Free Dining 2014 Discussion ~ Part 2

[andeesings]

DV didn't arrive in time so I'm at the mercy of the GP offer. TA is recommending Contemporary Garden as the least expensive option with monorail. Anyone have any experience? We love BLT but I'm struggling with the price this year. For non-monorail she recommended Beach Club. This resort has never been on my radar. Anyone have any experience to share. It is myself and my 8 yo DD. I don't want to walk a ton at the resorts bc we open and close the parks each day and that's enough walking for me. Thanks.

It depends what parks you spend a lot of time in, here's why. At Beach Club you can walk into EPCOT through the International Gateway, which people love. You can also take a boat to Hollywood Studios. I've never stayed there so I'm not sure how large the resort itself is.

We stay at the Wilderness Lodge for a few reasons: the resort isn't huge, and ALL the rooms are in the one main building. That means when we get off the bus, we aren't walking outside to buildings strewn all over the resort in the pouring rain (September, anyone???). It's our FAVORITE resort precisely because of this small size and the indoor corridors. You can take the boat RIGHT to the gate at Magic Kingdom. Neither the monorail nor the buses get you as close as the boat does. Sometimes we take the monorail from there and transfer at the TTC to Epcot.

I've stayed at the Contemporary- which is amazing- if you're in the tower. We don't like garden view because the rooms are strewn about the back of the resort- more walking.

 

[Bama_C]

What happened to CSR?

The only rooms with Free Dining availability at CSR, according to both my AAA TA yesterday and Walt Disney Travel this morning, are King rooms. King rooms won't work for us, as we need at least 2 double beds in the room.

 

[Pixie Heart]

I believe u used to be able to not sure if u can use a TS credit at a QS place anymore but im not certain. I know u cant use a QS at a TS place

I was able to use a TS for a QS last year.
I know it’s not worth it, but sometimes you just don’t need another TS, right!?

On previous years they’d allow us to redeem a QS for a Snack (we used to get it all in those Goffy’s salted caramel candy...nham nham) but last year it wasn’t permitted anymore!

 

[evcollins]

I have also already booked with my dv but i will be watching and hoping to hear that they have opened up por for fd.

THIS!
Would be great if they did considering all the ship jumping I read about when the dates and resorts were released...

 

[gabs70]

Question: Why would you rather call and wait a long time to make your reservation over making it on the website almost instantaneously?
just curious because I've always used Disney's website but maybe it's better to book over the phone

I understand that if you have split stays or a very large group is better to talk to a CM but other than that, I don't know

 

[TNDisneyNut]

Question: Why would you rather call and wait a long time to make your reservation over making it on the website almost instantaneously?
just curious because I've always used Disney's website but maybe it's better to book over the phone

I understand that if you have split stays or a very large group is better to talk to a CM but other than that, I don't know

As much as I love having MDE, it often fails, jams and you cant get through. I am fortunate that I work at home and I can hold on the phone, but I have found talking to someone easier, at least until they get the kinks worked out! Also, we have been given discounts and informed of things the web site just doesnt do. I will call tomorrow for the FD in the morning and then double check the web site to make sure it goes through and everything is set!

 

[daizieduck]

The only rooms with Free Dining availability at CSR, according to both my AAA TA yesterday and Walt Disney Travel this morning, are King rooms. King rooms won't work for us, as we need at least 2 double beds in the room.

Now I am wondering . . . the first Disney agent I spoke with Friday told me only king rooms were available. This was when I asked for check in 10/26 and she was insisting FD only went thru Oct. 3 but then somehow didn't even book me free dining but booked me RO. When I called back two hours later and talked to a second agent who discovered her errors, I wonder if I had asked him to check for two queens for 10/26 if they were still available at that time? Assuming rooms with queens were even an option for FD. Oh well, too late now. A king isn't going to hurt for a few dollars more a day.

 

[Diz Crazy]

And what are the odds of disney offering a BB offer during a stay with FD? I would love to get FD and then have a BB offer to come back next year!

We had free dining last year and booked a BB for this September with FD!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Now I am wondering . . . the first Disney agent I spoke with Friday told me only king rooms were available. This was when she was insisting FD only went thru Oct. 3 but then somehow didn't even book me free dining but booked me RO. When I called back two hours later and talked to a second agent who discovered her errors, I wonder if I had asked him to check for two queens if they were still available at that time? Assuming rooms with queens were even an option for FD. Oh well, too late now. A king isn't going to hurt for a few dollars more a day.

I got FDing there and had it til saturday when i changed to cbr. We are going 10/25-11/2

 

[deakam]

As of now, the only mod available for FD is CBR, unless you want a King room at CSR. POR is not going to be available and CBR is filling up fast.

Good luck!

Disney has a separate block of rooms for the General Public offering. Don't panic.

 

[Gillespiedisney]

We had free dining last year and booked a BB for this September with FD!

Would love a BB! Hoping they do it again!

 

[Bama_C]

Now I am wondering . . . the first Disney agent I spoke with Friday told me only king rooms were available. This was when I asked for check in 10/26 and she was insisting FD only went thru Oct. 3 but then somehow didn't even book me free dining but booked me RO. When I called back two hours later and talked to a second agent who discovered her errors, I wonder if I had asked him to check for two queens for 10/26 if they were still available at that time? Assuming rooms with queens were even an option for FD. Oh well, too late now. A king isn't going to hurt for a few dollars more a day.

Well, the queen rooms have 2 beds in them, whereas the king room only has the one bed plus sofa. As for the TA you spoke with, at least my information has been consistent from both AAA and WDTravel. I am also checking in on 10/26!

Good luck with getting exactly what you want!

 

[Gillespiedisney]

Disney has a separate block of rooms for the General Public offering. Don't panic.

I had a few different cm's tell me different things (some saying yes, some saying no) I hope they have another block for the GP FD!!

 

[111mom111]

A little worried my TA thinks my dates will be hard to get FD in any resort! Sort of stressing hopeful it will all work out. My budget pushes me out of most deluxe resorts even with free dining, was hoping for a Moderate, but also gave a value resort just in case!

 

[Bama_C]

Disney has a separate block of rooms for the General Public offering. Don't panic.

Not trying to be snippy, but am just wondering... why would they? If that is the case, will POR open to the public? I would really consider that a slap in the face as a DV holder.

I was told the reason they have cut out POR and ASM is because they have less than 5% availability during the FD promotion dates and that by law the resorts are required to have at least 30% availability to offer a promotion. I am not saying that is fact, but it is what I was told by someone I consider to be a reliable source. This is due to people pre-booking with the thought that they will add FD later. Out of curiosity, are you a Disney employee or a TA?

Thanks!!

 

[Disuser]

What number do I call for the free dining tomorrow? Thanks-

 

[jennthompson111]

A little worried my TA thinks my dates will be hard to get FD in any resort! Sort of stressing hopeful it will all work out. My budget pushes me out of most deluxe resorts even with free dining, was hoping for a Moderate, but also gave a value resort just in case!

What are your dates? We are planning for Nov 16-21. At this point I have a backup for my backup plan . I'll be glad when tomorrow is over and I know exactly where I'll be staying. I'm hoping for AoA family suites, but would also do Beach Club or POR and just take a room discount if I can get it later on. My family is 3 adults, 2 children considered Disney adults, and a 2 year old. Here's hoping we all make it thru the morning without having nervous breakdowns

 

[mommyof3princess27]

what number do i call for the free dining tomorrow? Thanks-

407-939-7639

 

[mommyof3princess27]

what number do i call for the free dining tomorrow? Thanks-

407-939-7639

 

[SPOERLX3]

The only rooms with Free Dining availability at CSR, according to both my AAA TA yesterday and Walt Disney Travel this morning, are King rooms. King rooms won't work for us, as we need at least 2 double beds in the room.

If you plug in your dates into the Disney website and look at 10/26, you can see what rooms are available for your dates.
EX: if you plug in 10/26 - 11/1 the only room category available is Junior Suite-King
FD to the GP does not open up more than what is showing available
I would recommend that everyone have the 2nd & 3rd resort choices/room categories/dates ready to go.