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

[prettypatchesmsu]

Yes, that's what has always happened with FD in the past. However because of some of the written info about the offer on the SA site, as well as some info that was passed along to a TA, it is possible that they will change that "rule" of FD for December check in dates. The speculation is that FD dates will stop with December 21st, period, so even if you check in during the December FD dates, you will only receive FD on the days you are there up to December 21st. This would be a very different change from the past, and one rumor some of us are hoping is not true!

Wow, I hope that is not true or our dream of getting to go for Christmas one time will never happen. We'd need FD to be able to budget it.

 

[ThistleMae]

I've priced things multiple times at multiple resorts using FD and RO and booking through a TA with a convention rate. I gave myself a generous food allowance with the TA convention discount. Either I save a couple hundred bucks or spend an extra couple hundred bucks. I gave myself an
$ 80.00 a day food budget, which is $ 20.00 a day more than buying the dining plan. But...probably won't use all of it...so it's kind of a toss up. The TA with convention tickets works best for me. They don't allow you any other offers with their discount and you cannot buy the dining plan. I always get the park hopper passes because we park hop all the time. But I feel for those of you who may have to add to their budget in order to get FD. For some folks it increases your budget substantially! I do hope this rumor is one of the false ones. The nice thing about booking with the TA was that I was able to book early, so my room is secure with a good discount. I do have to wait for FD because my daughter and her family need the FD to be able to go this year, otherwise it is just too expensive. They are a family of five. So....I'm onboard here, everyday, waiting and reading everything! I hope the weekend is over in a BLINK! Good Luck to us ALL!

 

[ThistleMae]

I have a friend who is a TA and she did post on her facebook today that if anyone is contemplating a fall trip to message her BEFORE the weekend is out... which is unlike her.

Loving this little tip! Any kind of info, especially from people in the know....is awesome!

 

[LouFapp]

Ahhhhhh, Modern Marvels Disneyworld is on AGAIN. Why must they torture me.

 

[LouFapp]

I've priced things multiple times at multiple resorts using FD and RO and booking through a TA with a convention rate. I gave myself a generous food allowance with the TA convention discount. Either I save a couple hundred bucks or spend an extra couple hundred bucks. I gave myself an
$ 80.00 a day food budget, which is $ 20.00 a day more than buying the dining plan. But...probably won't use all of it...so it's kind of a toss up. The TA with convention tickets works best for me. They don't allow you any other offers with their discount and you cannot buy the dining plan. I always get the park hopper passes because we park hop all the time. But I feel for those of you who may have to add to their budget in order to get FD. For some folks it increases your budget substantially! I do hope this rumor is one of the false ones. The nice thing about booking with the TA was that I was able to book early, so my room is secure with a good discount. I do have to wait for FD because my daughter and her family need the FD to be able to go this year, otherwise it is just too expensive. They are a family of five. So....I'm onboard here, everyday, waiting and reading everything! I hope the weekend is over in a BLINK! Good Luck to us ALL!

I've tried to find a TA with a convention rate offer, but no luck.

 

[ThistleMae]

IF the Rumor comes true of needing to add either park hopper or water parks, try to check the park hours before making your decision which to choose, especially those traveling in September. Park hours are greatly reduced during this quieter time of year.

We have a 9 night trip booked in Sept and 7/9 of those nights the latest park closing time is 9:00 at Epcot with other parks closing earlier. If you tend to book 5:00 or later dinner reservations and think you'll switch parks after supper, it may not be an option. I opted out of adding the park hopper after reviewing the hours.

I'm sure it will still be a good option for many, just wanted to mention what I'd encountered.

That is a really good point. Two years ago, we went in Sept. and parks closed early. All of our dinner reservations were very late! It's all we could get. After dinner, we went back to the room, most nights. But....I park hop during the day as well. I don't have any kids so it's very easy to do. I'm all over the place, including park in a.m.; downtown Disney for lunch; different park in afternoon; back to resort; to dinner and different park at night. I love it! But your point about closing hours is a good one!

 

[ThistleMae]

I've tried to find a TA with a convention rate offer, but no luck.

Sorry to hear that....maybe they sell out early. I think I booked in February.

 

[ThistleMae]

That's true but we have been in September for the past few years and the hours are greatly reduced compared to even August. Also, MNSSHP starts which closes MK to those without tickets to this hard ticketed event on the nights it occurs. I'm just hoping to save people $$ purchasing something they may not need/use due to shorter hours.

Does anyone know what the park hours may be for Thanksgiving week? I heard they have longer hours every night.

 

[ThistleMae]

Thank you for calling. I hope all of the DV cardholders get some good rest this weekend in anticipation of Monday morning!

Ditto! Thanks for posting!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Hope you have an awesome birthday Smitch!!!! You so deserve it!!!!

 

[CK1734]

If they are made up, they should be removed, honestly. The last thing this thread needs is random dates from nowhere. Lol

Another thing that does not make sense to me is the inclusion of 11/1 in those dates. Historically WDW will exclude the Sunday of the week that starts Jersey Week, which in this case is 11/1. Last year it was 11/2.

I have a friend who is a TA and she did post on her facebook today that if anyone is contemplating a fall trip to message her BEFORE the weekend is out... which is unlike her.

Talked to my TA friend and she says you will NOT have to have park hoppers

Did we happen to get any more information from these TAs? Do they have dates or reqs?

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

Happy birthday Smitch!

 

[alkc71]

you can book at us site even if you canadian i did it in 2013 and WILL do it this year

Thanks i am just thinking about last year when the early Aug dates were only available for Canada

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

So excited! My mom's disney visa came yesterday! Also, have any of you did the refer a friend application where you're supposed to get the $200 gift card? My mom signed up through someone but the welcome packet didn't mention the gift card. Is that normal?

 

[themommy]

Keep in mind that park hours for September will be adjusted in August once crowd levels are better known. The schedules realeased initially are very limited.

Yeah, they like to change them up last minute. I was so excited in Dec when I finally got an ADR for Crystal Palace before park opening and it was the only Dec day we were there that MK did not have extra magic hours in the morning. So what happened? They of course redid the schedule and added the morning hours and we lost our getting into the park before opening. This time I am trying to cover my bases and I made 2 ADRs for Crystal Palace before park opening on 2 different days. Hopefully one of them pans out this time! Going to wait to see what they do and then cancel one of them. Wish me luck!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

So excited! My mom's disney visa came yesterday! Also, have any of you did the refer a friend application where you're supposed to get the $200 gift card? My mom signed up through someone but the welcome packet didn't mention the gift card. Is that normal?

I don't think my welcome packet mentioned the gift card either, but I still got it after meeting the requirements.

 

[minerva78]

Good grief, why is it that when I've got to price out about 6 different scenarios, based on these varying rumors, booking on the WDW website is unavailable, and has been for about the past 30 minutes or so! (Banging head against wall). In looking over some possible plans, I realize that "if" FD stops on December 21st then it may not be too much extra for us to go during my ideal dates, which are December 17 - 23. Based on the rumor, I should only have to pay for dining for the night of the 22nd, which is about $160 extra for the 4 of us, so not too bad. I already know our families would have a fit if they didn't get to see our girls on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, so I need to be back in town for us to travel yet once again to visit family, otherwise I probably would stay through Christmas. And with these dates, our girls would only have to miss 2 days of school and DH and I could celebrate our birthdays (the 21st and the 22nd) at Disney! He is less than thrilled, but I think it would be fun. I think a nice TS meal, probably in Epcot, would help him out.

 

[samsteele]

Just a heads up that the Disney World booking site has been down for the past few hours. Message states "booking is currently unavailable." I don't know that we can read too much into this as the site has been riddled with glitches & technical difficulties for a long time. However, they might be updating their special offers in anticipation of next week?

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

I don't think my welcome packet mentioned the gift card either, but I still got it after meeting the requirements.

Thank you! I'm going to use it today to get some furniture we need so that will take care of the $500 purchase requirement. Then hopefully the gift card will come soon after.

 

[minerva78]

Just a heads up that the Disney World booking site has been down for the past few hours. Message states "booking is currently unavailable." I don't know that we can read too much into this as the site has been riddled with glitches & technical difficulties for a long time. However, they might be updating their special offers in anticipation of next week?

Oh, that's one good way to look at it! I've been so frustrated that I can't price anything out right now, I didn't think there could be a good reason behind it. I hope you're right!