An important note on Free Dining if you already bought park passes!

[Dizneydaz]

Well that would be nice if we could do it as well. Besides the 3- 2 day ones we had to buy this year (we didn't book the bounceback last year) we also have a few one day tickets as well. We usually buy the 10 day, non expiring, PH, plusses and get at least 2 1/2 to 3 trips out of them (more with the plusses)

squirrel, hope you can do it. I'll be there before you so I guess I'll have to check it out for myself.

 

[frayedend]

This is a very isolated incident. I would not expect to be able to do it without a manager's vey specific approval and extenuating circumstances.

Also, it would get a incident report in the permanent Guest Recovery System with name and address recorded showing what was done, why it was done, and who authorized it.

Very often before a special request is granted the Guest is looked up in GRS to see that the Guest has not had similar incidents in the past.

I do realize that you are the authority on tickets but I really disagree. There was no question as to whether we were allowed to do it. On the phone at Pop the CM was simply told that we had to go to park guest services to do it. At the park us, and our friend were at separate windows at the same time. There were no questions, no concerning looks, no phone calls. Our CM simply said, "Oh you had to buy the 2 day to get the dining, okay." And then she proceeded to do the transaction. There was definitely no incident reporting or extenuating circumstances.

 

[Brian Noble]

Seeing as how Cheshire works in ticketing, I'd take his word for it. You got pixie-dusted, and I certainly would not make plans to book "free" dining expecting the same treatment.

 

[Tony&Kathy]

Annual pass holders can now get a dinning plan-this was changed this not that long ago.
People who buy the non-expiring tickets cannot get a dinning plan unless they buy at least a one day pass.

 

[disneyred]

Annual pass holders can now get a dinning plan-this was changed this not that long ago.
People who buy the non-expiring tickets cannot get a dinning plan unless they buy at least a one day pass.

dont you need to buy at least a 2 day pass now?

 

[VAN]

But can AP holders get the free dining plan without having to purchase new tickets? I am interested in this because we are going for free dining later this month and then again in March. It would save many $$ is this were true!

 

[frayedend]

Seeing as how Cheshire works in ticketing, I'd take his word for it. You got pixie-dusted, and I certainly would not make plans to book "free" dining expecting the same treatment.

I just really can't imagine how we got pixie dusted since they didn't mention anything about it being a special case, and 2 CMs performed the same transaction at the same time in different windows without knowing about the other one. It just doesn't make sense that this was isolated or special in any way.

The only possibility I can think of is this..

The CM simply treated it as if we wanted to return the 2 day passes and didn't take into account that we were required to purchase it for the free dining. The computer may not be set up to block this either and so they just did it as a refund. In that case it would sort of be a pixie dust issue at the expense of CM knowledge.

However, I would point out that the CM said they needed our previously purchased passes to scan and link to our reservation. So the above scenario doesn't really hold water (or pixie dust).

 

[vicki_c]

But can AP holders get the free dining plan without having to purchase new tickets? I am interested in this because we are going for free dining later this month and then again in March. It would save many $$ is this were true!

Yes, you can book an AP ticketless package and add the DDP if you are an AP holder (and it might be also staying in an AP rate room, but I'm not sure of that part).

As to the PP - 2 day minimum ticket is required for FREE dining, 1 day ticket for paid dining.

edited: Oops - I see now I didn't read the original question right - I think it's been covered but I will edit -

you can't get FREE dining w/o buying a 2 day ticket, AP holder or not.

 

[catne]

Annual pass holders can now get a dinning plan-this was changed this not that long ago.
People who buy the non-expiring tickets cannot get a dinning plan unless they buy at least a one day pass.

I think you're confusing the discussion, maybe. We're talking about the Free Dining promotion, not regular package for AP where you pay for dining. That's not the question here.

You cannot get FREE DINING with just a room and the AP...you still have to buy the 2 day tickets just like everyone else. In the past, what most AP folks have done is buy the room package with the 2 day tickets to get the Free Dining, and then hold onto the tickets until it's time to renew their passes (applying the unused 2 day tickets to the cost of their new AP)

 

[fall08CP]

I do realize that you are the authority on tickets but I really disagree. There was no question as to whether we were allowed to do it. On the phone at Pop the CM was simply told that we had to go to park guest services to do it. At the park us, and our friend were at separate windows at the same time. There were no questions, no concerning looks, no phone calls. Our CM simply said, "Oh you had to buy the 2 day to get the dining, okay." And then she proceeded to do the transaction. There was definitely no incident reporting or extenuating circumstances.

How do you know that? They often wait until you've left the window to document the event in their computer.. I work with ticketing as well and I have never heard of refunding tickets unless it was a mistake done by a CM. The tickets clearly say "nonrefundable". You got lucky. In regards to the phone call, that goes to a call center; you did not talk to anyone AT the Pop. Honestly, the call center CMs can say anything they want because you can't trace it back to them. They even use fake names. Obviously it's in their best interest to give good information but it doesn't always happen. You can't take their word 100% because they don't work in the parks, much less with ticketing.

 

[frayedend]

How do you know that? They often wait until you've left the window to document the event in their computer.. I work with ticketing as well and I have never heard of refunding tickets unless it was a mistake done by a CM. The tickets clearly say "nonrefundable". You got lucky. In regards to the phone call, that goes to a call center; you did not talk to anyone AT the Pop. Honestly, the call center CMs can say anything they want because you can't trace it back to them. They even use fake names. Obviously it's in their best interest to give good information but it doesn't always happen. You can't take their word 100% because they don't work in the parks, much less with ticketing.

I was at Pop not on the phone. So you are wrong on that one. I had no tickets, just a booked package, so there was nothing that said "non-rufundable" either. The CM at Pop had to call someone else about giving us the gift card and that person said it could be done but only at the park. As far as what happened at MK what I am saying is that I don't expect a 17 year old CM working the ticket counter to give me a $640 refund as some pixie dust and wait until I'm gone with the gift card to call a superior for approval, while at the same time, 3 windows away, another 17 year old CM is doing the same thing at the same time for someone else. Any time I have ever gotten a refund that wasn't policy the person would tell me no, then after I argued they would call a superior and get approval. This wasn't the case at all.

But I seriously don't know why you are getting all angry about this. I posted what happened and how it happened. Then I gave my opinion of how it was handled and how it didn't seem to be against policy. I am not telling anyone to bet on it or expect that they will definitely get their money back. As I said they still have to purchase the 2 day pass. But if for some reason you have passes already it won't hurt to go to a park (MK seems to have the best guest services area in my opinion) and see about a refund of the 2 day passes.

 

[n2mm]

But I seriously don't know why you are getting all angry about this. I posted what happened and how it happened. Then I gave my opinion of how it was handled and how it didn't seem to be against policy. I am not telling anyone to bet on it or expect that they will definitely get their money back. As I said they still have to purchase the 2 day pass. But if for some reason you have passes already it won't hurt to go to a park (MK seems to have the best guest services area in my opinion) and see about a refund of the 2 day passes.

Thank you for the heads up. We are AP holders and had to buy the 1 day tickets to get the package (as I mentioned in an earlier thread). I'm glad to see your post and if no one else appreciates it, I certainly do. Yes I know that it might not happen, but I would never had a clue to even ask if you had not posted this information. We arrived in 4 weeks, and I certainly will inquire about converting my 1 day passes to the equivalent value on a gift card. Not sure how another poster came up with a "refund", but it's obvious Disney will get their money either through me applying my 1 day ticket towards my renewal or with a Disney gift card. Actually with the gift card, Disney get's twice the amount, since I'll be renewing either way. So I wanted you to know that I'm glad you posted your experience with this, whether it was a one time thing, or a policy we didn't know about. Thank you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The only possibility I can think of is this..

The CM simply treated it as if we wanted to return the 2 day passes

This would be a reasonable explanation - if park passes were returnable/refundable, which, generally, they're not.

But if for some reason you have passes already it won't hurt to go to a park ...

While it's great that you had a certain experience, and that you're not stating absolutely that everyone will have the same experience, recommending that everyone try is a pretty sure way to ensure it won't happen, or won't happen very long/often.

 

[frayedend]

While it's great that you had a certain experience, and that you're not stating absolutely that everyone will have the same experience, recommending that everyone try is a pretty sure way to ensure it won't happen, or won't happen very long/often.

Well perhaps. I don't think there are all that many people that buy passes prior to booking a trip/package. I understand that there are a lot of annual pass holders but I doubt my experience will apply to them since we had full price 1 week passes (and I assume annual passes are greatly discounted). What I think they did was connect my 1 week passes to my free dining reservation as part of the package and just remove the 2 day passes. So realistically I wouldn't expect hoards of people to flood the guest services area. And again, since it didn't seem to be a special thing they did for me, it wouldn't matter if there were hoards of people.

 

[pinkerbell]

Hey so we booked our last trip before free dining and only because our friend had extra passes with park hopper and water parks. When free dining was offered we went for it but were dissappointed because we had to buy 2 day passes to get the deal.

I posted here my being upset that we couldn't apply our already purchased tix to the package. Everyone said that there was no way to do that. We called and they told us it couldn't be done.

When we got to our resort our friend told us that she called and was told it could be done at guest services. I didn't believe it. At the resort we were told to go to guest services at the park.

Well believe it or not they just scanned our previously purchased passes to confirm and then they gave us a gift card for the 2 days we purchased. We got over $600 back. So it can be done but has to be done at a park where they can scan your tickets and confirm everything. We were super happy to have an extra $600 that we promptly gave back to Disney for pins and snacks and shirts.

I posted this before and I'll say it again

Glad it worked for you and I will inquire to see if I have any options.

I too am surprised when I read what can be viewed as negative responses. I have had people insist that things I have experienced would never happen (like being told to switch rooms in the middle of a continued ressie after being assured I didn not have to)???? Whatever??

I am glad u shared your experience. It's not like every person who goes to Disney is on the boards and we are certianly not all there at the same time. Actually the boards don't seem nearly as busy as they used to be. Wonder if those who posted their expereinces got fed up when people questioned them. Insisted they didnt know all the facts, etc..

I thought we were here to share info and I'm happy for you and your sharing this info with us - from what I hear attendance is down, my Co likes to be creative and often chnges policy to bring in business. I'd like to say the info gets rolledout to all at the same time, but no it doesnt, heck I remember when then 1 park per day ticket was out, OMG what a ngihtmare, I cant tell you how many CM's told me I could use two park days in "one day" as long as I didnt go over my "10 days" you need a PhD in park policy to knwo it all and then like any real world situation - it changes!

glad it worked for ya!!!

 

[POTCfan]

I have one question regarding the ticket that your friend originally purchased at the Disney Store - was it a ticket or gift card? The disney store by my home sells "tickets" loaded on what looks like a gift card. And if they were actually physical tickets, does anybody know if there is a return policy on the Disney store tickets?

I don't know what happened, but is it possible that when you went to the ticket window, they gave you credit for the 4 adult passes bought at the Disney Store. Then, with that credit, added the days to your KTTW card (I do believe you can add days - if you only bought 2 and wanted 4 more days added, you can upgrade, right?) Then, with the remaining credit that was left over, they gave you a gift card?

If this happened, then technically you still had to buy a minimum of 2 days to get the free dining. I just don't know what the policy is on returning "tickets" bought at the Disney Store is...

 

[frayedend]

I have one question regarding the ticket that your friend originally purchased at the Disney Store - was it a ticket or gift card? The disney store by my home sells "tickets" loaded on what looks like a gift card. And if they were actually physical tickets, does anybody know if there is a return policy on the Disney store tickets?

I don't know what happened, but is it possible that when you went to the ticket window, they gave you credit for the 4 adult passes bought at the Disney Store. Then, with that credit, added the days to your KTTW card (I do believe you can add days - if you only bought 2 and wanted 4 more days added, you can upgrade, right?) Then, with the remaining credit that was left over, they gave you a gift card?

If this happened, then technically you still had to buy a minimum of 2 days to get the free dining. I just don't know what the policy is on returning "tickets" bought at the Disney Store is...

I suppose there was a way they could do that but it doesn't seem likely. Anyhow, the 7 day tickets were not gift card, but actual tickets. They do look like gift cards though. Once my son tried to buy something with his by mistake. I think the transaction would have been a nightmare had they credited us 2 days from the 7 day passes. That would have only refunded us like $12 because it was $3 per day after 4 or 5 days (I forget exactly). They would have had to do some strange things. Also they didn't put anything back on the KTTW card. We still had to use the separate 7 day tickets to get into the parks. And we also ended up adding days to the 7 day tix while we were there as we had 9 days to go to parks. The KTTW card ended up having no park tickets on it. And the receipt simply said something like "Refund 2 day park passes".

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Wow... I'm glad I saw this post! We're AP holders (and DVC) and have been ignoring the free dining stuff because I don't want to buy all these extra 2 day tickets. This would be AWESOME if it is the new policy.

I'm so glad this worked out for you!

 

[shystalips]

Please, Please, Please
Can we all just settle down and stop the speculation. It's great that this experience was posted, and let's not say it cannot be done until someone else tries to duplicate. It's entirely possible that this is an unwritten policy and not an isolated incident. This would benefit many of us and a big to OP.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Please, Please, Please
Can we all just settle down and stop the speculation. It's great that this experience was posted, and let's not say it cannot be done until someone else tries to duplicate. It's entirely possible that this is an unwritten policy and not an isolated incident. This would benefit many of us and a big to OP.

I couldn't have said it better.