Free dining for Visa...just updated my ressie

[cjnix29]

I had gotten a pin code for free dining for these dates, and was really psyched about it. Now, worried about ADRs, and crowds in December, that I wasn't worried about before. But then, thinking about it....if the deals keep coming, in this economy, are people really pouncing on them, and will crowds be worse than they have been in the past? I mean the 4/3 deal was fantastic, I would think the people that could have gone that may not have otherwise, would have snapped that one up. When Free Dining came out for the fall, that took another segment of the population that would book it. Soon the pool will be down to us die hards that will go anyway, and we aren't nearly the masses! Ok, so this is what I keep telling myself!

 

[TheRatPack]

I had gotten a pin code for free dining for these dates, and was really psyched about it. Now, worried about ADRs, and crowds in December, that I wasn't worried about before.

We've been for the past 4 years on FD in September/October and that was before the economy got hit.....it's never been so crowded that it's madness. I think Disney is such a large place that you just don't realize the crowds as much, unless of course you didn't make your ADR's beforehand.

 

[princessmom29]

I will be shocked if they open this fd offer to the general public.

Why would it be such a shock?? Do you know something we don't?? I know they have never done FD for GP in the past at this time, but at this point I think they are doing whatever they can to fill rooms. The recent upgrades from values to DVC properties tell me that they are desperate to sell rooms, and will use whatever they can to do it. I don't think that Disney would put that kind of information in an email sent out to thousands of Visa cardholdres if it wasn't true

 

[cleophus12]

I have a great room rate at POP for 11/23-28 with my AAA rate, but I called Disney yesterday to see how much it would cost me to change my ressie to get the free dining with the VISA. By the time we added on a one-day base ticket for three people (since we already have a no-expiry with four days left on it), and paid the package rate for the room, plus upgraded to the regular DDP, free dining was going to cost me $500. Even if we stayed with QS dining, our cost would go up $300. So I guess this time, I'll just let the offer go and stick with what I have. I don't think we will eat $500 worth of food this trip.

 

[floridascgirl]

It didn't work out to be a better deal for us either. We had a 30% pin code for our room at AKL and after doing the math, we've decided to stick with it.

 

[dizkids]

Yes, as long as package is booked by last date available they will include FD. It is room only plans they do not extend past end date of promotion.

Ok thank you!!

 

[snykymom]

Well, I am happy for everyone else who gets this, but I don't understand why they don't open up the AP discount to the general public...Don't they normally open these discounts up to the public once they have offered them to AP holders and Florida residents??? Maybe I am mistaken on that....

Last year, they didn't. Neither the Disney Visa FD during Nov-Dec 2008 nor the AP rates in Dec 2008-Feb 2009 were open to the general public. Rather, they started the Buy 4 Get 3 Free promotion.

This year, it's anyone's bet what they'll do.

I had gotten a pin code for free dining for these dates, and was really psyched about it. Now, worried about ADRs, and crowds in December, that I wasn't worried about before. But then, thinking about it....if the deals keep coming, in this economy, are people really pouncing on them, and will crowds be worse than they have been in the past? I mean the 4/3 deal was fantastic, I would think the people that could have gone that may not have otherwise, would have snapped that one up. When Free Dining came out for the fall, that took another segment of the population that would book it. Soon the pool will be down to us die hards that will go anyway, and we aren't nearly the masses! Ok, so this is what I keep telling myself!

Those are my thoughts - the only reason that Disney is offering these deals is that they are not getting the bookings they normally get. My belief is that, they are hoping these deals will result in crowds similar to the normal, non-discounted crowds they used to get; at best, maybe crowds will increase by 10% or so. Disney doesn't give out good discounts just for the hell of it.

Good luck to all who are still waiting.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I am happy for everyone else who gets this, but I don't understand why they don't open up the AP discount to the general public...Don't they normally open these discounts up to the public once they have offered them to AP holders and Florida residents??? Maybe I am mistaken on that....

There have been many years that there were room discounts offered after the AP discounts came out, but they were less of a discount. That's why it's a perk for the AP holders. You will generally see Disney open the same off they make to Disney Visa card holders to the GP about 4 or 5 days after the Visa people get it. And it is usually the same discount. But more often than not, the GP hasn't gotten the exact same discounts that the AP holders get.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Why would it be such a shock?? Do you know something we don't?? I know they have never done FD for GP in the past at this time, but at this point I think they are doing whatever they can to fill rooms. The recent upgrades from values to DVC properties tell me that they are desperate to sell rooms, and will use whatever they can to do it. I don't think that Disney would put that kind of information in an email sent out to thousands of Visa cardholdres if it wasn't true

Did I miss something? I am a Disney Visa Card holder and I didn't see any information from Disney or Chase Visa saying that this offer would open for the general public.

And I guess the reason I would be shocked that it would go public is because they had no trouble filling the parks last December with the Disney Visa Free Dining code and I don't think they would this year either. The parks were way more crowded last December than we expected and there was no general public fd offer.

 

[snykymom]

Did I miss something? I am a Disney Visa Card holder and I didn't see any information from Disney or Chase Visa saying that this offer would open for the general public.

And I guess the reason I would be shocked that it would go public is because they had no trouble filling the parks last December with the Disney Visa Free Dining code and I don't think they would this year either. The parks were way more crowded last December than we expected and there was no general public fd offer.

The difference between Dec. 2008 and Dec. 2009 is that many people in Dec. 2008 had booked, planned, and maybe even paid for their vacations well before the economy collapsed in July & August. Many folks were saying, "We can't disappoint the kids, so we'll go anyway."

That's no longer true for those booking for Dec. 2009. If I were a betting girl, I'd wager that bookings were way down from last year - that's why the AP rates are so low, without blackout dates.

Given the state of the economy, I wouldn't be shocked either way (if they offered it or if they didn't).

 

[disneyjunkie]

I didn't read all six pages, so forgive me if this question has been answered.

If you book a value room, can you upgrade to the deluxe dining plan?

 

[TheRatPack]

I was offered an upgraded dining plan when I called (both times), but only to regular dining....not sure if you can pay the difference for Deluxe or not? I'm guessing you can since you can upgrade to regular.

 

[tyrannosaur]

I got the visa card approved though could not use it because I could not get the card number. CM would not give me the visa FD plan without the card, and I could not even get a 2 bedroom villa except at Saratoga and OKW (I wanted BCV or BWV). Who said disney business is down
Oh well, let's hope the FD plan comes out for the GP tomorrow

 

[poohmickey]

We applied this discount to our current reservation - which was 8 nights at CBR over Thanksgiving with the 40% AP room discount, and QSDP. Even with having to pay for one day tickets for the 4 of us, we still saved $200. Since only two of us had AP's, we would have still had to buy tickets for the other two, so with this added in, the savings went up to $350- and we still have two 1 day tickets to use in the future. We really like the QSDP and didn't want the regular DP, but I couldn't pass up the $350 savings. Even with tips added in, we will still save money with this code, and we are looking forward to eating at places we normally wouldn't pay for.

 

[TheRatPack]

I've read on 2 different threads that the code will be made public tomorrow....so we'll see. I don't think we had our Disney card number until we got the actual card either. They were fast getting the card to us though. Oh and on the note of them letting the code go public, it was on actual emails sent from Disney to these people....so not really speculation when it's from Disney....so looks good for you

 

[MKB419]

I've read on 2 different threads that the code will be made public tomorrow....so we'll see. I don't think we had our Disney card number until we got the actual card either. They were fast getting the card to us though. Oh and on the note of them letting the code go public, it was on actual emails sent from Disney to these people....so not really speculation when it's from Disney....so looks good for you

Hi,
Were you ever able to get your reservation? I was thinking if you went through a TA like Dreams Unlimited. I filled out a quote last week and when each one was returned there was a 7 day hold. There is a spot on the reservation form to let them know you are eligable for a Disney Visa discount. It was easy and I booked my trip last Monday. Oct 18-24 at CBR luckily had all my ADR's before Free Dinning came out. Thought this might get you in one day faster.
Mary Kay

 

[TheRatPack]

Hi,
Were you ever able to get your reservation? I was thinking if you went through a TA like Dreams Unlimited. Mary Kay

Yes....thankfully when I checked our account this morning the refund from Disney was there and so I quickly called and got the resort, dates and tix that I wanted....I was so excited. My pulse was racing and I just kept thinking...she's going to tell me it's not available for my dates, but she got it all to go through and gave me my confirmation I was sooooo happy.

The kids are all excited too We had to cancel our Sept/Oct trip due to some medical issues that came up that we need to take care of first, but I told them I would keep an eye out for discounts or FD and we'd go again....so I'm glad Disney didn't let us down

 

[MKB419]

Great News
Mary Kay

 

[dogodisney]

Yes....thankfully when I checked our account this morning the refund from Disney was there and so I quickly called and got the resort, dates and tix that I wanted....I was so excited. My pulse was racing and I just kept thinking...she's going to tell me it's not available for my dates, but she got it all to go through and gave me my confirmation I was sooooo happy.

The kids are all excited too We had to cancel our Sept/Oct trip due to some medical issues that came up that we need to take care of first, but I told them I would keep an eye out for discounts or FD and we'd go again....so I'm glad Disney didn't let us down

Woo hoo! You got an early Christmas present!

Merry Christmas!

 

[DLo]

Our travel agent applied it without even asking. We had the qsp but already had 3 ts we were going to have to pay oop for so this was great for us. We saved $480 !! Was going to book another ts but remembered b&c is ts so we will use it for that. (staying at bc)