Can I still get free dining if checking in 8/26?

[phoebusII]

Disney is offering free dining starting 8/28, but I would like to arrive at Disney 8/26. Is there a way to still get the free dining starting 2 days after our arrival? I don't want to purchase 2 sets of tickets, since the tickets get cheaper per day as the number of days in you stay increases. Any help is appreciated.

 

[twokids0204]

Disney is offering free dining starting 8/28, but I would like to arrive at Disney 8/26. Is there a way to still get the free dining starting 2 days after our arrival? I don't want to purchase 2 sets of tickets, since the tickets get cheaper per day as the number of days in you stay increases. Any help is appreciated.

I doubt they will extend free dining for you. But you can make 2 reservations, one starting on the 28, and the other for the 26 and 27th (with maybe a room discount or something).

On the first reservation DON'T buy tickets. And when you check in, ask them to pick up your tickets from the 28th reservation early. They may not be able to do it right at the resort, but they will be able to do it at DTD Guest Services, or at the Park's Guest Services. You will not have free dining however for those first few days, and the tix will not be linked to your KTTW card, but they can transfer them on to it.

 

[wacowgirl]

Disney is offering free dining starting 8/28, but I would like to arrive at Disney 8/26. Is there a way to still get the free dining starting 2 days after our arrival? I don't want to purchase 2 sets of tickets, since the tickets get cheaper per day as the number of days in you stay increases. Any help is appreciated.

I did this a few years ago, around the same time as you in fact!

I did the first 2 days as a "room only" and received a discount off the room (some promotion was going on). We didn't do the parks the first two days we were there. The 1st day we arrived, we just settled in and walked DTD, then the 2nd day we went to Kennedy Space Center. Then for the 3rd and remaining days, I made another reservation for my remaining time and had free dining. We didn't have to move rooms cause my reservation was linked. I also used a TA for my trip which was a HUGE help!!

So basically, only had to pay for my first 2 days of food (but we did Sonic, or the food court where we stayed POFQ).

I hope that made sense.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As others say, make two separate reservations, the first for two nights as room-only. The second for the room with dining and tickets that are sufficient to cover the entire trip.

Then you can, on the 26th, go to a Park (or DTD) Guest Relations Window and request "Early Package Ticket Pickup". If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in this Forum, especially Post #15-I, you can get a lot more information. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature.

 

[IhrkeFamily]

I'm in the same boat as you. If you can get a boat from MN to FL! Anywho! We arrive on the 26th. Not sure if you are booked yet, but I goofed without knowing it. When FD came out we changed to the free dining starting the 28th. I didn't pay much attention to what I booked the first two days. BIG mistake! The airplane tickets, insurance, and room were on the first two days. Also did a 1 day ticket for 5 us which cost almost $400. With FD it came out the same overall so not a huge deal. Hitting MK the first day was worth it.

Well, I should have cruised the DIS boards earlier. When I saw that you could pick up tickets early I immediately called my TA to cancel our 1 day ticket and change to 7 day ticket on second part of package. Disney says no can do since I have to have a park ticket for the first two days. Ugh! And I can't rebook the package since I would have to cancel the first package (which means airline tickets) and suffer cancel fees. Back to where I started, but I should have paid for attention to the rules. Chalk it to something new I learned about Disney.

Not a bad thing since now I know you can get tickets early which is great. Just that I better pay attention to what I book in the future. We leave in 44 days and I'm not paying more than I originally thought so it's all good. Just a little lesson for myself!

 

[3sunflowers]

free dining would be great if more of us could use it! They scheduled it when schools are back in session so us teachers.... out of luck!

 

[KELLY]

We did it. We arrive the 27th for a room only stay at pop. Then we have our Fd package from 8/28 to 9/5. We are going to do T-rex and build a dino with the girls on arrival day. So it works out ok for us. I'm just hoping we can keep the same room. They linked our reservations but it will be a hassle to move for one night.

 

[Jenngoofys]

free dining would be great if more of us could use it! They scheduled it when schools are back in session so us teachers.... out of luck! [/QUOTE

Not all schools are back in session when it is first offered. My daughters school doesnt go back until September 6th. We rather enjoy that time, less crowded and free dining!! Im sorry it doesnt work for you but for some families it is perfect. Not to mention when school is out there is no need to offer discounts on travel because that is when people tend to travel most.

 

[KELLY]

free dining would be great if more of us could use it! They scheduled it when schools are back in session so us teachers.... out of luck! [/QUOTE

Not all schools are back in session when it is first offered. My daughters school doesnt go back until September 6th. We rather enjoy that time, less crowded and free dining!! Im sorry it doesnt work for you but for some families it is perfect. Not to mention when school is out there is no need to offer discounts on travel because that is when people tend to travel most.

Same here school starts the 6th we return the 5th.

 

[3sunflowers]

unfortunately teachers report back before the kids do!

 

[Jenngoofys]

The free dining plan I am on was offered last August and I do believe it starts August 19th this year. I think even if teachers head back to school a week earlier they could still take advantage of this. It all depends on people watching for the deals. Some times up to a year in advance. The deal was offered from August 2010 - December 2010.

 

[3sunflowers]

nope... it starts the 28th and we have to report in on the 1st. No time to make it to FL and back to NY. 3 days at disney isn't worth the trip with 2 little ones!

 

[Jenngoofys]

If you read all of my post it stated the original free dining offer that was offered from Aug 2010 - Dec 2010 for this year was beginning Aug 19th 2011. And if you have to report Sept 1 that would have left you 13 days before reporting for work. If you would like to take advantage of the discounts you have to be watching for them when they are released usually Aug of the year before you are planning to travel. So this August if you are planning a trip for next year keep checking in to see what the new deals are. Good Luck and I hope you can snag a free dining vacation for next year. I know I will be looking for my family.

 

[3sunflowers]

Where did you see the 19th? i've been looking and everything states the 28th? We are flexible so we could change our reservations! Please let me know...thanks!

 

[Jenngoofys]

The original offer had to be book when it was offered Between August and December of last year. We booked it last August when it came out. The only offer you can get currently is starting the 28th. If you keep your eyes out for specials starting in August this year you may be able to get free dining for next August. They offer discounts up to a year in advance. When the new deals come out I will PM you with the dates so you can book too.

 

[3sunflowers]

thank you! this is our first disney trip! still learning!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

for more info on discounts you can visit the Dis's Discount Codes and Rates board for more info. That board is specifically designated for these types of questions and may have more posters with information relevant to the questions.