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

[ELSA711]

I wouldn't wait for an e-mail. If you can, get up and do your ADRs online at 6am EST so that when 7am rolls around you can call ASAP for the free dining. Visa doesnt tend to send an e-mail until later in the day on the release day.

Oh great! Thanks for the tip. I have yet to receive one and have had the card many many years. This time around I won't hesitate to book my bounce back offer either. Waited this past trip and missed the boat due to emergency last day of visit

 

[StarDreamer]

Thank you! That's what I'll be doing.

One last question, if anyone knows: if you adjust your package, and change the hotel, etc, is my Memory Maker purchase affected? Because I bought it at the $150 price, and I know it's $20, but I'm cheap, haha. I guess if I'm saving money changing my package around for more than $20, I'll just deal. haha

I just changed my dates and tickets and my MM didn't change, I asked to be sure. My reservation number didn't change.

 

[alievans719]

I just changed my dates and tickets and my MM didn't change, I asked to be sure. My reservation number didn't change.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[unwritten01]

how difficult will it be to snag FD on our WL package? We are booked sept 15-25 and with 8 of us, FD would be a HUGE savings. We have two rooms booked, woods view at the Wilderness Lodge, with two different reservation numbers. we had FD added to our packaege in 2013 when we were staying at POFQ and we had no trouble...I"m just worried about the WL since it's curently unser construction with scafolding all around and many rooms unavailable to be booked...makes for less availability at that resort, know wht I mean?

Can never predict Laura but DH who has been for years says he has added FD at WL in the past, and we have a separate vacation for shorter time there as well so will be happy to let you know once it is announced if it carries over.

 

[unwritten01]

Another option to consider is booking 2 rooms at POP and requesting adjoining rooms. It will be less expensive than any of the suite options or moderate rooms and will give you the added bonus of 2 bathrooms and 4 beds. Just a thought. I often help friends book this when their families are 5 people.

Agree - last Feb we did this (+ FD) and they said at booking as we were one family they had to assign adjoining rooms. We were at ASM.

 

[PirateD]

I think if you are well organized and have booked a ressie before with Disney you can do it! Make sure you have everyones info, names ages addresses etc. Know your resort choices and who is staying where and I bet you will do fine. Lol, I love the planning and booking, it just adds more fun to the trip! Good luck!

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I haven't booked directly with Disney before. Years ago we used a travel agent, but he moved and that was before I was an obsessive planner. On our most recent trips, we have stayed with family off-site. I am pretty organized though so I could have all of the info prepared.

Hmmmm, I'm just trying to decide if I should go Preferred at Value with upgraded dining....or standard at Moderate. They are "close" in pricing...or close enough for me to justify..... but the standards rooms at moderates are sooooo farrrr awayyyy... lol

We are having the same dilemma! We are leaning towards going with a value and keeping the QS plan with a few OOP TS meals. We are open to upgrading the DP or the resort to a mod. We do like the convenience of the values over the size and the bus system at the mods. Sometimes I am glad that we still have some time to decide while we wait for FD!

If you have done it before then you could probably manage it by calling yourself. However, I like your idea of booking with TA once you know the Visa offer, then leaving it up to them to switch to free dining. You can still have control over ADR and FP. Just any changes you make have to be done thru them.

Thanks for sharing your advice and perspective! I guess I will talk to the rest of our group and share what everybody has shared and then see what they think.

 

[ELSA711]

Question, come Monday 4/27 if visa members get email later in the day, how will we know the allowed dates, resorts?
Do I have to wait and talk to CM at 7am and sort that out then?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Question, come Monday 4/27 if visa members get email later in the day, how will we know the allowed dates, resorts?
Do I have to wait and talk to CM at 7am and sort that out then?

Usually a website will drop the specifics, like Chip & Co. or Mousesavers and someone will post it here. More than likely you can hop on here while you're on hold and get the details.

 

[ELSA711]

Usually a website will drop the specifics, like Chip & Co. or Mousesavers and someone will post it here.

Thanks! Last year I spent an hour on hold and an hour sorting through the dates and resorts because ours didn't fall in line. We just ended up keeping what we had. I'd love a deal this year!! We had the best trip ever last year with the introduction of FP+ we couldn't wait to go back.
We usually do ever other year

 

[Honeybee83]

I noticed a couple people hoping for Little mermaid at AOA with FD..I use to hope every year but it never happened. Does anyone think differently this year? I'd be shocked but wouldn't mind it! But totally doubt it.

I've been looking for a rack rate room there for our dates for a few weeks and no availability. I highly doubt they will get FD.

 

[kjq00]

It is unlikely that those dates, and especially that resort, will be included. POFQ has been excluded for awhile, and those dates were crowded last year without free dining. They could be included in a UOC if you are lucky enough to get one.

Are there any dates in October that would work better? Starting to think that the Feb trips were a better bet If not FD, RD?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Are there any dates in October that would work better? Starting to think that the Feb trips were a better bet If not FD, RD?

August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
These are the dates available in October last year. Unfortunately its really tough to get October dates. But as long as your check in date falls within the booking window thats all that matters.

 

[smitch425]

Are there any dates in October that would work better? Starting to think that the Feb trips were a better bet If not FD, RD?

Last year, the only October check in dates covered in the public offer were Oct 1-3 and 26-31. They did away with public free dining for Jan-March 2 or 3 years ago. If you can go at the middle or end of September, that would be your greatest chance, but if rumors pan out, we should know the covered dates soon.

 

[lock3130]

I signed up for my Disney Visa about five days ago. If the rumors are true and the FD dates are released to Visa holders on 4/27, what information do I have to provide Disney when I call so they know I'm a holder? My Visa account number or is it just my name? Thanks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I wonder what the chances are that they would only release dates through September this round. Also, how would two rooms at POP be cheaper than a moderate resort?

It's not always the case (sorry, I believed at the time that it was) but often it is the case for families of 5 or 6. It's worth pricing out.

 

[vrajewski10513]

I signed up for my Disney Visa about five days ago. If the rumors are true and the FD dates are released to Visa holders on 4/27, what information do I have to provide Disney when I call so they know I'm a holder? My Visa account number or is it just my name? Thanks!

You need the card in hand because they need the card number. But yours SHOULD show up before 4/27.

 

[smitch425]

I signed up for my Disney Visa about five days ago. If the rumors are true and the FD dates are released to Visa holders on 4/27, what information do I have to provide Disney when I call so they know I'm a holder? My Visa account number or is it just my name? Thanks!

You have to have your card in hand. They will need the number to charge your account.

 

[Camaro305]

Was just told by 2 CMs that special offers are first come first served... Makes no difference if you have an existing reservation

100% true. That's why people are saying if you're booking only hoping to get FD, then don't. If bookings are up, it sends them the message that they don't have to offer it.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Also, you may need the 3 digit code off the back of the card. I can't remember if Disney asks for this or not but I know many places do.

 

[kjq00]

August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
These are the dates available in October last year. Unfortunately its really tough to get October dates. But as long as your check in date falls within the booking window thats all that matters.

Thanks! Maybe we will switch to 10/30-11/4. Also worried about crowds....