Bounceback offer-free food 2007

[PatMcDuck]

I was not sure what board to put this on. I will put it here and on budget board. I am just back from WDW. I read about a special offer before I left, that guests staying at Disney resorts thru Dec 31st could book the FREE FOOD offer for next Aug 5-Sept 30. There was supposed to be info in the rooms, printing out on recepits, and a reservation desk in one of the hotels. I did not bring any info with me, I assumed it would be all over the place.

I began asking about the offer at my hotel, AS Music. They never heard of it. I asked at all the Deluxe hotels over the next couple of days, as I visited to see their holiday decorations. NOT ONE concierge/front desk had any information. Poly and GF directed me to call central reservations. One hotel told me the offer was expired, and I said no, I know it is new. I called, and was on hold for almost an HOUR, no lie. Finally I was transferred, and when I asked for details, I was told that I could not book 2 rooms. (I have 4 kids, it was only for my immediate family). I was currently at WDW with a friend, so they said she could book a room, and I could book A room. I said forget it, and hung up.

The next day, I called again, I thought, maybe I will just book the one room, and think about it. Once you are home, you cannot GET this offer, so I needed to at least book and put down a deposit. I called again, and was transferred quickly to a senior rep or something. He was very helpful, and said of course I could book 2 rooms! ARGHH! So, I booked 2 rooms, Pop, Aug 5-11 2007 with free food and one day hoppers. For 6, 3 in each room, it was $1997, FYI.

HERE IS KEY INFORMATION! FROM YOUR ROOM, HIT 8844 TO GET THIS OFFER. Or dial 407-541-5527

The hotels WITH info on this offer are not deluxes, they are Port Orleans, Riverside, and Pop Century, I was told. It is a test.

PS, I ended up cancelling, we will use points at BCV instead, but I wanted to give others the info that took me hours to acquire! Good luck to all that can book this. That senior rep said if they get a huge response to this bounce back offer, they may not need to offer it to everyone in the spring, or they may offer only Sept, or weeks that are still under booked.

 

[rstamm]

I was not sure what board to put this on. I will put it here and on budget board. I am just back from WDW. I read about a special offer before I left, that guests staying at Disney resorts thru Dec 31st could book the FREE FOOD offer for next Aug 5-Sept 30. There was supposed to be info in the rooms, printing out on recepits, and a reservation desk in one of the hotels. I did not bring any info with me, I assumed it would be all over the place.

I began asking about the offer at my hotel, AS Music. They never heard of it. I asked at all the Deluxe hotels over the next couple of days, as I visited to see their holiday decorations. NOT ONE concierge/front desk had any information. Poly and GF directed me to call central reservations. One hotel told me the offer was expired, and I said no, I know it is new. I called, and was on hold for almost an HOUR, no lie. Finally I was transferred, and when I asked for details, I was told that I could not book 2 rooms. (I have 4 kids, it was only for my immediate family). I was currently at WDW with a friend, so they said she could book a room, and I could book A room. I said forget it, and hung up.

The next day, I called again, I thought, maybe I will just book the one room, and think about it. Once you are home, you cannot GET this offer, so I needed to at least book and put down a deposit. I called again, and was transferred quickly to a senior rep or something. He was very helpful, and said of course I could book 2 rooms! ARGHH! So, I booked 2 rooms, Pop, Aug 5-11 2007 with free food and one day hoppers. For 6, 3 in each room, it was $1997, FYI.

HERE IS KEY INFORMATION! FROM YOUR ROOM, HIT 8844 TO GET THIS OFFER. Or dial 407-541-5527

The hotels WITH info on this offer are not deluxes, they are Port Orleans, Riverside, and Pop Century, I was told. It is a test.

PS, I ended up cancelling, we will use points at BCV instead, but I wanted to give others the info that took me hours to acquire! Good luck to all that can book this. That senior rep said if they get a huge response to this bounce back offer, they may not need to offer it to everyone in the spring, or they may offer only Sept, or weeks that are still under booked.

Thanks for the info, we will be going on the 19th and want to book as soon as we get to Pop.
It is so frustrating when we know more then the CM's.
When it first came out I called to get some info on it and kept hearing we don't know anything about that.
My question was can I book two vactions, one in Aug and one in Sept. I had to go through so many CM's till I finally got one who knew about it and could answer my question.
Why don't they let them know when they run new programs?

 

[mikey13v]

I just returned from a DVC stay, 12/3 to 12/9. I don't know about booking more than 1 room, or booking more than 1 stay durring the promotion. Here's the info I did get.

I could not find any information anywhere, other than what I had read on this forum. I went to the CR and spoke with 'someone important', I don't know what her position was, but she seemed to be in charge of everyone else at the front desk. She told me that there was no such promotion, and that you can't trust everything you read, that it was probably something that only select individuals could recieve, ect, ect, blah, blah, ect, ... BUT, she did have one of her employees do some research while we were talking. I know she was expecting the employee to come back empty handed.
It took her about 20 minutes but the employee came back with a piece of paper that niether of them would let me see. The manager then let me know that I should call 407-541-5527 before I check out of my room, and they would have more information for me. She wouldn't elaborate, just to call for information.
I called, booked my room for 8/25 to 9/3 POFQ with free dining, no problems. The agent did verify that I was staying in a Disney owned and operated hotel (DVC villas on points included). The agent said that I could change the reservation at any time before the 45 day mark. I can change the dates, the hotel, tickets, or cancle with a full refund. I didn't ask about changing names on the reservation, sorry.

THE KEY FOR EVERYBODY IS, CALL 407-541-5527 DURRING YOUR STAY. Don't try to find this info elsewhere at WDW, most CMs just haven't been told about it, and if they do know, they may be told not to tell. It seems like they're trying to see if this type of marketing works(at POR, and POP), not if discussion forums can spread the word.

As far as your TA getting credit for booking your stay. They will only credit the agent that booked your current stay. So if your staying on DVC points, you can't give credit to any TA.

 

[rstamm]

I just returned from a DVC stay, 12/3 to 12/9. I don't know about booking more than 1 room, or booking more than 1 stay durring the promotion. Here's the info I did get.

I could not find any information anywhere, other than what I had read on this forum. I went to the CR and spoke with 'someone important', I don't know what her position was, but she seemed to be in charge of everyone else at the front desk. She told me that there was no such promotion, and that you can't trust everything you read, that it was probably something that only select individuals could recieve, ect, ect, blah, blah, ect, ... BUT, she did have one of her employees do some research while we were talking. I know she was expecting the employee to come back empty handed.
It took her about 20 minutes but the employee came back with a piece of paper that niether of them would let me see. The manager then let me know that I should call 407-541-5527 before I check out of my room, and they would have more information for me. She wouldn't elaborate, just to call for information.
I called, booked my room for 8/25 to 9/3 POFQ with free dining, no problems. The agent did verify that I was staying in a Disney owned and operated hotel (DVC villas on points included). The agent said that I could change the reservation at any time before the 45 day mark. I can change the dates, the hotel, tickets, or cancle with a full refund. I didn't ask about changing names on the reservation, sorry.

THE KEY FOR EVERYBODY IS, CALL 407-541-5527 DURRING YOUR STAY. Don't try to find this info elsewhere at WDW, most CMs just haven't been told about it, and if they do know, they may be told not to tell. It seems like they're trying to see if this type of marketing works(at POR, and POP), not if discussion forums can spread the word.

As far as your TA getting credit for booking your stay. They will only credit the agent that booked your current stay. So if your staying on DVC points, you can't give credit to any TA.

Thanks for the info!
Spending thousands of dollars shouldn't be so hard.
We have to reasearch and do all the work and they get the reward.
Why or why Disney do your CM's make it so hard for us?
They should have to read the Disboards everyday before work, so they are prepared!

 

[SaveTheSeaTurtles]

Is this available if you are staying at any of the Disney resorts? Just by calling that number? Do you have to buy park tickets in order to qualify for the free dining or just book a reservation? Is there a minimum number of nights that qualify?
We are staying at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort this month and I am hoping that we might qualify for the program.
Thanks for any responses!!

 

[GrandmaDisney]

I just booked my free dine stay at Port Orleans Riverside, in person, at a desk they use for Disney Cruise Line. The young lady there was EXTREMELY helpful, very knowledagble and courteous. She was an actual representative from the Walt Disney Travel Company.

She said there are people at this desk from 1-10 pm, or at least she was there from 1-10 on Wednesday (Wednesdays and Thurdays, I believe). But she is definitely there Wed. Well, from what I take it, they only book at Port Orleans face to face. It's real nice to book in front of someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

You can also call CRO, but sometimes they don't even know what they're talking about.

Yes you can book multiple rooms and you can even book multiple stays! I asked the CM that! As long as you are currently staying now through Dec 31st at a WDW resort you can book your future stay from August 5 through September 29th!

 

[PatMcDuck]

And to answer another question here, I was at All Star Music when I booked, and I was on a room only reservation. I was on a room at the AP rate, and I was not on a package.

To book this, your name must be on the current reservation, and they defintely do verify it.

 

[mikey13v]

Is this available if you are staying at any of the Disney resorts? Just by calling that number? Do you have to buy park tickets in order to qualify for the free dining or just book a reservation? Is there a minimum number of nights that qualify?
We are staying at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort this month and I am hoping that we might qualify for the program.
Thanks for any responses!!

Yes you do qualify. It doesn't matter what kind of reservation/package you have in December, just that you are booked at a Disney owned and operated hotel (DVC, room only, MYW package, renting DVC, ect, ...).
The package you can then book is the same MYW package w/ free dining that they have had for the past two years. You must book a cash reservation at any of the Disney resorts (value, moderate, deluxe, home away from home), with at least a 1 day MYW base ticket, and you will recieve the dining plan for free for the length of your stay(up to 10 days).

 

[MEK]

I was just there two weeks ago and didn't take advantage of this. I read something about the "bounce back" before I left, but I did not know it included the dining plan. I could kick myself now, because I really want to take my son next August for a 5 night stay. I basically knew by the time I left, that I would be back.

I'm a little disgusted with myself for not paying closer attention. But I am still optimistic that the free dining will be offered to the general public and I can book through AAA like I have done in the past. I like my AAA travel agent. She has never let me down and I earn rebate credits by using the AAA credit card. Here's hoping!

But I am super happy for everyone who already has their deal snagged!

 

[TSM1993]

You can book at the Beach Club. It is at the cruise desk. They have one little sign up. I have pics of the sign and info. Will post shortly.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We were at Pop Dec 2-6 and booked WL for Aug. 15-24 with Free Dining! There was a little cardboard thing on the table in the room - it had a picture of Goofy on it and said something about "hot deal" for your next stay. But if you didn't sit and read it very carefully I can see how it could have been mistaken for a DVC ad.

I called from our room at Pop and booked the deal - no problem. Except they charged me $.75 for the call. I figured since it was a 4 digit number it was an internal call!

Oh, and the dates I booked for originally ended up not being dates DH could take off from work, so I switched our dates after we got home.

 

[i3utterfli82]

Unless you are staying at one of the featured resorts (POP, POR, CR, or Beach Club) or are a DIS member, you would probably not know about the bounce back program. Part of the test pilot is only advertising in those select resorts (There is no advertising about it in any of the other resorts) so that is why no one knew what you were talking about at All Stars. This is part of the testing phase, so you can not be upset for getting the run around since your original resort was not part of the bounce back program.

Glad everything worked out though.

 

[aubriee]

I booked my bounce back trip just two days ago. When I called CRO from CBR I was told no such deal existed. I insisted to her that it did and to please check. She finally came back and said it couldn't be booked over the phone and I had to run over to PO (or to the Beach Club) to book it in person (which I know is not true because a fellow Diser down there told me she had booked it over the phone). Anyway, I hopped on a bus early the next morning to DTD, only to find that the boats to PO don't start until 11:00am, so I hopped on another bus and on the way there realized I had forgotten to ask the CM at CRO whether it was POFQ or PORS. I called CRO, was on hold again while the CM checked and finally was told it could be booked at either PO resorts. WRONG! I got off the bus at POFQ and no one there knew anything, so they called around and I was finally told to go to PORS to the Cruise line desk. When I showed up there I was told the desk opened early only on Tuesday's and at 1:00pm on other days, so I had to hang around for an hour or so. Anyway, the guy finally showed up and I was able to book All Star Music for eight nights (Sept 29th-Oct 7th) for two adults for $994.78. Arrival dates must be August 5th-Sept 29th. UK residents must purchase length of stay passes, while US residents only need to purchase one day MYW tickets for each person in the room. I wasted a half a day of my trip trying to run this program down. You'd think they would make it easier for you to give them your money.

The CM was very knowledgeable though and said that the response to free dining the last two years was much higher than Disney expected, but that there had been alot of complaints about it, both from the restaraunts and visitors that were unable to get dining reservations, so this year Disney was "drastically" reducing the number of free dining pkgs available and it would only be offered to residents of the UK and via the bounce back program. I told him I had a friend that may be interested and he said my friend had better come down to WDW before Jan 1st to book it then, because it "definitely will not be offered to the general public as it has been the last two years" and that Disney was rewarding return visitors. He said he had booked a trip just the day before for a couple who had came down from Conneticut for an overnight stay just to book the free dining for next Sept. I asked him a couple of times if he was sure free dining would not be offered as it had been the past two years. He looked up something in his computer and told me the exact dates it had been offered the last two years, the dates it had been offered for, the number of people who had booked it, and then said Disney had definitely decided to not offer it on such a wide scale again. He said that it would not be available after Dec 31st and that Disney knew people were booking now hoping for free dining to be offered later, but Disney also knew that while some may cancel their trips when it was not offered, that most would not.

 

[SoarinJ]

And to answer another question here, I was at All Star Music when I booked, and I was on a room only reservation. I was on a room at the AP rate, and I was not on a package.

To book this, your name must be on the current reservation, and they defintely do verify it.

I had the exact same information, right down to the resort i was at!

This is a test program by Disney and that is why the publicity of it has been limited to POP, POR, etc. However, as evidence by many, as long as you are staying onsite and call before you check out, you can book this during the designated time frame.

If the test program goes well (and on the surface it looks like it is) I would look for more varieties of the bonce back program in the future.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for posting. Most of us are in the waiting mode. Nothing we can do about it, but wait. I'm heading back in early February so am hoping the program will be extended for another 6 weeks as alot of their programs are. While I would book the deal if it comes available, no way would I go down just to book it. We just returned Oct. 27th, so missed the beginning by a week or so. By the time we add in airfare and hotel, plus eating, there would be no savings for us at all. We have APs, so that expense would not be a problem. I did think about it and crunched the numbers. While I believe the BBP is popular, I do find it funny that it so many people are having a difficult time booking and just finding a CM who knows about the program. Only time will tell....and the waiting continues. If we don't get the free dining, I just use my points and book a DVC stay, which we planned to do, but would've extended it with the free dining if it came available.

 

[EllenJ]

1. Does anyone know if it will be extended into January?
2. I am a DVC member and may be staying at a DVC resort in January, can this be used with a stay at a DVC resort using points?
3. Do you have to book the same number of days as your December stay?

 

[aubriee]

1. Does anyone know if it will be extended into January?
2. I am a DVC member and may be staying at a DVC resort in January, can this be used with a stay at a DVC resort using points?
3. Do you have to book the same number of days as your December stay?

According to the CM I spoke with, it must be booked before January 1, 2007. I told him I had a friend who may be interested and he said that the friend would have to come to WDW and book it by Dec 31st and that it would not be extended as the turnout for it had been good.

As far as a DVC stay I don't know, but he did pull up my reservation telling me the day I checked in and the day I was scheduled for checkout, so they do check that you are currently staying at a WDW resort.

You can book as many days as you want.

 

[irish dancer]

Well, I'm totally depressed! We were in WDW 11/28-12/5 at the Poly and decided during that trip that we'd return next year end of Sept or beginning of Oct so we could try the MNSSHP and hoped to get the Free Dining. I didn't know anything about this program or else I would have made the ressie while down there.

Anyone think it would be possible to still make a ressie even though we're home and since we didn't know anything about it?

 

[i3utterfli82]

I think you should call, they can look up your reservation.

 

[aubriee]

I would call and check, but according to the flyer I picked up while I was booking mine it says 'to take advantage of this offer, book this package and make deposit on or prior to your check-out date (which must be before January 1, 2007).' The 'on or prior to check-out date' is in bold print and the CM I was talking to told the people behind me that since it was their checkout day that it was the last day for them to book and they could not think about it and call back after they got home. Of course, that may have been just a sales tactic.