Free Dining - no longer available?

[jadedNYer]

This is the message I got on the WDW website. It reads, "Thank you for your interest in our special offer. The special vacation you have selected is no longer available."

 

[BethR]

I got the same message. But we KNOW that it is!!! I tried calling at 7 and asked for Free Dining and I was not told that it is not available - but my dates weren't.

But now I am a little concerned that perhaps their whole system is not updated and PERHAPS there were rooms available.

Got to keep trying...got to keep trying.

 

[BethR]

I am doing a "live chat" with someone from Disney and they are insisting that the booking deadline is today. :

 

[jadedNYer]

Thanks.
I wonder if all the sites that have posted the extended deadline actually confirmed with WDW. Maybe WDW will update their site later. I knew I should have just gone ahead and booked something instead of playing around with dates, split stays, etc.
Also, no ad in the NYT Travel section for anything Disney.

 

[Chloesmom]

I just called and added my mom to my room and they said the deadline was today which was good because only a handful of rooms remained. I told them about the " announcement" and the nice ( very very nice) Cm said " not that we know of.. there are only a few rooms left with free dining so it would be pointless to extend the deadline"

 

[BethR]

Thanks.
I wonder if all the sites that have posted the extended deadline actually confirmed with WDW.

I can't imagine places like the DIS and Mousesavers putting out information of this nature that is not accurate.

And even if it was not accurate, the original booking deadline was through today. There has to be a glitch somewhere.

You could call. They did not tell me that Free Dining was unavailable. 407-W-DISNEY.

 

[BethR]

. I told them about the " announcememnt" and the nice ( very very nice) Cm said " not that we know of.. "

I asked a CM on Friday when it the deadline extension was announced here and she said that it HAD been extended to the 25th. Unfortunately, this is Disney.

 

[jadedNYer]

I asked a CM on Friday when it the deadline extension was announced here and she said that it HAD been extended to the 25th. Unfortunately, this is Disney.

Hm. When I checked yesterday online there seemed to be PLENTY of availability for mid August at the resorts I checked (BWI, AKL, YC,). Poly only had MK and GVs left.

 

[Ziggy]

This is the message I get
"Thank you for your interest in our special offer. The special vacation package you have selected is no longer available."

My dates are also mid August, after many of the schools have gone back and before the 'food thing' at Epcot, so I expect it would not be sold out

 

[Microcell]

I just called Disney because of the same message on the website, and I booked it through a CM who said it has been extended through 6/25 but the website probably has not updated yet. I was given a confirmation number, so i will go to the website to ensure it was free dining.

I booked at 730 AM today, for September 13-19, and they told me that at the values, Movies had preferred room only left, I assume Sports was full, because it was not even offered, so I just went with POP.

 

[ciera321]

I just called about AP rates and asked the CM about free dining. He said it HAD been extended till June 25. I guess they need to work on their communication...

 

[katiedid0801]

I was playing around last night on the Disney site and was still able to get the $435 rate (per person) for 6 days, 5 nights at a value resort with free dining. Today the same package is about $650 per person (free dining still included). So maybe it is the special rate that has expired, not the free dining??

 

[Evil Queen]

I was getting curious too. I read so much about June 25th being the new date, but noticed these all seem to be through other agencies and not WDW itself.

Hope it works out for everyone. I had already booked a couple of weeks ago, but want everyone to have a chance at some magic.

I just tried "booking" too (well not really, but when through the motions). It's still showing on the main page, put when I put in dates, it stated not available for the package I wanted, the price almost doubled without it.

 

[BethR]

Like an earlier poster mentioned, I don't think that this is problem with the Free Dining promotion, I believe that this is a Disney website problem. If you call Disney directly (not through any of the agencies) they are still booking Free Dining.

And besides, if someone says "Book by June 4" - that tells me that the promotion is good THROUGH June 4, not DONE June 3. Even if the booking extension had not come about I feel that you should still book the promotion today. Maybe I am wrong there.

 

[tinkwannabe2]

My current chat with the Disney online person:

you: Is there something wrong with the website that I can't currently book the free dining package?
Bevan: As this is the final day for that package to be book, the system is having challenges with booking it, please call (407) 560-CHAT (2428) where a Disney cast member will be able to assist you.
you: I heard that the booking window has been extended, is that not true?
Bevan: Not as far as on-line bookings are concern, and the dates are closing quickly.
you: So it is extended for those calling into the reservation center?
Bevan: You will more then likely need to book today, the we have dates that are completely book.

 

[BethR]

"Bevan" was who *I* chatted with earlier today. I don't think that he/she knew WHAT he was talking about.

I have been on the phone 3 times with CRO today and asked several of the CMs that I spoke with if the booking time has been extended to June 25 and they all said yes. I wanted to know, because as I told you all, I am trying to get a Value for mid August and I wanted to know if I could call daily to check availability and they all said yes.

FWIW, I did go ahead and book CBR for my dates. I will have until July 2 when the final payment is due to make my final decision. In the meantime, I will call daily to see if we can get into a Value. Free Dining is a GREAT perk - but you only get your BEST value if you stay at a value.

 

[EpcotBill]

I can tell you for certain that the booking window for the free dining has been extended and there's plenty of availability.

 

[Wazzo]

EpcotBill, I like the way you think!

What are my chances of getting the WL for Sept. 5th - 10th? WITH free dining of course!!

 

[BethR]

I can tell you for certain that the booking window for the free dining has been extended and there's plenty of availability.

From your fingers to God's ear, EpcotBill! (That that availability will show itself in some values for mid August. OK, OK, I will let it go now. Well maybe. At least for a few minutes. )

 

[Alicnwondrln]

its funny you say that bill
cuz when i call there likes there nothing left