Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[ivey_family]

When I booked our sepy '12 stay at POFQ with the free dining offer the CM told me that the promo was attached to Garden View rooms and higher. Standard Room ressies didn't qualify for FD.

That's what I was thinking from our trip in 2012, too.

Thanks!
Regards,
C.

 

[jwboucher]

September just opened today

When I called 2 days ago the CM told me that you can book 180 days out. She could do dates into Oct but everything was booked.

Dessert party

 

[scard192]

That's what I was thinking from our trip in 2012, too.

Thanks!
Regards,
C.

we booked POFQ last year with a PIN the first day they were sent out for October and all that was available was Garden View; it was about $80 more for the week, still a great deal with FD at the resort I really wanted to stay at

 

[mouserrificmom]

I want/need opinions! For a family of 6 traveling in September (2 adults, a 16 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old & 15 month old) would you do 2 rooms at a value resort or a room at POR with a murphy bed? The price difference isn't HUGE (including the QS to regular dining upgrade), especially when broken down into payments.

Would depend a lot on if you need a pack-n-play for the little one, how much time you will actually spend in the room, and how much 'stuff' you have to bring as well. There is very little storage space in the AB rooms (only ones that have the Murphy bed) because there is no dresser. If you add a pack-n-play and a stroller in the room, you really will not have much space. We love POR for our family of 5, but we really don't hang in the room except for sleep and showers.

 

[phabric]

Any idea when they would release FD dates for dates later than Sept? Looking for Dec.

 

[plutospalforever]

Any idea when they would release FD dates for dates later than Sept? Looking for Dec.

Those are usually released July/early August.

 

[Jewel3k]

When I called 2 days ago the CM told me that you can book 180 days out. She could do dates into Oct but everything was booked.

Dessert party

I've been following the September saga since early March. Uninformed CM respond this way. If you would like a September reservation for the party I suggest you check on line or call. After calling for over a month everyone found they magically opened yesterday around 3ish.

 

[crazymomof4]

We have been blessed with FD on our last 5 trips and we have always stayed in standard rooms. Maybe when you booked, it could have been that all the standard rooms at POFQ were already booked up.
POFQ is one of the most popular and smallest resorts and it always books up fast in all room categories.
Disney excludes some room categories, resorts and dates if they are booking well without a promo, so maybe this is what was happening when you tried to book in 2012.

Maybe. When I called this past Jan to price-out a package for our Sept 14 trip, I told the CM to give me an estimate for a Garden Room at POR bc "I"m hoping for FD and I know it only comes with Garden Room or higher" His reply was, "That is true"
So, I don't know. Maybe this last CM was just being agreeable, as Disney CM's tend to be, and not challenge what I said, which was based on my previous ('12) experience. ????

 

[crazymomof4]

Did you book on Disney Visa Day, early, last year and they told you that?

It was in March 2012, but YES I booked the same day FD was released for Disney Visa Cardholders. Maybe that's why I had to go with the Garden Room? I distinctly remember him NOT saying anything to the effect that all Standard Rooms with the promo were sold out. It was more like "in order to qualify for the FD you have to book a Garden Room or higher room category. Standard room does not qualify you for this offer."

 

[donp]

Maybe. When I called this past Jan to price-out a package for our Sept 14 trip, I told the CM to give me an estimate for a Garden Room at POR bc "I"m hoping for FD and I know it only comes with Garden Room or higher" His reply was, "That is true" So, I don't know. Maybe this last CM was just being agreeable, as Disney CM's tend to be, and not challenge what I said, which was based on my previous ('12) experience. ????

I have stayed at POR in September 2 or 3 times, always with FD, always standard rooms. Can't vouch for POFQ.

 

[phabric]

Any guess if it is Quick dining for Value resorts and the other plans for the other resorts?

Why are certain resorts or rooms excluded in the Special offers? Why would Mermaid rooms at AoA and Music when the other Value resorts/ rooms are included? I may have to change resorts.

 

[donp]

It was in March 2012, but YES I booked the same day FD was released for Disney Visa Cardholders. Maybe that's why I had to go with the Garden Room? I distinctly remember him NOT saying anything to the effect that all Standard Rooms with the promo were sold out. It was more like "in order to qualify for the FD you have to book a Garden Room or higher room category. Standard room does not qualify you for this offer."

Thanks! Was hoping for POFQ, but may switch back to POR

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I want/need opinions!

For a family of 6 traveling in September (2 adults, a 16 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old & 15 month old) would you do 2 rooms at a value resort or a room at POR with a murphy bed?

The price difference isn't HUGE (including the QS to regular dining upgrade), especially when broken down into payments.

I would go with two rooms in a value. One room with 6 people would be very tight even though two are toddlers.

Maybe. When I called this past Jan to price-out a package for our Sept 14 trip, I told the CM to give me an estimate for a Garden Room at POR bc "I"m hoping for FD and I know it only comes with Garden Room or higher" His reply was, "That is true"
So, I don't know. Maybe this last CM was just being agreeable, as Disney CM's tend to be, and not challenge what I said, which was based on my previous ('12) experience. ????

I too have booked standard rooms. It is all based on availability. Some resorts will have standards available while others won't. Phone cms really are not the best with their facts. LOL

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Any guess if it is Quick dining for Value resorts and the other plans for the other resorts?

Why are certain resorts or rooms excluded in the Special offers? Why would Mermaid rooms at AoA and Music when the other Value resorts/ rooms are included? I may have to change resorts.

I would say 99% sure it will be quick service for Values, but you can always pay extra to upgrade. The special offers are based on availability. I don't know specific numbers, but for example, they may want to fill 80% of rooms, if a certain resort is already 80% full then no discount for that resort or room category. Mermaid rooms in the past have always been highly coveted, so they have not had to include them in past deals. Who knows what may happen this time?

 

[mouserrificmom]

Any guess if it is Quick dining for Value resorts and the other plans for the other resorts?

Why are certain resorts or rooms excluded in the Special offers? Why would Mermaid rooms at AoA and Music when the other Value resorts/ rooms are included? I may have to change resorts.

Because they are still very popular, and people are willing to book and pay for them even without a discount. They wont offer a discount when they know they can (or already have) book(ed) the rooms without them.

traditionally the values have received the QS plan, and mods and up the regular dp, but as we all know, it can change.

 

[crazymomof4]

At what point can you book the Wishes Dessert party? We want to try it out this year, but can't do it online yet. I thought it could be booked at 180 days like our ADRs, but I guess I'm wrong...

LOL... nope, you ARE correct, it's still a 180 ADR buuuuuuuutt.... Sept dates (beyond the 7th) were on "Lockdown" (not open for booking) for weeks!!! My 180 day window was March 10th and I was trying every day since then. According to most CMs this was due to MNSSHP dates not being "finalized". If you want to kill some time, follow the dramatic saga on the Wishes Dessert Party ADR thread (the most recent 20 pages or so)! Spoiler: it has a happy ending! Yesterday afternoon the dates were opened for booking and all of us crazies were able to book! Did you notice the lights flicker at about 3:30pm EST? Ya, that was the effect of the high level of electricity across the country as we all finally confirmed our ADRs for TTDP!!!

 

[plutospalforever]

Any guess if it is Quick dining for Value resorts and the other plans for the other resorts?

Why are certain resorts or rooms excluded in the Special offers? Why would Mermaid rooms at AoA and Music when the other Value resorts/ rooms are included? I may have to change resorts.

With the FD offer, Values come with Quick and Mods/Deluxes come with the regular dining plan (also known as DDP and Plus dining). You can always upgrade to DDP if staying at Value; or, upgrade to Deluxe dining plan if staying at a Mod/Deluxe resort. Just pay the difference in price.

Rooms or Entire resorts are excluded because those are the ones that are easy to fill! Many folks chose those cute Little Mermaid rooms OVER free dining! What resort are you staying???

 

[crazymomof4]

I've been following the September saga since early March. Uninformed CM respond this way. If you would like a September reservation for the party I suggest you check on line or call. After calling for over a month everyone found they magically opened yesterday around 3ish.

Hi Jewel!!!

 

[crazymomof4]

I too have booked standard rooms. It is all based on availability. Some resorts will have standards available while others won't. Phone cms really are not the best with their facts. LOL

Preachin to the choir on that point! You wouldn't believe all the greatly varying and conflicting info CMs were giving out regarding the TTDP ressies over the past 5 weeks!!

 

[Kat016]

I've been trying to remain philosophical and calm ever since the news of possible FD came out recently. While it's true, I will be on the phone at 7am Thursday hoping for the best, I look at it this way: I'm going to Disney anyway, FD or not. I'll take a week and a half of food whether I pay for it or not as long as we're in WDW Odds are, as long as our resorts of choice aren't excluded, we all should get pretty close to what we want. And really, in the grand scheme of things, how many freaks like us are out there waiting to pounce on the phones on either Thursday or Monday morning anyway? It's like the thousands of people that show up each day to the parks and don't have any idea of what a FastPass is to begin with. Hopefully the dates will work out foe everybody. It's hard for us who know about FD (and really, would any of us know what the deal is without Mr FD himself? Black, you are the man) to be patient and calm about the whole process. Tom Petty said "The waaaaaaaitng, is the hardest part". Obviously he never was waiting for a FD promo....anyway, it's gonna be alright. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to draft my fourth and fifth backup plans in case I can't get POR, CSR, or CBR.

Lol we'll said!!! And we are a rare breed...but a fun one