Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[black562]

I just want to know what the overtime for those TA's today were for now? I mean, what are they planning on doing, rearranging their sock drawer?

If anything, this may actually make the dates a bit more clear. Still, I don't think it hurts a thing to keep tabs by calling. They get annoyed, but ya know...they should just expect these things at this point.

 

[willowsnn3]

Just checking in to see if anyone found out anything this morning.
I called around 8pm last night to book the current offer (with free MM) that was expiring on the 20th. Nell was the cm I spoke to and of course I first asked about checking for a pin attached to my name (immediate No, there is no pin), then I asked about free dining and she said she had heard nothing about it for this fall. Sooo I go ahead & book for the first week of Sept with the current offer (discount in hand is better than 2 in the bush).
Then at the end of the booking and conversation she says to keep checking that she has heard 'some people' will be getting the free QS and that I could apply that discount when it comes out.
So first she knows nothing, then maybe she has heard something. Go figure.

 

[crazymomof4]

No, I was actually annoyed he was so rude! He wasn't friendly about it. I already have a BB offer anyway and was just calling to see if the FD would be cheaper.

very "un-Disneylike"! He must have bypassed the pixie dust machine that all WDW employees are supposed to walk through on their way into work.
Seriously, out of every 7 dwarves, there is one Grumpy!
Sorry you got him today.

 

[crazymomof4]

I just want to know what the overtime for those TA's today were for now? I mean, what are they planning on doing, rearranging their sock drawer?

If anything, this may actually make the dates a bit more clear. Still, I don't think it hurts a thing to keep tabs by calling. They get annoyed, but ya know...they should just expect these things at this point.

Maybe we should start off the phone call with a very polite, "Is this a good time for you? If not, I can call back at a time more convenient"

 

[Kat016]

I love this thread! It helps me to read this when I think I'm the only disney crazy person in the world! My question for all of you is how confident is the group about October FD? My dates are very flexible, because I'll be off on maternity leave at the time. Our little guy is set to arrive in early July so waiting a few weeks might be a better choice in that regard but since this is a last minute decision on our parts we are hoping for FD. (We usually book a year in advance...pretty much as soon as our excitement dwindles from the last disney vacation lol!) we definitely are going to go, but just asking if it would be wise to book a sept trip for our family when FD comes out or do I wait to hear if there's an oct release too? Thanks so much for everyone's posts! I love hearing how excited everyone gets about planning a disney vacation!!!

I got it last year for our trip in October. I got it as a PIN though on Mothers Day. But I know it was offered for October

 

[Ava]

I love this thread! It helps me to read this when I think I'm the only disney crazy person in the world! My question for all of you is how confident is the group about October FD? My dates are very flexible, because I'll be off on maternity leave at the time. Our little guy is set to arrive in early July so waiting a few weeks might be a better choice in that regard but since this is a last minute decision on our parts we are hoping for FD. (We usually book a year in advance...pretty much as soon as our excitement dwindles from the last disney vacation lol!) we definitely are going to go, but just asking if it would be wise to book a sept trip for our family when FD comes out or do I wait to hear if there's an oct release too? Thanks so much for everyone's posts! I love hearing how excited everyone gets about planning a disney vacation!!!

Congratulations on your pending arrival!

You could always book for Sept when it comes out and then change to Oct if/when those dates are released. You run the risk of having to pay more for airfare by waiting (if you fly) but at least you'll have a FD trip booked and can always change/cancel up to 45 days out if you need to. Depending on when your little one actually comes, you may find you don't want to travel that soon after anyway. (We were originally planning to go Sept 2013, but after our LO was born we felt like 3 months old was too young to take her. YMMV of course, but you won't know how you'll feel until after your LO arrives.)

 

[jhaig]

Rainy days and Mondays (with no FD) always get me down.....but:

1) we think FD is still happening

2) we're still going to WDW anyway

3) being hopped up on Mountain Dew at 5am is not necessarily a bad thing.....

Until Thursday......

 

[dreamerkath]

I wish they would let Canadians receive the DV it would be great to get early releases. Hopefully they will release to Canada in the future. Thanks to everyone who had called!!!

I completely agree ! So sad that the DV is only available in the US, I would have gotten it otherwise for the early releases (and to have a cute Disney themed credit card of course!).

Thanks to everyone who called this morning. Fingers crossed that we get some news soon!

 

[andeesings]

I just blew through and made all my ADRs in about 10 minutes! Got all my times and even had a choice of times for BOG!!! Hope this is an good omen for FD!!!

You're so lucky you got a choice of times for BOG!!! I'm totally jealous. A few weeks ago I booked a room under the MM package so I could have my +10 window (which I totally didn't want to do because I didn't want to jeopardize FD!!) and I couldn't even get BOG in any of my +10 days!! It's a jungle out there!!!

Meanwhile black that FB group has 650 ppl now!!!!

Also-- for those of you great at math, I'm sure there's likely to be an AP RO discount for the early fall... Anyone know if it might be cheaper to book THAT and add the DP and then book tickets through Undercover Tourist? I'm so torn about what to do. The AP discounts for deluxe resorts are usually so significant...

 

[VACamm]

Since the Memory Maker promotion ended last night.... There is currently NO PROMOTION right now, correct? Is this odd for Disney not to have a current promotion ??

 

[smitch425]

Since the Memory Maker promotion ended last night.... There is currently NO PROMOTION right now, correct? Is this odd for Disney not to have a current promotion ??

There is still a summer offer. It expires June 6.

 

[SeanWM48]

Since the Memory Maker promotion ended last night.... There is currently NO PROMOTION right now, correct? Is this odd for Disney not to have a current promotion ??

all the more reason to keep an eye out...granted they still have that "save more when you stay longer" deal but that's old news at this point

 

[stephyamber]

It's coming guys... It's coming! Just a bit more patience and a few more days of waking up at sunrise lol

 

[martinmont]

Although it's doubtful dec dates might be released this round, I'm still stalking for the off chance. That would be my shopping money there lol.

 

[KELLY]

The issue with POR is it is the cheapest option for 5. So it is going to fill faster. As long as you go in with a back up resort all should be good. I know we have FD already but I'm thinking of upgrading to a pool preferred room and for some reason those were all booked last year. So if I'm going to do it I need to switch soon.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I just want to know what the overtime for those TA's today were for now? I mean, what are they planning on doing, rearranging their sock drawer?

If anything, this may actually make the dates a bit more clear. Still, I don't think it hurts a thing to keep tabs by calling. They get annoyed, but ya know...they should just expect these things at this point.

Some 'agencies' (lets use that term loosely) actually run their business based on internet rumors. The business side of me is cringing at the thought. Not even the top selling agencies in the country get advanced notice with details of date releases.

 

[Starrynight15287]

Not about FD, but does anyone know how often disney store has the 25% off sale??? They had one about a month or so ago.

 

[myminnieme]

Question for all you seasoned free-diners... Do you ever have trouble finding a place to eat during the free dining promo? I get that some places need to be booked super far in advance. Can you walk up to most quick service restaurants? Do table service restaurants fill up months in advance? Is the Be Our Guest restaurant blacked out for the next forever? (I couldn't find any available time slots on any days we plan to be there). Thanks!

 

[black562]

Some 'agencies' (lets use that term loosely) actually run their business based on internet rumors. The business side of me is cringing at the thought. Not even the top selling agencies in the country get advanced notice with details of date releases.

My initial thoughts, but that date was thrown out there before it was posted here or anywhere else. So apparently, instead of rumors, they just "assumed"....likely because of MM expiring.

Either way, at least it was all based on actual information...which is all I ever base anything on.

 

[ciera321]

Question for all you seasoned free-diners... Do you ever have trouble finding a place to eat during the free dining promo? I get that some places need to be booked super far in advance. Can you walk up to most quick service restaurants? Do table service restaurants fill up months in advance? Is the Be Our Guest restaurant blacked out for the next forever? (I couldn't find any available time slots on any days we plan to be there). Thanks!

Counter service is not a problem. FYI, Wolfgang Puck Express has wonderful food, and is a great use of a counter service credit, IMO!!! Table service is a little different. Yes, many book up, but there are always cancellations. Many table service restaurants will have some availability close in, but may not have your ideal time slot. Then there are those that will always have something available the day of......Just keep trying!
ETA: Go to disneyworld.com, go the things to do, dining reservations and use today's date to see what's available. (I just checked, and there are 55 table service restaurants that have availability for 7PM tonight.) That might give you a fairly good idea of what you can get close in.