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

[wdw4rfam]

I feel like I am the only person who didnt book already....I hope I am not going to be sorry for not booking, we are a family of 5 and have 2 options for moderate resorts...and for free dining offers we usually have just 1. We have a certain buget to stay at or under in hopes we can make a trip every year...Deluxe resorts almost double our price for one trip and values I have to up the dining plan, which is ok, just have to see how it plays out I guess! Got a unique offer code last year with better dates for us and it included POR! Fingers crossed!

I just booked last night, only because if I'm on hold over 2 hours, I need to leave for work, and DH will have to take over. It will be way easier for him to just ask to add the discount, then have to start from scratch. We are usually in the same boat as you with 5, but we are taking DD boyfriend so we are 6 this year and need 2 rooms. So we saw CSR still had standard last night, so we booked it, hoping it's included. I keep seeing everyone booking and it made me nervous that all the standard would disappear. I know Disney still may block them, but I figure if they book up in the mean time, I KNOW there's no chance.

 

[kingd4066]

Does anyone know if the unique offer codes for FD and fall/winter discounts typically come combined or come as a separate offer? I just don't know if FD is going to work out for me, at least if it occurs with the rumored dates and cutoffs for December, it will be a hassle to save not much money at all. So I'm wondering if I should just look for a room discount. I've been lucky enough to get codes for both the spring and summer discounts this year, so I might have to keep my fingers crossed for another offer code if I really want POFQ, otherwise I might just go with whatever the public RO offer is for Pop.

We have been receiving pin codes for the past year or so. It seems to me, and only my experiences, that codes seem to drop a few days to he following week for us. Last year we got our offer code that included POR, within that first week after he GP release last year. I hope it works out this year too! We are so excited around our house!!

 

[5kidsmommy]

I feel like I am the only person who didnt book already....I hope I am not going to be sorry for not booking, we are a family of 5 and have 2 options for moderate resorts...and for free dining offers we usually have just 1. We have a certain buget to stay at or under in hopes we can make a trip every year...Deluxe resorts almost double our price for one trip and values I have to up the dining plan, which is ok, just have to see how it plays out I guess! Got a unique offer code last year with better dates for us and it included POR! Fingers crossed!

Nah, you are fine. I am book already because I will be going no matter what. A lot of us the discount would be an added bonus but it's not a necessity.

 

[ehoops120912]

Who thinks GP will be released tomorrow? I don't want to sleep in and than find out it came out...

 

[RedWolf95]

I have a feeling it wont be a DV offer and just be a GP offer this year, I have no insider info...lol I just linda have that feeling. Hopefully something drops tomorrow!

So far the only leaks/rumors have all indicated DV on 4/27 and GP on 4/30-5/1. Those rumors also indicated the UK 2016 release would come out on 4/23 and that was correct. IF they do not do an advanced DV offer this year (which would be the first time ever for the May release) then my guess would be that it would be more likely nothing would come out tomorrow and it would all come out later in the week for both DV and GP.

 

[twoolle]

Yes, they will credit it back to the card you used. When you add the dining plan, they can credit it back to you right then.

I was wondering this as well so thanks. And if I wait to book until I have the dining plan can I call to book HDdR can I just give my credit card for cancelation purposes only? Trying to avoid a charge now and refund later.

Phones at 7 EDT, online at 6

I've been thinking this too! So if Monday ends up being a GP release instead of a DV offer what time will the website reflect this sale?? Anybody know?

Maybe I should go back and check last year but it seems like the online gp offer opens whenever they get it loaded and not necessarily at 6? So maybe earlier, or later?

I feel like I am the only person who didnt book already....I hope I am not going to be sorry for not booking, we are a family of 5 and have 2 options for moderate resorts...and for free dining offers we usually have just 1. We have a certain buget to stay at or under in hopes we can make a trip every year...Deluxe resorts almost double our price for one trip and values I have to up the dining plan, which is ok, just have to see how it plays out I guess! Got a unique offer code last year with better dates for us and it included POR! Fingers crossed!

We haven't booked either as we are a family of 5+1 and will only go if we can get POR with FD. This is an unplanned trip as we just went last year and said we aren't going again until 2017 but with 2 of the kids still under 3 this is the last time we can go this cheap!

 

[MstrFantastic]

I just called the WDW booking number. The CM said to watch the Disney World Site for any new offers and VISA card holder should get an Email or receive a notice in the mail about free dining.

She stated people have been asking (via the number) but the booking CMs aren't informed of new offers until they day they go live.

 

[sarahplus4disneymom]

Do you have to call in to make the reservation or can you just do it online? (For General Public)

They are saying you can do it online for general public...

 

[sarahplus4disneymom]

I'd be curious if the reason some don't see modify button is because they are paid in full vs those that still have a balance have more flexibility.
Now to keep reading the 5 pages....

I haven't paid in full and I have a modify button. I was also called by Disney to do a short survey when I used the "modify" button. I had to switch our dates a couple of weeks ago and after I did they called to do a survey. They said the " modify" is new and they are just starting to roll it out and wanted to gather info.
So, maybe the modify /change reservation is in a test phase ( like magic bands two years ago) and maybe it isn't rolled out to everyone????

 

[disneyfantotheend]

General public offers have opened as early as midnight online, but it isn't always the same.

 

[AMT826]

@RejoyceoverDisney Our trip is completely paid off, & I have the modify option. We are checking in Oct. 2nd if that makes a difference.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I've learned a lesson here. If I see something and am tempted to take a guess at the answer, to wait until I read all 5 pages. geesh..
FYI, I've been reading other threads on the DIS and advise instead of asking questions about BB or other Length of stay stuff to read other threads. Last night I found a thread that said people are over booking the offers with intent to shave days off later and Disney is starting to not allow that. The answer people are getting is that they have to rebook and there is no more rooms for that offer and so on.
I guess this doesn't surprise me because up here in the North East if you want to book a hotel at the beach during Peak season, it is very hard to find prime hotels that you don't have to book full week reservations and most run Saturday to Saturday. It is what it is and the owners choose of how to do business. Trust me if I don't accept the terms, someone else will.
Ok going into lurker mode. (ok well I'm going to try)

I wish you all to enjoy a magical vacation.

 

[babydoll65]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world-free-dining-plan-basics.htm

 

[Meldev]

Last year I dialed immediately at 7:00 am for DV offer - I wasn't off the phone until after 10:00 am - 3+ hrs. I already had a reservation booked and was modifying what I had. Would that have put me into different queue, not sure? This year I do not have anything booked ahead.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I also have not booked yet, so don't feel alone kingd4066. It is good to not book unless you are going no matter what. People booking in anticipation of the discount, who will only go with the discount, are just potentially hurting their chances by Disney changing the offer. Availability is a fickle thing with Disney the past few years.
We are going no matter what but want FD, so our dates are flexible to fit the offer, so waiting to book.

 

[PirateD]

I would be very surprised if December was to be included...Disney does VERY well with crowds in all of December since it low season for DVC members in early part of Dec, and of course, Christmas week is high volume. Disney will only market this to lured guests to bring in business. I think for many of you to complain about it because of certain dates does not fit your schedule, seriously, Disney does NOT have to offer this at all. I am amazed of the comments..it's a luxury vacation, people, not a world crisis...(which many people do not even have any vacations in their lives). Just put in perspective and make the best of it of what Disney offers. Just saying!

I don't think a lot of people are complaining, just a little annoyed at some of the possible increased restrictions. At least that's how I feel, although this whole process has been amusing as well. Because I completely understand this from Disney's standpoint, with the possible fewer dates, restrictions, and PH requirement, especially when it doesn't seem like they have problems filling the parks at any time of the year. Five years from now, FD may be a thing of the past and people will sit back and remember the good ol' days when it was a good deal. Which is why I am perfectly fine with looking at other options, including offsite, to make it fit in my budget. I was hopeful that I could swing an onsite trip in December with FD, but it looks like I was just a year too late to do that, lol. Oh well. If I can pull off any Disney trip this year I will be thrilled!

I agree with minerva78. I actually feel better about them not offering the dates in December vs. changing their policy. To me it keeps free dining more intact. If they started adding cutoff dates vs. length of stay eventually to all the months, that could have a negative impact on everyone's savings.

For me, this thread has been about finding the best options for your family. WDW is a luxury trip, but there's nothing wrong with trying to be smart and save some money. Free dining is one of the best options to save money, but it's not the only one out there.

 

[babydoll65]

There was only one time that they did not have a Disney visa release. In 2013 fd x was released to the month of September with early visa dates but when they open the rest of the fall dates, it went straight to a general public offer. I'm really finding it hard to believe that Disney would require a parkhopper/water park add on in order to get the free dining promo. The resort's are the ones who make the decision on whether they need it to fill room, tickets have absolutely nothing to do with it. Was this a requirement to get free dining with the bounce back offer? Someone on another forum posted a free dining rumour page and there is nothing stating this. The page came from this group.

 

[wdw4rfam]

So I asked and now can't find if anyone answered......does anyone know when the offer will show up available to book online if it goes straight to GP? Is it tight at 6 or 7 am, or later on in the day?

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

Last year I dialed immediately at 7:00 am for DV offer - I wasn't off the phone until after 10:00 am - 3+ hrs. I already had a reservation booked and was modifying what I had. Would that have put me into different queue, not sure? This year I do not have anything booked ahead.

 

[vicarrieous]

Omg I have spent hours catching up! Today I need to sit down and figure out the best savings for our family especially if park hoppers are necessary!