DVC with possible "free" dining plan???

[ramfamily]

Hi everyone... I love the boards! Thank you!

We just bought into BLT the end of January and have reservations for our first member trip this fall (August 30 - September 4). I know that Disney HAS been offering the "free" dining plan over the past several years. When I called DVC and asked if, if/when the offer is announced, we could add the "free" plan to our reservation I was told "no". Is that true or should I call and speak to someone different?

Also, I hear the window for dining reservations is at 90 days... any idea when it will go back to 180? I want to make those reservations ASAP.

Thanks again,
Dee

 

[erionm]

The Free dining plan is not available on point reservations. It's a marketing tool to get people to pay cash to book rooms.

 

[dianeschlicht]

"Free" is a misnomer in this case. It's only allowed for those staying on an full price CRO reservation, and as stated above...it's to get those empty rooms filled.

You COULD get "free" dining and stay at a DVC resort, but you'd have to pay full rack rate to get it.

 

[roselark]

The 90 Day ADR window is a permanent change

 

[Tara]

For what it's worth, for anyone interested in CRO-booked packages with free dining, I heard that they're going to be announced on the 30th.

 

[crisi]

The 90 Day ADR window is a permanent change

Or as permanent as anything is at Disney - i.e. no plans to change it back to 180, or shorten it - but don't write the date to make ADRs down on your calendar for your 2015 trip yet.....

 

[MelissathePooh]

The only time DVC "wheels & deals" is with incentives to purchase points. No codes, specials, calling back to apply things to your reservation - unless its the meal plan at full price. We've already paid for your points - Disney has no reason to entice us with add'l incentives. Our standard benefits are pretty decent and not having to hassle with DRC - priceless.