Free Dining 2014 Discussion

[LovesBelle]

What a helpful thread! Here's my question: We're going Dec. 13-17, and were planning to spend Dec 18-19 at a Universal hotel to get early admission to Harry Potter. But now we may be in FL in August for family obligations and could go to Harry Potter then instead rather than in December; won't know for sure for a while. If I booked free dining Dec 13-19 and later decided that we only wanted to stay through the 17th to go to a Universal hotel for two days, can I drop those two days without losing my whole reservation? Alternatively, has anyone done Harry Potter in December while staying at a Disney hotel (without early admission and express pass), and if so, was it manageable? Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

 

[oldtink]

Your TA should be aware of the rumors, but it never hurts to double check

If you trust your TA, I assure you he/she will be there. Ours said she already had the "tip off" and is ready to apply the FD. For us it will probably mean moving to a different site, so she actually is set to do that at midnight to save some grief because according to her source, Disney will not change the resort choices after that.

 

[HBouchard]

I'm sorry if I missed this part of the thread. Do we know yet which resorts will be offering free dining and which ones will be blocked?

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

If my husband and I switch from our BB to FD, we have to buy an extra park ticket to meet the 2 day requirement. We do not need to use these tickets this trip because we have a 4 day park hopper from another time that is unused.

My question is, how do we stop the 2 day ticket from being used when we get there? Is that even possible? If it's not, we won't do the free dining promo because we don't need the extra tickets.

 

[smitch425]

I'm sorry if I missed this part of the thread. Do we know yet which resorts will be offering free dining and which ones will be blocked?

Post #1 has the most current info.

 

[Wdwvacationdad]

If you trust your TA, I assure you he/she will be there. Ours said she already had the "tip off" and is ready to apply the FD. For us it will probably mean moving to a different site, so she actually is set to do that at midnight to save some grief because according to her source, Disney will not change the resort choices after that.

Interesting that your TA got the 'tip off'...mine had different info. Not sure what to think right now.

 

[acciodisney]

Last year I remember booking free dining at midnight and avoiding the craziness of having to be on hold for hours. Is that not possible this year? I do have a Disney Visa, but I vaguely remember that the deal went live to everyone at the same time last year, so I'm not sure how it will be different this year if Visa holders do get the deal first.

 

[Dawn Dis]

If you trust your TA, I assure you he/she will be there. Ours said she already had the "tip off" and is ready to apply the FD. For us it will probably mean moving to a different site, so she actually is set to do that at midnight to save some grief because according to her source, Disney will not change the resort choices after that.

Sorry I don't understand what that last statement means.

turning into a Disney fanatic

 

[kc26]

Hi,
Can you still book for the last day (before blackout) and stay after the entire week and get free dining for the week?
Thanks

 

[Kat016]

Hi, Can you still book for the last day (before blackout) and stay after the entire week and get free dining for the week? Thanks

Yup...as long as your check in date falls during the FD offer, your covered for up to 14 days.

 

[scard192]

Sorry I don't understand what that last statement means.

turning into a Disney fanatic

I assume the TA means that if a resort is excluded when the offer goes out those resorts will not be added in later. I would guess the PP is booked right now at POFQ or AoA which are expected to be excluded and will change to get FD.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I am so worried I'll get a CM who is clueless. I hate hanging up, calling back, and getting a completely different outcome. It's annoying after waiting on hold 10 mins.. I can't imagine an hour wait and having to do it all over again

Exactly why I plan on having 2 phones on hold at 7:00, then if one hangs up on me, or tells me no FD, I'm already in line with another.

 

[Melany502]

Exactly why I plan on having 2 phones on hold at 7:00, then if one hangs up on me, or tells me no FD, I'm already in line with another.

Ooh good idea! I'll have hubby help me Since he's on the reservation can he make changes?

 

[KNovacovschi]

Exactly why I plan on having 2 phones on hold at 7:00, then if one hangs up on me, or tells me no FD, I'm already in line with another.

I did this on Aug 1 last year & I think my cell company loved me. I completely forgot the LD charges as I don't pay with my home phone for any calls within Canada/US as I work for a cable company. My cost for that 1 call alone was over $20, lol.

 

[111mom111]

Once the free dining deal is offered to the general public will there be any offers left or do the Disney Visa Holders pretty much have them booked already?

 

[TanJDis2014]

Last year I remember booking free dining at midnight and avoiding the craziness of having to be on hold for hours. Is that not possible this year? I do have a Disney Visa, but I vaguely remember that the deal went live to everyone at the same time last year, so I'm not sure how it will be different this year if Visa holders do get the deal first.

What time should I call? Will it be midnight or at 6:00am east coast time? I will have to wait till next Wed. When it's released to the public.

 

[pooch]

So we picked our week Nov29th-Dec 6th based on a lot of factors (my weekend off, someone is able to watch our pets, easy for my mom to take off) AND because all of the sites that I have looked at say that other than the 29th and possibly the 30th the crowds are relatively low. Seeing as Disney puts out offers to fill empty rooms and that week is excluded should I be worried about crowd levels? Not that it will change much for us anyway we are going regardless of free dining or discounts and will just have to choose a hotel to fit our budget I am just terrified about the prospect of having to stand in long lines with a 5 & 3 year old?? Someone please ease my fears

just don't go to MK on Monday. Josh's site said not to go that day & we went anyway. BIG MISTAKE!!! (sorry Josh!) the rest of the week was good, not empty, but good.

 

[kelly3927]

Once the free dining deal is offered to the general public will there be any offers left or do the Disney Visa Holders pretty much have them booked already?

There is a separate allotment for the GP offer. In addition I have seen FD rooms still available up until the end of the offer every year. It's just that some resorts and room categories are limited is why people will call or book as soon as it is offered. If your dates/resort/room category are flexible you will be fine.

 

[aledunn]

So I feel like this is kind of a dumb question but do you call right as the clock rolls over to 7 or do you call before and are on hold at 7?

 

[JeninTexas]

What a helpful thread! Here's my question: We're going Dec. 13-17, and were planning to spend Dec 18-19 at a Universal hotel to get early admission to Harry Potter. But now we may be in FL in August for family obligations and could go to Harry Potter then instead rather than in December; won't know for sure for a while. If I booked free dining Dec 13-19 and later decided that we only wanted to stay through the 17th to go to a Universal hotel for two days, can I drop those two days without losing my whole reservation? Alternatively, has anyone done Harry Potter in December while staying at a Disney hotel (without early admission and express pass), and if so, was it manageable? Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

We did Harry Potter in December (holiday period) while staying at a Universal property and it was just barely manageable doing it that way. By the time we got out of the Forbidden Journey ride and the park had opened to the public, the wait time was already over 2 hours. The entire HP section of the park was packed so that it was difficult to walk. We did not get to do Olivander's at all because the line was so long after we got out of Forbidden Journey and it did not let up all day. If you are going to Universal, definitely stay at one of their hotels. It is worth it for the Front of the Line pass alone. We really enjoyed our Universal hotel and would certainly go back and stay there again.