Both: resort discount and free dining?

[Linleedo]

We already booked a vacation in September at a deluxe resort( room, tickets, dining plan). If free dining is my option( since it just became available), can I also get a resort discount ( if it happens for September) too? I believe in previous years, that we could only choose one discount. Either the resort discount or the free dining. Not both. It's been a couple years since we've been there. Have things changed? Thanks for your help.

 

[ninafeliz]

It's one or the other, you can't use both discounts. For us the room only discount is always our choice, we don't eat that much and I don't want to mess around with trying to maximize the dining plan. But you have to do the math if you really want to know which is better for you down to the dollar. The general feeling I get from reading about FD on the boards for years and years is that for Deluxes often RO is better, the FD CAN be a deal for CERTAIN people/families at the values and moderates. But I'm sure others have more info.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We already booked a vacation in September at a deluxe resort( room, tickets, dining plan). If free dining is my option( since it just became available), can I also get a resort discount ( if it happens for September) too? I believe in previous years, that we could only choose one discount. Either the resort discount or the free dining. Not both. It's been a couple years since we've been there. Have things changed? Thanks for your help.

As you state, historically the rule is you can pick one or the other, but unfortunately don't get both.

 

[geekbri]

You only get one or the other. When my wife and I go there are only two of us and we tend to stay at deluxe resorts. This means the RO discount is almost always superior. This may not be true depending how big your party is and where you choose to stay.

 

[Linleedo]

Thanks. That's what I thought. We are dropping the dining plan and paying out of pocket. We viewed the menus and evaluated the cost. We could save $400 by dropping it and hopefully get the resort discount for September. Savings on the resort has always been a better value than the free dining discount in Septmber. Just waiting and hoping that the discount happens for the resort. I appreciate your help, Ninafeliz. Thanks.

 

[Linleedo]

Geekbri, it's only the two of us celebrating our 36th anniversary staying at the Yacht Club this time. So, we totally agree with you about the RO discount. It was always a better value than the free dining .Thanks for your help.

 

[Linleedo]

Thanks Praying Colonel! Have they continued to send the September discount? We haven't been there in 3 years.
If so, any predictions on when it would be released?

 

[geekbri]

Thanks. That's what I thought. We are dropping the dining plan and paying out of pocket. We viewed the menus and evaluated the cost. We could save $400 by dropping it and hopefully get the resort discount for September. Savings on the resort has always been a better value than the free dining discount in Septmber. Just waiting and hoping that the discount happens for the resort. I appreciate your help, Ninafeliz. Thanks.

I think you can leave the free dining on and always remove it later? If you can get the free dining I might add it, and then just drop it later on. I THINK this is true.

 

[PatMcDuck]

if you have free dining, you are paying rack rate on the room. If you drop it later, the room only discount could possibly be gone? They could sell out of the 25% off rooms (or whatever the room only deal is)?

 

[AngiTN]

I think you can leave the free dining on and always remove it later? If you can get the free dining I might add it, and then just drop it later on. I THINK this is true.

Not really.
Free Dining requires booking a package that includes tickets
If you opt for a room discount you can book room only and purchase discounted tickets from elsewhere.
You can't convert a package to room only (or vice versa)
Plus, availability between the 2 can vary. Remember, not all resorts and not all rooms in included resorts and offered at a discount

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks Praying Colonel! Have they continued to send the September discount? We haven't been there in 3 years.
If so, any predictions on when it would be released?

Sept room only discounts are out now

 

[Kimberly9701]

Thanks. That's what I thought. We are dropping the dining plan and paying out of pocket. We viewed the menus and evaluated the cost. We could save $400 by dropping it and hopefully get the resort discount for September. Savings on the resort has always been a better value than the free dining discount in Septmber. Just waiting and hoping that the discount happens for the resort. I appreciate your help, Ninafeliz. Thanks.

I did this in September '15...took the 30% off...purchased the DDP...and still saved $1100 over what free dining would have saved me!

 

[drp4video]

RO discount always works out better for the two of us as well, even if staying at a Value. If going for a week, we might eat two TS meals, but there are days we might drive to Cocoa Beach and go to Universal, so DP never works out. We don't eat that much and many times split a meal perhaps adding a side salad.

 

[Linleedo]

AngiTN, Thanks. I didn't realize that the discount was already out! When did that happen? Will Disney put the 30% discount on a room that we already have reserved with the tickets? I don't know what to ask to get the discount.

 

[KT0191]

AngiTN, Thanks. I didn't realize that the discount was already out! When did that happen? Will Disney put the 30% discount on a room that we already have reserved with the tickets? I don't know what to ask to get the discount.

Check and see if you have the modify option on your MDE. It will be under "My Reservations and Tickets" and then you can select "Change" next to your resort reservation. Then, you can apply a promo from there.
They released the discounts around 4am EST this morning.

 

[AngiTN]

AngiTN, Thanks. I didn't realize that the discount was already out! When did that happen? Will Disney put the 30% discount on a room that we already have reserved with the tickets? I don't know what to ask to get the discount.

No, it is not automatic. And even though your dates are included in the promo you never know if your current resort/room is. As PP suggested, try the modify reservation option on MDE. Once on that screen there is a spot to click to change booking category. If you click that you should see a spot to change which promo is selected. Click the Room discount one and go through the check out process. It should show a credit at the end in the total amount due. Sometimes there is a hiccup and the system will not allow the process to complete and you'll have to call. But I'd try online first. I think once you see each screen it will be more clear on what steps to follow.

 

[Lirael]

If you try to add an offer to your reservation and it says unavailable, try calling (warning: it might take a while, there's a queue)

I'm doing split stay ASM & POR) and since my tickets were all in only one of the two reservations (ASM), I initially thought to get FD for that one, and RO for the stay without tickets (POR).

Turns out I got RO for both. I bought the tickets without parkhopper and before the price increase, so to add FD I'd have to spend $100 more. I decided that as a solo traveller that eats little, I might save more with a RO and paying OOP in this scenario