Free Dining Extension ~ Oct-Dec

[black562]

I have a couple of questions

1. Why does everyone think that they will run out of rooms the first day? The sept free dining is still available and its been up for awhile. I'm assuming its just panic but in case there's something I don't know I want to be prepared.

2. Instead of calling can you book online? If so what time would it be active? Midnight on the 1st? Time zone?

3. If you have an existing reservation are you able to edit it online?

Thanks!

1. It's the panic mode of everyone worried about wait times. Then when they're on hold for an hour, it gives the appearance that there are thousands of callers on the lines...which isn't the case. It happens every time, and every time there's always plenty of rooms available weeks or months later.

2. You can't book online for the early visa offer, that has to be done on the phone. On the public offer you can book online once they have it posted. However, the website can slow to a standstill, and its already incredibly slow to begin with.

3. Existing reservations have to call and have it modified. They have to wait on hold just like a new reservation and don't stand any better or worse chance of getting free dining than a new reservation...which is why it makes no sense to book early.

 

[dizzyr]

1. It's the panic mode of everyone worried about wait times. Then when they're on hold for an hour, it gives the appearance that there are thousands of callers on the lines...which isn't the case. It happens every time, and every time there's always plenty of rooms available weeks or months later.

2. You can't book online for the early visa offer, that has to be done on the phone. On the public offer you can book online once they have it posted. However, the website can slow to a standstill, and its already incredibly slow to begin with.

3. Existing reservations have to call and have it modified. They have to wait on hold just like a new reservation and don't stand any better or worse chance of getting free dining than a new reservation...which is why it makes no sense to book early.

1. Ok that's what I thought - thanks

2. I'm in Canada so would rather have the website slow on my browser while at work than have a long distance charge for an hour! I think I'll try the website route.

3. I have an existing room only reservation so if I wanted to book a new reservation and then cancel the current one I could do it all online right? I don't mind paying a second deposit and waiting for a refund on the other if it saves me time and hassle of waiting on the phone.

 

[Sylkie31]

1. Ok that's what I thought - thanks

2. I'm in Canada so would rather have the website slow on my browser while at work than have a long distance charge for an hour! I think I'll try the website route.

3. I have an existing room only reservation so if I wanted to book a new reservation and then cancel the current one I could do it all online right? I don't mind paying a second deposit and waiting for a refund on the other if it saves me time and hassle of waiting on the phone.

Yes, you could make a new reservation online and then cancel your room only ressie. Remember that you won't be able to book it with FD until Disney has posted it on their website (usually a few hours or so after phone lines open at 7:00 am eastern time).

 

[Original]

3. Existing reservations have to call and have it modified. They have to wait on hold just like a new reservation and don't stand any better or worse chance of getting free dining than a new reservation...which is why it makes no sense to book early.

I disagree. I've done it both ways, and there is a clear advantage to NOT having to give all of your travel information during the rush. Here's why.

1. My call has been dropped before. The shorter the call, the better! When you give your confirmation number and ask for FD, it is MUCH faster. The CM will just click a few keys and it's done.

2. On at least one occasion, the availability has changed WHILE I was giving all of the kids names, ages, adults names, special occasions, dates, location, blah blah blah. With a confirmation, you are in and out!

However, I do agree that the actual chance of getting one of the slots doesn’t change much…. unless you are stuck on the call with a slow CM or your call gets dropped giving all of the info.

 

[Twin Dad]

Our vacation is planned from 10/14-10/26. We were planning on staying for 1 wk at mom's timeshare, but availability @ TS has decreased significantly. So instead, we are now looking at a split stay on property for the full stay. Revised thoughts are 10/14-10/18 resort TBD (friend is a cast member working on RO discount that is very attractive), and then 10/18-10/26 at AoA-cars room, currently reserved, but I know we will need to reconfirm availability once FD is available. I know this has been asked several times before, but when we call, Disney CM always say park passes can't be picked before you check into your room. I know there was a link to a site that says park passes can be picked up three days prior to checking into your room that has the package (so in this case, we could pick up three days prior to 10/18, which is Tuesday 10/15). Can someone reconfirm that my thinking is correct? We already have BBB and CRT booked on 10/15 that I would hate to give up, or have to spend the extra $ on a single day park pass to make it happen. I don't want to be surprised when we get there since we have already paid for CRT!

Copied from another thread as we didn't get a response.

Thx terry and Corey

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Thanks Joe!

We'll be at the Poly Oct 19-25.....looking forward to making the call for (Disney Visa) FD on July 29! Gotta love the adrenaline rush!

 

[dizzyr]

Yes, you could make a new reservation online and then cancel your room only ressie. Remember that you won't be able to book it with FD until Disney has posted it on their website (usually a few hours or so after phone lines open at 7:00 am eastern time).

That's ok I'm on the west coast so by the time I get to work it will already be noon east coast time

 

[jedijuhl]

Yes, you could make a new reservation online and then cancel your room only ressie. Remember that you won't be able to book it with FD until Disney has posted it on their website (usually a few hours or so after phone lines open at 7:00 am eastern time).

I to am on the west coast (also in Canada). So it's not worth it setting my alarm for a 3:45 am wake up call on August 1 then? Here I was getting all psyched to get up and get in right at 7am EST. If it looks like I can sleep in a couple more hours I'll take it. I just don't want to loose out on upgrading my CSR reservations to FD .

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I to am on the west coast (also in Canada). So it's not worth it setting my alarm for a 3:45 am wake up call on August 1 then? Here I was getting all psyched to get up and get in right at 7am EST. If it looks like I can sleep in a couple more hours I'll take it. I just don't want to loose out on upgrading my CSR reservations to FD .

Ok, if I'm reading this right...you're wanting to change your reservation at CSR to add FD. You quoted someone talking about how the FD info takes hours later to show on the website from when it actually starts at 7am EST. If you wait to call (since you have a reservation) after the offer goes live at 7am, you're risking no availability with your room type. Unlikely, but still a risk I wouldn't take it you have your heart set on a certain resort or room type etc. Anyone waiting to book online is also taking that risk. Personally, I'd get up and call..and I am actually going into work later because I want to be sure I can stay at my already booked resort. Or at least have the best chance I can anyways by calling first thing. I'm already at a disadvantage where I don't have a Disney Visa, so I have to wait till Aug 1st.

 

[jedijuhl]

Ok, if I'm reading this right...you're wanting to change your reservation at CSR to add FD. You quoted someone talking about how the FD info takes hours later to show on the website from when it actually starts at 7am EST. If you wait to call (since you have a reservation) after the offer goes live at 7am, you're risking no availability with your room type. Unlikely, but still a risk I wouldn't take....

Thank you! That's kinda what I was thinking. It makes sense. Better safe than sorry. I just wasn't 100% sure what was meant when it was mentioned that the deal takes hours to show up. Thought that meant that even though the phones open at 7am EST that the FD deal wouldn't be available right at 7am through the phone. Looks like the early wake up alarm will be set Also being from Canada we don't get even the opportunity to apply for the Disney Visa card I know that would definitely make a lot of us up North here very happy (anyone from Disney listening? )

 

[WDW1979]

3. I have an existing room only reservation so if I wanted to book a new reservation and then cancel the current one I could do it all online right?

Hi dizzyr, I wish we could cancel room reservations online, but currently we can't. You can cancel a dining reservation online, just not a room reservation or package - for those you have to call.

 

[vdetz]

Any idea if there will be ANY discount (like a room %) on the weeks between these two?

October 18 - November 2
November 11 - November 23

 

[scard192]

Any idea if there will be ANY discount (like a room %) on the weeks between these two?

October 18 - November 2
November 11 - November 23

No details on RO yet, but looking good for FD.


.

 

[karen48]

Looks like I will change my ressies from Nov. 26th, to checking in on Nov. 23 through Nov. 30th so we can get FD... Does that sound like a plan to you all, am I correct that those dates would qualify for FD?? We are driving down, so changing dates are ok with us.

 

[Sylkie31]

Looks like I will change my ressies from Nov. 26th, to checking in on Nov. 23 through Nov. 30th so we can get FD... Does that sound like a plan to you all, am I correct that those dates would qualify for FD?? We are driving down, so changing dates are ok with us.

Yes, if the FD offer dates are what they have been rumored to be when the offer is officially released, then your check in date of Nov 23 would qualify you for the FD discount for the length of your stay (up to 14 days). As has been mentioned before, it's a good idea to have a back up resort/room category in mind in case the one you want has already sold out for the FD offer. If you call in early on the 1st day of the offer, you can sometimes get a CM who is not up to date on the available offers and will tell you there is no FD offer. Don't take that 'no' for an answer. Ask them to check again, ask their supervisor, whatever so you don't have to call back and wait in the telephone queue again. Good luck!!

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

So excited! We are going Nov14-24 and planning on POR, but I'll switch to whatever resort I need to in order to get FD!

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

So for Visa card holder I can call in on July 29th?

 

[smitch425]

So for Visa card holder I can call in on July 29th?

Nothing official, but yes, you should be able to call Monday. That is the typical way offers are released.

 

[kris082668]

Since we are less than one week from the 29th, when do you think 'they' will announce the FD extension? Thanks!

 

[jlrkronald]

Do all your travel dates have to fall within the free dining or just a couple?? Of course my travel dates would fall in between the dates of free dining!!!
Thanks for your help