Dining Plan and Reservations

[fuzzlekins]

To ensure that we get some key reservations (like character meals), I've gone ahead and made some dining reservations online. However, we have no lodging reservations yet. We're only staying on-property if they offer the free dining plan during our stay. Incidentally, anyone want to weigh in on the likelihood of free dining the first week of Feb (2/1-2/9)? Also, I've heard that as long as 1 night of your stay is within the free dining window, it will count for your whole stay. Is that true? If they do offer free dining, will we be able to just transfer our existing reservations to our dining plan or will we have to cancel and rebook (and run the risk of losing our desired times)?

Thanks for the help!

 

[aubriee]

It's your check in date that matters. The first night of your stay must fall within the free dining period. If it does, you get free dining for your entire stay. If the free dining dates end the day after you check in, you still get free dining for the whole stay. However, if the first free dining date does not start until later in your trip, you'd have to make two reservations (the first a room only or pkg with paid DDP, then a second reservation to cover the free dining dates). You'd also have to buy the minimum ticket purchase (usually two day base tickets) to cover the free dining period, so depending on how long the first reservation has to be, you may have to buy additional two day park tickets in order to qualify for the free dining period. If you do room only for the first part that's not covered by free dining dates, you can still pick your park tickets from the free dining pkg early (up to three days early).

Having the DDP does not affect you making ADRs or keeping them. If you decide to add the DDP, there is no need to notify anyone or do anything about your ADRs. When you check in, the CM at the podium will ask if you are on the DDP. Anyone can make ADRs. Off topic: As I'm sure you know if you don't show up for those character meals you booked, your credit card will be charged $10.00/person, so if something happens and you cancel your trip, be sure to cancel those ADRs.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Thanks for all the info!