Did anyone else get a call from WDW Dining?

[Lizzybee]

We leave in 11 days and today on my answering machine, an actually person left a message reminding me to make reservations since we'll be going during free dining. Being the DIS'er I am, of course my ADRs were made the same day as my trip ressie in April. Also being the DIS'er I am, I had to call and confirm my ADRs (I had one to cancel anyway). Of course all was as it should be, it was just a "general" call. I'll bet I'm not the only one who had to call and reconfirm if another DIS'er got a call!

 

[DizGeek]

Ive been reading here that others have gotten phone calls as well. I wonder if its because the expected arrivals are up but maybe the ADR's arent?

 

[MrsMud]

That's interesting. I called today to see if there had been any cancellations for a couple of ADRs I wanted to change, but no luck. The CM I spoke with told me that "all" of the TSs were getting booked up during free dining, and that they were actually calling people to confirm that they still wanted the ADRs! That may work out well for me, as many people don't think to cancel their ADRs if they cancel their trip, and a phone call might just give that little push to free up some ADrs for those of us who want them!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I have a question regarding the free dining. I am staying at the Swan so I don't qualify for it but does that mean I will have a hard time eating somewhere for dinner? Does this free dining include lunch? Am I better off going to the finer restaurants for lunch then as opposed to dinner to ensure I'll be able to eat there. What are the dates of this free dining promo? Will it be running while I'm there from Aug. 6 to 18?

Thanks somuch!!!!

 

[MissMagnolia]

Free dining starts 8/13. From what I've read and the few ADRs that I have tried to alter (since making them back in April), you will have a tough time. You can make an ADR even if you are not in a WDW resort, I believe?? I'd check into it!

 

[DisneyFans4]

But what is the free dining exactly? What are you entitled too? Can the free diners have lunch in the finer restaurants? The only thing I have booked is CRT which I booked back in February.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

They (anyone on the DDP, free or not) can eat at anytime (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).

 

[MrsMud]

But what is the free dining exactly? What are you entitled too? Can the free diners have lunch in the finer restaurants? The only thing I have booked is CRT which I booked back in February.

The free dining package includes one Table Service (TS), one Counter Service (CS) and one snack per person, per night of the package. ADRs cannot be made for CS, only for TS. Now, someone with the package can certainly use their TS credit for lunch or breakfast and a CS for dinner, however most will use their TS credits for dinners. I know from calling Disney Dining several times to make and change ADRs, that it is much easier to get a TS for breakfast or lunch, than for dinner.
Since you will be there for 7 days BEFORE free dining starts, I think you should be able to make dinner ADRs fairly easily for those days. However, if you want to eat at any table service meals after Aug 12, you would probably have an easier time getting a lunch than a dinner.
If you are asking whether you will be able to walk into a nice restaurant for dinner without an ADR, you may be able to do that BEFORE Aug 13, but not after. If you want my advice, I would suggest deciding which meals you want NOW, and making ADRs ASAP. Good luck!!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Mrs.Mud-I would love to have made all my ADR's prior to leaving, however, I did that last year and didn't keep any of them and had to change them all when we got there because everyday we decided to do something different and couldn't make my original ADR so this year I refuse to do it and will just go day by day. The only thing I did do well in advance was CRT because last year we couldn't get it because they were totally booked.

 

[Jobie]

Mrs.Mud-I would love to have made all my ADR's prior to leaving, however, I did that last year and didn't keep any of them and had to change them all when we got there because everyday we decided to do something different and couldn't make my original ADR so this year I refuse to do it and will just go day by day. The only thing I did do well in advance was CRT because last year we couldn't get it because they were totally booked.

Last year I booked my ADR's two months out and got everything I wanted. This year, going the same time as last, tried to book two months out and almost everything was gone! I called back again and got most of the places that I wanted, but I am eating pretty ealry 4:00-5:00. If you do not have ADRs now, all I have to say is good luck!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

without adrs i think you will have a tough time

 

[disney queen]

no call for me! we leave in 11 days too!!

 

[winterman]

Last year I booked my ADR's two months out and got everything I wanted. This year, going the same time as last, tried to book two months out and almost everything was gone!

I believe that last year the window for making ADRs was 60 days so nobody could have made them earlier. Now the window is 180 days so most people have made their ADRs long before the 60 day mark. We made ours about 150 days in advance and had no problem.