoyAhead]

Did anyone who went last year in December for free dining have a hard time making table service reservations? What if you're on the site each morning it opens (180 days prior)? Thanks!

We did for the November/early December dates right at 180 at 7am. But we were able to book several same day reservations while we were down there- including BOG lunch and CRT dinner. So I’m not going to stress too much this year.

 

[kathleen29]

I've never had difficulty getting ADR's 180 days out for our December trips. Why get up every morning? You can make them all together at 180 days +10.

Thank you so much for the info! I had no idea that was the case

 

[JoyAhead]

Make a plan and then at 6am on 180 days from your check-in, you can book ADRs for your entire trip (up to 10-days and then rolling 190). I would highly recommend anyone doing free dining to be ready to book at 6am on their 180 day.

Agree with this. The earlier you check in during the free dining period the easier it will be also. (Like the first day it’s available vs the last day it’s availavle)