Free Dining Fall 2015? (and a whole lot more)

[ThistleMae]

In my experiences, the information seems to be available here on the boards first. Also, I like being in control of my reservation. On our very 1st trip several years ago we booked through AAA and our TA did not even know about free dining.

Hi...I've been looking at the boards and some of the offers the TA's are offering. I was hesitant about booking with a TA because I was hoping for the room discount at Disney. But....I got a really good offer through a TA at Poly. The thing is that you cannot buy the dining plan if you take the discounted room offer. It worked out pretty good for me just the same, even paying out of pocket and....if Disney offers an even bigger room discount...the TA will extend me the new offer. So all the way around I feel good about using the TA. They get discounts through Disney by utilizing a group rate for their clients. This wouldn't help with free dining, it's just some additional information.

 

[siskaren]

The thing is that you cannot buy the dining plan if you take the discounted room offer.

You can get the dining plan with a room discount; you just can't get free dining.

 

[angeleigh]

You can get the dining plan with a room discount; you just can't get free dining.

Some discounts through travel agents do not allow you to add the dining plan. They are convention priced rooms and are significantly discounted.

 

[pinkle]

You can get the dining plan with a room discount; you just can't get free dining.

Has a discount been released. I just don't want to pay full price

 

[aaarcher86]

Has a discount been released. I just don't want to pay full price

Not for the fall.

 

[ThistleMae]

You can get the dining plan with a room discount; you just can't get free dining.

Sorry, yes, I should have clarified. You can purchase the dining plan if you choose the (percent off room rate through Disney). But....if you book through a TA, you cannot purchase the dining plan with the discount they offer. That is what I was told. If you know this to false...please let me know and I'll double check with my agent. Thanks.

 

[LouFapp]

Sorry, yes, I should have clarified. You can purchase the dining plan if you choose the (percent off room rate through Disney). But....if you book through a TA, you cannot purchase the dining plan with the discount they offer. That is what I was told. If you know this to false...please let me know and I'll double check with my agent. Thanks.

I never thought about that. Now I gotta crunch the numbers

 

[ThistleMae]

Indeed, just be sure to inquire about the deal through the TA....they do have stipulations. I did crunch my numbers and it was about the same, giving myself a generous meal budget daily, whether I bought the dining plan or paid out of pocket (because the room rate was so good). Let me know what you think.

 

[Team Bunch]

I have a " whole lot more" question. If you plan on buying a package(room/tickets) (I already have the deposit down on the package) can I buy just the tickets now without paying the full amount before ticket prices go up?

 

[G719]

I have a " whole lot more" question. If you plan on buying a package(room/tickets) (I already have the deposit down on the package) can I buy just the tickets now without paying the full amount before ticket prices go up?

Your package price will stay the same as when you booked it. They will not add the ticket price increase on to your package. BUT if you make any changes to your booked package they will add the ticket increase on. If you are wanting free dining you have to have the room/ticket package. So if/when we call and want to add a discount or free dining, then your package will increase a little bit. This happened to us in 2013 when we added the fall discount to an already booked package. But the increase isn't a huge amount.

 

[smitch425]

Sorry, yes, I should have clarified. You can purchase the dining plan if you choose the (percent off room rate through Disney). But....if you book through a TA, you cannot purchase the dining plan with the discount they offer. That is what I was told. If you know this to false...please let me know and I'll double check with my agent. Thanks.

This isn't always the case. I am booked with a TA at a convention rate with convention tickets, and I was given the option to purchase a dining plan.

 

[LouFapp]

This isn't always the case. I am booked with a TA at a convention rate with convention tickets, and I was given the option to purchase a dining plan.

How can you find TA's offering these rates? Is there an easy way?

 

[smitch425]

How can you find TA's offering these rates? Is there an easy way?

I was given the info by a friend, but try googling "travel agency exclusive Disney". I got 8 nights at Sports with 8 day hoppers+one bonus WP&M entry for a savings of $491.00 off rack rates for Oct 10-18. No way Disney will beat that when the offers roll out.

 

[LouFapp]

I was given the info by a friend, but try googling "travel agency exclusive Disney". I got 8 nights at Sports with 8 day hoppers+one bonus WP&M entry for a savings of $491.00 off rack rates for Oct 10-18. No way Disney will beat that when the offers roll out.

So, I have gone through a TA before but it was years ago. Would I have to book my ADR's and spwcial events through them too or will I be able to book myself at 180+? I just looked around Google. Every agent wants my info and then they will provide a quote. I hate that. Why can't they just give me an estimate or tell me what they have to offer. I don't want 20 agent bombing my inbox.

 

[Gelfling_Jen]

This isn't always the case. I am booked with a TA at a convention rate with convention tickets, and I was given the option to purchase a dining plan.

So does that mean if you book through a TA with a convention rate and add the dining plan, can they also convert your booking to free dining when that comes out so you essentially get a discounted rate on the room and the free dining?

 

[LouFapp]

So I'm confused. I see a lot of people posting that the room discount saves them more then free dining. When I crunch the number (assuming I am correct in thinking that the 30% off is ONLY for the room rate and not park tickets as well) for 13 days at POR I would save like $688, but if I get a DDP free that's a savings of $1686.12!!! Even if I add park tickets to the 30% off it's still only around $1143 so I would still save quite a bit more with free dining. Am I figuring this out wrong, or are they figuring out how much they end up spending on dining and not what the dining plan cost's?

 

[smitch425]

So, I have gone through a TA before but it was years ago. Would I have to book my ADR's and spwcial events through them too or will I be able to book myself at 180+? I just looked around Google. Every agent wants my info and then they will provide a quote. I hate that. Why can't they just give me an estimate or tell me what they have to offer. I don't want 20 agent bombing my inbox.

Unfortunately, that's the way it is done. I would pick one agent and wait to hear back from them before choosing another. I am booking all of my reservations (ADR and FP+), but typically the agent will if you want them to.

So does that mean if you book through a TA with a convention rate and add the dining plan, can they also convert your booking to free dining when that comes out so you essentially get a discounted rate on the room and the free dining?

No, you don't get both. If your agent switches your package to free dining, you get no other discount.

So I'm confused. I see a lot of people posting that the room discount saves them more then free dining. When I crunch the number (assuming I am correct in thinking that the 30% off is ONLY for the room rate and not park tickets as well) for 13 days at POR I would save like $688, but if I get a DDP free that's a savings of $1686.12!!! Even if I add park tickets to the 30% off it's still only around $1143 so I would still save quite a bit more with free dining. Am I figuring this out wrong, or are they figuring out how much they end up spending on dining and not what the dining plan cost's?

The better deal (room discount OR free dining) is heavily dependent on the number of people in your party AND their ages. If you are a couple staying in a deluxe, a good room discount will be a better savings. If you are a family of 6 in a value suite, free dining is going to save more money, BUT only if the dining plan suits your eating style. It is different for everyone, so it is always best to run the numbers. A room discount is only applied to the room, not the tickets.

 

[LouFapp]

Unfortunately, that's the way it is done. I would pick one agent and wait to hear back from them before choosing another. I am booking all of my reservations (ADR and FP+), but typically the agent will if you want them to.



No, you don't get both. If your agent switches your package to free dining, you get no other discount.



The better deal (room discount OR free dining) is heavily dependent on the number of people in your party AND their ages. If you are a couple staying in a deluxe, a good room discount will be a better savings. If you are a family of 6 in a value suite, free dining is going to save more money, BUT only if the dining plan suits your eating style. It is different for everyone, so it is always best to run the numbers. A room discount is only applied to the room, not the tickets.

Awesome. Thanks smitch. You have always been a great resource. Glad you joined the board.

 

[smitch425]

Awesome. Thanks smitch. You have always been a great resource. Glad you joined the board.

You're welcome, and thanks!

 

[ShayBells]

Question: I booked a package for Sept. I'm waiting for the 30% discount offer to come out. I wanted to start putting money on the reservation. Pay it off monthly until the deadline. If I start now and put more than the 200$ down will that affect me being able to add the room only discount when it comes out?