A Little Upset With FD

[chrismom3]

Why is it that Disney (or some CM's) are allowing FD past 9/20 (as long as you're checked in by that date) and not allowing a little flexability on the other end? For example, I'm arriving on 8/20 - 8/27. I was told I couldn't have FD for the beginning of my trip because it began on the 24th. They why are others getting FD if it "ends" on the 20th of Sept??

I was told I needed to split my reservation and that I may not be able to stay in my same room at the Poly. Just wondering if anyone else had a different scenario given to them.

 

[Aliceacc]

You're right: either the rules should be set in stone or not.

But I think the reason they don't want to extend the offer into mid August is that there's no financial incentive for Disney to do so.

They're offering free dining to make money, not as a public service. Schools in much of the country start in mid August. So they want to get people into the parks who might not otherwise consider coming. Free dining is the hook.

Extending it on the August end would simply cost Disney money; people who were there anyway would get a freebie.

(And for the record, we're missing free dining. We have to be back in school on Aug 25.)

 

[jwcollin]

LPNews: Free Walt Disney World Dining Returns
Free dining is returning to Walt Disney World. Here are the details: Minimum 3 night stay at select Walt Disney World resorts with Magic Your Way Base Tickets -- Includes Free Disney Dining Plan -- Good for travel August 8 - September 20-- Quotes and booking begins on April 10 (booking is available now for Disney Visa Card members). Booking must be completed by June 22. No group rates or other discounts apply. -- Packages can be upgraded to a Deluxe Dining or Wine & Dine Plan -- Guests can book through Walt Disney World Travel or a Travel Agent.

OK, now does anyone know if this would be correct? A website is now saying that the free dining is starting August 8? I am almost thinking that this could be a typo...

 

[Letsbgoofy]

chrismom3,

I truly don't mean to be rude, but I can't understand your position. If they extended the dates to include those that fall before the promotion don't you think that most people who plan to travel the week before would just stay until the 24th to get the free dining? As the previous poster said, Disney must have already sold enough rooms that week to not need an incentive. If I'm going to complain about anything, it's that people from the UK could book those earlier weeks last September.

As for booking the 9/20 and getting the FD - in the past the date has been later. It sounds like they want everyone out by the end of the month - again, I'm sure they don't need to fill those rooms. The FD promotion has always been run that you can extend for up to 10 days, but never has been that you can come in early.

We have had 2 separate reservations on many occasions - back when your rate was the rate charged the first night of your reservation. We have always been told we might not be able to keep the same room, but that has never happened. The biggest problem is that you have to check out and check back in.

 

[Va-bear]

OK, now does anyone know if this would be correct? A website is now saying that the free dining is starting August 8? I am almost thinking that this could be a typo...

Yeah, just looked at that too.... how I wish it were true, but nobody else shows it starting Aug 8th, so my guess is it is a typo...

 

[Markstudy]

Free dining is to bring in more people AFTER SCHOOL STARTS

That's why so many peoples dates don't work... they are getting ready for school or starting school.

... keep Jr. out of school, dodge the storms, and take the heat.... oh - here's your free lunch Who said there's really no such thing as a FREE LUNCH?

 

[KikiFan]

Why is it that Disney (or some CM's) are allowing FD past 9/20 (as long as you're checked in by that date) and not allowing a little flexability on the other end? For example, I'm arriving on 8/20 - 8/27. I was told I couldn't have FD for the beginning of my trip because it began on the 24th. They why are others getting FD if it "ends" on the 20th of Sept??

I was told I needed to split my reservation and that I may not be able to stay in my same room at the Poly. Just wondering if anyone else had a different scenario given to them.

It's basically the same policy they always had with the rates. If you checked in during value season your whole stay was priced at value season - even if you stayed into holiday season.

I don't think that it makes sense to expect them to extend the rate to dates prior to the start of the special. It's a courtesy that they are extending it past the final date. It's also probably easier for their bookkeeping since dining credits are generally just given in a lump amount for you to use as you see fit, not rationed out daily.

 

[mickey2000]

 

[CarolA]

Disney has never done the "in advance" but has historically let people book after.

Now, if they weren't suppose to extend after the dates this year and "found a way to do it" assume that this will be your last chance at that. We are sometimes victims of our own success. We all post on here when we get CMs to do stuff and eventually "stuff" goes away. For example, Disney used to quietly do refunds for "hard luck" stories on hard ticketed events. Now... they don't do that near as much and I think it's the internet boards that made the "exception" the rule so the CMs lost that flexiblity....