Booking Strategy

[CapJames]

With the fall free dining dates unknown at this time and their release not until late summer, I was wondering what the best booking strategy would be? Meaning, is it better to go ahead and book early with the hopes of hitting the FD dates so you can get the ADRs you want or wait until their release? I'm sure the dates can be moved after the fact if you miss on the FD dates but then you would miss out on better ADRs.

 

[harbin]

What I did, while waiting for spring discounts to come out is to book prior to discount being released, and then call to have it applied when it was. For free dining discounts, make sure you look at historical data so that you know which resorts are typically excluded and length of stay requirements. Book at the rack rate, pay deposit and then stalk the Disney site everyday to see when discounts are released. You need to be on the phone first thing in the morning with reservations to make sure you get the discount when released. If unsuccessful, or if there is no free dining this year, you need to cancel prior to the 45 day mark to get a refund of your deposit. Hope that helps!

 

[MiceFan]

Disney offers free dining to fill rooms. If enough rooms are booked then they may not offer free dining. Better to wait until it's announced. You can still make ADRs 180 days out.