Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[dreamerkath]

Thanks to everyone for the great info ! Since I am Canadian, no DV booking for me. BF and I are really flexible, anytime between September 1st and September 14th for 8 nights. Our current plan is All Star Movies (BF is a HUGE Buzz Lightyear fan) from Sept. 2nd to 10th, and are also willing to switch to All Star Sports if there are no rooms left for FD. I've seen that Movies has been excluded in the past, but I'm crossing my fingers that we will get one because it is BFs first trip to Disney World and would love it to be super magical !

 

[RN jld]

So we picked our week Nov29th-Dec 6th based on a lot of factors (my weekend off, someone is able to watch our pets, easy for my mom to take off) AND because all of the sites that I have looked at say that other than the 29th and possibly the 30th the crowds are relatively low. Seeing as Disney puts out offers to fill empty rooms and that week is excluded should I be worried about crowd levels? Not that it will change much for us anyway we are going regardless of free dining or discounts and will just have to choose a hotel to fit our budget I am just terrified about the prospect of having to stand in long lines with a 5 & 3 year old?? Someone please ease my fears

 

[Melany502]

So.. Southwest's November cchedule doesn't come out till 5/19.

If I book 11/15-11/23 with free dining and find the flights are crazy on 11/23 compared to 11/22 on 5/19.. can I take a day off my reservation without losing my room or free dining.

 

[scard192]

I booked my vacation for sept before the ticket price increase. If I add free dining tomorrow (at 7:01 am..) will I have to pay for the increase in ticket prices? Or is it something they just add on to my reservation?

yes, you will have to pay the higher ticket price. If you booked before the price increase if you make any changes at all to the package you get hit with the price increase.

 

[jpw442]

Not much talk about a possible room only discount also being released tomorrow. Makes me nervous, as that's the deal that would help us the most!!

I am right there with you. Really hoping!

 

[smitch425]

So we picked our week Nov29th-Dec 6th based on a lot of factors (my weekend off, someone is able to watch our pets, easy for my mom to take off) AND because all of the sites that I have looked at say that other than the 29th and possibly the 30th the crowds are relatively low. Seeing as Disney puts out offers to fill empty rooms and that week is excluded should I be worried about crowd levels? Not that it will change much for us anyway we are going regardless of free dining or discounts and will just have to choose a hotel to fit our budget I am just terrified about the prospect of having to stand in long lines with a 5 & 3 year old?? Someone please ease my fears

Crowds should not be bad. You'll be fine.

 

[tinklvsu]

So,

The dates that are listed as possible free dining dates....Is it believed that all of the days are included, or should we expect black out dates even within those dates?

 

[smitch425]

So,

The dates that are listed as possible free dining dates....Is it believed that all of the days are included, or should we expect black out dates even within those dates?

Those are the included dates.

 

[lilkimmyk]

Just curious where you got your info from? I called the resort directly to confirm and the CM said that they are planning it but don't yet have a start date. Maybe sometime this summer. I have never wanted to stay at CBR before because of the double beds but this would definitely change my mind.

I got this info from these boards at some point in the beginning of this year that the resort was going through a remodel with queen beds etc. beginning in April.

I never payed much more attention to it though b/c it's not the resort of choice for me. After reading your post I hopped over to the Caribbean Beach FAQ thread read the last few posts and there are people talking about it as well as have received info from CMs at the resort. However, according to a poster on that board they are setting up for work but haven't begun yet.

 

[wdwmaw]

Just curious where you got your info from? I called the resort directly to confirm and the CM said that they are planning it but don't yet have a start date. Maybe sometime this summer. I have never wanted to stay at CBR before because of the double beds but this would definitely change my mind.

Don't worry, CBR is going through a refurb. that started in April and if I am not mistaken should be done by fall. Queen beds! It's my second choice too. Hoping for POR.

I am also watching this on pins and needles and was hoping the refurb would be done in time for our October trip. The refurb rumors was rumored to start in April but so far no signs has started. From another site the permits have been filed but they and they included dates from April- next spring.Typically with refurbs they should start on a section and when it is complete put them in the system. We would really rather stay at CBR over POR and really hoping for some on this one. My gut tells me that when they are open for booking that they will be in demand and thus not discounted, but I am not listening to myself on that one. I believe it has been confirmed that the pirate rooms will not be included in this refurb so those beds will remain full and have no 5th person option.

Following along on here for updates
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3032047

 

[scard192]

Thanks to everyone for the great info ! Since I am Canadian, no DV booking for me. BF and I are really flexible, anytime between September 1st and September 14th for 8 nights. Our current plan is All Star Movies (BF is a HUGE Buzz Lightyear fan) from Sept. 2nd to 10th, and are also willing to switch to All Star Sports if there are no rooms left for FD. I've seen that Movies has been excluded in the past, but I'm crossing my fingers that we will get one because it is BFs first trip to Disney World and would love it to be super magical !

if you are flexible with resorts and dates you should be able to get FD even having to wait until the GP Offer. The All Stars have tons of rooms even if Movies is excluded. We booked about 2 months after FD was released in 2009 and was still able to get rooms at ASSp.

 

[jcano]

So we picked our week Nov29th-Dec 6th based on a lot of factors (my weekend off, someone is able to watch our pets, easy for my mom to take off) AND because all of the sites that I have looked at say that other than the 29th and possibly the 30th the crowds are relatively low. Seeing as Disney puts out offers to fill empty rooms and that week is excluded should I be worried about crowd levels? Not that it will change much for us anyway we are going regardless of free dining or discounts and will just have to choose a hotel to fit our budget I am just terrified about the prospect of having to stand in long lines with a 5 & 3 year old?? Someone please ease my fears

I believe you are there during Pop Warner Week. We just missed it last trip.

 

[tinklvsu]

Those are the included dates.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[AJ Harvey]

I believe you are there during Pop Warner Week. We just missed it last trip.

I think Pop Warner will be there December 6-13 this year.

 

[dreamerkath]

if you are flexible with resorts and dates you should be able to get FD even having to wait until the GP Offer. The All Stars have tons of rooms even if Movies is excluded. We booked about 2 months after FD was released in 2009 and was still able to get rooms at ASSp.

Thanks for the encouraging words ! We haven't booked anything yet because we are really counting on FD to make this trip happen, so we are open to switching up our dates and resorts. As long as we are at Disney, we will be happy !

 

[ConnieB]

Oh well, guess I'm waiting till it's released to the GP and/or I get our new card. I remember when we first applied they gave us the number to use immediately so I was hoping there was a way. Thanks for the answer.

Call and ask them for a solution. We were not in our home state when our card was used online for fraud and they closed the account and reissued cards. But the problem was that we needed that card to pay for the hotel we were staying at when the account was closed. What they did put a note on the old number to allow a charge from XYZ Hotel, so the hotel never even realized that we had a card issue, but no other charges were allowed. They do this for "automatic payments" as well, giving you a chance to get those changed over so your payments don't lapse.

So, while they probably won't give you the actual new card number, they may be able to do something so that you can use the old card number for the FD promotion.

You won't know for sure until you ask.....and if they say no, remember that just like at Disney, sometimes you get a different answer when you call a different clerk.....and when you escalate it to a supervisor who may have more leeway to find a solution.

 

[shellypaige]

Call and ask them for a solution. We were not in our home state when our card was used online for fraud and they closed the account and reissued cards. But the problem was that we needed that card to pay for the hotel we were staying at when the account was closed. What they did put a note on the old number to allow a charge from XYZ Hotel, so the hotel never even realized that we had a card issue, but no other charges were allowed. They do this for "automatic payments" as well, giving you a chance to get those changed over so your payments don't lapse. So, while they probably won't give you the actual new card number, they may be able to do something so that you can use the old card number for the FD promotion. You won't know for sure until you ask.....and if they say no, remember that just like at Disney, sometimes you get a different answer when you call a different clerk.....and when you escalate it to a supervisor who may have more leeway to find a solution.

I agree with this, when our Disney chase visa was stolen we were on vacation and were charging things to our hotel room. Chase continued to approve certain charges while denying others. Call and ask to speak to a supervisor!

 

[kstorms27]

So Im sure somewhere in this thread this has probably been asked but I dont have time to look through 100+ pages to try and find the answer. So, my question is, does DVC members get included into this promotion this time? More specific, if your booking with your points, are you included? Obviously this is all based on wheather or not this comes to be. Thanks!

 

[lkh]

So Im sure somewhere in this thread this has probably been asked but I dont have time to look through 100+ pages to try and find the answer. So, my question is, does DVC members get included into this promotion this time? More specific, if your booking with your points, are you included? Obviously this is all based on wheather or not this comes to be. Thanks!

No, you have to be paying rack rate for the room to get free dining. You are eligible to buy a Tables in Wonderland card though and that's one way to save on dining if you'll be using points to book.

 

[jcemom]

So Im sure somewhere in this thread this has probably been asked but I dont have time to look through 100+ pages to try and find the answer. So, my question is, does DVC members get included into this promotion this time? More specific, if your booking with your points, are you included? Obviously this is all based on wheather or not this comes to be. Thanks!

Reservations booked on DVC points do not qualify for any promotions, so no, you will not be able to get free dining, sorry.