Free Dining 2014 Discussion ~ Part 2

[GaBelle]

does anyone think i will have a problem getting FD for Wilderness Lodge wednesday, I have it booked so Im just adding it on..

You shouldn't have a problem. You may not be able to book a standard room, but otherwise you should be in good shape!

 

[PrettyMinnie]

You shouldn't have a problem. You may not be able to book a standard room, but otherwise you should be in good shape!

im already booked in a standard room...ugh this wait is killing me lol

 

[greentea]

This is my first trip to WDW since I was 7, and DH's very first trip ever. We're thinking of this as a very-belated honeymoon, and I started out trying not to worry about the money too much... but I've been obsessing over everything now. (Doesn't help that I got sick over the weekend so all I've been doing is sitting at the computer reading and planning.)

Initially wanted POFQ and have it booked. But it just seems like CSR with dining for the same will just save so much money. Or, for the price of POFQ + dining, could get a standard AKL + FD for the same price.

And obviously Pop would be even cheaper than CSR, but I don't know if I want to go quite that cheap for this trip... planning to take my friend and sister next year and we will do a shorter value stay, so I want to spend a little more for this trip.

I guess the bottom line is if I stay at CSR instead of AKL, I'll feel better about spending on extra things like the wilderness trek. And plan to spend some time wandering the AKL area before and after dinner there.

 

[miniowl]

I apologize if this have been answered, but do not have the time to browse through the 171 pages of "I am going in 2016, what room should I get?" posts.

The original post says a 3-night minimum, but another Disney thing says a 6-night minimum. I do not see the offer mentioned on the Disneyrewards.com site at all. Can someone please post a link to where the official qualifications are?

 

[mom2cinderella]

im already booked in a standard room...ugh this wait is killing me lol

But again, booking ahead does not help you. If standard rooms are fully booked - WDW will not offer a discount for them. Hopefully you will be fine, but have a backup just in case.

And just a general reminder - more table service meals = more gratuities. Tips aren't included in the dining plan. ( I have to keep reminding myself everytime I'm tempted to upgrade to the deluxe plan )

 

[SydneyFalco]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question... if not please direct me to the right location.

We are not booked at CSR in the business class, we booked with the VISA Free Dinning offer. With the savings from the free dinning, we upgraded to the Deluxe Dinning Plan because we have so many table service meals planned, some are two credit meals. We are now trying to figure out if it is worth it to do the deluxe plan or if we should just pay out of pocket for some meals and go with the regular dinning plan. We will be there for five days and already have reservations that will equal twelve table service meals.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Probably not best place for an answer, as it will get swallowed up by the ever-expanding thread...

What you're suggesting is the type of vacation the wife and I have taken twice; I've played with the math plenty and doing a breakfast or lunch per day and then a signature for dinner definitely works out about as well as any other variation of the dining plan. Maybe even a little better.

This is all provided, of course, that you are "sit-down" people, and I don't imagine it's as workable if kids are involved. My wife and I don't drink, so Disney got no booze money out of us; however, the tips definitely racked up fast. We ended the week with some extra snack credits, but we've ended up with those on the regular plan, too.

 

[PrettyMinnie]

But again, booking ahead does not help you. If standard rooms are fully booked - WDW will not offer a discount for them. Hopefully you will be fine, but have a backup just in case.

And just a general reminder - more table service meals = more gratuities. Tips aren't included in the dining plan. ( I have to keep reminding myself everytime I'm tempted to upgrade to the deluxe plan )

yeah we always upgrade to deluxe dining plan too ...its still expensive but its worth it lol

 

[scard192]

I apologize if this have been answered, but do not have the time to browse through the 171 pages of "I am going in 2016, what room should I get?" posts.

The original post says a 3-night minimum, but another Disney thing says a 6-night minimum. I do not see the offer mentioned on the Disneyrewards.com site at all. Can someone please post a link to where the official qualifications are?

All the details on page one of this thread. If you need the "official" details from Chase it was in the e-mail that card holders received via e-mail.

 

[Haneyman]

i had budgeted $100 a day for food for our 9 night trip in November. That's not including a couple of table service meals I was going to do. We got free QS dining at POP and I will pay to upgrade to regular dining . That will cost around $700 for my family for 9 nights . $900 - $700 leaves $200 I will not spend for food. It's a no brainer for us. We love the table service meals because we really don't do a lot of eating out at places like you get at Disney. Plus, you gotta eat! Here's to the $65 ribeye at Le Cellier!!!!!!!!!

i DID get ahead of myself a little bit. I forgot about tips. So, the $200 I have left will go to tips. Still, it's an awesome deal. Let's hear it for skewered shrimp at O'hana!!!!!!

 

[SPOERLX3]

Hi I saw this question posted earlier and may have missed the answer. I need to book 2 rooms when Fd is released. How can I do this online? Do I do two separate bookings and request they are linked or is there somewhere where I can request 2 rooms? thanks

If you want to do it online, You will need to create 2 profiles with 2 different email addresses. Otherwise you will have to call in and book it with a CM.
We are a family of 6 that wanted to book 2 rooms. I played around with the website (so I would be ready for FD) and couldn't get it to work so I called and spoke to a couple of CM's (1st one for the info and the other one to confirm) that explained that the only way to do it online is with 2 separate profiles with separate emails, then you can link everyone together on your family & friends page once you book.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

Is there a reason I should call instead of booking online?

 

[miniowl]

All the details on page one of this thread. If you need the "official" details from Chase it was in the e-mail that card holders received via e-mail.

Thank you. But that is where my confusion lies. On the first page, it lists exclusions (i.e. Port Orleans, All-Star Movies) and a 3-night minimum.
The e-mail links to the below site that seems to say a 6-night minimum and does not list those exclusions. I am not able to post links yet because my post count is low, but this can be copied/pasted.

disneyrewards.com/offers/wdwdinemay14

 

[wdwmaw]

Thank you. But that is where my confusion lies. On the first page, it lists exclusions (i.e. Port Orleans, All-Star Movies) and a 3-night minimum.
The e-mail links to the below site that seems to say a 6-night minimum and does not list those exclusions. I am not able to post links yet because my post count is low, but this can be copied/pasted.

disneyrewards.com/offers/wdwdinemay14

It does not imply 6 night minumum since it says sample pricing. They are just pricing out the average length of stay at Disney. The pricing shows people what a value it would be for them. They also don't want you to stay any shorter and people see 6 night and assume that is the deal and book that, smart on their part.

Think of it like a grocery story, buy one get one free but they don't tell you they will give you 50% off of one item

 

[scard192]

Thank you. But that is where my confusion lies. On the first page, it lists exclusions (i.e. Port Orleans, All-Star Movies) and a 3-night minimum.
The e-mail links to the below site that seems to say a 6-night minimum and does not list those exclusions. I am not able to post links yet because my post count is low, but this can be copied/pasted.

disneyrewards.com/offers/wdwdinemay14

my e-mail says "select resorts" but no specific exclusions. Because the DVisa offer can only be booked over the phone the only confirmation has been from other DISers who have confirmed that LM, AMSo and both Port Orleans are excluded. If you want something that you can "see" that may have to wait until the GP offer comes out.

You can call Disney and ask about the Disney Visa FD promo. the CMs will be happy to provide all the details and answer your questions if you have any.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Is there a reason I should call instead of booking online?

Depends if you already have a reservation. If you don't then no, go ahead and do it online. If you do have a reservation then you would have to call to modify it, you can't modify it online.

 

[miniowl]

Thanks.

It does not imply 6 night minumum since it says sample pricing. They are just pricing out the average length of stay at Disney. The pricing shows people what a value it would be for them. They also don't want you to stay any shorter and people see 6 night and assume that is the deal and book that, smart on their part.

Think of it like a grocery story, buy one get one free but they don't tell you they will give you 50% off of one item

 

[Aubrav]

I'm starting to get excited/nervous/etc. I'm very curious if there is any chance that ASMo might be included in the GP offer because my choices are 1. ASMo, 2. POP, 3. ASMu... I would really prefer to stay in one of the first two though, obviously. Also trying to decide between 7 nights and 8 nights but since there is only a difference of $140 I'm thinking 8 nights. We will be driving all day the first and last days so no parks those days anyway. With 8 nights we would get 6 days at the park plus one day at the beach. I think our last trip was only 5 or 6 nights so this will be nice.

 

[scard192]

I'm starting to get excited/nervous/etc. I'm very curious if there is any chance that ASMo might be included in the GP offer because my choices are 1. ASMo, 2. POP, 3. ASMu... I would really prefer to stay in one of the first two though, obviously. Also trying to decide between 7 nights and 8 nights but since there is only a difference of $140 I'm thinking 8 nights. We will be driving all day the first and last days so no parks those days anyway. With 8 nights we would get 6 days at the park plus one day at the beach. I think our last trip was only 5 or 6 nights so this will be nice.

ASMo was also excluded last year, not likely it will be this year either. POP and ASMu are big resorts, you should be able to book a room at one of those 2.

 

[TinyDancer]

Finally got my trip booked... all the standard rooms at CSR for 11-14 - 11-21 are GONE.

 

[Bama_C]

Has anyone booked less than 6 nights for this offer? We are planning on going for 11 nights, but my MIL and FIL would like to book only 4 nights. We have been able to do this in the past, but the offer is worded differently this year.

Thanks!