Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[SPOERLX3]

I just don't understand which numbers to calculate. Why would I add dining to a RO reservation at rack rate? Historically does anyone know what the percentage off has been for deluxe resorts in the fall? Would I add dining to THAT? Is there an AP price for dining? Is it the same? Wouldn't rack rate only apply to FD?

I'm sorry. I just feel like a disaster!!!

'

Please don't feel that way I hope this helps (makes sense)
To determine the rates for your trip with FD, when you go into the Disney website, enter the resort you are wanting, adult/child info and price out your vacation using the "package" price (that is the non discounted/rack rate). Add all your options (park hoper, etc), Do not add the dining plan. This will give you the price you would pay for a FD package.

Now, to get the price for a RO, you would go back to the main page and use "room only". Get the price for the room seperately. Take that price of the room only and subtract 30% (this is normally the discount for deluxe but sometimes it is 25% and sometimes it is 35%). So if your room is $300 x 5 days = $1500 x 30% = $450. Subtract that amount from your total package price that you got from package price in the rack rate price you got in the FD scenerio. Now you would need to determine, based on the number of persons in your party, could eat for that amount ($450 in this example).

If you are staying deluxe and there are only 2 of you, the RO discount is normally the better deal. If you are a family, then the FD normally works out better. I will say that last year during Sept-Dec time frame, the discount on deluxe resorts was 35% which would have given you a discount off deluxe of $525 in my example above.

I sure hope this makes sense

Here is a more detailed breakdown using the Polynesian with 2 adults, 5 nights/6 days with PH, standard view:

Total for a FD package would be $3,453.40
Total for a RO discounted package at 35% off would be $2621.10

That is a total discount of $832.30. So if the 2 adults in this example can eat for less than $832.30 then the RO discount would be the best deal for them. Breaking it down a little more, if each person eats 3 full meals per day x 2 persons you would need aprx 16 meals per person for this trip (give or take a couple meals on your travel days). That is $26 per meal you each would have to spend to make up that $832.30.

That's the best I can do

 

[SPOERLX3]

For the disney visa deal next week, our card is in my husbands name with me in as a user. He will be at work so can I call and get the free dinimg added. Also we booked back in feb and have aost all of it paid for, hotel and tickets. We used our visa for what we paid for so far. Do I have to make a payment with it again to get the special?

You can definitely call
If your trip is mostly paid for with your Disney Visa, you are good to go.

I would recommend that you have a 2nd and 3rd choice of resort planned out in the event the resort you are already booked at is excluded and if your dates are blacked out, you would have to be flexible, moving your trip around to dates that FD would cover. There is also a chance you would have to change room categories (standard to preferred, etc)
Disney can exclude any date, room category or dates that are already booking well without a discount.

 

[pippi1972]

Ok good. We are very flexible with our dates and hotel. But if it is more money for us then I won't do it. We booked our hotel in feb with a pin code we got in an email. So it all depends on the saving.

 

[SGMCO]

Haven't done FD in 4 years. But from what I can remember when the DV email was sent out there was a link in it to be able to book the deal online, am I remembering correctly, because I don't remember calling, just booking FD online? thanks anyone who may know the answer.

 

[bksomody]

Will there be black out days for labor day weekend? What happens if part of the stay is blacked out or if you check in before the start date?
Thanks

 

[scard192]

Ok good. We are very flexible with our dates and hotel. But if it is more money for us then I won't do it. We booked our hotel in feb with a pin code we got in an email. So it all depends on the saving.

if you booked before the ticket price increase, you will have to pay the higher ticket price if you add FD.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Ok good. We are very flexible with our dates and hotel. But if it is more money for us then I won't do it. We booked our hotel in feb with a pin code we got in an email. So it all depends on the saving.

You can figure out now what the price will be.
Just go into the Disney website. Enter the resort you are wanting, adult/child info and price out your vacation using the "package" button (that is the non discounted/rack rate). Add all your options (park hoper, etc), Do not add the dining plan. This will give you the price you would pay for a FD package.

If it is cheaper than what your total package price is right now then you would want to think about it/consider.

Is your PIN code for a RO discount?
Normally if you are a family of 2 or 3 in a Deluxe resort, the RO discount is the best deal. if you are family of 4 or more, the FD is normally the best deal.

 

[scard192]

Haven't done FD in 4 years. But from what I can remember when the DV email was sent out there was a link in it to be able to book the deal online, am I remembering correctly, because I don't remember calling, just booking FD online? thanks anyone who may know the answer.

having the Disney Visa allows card holders to book FD a few days before the offer is available to the general public so you do have to call to prove that you have the card and must put down a $200 deposit on the card. Once the offer goes live to the GP you can book online and use any card for the $200 deposit.

 

[SPOERLX3]

Haven't done FD in 4 years. But from what I can remember when the DV email was sent out there was a link in it to be able to book the deal online, am I remembering correctly, because I don't remember calling, just booking FD online? thanks anyone who may know the answer.

Once the promo goes out to the general public, you can book it thru the Disney website online or call in. The email you are referring to is a PIN code and yes there is a link you can click on to book your trip

 

[pippi1972]

I was RO discount. I ran then numbers and to switch to free dining it would be 300 more. That is only for QS dinimg. We would not upgrade because I do not want to deal with planning the kids first trip to disney on a schedule. So we are not ver big eaters and I hear the portions are large.

 

[hallie]

Just booked the Pop for October, hoping free dining comes out for our dates!

 

[Vernie822]

Getting sooo antsy for next Thursday for all of the DV'ers! I unfortunately have to wait until next Monday.. Serious anxiety about not getting FD!!

 

[DJWMom]

I have question about upgrading the kids tickets to adults to get them adult meals on FD. Does this upgrade show up on our magic bands? We are planning POR but there is a possibility of switching to a value when we book. Either way, we'd like to upgrade our kids to adults. I know the QSDP doesn't separate adult from kids credits, but will we get hassled at quick serve places when we order adult meals? Our oldest will be just 4 weeks shy of his 10th birthday, and our 8 year old is very tall so I'm not worried about them, but our youngest will be 7 and very much doesn't look 10. Will there be proof on our bands that we've paid adult prices for him so he is "allowed" to get the adult meals? Also, when I make our reservation, do I just put that we have 3 kids that are 10?

 

[SPOERLX3]

I was RO discount. I ran then numbers and to switch to free dining it would be 300 more. That is only for QS dinimg. We would not upgrade because I do not want to deal with planning the kids first trip to disney on a schedule. So we are not ver big eaters and I hear the portions are large.

GREAT
Aren't you so happy that you have all your trip ready to go!

 

[DisMom829]

If this isn't allowed, please let me know & I'll delete. I have BOG ADR on 9/2 at 7 for 2. I would really like to score one on 9/1 around 4. If anybody needs to switch, please let me know!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I have question about upgrading the kids tickets to adults to get them adult meals on FD. Does this upgrade show up on our magic bands? We are planning POR but there is a possibility of switching to a value when we book. Either way, we'd like to upgrade our kids to adults. I know the QSDP doesn't separate adult from kids credits, but will we get hassled at quick serve places when we order adult meals? Our oldest will be just 4 weeks shy of his 10th birthday, and our 8 year old is very tall so I'm not worried about them, but our youngest will be 7 and very much doesn't look 10. Will there be proof on our bands that we've paid adult prices for him so he is "allowed" to get the adult meals? Also, when I make our reservation, do I just put that we have 3 kids that are 10?

i don't believe the QS meals differentiate between adults and children. My DD and I share all our QS meals so I always order adult meals and have never had any problems.

Buffets everyone can eat all the different options. The only one I'm not positive about is a child ordering an adult meal off a menu and if this would be a problem.

 

[SPOERLX3]

I have question about upgrading the kids tickets to adults to get them adult meals on FD. Does this upgrade show up on our magic bands? We are planning POR but there is a possibility of switching to a value when we book. Either way, we'd like to upgrade our kids to adults. I know the QSDP doesn't separate adult from kids credits, but will we get hassled at quick serve places when we order adult meals? Our oldest will be just 4 weeks shy of his 10th birthday, and our 8 year old is very tall so I'm not worried about them, but our youngest will be 7 and very much doesn't look 10. Will there be proof on our bands that we've paid adult prices for him so he is "allowed" to get the adult meals? Also, when I make our reservation, do I just put that we have 3 kids that are 10?

You are right, the Adult/childs meals are not seperated, but what it does do, is indicate how many adults are on your plan vs kids so you would only be able to order the number of adult meals as what you have on your package. Basically, upgrading all your kids to adults would show 5 adults on your magicband vs 2 adults + 3 kids.
They will not say anything at all about your 7 year looking younger than 10. I have always upgraded my grandkids without any problem at all. I will be upgrading my 6 year old grandson this year. And I have a grandaughter that I took when she was 11 , she is tee tiny and looks like she is 7, nothing was ever said (she loved that since she hates it when people ask her how old she is and talks about her size)
You can show them all as 10 if you want but you can also just tell the CM that you want your kids upgraded to adults so they can order off the adult menu. I'm not sure how they show that on your reservation but either way will work

 

[jgraney106]

If this isn't allowed, please let me know & I'll delete. I have BOG ADR on 9/2 at 7 for 2. I would really like to score one on 9/1 around 4. If anybody needs to switch, please let me know!

You might have better luck with this on this board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=180

 

[CAHarwell]

Question for the experts - we have already booked our package w/dining and have paid $1000 of the total with our Disney Visa. Is that enough proof that we are a Disney Visa holder, or will we need to pay more with the card when we adjust our reservation with the free dining?

 

[DisMom829]

You might have better luck with this on this board: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=180

Thank you!