Everything We Know About Free Dining 2007

[disneylovinfamily]

Quick question...to save myself from harrassing CRO again!

I modified my existing ressie yesterday to include the free dining. As of this morning, the free dining portion is STILL not showing up online when I query my ressie #. All that's showing are my dates, my ticket info, my resort info, my magic express info, the package price, and my deposit. But the Visa promo info is nowhere. When I spoke to CRO yesterday, they said it would be available online today.

I'm not (totally) in a panic about it, as my DSis's ressie is showing the same way for her trip - just curious if anyone else has looked online to confirm theirs. Thanks!

Mine is not showing eithert and I was concered that is why I came looking on the DIS. My CM yesterday was less than magical and I want to make sure everything is ok.

 

[gonemousin']

Mine is not showing eithert and I was concered that is why I came looking on the DIS. My CM yesterday was less than magical and I want to make sure everything is ok.

Thanks for your response disneylovinfamily. Hopefully that means it just hasn't interfaced from the CRO computers. Maybe tomorrow??

 

[CanadianGuy]

The Dining portion will sometimes not show up online.. This is totally normal.

Call again if it sets your mind at ease.. but I'm sure you'll find it's there.. just not showing up online.

Knox

 

[gonemousin']

The Dining portion will sometimes not show up online.. This is totally normal.

Call again if it sets your mind at ease.. but I'm sure you'll find it's there.. just not showing up online.

Knox

Thank you! That was the info I was hoping to hear. I've booked with AAA in the past, so this is the first trip I've had the ability to query my ressie's online.

 

[ssweetpea1211]

Quick question...to save myself from harrassing CRO again!

I modified my existing ressie yesterday to include the free dining. As of this morning, the free dining portion is STILL not showing up online when I query my ressie #. All that's showing are my dates, my ticket info, my resort info, my magic express info, the package price, and my deposit. But the Visa promo info is nowhere. When I spoke to CRO yesterday, they said it would be available online today.

I'm not (totally) in a panic about it, as my DSis's ressie is showing the same way for her trip - just curious if anyone else has looked online to confirm theirs. Thanks!

I called yesterday and tweaked my res as well to get the free dining. She said that it would take anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, so if it hasn't been 24 hours yet, I wouldn't worry. If it still isn't showing tomorrow, I would call.

 

[disneylovinfamily]

I called and spoke to a very nice CM to verify that my package had the free dining b/c it did not show online, ect ect... She verified that I did and in fact as long as your ressie number starts with a K, that means you have the free dining package. SHe also said that they have had alot of calls on this subject and DIsney is working to get the free dining info updated on the ressies on the website. I hope this helps!!!

 

[LakeAriel]

I called yesterday and tweaked my res as well to get the free dining. She said that it would take anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, so if it hasn't been 24 hours yet, I wouldn't worry. If it still isn't showing tomorrow, I would call.

I was told by a CM today that the free dining will not show up online but will be mailed to you with your new confirmation.

 

[becky_AK]

I'm so sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but has the code for free dining come out yet? I plan on changing my current reservation on Thursday to take advantage of the free dining. Thank you

 

[MrsPMC00]

I'm so sorry if this has been posted elsewhere, but has the code for free dining come out yet? I plan on changing my current reservation on Thursday to take advantage of the free dining. Thank you

As far as I know the code for the public has not been released yet. Good luck on Thursday!

 

[ssweetpea1211]

When I called yesterday, I was not asked for a code. Would there even be a code if it is open to the public?

 

[Kitty-chan]

I was told by a CM today that the free dining will not show up online but will be mailed to you with your new confirmation.

This is what I was told too.

 

[DOCTORRICK]

anyone know if free dining will be able to be booked online?
ideally i will call, but i am afraid the phones will be crazy for the first few hours.
thanks!

 

[CanadianGuy]

If history is any indication.. sometimes with new promotions.. they are available by calling before they are available on the website.

Keep an eye on the WDW Resort Offers Page here...

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageListing?id=SpecialOfferListingPage

And I'm sure if anyone see a link posted on the WDW site, they'll post it here on the DIS as well.

Knox

 

[Tink561]

Thanks for the great information.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Not a problem -- 1st post updated with info for this morning.

Knox

 

[LauraAnn630]

Just booked 7 day trip with FREE dining!!!!!

Can you hear us screaming with excitement!!!?



Thanks Disboards!

We love you!!

(Did it on-line)

 

[kdzgon]

Here's what we've learned so far about Free Dining. THIS INFO NOW APPEARS SOLID. I'm posting what we think we know so far and I have no doubt some of this information will change.

• Starting Monday, April 9th, 2007 .. Disney Visa Card Holders will be able to book Free Dining for the fall of 2007. You must have a Disney Visa card to book, they will ask for it.
  
• Starting Thursday, April 12th, 2007 .. The General Public may call to book the Free Dining promotion.
  
• There are room blocks dedicated for Disney Visa AND for the General Public
  
• Free Dining will be offered 08/26 to 09/22. Your check-in date must be on one of those days to receive free dining. Period. The only way around that is to split your reservation if you arrive before 08/26. If your check-IN date is 09/22, you can get Free Dining for the duration of your stay at your check-in resort. Moving resorts mid-stay under these circumstances would terminate your free dining.
  
• The main indications are that this will be for THREE nights minimum.. same as before.
  
• You must purchase a package that includes at least a one day base-ticket for each person staying in the room. All persons in the room must purchase the same level of ticket. (These can be upgraded separately after you check in if you wish)
  
• The code for DISNEY VISA CARD HOLDERS ONLY ... is ZHQ. Non-Disney Visa card holders should NOT try to book with this code.
• The GENERAL PUBLIC code for FREE DDP is ZHU
• You CAN book online by clicking HERE ...

The code on the website here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=07_Q4FreeDineOfferPage is ZHW (scroll to bottom of page). I don't think it really matters too much but you can add it to your info.

 

[Poohsmom]

It doesn't matter how long you have had your booking.

There will be a limited number of bookings allowed for any given dates under the free dining plan. You have to convert your existing booking and get one of those 'limited' bookings.

Knox

CanadianGuy, do you think all the bookings in anticipation of free dining cut down on number of rooms available for free dining offer?

 

[CanadianGuy]

CanadianGuy, do you think all the bookings in anticipation of free dining cut down on number of rooms available for free dining offer?

While I don't think the answer to that is 'quite' so cut and dried ... I believe Disney estimated some number of current bookings as 'hoping for free dining' but that's just it -- it was an estimate. They'll know in a week or three how correct their estimates were. They may then adjust the room availability for free dining or extend the booking window.

OR -- they may leave things exactly as they are depending on how bookings continue thru the summer, they may then offer a PIN offer or general public code offer for a completely different discount during the same time as free dining.

I've heard that the response rate for their PIN offers (40% fiasco not withstanding) is very high and a discount offer of as little as 20% usually gets an excellent response and can cause a serious jump in bookings.

Personally.. I only book when I absolutely *know* I'm going.. usually less than 8 weeks before the actual trip. As a result, I tend to be willing to accept whatever room is affordable and available and only once was I able to take advantage of a PIN offer.

I know that I'm unusual in the way I travel. I'm not a family with kids and a wife and vacation and work schedules to work around. Nor is any given trip considered to be my 'one trip of a lifetime'.

Getting back to your question, there are many factors to consider the impact on the limited availability of free dining this year:

• this year they offered the bounceback program which was not in effect last year
  
• this year they offered a specific free dining promotion to the UK market during roughly the same timeframe. They didn't do that last year. Last year, UK people were generally left to find out about it on their own and very few did.. and some felt excluded.
  
• many more people booked this year in 'hopes' of free dining.. than did last year
  
• the travel market in general and WDW specifically is on an up-swing in attendance ..

So, all in all, more demand = fewer rooms available to discount.

Knox

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I was told also ZHW can be used if you cant use the other one today. I booked a free dining package at the WL.