Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[crazymomof4]

to the boards pippi1972. I wouldn't listen to the CM's. They all usually have different answers and don't know too much. Black 562 is usually right on. If he says it's coming out, then it most likely is.

Boy isn't that the TRUTH!!!!
A bunch of us on the Wishes Dessert Party thread just went thru about 5 weeks of hearing the supposed "wisdom" of the CMs. We got to the point where it became a JOKE what "version" we would hear next. How many times we were told "The party is sold out for that date" When in fact it was not available for booking and so there were NO BOOKINGS at all! Or "It's a 90 ADR" when it clearly states on Disney's own site that it's a 180 day!

And they all presented this info as if it's hard fact, written in stone!!! We found that collectively, we on the thread, ended up with more accurate knowlege on the situation than some of the CMs!!

yes, CMs are sometimes more in the dark and/or mis-informed than disboard participants--- thats a fact!!!

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

You can say that again. Others have called and been told not only that it's happening, but that it would be offered to visa this year because of the backlash that happened last time....that sort of thing.

Some will even say there's no free dining on the morning you call to book it. Some CMs are insistent that it will never be offered again. I had one tell me on the morning of release, not only that it wasn't available, but they had never offered such a thing.

That said, I have no doubt that at some point I will come up with some wrong info...it's inevitable. But I do the very best I can and try to make sure everything makes sense and holds muster.

That said, we've heard from three different places about Monday, which makes it pretty darned meaningful if you ask me.

Thanks, Black!

Still hoping and praying!

I haven't been given any information by a CM on my various "fishing" calls. Only once that September generally has better discounts than October when I was debating dates. And even less info from the Disney Visa people. (Why would I even try to find another info source when I have this one - other than my need to obsessively check and see if anything has changed in the last 5 minutes - lol!!)

But my phone is ready to dial that number at 7 sharp tomorrow!! Hopefully we will get good news - and I won't get one of those CMs who don't even know the special they are offering that day!

 

[newbies04901]

You can say that again. Others have called and been told not only that it's happening, but that it would be offered to visa this year because of the backlash that happened last time....that sort of thing. Some will even say there's no free dining on the morning you call to book it. Some CMs are insistent that it will never be offered again. I had one tell me on the morning of release, not only that it wasn't available, but they had never offered such a thing. That said, I have no doubt that at some point I will come up with some wrong info...it's inevitable. But I do the very best I can and try to make sure everything makes sense and holds muster. That said, we've heard from three different places about Monday, which makes it pretty darned meaningful if you ask me.

been lurking and loving every minute of this! So grateful for all the veterans -- be lost without you. My dates are October 21-28 -- our first trip -- so I feel this is an excellent warm-up for the FD roller coaster later this summer for my dates. Hoping with all my heart for the September travelers!

 

[donp]

been lurking and loving every minute of this! So grateful for all the veterans -- be lost without you. My dates are October 21-28 -- our first trip -- so I feel this is an excellent warm-up for the FD roller coaster later this summer for my dates. Hoping with all my heart for the September travelers!

Yes, somewhat thrilling and nauseating at the same time <NAILBITING>

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

I am a home-based TA and am traveling with four other families September 6-13. Have two booked at AoA family suites and my partner and I along with two other families are booked at POP. (I joke and say that POP is our home resort on the budget DVC. We've stayed there 7 or 8 times )

Two of us are Disney Visa cardholders so I'm hoping that the Visa offer is released tomorrow!

 

[newbies04901]

Yes, somewhat thrilling and nauseating at the same time <NAILBITING>

just like I imagine space mountain. Hmmm. Now it's all starting to make sense!

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

just like I imagine space mountain. Hmmm. Now it's all starting to make sense!

Or perhaps the Tower of Terror

 

[smitch425]

You guys sure have been busy today! I'm just now catching up after a dentist appointment and making copies for teachers.

Does this mean you change your avatar from "Dis Veteran" to "Dis Legend"?

I just might do that.

I was just being silly/ corny. I don't post often but do read on here all the time. I can tell Joe is a great guy, knowledgeable, funny sense of humor, and is a genuine friend to many others on here. It is easy to see why "the regulars" like him so much. I hope it didn't sound like I was saying anything bad about him. His different pics/ selfies a few days ago were classic.

I don't blame you about not putting your pic up. That's why I have Sheldon as mine. When I am away from home, I want to be as anonymous as possible. I used to belong to a group on Tour Guide Mike a few years ago. Just like here, I mainly read and occasionally posted. While at WDW, I was in a store when one of the women from the group walked right by me. I knew it was her but didn't say a word. I don't want to creep anyone out.

Crazy story- a couple of years ago I noticed a woman post on Dis often about how her family dressed up for MNSSHP each year. She posted pics and gave advice. I noticed the pics because she went ALL OUT for her family's outfits. Just recently I was walking into a Disney Store in Tennessee and I passed a family exiting the store. I thought "they look familiar" then I realized it was that family. So crazy. And don't worry, I didn't say a thing to them.

Yep, that was us. I shopped there with my husband and daughter that morning. Then I traded my husband and daughter in for my mother-in-law a couple hours later. Then we all went back to get my son a Hulk costume at the end of the day.

Too funny! I will be sure not to come up and talk to you, if we see you in the parks. My DH used to be like that too, but he has gotten used to it. LOL


Many people do it. As for if they frown upon it, maybe, but they will still cancel the old reservation for you.

You better say hi if we are ever there at the same time! I loved meeting people, but sometimes it was a little weird. There was a couple at POP a few tables away, and I was facing their direction. I could see them whispering and glancing my way. After 10 or 15 minutes, they approached our table, and the wife said "excuse me, but I've been telling my husband that I know you and he says there's no way it's you." After a brief chat with them, they walked off and I could hear her say. "I told you so!" Another woman gave us a FP for 5 guests for any ride that she wasn't going to use. I'm glad we got that, too, because we used it for Buzz, and FINALLY got a good ride pic of DS (with his eyes actually open for once)

 

[black562]

Thanks, Black!

Still hoping and praying!

I haven't been given any information by a CM on my various "fishing" calls. Only once that September generally has better discounts than October when I was debating dates. And even less info from the Disney Visa people. (Why would I even try to find another info source when I have this one - other than my need to obsessively check and see if anything has changed in the last 5 minutes - lol!!)

But my phone is ready to dial that number at 7 sharp tomorrow!! Hopefully we will get good news - and I won't get one of those CMs who don't even know the special they are offering that day!

One thing to keep in mind. Last year, deals released later than this year.

Example:
Summer offer last year fell on April 2 and covered dates out to August 15.

Summer offer this year fell on March 17 and covered dates out to August 28.

That does match up with Monday being a release date, as they all have come a couple weeks earlier this year. It "hopefully" means that the offered dates will extend a bit further out. If you remember, I had said dates through the 17th earlier....and since modified them through Sept. 24th.

Now if you wanna hear something really crazy, check out the UK's offering for next year:

UK Free Disney Dining 2015 booking to start on 24th April with some changes from last year. Details emerging are Disney Value resorts to get Free Breakfast, Disney Moderate Resorts to get Quick Service Dining Plan and Disney Deluxe resorts to get Disney Dining Plan. All resorts will have an upgrade option with an appropriate fee.

UK has long been different from us, last year I believe mods only got quick service as well....so don't read too much into it. But who knows what could come in the years ahead. Clearly eventually trying to push more pricier hotels where they can.

 

[Vernie822]

I am sooo new to understanding all of this, so please forgive me. I tried to read through the previous posts as much as possible but there were so many!!

Question is.. We currently are booked at POR from Sept 16-20. Splitting our stay and starting at AOA, but we don't have park tickets for the first 3 days so I'm not worried about getting FD there.. we'll just pay OOP. Unless it makes sense to buy 2 days in the parks and get the FD?!

My question is.. If POR is currently sold out for standard rooms during our stay, when they release FD, my assumption is it may not include POR standards (to me it doesn't make sense to put out a FD promo for rooms that are already booked, but I could be wrong).. Should we have a 'back up' resort that we can switch our reservation to if FD comes out and POR isn't on it? Is that allowed!?

Also.. Do you think it would be worth it to combine our stay into a 7 day POR (or other moderate given whether or not POR gets FD) stay, as opposed to our current split (no tickets for AOA stay, 4 day hoppers and standard DDP for second half) to take advantage of free dining for our entire 7 day stay? One of our days is travel, one of our days we will be in Tampa, and the other MNSSHP.. So I don't know if it's really worth it to get tickets for the parks for those days, but if the food will be free, I'm tempted to just combine.. I can do the math, but I'm wondering what your opinions are. Thanks!!

 

[tinker&belle]

I am sooo new to understanding all of this, so please forgive me. I tried to read through the previous posts as much as possible but there were so many!! Question is.. We currently are booked at POR from Sept 16-20. Splitting our stay and starting at AOA, but we don't have park tickets for the first 3 days so I'm not worried about getting FD there.. we'll just pay OOP. Unless it makes sense to buy 2 days in the parks and get the FD?! My question is.. If POR is currently sold out for standard rooms during our stay, when they release FD, my assumption is it may not include POR standards (to me it doesn't make sense to put out a FD promo for rooms that are already booked, but I could be wrong).. Should we have a 'back up' resort that we can switch our reservation to if FD comes out and POR isn't on it? Is that allowed!? Also.. Do you think it would be worth it to combine our stay into a 7 day POR (or other moderate given whether or not POR gets FD) stay, as opposed to our current split (no tickets for AOA stay, 4 day hoppers and standard DDP for second half) to take advantage of free dining for our entire 7 day stay? One of our days is travel, one of our days we will be in Tampa, and the other MNSSHP.. So I don't know if it's really worth it to get tickets for the parks for those days, but if the food will be free, I'm tempted to just combine.. I can do the math, but I'm wondering what your opinions are. Thanks!!

You get free food for each night of your stay, so you don't have to buy extra days on your tickets if you put it all on one stay.

 

[crazymomof4]

I am sooo new to understanding all of this, so please forgive me. I tried to read through the previous posts as much as possible but there were so many!!

Question is.. We currently are booked at POR from Sept 16-20. Splitting our stay and starting at AOA, but we don't have park tickets for the first 3 days so I'm not worried about getting FD there.. we'll just pay OOP. Unless it makes sense to buy 2 days in the parks and get the FD?!

My question is.. If POR is currently sold out for standard rooms during our stay, when they release FD, my assumption is it may not include POR standards (to me it doesn't make sense to put out a FD promo for rooms that are already booked, but I could be wrong).. Should we have a 'back up' resort that we can switch our reservation to if FD comes out and POR isn't on it? Is that allowed!?
Also.. Do you think it would be worth it to combine our stay into a 7 day POR (or other moderate given whether or not POR gets FD) stay, as opposed to our current split (no tickets for AOA stay, 4 day hoppers and standard DDP for second half) to take advantage of free dining for our entire 7 day stay? One of our days is travel, one of our days we will be in Tampa, and the other MNSSHP.. So I don't know if it's really worth it to get tickets for the parks for those days, but if the food will be free, I'm tempted to just combine.. I can do the math, but I'm wondering what your opinions are. Thanks!!

Certainly! It makes sense to have a back up plan bc one never knows for sure which resorts will be excluded. Personally, I don't want to be scrambling and crunching numbers and trying to make a solo decision while on the phone to a CM the day of the promo release! And it is "allowed" bc you can make any changes to reservations w/o penalty as long as you are greater than 45 days out.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

My husband called today and was asking about free dining to Visa card holders opening tomorrow. She said "where are you hearing that?" She said they would know before hand, and she hasn't been told anything. She also said, if it does come out, it won't be in April. So, I don't know what's going on, but thought I would share what we heard.

i called as well to ask about it and they asked me when i had my trip planned, i told them september.... she then preceded to tell me that " i would not count on free dining for september"..... not sure what to think of that....

sorry new here.... i have been following the link and thought i should post that.

As has already been mentioned, MANY of them don't even know the day of that there is an offer. And every single year we have several say "I would not count on free dining this year".

You better say hi if we are ever there at the same time! I loved meeting people, but sometimes it was a little weird.

I would.

 

[Vernie822]

Thanks for your reply! Originally I split the stay because we weren't planning to go to the parks on our first 3 days (AOA stay - travel/MNSSHP/Tampa days). I didn't want to pay for dining for those days if I didn't have to, since I thought you had to buy it for your entire hotel stay. I'll do some math and see what I come up with! Not sure if the advantage is there or not.

 

[auger]

if you booked through a TA, then the TA owns the reservation and will have to call Disney to add FD, or make any other changes to your reservation. Disney will not change anything for you so no point in calling and waiting on hold to speak to a CM.

We were debating going thru AAA to book our package, but this is exactly what made me decide against it.
Call me a control freak if you like, but I want to be able to do things to my reservation myself, not wait for some TA to decide to make time to do it for me!
I am the one forking out the big bucks, so I want control!!!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

UK has long been different from us, last year I believe mods only got quick service as well....so don't read too much into it. But who knows what could come in the years ahead.

Not reading into it, but I don't like the sounds of that at all. Of course, it may FORCE us to just book at AKL like I have been wanting to do forever, but always decide it is too pricey.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

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.

 

[Girox]

Thanks Houstonmama for your reply!
So I can pick up my tickets parks 3 days early? Are you sure about that?
This solution (if fd will start on the 29th) could help me a lot!

Sorry if I quote myself...but if possible I need a reply/help!

Thanks!

 

[tiffanymarie813]

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?

 

[plutospalforever]

Thanks for your reply! Originally I split the stay because we weren't planning to go to the parks on our first 3 days (AOA stay - travel/MNSSHP/Tampa days). I didn't want to pay for dining for those days if I didn't have to, since I thought you had to buy it for your entire hotel stay. I'll do some math and see what I come up with! Not sure if the advantage is there or not.

I may have missed it, but make sure when you do calculations, AoA is a quick service meal plan for free dining (can upgrade to regular) and the mod comes with the regular plan for FD. Not to make things more confusing, but just wanted to make sure you are aware.

Sorry if I quote myself...but if possible I need a reply/help!

Thanks!

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