Anyway to find free dining?

[la79al]

I went into AAA today to try to get a few days with the dining plan. The dates I first picked had no availability. My dates are pretty flexible so I asked whether there was any availability during September. I was told that they could not check for availability without specific dates. Is there an easier way to check whether anything is open in September? I would hate to go into AAA and start "is there availability for 3 nights starting the 1st, how bout the 2nd, how bout the 3rd......

 

[megnsamsgracie]

How about the disney website? Just keep trying. Then if there is, call AAA. Try the end of the free dining, as of Sat there is plenty of availability! Good luck!

 

[CanadianGuy]

In the free dining thread at the top of this board.. there is a link to a reservations page on the Disney Website specifically for the free dining special.

You can check availability that way.

Knox

 

[fla4fun]

Is there any difference in AAA free dining package availability and Disney website package availability? Do they pull from the same pool or is there a separate room allocation to AAA? I'm thinking that if AAA has it's own allocation of rooms, it may be smaller and therefore sell out more quickly than the availability shown on the website. Anyone know for sure?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Several of the travel websites/airlines are booking the package as well. However, at this point it looks like most of the availability left is for deluxes.

 

[Ishy]

They are TRAVEL AGENTS and should have tools to ASSIST you.

I have had a couple of experiences that make me burn in anger - but that is not the norm... call them. I know free dining was available from Sept 2nd on in some of the mods and deluxes - Just give them your dates (flexible) and your list of perfered hotels.

Good Luck

 

[kutchyone]

fla4fun I think you are right, AAA has a block of rooms so going to the Disney site won't help.

 

[Trekker]

My dates are pretty flexible so I asked whether there was any availability during September. I was told that they could not check for availability without specific dates.

Any AAA agent worth what they are paid should take your request to find availablility for you - if you have to go through all the trouble of finding the available dates why the heck should they get paid the commision - I would find a different agent to talk to.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

For what little perks you're going to get from AAA with the free dining, I'd just play around with the Disney site and book it direct.

But also, in all honesty, if they want their commissions, they should be willing and able to do this leg work for you based on their inventory.

 

[antmaril]

I say - book the trip yourself.

Keep trying. I called Disney on Saturday and booked two rooms at Pop Century for the end of August. Everyone keeps saying everything is sold out. The inventory is changing constantly.

Don't be discouraged. It can be done.

 

[MickeyMirth]

I went into AAA today to try to get a few days with the dining plan. The dates I first picked had no availability. My dates are pretty flexible so I asked whether there was any availability during September. I was told that they could not check for availability without specific dates. Is there an easier way to check whether anything is open in September? I would hate to go into AAA and start "is there availability for 3 nights starting the 1st, how bout the 2nd, how bout the 3rd......

I made our ressies yesterday for POR, 9/3-9/8. When I was checking resort availability at the WDW site there was availability at most resorts beginning 9/3. Hope you're able to get what you want and have a great time when you get there!

 

[LindyN]

fla4fun I think you are right, AAA has a block of rooms so going to the Disney site won't help.

They (AAA) pull from the same group of rooms as the rest of us and have no separate allocation for the discounted packages. There are just a limited amount of rooms available for any promotion and we're seeing the tail end of a Disney offer.

There are rooms still available with free dining, however it may not be in the resort you want or on the dates you want. You need to give the TA a date range and see what comes up. Any TA who books Disney and wants business should know how to do this. Its a no-brainer when looking for a Disney deal for a client. (JMO)

 

[dogsmom]

This is why I stopped using AAA for travel. My AAA office has the most rude people working in it. It's not worth getting aggravated with their behavior, so I just book thru Disney. I call them on the phone and they have always been very nice to deal with.

 

[jojo14]

Might be old news but *** dates opened up, offering free dining for the first week (Aug 26) and they have it for non-prefered rooms. Good luck.

 

[CarolA]

I went into AAA today to try to get a few days with the dining plan. The dates I first picked had no availability. My dates are pretty flexible so I asked whether there was any availability during September. I was told that they could not check for availability without specific dates. Is there an easier way to check whether anything is open in September? I would hate to go into AAA and start "is there availability for 3 nights starting the 1st, how bout the 2nd, how bout the 3rd......

How about calling Disney? Personally if your AAA TA was "too busy" to do this for you then WHY should he/she get a commission? Basically they should have done this for you. Of course it might be fun to make them WORK for thier commission. Sit there and check EVERY date for the ENTIRE period and then pick!!!