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

[Rivermonster]

I know I've seen it posted somewhere, but I can't find it now. Were the AoA suites excluded from fd in the past? I know lm rooms have been.

As far as I know, it has only been the Little Mermaid standard rooms at AoA [to be excluded].

 

[twoolle]

ok, experts.....
Really hoping for free dining (along w everyone here). I have four kiddos 14,12,10&8 and they eat a lot!!!

Would you recommend booking a package now and changing it when/if dates come out, or waiting? If the former, I assume my TA can change it for me if I ask her to?
We are hoping for September dates......

Thanks for any advice!

Since your 180 day window for ADRs has come I would at least go ahead and book those (you can do that without resort ressie).

I'm very anxious to hear of the rumors! I've never attempted this, so I may try, depending on if the dates align. Unfortunately I can't quite adjust my days. But it's not the end-all for me if I can't get it. My other question though, since I'm a newbie, and I know that for free dining, I'll either have to pay the upgrade fee from a value resort, or adjust to a moderate, will the CM help with the costs so that I can choose? Or am I going to have to guess? Moreso, will the CM take the time with me to figure out the best option? I know FD is hectic, so I'm wondering if they have to move fast or they can breathe with me while I figure it out.

I would take the time to calculate it before you call. Pretend to book a room at full price (write that number down) then add tickets, then add dining. Writing the price down in between each one so you can calculate the cost of each separate component. When FD is released your cost should be the room at full price plus tickets, plus the upgrade cost (I can't remember how much it is to upgrade to regular DP but I'm sure you can google it). This way if the. CM quotes something completely different you can be alarmed. It is always a good idea to do this at a few resort options and/or room categories. hTH

If I can ask, how old are your kids and what distance do you have to drive? This will be our first trip to WDW by car, and I'm a little nervous about a 10 hour drive with my two girls, ages 3 and 9.

Edit: I see now you're in Ohio, and I don't have a thing to complain about

We drove about 1100 miles each way last year with DS4, DS3, and DD1. I bought new Disney backpacks for each of them and stuffed them with Disney stuff from the dollar store. Plus they each had their own bag of snacks for the day. They loved that! It might be a good idea to do about 7 hours the first day and then 3 the next day so you can get to Disney early. We stayed in Valdosta, GA which is about 3 hours from WDW. We stopped at walmart I. Our way in and was at the resort by noon. Our room was ready and it was nice to get settled in and swim.

Anyone know if free dining has been offered the same day as other fall offers? I'm going on a solo trip so I don't want to jump on free dining if there is a better offer for Room only.

Last year they came out the same day at least for GP. We were booked at the GF so the RO discount was better for us.

I have a question about dining reservations. We are a party of two and have booked a resort. We will be meeting up with my daughter and her family of five for dinners but she hasn't booked yet (waiting for free dining). So.....can I make reservations on my 180 days for a party of seven?

Anyone can book dining at 180 days, even without a resort ressie. You need a resort ressie to book at 180 days for your entire trip (otherwise you have to go online each day at the 180 day mark). You should be able to book for a party of 7 if you are referring to the 180 +10 rule. I was able to book for 13 of us last year when doing it at the 180+10.

 

[Aubrav]

I would think once you are approved online you can call and get your card number, expiration date, and security code to start using it. Or if you apply by phone they can give you that info right away.

Or did you mean you had to wait for something else- haha - I think I got lost in the conversation!!

I just applied and I didn't receive the card number or anything but it did say I could go to my disney account to make a Disney trip reservation with it somehow. Since I'm waiting for the free dining, I didn't look into it. I'm just waiting for the physical card.

 

[Aubrav]

I am not sure if this is allowed but if not let me know and I'll take it down but I just saw this...yippee!!!!
http://dads-blog.dadsguidetowdw.com/free-dining-is-coming-the-question-mark-is-gone

There's another reinforcement of our rumor! So he mentioned booking with a Disney travel agency, which I know a lot of people do. Then they don't have to worry about the free dining frenzy because their travel agent will take care of it for them. How exactly does that work? How does a travel agent book free dining for all of their customers when it's such a frenzy on the release date?

 

[Aubrav]

So excited! How are we going to make it another week?!! I'm dying to know the dates and hotels!

You and me both! If by some chance the movies resort isn't discluded this year like last year I'll have a hard time choosing between it and POP Century.

 

[The Dirty Steve]

There's another reinforcement of our rumor! So he mentioned booking with a Disney travel agency, which I know a lot of people do. Then they don't have to worry about the free dining frenzy because their travel agent will take care of it for them. How exactly does that work? How does a travel agent book free dining for all of their customers when it's such a frenzy on the release date?

Travel Agent lines are very busy when it is released. But they will keep the same agent and make all their reservations at one time. However, my agent has booked our trip through an agent website the last two trips. She does this around midnight on the day of release. I usually have my reservation by 2 am. It's really the best solution for us!!!

 

[themommy]

The 27th is when my window for ADR's open. I am also a Visa holder. I'm guessing that I should try to make my ADR's online and phone in for free dining? We are already booked at AoA and plan on staying there if free dining and switching resorts doesn't work. I am just nervous about getting the ADRs and switching resorts at the same time, or having to wait on hold for hours for our dining reservations, or even the website crashing. We are trying to get CRT and BOG, along with a pre-park opening H&V. Is the dining reservations separate from the resort reservations when you call disney?

I would book as you suggested and do the ADRs online and the changing resorts on the phone. The dining reservation phone # is different than the # that you call for ADRs. You know you could call for your room from your land line and use your cell for the ADRs. You would get your dining done while on hold! The # to get an ADR is 407-WDW-DINE. I have switched resorts with ADRs in place before and it's never been a problem. Good luck to you!

 

[Aubrav]

Travel Agent lines are very busy when it is released. But they will keep the same agent and make all their reservations at one time. However, my agent has booked our trip through an agent website the last two trips. She does this around midnight on the day of release. I usually have my reservation by 2 am. It's really the best solution for us!!!

That's very interesting. So technically they get access to the deal before the general public. What happens if rooms sell out from other agents while they are on the phone? Is that why you give alternate resorts? I want to be a Disney travel agent! lol.

 

[The Dirty Steve]

That's very interesting. So technically they get access to the deal before the general public. What happens if rooms sell out from other agents while they are on the phone? Is that why you give alternate resorts? I want to be a Disney travel agent! lol.

Yes...you must have your alternate resorts ready. However, we are not staying at small resorts. We know going into it, we will get the resort we want 99% of the time. But there again, there is a reason we use an agent. This is one of the greatest perks. We do not use a "big agency". Our agent is a friend who works for an authorized agency.

 

[5kidsmommy]

Yes...you must have your alternate resorts ready. However, we are not staying at small resorts. We know going into it, we will get the resort we want 99% of the time. But there again, there is a reason we use an agent. This is one of the greatest perks. We do not use a "big agency". Our agent is a friend who works for an authorized agency.

I wanted to use an agent for this very reason but I was ticked off that she quoted me $700 more than the rack rate for the trip. I had done the quote on Disney so I didn't get ripped off. Now I am wary because I now have to do the legwork. I mean it's not a big deal, I just feel like my first time working with an agent sucked, luckily I knew she was overcharging and I didn't give her a deposit but I am just not willing to try again. Frustrating. I already booked my trip and paid my deposit with Disney and now I am kicking myself.

 

[The Dirty Steve]

I wanted to use an agent for this very reason but I was ticked off that she quoted me $700 more than the rack rate for the trip. I had done the quote on Disney so I didn't get ripped off. Now I am wary because I now have to do the legwork. I mean it's not a big deal, I just feel like my first time working with an agent sucked, luckily I knew she was overcharging and I didn't give her a deposit but I am just not willing to try again. Frustrating. I already booked my trip and paid my deposit with Disney and now I am kicking myself.

I swear, I know of at least 3 friends that do this for a living. I know where these people live and they know I would come after them!!! Never, ever would I use a big agency. Some of them know that Disney will make whatever the issue is right but at the end of the day, you don't control your reservation after they make it. The personal service, knowledge, and work ethic of a friend goes a long way!!

I'm not telling anyone to not use a BIG AGENCY, but I'm NOT using one. So there's that!!!

 

[Aubrav]

I swear, I know of at least 3 friends that do this for a living. I know where these people live and they know I would come after them!!! Never, ever would I use a big agency. Some of them know that Disney will make whatever the issue is right but at the end of the day, you don't control your reservation after they make it. The personal service, knowledge, and work ethic of a friend goes a long way!!

I'm not telling anyone to not use a BIG AGENCY, but I'm NOT using one. So there's that!!!

I wanted to use an agent for this very reason but I was ticked off that she quoted me $700 more than the rack rate for the trip. I had done the quote on Disney so I didn't get ripped off. Now I am wary because I now have to do the legwork. I mean it's not a big deal, I just feel like my first time working with an agent sucked, luckily I knew she was overcharging and I didn't give her a deposit but I am just not willing to try again. Frustrating. I already booked my trip and paid my deposit with Disney and now I am kicking myself.

Wow, I thought the travel agent made their money from the companies they book you in, not from the customer, especially nowadays when everyone can get the lowest prices online. I say that but my employer uses a travel agency for company airfare. I literally look up the flight I want then call them and tell them which one and they charge the cost of the flight plus a $19 booking fee. It's the silliest thing.

 

[The Dirty Steve]

Wow, I thought the travel agent made their money from the companies they book you in, not from the customer, especially nowadays when everyone can get the lowest prices online. I say that but my employer uses a travel agency for company airfare. I literally look up the flight I want then call them and tell them which one and they charge the cost of the flight plus a $19 booking fee. It's the silliest thing.

Make a Buck where you can...Merica!!

 

[bluespiano42]

Free dining requires a package purchase including a room and tickets. You can purchase the minimum 2 day base ticket (for everyone in the room age 3+), and save the ticket for a future trip or to put towards your AP renewal when the time comes.

How do I not use the ticket? Won't it be attached to my magic band? I would love to be able to save it for my renewal.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I swear, I know of at least 3 friends that do this for a living. I know where these people live and they know I would come after them!!! Never, ever would I use a big agency. Some of them know that Disney will make whatever the issue is right but at the end of the day, you don't control your reservation after they make it. The personal service, knowledge, and work ethic of a friend goes a long way!!

I'm not telling anyone to not use a BIG AGENCY, but I'm NOT using one. So there's that!!!

Wow, I thought the travel agent made their money from the companies they book you in, not from the customer, especially nowadays when everyone can get the lowest prices online. I say that but my employer uses a travel agency for company airfare. I literally look up the flight I want then call them and tell them which one and they charge the cost of the flight plus a $19 booking fee. It's the silliest thing.

Yeah that was the frustrating part. This lady isn't part of a big agency, I've known her online for awhile and thought I could trust her. I was really upset when she gave me the quote. I even said to her "this is way higher than what Disney is saying" and she kept saying "there are no discounts". I knew there were no discounts at the time but even at rack rate with full price on dining she was way over. Her $700 extra was a lot considering full rack rate the trip is only $2500.

I know I'm not a huge client but I was really annoyed. It was for a special trip and I wasn't willing to give her a chance to fix it because I won't trust someone who tries to screw me from the beginning. Had she said "oh I made a mistake" maybe I would have trusted her but she swore that was the cost which 5 minutes on Disney told me was a flat out lie.

Anyhow long story short, my trip is booked through Disney. I will go online or call when the discounts come out and if I can't get any I'll try another agent. I am confident it will be fine though. I am just being grumbly because I dislike dishonest people.

 

[Aubrav]

Yeah that was the frustrating part. This lady isn't part of a big agency, I've known her online for awhile and thought I could trust her. I was really upset when she gave me the quote. I even said to her "this is way higher than what Disney is saying" and she kept saying "there are no discounts". I knew there were no discounts at the time but even at rack rate with full price on dining she was way over. Her $700 extra was a lot considering full rack rate the trip is only $2500.

I know I'm not a huge client but I was really annoyed. It was for a special trip and I wasn't willing to give her a chance to fix it because I won't trust someone who tries to screw me from the beginning. Had she said "oh I made a mistake" maybe I would have trusted her but she swore that was the cost which 5 minutes on Disney told me was a flat out lie.

Anyhow long story short, my trip is booked through Disney. I will go online or call when the discounts come out and if I can't get any I'll try another agent. I am confident it will be fine though. I am just being grumbly because I dislike dishonest people.

I don't blame you at all, that's pretty shady. When I bought my first house I was working with a mortgage broker that wanted to add $1500 onto the closing costs and she actually told me it was payment for her secretary. Needless to say I left her and got one where I didn't have to pay the extra $1500.

 

[tolyfaro]

Where about in NE Ohio are you 5KidsMommy? I homeschooled my 4 in NE Ohio until we moved to TN 3 years ago. We now live at our old halfway point along the drive to Disney

 

[5kidsmommy]

Where about in NE Ohio are you 5KidsMommy? I homeschooled my 4 in NE Ohio until we moved to TN 3 years ago. We now live at our old halfway point along the drive to Disney

We live in Lakewood, right outside of Cleveland. I would love to live closer to Disney, maybe someday when the kids are grown.

 

[tolyfaro]

I grew up in Bedford and Maple Heights and my dad was a police officer in University Heights until he retired and moved to Lakemore (in Akron) this year.

 

[Honeybee83]

I have a question about dining reservations. We are a party of two and have booked a resort. We will be meeting up with my daughter and her family of five for dinners but she hasn't booked yet (waiting for free dining). So.....can I make reservations on my 180 days for a party of seven?

that is what I did. DH, DD, and I will be one ticket package, but my parents are going too under a separate reservation. My ADR window opened this morning so I booked all of our dining reservations for 5 people.