Disgusted with the Fall 2012 free dining offer

[THERESA522]

Don't the discounts come out about 90 days in advance? I'm new to all of this. But the very last thing I ever book are plane flights. The only definitive fare hikes happen at 14 days and 7 days out. Other than that, it's a total gamble as to how much the fares will be. For that reason, I always wait, since plane flights are the one thing that cannot be changed.

Not so true for the flights I've taken out of NJ on JetBlue in the past few years...cheapest flights have typically been as soon as JB releases their flight info - and that's usually 6 months in advance. THIS has been making it more difficult to "guess" for discounts and reservations at Disney.

 

[fraderh]

Last year we were in this position and we booked one night hotel only and then the package starting the next day (same hotel.) We didn't have to change rooms or anything. We did get new KTTW cards on the second day, but they even offered to deliver those to our room. You may want to look into that. If Disney is offering FD, might as well take advantage of it! If you wanted to go to the park on the first day, you can pick up your tickets early (there is a sticky about that.)

Please tell me how to pick up your tickets one day early. We arrive on nov 10 2013 and free dining doesnt start till nov 11 so we are doin a one day room only then our package starts the 11th. thanks Heather

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Only read two pages of pretty much the same response over and over. Pretty sure that has been covered. There is a reason for blackout dates.

At least you got free dining. I am *disgusted* that I didn't get the pin code and I want it, I want it, I want it.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am lucky that I got the free dining this time, but I am writing this as a warning to myself and others. Next time, don't book ahead expecting to be able to get free dining if it's offered! If you think there might be free dining, wait for it to come out first!

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

Disney doesn't owe us any type of discount. I'll never understand people that whine and complain about it. You book the vacation you can afford, you don't book one you can afford only if Disney offers you a discount on it.

The one great thing about the free dining promos is that if you book it on the last day it is offered, you get it for your whole stay.

 

[kellyg403]

Disney doesn't owe us any type of discount. I'll never understand people that whine and complain about it. You book the vacation you can afford, you don't book one you can afford only if Disney offers you a discount on it.

The one great thing about the free dining promos is that if you book it on the last day it is offered, you get it for your whole stay.

We book knowing that we may not get a discount. If we are lucky and get one sometimes we upgrade resorts because it still falls within the budget.

I don't understand why anyone would think Disney 'owes' us a discount or is being sneaky because they decide when it benefits them the most to even have discounts.

Lets face it, we love WDW here on this forum. But WDW is still a business. If we want it to succeed and stay around for awhile, there will be times when the business aspect, ie discounts etc, will be best for the business.

K

 

[Lehuaann]

Zombie thread...

But to answer the pp who bumped this thread up - go to any Guest Relations booth at the front of the parks or DTD. They will be able to assist you with picking up your tickets early (up to 3 days) from a package.

Please tell me how to pick up your tickets one day early. We arrive on nov 10 2013 and free dining doesnt start till nov 11 so we are doin a one day room only then our package starts the 11th. thanks Heather

 

[disneyismypassion]

Zombie thread...

But to answer the pp who bumped this thread up - go to any Guest Relations booth at the front of the parks or DTD. They will be able to assist you with picking up your tickets early (up to 3 days) from a package.

Does anyone know if this still applies. My free dining doesn't start until 11/30 but we are arriving 11/29. Cm's told me on two separate occasions that I could not get my tickets early on 11/29. I am hoping I can.

 

[siskaren]

Does anyone know if this still applies. My free dining doesn't start until 11/30 but we are arriving 11/29. Cm's told me on two separate occasions that I could not get my tickets early on 11/29. I am hoping I can.

Check the ticket sticky in the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board. Apparently phone CMs have to tell people that they can't pick up their tickets early even though they can.

 

[UKYRob29]

I booked my Disney trip last month for this fall. This month, the Free dining offer came out, and I successfully added free dining to my trip.

So what am I complaining about? Just this: I notice that they allow free dining for arriving dates only on certain weeks, often skipping a week or two here and there:

"Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, Oct. 19 - Nov. 1, Nov. 9 - 15, Nov. 23 - 29, Dec. 10 - 13"

I just happened to book during the week when the free dining is on. What if I had booked on the week when free dining is off? The on and off is totally random, not because of holidays or anything, so one can't anticipate it.

My opinion is that Disney does this to make some people not able to add the free dining later. If anybody books flights with the vacation, chances are that they cannot adjust the flights to accommodate the free dining dates and then they will be refused the free dining option even though in name, you can always add the discount later.

I am lucky that I got the free dining this time, but I am writing this as a warning to myself and others. Next time, don't book ahead expecting to be able to get free dining if it's offered! If you think there might be free dining, wait for it to come out first!

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

So let me get this straight.

I bought a brand new BMW 6 months ago...I guess BMW should give me the cash back that someone today paid for it if it was less.
Even better- I am a consultant and I buy tickets a week out. I should get the same price as someone who purchased 6 months ago right since those are dirt cheap.

Please understand how businesses work before calling things sneaky and underhanded. Disney is NOT a non profit last time I checked.

 

[Wdwhubby]

So let me get this straight.

I bought a brand new BMW 6 months ago...I guess BMW should give me the cash back that someone today paid for it if it was less.
Even better- I am a consultant and I buy tickets a week out. I should get the same price as someone who purchased 6 months ago right since those are dirt cheap.

Please understand how businesses work before calling things sneaky and underhanded. Disney is NOT a non profit last time I checked.

It is like what was said earlier, it is the people that book months in advance hoping for an offer that causes the problem. If everyone books so far out that it appears booking is high, why should Disney give any special offer! They are in business to make money. If they don't make money, they go out of business. It's a catch 22 for Disney fans, book to get what you want and chance the offer or wait and not get the resort you want.