Everything We Know About Free Dining 2007

[MissMichelle]

when i called chase visa the nice cm said that all resorts/categories will be included...

but... when i went online to book a few trips for the 8/26-9/2 week there were NO vacancies at CSR... so i'd bet that will be all but impossible to book for free dining... unless they have a big block of convention cancellations... (and the tom joyner family reunion which is typically at CSR over labor day is being held at gaylord palms this year)

I am extremely upset over this..I have been trying for about a month and a half to get CSR for my dates (8/24-9/2) with no luck...I see they have room only availability for 2 of my nights which will be a tease to stay there 8/24-8/26 then check into another resort for the free DDP package...but at least I'll get to stay there. I will be trying just for the sake of it when I call from the upcoming promo.

 

[Praise2Him]

How easy is it to modify or cancel a package?

We normally book room only and I usually book a couple of extra days before and after our planned stay, because DH is notorious for deciding to go early or stay later. I've learned that it's much easier to drop a few days than to add more.

In September we'll be moving our DS down to Orlando to start college, but right now we don't know if he'll be in an apartment (where we could stay if necessary for a night or two) or a dorm, and we're not sure exactly how many days we'll be there.

I'd like to book 6 or 7 nights just in case, but may only need 4 or 5. Is that a problem? I think I've seen that it has to be paid in full 45 days in advance - is that also the cancellation date? And can you still change it after that date?

 

[CanadianGuy]

You should be able do as you suggest. You must pay in full at the 45 days mark. Changes after the 45 day mark may incur a 50$ charge.

Knox

 

[teentoddlermom]

Just to say...Canadian Guy is a great new addition to the moderating team! He is really helpful and on top of things! Thanks and welcome again!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Thanks TeenToddlerMom, My roomate says I missed my calling.. Instead of being on the radio, he suggests I might have worked better in Guest Relations at WDW.

Till that one day where I would snap. Then I'd be relegated to sweeping the parking lot!



Knox

 

[gonemousin']

Just to say...Canadian Guy is a great new addition to the moderating team! He is really helpful and on top of things! Thanks and welcome again!

I second that!! Canadian Guy is doing a GREAT job!!

 

[HaleyB]

I agree Canadian Guy has been great!

 

[Rustysmom]

Just to say...Canadian Guy is a great new addition to the moderating team! He is really helpful and on top of things! Thanks and welcome again!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Ok ok.. thanks guys.. I appreciate the kind words. But technically that's all



Knox

 

[katiebsmom]

I have a question (sorry ahead of time, and you can direct me to the answer if it's already been asked) . Does anybody know how many rooms per resort are set apart, ie...available for the free dining promo???

I'm just wondering if there are more rooms in one resort or another. I've heard that some called as late as June or July last year and the CMs were saying that there were plenty of rooms left at several of the resorts.

With all of the speculation and excitement here on the boards I tend to lose my ability to guage how the rest of the world will react to these specials. According to all of us you'd think that like CRT all the rooms will be gone within the first few moments on Monday LOL!!!!!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

There have been scattered reports but nothing publicly announced.

It would stand to reason that some resorts would have more availability to sell than others.. and the existing bookings for resorts would be taken into account.

Remember this - Walt Disney World controls about 21,000 hotel rooms (never mind the DVC and so forth). That's 21,000 rooms that they have to fill each and every night.

Odds are if you can be flexible with either your dates or your resort choice -- or ideally BOTH... you will be fine.

Knox

 

[Dizzneed]

So first of all, thanks CanadianGuy for sending me to this thread! I'm so excited about the possibilities of free dining during our stay! Here are my questions, I am not a Disney cardholder, but, I do have a friend who is. Can she made our reservation for us even though she's not going? What deposit do they usually charge at time of booking? Do we have to pay with that credit card for our entire trip?

Worse case senario, I have to wait until Thursday to book. What are the chances of this promo being sold out. What is the past history of this promo in terms of availabilty? Just curious.

Thanks so much - you are all so informative! I just LOVE DISboards!!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Dizzneed:

You at least have to pay the deposit for the trip *(200$) on the Disney Visa. Having your friend book the trip even tho they are not going would be unneccessarily complicated I would think.

Last year the promo did not sell out all weeks in the booking window.

HOWEVER.. this year there are fewer weeks available to book and fewer rooms available to the free dining promotion.

If you can be a little flexible with either your dates or your resort choice.. or ideally both.. you should have no problem booking yourself on Thursday.

Good luck!

Knox

 

[Dizzneed]

Thanks CandianGuy! Is this promo usually exclusive to calling in, or can you book online too?

Thanks,

Denise

 

[CanadianGuy]

Denise:

Not sure about online booking. For simplicity -- I'd call in. That's just the kinda guy I am.

Knox

 

[Microcell]

Canadianguy may be simple, but for those of us who get up and check email before we put on our glasses, I did it online last year at the website by clicking the link on their page. Pretty simple too! Also no using up cell phone minutes during the week when you only have 400 to use all month!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Micro:

That link was available at Disney Rewards? Or at WDW's website?

Knox

 

[gigi1313]

wdw's website

 

[wide awake]

Okay,
I am having surgery that day, have to leave my house by 5:15. Can I call in or do an online reservation...I'm on the west coast, so actually 8:15 Florida time. I do have my info into Dreams Unlimited, but I'd prefer to KNOW I have everything taken care of. TIA !

 

[tacomaranch]

We have AP's but to get free dining we need to buy a 1 day base ticket for each of us. 2 adults, 1 child.

Can we buy our base tickets with the 10% discount and still get the FDP? This is not a room discount but a discount on the base tickets.

Now, how do I switch the air miles tickets dates?