Free Dining 8/26-9/22-Anyone Else Hear This?

[angwill]

I can tell you that my experience in seperating the park ticket from the room card was a no go for me last year and I was a pest about it. I too read about it on another website about how easy it was and that lots of people did it even to just save it for a future trip. I checked in 4 days before my package started and tried at Pop check in to get the one day pass I bought as a paper pass early and was told there was no way they could give it to me early. I went to concierge at Pop twice and both times got different people who both told me no they are not allowed to do it. We waited and got the one day passes on the room card when I checked back in for the package and I asked to speak to the concierge manager to ask if she could please take the one day ticket off the room card so I didn't accidentally use it and she told me they can not do that. I then went to MK guest services and they told me the resort must do it so I went outstide to the ticket booth and they told me it could not be done. That said I talked to a person I met at Disney who told me they went to MK guest services and without blinking they gave her a paper ticket and took it off her room card.

Wouldn't you know it but my mother calls me before I was about to go into MK about 3/4 of the way through the trip to give me bad news that my brother was in the hospital having emergency brain surgery. I didn't want to upset my son with the news and decided to proceed as usual and take him into MK so what did I do in my haze but use the new room key with the one day passes I planned to save for upgrading. I didn't have the money to upgrade then so I talked to MK guest services and the ticket booth again to see if they could help me by taking a day off my 10 day pass and giving me a one day pass for future upgrade. No can do the Disney magic was not there for me when it came to my park passes last year but better yet my brother came through his surgery without too many complications. I just would hate for someone to run into the same luck I had and expect to be able to get seperate passes early or not unless the magic is in the cards for them there is a possibility they will not be able to do it. I am glad it works for some though because it shouldn't be a big deal to do.

Ang

 

[TupperMom7]

Here is my thought. It would cost us $200 a night to stay at the value resorts because we have to get two rooms (7 people). That would be $1,400for a week. If we stayed at a house, it would cost us $700 for a week. Can we book one room at a value resort for the other $700, can we get free dining for all 7 people in our party or just for the 4 people that would fit in the room? We could take turns staying there if we wanted, or just use the room during the day to rest, crash, swim, etc.

 

[n2mm]

Here is my thought. It would cost us $200 a night to stay at the value resorts because we have to get two rooms (7 people). That would be $1,400for a week. If we stayed at a house, it would cost us $700 for a week. Can we book one room at a value resort for the other $700, can we get free dining for all 7 people in our party or just for the 4 people that would fit in the room? We could take turns staying there if we wanted, or just use the room during the day to rest, crash, swim, etc.

You would only get it for the 4 in the room.

 

[disyady]

A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Ill be honest - I hoped NOT for free dining only to lessen the crowds, but heck...

If theyre gonna offer it, I'm taking it!!!

Im currently booked with a package 9.13-9.17 and an additonal "room only" day on the 12th.

I might have to play with my ressie right now....maybe add the 12th? Now?

UGH!

LOL! Free dining is incoveniencing me!

Why are you booking a seperate room only?

I can tell you that my experience in seperating the park ticket from the room card was a no go for me last year and I was a pest about it. I too read about it on another website about how easy it was and that lots of people did it even to just save it for a future trip. I checked in 4 days before my package started and tried at Pop check in to get the one day pass I bought as a paper pass early and was told there was no way they could give it to me early. I went to concierge at Pop twice and both times got different people who both told me no they are not allowed to do it. We waited and got the one day passes on the room card when I checked back in for the package and I asked to speak to the concierge manager to ask if she could please take the one day ticket off the room card so I didn't accidentally use it and she told me they can not do that. I then went to MK guest services and they told me the resort must do it so I went outstide to the ticket booth and they told me it could not be done. That said I talked to a person I met at Disney who told me they went to MK guest services and without blinking they gave her a paper ticket and took it off her room card.

Wouldn't you know it but my mother calls me before I was about to go into MK about 3/4 of the way through the trip to give me bad news that my brother was in the hospital having emergency brain surgery. I didn't want to upset my son with the news and decided to proceed as usual and take him into MK so what did I do in my haze but use the new room key with the one day passes I planned to save for upgrading. I didn't have the money to upgrade then so I talked to MK guest services and the ticket booth again to see if they could help me by taking a day off my 10 day pass and giving me a one day pass for future upgrade. No can do the Disney magic was not there for me when it came to my park passes last year but better yet my brother came through his surgery without too many complications. I just would hate for someone to run into the same luck I had and expect to be able to get seperate passes early or not unless the magic is in the cards for them there is a possibility they will not be able to do it. I am glad it works for some though because it shouldn't be a big deal to do.

Ang

Glad things work out for your DBro!

I too had to keep trying to get my tickets removed from my room keys. I thought I had to go to a guest relations at a park but they said I had to do it at my resort. At my resort (POFQ) the first person said I had to go to a park but lucky for me someone overheard them and said no we do that here. I got 3 1 day passes taken off my room key and put onto new plastic "room key" look a likes but with no name.

I used one of those days to purchase an AP for my DS in Dec but didn't notice until I got home that it says it expires in Aug not Dec. I called the ticket office and they assured me that it was an easy fix once I got back to a park guest relations.

Here is my thought. It would cost us $200 a night to stay at the value resorts because we have to get two rooms (7 people). That would be $1,400for a week. If we stayed at a house, it would cost us $700 for a week. Can we book one room at a value resort for the other $700, can we get free dining for all 7 people in our party or just for the 4 people that would fit in the room? We could take turns staying there if we wanted, or just use the room during the day to rest, crash, swim, etc.

You can only get dining for those in the room and you can only have 4 in the room so you would get dining for 4. If you make it all adults you'll have to pay the extra adult fee for the extra 2 adults.

You could use the free parking pass from the resort to park at the parks.

Last year they said all adults in the party had to be present and have ID's to check in.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting.

Very very...cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[annie1995]

A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting.

Man, I sure hope its not a rumor and ends up proving to be true!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Never mind, I found the website!

 

[thunderbird1]

You can only get dining for those in the room and you can only have 4 in the room so you would get dining for 4. If you make it all adults you'll have to pay the extra adult fee for the extra 2 adults.

Unless the 2 "adults" are really children 10-17 (who are adults for tickets/DDP). The extra fee for "adults" only applies to 18 and over--those 10-17 are considered "juniors" and do not require the extra fee. Though I'm not sure whether it has to be *your* children or would also include grandchildren, nieces/nephews, extra kids from DIS families who are over the occupancy rates, etc.

 

[HotMama]

A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting.

In the past have they just given an example like "5 nights/6 days" to show an example of cost.....Or will the only give the free dining for a 5night/6day trip? I ask because we are planning a 10 day trip and wasn't sure if we would get free dining for only 5 days or what? Sorry for the stupid question but I am new to the free dining thing and am just excited like everyone else

 

[G&J's Mom]

She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22.

Can they add about 5 more days to the end date??? UGH!

Denise

 

[brooke1]

In the past have they just given an example like "5 nights/6 days" to show an example of cost.....Or will the only give the free dining for a 5night/6day trip? I ask because we are planning a 10 day trip and wasn't sure if we would get free dining for only 5 days or what? Sorry for the stupid question but I am new to the free dining thing and am just excited like everyone else

I believe that its just a example

Brooke

 

[kimisabella]

A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting.

Wow - that definatley sounds like an ad disney would run - last year they had a catchy phrase too. I just wish it would be announced soon so all this speculation and confusion could end

 

[cocowum]

Can they add about 5 more days to the end date??? UGH!

Denise

And to the beginning

8/21-9/27 8/21-9/27 8/21-9/27 ​

I'm waiting with my fingers and toes crossed.

We're going whether or not they offer free dining, but boy o boy do I love a deal.

 

[usewickhouse]

subscribing...

 

[REL1203]

Just to prepare people, if they say for vacations booked after 4/26 or whatever date, that first morning, is it crazy trying to get a CM on the phone to book a room?

 

[thelionqueen]

subscribing with Disney Visa in hand

 

[DisneyMom5]

This is a really good point. Thanks for explaining how it worked last year! My dh only plans to grudgingly go into the AK one day, so I'm better off sticking with room only reservations if I can only get the free dining plan for one day...

Just in case it wasn't clear from other posts, and if I am understanding you correctly...

Your dining days would be equal to the nights you are staying, and not connected to the number of days of park tickets you are getting.

There may be a minimum night stay, as before (I think 3 nights last time) and there may be a minimum number of days on your park tickets (1 day for one past deal, 5 days for another.)

If the minimum ticket purchase is one day, you would purchase one day w/ your package. If your dh only wants to use one day, you could certainly upgrade yours and your child for more after you arrive, leaving dh at the hotel the other days. You all would have free dining for the entire stay, which is however many nights you stay.

Keep in mind, without the park tickets, your dh would be limited to eating at resorts or DTD.

Does that make sense?

 

[brooke1]

Just to prepare people, if they say for vacations booked after 4/26 or whatever date, that first morning, is it crazy trying to get a CM on the phone to book a room?

thats why i will be dialing the phone # at 6:59AM while getting my 13 yr DS ready for school.......

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

In the past have they just given an example like "5 nights/6 days" to show an example of cost.....Or will the only give the free dining for a 5night/6day trip? I ask because we are planning a 10 day trip and wasn't sure if we would get free dining for only 5 days or what? Sorry for the stupid question but I am new to the free dining thing and am just excited like everyone else

Last year they gave an example of 5 nights/ 6 days for $435 per adult for Value Resort to show an example of the cost, but you could stay as long as you wanted, but it will be a bit more expensive because of more nights.