Free dining in Dec.- the week before us and the week after!

[The Rovang Gang]

This is so frustrating! And I'm sure lots of other dissers out there are in the same boat. I was super excited to see free dining offered for the Fall/Winter, however, we're staying 12/4-12/10, the exact week in early Dec. that is an exception. Argh!!

I'm pretty sure it's because that also happens to be Pop Warner Week, which we are not affiliated with, and all the value resorts are packed with the little league teams. In your expert opinions, would it do us any good to plead our case to Disney? We already have our flights booked which would cost $600 to change at this point and our MVMCP tix which are nonrefundable/transferable. Plus, we'd really like to be there for our wedding anniversary the 8th. Any ideas on how to get free dining?

Thanks!
~Cori

 

[BYC]

Can't you change your arrival date to Dec. 3rd? I believe if your start date is during the promotion, you can get the promotion for you entire stay. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.

 

[The Rovang Gang]

Yes, were going to try that, but it would cost us $600 to change our flight. We would even be willing to cancel the flight and drive, but then we lose all the flight money- $1200. I can't even get through to Disney to see if we can extend it to the third. Great idea, though! Keep 'em coming, there has to be a way.

 

[MikeOhio]

No point in pleading your case to disney. They have blackout dates for a reason. Also when talking to a disney rep they dont' have the authority to allow you to have FD for a blacked out week. The computer system would simply not allow it. Sadly if you cant' change dates you are stuck.

 

[QueenDoOver]

I would add a day to the reservation so the whole thing would qualify for free dining. Then at last minute call and tell them you are not going to be able to check in on original date, don't want your money back but wanted to make sure they knew you were coming. Are you arriving early? Tell them you are checking in for your first night super late, like first thing in the morning. Or change just one ticket and pay just one fee to send someone ahead to check in a day earlier.

 

[ohiocouponmom]

we have the same issue we are coming Oct 8-14. the dining plan ends the 6th and there is no way we can change the date. Do you think Disney will put out another discount/deal during the black out dates???

 

[BDL]

I would add a day to the reservation so the whole thing would qualify for free dining. Then at last minute call and tell them you are not going to be able to check in on original date, don't want your money back but wanted to make sure they knew you were coming. Are you arriving early? Tell them you are checking in for your first night super late, like first thing in the morning. Or change just one ticket and pay just one fee to send someone ahead to check in a day earlier.

This is a good idea. I was brainstoming the same kind of scenario when I first read your problem.

 

[rachel09985]

What about just one adult flying in earlier to check in??? I know it might be hard for the other person if you have kids but if it saves enough it might be worth it.

 

[ldeflavia]

we are having the same issue! Free dining ends for us on 11/19 and we are checking in on 11/20. we cannot change our fligh either to come down the day before.
I was also wondering if we could add the hotel for a day and not check in until the 20th. I wonder if we could call on the 19th and say our flight is cancelled and not coming till the next day. But it makes me nervous.
Another thought for us is I have a cousin that lives in Orlando. was thinking of having her check in for us on the 19th. does anyone know if they as for ID during check-in?
I could do the online check-in then just have her show up to get the key. do they ask for ID?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Getting the free dining would save us $400 and give us an extra credits which helps with the 2 credit meals we have booked.

 

[Disney-Chick]

I think booking the day before is a great idea. Why can't you call the day of arrival and explain that something happened and you are not able to make it until tomorrow but would like to keep the room? Maybe they are wise to this and will say no, but I don't see why they would mind as long as they receive payment for that night. We never do check in online but if you check in and then don't show up to the day after what would happen?

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

If you don't check in on the day that the FD starts - no matter if you call and them that you'll be late - you won't get the free dining. The best bet would be to send the reservation holder down a day early to check in. WDW has heard all the excuses and are very unbending when it comes to the black dates.

 

[Disney-Chick]

If you don't check in on the day that the FD starts - no matter if you call and them that you'll be late - you won't get the free dining. The best bet would be to send the reservation holder down a day early to check in. WDW has heard all the excuses and are very unbending when it comes to the black dates.

This was my thought as well. Im sure they heard everything in the book whether true or not. I agree that sending one person before hand would make more sense.

 

[StuffedwFluff]

My mother is in the same situation, they are there the week it's black out. I do have a question though. They will the there on Oct 23 when it starts up again, but it's their last day. Would that give them the entire week of dining free?

 

[siskaren]

My mother is in the same situation, they are there the week it's black out. I do have a question though. They will the there on Oct 23 when it starts up again, but it's their last day. Would that give them the entire week of dining free?

No, their check-in date would have to be during free dining, not their check-out date.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Discount Codes and Rates board.

 

[bastraker]

we have the same issue we are coming Oct 8-14. the dining plan ends the 6th and there is no way we can change the date. Do you think Disney will put out another discount/deal during the black out dates???

You should be able to get free dining for these dates. I booked my cousin her package for these exact dates with no problem for free dining.

 

[Halbleib1]

To the poster that asked if Disney checks ID at check in the answer is yes they do. It does not matter if you do online check in or not they will still ask for ID of at least one adult in your party before giving you your room key.

 

[Minnie_Mom]

we have the same issue we are coming Oct 8-14. the dining plan ends the 6th and there is no way we can change the date. Do you think Disney will put out another discount/deal during the black out dates???

If you are coming in on Oct 8, then you qualify for FD. The blackout period does not begin until Oct 9. As long as you are checked-in by Oct 8, then you will get FD for your entire stay.

Good luck!

 

[Disneynut5]

What are the blackout dates for December? We are most likely going Dec 6- Dec 13 and I thought I was avoiding free dining. Am I wrong? Just wondering.

 

[ChiBub]

This is so frustrating! And I'm sure lots of other dissers out there are in the same boat. I was super excited to see free dining offered for the Fall/Winter, however, we're staying 12/4-12/10, the exact week in early Dec. that is an exception. Argh!!

I'm pretty sure it's because that also happens to be Pop Warner Week, which we are not affiliated with, and all the value resorts are packed with the little league teams. In your expert opinions, would it do us any good to plead our case to Disney? We already have our flights booked which would cost $600 to change at this point and our MVMCP tix which are nonrefundable/transferable. Plus, we'd really like to be there for our wedding anniversary the 8th. Any ideas on how to get free dining?

Thanks!
~Cori

The same thing happened to us last year. I kept calling asking if there was a pin attached to my name, and one day a CM magically found one. Doing everything you can to get a PIN is probably the cheapest and easiest solution, I hope that it works out for you!