Free Dining 2008 Watch

[DznyDreams]

Diane
I don't think the person meant you but the OP.

You're probably right . . . .

The bounceback people are a different situation. I'm saying those that are signing up with the plans of calling in and switching their reservations are hurting.

You are trying to pick a fight that you won't win on the DIS. This is not the first time someone has thought this and actually been bold enough to post it. It always gets shot down....just go post your idea on the Resort Codes & Rates board if you don't believe me.

 

[tiger4me2]

I booked the Bounceback Offer during Free Dining last year. I booked the maximum available then 7 days. Now I am considering adding a couple of days if they open free dining again. I am a Disney Visa holder so I'll get to call first. Just wondering if they will book a 2 day package or extend my existing reservation ???

I did the bounceback & was able to do 10 nights & 11 days both in 2006 & 2007

 

[tiger4me2]

The CM I talked to said it COULDN'T be added on to an existing reservation. I asked if I booked now and it came up, if I'd be able to add the plan. She said she couldn't guarantee that because the dining plan is limited to a certain number of rooms. So once those rooms filled the dining plan wouldn't be available. Now I'm assuming they can cancel the previous res., and replace it with a new one with the dining plan included, but I've gotta think they can't guarantee you the same resort you'd previously reserved. Actually I think people that are making the reservations now are hurting the process. Disney is seeing the rooms full, and doesn't see as much need to have the free dining. Even though you anticipate changing yours to free dining, they're just seeing numbers on a spreadsheet. They've got to be thinking why give it away free if all you people are technically signing up to pay for it?? If everyone would continue to hold off it would make them more likely to issue the info sooner.

To be honest if I wanted to go to Disney & stay at a resort I wanted I would book it now no matter what. That is me maybe others feel differently. Their choice. If people want to go they will book & go no matter what. Free dining is just a bonus a nice one if you can get it.MHO

 

[*disgal*]

Also, I find the proposed dates odd, considering that they only offered the date range of 8/30-9/27 for 2008 free DDP for those of us bouncing back with free dining.

I really hope the person the OP spoke with was correct, but I wouldn't "bet the farm on it"... it seems awful early, ecspecially since the free DDP dates in August have been narrowing every year since it started!

I have NO idea what Disney will do, but it wouldn't be that early if they started on the 23rd.

In 2007, The BB packages started 8/5/07 (those that were booked in Nov./Dec 2006), Free dining for UK was 8/12/07, and Visa holders and public dates were 8/26/07.

So it would only be 2 oe 3 days earlier than last year but the calendar moves...........last year Aug. 26th was on a Sunday.........this year, sunday is Aug. 24th...........essentially, the same time as last year.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

OK, we are going in September anyway and have ressies. We'd be thrilled if "free dining" were an option. I wonder how much more the room would cost with a "free dining" code vs. my current "bounce back" (but NOT free dining because we were there the wrong dates last year) rate?

I'm wondering what my pass purchase options will be since we have APs. (Last time, we bought one day passes to get "free dining" and just didn't use them. We were hoping to not lose that money, but were willing. I expect this year, I'd have to buy a pass with as many days as I want dining. This is not a problem if I can still keep that pass for future. I don't want to pay the "no expiration" option, though. I want to do as last time: keep the passes that expire 14 days from first use for a year without ever using them and then turn them in toward the cost of a new AP when I'm ready. I guess I'll look into the expiration rules now...)

 

[Disneymommy2006]

We don't have too much longer to wait- if the predictions are right! I read a few posts yesterday and was a little alarmed. We have the Disney Visa and have already booked our stay (Magic your way- plus dining) at POR. We picked a moderate, just in case it is only offered to Moderate resorts or higher...I was told by the CM when we booked (placed deposit on the Disney Visa) that we could call and switch to free dining when and if it is offered. One post I read yesterday indicated that the free dining is only offered to new reservations??? Does anyone have any insight into this? We used free dining in 2004 but our AAA travel agent took care of everything.

 

[The Brain]

We don't have too much longer to wait- if the predictions are right! I read a few posts yesterday and was a little alarmed. We have the Disney Visa and have already booked our stay (Magic your way- plus dining) at POR. We picked a moderate, just in case it is only offered to Moderate resorts or higher...I was told by the CM when we booked (placed deposit on the Disney Visa) that we could call and switch to free dining when and if it is offered. One post I read yesterday indicated that the free dining is only offered to new reservations??? Does anyone have any insight into this? We used free dining in 2004 but our AAA travel agent took care of everything.

All I can say is what i've been told. The CM told me because the rooms would be blocked off, that it would be new reservations only. That doesn't mean they won't be able to redo a previous reservation, but I'm guessing they can't be 100% positive on the room.

 

[wildirishrose]

This may be a silly question, but we are going in Sept because I have a business trip there and we are going to add a couple of days for vacation. I have already made my ADRs, from what the thread it sounds like there may be a possibility of free dining but I have to get a new ressie. If that is true will this impact my current adrs and would I have to rebook my current adrs.

Thanks

 

[LegoMom3]

This is going to be one of those things that no one REALLY knows the answer until it comes out officially! Some CMs say "new reservations only" and still others say "yes it can be added on." I am in the latter camp, with a Disney TA waiting to add Free Dining if/when it comes out. I made our reservations already because we are going regardless, not just taking up a room "in case." We just happen to like September to visit. If no Free Dining, we will do one character meal and the rest counter-service.


.

 

[The Brain]

You're probably right . . . .





You are trying to pick a fight that you won't win on the DIS. This is not the first time someone has thought this and actually been bold enough to post it. It always gets shot down....just go post your idea on the Resort Codes & Rates board if you don't believe me.

not really trying to pick a fight with them. Just expressing my opinion. The other poster didn't seem to take to well to my ideas, but then again he/she's entitled to their own. Not sure why it stepped on they toes as bad as it did, but it just makes common sense to me.

Just seems supply and demand is a basic concept. If it seems like less demand to Disney, the more likely they are to offer promotions. Why give anything away if people are gonna pay for it anyways? That's bad business.

I do however appreciate your being decent about my opinion on the topic.

 

[The Brain]

To be honest if I wanted to go to Disney & stay at a resort I wanted I would book it now no matter what. That is me maybe others feel differently. Their choice. If people want to go they will book & go no matter what. Free dining is just a bonus a nice one if you can get it.MHO

Not for us. The option for us this year is Myrtle Beach or Disney. With free Dining Disney will be the same price as Myrtle Beach. I'm counting airline travel, hotel stay, park, and food. Without free dining Disney will cost quite a bit more. I'd MUCH rather go to Disney, but with COL going up the way it is these days you've gotta follow the pocketbook a little.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

We changed (however it was handled officially...) to free dining two years ago and just kept our ADRs as they were. (Except then they were still called priority seatings )
We have reservations for September because we like it and it fits DHs vacation schedule. Hope for "free dining" but we're going anyway and eating where we currenty have reserved anyway. Sure would be great to change our room only to a package for dining, though.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Sure would be great to change our room only to a package for dining, though.

You can't change a room only ressie to a package as they are booked in two different systems. You would have to cancel the room only ressie and get a refund on all monies paid. Then, book a package and put down a new deposit.

What we usually do is book a package. Then, when the free dining promo code comes out, we call up and have them apply the code to our existing package. At least that's how we did it in 2006 and 2007. This year we were lucky enough to book the bounceback promo. ADRs are all made (we're eating at every single "two credit" restaurant except CRT (did that once for breakfast and once for dinner...never again!)

 

[zippy doo dah]

You can't change a room only ressie to a package as they are booked in two different systems. You would have to cancel the room only ressie and get a refund on all monies paid. Then, book a package and put down a new deposit.

What we usually do is book a package. Then, when the free dining promo code comes out, we call up and have them apply the code to our existing package. At least that's how we did it in 2006 and 2007. This year we were lucky enough to book the bounceback promo. ADRs are all made (we're eating at every single "two credit" restaurant except CRT (did that once for breakfast and once for dinner...never again!)

I have heard more often than once that dinner is so much better than the breakfast. OOOPPPSSSS...I guess I should finish reading the post before I reply...lol I didn't see "dinner" too

 

[OlinFroid]

will the links for free dining be posted in here when it happens? Or will anyone in here list the promo code?

 

[Disneymommy2006]

LegoMom3 - we're doing the same thing...we will be there regardless of free dining or not in September. If they don't offer it, I feel sure there will be a great discount of some kind- it is the "Value/Hurricane season" Anyway, we would love the free dining but we will pay and down grade to Pop if they don't offer it. Time will tell

 

[kmvand1]

The bounceback people are a different situation. I'm saying those that are signing up with the plans of calling in and switching their reservations are hurting.

FYI - If you read my post correctly, you would have seen that we DID NOT take advantage of the bounceback last Sept. when we were there, however we recently booked our stay again for this Sept. and will add the free dining if and when it is offered. If it is NOT offered, we will go as usual. Please feel free to check back for updates this time next month to see if we were correct in our assumptions. Have a WONDERFUL time at Myrtle Beach.

 

[faindrops27]

Well, this is sure exciting news for all those wanting free dining! Good luck!
Flametamer, were you finally able to extend your nights? How many nights did you extend it to?

 

[MIC-KEY]

I just read this posted on mousesavers.com. They list ALL dates for all promos. This is what they had listed for 2007, although bounceback and UK had a week longer. ????


8/26/07-9/22/07 package discounts ("free dining") for general public

Wonder if these will be the dates for 2008 as well? Bummer, we wanted the last week in Sept! Will keep hoping.....

 

[The Brain]

FYI - If you read my post correctly, you would have seen that we DID NOT take advantage of the bounceback last Sept. when we were there, however we recently booked our stay again for this Sept. and will add the free dining if and when it is offered. If it is NOT offered, we will go as usual. Please feel free to check back for updates this time next month to see if we were correct in our assumptions. Have a WONDERFUL time at Myrtle Beach.

you're kinda mean aren't cha? But once again you know no more about it than I do... so have fun paying for all your meals.