Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!! (And a whole lot more) ~ Part 3

[Rowdymom81]

Made my day, too!

Thanks to whoever posted earlier that it would give you fd if you went out to the 30th...

 

[chester629]

Just booked it for Oct 21....Dd bday....we did it before and weren't going to do it again....but since it is her 15th bday I thought it might be a nice surprise.

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No way?! We will be at the party too that night...DS's 5th birthday 10/21!!!

 

[Dinsey2013]

We are going to Disney Nov. 22-27 for the first time ever. My DD will be almost 4 by then. I'm interested in some awesome things to do at Disney. Is there anything extra special or any special events to do there during the dates we are going. I know that there is Mickey's Christmas Party, but it is only available the first night we go. We are doing the Princess dinner that night at 6:30 and I wouldn't want to spend all that money and not be there for most of it. Also, we are driving a 10-11 hour drive from New Orleans and will be exhausted.

Are there any other things to do during these dates. Or really any first time Disney tips?

 

[Coconuts]

We are a family of three taking our daughter (3.5) on her first WDW trip in mid November (her Christmas present and our last hurrah as a family of 3!). We had originally booked POFQ based on reviews and recommendations, but moved to POR when we learned the FD wouldn't extend to POFQ. We booked through a TA and, after she sat on hold for 6+ hours on 8/1, we ended up in Coronado Springs in order to get FD.

I am torn as to whether to ask her to keep trying to get us back into POR or to stay where we are in CS. I have read not-so-great reviews about CS and am anxious. Plus, I'll be 29w pregnant and the enormity of the resort makes me anxious, too. Theming is not very important to us, but a clean, nice room and great customer service is very important. (If I had my druthers we'd stay at the Poly or another deluxe, but it just isn't worth the $1000 extra.) We will be spending one day at Epcot (for the adults) and 3 days in MK. We will have a car but plan (at least for now) to use the buses.

What say you, DISboard-ers?

We stayed at CSR when we were newly married and without kids, but we went on a big extended family vacation. We had all of my little nieces and nephews with us and they all loved the resort. Everyone enjoyed the main pool and hot tub. I would love to be able to stay there again but we can't now that we have 5. That is the only reason we have to stay with POR. I would love to try some other resorts, that aren't as pricey as deluxes.

 

[chester629]

We are going to Disney Nov. 22-27 for the first time ever. My DD will be almost 4 by then. I'm interested in some awesome things to do at Disney. Is there anything extra special or any special events to do there during the dates we are going. I know that there is Mickey's Christmas Party, but it is only available the first night we go. We are doing the Princess dinner that night at 6:30 and I wouldn't want to spend all that money and not be there for most of it. Also, we are driving a 10-11 hour drive from New Orleans and will be exhausted.

Are there any other things to do during these dates. Or really any first time Disney tips?

We're gonna need a lot more than 250 pages to answer that one!

 

[plutospalforever]

We are going to Disney Nov. 22-27 for the first time ever. My DD will be almost 4 by then. I'm interested in some awesome things to do at Disney. Is there anything extra special or any special events to do there during the dates we are going. I know that there is Mickey's Christmas Party, but it is only available the first night we go. We are doing the Princess dinner that night at 6:30 and I wouldn't want to spend all that money and not be there for most of it. Also, we are driving a 10-11 hour drive from New Orleans and will be exhausted.

Are there any other things to do during these dates. Or really any first time Disney tips?

This is a very general tip, but do not try to do everything or over plan. We are making an 8th visit as a family, and we have not done everything. At that age, let your child be the guide. You will quickly see what holds their interest and what does not. For my kids, that meant spending several days at Magic Kingdom and doing Hollywood Studios for maybe a half day, for example. Have a wonderful and magical first trip!

 

[Mom22girls56]

We are going to Disney Nov. 22-27 for the first time ever. My DD will be almost 4 by then. I'm interested in some awesome things to do at Disney. Is there anything extra special or any special events to do there during the dates we are going. I know that there is Mickey's Christmas Party, but it is only available the first night we go. We are doing the Princess dinner that night at 6:30 and I wouldn't want to spend all that money and not be there for most of it. Also, we are driving a 10-11 hour drive from New Orleans and will be exhausted.

Are there any other things to do during these dates. Or really any first time Disney tips?

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

I asked my travel agent to try the same for me and she said it wouldn't let me keep free dining when I dropped the days I didn't want. It was only one more day I am trying to add and not even sure we want another day, but I wanted to have the option.
But that doesn't really make sense because my first email was about adding a day and then dropping it if I didn't need it. She said no problem within 45 days. But now when I ask her to book 4 extra days (because that's how far I had to extend to get free dining availability), I can't do that and drop 3? Frustrated.

Ugh. Tell her it worked for me via the Disney CM.

Thank you for posting this. I had resigned myself to a split stay for our dates with no dining my last two days but now we are booked our whole week at Poly with free dining. Thanks for sharing!

I just called and no luck but I didn't ask the CM to try the workaround; I just said I was looking to make a new reservation with the FD. The CM said the FD wasn't available for my dates (Oct 19-26) but the 30% RO was. I almost fell out of my chair when she asked if I wanted to book it because I haven't had any luck with that either.

Well, after we went through everything and she gave me my quote I could tell it was wrong right away. I asked if the room was discounted at 30% and she said it was -- I told her I didn't think so and to please check. Sure enough it wasn't -- the RO discount isn't available either.

I'm calling back and trying the Oct 30 trick.....

 

[HBGdancermom]

Thank you! I hated starting a new job when I was working. I hate it even more since I've been out of the work force for so long. Lol

How was your first day??

 

[HBGdancermom]

Last night I finally got another night with free dining at POR (garden view-AB). So now we are at November 17-23. We really wanted November 17-27, so I guess I'll just keep trying and see what happens. If we don't get it, we'll spend the last few nights off site. The funny thing is that I found my exact dates with free dining through another supplier, just wanted to stick with Disney though.

Awesome!!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Just a note for those families of 5 trying to get POR. Don't give up. I lost count of how many times I've called. No luck Thursday. No luck Friday. Snagged 4 of my days on Saturday. Added 2 more on Sunday. Added 2 more yesterday, and was just able to add my last night, this morning. Talk about crazy, and yes it was a hassle but I now have my 8 nights I wanted. Good Luck to those still trying to change something.

Wow! That is great!

 

[chester629]

We are going to Disney Nov. 22-27 for the first time ever. My DD will be almost 4 by then. I'm interested in some awesome things to do at Disney. Is there anything extra special or any special events to do there during the dates we are going. I know that there is Mickey's Christmas Party, but it is only available the first night we go. We are doing the Princess dinner that night at 6:30 and I wouldn't want to spend all that money and not be there for most of it. Also, we are driving a 10-11 hour drive from New Orleans and will be exhausted.

Are there any other things to do during these dates. Or really any first time Disney tips?

I always recommend doing a Fantasmic Dinner Ressie. I am not a fan of waiting 1.5 hours in line for a seat for Fantasmic...especially with little ones, yet it's a show you can't miss! This is perfect, especially if your using the DDP. Great meal at either H&V, MMR, or HBD and then reserved seats for Fantasmic! Can't beat it!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I just called and no luck but I didn't ask the CM to try the workaround; I just said I was looking to make a new reservation with the FD. The CM said the FD wasn't available for my dates (Oct 19-26) but the 30% RO was. I almost fell out of my chair when she asked if I wanted to book it because I haven't had any luck with that either.

Well, after we went through everything and she gave me my quote I could tell it was wrong right away. I asked if the room was discounted at 30% and she said it was -- I told her I didn't think so and to please check. Sure enough it wasn't -- the RO discount isn't available either.

I'm calling back and trying the Oct 30 trick.....

OMG.....I called back and I HAVE FREE DINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting the Oct 30 trick!



I talked to CM Cynthia and she was shocked that it worked too. She didn't even have to make a new reservation - she just changed my existing package reservation from an Oct 26 checkout date to an Oct 30 checkout date and it gave me FD. Then she changed the checkout date back to Oct 26. Wah-Lah! Free Dining for our entire stay! She said she was going to have to try that with everyone that calls in.

I hope this isn't some weird glitch and Disney takes away my FD!

My reservation on My Disney Experience doesn't show FD and I forget to ask if I'd get an e-mail confirmation. Back to the phones!

ETA: Just talked to Timothy and he confirmed that I do have FD....said I'd get an email tomorrow but he went ahead and manually sent one today - I should have it in a couple of hours. WooHoo!

 

[HBGdancermom]

FYI for Poly ressie holders, Oct 20-26: I just got off of the phone with a lovely CM named Darlene who helped me with a workaround. We tried a new ressie for Oct 20-30 which gave us the opportunity for free dining. (It also showed that was available online when I looked.) She then went in and shortened the days to the 26th and the computer let her keep the free dining. Old ressie cancelled. Deposit transferred. BAM! $800 savings! We're good to go now! Thanks, Darlene!!

Sweet!!!!!

 

[HBGdancermom]

No way?! We will be at the party too that night...DS's 5th birthday 10/21!!!

Us too!!!

 

[Kat016]

My DD14 wanted to be a marine biologist too....UNTIL she learned that's it's not diving or swimming with dolphins and sea turtles...that its taking water samples and dissecting dead animals that have washed ashore.....

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Yeah she'd probably hate that part too. I think she's settled on a veterinarian at this point. We told her when she's old enough to try and get a job at a local zoo or veterinarian office. Even if its volunteering its experience for her. She can't wait.

 

[HBGdancermom]

OMG.....I called back and I HAVE FREE DINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting the Oct 30 trick!



I talked to CM Cynthia and she was shocked that it worked too. She didn't even have to make a new reservation - she just changed my existing package reservation from an Oct 26 checkout date to an Oct 30 checkout date and it gave me FD. Then she changed the checkout date back to Oct 26. Wah-Lah! Free Dining for our entire stay! She said she was going to have to try that with everyone that calls in.

I hope this isn't some weird glitch and Disney takes away my FD!

My reservation on My Disney Experience doesn't show FD and I forget to ask if I'd get an e-mail confirmation. Back to the phones!

Yeah!!!!

 

[chester629]

Us too!!!

Sweet! This dessert party is gonna be a DIS convention!

 

[Nechville]

Yeah!!!!

Dang it! I feel stuck! I really want to send all these posts to my TA and ask her to at least try it for me. I already feel like I have bothered her a lot. And then if she would go to the trouble and we'd end up cancelling the extra day anyway, I'd feel really bad. I guess this teaches me to maybe do my own bookings next time.

 

[plutospalforever]

OMG.....I called back and I HAVE FREE DINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting the Oct 30 trick!



I talked to CM Cynthia and she was shocked that it worked too. She didn't even have to make a new reservation - she just changed my existing package reservation from an Oct 26 checkout date to an Oct 30 checkout date and it gave me FD. Then she changed the checkout date back to Oct 26. Wah-Lah! Free Dining for our entire stay! She said she was going to have to try that with everyone that calls in.

I hope this isn't some weird glitch and Disney takes away my FD!

My reservation on My Disney Experience doesn't show FD and I forget to ask if I'd get an e-mail confirmation. Back to the phones!

ETA: Just talked to Timothy and he confirmed that I do have FD....said I'd get an email tomorrow but he went ahead and manually sent one today - I should have it in a couple of hours. WooHoo!