Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[nj disney family]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked...but I will ask it anyway.

In the past if you had an AP, you were able to book a free dining package and then just save your ticket for the next year.

Will that even be possible this year because of Magic Bands?

If we want to book free dining and use our APs and save the new tickets for next year, how would that even work?

We've been given different answers to the same question. DVC member services and our AAA ta said it can't be done. Ms transferred us to reservations who told us we have to make the ap the primary on our mde, and the package tix secondary. If we wanted we could go to guest relations in one of the parks and get the actual paper package tix. She seemed to know what she was talking about, so I hope she was right because we already bought our aps.

 

[nj disney family]

Would love to know if anyone's actually done it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We've been given different answers to the same question. DVC member services and our AAA ta said it can't be done. Ms transferred us to reservations who told us we have to make the ap the primary on our mde, and the package tix secondary. If we wanted we could go to guest relations in one of the parks and get the actual paper package tix. She seemed to know what she was talking about, so I hope she was right because we already bought our aps.

I did this in January. Just be sure to have your ticket order checked at guest services before using your magic band to enter a park. If you like, you can have the extra tickets placed on ticket media to be sure, but it is not necessary.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

One more point - the CM at your resort cannot tell which ticket will be used first. You must check at guest relations.

 

[wdwmaw]

POP is always included and I don't think I have ever seen that it sold out for FD.

Way back in the good old days when FD was new and POP was given the basic dining plan for free, POP was very hard to get into. A couple years in a row POP would book so fast for September dates that they would over book and upgrade people for free into Polynesian or DVC 1 bedroom. My knees still hurt praying the same problem would carry over into our Oct trip We never received one of those sweet deals but I am sure there are several on here that enjoyed the upgrade.

Since POP went to QS dining for free haven't heard of any problems getting a room at POP during FD. With FD offer now days most families can upgrade to a moderate for about the same price as POP with the upgraded Dining Plan.

 

[Smurfgirl]

So once fd is released for dv do I have to call to book? Or can I book on Disneys website?

 

[wdwmaw]

So once fd is released for dv do I have to call to book? Or can I book on Disneys website?

With the DV you will need to call and book

 

[Smurfgirl]

With the DV you will need to call and book

Thank you!

 

[tony609]

well that answers a question I never even thought of. I have the Disney Visa (DV) so I'll have to speak directly with them on Thursday morning or afternoon by the time I get through. I thought I could do it on the website at Midnight with my DV.

 

[bksomody]

Does the Chase Debit Visa count?

I don't want to call and wait on Hold for 30 minutes to be told I can't make a reservation.

 

[lazer]

well that answers a question I never even thought of. I have the Disney Visa (DV) so I'll have to speak directly with them on Thursday morning or afternoon by the time I get through. I thought I could do it on the website at Midnight with my DV.

Last year we called the morning it was released to visa holders and waited no more than 5 minutes! Hope you have the same experience

 

[ciera321]

Does the Chase Debit Visa count?

I don't want to call and wait on Hold for 30 minutes to be told I can't make a reservation.

The DISNEY Visa debit card counts!

 

[donnaf516]

I didn't know there was a debit card! We're a cash only family...well as much as possible anyway...we try not to use credit. Guess I need to look into opening a chase account so I can get the debit card!

 

[Aeryn76]

Ok here is my question- I already booked and payed in full for my trip in September at Pop. I have the QSP and I am going solo. Will it make much of a difference to get the free dining? Which I know sounds like a stupid question but I know it factors in a lot of different things.

I have one character breakfast schedule but will pay OOP for that so that doesn't matter. I also got the free memory maker and I know it can't have both which is a bummer. Would be nice to have both but oh well.

 

[donp]

Ok here is my question- I already booked and payed in full for my trip in September at Pop. I have the QSP and I am going solo. Will it make much of a difference to get the free dining? Which I know sounds like a stupid question but I know it factors in a lot of different things. I have one character breakfast schedule but will pay OOP for that so that doesn't matter. I also got the free memory maker and I know it can't have both which is a bummer. Would be nice to have both but oh well.

Depends on how long you are staying, for one thing. The MM is one cost no matter how long you are going to be there, but the dining plan is around $40 a night. So, if you are staying five days or less, with the free MM and the slightly reduced package cost with that MM promotion that was out, you are probably about even to do either (that is assuming you would be buying MM if you got free dining). If more days, or more people in your room, looks like scales tip to FD.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Ok here is my question- I already booked and payed in full for my trip in September at Pop. I have the QSP and I am going solo. Will it make much of a difference to get the free dining? Which I know sounds like a stupid question but I know it factors in a lot of different things. I have one character breakfast schedule but will pay OOP for that so that doesn't matter. I also got the free memory maker and I know it can't have both which is a bummer. Would be nice to have both but oh well.

It would make a difference as you would be getting the QSDP for free. If you have already paid off your trip then they will refund you the cost of the plan.

 

[DisMama5]

I know the AoA suites weren't excluded in September last year, but they were excluded in the Oct-Dec promo. We went last October and had to settle for a room only discount. A lot of resorts were excluded with the Oct-Dec free dining. I hope that's not the case this year!

Oh no! I never knew this. Typically we go the last few days of September into the first week of October, so we have always fell under the "late summer" FD promo. This time around we are planing to go in November after Veterans Day but leaving before thanksgiving break. Traditionally I know that week is covered with FD when it's been offered so that's great news but We were planning to stay in AOA finding nemo suite and praying for free dining but I was under the assumption the suites were always included thus far in the FD offers...... Now I may want to rethink things if that comment is accurate... No FD for AOA suites for the fall free dining promo?? Ahh!

 

[smitch425]

Ok here is my question- I already booked and payed in full for my trip in September at Pop. I have the QSP and I am going solo. Will it make much of a difference to get the free dining? Which I know sounds like a stupid question but I know it factors in a lot of different things.

I have one character breakfast schedule but will pay OOP for that so that doesn't matter. I also got the free memory maker and I know it can't have both which is a bummer. Would be nice to have both but oh well.

It has been reported that the MM cannot be cancelled once you pay the MM deal in full, so if you want to switch deals, you will have to pay the cost of MM first. You might be better off with your current deal, but definitely run the numbers.

 

[Kat016]

Does the Chase Debit Visa count? I don't want to call and wait on Hold for 30 minutes to be told I can't make a reservation.

It has to be a Disney Visa card. Just a standard chase credit/debit card won't work.

 

[Glennie5]

Do we know for sure that the DV offer is coming out first or is there a chance the DV and GP offer will be offered at the same time?