Anyone else nervous???? (free dining and no rooms)

[chewysmom]

I'm not a disney cardholder so I'll have to wait about a week later to book my room. I'm scared there won't be any available w/ all the chatter here, and all the ones who are anxiously waiting-plus the ones that have already booked in anticipation of free dining. Anyone else nervous??? Or am I the only one?

(where's the chewing nails smiley??? )

 

[nbodyhome]

No, not nervous. Disney already has done the offer at least twice - for UK residents and as a bounceback offer. Plus they've done pin code offers for that time as well. The free dining hasn't sold out the last couple of years, I know that one year they extended the offer period. (though in this case, if it becomes available, it will only be good for about a month instead of 7 weeks).

If I don't get it, I don't get it - but I'm not worried about the Visa people. That said, I'm very flexible with my dates as well.

 

[Aimros]

Yah! I'm nervous!! Only cause I already booked my week and can really only go one certain week since I missed a week of college last year, and don't want to do it again this year. I don't mind paying for the DDP- we are anyway, but I would be kind of upset if I was eating and knowing I paid for it and everyone else in the restaurant was there for free! With that said, I'm EXTREMELY nervous not being a Visa Card Holder!!!

 

[HotMama]

But it hasn't been announced that cardholders will be able to book first, right?

 

[rie'smom]

But it hasn't been announced that cardholders will be able to book first, right?

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

 

[skater]

I've told so many people about the free dining and not one is interested. I don't know anyone willing to pull their kids out of school in Sept. I also don't know anyone willing to make plans to go to Disney just because of a good deal. If one of my friends or aquaintances decides to go to Disney, they choose dates a long time in advance and those dates fit their schedule. So, I think we'll all be OK on rooms during free dining. (Have to admit, sometimes I get a little nervous too!)

 

[Microcell]

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

Ditto! Relax! I got my choice of hotels and dates when I stumbled on this at the end of May last year!

 

[nbodyhome]

That's the buzz-cardholders have first shot and 1 week to book before the offer is made to the general public.
Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

IF the Disney Visa card holders have 1st shot, sometimes it is just a few days (a week would mean that it would start tomorrow - IF free dining was available as of April 12th). But nothing has been officially announced yet.

 

[sleeping beauty 2]

I don't know anyone willing to pull their kids out of school in Sept. I

Actually, we take our kids out of school for a fall disney trip, but try to plan it around school holidays - Columbus day or Rosh Hashanah. So depending on when the free dining is (unlikely to extend into October based on the buzz on this forum), we will be trying to go in September. Kids are in elementary school and missing 3 or 4 days at the beginning of the school year has never been a problem.

Sure there are other opinions.

 

[rstamm]

Actually, we take our kids out of school for a fall disney trip, but try to plan it around school holidays - Columbus day or Rosh Hashanah. So depending on when the free dining is (unlikely to extend into October based on the buzz on this forum), we will be trying to go in September. Kids are in elementary school and missing 3 or 4 days at the beginning of the school year has never been a problem.

Sure there are other opinions.

We are taking our son out too, for the end of September till Columbus day, we booked the bounceback program.

 

[rjeash]

Don't worry about availibility because even though free dining is a big deal on Disney chat boards, not everyone can go during the free dining dates. Not to mention,this is only a very small segment of the population.

What are you talking about??? I thought that EVERYONE that goes to WDW was on these boards Actually, I am hoping that the only people that are at WDW when I am there are the people on this board and TGM's boards That would make for very pleasant touring

 

[krystalleigh1]

I too am a little nervour, although the logical side of my brain tells me not to be. I have a Dis. Visa, but don't know for sure that we'll get the offer first-so far it's just speculation. And I know that I want to stay at a value resort, and from what I hear deluxe rooms will have the most availability. The value I want (Pop) fills up the fastest, from what I hear. But I can go just about anytime during Sept. (except over the 15th-my DH has a football game that he absolutley HAS to watch that day ).

So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that when it's announced I'll be able to get the resort I want. I'm keeping a close eye on the DIS boards so that I can call in as soon as it's announced.

 

[Reese]

I'm very nervous . Only because we went in Jan and have a trip with other family members in Dec 08 but I was able to convinve DH to go this Sept as long as we can afford it. Well the only way we can afford it is with free dining. If not I'll have to wait until Jan.

 

[dijid]

I think you have the right to be nervous. I don't think there's going to be all that much availability for free dining. I called with dates of 9/11 - 9/18 (only dates I could get frequent flyer tickets) and there was limited availability at the deluxes. The only rooms available at the Contemporary were concierge and suites! I told her I was shocked because it was supposed to be low season and she said that's what everyone else thought, too!

We're now looking at early December instead.

 

[nbodyhome]

I think you have the right to be nervous. I don't think there's going to be all that much availability for free dining. I called with dates of 9/11 - 9/18 The only rooms available at the Contemporary were concierge and suites! I told her I was shocked because it was supposed to be low season and she said that's what everyone else thought, too!

We're now looking at early December instead.

Early December will be packed at the resorts, though you can probably at least find rooms now (discounts are harder to get at that time, it depends also how far in advance they are released).

The Contemporary is a major convention resort, I'm not surprised it's not available (plus one wing has been demolished, with about 25% of the total rooms).

 

[Colleen27]

I'm not a disney cardholder so I'll have to wait about a week later to book my room. I'm scared there won't be any available w/ all the chatter here, and all the ones who are anxiously waiting-plus the ones that have already booked in anticipation of free dining. Anyone else nervous??? Or am I the only one?

(where's the chewing nails smiley??? )

Nah. I might have been, if not for the fact that we've gone for free dining before. In 2005, we booked free dining about a week before the booking period ended for dates at the end of the promo that coincided with both MNSSHP and F&W, and didn't have a problem getting 2 rooms at our first choice (POR). And even though that was a pretty short notice trip, deciding to go less than 90 days out, we didn't have a hard time with any availability, not even for character meals or the princess tea @ GF. MNSSHP was sold out the night we went, but the only ADR I had a hard time getting was Le Cellier (had to settle for lunch instead of dinner), and aside from MNSSHP, the crowds weren't bad at all.

I think the fact that so many people are reluctant to have their children miss school combined with the worries about hurricane season will always limit interest in WDW in Sept, no matter how good the seasonal promo might be.

 

[Neelloc]

I'm not worried either. I figure if we are meant to go, then we will go and there will be a room for us. As I understand it, people will have to make a new ressie for the free dining, not modify an exisiting one. Even though I have a Disney Visa, if my resort of choice is sold out, (POP) then I will chose an All Stars or convince my hubby to do a moderate.

I personally think a lot of people are panicking for no reason. Last year, I booked free dining on 6/5 and had no problem getting ressies for POFQ for 9/16-9/20, and there was also availability for all the values. There are a lot of people who won't go because they won't pull their kids out of school, or won't travel to Florida during hurricane season.

I'm going to wait for the announcement and then call Disney to book. There's no reason for me to bug them beforehand.

 

[chewysmom]

Ok, you all are making me feel better. Now, if they would just go ahead and announce it already!

 

[disneyfan551]

I didn't book until the last minute in June either. We went to Disney for 10 days at the end of May, and I just couldn't pass up the deal for free dining! And, we had a GREAT trip in Sept., thanks partially to free dining!

 

[C_leen]

Hi-

Although I am hanging around and checking for free dining (like everyone! ), I think the 'don't worry' group is probably right. Just because we are going nuts on the boards worrying and seeking confirmation for free dining, a ton of people aren't going to be at WDW during this time and they aren't going to be able to drop everything to go. There's also people who just don't plan their trip thoroughly. These people aren't likely to be reading these boards...

In the meantime, I debate how much to bug my TA.... Take a breath, April 12. Take a breath, April 12...