Free Dining 2008 Watch

[crystalcml]

Umm, what is this? It sounds intriging?!?!?

I am SO happy! This is my first trip ever and with the free DDP we will be able to go to Discovery Cove, we had to force ourselves to choose one or the other, and now we get both!!!

I have already set my cell to remind me the day before so I do not forget to call. BTW - does it start right at midnight on April 10th (I mean if it is true of course)? Should I call at 12:01??

My dates are Sept 1 to 12 so based on my research we should be OK.

YEAH!!!

You have to call during their business hours. I believe it's 8am EST (don't quote me on that as I am not positive).

 

[Goofy22]

Umm, what is this? It sounds intriging?!?!?

I am SO happy! This is my first trip ever and with the free DDP we will be able to go to Discovery Cove, we had to force ourselves to choose one or the other, and now we get both!!!

I have already set my cell to remind me the day before so I do not forget to call. BTW - does it start right at midnight on April 10th (I mean if it is true of course)? Should I call at 12:01??

My dates are Sept 1 to 12 so based on my research we should be OK.

YEAH!!!

I believe it will be open to Disney Visa card holders first then apprx 3 days later to General public so if you are not a Disney Visa Card holder you will probably not be able to book it until the 13th I'm guessing on that if they open it on the 10th!

 

[mom2faith]

Thanks everyone!!

Still wondering what the diver and personal menu at Coral Reef is?

 

[Goofy22]

Thanks everyone!!

Still wondering what the diver and personal menu at Coral Reef is?

Coral reef is in epcot land pavilion it is an aquarium type restaurant they have divers that go into the aquarium and hold signs that say things like Happy Birthday Faith or Happy 11th Anniversary Shaw Family etc... The menu they personalize at your table by I believe adding pics that you email them!

 

[Microcell]

I believe the bounceback offer was for check in August 30th-Sept 27th.
But, I am not sure what the dates will be offered to the public. I am thinking the same, but who knows.

FYI last year the dates were not the same as the bounceback, I think they were shorter by a few days on both ends of the start and end...

 

[Madformickey]

http://www.**************/id/1205879043.jpg

 

[Madformickey]

how many mgm reseraunts get you seating for fantasmic???

 

[crystalcml]

Coral reef is in epcot land pavilion it is an aquarium type restaurant they have divers that go into the aquarium and hold signs that say things like Happy Birthday Faith or Happy 11th Anniversary Shaw Family etc... The menu they personalize at your table by I believe adding pics that you email them!

Coral Reef is in the Living Seas pavillion.

 

[Flametamr]

how many mgm reseraunts get you seating for fantasmic???

Two resturants participate. Hollywood and Vine and Moma Melrose. You have to ask for the fpr yjr Fantasmic package. But be aware that Melrose is a two TS credit resturant. And in my opinion the reserved seating was not great. Were in the back off to the right side so some of the effects did not show up well.

 

[Flametamr]

rereading your post I am not sure if you realize you can extend your stay if you already have the free dining pkg booked depending on if you are going outside of the free dining promo and there is availabilty at the resort. (14 night max)


I called the other day and was told I have already booked the max amount of days offered under the bounce back promotion. So I guess I'll have to wait and see if they open the free dining again.

 

[dsnygirl2006]

I am guessing that if free dining is offered it will be the basic dining plan, do you think there will be an option to upgrade the offer to deluxe and pay the difference?????

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Two resturants participate. Hollywood and Vine and Moma Melrose. You have to ask for the fpr yjr Fantasmic package. But be aware that Melrose is a two TS credit resturant. And in my opinion the reserved seating was not great. Were in the back off to the right side so some of the effects did not show up well.

Very true about the reserved seating. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Just show up a little early and you will be fine.

However, if you must do the FDP, there are actually three restaurants participating - Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine, and Brown Derby. It is actually the Brown Derby that is a 2 credit meal...not MM

 

[crystalcml]

I am guessing that if free dining is offered it will be the basic dining plan, do you think there will be an option to upgrade the offer to deluxe and pay the difference?????

Yes when/if free dining is offered it will be for the basic plan. You will however be able to pay the difference to upgrade to the deluxe plan. Many people have booked the bounce back and paid the difference for the deluxe already.

 

[Flametamr]

Very true about the reserved seating. Personally, I wouldn't bother with the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Just show up a little early and you will be fine.

However, if you must do the FDP, there are actually three restaurants participating - Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine, and Brown Derby. It is actually the Brown Derby that is a 2 credit meal...not MM

Yes I stand corrected. I didn't mean to put out wrong info. Last year we ate at Hollywood and Vine and I was going off my spotty memory. Thanks for correcting me.

 

[Eric102]

Sorry this is such a newbie questions, but what is the The Free dining plan? Can someone please explain this to me? Thanks.

 

[pinkerbell]

rereading your post I am not sure if you realize you can extend your stay if you already have the free dining pkg booked depending on if you are going outside of the free dining promo and there is availabilty at the resort. (14 night max)


I called the other day and was told I have already booked the max amount of days offered under the bounce back promotion. So I guess I'll have to wait and see if they open the free dining again.

I KNOW people are told DIFFERENT things.. this can happen with any company.

However, we have 14 nights on free dining. We are very fortunate as we even booked from the last night of Free dining out 14 nights. MANY people have not been able to do this. They had to book all nights within the promo dates. When someone posts this I agree that they should not push it. New rules have changed this past opportunity
BUT..
I think we started with a 10 night vacation and then when we got back bumped it up to the 14 (all with free dining on the same ressie #) and then 17 (on a different res#). I would call again, perhaps using the number on the flyer (i still have it if you need and I can post it). I don't knwo if it still works, but I have seen many posts lately where peole are adding days. I would call again, a couple times even, until you get someone who knows how to do it. The "new disney rules" do not seem to address adding days to a booked promotion if it falls within the guidelines. Good luck!

 

[Lil'DisneyMom]

Please Touring Plans.com be right about that free dining!!!

 

[ShhhQ]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShhhQ
Coral Reef (got the diver and personal menu set up for a surprise for my friends)

Umm, what is this? It sounds intriging?!?!?

I am SO happy! This is my first trip ever and with the free DDP we will be able to go to Discovery Cove, we had to force ourselves to choose one or the other, and now we get both!!!

I have already set my cell to remind me the day before so I do not forget to call. BTW - does it start right at midnight on April 10th (I mean if it is true of course)? Should I call at 12:01??

My dates are Sept 1 to 12 so based on my research we should be OK.

YEAH!!!

If your not familiar with the Coral Reef, it is like dining in an aquarium... one wall is completely glass looking into a tank full of fish, sharks, turtles and many other aquatic animals... you will also see divers. These divers will at times come up to the windows and entertain guests... they will also occasionally surprise guests with a personalized sign. This is arranged ahead of time and is free.... the only catch is they only have a very limited amount of slots. They also offer personalized menus with pictures that you send in.

As to what time you should call... If I remember correctly, they don't start taking calls until early morning... someone else may know the exact time, I am thinking it was like 7am. But I didn't have to call so I am not sure. (I just sat watching my email for my agent to let me know I got it)

 

[willis37862]

I have already set my cell to remind me the day before so I do not forget to call. BTW - does it start right at midnight on April 10th (I mean if it is true of course)? Should I call at 12:01??

My dates are Sept 1 to 12 so based on my research we should be OK.

YEAH!!!

The dining line starts taking calls at 7am EST. If you call before that you will get a message that the office is closed. Hope this helps

 

[faindrops27]

rereading your post I am not sure if you realize you can extend your stay if you already have the free dining pkg booked depending on if you are going outside of the free dining promo and there is availabilty at the resort. (14 night max)






Yes, I too wish they offered a longer ticket between the two extremes. They do for UK guests.. I have posted on this before. UK guests also get a longer Free DDP stay...

As for the waterparks.. I have to say that last yr when I went with a group of families to our local 6flags, I was mortified when they said "let's go to the Waterpark" my kids can't swim and I thought they would not like it. WRONG! they loved it, we went back many times and I immediately added the waterpark and more option.. my kids were then 20 months and 3yrs... here are some photos in this thread... mind you they do NOT know how to swim... but we felt very safe and they have great areas where there is water but it is not deep or even "pool" so they can splash around and get wet.... it really helps take up those non park days... they did NOT want to leave...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1741163


and another thread on kids and teh WP's

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1750364

Pinkerbell, your children are absolutely adorable!! Thank you so very much for sharing. You have now convinced me to go take the kids to the waterparks!

I have a question, how crowded, are the lines @ BB or TL in September?

Off to research the waterparks!!