all free dining rooms booked. what does this mean?

[correctcraft97]

Hello everybody,
I have had my october reservations booked for months (riverside). I was on the phone at 7 am sharp to get free dining. After a 90 minute hold my only options were CS or CB pirate room. I went with the pirate room due to not wanting the convention vibe at CS I had heard so much about. I'm very bummed I had to lose riverside to get the dining. I have called seversl times to check for avaik ability to no avail. I just got off the phone thinking of upgrading to a deluxe. I was told all free dining rooms in every resort are sold out and that they had not expected such a huge response for free dining. Does this mean that all the resorts are going to be packed like July or that they got really stingy with the number of free dining rooms offered? I am used to laid back October's in Disney. I'm kinda worried now

 

[luvdisney87]

This makes me worried too because I was hoping to get free dining for next October with a reservation at POFQ. Please post after your trip and let us know how the crowds are. What dates are you going?

 

[ThumpersMommy]

I do not know the answer about how many free dining rooms they offer but I too am concerned that this October might look like July- I went last October and the Food & Wine Festival was packed, lines were much longer than in previous years. The Halloween party was busy but not too bad, still could get on rides, walk around in relative comfort. Let's hope for the best!

 

[Fivemuggles]

No I saw POR open oct 26-nov 1 this afternoon. (I am trying for oct 26-nov 3 lol)
So not every resort is sold out- maybe just for your dates? When I initially called the day FD dropped I was told nothing was left for the entire year. But later that week I was able to grab a reservation for half my dates, and my TA got me everything but 1 day this morning. So keep checking! People cancel all the time!
My TA also said that Friday is the day that the people who had unpaid holds on rooms expire.. So more rooms may open up then.

 

[purple figment]

Does this mean that all the resorts are going to be packed like July or that they got really stingy with the number of free dining rooms offered? I am used to laid back October's in Disney. I'm kinda worried now

Although you said "resorts" I'm assuming you're more worried about crowds in the parks. The majority of park visitors are actually staying offsite so even if the onsite resorts are full it doesn't mean the parks will be packed because overall, tourism is less in October than July.

The number of rooms available for any special is limited and varies with each resort/room category. How many depends on the number of rooms that have already been booked previously. Also, if even just one night wasn't available, it will show that nothing is available for your entire vacation.

 

[correctcraft97]

I never really thought about tourism in general. I was in the Disney bubble I guess. Sounds very true though and makes me feel better. I was worried about park crowds. I guess I am just getting hyped up. I am arriving on the 19th of October. In the past the crowds have been at a minimum even with free dining. Epcot was always a little busier due to f and w festival but not really bad at all. Last trip was 2011 though

 

[crazy4wdw]

This makes me worried too because I was hoping to get free dining for next October with a reservation at POFQ. Please post after your trip and let us know how the crowds are. What dates are you going?

POFQ has not been included in the fall free dining offers either last year or this year. Also, when room only discounts are offered, the discounts at POFQ are usually much less than the other moderates.

 

[Marsheliz]

Pofq was included last year. That is where we stayed with free dining.

 

[luvdisney87]

Just when I had everything figured out (so I thought) now I have to worry about whether my first and second choices book up before the free dining is released! I figured that I could get a room only discount on Beach Club and it isn't offered...

 

[Hisgirl]

I'd like to share my experience yesterday in 'snagging' FD with the resort I wanted. I'm still a little traumatized by the whole thing!

I had called a few days ago and talked to the Disney agent person (what is the acronym for the Disney call person who taps on the keyboard for you?) and he said I could get 30% off at Grand Floridian, which was my request. We needed two rooms and he said there were plenty and I could call back in a day or two.

I rechecked our plans and got final thumbs up from my parents and called back. The Disney caller person said there were no more discounted GF rooms. None. Poof. They were all gone.

I asked if there were any free dining rooms thinking that would be the discount and she said, "No more free dining rooms either."

*Insert large PIN into my big ol' mickey shaped balloon!*

So what did I do? I said I had to do something and needed to call back.

That thing I needed to do.....was to hang up and call back because this particular disney call person was NOT making my Disney dreams come true.

So I called back.

The next person was about as much help as a one legged dog in a can kicking contest so I said I had something to do and needed to call back.

So I called back again.

And THIS TIME.... I got Disney receptionist travel agent make miracles happen telephone best friend extraordinaire on the other line! I kid you not when I say this woman was doing all sorts of fancy wrangling coming up with package deals, backing out on days from 7 night rates, adding in tickets and FREE DINING...I do believe I heard angels singing the whole time she worked her miracles.

We ended up with two Grand Floridian rooms at the regular rate but for $600 more we got $1132 worth of tickets AND free dining for four people for 5 days.

It was a feat of excellence and it taught me that if you aren't hearing what you want to hear....CALL BACK! You might just get Doreen who apparently is on loan from Heaven, Inc.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Pofq was included last year. That is where we stayed with free dining.

Opps, sorry. I initially had ressies in Oct for POFQ last year and was not able to get the free dining package (or a general discount). I know its blacked out this year. I ended up changing to POR.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Just when I had everything figured out (so I thought) now I have to worry about whether my first and second choices book up before the free dining is released! I figured that I could get a room only discount on Beach Club and it isn't offered...

It's difficult to get a discount at any of the Epcot Resorts during the Food & Wine Fest. So many people reserve those resorts because they can walk to Epcot for the festival. If you are a AAA member, you may be able to reserve a room with the AAA discount, around 10% to 15%.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd like to share my experience yesterday in 'snagging' FD with the resort I wanted. I'm still a little traumatized by the whole thing!

I had called a few days ago and talked to the Disney agent person (what is the acronym for the Disney call person who taps on the keyboard for you?) and he said I could get 30% off at Grand Floridian, which was my request. We needed two rooms and he said there were plenty and I could call back in a day or two.

I rechecked our plans and got final thumbs up from my parents and called back. The Disney caller person said there were no more discounted GF rooms. None. Poof. They were all gone.

I asked if there were any free dining rooms thinking that would be the discount and she said, "No more free dining rooms either."

*Insert large PIN into my big ol' mickey shaped balloon!*

So what did I do? I said I had to do something and needed to call back.

That thing I needed to do.....was to hang up and call back because this particular disney call person was NOT making my Disney dreams come true.

So I called back.

The next person was about as much help as a one legged dog in a can kicking contest so I said I had something to do and needed to call back.

So I called back again.

And THIS TIME.... I got Disney receptionist travel agent make miracles happen telephone best friend extraordinaire on the other line! I kid you not when I say this woman was doing all sorts of fancy wrangling coming up with package deals, backing out on days from 7 night rates, adding in tickets and FREE DINING...I do believe I heard angels singing the whole time she worked her miracles.

We ended up with two Grand Floridian rooms at the regular rate but for $600 more we got $1132 worth of tickets AND free dining for four people for 5 days.

It was a feat of excellence and it taught me that if you aren't hearing what you want to hear....CALL BACK! You might just get Doreen who apparently is on loan from Heaven, Inc.

I really enjoyed reading your experience....it has given me renewed hope.

I booked POFQ a while ago before knowing about free dining. I have been trying to get through to Disney since last Thursday morning hoping to switch to Riverside. I finally got through yesterday! Anyways, the only moderate resort available for my dates is CB. I knew it was a large resort but I just looked at the map. Now I will definitely try to switch!

 

[acceber32]

I'd like to share my experience yesterday in 'snagging' FD with the resort I wanted. I'm still a little traumatized by the whole thing!

I had called a few days ago and talked to the Disney agent person (what is the acronym for the Disney call person who taps on the keyboard for you?) and he said I could get 30% off at Grand Floridian, which was my request. We needed two rooms and he said there were plenty and I could call back in a day or two.

I rechecked our plans and got final thumbs up from my parents and called back. The Disney caller person said there were no more discounted GF rooms. None. Poof. They were all gone.

I asked if there were any free dining rooms thinking that would be the discount and she said, "No more free dining rooms either."

*Insert large PIN into my big ol' mickey shaped balloon!*

So what did I do? I said I had to do something and needed to call back.

That thing I needed to do.....was to hang up and call back because this particular disney call person was NOT making my Disney dreams come true.

So I called back.

The next person was about as much help as a one legged dog in a can kicking contest so I said I had something to do and needed to call back.

So I called back again.

And THIS TIME.... I got Disney receptionist travel agent make miracles happen telephone best friend extraordinaire on the other line! I kid you not when I say this woman was doing all sorts of fancy wrangling coming up with package deals, backing out on days from 7 night rates, adding in tickets and FREE DINING...I do believe I heard angels singing the whole time she worked her miracles.

We ended up with two Grand Floridian rooms at the regular rate but for $600 more we got $1132 worth of tickets AND free dining for four people for 5 days.

It was a feat of excellence and it taught me that if you aren't hearing what you want to hear....CALL BACK! You might just get Doreen who apparently is on loan from Heaven, Inc.

Oh how I wish I could call her directly!!! I really want someone to work magic for me and get me a FD room at POR. We have FD booked for CB, we've stayed there and its ok but we love POR!!

Does anyone know if more rooms are available to CMs when you call? Or is it the same info as online? I don't mind calling but I don't want to call if its the same stuff as online that I can just check myself. I probably check for POR room availability over 5 times a day, I'd rather not call if I don't have to.

 

[shyjade]

Does this mean that all the resorts are going to be packed like July or that they got really stingy with the number of free dining rooms offered? I am used to laid back October's in Disney. I'm kinda worried now

Don't be worried. Although all the FD rooms at Pop for our dates were sold out the first night it was released (I checked), ALL of the 4 room categories are still available for those same dates.

Honestly, I think there were a lot less FD rooms released this year than in the past because normally the promo still has some room availability well after it's released (more than a month later), and this year all FD rooms sold out within a few days.

 

[Marsheliz]

I'd like to share my experience yesterday in 'snagging' FD with the resort I wanted. I'm still a little traumatized by the whole thing!

I had called a few days ago and talked to the Disney agent person (what is the acronym for the Disney call person who taps on the keyboard for you?) and he said I could get 30% off at Grand Floridian, which was my request. We needed two rooms and he said there were plenty and I could call back in a day or two.

I rechecked our plans and got final thumbs up from my parents and called back. The Disney caller person said there were no more discounted GF rooms. None. Poof. They were all gone.

I asked if there were any free dining rooms thinking that would be the discount and she said, "No more free dining rooms either."

*Insert large PIN into my big ol' mickey shaped balloon!*

So what did I do? I said I had to do something and needed to call back.

That thing I needed to do.....was to hang up and call back because this particular disney call person was NOT making my Disney dreams come true.

So I called back.

The next person was about as much help as a one legged dog in a can kicking contest so I said I had something to do and needed to call back.

So I called back again.

And THIS TIME.... I got Disney receptionist travel agent make miracles happen telephone best friend extraordinaire on the other line! I kid you not when I say this woman was doing all sorts of fancy wrangling coming up with package deals, backing out on days from 7 night rates, adding in tickets and FREE DINING...I do believe I heard angels singing the whole time she worked her miracles.

We ended up with two Grand Floridian rooms at the regular rate but for $600 more we got $1132 worth of tickets AND free dining for four people for 5 days.

It was a feat of excellence and it taught me that if you aren't hearing what you want to hear....CALL BACK! You might just get Doreen who apparently is on loan from Heaven, Inc.

WOW!! Love this story! Heaven, Inc.. Love it!!

 

[RebeccaB]

I booked the first FD promotion, really wanting POFQ. Originally I booked a week earlier than I wanted bc I was told by a misinformed CM that for this offer, every night had to be w/in the time frame of the FD period to count. After I double checked with my dis gurus who confirmed what I knew deep down inside (that as long as your arrival date falls w/in the FD dates you get it for the whole trip), I called back in a panic. I have two reservations linked together; ours and the inlaws. I was flipping out thinking I wouldn't be able to get POFQ for a week later. Thank goodness I got a CM angel from Heaven as well and he told me there were exactly 3 rooms left at POFQ for the FD promo in my time frame. Phew.

 

[Marsheliz]

I booked the first FD promotion, really wanting POFQ. Originally I booked a week earlier than I wanted bc I was told by a misinformed CM that for this offer, every night had to be w/in the time frame of the FD period to count. After I double checked with my dis gurus who confirmed what I knew deep down inside (that as long as your arrival date falls w/in the FD dates you get it for the whole trip), I called back in a panic. I have two reservations linked together; ours and the inlaws. I was flipping out thinking I wouldn't be able to get POFQ for a week later. Thank goodness I got a CM angel from Heaven as well and he told me there were exactly 3 rooms left at POFQ for the FD promo in my time frame. Phew.

So, POFQ was included in free dining? I thought they excluded it. Maybe they did just for Oct- Dec dates. I loved POFQ last year.

 

[su_A_ve]

POFQ has not been included in the fall free dining offers either last year or this year. Also, when room only discounts are offered, the discounts at POFQ are usually much less than the other moderates.

Weird - I just got a PIN offer for fall - it DOES include POFQ - I'm able to book Garden view for Dec 22-26 at POFQ.

 

[RebeccaB]

So, POFQ was included in free dining? I thought they excluded it. Maybe they did just for Oct- Dec dates. I loved POFQ last year.

POFQ was not included in the fall promo, I booked it for the one that ended Sept 25.