free DDP even though we've already booked?

[shannons4]

Here's the long story...I already booked our February 2012 trip and airline tickets for Feb. 11-16 knowing that if they offered the free dining plan I could add it on later. Well, they just announced the dates in February for the free plan and February 11 is NOT included, but the rest of the week is. I called yesterday to see if I could add it on and was told that I could book my trip as 2 seperate vacations...a 1 day stay and 4 day stay and get the free dining plan for the 4 day trip. This would mean that I would need to pay for a 1 day park ticket and a 4 day park ticket. Because the tickets are so expensive for the first days and get less expensive as the days are added on, it leaves my total package (resort room, tickets and dining) only $200 less expensive than if I were to just pay for the dining myself. And we would have to pay for food our first day which could very easily cost almost $200 anyway. Do you think if I call and ask to speak to a supervisor that they will honor the dining promotion for my whole stay? I feel it's unfair to basically not receive any discount since the majority of our stay will be during the promotion. We are loyal, repeat guests...this will be our 5 year old's 4th trip and our 2 year old's 2nd trip. If they don't honor it, I will be extremely dissappointed in their guest service and may just cancel the trip all together. Thanks for any input or advice in advance!!

 

[tjmj9801]

I've never seen anybody say that they just "gave" them a day of free dining. Can you move your travel dates?

 

[smidgy]

I think the consensus on these boards is that you can pick up your park tickets up to 3 days early. not at your resort, but at Guest relations at a theme park or GR at DTD.
check out Cheshire figment sstickey on Tickets

 

[danceintherain]

People run into this problem all the time.

Instead of booking two packages. Simple book a room-only for your first night, and a package for the remaining days. You can then go to Guest Relations and request early ticket pickup if you go to a park that first night. You won't have the Dining Plan on your first day, but you'll be able to begin using your dining credits as soon as you check in again the next morning.

This will require two separate reservations, two separate deposits, and you could be required to switch rooms. Most people haven't had to switch rooms, but it's always a possibility. At the very least, make sure you book the same room category for both nights, ie. both preferred rooms or both standard rooms, and have the CM link the reservations.

 

[beautyqueen]

Something like this happened with us too for our Feb dates, I had to come in one day sooner to take advantage of the FD, we were flexable with our plans and just re arranged and it worked out.

 

[tinkerbellnsnowwhite]

Your best 2 options are either book a room only for the 1st night and then the package for the remainder or move your trip dates. Disney isn't going to budge on the free dining date because they have that day blacked out for a reason ( I believe it is President's Day). The 11th is expected to be a busy day because locals don't have school, etc.

 

[disneydentist]

I feel it's unfair to basically not receive any discount since the majority of our stay will be during the promotion. We are loyal, repeat guests...this will be our 5 year old's 4th trip and our 2 year old's 2nd trip. If they don't honor it, I will be extremely dissappointed in their guest service and may just cancel the trip all together. Thanks for any input or advice in advance!!

If that's the way you feel then cancel. It's not unfair. It's business. They're offering the discount for a certain time period. You're receiving it for that time period. You're not receiving it when it's not offered.

 

[DCDisney]

We've done the room only reservation the first night many times. We often use that night to stay at a resort we haven't tried yet. We've done the early ticket pick up from the package thing once. We've also opted to stay off site for a night and had a day at Sea World which was a nice option too. If you are renting a car then offsite might be nice but if you want to use DME then on site obviously.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Here's the long story...I already booked our February 2012 trip and airline tickets for Feb. 11-16 knowing that if they offered the free dining plan I could add it on later. Well, they just announced the dates in February for the free plan and February 11 is NOT included, but the rest of the week is. I called yesterday to see if I could add it on and was told that I could book my trip as 2 seperate vacations...a 1 day stay and 4 day stay and get the free dining plan for the 4 day trip. This would mean that I would need to pay for a 1 day park ticket and a 4 day park ticket. Because the tickets are so expensive for the first days and get less expensive as the days are added on, it leaves my total package (resort room, tickets and dining) only $200 less expensive than if I were to just pay for the dining myself. And we would have to pay for food our first day which could very easily cost almost $200 anyway. Do you think if I call and ask to speak to a supervisor that they will honor the dining promotion for my whole stay? I feel it's unfair to basically not receive any discount since the majority of our stay will be during the promotion. We are loyal, repeat guests...this will be our 5 year old's 4th trip and our 2 year old's 2nd trip. If they don't honor it, I will be extremely dissappointed in their guest service and may just cancel the trip all together. Thanks for any input or advice in advance!!

You are checking in prior to the free dining period - so you are not eligible to receive it. Sorry

 

[smidgy]

an addendum to my previous post. if you choose not to pick up the tickets a day early, I agree with a PP. just use that day as a resort day.. or go to a water park, or/and downtown disney. or mini golf. there is lots to do that WDW!
and as far as you spending $200 on food for one day, that's quite a lot! esp with a 2 and 5 year old. just eat something at the food court that dya! you could bet really good, inexpensive sandwhiches at earl of sandwich at DTD.
or get burgers at rtex the 2 little ones could split a meal.. the kids will love the dinosaurs!

 

[klfergie]

New to posting. Can anyone tell me if DVC members or renters are elligible for free Dining Plan promotions if they are staying on property during the promotion? Thanks so much.

 

[kat3668]

New to posting. Can anyone tell me if DVC members or renters are elligible for free Dining Plan promotions if they are staying on property during the promotion? Thanks so much.

No DVC members are not eligible for free dining.... but you may pay to add dining plan.