Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[black562]

So if the Visa holders get a jump on FD if it's released this Monday (if it follows the trend), it will be at 7am, correct? If it's released to the public right off the bat it will be at midnight online and 7am on phones, correct? Last time I had free dining in 2005 it just happened to be on the dates we are going. Now knowing the beauty of FD, I am anxious...

The website on public day varies. It can be a half hour early or many hours early. Phone lines all open at 7am.

 

[Misjanuary1]

The website on public day varies. It can be a half hour early or many hours early. Phone lines all open at 7am.

Thanks, Black!

 

[alktdknckmom]

We are planning a lot of table service meals (mostly character meals), so for us, getting the regular DDP for FD is invaluable.

So, someone on here said it's only $20 extra to pay for an extra adult for the DDP. Were you saying that it's $20 to upgrade from QS to DDP (if you stay at a value and they offer FD) OR is it $20 to change a kid from a "kid" rate to "adult" rate? And if so, do the ticket prices or room costs change if you change from kid rate to adult rate? I'm not sure I understood the $20 thing.

A few of you mentioned that you get two value rooms with a family of 5.
If I got two rooms at POP, which they can't guarantee connecting, but just for kicks...
Would I go by the "non-discounted" rate that is listed on Disney's website?

If that's the case, two PoP standard rooms, plus 2-day park tickets for 5 would be $2294 plus $20 per person to upgrade -- is this right?? So, that would increase it by $100. So, $2394.

My room at POR with the same perimeters above would be $2091 and would come with DDP if FD is offered. So it's basically $300 difference.

If I go with a Deluxe, I'd go with the cheapest, which looks to be BWI or YC. This would bring the amount up to $3097 for the same perimeters.

Am i right about how I'm calculating the cost to upgrade QS to DDP if FD is offered? if so, is it $20 per person extra to upgrade?

I'm crossing my fingers that FD is offered and that POR is not excluded!!!

 

[Mermaid2sea]

Hoping for some dates in August

 

[Haneyman]

We always stay at POP. Would love to try AOA. Why are LM rooms always excluded from FD? Are all LK rooms family suites? My oldest loves lion king but I do not need a family suite

 

[auger]

We are planning a lot of table service meals (mostly character meals), so for us, getting the regular DDP for FD is invaluable.

So, someone on here said it's only $20 extra to pay for an extra adult for the DDP. Were you saying that it's $20 to upgrade from QS to DDP (if you stay at a value and they offer FD) OR is it $20 to change a kid from a "kid" rate to "adult" rate? And if so, do the ticket prices or room costs change if you change from kid rate to adult rate? I'm not sure I understood the $20 thing.

A few of you mentioned that you get two value rooms with a family of 5.
If I got two rooms at POP, which they can't guarantee connecting, but just for kicks...
Would I go by the "non-discounted" rate that is listed on Disney's website?

If that's the case, two PoP standard rooms, plus 2-day park tickets for 5 would be $2294 plus $20 per person to upgrade -- is this right?? So, that would increase it by $100. So, $2394.

My room at POR with the same perimeters above would be $2091 and would come with DDP if FD is offered. So it's basically $300 difference.

If I go with a Deluxe, I'd go with the cheapest, which looks to be BWI or YC. This would bring the amount up to $3097 for the same perimeters.

Am i right about how I'm calculating the cost to upgrade QS to DDP if FD is offered? if so, is it $20 per person extra to upgrade?

I'm crossing my fingers that FD is offered and that POR is not excluded!!!

Unfortunately, no. If that were the case, no one would think twice about upgrading, esp me!!!
The cost to upgrade from free QSDP to the regular DDP is roughly $20 per adult per night of your package.
Meaning, if I travel alone and stay at a Value hotel for 7 nights, I will pay $133 plus some change to upgrade my dining.
If someone travels with me, we will pay twice that, and so on.

You are correct that the Mods and Deluxe resorts come with regular DDP, so no upgrade is necessary.

To figure out the cost for Free Dining, go to the site and put in your dates and room/resort choice, the tickets you need, and the number of people in the room. The price for the package (room and tickets only) is what Free Dining will cost.
You will pay full rack rate for the room, the tickets are full price, and they throw in the dining plan.
If you price out the Value and will want the upgrade, add the $133 plus change to the package cost for each adult on the package.
Sorry, but i do not know the pricing for children.

 

[mouserrificmom]

We always stay at POP. Would love to try AOA. Why are LM rooms always excluded from FD? Are all LK rooms family suites? My oldest loves lion king but I do not need a family suite

The LM rooms at AOA are the most popular and don't need promotions to fill them which is why they have been excluded from promotions. They are the only rooms at AOA that are not suites, which is part of their appeal and answers your question about the LK rooms - they are all suites.

 

[JamieLM]

The website on public day varies. It can be a half hour early or many hours early. Phone lines all open at 7am.

If you do call first on monday, can you please note the special including the dates? I know we all will start calling thinking it will be for us, jam the phones and our dates may not be included. Thanks for all your help!!

 

[Nermel9]

So whenever a Disney Visa discount happens before the general public, the only way to find out about it is to call Disney at 7 and ask? I feel weird doing that...I've called a few times and asked about pin codes and I always felt like I was bothering them!

 

[jhaig]

So whenever a Disney Visa discount happens before the general public, the only way to find out about it is to call Disney at 7 and ask? I feel weird doing that...I've called a few times and asked about pin codes and I always felt like I was bothering them!

A Disney Visa FD discount should be announced at the same time as a general public FD offer. You are usually given the eligibility dates and what date you can call for each one. In the past the Visa card holders have been able to start booking with FD a few days before everyone else, but you should hear about the offer for Visa and general public at the same time.

 

[wdwmaw]

So whenever a Disney Visa discount happens before the general public, the only way to find out about it is to call Disney at 7 and ask? I feel weird doing that...I've called a few times and asked about pin codes and I always felt like I was bothering them!

Yes!! Visa will post the offer on their site and send out emails but that usually doesn't happen till later in the day of release and many report they don't get an email at all. In most cases for discounts you will find out here first before any other source.

In fact some of those that call at 7am when an offer is released end up letting the CM on the phone know as at that point they haven't had time to get their morning update either. It gets very exciting on here on a release date as people post info and what they were able to get!!!!!!!!!

You will get CM that will make you feel like your bothering them and you will get some that go above and beyond to look for you. If you get one that makes you feel that way, call again. The more you call, the more comfortable you will feel asking

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Azjenn]

question? do you get free dining for the number of nights you are booked in the hotel or is it for the number of days you have tickets for? I know I've read on here that you have to buy a minimum of a 2 day ticket. so say for example if I am booked for 7 nights at POR but only have 6 day tickets do I get 6 or 7 days of dining entitlements?

 

[Tinker Pam]

question? do you get free dining for the number of nights you are booked in the hotel or is it for the number of days you have tickets for? I know I've read on here that you have to buy a minimum of a 2 day ticket. so say for example if I am booked for 7 nights at POR but only have 6 day tickets do I get 6 or 7 days of dining entitlements?

It is based on the nights. If you are staying 7 nights you will get 7 nights of free dining.

 

[lilclerk]

question? do you get free dining for the number of nights you are booked in the hotel or is it for the number of days you have tickets for? I know I've read on here that you have to buy a minimum of a 2 day ticket. so say for example if I am booked for 7 nights at POR but only have 6 day tickets do I get 6 or 7 days of dining entitlements?

The dining plan always goes by the number of nights in the resort. So you'll get 7 days worth of dining credits.

 

[Azjenn]

It is based on the nights. If you are staying 7 nights you will get 7 nights of free dining.

thanks so much for answering that for me!!!

 

[mrs.ariel]

The dining plan always goes by the number of nights in the resort. So you'll get 7 days worth of dining credits.

Is this true even with a split stay?

We are staying 4 nights at POP 9/9-9/12, then going on our cruise, then staying one more night at POP 9/20. If all dates are included, will we get FD for the 20th also?
TIA

 

[wdwmaw]

Is this true even with a split stay? We are staying 4 nights at POP 9/9-9/12, then going on our cruise, then staying one more night at POP 9/20. If all dates are included, will we get FD for the 20th also? TIA

No, consecutive nights!! Free dining has a minimum stay requirement of 3 nights. You would need separate reservations, since you would check out, go on cruise, and then check back in.

You could get a room only discount applied. The tickets you purchase on your FD reservation for the 9-12th would still be good for your last night on the 20th since they don't expire until 14 days after first use. Something to consider so you could enjoy a little more magic.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MommyApo]

Yes, I request it on my original reservation. If I book with a CM, they do it for me, if I book online, I call in and have it added.
On one of my reservations, I request king room, connecting
On the other reservation, I request connecting room with xxxxxxx(and I have them add my reservation #)

And if you book one of the All Star resorts, the cost for the 2 rooms vs POR is only about $100-$150 difference, depending on your length of stay (unless you upgrade your dining plan).

I am editing this post: I was just online, playing around with booking a room to get rates and on the last page when you go to check out, it actually now allows you to request a nearby room or connecting door! When you choose the button for connecting door, it asks for the name of the party in the connecting room and their check in date. Not sure when this started since our last trip was 2 years ago, I know it wasn't there then. I have also read on the boards that when you do online check-in there are other options you can choose now also. Does anyone know what those would be? Would it be king room or a specific floor?

How were you able to price out 2 rooms online? I am having the hardest time trying to figure this out. If I split my party of 5, into 2 different groups the website automatically changes the second group to the first when trying to price it out. I must be missing something?

 

[CJK]

If I compare last years free dining to what might be offered this fall (sept 29-October 2 )falls in my start date. Would I receive free dining for the entire stay or just until October 2nd?

You would receive FD for your entire trip! As long as your check IN day is within the free dining dates, you're good to go!

 

[mrs.ariel]

No, consecutive nights!! Free dining has a minimum stay requirement of 3 nights. You would need separate reservations, since you would check out, go on cruise, and then check back in.

You could get a room only discount applied. The tickets you purchase on your FD reservation for the 9-12th would still be good for your last night on the 20th since they don't expire until 14 days after first use. Something to consider so you could enjoy a little more magic.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks for clarifying. We will be going back to MK on the 20th One more day of fun before we head home!!!