FD Waiting Game - Really only for in-demand resorts?

[kayemgi]

Hey y'all! I have a random question. I am one of those people who called the day FD was released and waited on hold for hours to get it applied to my reservation.

However, I saw Free Dining promo advertisements on every web page I visited (they do know how to target Disney fans, I'll give them that!) up until yesterday, which I'm guessing is when the promotion ended. That must mean that FD rooms were still available as of yesterday, right? They wouldn't be running ads this entire time if the promotion was sold out, would they? So, am I possibly correct in thinking that the rush to book FD is really only for people who really care where they are staying, and want to stay in high demand resorts where the rooms "sell-out" quickly for promos like this?

I guess what I'm really getting at is, if we were to plan a trip for next year, and I know we want to stay at an All-Star, arguably one of the least in-demand Disney resorts, do I really need to wait on hold for hours the day FD is released? Or can I let the rush peter out and then book it? Just curious really. I was surprised after the chaos of August 1 to see those Free Dining ads, consistently, every day of August up until yesterday!

 

[wdwfan22]

I you are trying to get the discount when it comes out for the general public, remember Disney Visa holders have already had a few days to book it.

And they have limited numbers of rooms at each resort for the special. It really is hard to answer the question, it certainly may be available after the first day rush, but if I had my heart set on a certain resort and didn't want to take a chance, I would call the first day and just resign yourself to holding.

I would hate to wait and then it wasnt available. It just isn't worth the chance for me.

 

[smidgy]

having a room reserved at a particular resort does not guarantee you a room there with the free dining promotion when it comes out.

yes, numerous people report that they "just applied" the free dining to their existing reservation. that's not technically correct, even if you have the same reservation number.

there are only so many rooms allotted for various discounts, be it free dining, room only, AAA, etc. the amount of those rooms is actually determined by how many empty room they have available... why give a discount on a room when you can get full price?

this is why it is so difficult to get a room at french quarter druing free dining, there are so few rooms as it is.. reserving a room there does NOT guarantee you will able to apply the free dining.. I would still call the first day the offer comes out.

this is also why you haven't seen these discounts applied to the Little mermaid rooms at AOA. since they are the only regular rooms at that resort, and it is so new, so many want to try it that don't want to pay for suites, it is always booked. no need for discounts.

 

[su_A_ve]

Yup - This was the case with POR and POFQ. I believe the latter one was not even available. More than likely due to too many reservations.

We booked CSR for Xmas this year earlier with a PIN. Recently we were looking at switching to POR because a 5th person would be coming with us. No chance as there was no availability under FD (there was some under rack rates at first - now not even). One night late I was browsing and it showed availability so I booked it and then transferred to my original reservation (reason was because my original one was done prior to the ticket increase and hence saved about $120).

 

[kayemgi]

I think I was too confusing in my original post! What I meant, more succinctly, is:

I saw ads for Free Dining for the entire month of August and into September. This implies to me that Free Dining rooms were still available throughout the entire promo period. Is this assumption correct? If you don't care where you stay, can you wait to book a FD room until later in the promo period?

I understand that if you care about what resort you stay in, it's best to call as soon as the promo is released because there is limited availability.

 

[aaarcher86]

I think I was too confusing in my original post! What I meant, more succinctly, is:

I saw ads for Free Dining for the entire month of August and into September. This implies to me that Free Dining rooms were still available throughout the entire promo period. Is this assumption correct? If you don't care where you stay, can you wait to book a FD room until later in the promo period?

I understand that if you care about what resort you stay in, it's best to call as soon as the promo is released because there is limited availability.

If you don't care where you stay that'd be fine to do. Disney will not take the promo down though if rooms are booked up. Availability changes daily.

 

[GoofyMB]

Also helps if your dates are flexible. In order to get the promotion for the resort I wanted I had to change my dates to start a day later than originally anticipated. At least airline tickets were not purchased yet.

 

[kiramay]

I think I was too confusing in my original post! What I meant, more succinctly, is:

I saw ads for Free Dining for the entire month of August and into September. This implies to me that Free Dining rooms were still available throughout the entire promo period. Is this assumption correct? If you don't care where you stay, can you wait to book a FD room until later in the promo period?

I understand that if you care about what resort you stay in, it's best to call as soon as the promo is released because there is limited availability.

Yes, but you could end up with only Deluxe $$$$ rooms left. I think the more affordable value and moderate resorts book up faster when FD is offered.

 

[KarmaCat]

It does pay to check availability regularly later in the promotion period, as others have said. I was able to book Pop Century with free dining over Thanksgiving week very recently. This is a busy time, and I had to check daily to find an opening. But I eventually saw a standard room open up online and jumped on it immediately. As long as you remain flexible and don't mind putting some extra work into the whole process, you have a good chance of being able to book a value or mod instead.

 

[kayemgi]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful thoughts for me to keep in mind for next time.

I just felt so silly, having waited on hold for soooo long, and then having that ad pop up on my computer screen every day! But there are definitely other factors to consider, as you all have pointed out to me! Thanks!