Free Dining 2014 Discussion ~ Part 2

[donp]

I'm wondering if I really need to wake up at 4am, my time to call Disney at 7am their time to book? I really want to take advantage of free dinning but is it really possible for it to sell out in a day? We are going in September (11-21) and really just looking for 2 rooms at a value. The value resorts seems so large, I can't imagine them completely selling out of the promotion in a day. I know people have posted that they booked free dinning last year, even a few months into the promotion. Does this year seem that much more crazy than last year? Also is it possible for me to book online, I am booking 4 packages and then call in later and have them all linked together and request connecting rooms for my individual families package, we are a family of 5. I just prefer to not wake up in the middle of the night if it is possible.

Since September and flexible on which value, I think you would be fine!

 

[greentea]

Since I have to be at work early Wednesday morning, would I be better off to call and cancel my reservation tonight so that I can book online wednesday? We are booked OCT 1-10 in a preferred pool view room at Pop..

Is it possible to book a second trip before canceling the first, then cancel the first one later when the phones are less busy? (I want to book online because I have to be at work on Wed morning, so this is what I'd like to do, but I can't cancel today-- and probably not tomorrow either-- because I'm sick and have no voice... ugh.) Are there any issues with the online reservation system doing it that way?

 

[KNovacovschi]

Is it possible to book a second trip before canceling the first, then cancel the first one later when the phones are less busy? (I want to book online because I have to be at work on Wed morning, so this is what I'd like to do, but I can't cancel today-- and probably not tomorrow either-- because I'm sick and have no voice... ugh.) Are there any issues with the online reservation system doing it that way?

There's not but it's frowned upon as it's taking away from someone else. It's always your decision though.

 

[greentea]

There's not but it's frowned upon as it's taking away from someone else. It's always your decision though.

I'm booked during a slow week at POFQ, so I don't think there will be a rush on that in the next two days (unless it magically ends up with FD) and I plan to cancel asap so I think it should be okay on that count... Thanks for the info, I don't want to be a jerk about things or anything. I just seriously can't talk at all. I wish they allowed cancellations online. Maybe I get my voice back tomorrow!

 

[NokOnHarts]

I'm booked during a slow week at POFQ, so I don't think there will be a rush on that in the next two days (unless it magically ends up with FD) and I plan to cancel asap so I think it should be okay on that count... Thanks for the info, I don't want to be a jerk about things or anything. I just seriously can't talk at all. I wish they allowed cancellations online. Maybe I get my voice back tomorrow!

It's fine. It's not like you don't have a completely legit reason for not canceling now, I would book online and cancel the other when your voice is back. No worries! People are resort changing like crazy now, it's not like you're the only one in the process of switching.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I'm booked during a slow week at POFQ, so I don't think there will be a rush on that in the next two days (unless it magically ends up with FD) and I plan to cancel asap so I think it should be okay on that count... Thanks for the info, I don't want to be a jerk about things or anything. I just seriously can't talk at all. I wish they allowed cancellations online. Maybe I get my voice back tomorrow!

If your at POFQ then I wouldn't worry about it seeing they are excluded anyways.

Hope your voice gets better.

 

[deakam]

Has anyone checked the Disney dining website lately. I was just on there and none of the character meals are on the dining plan. I just checked every single one and all but Tusker House says "dining plan not accepted". Free dining may not be the great deal everyone thinks it is.

 

[JamieLM]

Joe, any update on Wednesday's release, or are we expecting it to be the same as for the DV holders? Thanks!

 

[freckles04]

Will the system let you make 2 reservations under the same email address for the same dates?

 

[ChicagoMom]

Has anyone checked the Disney dining website lately. I was just on there and none of the character meals are on the dining plan. I just checked every single one and all but Tusker House says "dining plan not accepted". Free dining may not be the great deal everyone thinks it is.

I asked about this on the Dining Plan board. Apparently its some kind of a computer glitch. People have called and been told by CMs in the last few days that the character dining meals are included. Also they all listed as included on the 2014 brochure.

 

[mandis77]

Has anyone checked the Disney dining website lately. I was just on there and none of the character meals are on the dining plan. I just checked every single one and all but Tusker House says "dining plan not accepted". Free dining may not be the great deal everyone thinks it is.

Earlier in the thread people have said they have called about this and it is a computer glitch and will hopefully be fixed soon. I know I freaked out because we have 3 character meals planned. Maybe things are overloaded due to FD!!

 

[Gillespiedisney]

I think it's just a website glitch

 

[deakam]

I am having issues with dining reservations. Keeps saying page error.

I think that may have been because they were updating the no dining plans accepted at the character meals.

 

[mandis77]

Family of 5 here and we finally decided what to do since POR is excluded (although I will TOTALLY be check at midnight and/or 7 am Wed!). We booked 2 rooms at Pop 1WZ1/16-11/21. CM tried to get me to book a cabin for a family of 5. Um no thanks. Sounds too much like camping. This girl, while she has three boys, does not like camping.

Never stayed at Pop before (or any value). I'm excited. Keeping this trip a complete surprise to the kids.

We stayed there last year. My kids LOVED it. I liked the food court and the bus service was fantastic. We would be staying there again except DH wants more dining options this time. Enjoy!

 

[Gillespiedisney]

Has anyone checked the Disney dining website lately. I was just on there and none of the character meals are on the dining plan. I just checked every single one and all but Tusker House says "dining plan not accepted". Free dining may not be the great deal everyone thinks it is.

The disney dining 2014 brochure still has all the character meals listed. I was nervous too since most of my meals planed are character ones!

 

[deakam]

I think it's just a website glitch

I hope so. I only have CRT booked and we were planning on paying out of pocket anyway but that would really be bad if suddenly all character meals were excluded from the dining plan or jacked up to 2 credits.

 

[mandis77]

Talked to a CM today that had been there for many years, she said she has never seen FD sell out within a matter of days, let alone hours. I asked her if I were to call at 7am (actually she suggested 6:59am) and gave her all of my details if I would get what I wanted. She said that I am almost guaranteed to get it, if I call in early enough. She also told me that DV and GP are from two totally different pools.

Now I dunno if what she said is true, but I am really hoping so

I hope so too! The week I want at CSR is showing only junior suites available. Hoping some standard (or even water, preferred or BC) are being held aside for FD!

 

[Gillespiedisney]

I'm nervous about canceling my reservation now and then booking a new one online... What if they don't even have standard rooms at the poly when I go to rebook online when FD is released to the GP! Also I'm scared of not being able to get it applied when I call at 7am.

 

[Kristian]

We are currently booked at POP Sept. 6th - 13th. I usually wait to book FD each year online but I booked months ago because DH got a surprise bonus this year and although I could have put the amount we allotted for vacation in our savings account, I felt better about applying it to a reservation so that I knew that is what it would be used for...out of sight...out of mind (our savings in linked to checking). So, I'm contemplating cancelling tonight and then rebooking on Wednesday once the FD GP offer goes online. I know that having a package already booked doesn't guarantee FD at all and I'm kind of at a loss of what to do. I have a semi-flexible work schedule and can go in late and adjust my time at work in order to do my business with Disney on Wed. if need be so that isn't the issue. I am just wondering what would make more sense at this point?? My DH's mother and step-father are also booked at POP for the same dates and we requested adjoining rooms (I know they are not guaranteed) and we are linked on MDE so my plan was to modify both our reservations on Wed. morning once I got through. Not that she could not call and modify her own reservation herself, but that was our initial plan. I don't think she will want to cancel and then rebook, so I don't know. Any advice?

 

[TennesseeGirl]

I'm nervous about canceling my reservation now and then booking a new one online... What if they don't even have standard rooms at the poly when I go to rebook online when FD is released to the GP! Also I'm scared of not being able to get it applied when I call at 7am.

Having a room booked already won't help you get FD. I would cancel and book online unless you want to stay there regardless of getting FD.