Free Dining - do Disney Visa holders get all the rooms?

[lpberg]

This will be the first time I try to get Free Dining. I was curious to know how Disney handles the two separate releases of codes - first wave is for Disney Visa cardholders (Monday, 4/7 rumoured), second wave is for the public (Thursday, 4/10 rumoured). Do all the eligible rooms get booked/sold out asap by Disney Visa cardholders, or does Disney "hold back" eligible rooms for the general public? We are currently booked at WL and would prefer to not have to switch resorts, and I've heard it can be difficult to get Free Dining at WL. Again - all comments/questions are in the name of curiosity!

Thanks for any information!

Lynne

 

[ajk912]

I read that they do release in waves, but I am not sure if the VISA cardholders will get a different wave than the general public.

 

[dis2cruise]

i didn't have the disney visa last year and I got in. actually about 4 weeks into the sale i actually got my mom a room too with the free dining.

 

[The Brain]

In general you can find a room later, but there's no assurance for a specific resort.

 

[Seahunt]

Last year you could book the free dining deal from the April start date all the way up to the deal expiration date of 6/24/07, so they must stagger some resort availability throughout the offer.

Also, there are probably a lot of people who think about going, book right away, and then end up cancelling - so there will be availability due to cancellations added to the mix also.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[southgal]

Last year you could book the free dining deal from the April start date all the way up to the deal expiration date of 6/24/07, so they must stagger some resort availability throughout the offer.

Also, there are probably a lot of people who think about going, book right away, and then end up cancelling - so there will be availability due to cancellations added to the mix also.

Good luck to everyone!

Would you remind me what the cancellation policy is for these type packages? How late can you cancel and not forfeit anything? How late and forfeit only a bit, etc.? Thanks very much.

 

[Captn_Jack219]

Would you remind me what the cancellation policy is for these type packages? How late can you cancel and not forfeit anything? How late and forfeit only a bit, etc.? Thanks very much.

I really need to know that too! I'll book a ressie Monday, but then I might have to cancel it on Thursday. Will there be a fee or anything??

 

[n2mm]

No, there will be rooms. My DIL last year needed 3 rooms at Pop. She had already booked 3 packages. Not a Disney Visa holder, she called on the GP day and she could not apply the discount to her existing packages -- as many folks recommend. She had to switch her reservations to A/S Music. She was happy that she got the promotion on her 3 rooms. (With 8 kids, free dining was a must for her.) She continued to call for the first few weeks and finally she got 3 rooms at Pop and switched resorts. She ended up exactly where she wanted to be. There will be alot of activity. THere will be folks that will upgrade their existing reservations to other resorts. THere will be folks who "can't apply" the discount to their existing reservations and will book different ones so will cancel their other reservations. There will be so much resort "hoping" in terms of changing reservations. AFter the dust settles there will be availabilty at different resorts. Anyone who does not get their first choice, should continue to keep checking on switching.

 

[wic0721]

Would you remind me what the cancellation policy is for these type packages? How late can you cancel and not forfeit anything? How late and forfeit only a bit, etc.? Thanks very much.

I booked last year the day free dining was announced, put my deposit down...and due to my husbands work schedule had to cancel in August. I got my full deposit back..and my trip was for September.

 

[Seahunt]

Would you remind me what the cancellation policy is for these type packages? How late can you cancel and not forfeit anything? How late and forfeit only a bit, etc.? Thanks very much.

They treat this as a package, which means it must be paid in full 45 days in advance and they charge you $100 if you cancel 45-6 days before or $200 for 5 or less days. Last year there was also a $50 charge if you wanted to change your res 45 days or less before arrival (changing to a less expensive resort, etc.) - if your new res would be more expensive they waived that $50 charge - imagine, they always like you to spend more $$$!

 

[Captn_Jack219]

I booked last year the day free dining was announced, put my deposit down...and due to my husbands work schedule had to cancel in August. I got my full deposit back..and my trip was for September.

Thanks for the great info!!

 

[southgal]

They treat this as a package, which means it must be paid in full 45 days in advance and they charge you $100 if you cancel 45-6 days before or $200 for 5 or less days. Last year there was also a $50 charge if you wanted to change your res 45 days or less before arrival (changing to a less expensive resort, etc.) - if your new res would be more expensive they waived that $50 charge - imagine, they always like you to spend more $$$!

That's great -- thanks so much for the info!

 

[Disfan3]

do you have to put the deposit on the DV?? I have one but do not want to use it for this...thanks

 

[CarolA]

do you have to put the deposit on the DV?? I have one but do not want to use it for this...thanks

Yes, if you want to book in the early booking period. No, if you wait.

 

[mickeynut1]

For free dining in 2006, we didn't book until June (toward the end of the booking window) for the end of September, and we didn't have any problem getting the WL So you should be fine, especially since alot of people will book free dining in "hopes" of going, and either not be able to go or just decide not to. Good luck