Free Dining 2013

[black562]

Morning eve1,Black could you clairfy this. I know you can use a ts credit as qs credit but would seem like such a waste or would it count as 2 qs credits?

You can exchange a TS for a QS credit, but it's an even exchange. So yes you'd be losing quite a bit of value. I don't think you can exchange anything for snack credits. At least they wouldn't let me do that last year when I had an extra QS remaining. So I took a lunch to go for the drive home.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

You can exchange out TS for a QS, but if i remember you have to do it at your resort check in not the restaurant. They used to allow exchange of QS for snack, but actually prohibit this now.

 

[babydoll65]

You can exchange a TS for a QS credit, but it's an even exchange. So yes you'd be losing quite a bit of value. I don't think you can exchange anything for snack credits. At least they wouldn't let me do that last year when I had an extra QS remaining. So I took a lunch to go for the drive home.

Thank you, I can start booking my ADRs on May 14th and its hard to come up with enough ts that my son will eat at. I know he loves bb back ribs so thinking of trails end Buffett, whispering cannon cafe. Too big for character breakfasts. Even though I'm not going till November 10th, Should i just book all the adrs now then if fd does not come out for my time frame cancell the ones I don't need?

 

[Patience]

1) if I make reservations at CRT now & prepay as required & then book a package next week with the DDP, do they apply the DP credits then & refund my prepayment? If not, does it not get refunded until we show up to eat & pay w/ DP?? That's a big chunk of change for a deposit!

I booked CRT in March before I made resort reservations and prepaid for CRT on my credit card. At the time, the CM told me that if we later made resort reservations and added the dining plan, I could just call them back with our reservation number and they would remove the prepaid charges from my credit card. When I booked AoA with regular dining plana couple of weeks ago, I called back and the CM I talked to that day told me I would have to cancel my CRT reservation and rebook. I told her that was not what I was told but she insisted that was the only way she could do it. She found a reservation for us for just 5 minutes later than our original reservation so it ended up not being a big deal for us but it's something to be aware of. They credited the prepaid charges back to my credit card 5 days later.

 

[TheDisney411]

They're on the pricier side though aren't they? That's why we went with POFQ because it was actually cheaper.

Yes, they are definitely pricey, those suites are more than a moderate room. I liked the theming of AOA and its a beautiful resort, but I think it's silly to call it a value resort when 3/4 of the resort is more expensive than a moderate resort. We got a FD pin code for the Little Mermaid rooms last Nov/Dec, but I would not have paid full price for those rooms, they are simply too far from the bus and food court.

 

[BattyKoda]

Even though I'm not going till November 10th, Should i just book all the adrs now then if fd does not come out for my time frame cancell the ones I don't need?

People book, cancel, and rebook adrs all of the time. If there is something that you think you want, it's best to book it now so that you are able to get the time/date that you want.

 

[TheDisney411]

I am a Disney Visa cardholder and have three rooms booked right now at Poly for a 9/7 check-in. I asked my travel agent about this deal coming out next Monday and of course she can't confirm anything. She did claim she would be on the phone all day if it does go into affect. Should I try calling in myself too though? Just to see if I can get through before her? We have been banking on getting FD since we booked months ago and really don't want Poly to sell out fast.

The TA owns your reservation, she will have to call to add the FD code to your existing reservation or make any other changes.

 

[jenseib]

I booked CRT in March before I made resort reservations and prepaid for CRT on my credit card. At the time, the CM told me that if we later made resort reservations and added the dining plan, I could just call them back with our reservation number and they would remove the prepaid charges from my credit card. When I booked AoA with regular dining plana couple of weeks ago, I called back and the CM I talked to that day told me I would have to cancel my CRT reservation and rebook. I told her that was not what I was told but she insisted that was the only way she could do it. She found a reservation for us for just 5 minutes later than our original reservation so it ended up not being a big deal for us but it's something to be aware of. They credited the prepaid charges back to my credit card 5 days later.

The first CM was wrong and the 2nd was right. You either rebook or wait till you eat there and they will refund you. I usually pay out of pocket as i don't think it's worth using 2 credits and then it's just an extra meal for us.

 

[TheDisney411]

Have you had any experience with walk-ins or same day reservations?

And thanks for all your awesome time and advice!

ADRs are needed almost all of the time now at WDW with the popularity of the DDP, it they are pretty much a necessity during FD promos. Don't expect any of the character meals or popular restaurants to take any walk ups, in fact, you will probably see signs outside some of the restaurants indicating they are completely booked full, especially at MK.

 

[TheDisney411]

1) if I make reservations at CRT now & prepay as required & then book a package next week with the DDP, do they apply the DP credits then & refund my prepayment? If not, does it not get refunded until we show up to eat & pay w/ DP?? That's a big chunk of change for a deposit!

2) I heard that starting in 2012 Disney started allowing TS credits to be broken down to QS credit, can you also convert QS to snack credits?? If so, how many credits does that end up as per QS credit? Trying to maximize my F&W "play money" !

1. They will refund your money, but it can take up to 2 billing cycles, or 2 months, for the credit to your card. Or you can ask to be refunded at check in at the resort.

2. You can now use TS credits for QS credits. The CM at the CS restaurants are supposed to be trained to do this now, but there have been reports of some not knowing the policy or how to override it. Ask for a supervisor if there is an issue. You can also see guest services at your resort and have them convert your dining credits.

 

[TheDisney411]

Morning eve1,Black could you clairfy this. I know you can use a ts credit as qs credit but would seem like such a waste or would it count as 2 qs credits?

It is a waste of credits, but it's an even trade.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

Good morning good people!! I have two DP ?'s, not necessarily related to FD -

1) if I make reservations at CRT now & prepay as required & then book a package next week with the DDP, do they apply the DP credits then & refund my prepayment? If not, does it not get refunded until we show up to eat & pay w/ DP?? That's a big chunk of change for a deposit!

2) I heard that starting in 2012 Disney started allowing TS credits to be broken down to QS credit, can you also convert QS to snack credits?? If so, how many credits does that end up as per QS credit? Trying to maximize my F&W "play money"

Thanks all!

1) My understanding is that the credit card is only there to hold the reservation. They are not actually charging it when you use it to secure a dining. What I was told is that they do this because so many people would just reserve and then not cancel. So, when you show up, the whole bill will actually be on the free dining plan. I have already booked for Free dining with a bounce back offer and while i have free dining, they still required the credit card holds.

2) In the old days, they had quite the exchange program. However, last September when we went, this is how it was. You could use a TS for a counter service (that would be crazy of course). Now, if you don't use a CS, you can exchange it for 1 --yes, I said 1--snack. And to do this, you had to go to a manger or customer service at the resort to change it up. It was not worth it at all. So we packed up our car with a ton of packaged lunches for our unused CS. In the old days, you would get 3 snacks for CS. Not so anymore. So I would advise you to use them all in the most judicious way.
Good luck.

 

[TheDisney411]

You can exchange a TS for a QS credit, but it's an even exchange. So yes you'd be losing quite a bit of value. I don't think you can exchange anything for snack credits. At least they wouldn't let me do that last year when I had an extra QS remaining. So I took a lunch to go for the drive home.

If you have some QS left over, guest services at your resort can convert them into snack credits. Snack locations and gift shops can't do it, but it can be done at the resort.

 

[TheDisney411]

You can exchange out TS for a QS, but if i remember you have to do it at your resort check in not the restaurant. They used to allow exchange of QS for snack, but actually prohibit this now.

Most QS places are now supposed to be able to accept TS for QS, ask for a supervisor if there is an issue. QS credits can be converted into Snack credits, but only by guest services at your resort.

 

[TheDisney411]

I booked CRT in March before I made resort reservations and prepaid for CRT on my credit card. At the time, the CM told me that if we later made resort reservations and added the dining plan, I could just call them back with our reservation number and they would remove the prepaid charges from my credit card. When I booked AoA with regular dining plana couple of weeks ago, I called back and the CM I talked to that day told me I would have to cancel my CRT reservation and rebook. I told her that was not what I was told but she insisted that was the only way she could do it. She found a reservation for us for just 5 minutes later than our original reservation so it ended up not being a big deal for us but it's something to be aware of. They credited the prepaid charges back to my credit card 5 days later.

Wow, that CM was wrong, there is no way you should have had to cancel or rebook. Ask for a supervisor if that happens again.

 

[TheDisney411]

1) My understanding is that the credit card is only there to hold the reservation. They are not actually charging it when you use it to secure a dining. What I was told is that they do this because so many people would just reserve and then not cancel. So, when you show up, the whole bill will actually be on the free dining plan. I have already booked for Free dining with a bounce back offer and while i have free dining, they still required the credit card holds.

Good luck.

At CRT they will put a courtesy hold on your credit card if you are on the DDP and will only charge you a fee for no shows. If you are not on the DDP then you must prepay for the meal at CRT, same upfront fee as some of the dinner shows.

 

[Meghoya]

I was hoping that one of you would have called in and found out Visa holders was today. Anyone going to keep calling every day until they say yes? Or just wait until Monday and try at 7am? This should be fun.

 

[TheDisney411]

I was hoping that one of you would have called in and found out Visa holders was today. Anyone going to keep calling every day until they say yes? Or just wait until Monday and try at 7am? This should be fun.

The Disney Visa offers usually get leaked the night before . I think most people expect the DV FD to drop May 6 and still May 9 for GP FD.

 

[Patience]

Wow, that CM was wrong, there is no way you should have had to cancel or rebook. Ask for a supervisor if that happens again.

The first CM did seem far more knowledgeable than the second one (friendlier and more pleasant too for that matter). If the second one hadn't been able to find us a reservation within 5 minutes of the first one, I would have asked for someone else.

 

[TarrahA]

Thanks all for your quick & helpful replies!!

I don't think we'll be switching QS for 1 snack, that's just silly

I'll have to just wait to book CRT until we book the package next week then, we already have one reservation on full prepay for our first planned date but I wanted to make reservations for our backup dates as well - but with a party of 8, I can't afford to shell out approx $1000 up front to hold two spots! The courtesy CC hold that's used w/ other ADR's is fine though, so just gotta bite my nails until I can do that =/

Thanks again!!!