Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[phabric]

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???

I picked Little Mermaid as we have been to all the other Value resorts and all the Moderate and Deluxe is out of our price range.. I have the DDP. We have done the Deluxe dining plan and found it was too much food for us.

I have to decide which to switch to CBR with free DDP or Pop and pay the difference between Quick and DDP. Pop would still be cheaper even paying the difference. We are all adults and are out all day at the parks so not really using the resort except to sleep.

 

[estephenson]

When you are booking your FD reservation, do you have to choose the specific dining plan option on the spot or can you upgrade at a later date? Does the upgrade require an additional package reservation or just an add on to the original?

 

[lazer]

Got a mailer today and was hoping (even though I knew better) that it was a pin. Nope, just hotel rates really. And, Disney needs to change up their direct mail artwork...this is the same stuff from last year (value at $118, mod at 181, deluxe at 341). http://tinypic.com/r/r8i3hl/8

 

[SPOERLX3]

okay guys I haven't been able to go though all the post. So black if and when fd is released what dates if any in august do you think they will most likely do?

Here is what black posted yesterday (post #684)

From what I can tell, I am going to estimate the offer dates will run from August 29 to September 24. Again, these could vary a day or two.

Looks like the basic exclusions: Mermaid Rooms, Campsites, GF Villas, 3 Bedroom Villas. It is always possible that POFQ and/or All Star Movies "could" exclude at the last minute. We saw some of that happen the day before release last year.

Still working...

 

[auger]

When you are booking your FD reservation, do you have to choose the specific dining plan option on the spot or can you upgrade at a later date? Does the upgrade require an additional package reservation or just an add on to the original?

Changes can be made after the initial booking.
You have until the 45-day mark to make any and all changes you need.
After that, there is typically a charge, depending on how far out you are.
Last I knew, dining had to be set two weeks out.

 

[plutospalforever]

I picked Little Mermaid as we have been to all the other Value resorts and all the Moderate and Deluxe is out of our price range.. I have the DDP. We have done the Deluxe dining plan and found it was too much food for us.

I have to decide which to switch to CBR with free DDP or Pop and pay the difference between Quick and DDP. Pop would still be cheaper even paying the difference. We are all adults and are out all day at the parks so not really using the resort except to sleep.

As far as availability for free dining promo, those two resorts are each the largest in their category and thus have the most availability. I guess it comes down to what is the best value. Not sure how big the price difference is, but we are like you and are at the parks all day and just use the room to sleep and shower! But if the price difference isn't much, then it could be fun to try a new resort! Good luck and have fun! It sounds awesome!

 

[black562]

For those waiting to call tomorrow. Just do not get mad and take it out on the phone CMs if it is not there. I remember last year the extreme backlash when a projected date did not happen. In the end it will all work out, it may not happen tomorrow, but it will happen. Keep that in mind and be polite to everyone involved.

Oh yes last year was a mess.

Remember these things are like reading tealeaves...very fluid indeed. It's an art, science, and insanity all rolled into one.

Keep in mind, I've seen date estimates that start as late as Sept 1 and end as late as Oct 1. My initial estimate months ago was starting Sept 1; however, after the current summer offer extended out until Aug 28, it seems a bit odd they would only leave a couple days out. Either way, my estimate stands as Aug 29-Sept 24...give or take a day or two. That should cover the bases for now.

Oh, and don't shoot the messenger....ever....please. I mean, last year I wore a cowboy hat and now look at me (see photo to left). In all seriousness though, since Monday, I have ran a fever, developed a fever blister, and taken a sick day off work....stress is a nightmare.

 

[crazymomof4]

For those waiting to call tomorrow. Just do not get mad and take it out on the phone CMs if it is not there. I remember last year the extreme backlash when a projected date did not happen. In the end it will all work out, it may not happen tomorrow, but it will happen. Keep that in mind and be polite to everyone involved.

Good suggestion! Throughout the entire long ordeal (5 weeks of calls) of getting Sept Wishes Dessert Party ADR, I always made a point of not "blaming the messenger". Even joked with the CMs saying, "I'll bet you guys are getting pretty tired of telling callers that this event is not loaded into your system yet!" Sort of took a role of mutually commisserating!

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

For those waiting to call tomorrow. Just do not get mad and take it out on the phone CMs if it is not there. I remember last year the extreme backlash when a projected date did not happen. In the end it will all work out, it may not happen tomorrow, but it will happen. Keep that in mind and be polite to everyone involved.

Great advice. Definitely.

Oh yes last year was a mess.

Remember these things are like reading tealeaves...very fluid indeed. It's an art, science, and insanity all rolled into one.

Oh, and don't shoot the messenger....ever....please. I mean, last year I wore a cowboy hat and now look at me (see photo to left). In all seriousness though, since Monday, I have ran a fever, developed a fever blister, and taken a sick day off work....stress is a nightmare.

We appreciate what you do. A lot of pressure. If the promo I am hoping and praying for doesn't come when anticipated (or ever), I won't shoot the messengers. And we are still going to go to Disney. We appreciate all you do. This is a huge part of the fun and anxiety and craziness that is planning. Can't say thank you enough - I am only planning for a party of 4. Can't imagine the pressure you feel! Did I mention thank you?

 

[black562]

Good suggestion! Throughout the entire long ordeal (5 weeks of calls) of getting Sept Wishes Dessert Party ADR, I always made a point of not "blaming the messenger". Even joked with the CMs saying, "I'll bet you guys are getting pretty tired of telling callers that this event is not loaded into your system yet!" Sort of took a role of mutually commisserating!

A good reason only one of two from here should call initially to ask....while sitting on the boards ready to type a post. Once told yes or no, they can immediately let everyone know.

Don't worry, we're pretty much the only ones that would call that early, so nothing would be lost.

 

[troyseyfert]

Oh yes last year was a mess.

Remember these things are like reading tealeaves...very fluid indeed. It's an art, science, and insanity all rolled into one.

Keep in mind, I've seen date estimates that start as late as Sept 1 and end as late as Oct 1. My initial estimate months ago was starting Sept 1; however, after the current summer offer extended out until Aug 28, it seems a bit odd they would only leave a couple days out. Either way, my estimate stands as Aug 29-Sept 24...give or take a day or two. That should cover the bases for now.

Oh, and don't shoot the messenger....ever....please. I mean, last year I wore a cowboy hat and now look at me (see photo to left). In all seriousness though, since Monday, I have ran a fever, developed a fever blister, and taken a sick day off work....stress is a nightmare.

I'm still optimistic about my Sept. 26th-Oct. 5th vacation...here's why:

When you were predicting the dates for this year's free dining, you thought it was only going to be a couple weeks in September...I thought that only having it a few weeks would look a little cheap on Disney's part...my hunch was right!

It seems that Disney is VERY closed off with the dates this year and that the dates will not get leaked as early as they did last year. It seems that it's driving a lot of the experts crazy because all they can do is estimate now.

Here's hoping, right?...either way, I still like ya Black!! lol

 

[g3pak]

Oh, and don't shoot the messenger....ever....please. I mean, last year I wore a cowboy hat and now look at me (see photo to left). In all seriousness though, since Monday, I have ran a fever, developed a fever blister, and taken a sick day off work....stress is a nightmare.

Joe- don't stress out over it, please. Pass along your thoughts, your best guess, but don't worry about it. If you say "I am 99.99% sure you can book FD tomorrow" and tomorrow it isn't available, all of us will realize it is typical Disney and will wait for another day. We won't blame you for anything, just happy you pass along your wisdom and what you hear through the grapevine.

 

[CK1734]

I sure hope so and will be on here bright and early, and probably through the night waiting to see if the DV offer is tomorrow.

 

[black562]

I'm still optimistic about my Sept. 26th-Oct. 5th vacation...here's why:

When you were predicting the dates for this year's free dining, you thought it was only going to be a couple weeks in September...I thought that only having it a few weeks would look a little cheap on Disney's part...my hunch was right!

It seems that Disney is VERY closed off with the dates this year and that the dates will not get leaked as early as they did last year. It seems that it's driving a lot of the experts crazy because all they can do is estimate now.

Here's hoping right...either way, I still like ya Black!! lol

Oh I estimate more often than some realize, but base it on data. However, once the summer offer came along, it seemed that they were stretching things out a bit further for sure. I'm certainly not above modifying my thoughts as more facts come along....if I didn't do that, it would be foolish now wouldn't it?

And by the way, I still think it's cheap on their part....it should start in mid-August like it used to. After all, that's when the crowds start to drift downward.

 

[ctl]

I am wondering if mid-November (not Thanksgiving week) will have FD dates?
I know the first week is Jersey week (not going then). Will it be August/September before anything is decided or released on November?

 

[Vernie822]

Not sure how relevant it is.. but I just called to make a payment and add Memory Maker while it's still free, and the girl I spoke with didn't reveal any specifics, but basically just said 'Call back as soon as you hear it's out and plan for it to take 2 hours!'

On the other hand I asked her how it would work if I'd need to switch resorts and she said it would be simple.. now when she added on my Memory Maker, she did a little fenangling and said "Ok, it's $110 cheaper to upgrade you to a garden view room and add the Memory Maker so I went ahead and did that for you.."

Any idea why this would happen!? Not complaining..

 

[CJK]

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???

Can you upgrade from the quick service dining plan (if staying at Art of Animation) to the deluxe dining plan? I assumed you could?

 

[black562]

Can you upgrade from the quick service dining plan (if staying at Art of Animation) to the deluxe dining plan? I assumed you could?

Yes, you can pay the difference of $71.93 (after tax) per adult per day.

 

[sbarisch]

Can you upgrade from the quick service dining plan (if staying at Art of Animation) to the deluxe dining plan? I assumed you could?

You can upgrade to either, I think.

 

[JuffoWup]

Hey guys,

New poster. Going for my 11th Disney trip in September and I booked it banking on free dining. I'm really hopeful! I know we got the memory maker add-on this year which is kinda cool but obviously free dining is where it's at. My trip is September 4th-12th at CBR. I've been reading the thread but it's hard to keep up. What's the latest assumption?