Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!

[Javin917]

Quick question on ADRs. We just booked airfare for an October trip but are following the advice to hold off on making the reservation. Can I still make ADRs now and just link them when we do make the room reservation with (fingers crossed!) free dining??

 

[babydoll65]

Quick question on ADRs. We just booked airfare for an October trip but are following the advice to hold off on making the reservation. Can I still make ADRs now and just link them when we do make the room reservation with (fingers crossed!) free dining??

Yes, you can make your adrs now then link them once you fd ress is confirmed.

 

[smitch425]

Do room only discounts usually mirror the free dining discount times or are they usually different dates?

My week in Dec doesn't have free dining but I'm holding out hope for a little pre trip magic.

Not usually the same dates. Hopefully the room discount will cover you. I really hope the people traveling after Thanksgiving can get something. There are so many disappointed people this year. Good luck!

 

[Javin917]

Great! Thank you!

 

[ALD85]

I can't wait till the 29th. This thread is taking over my life!!! Haha

 

[Sylkie31]

We have already booked (were going no matter if free dining was released or not) through a travel agent at POR in a River View room from 11/11 to 11/17. We have a request put in for a mansion building. Our $200 deposit was made in February.

So I'm thrilled our dates are in the free dining period. Even if altering our booking means the ticket prices increase, I figure we're still saving around $700 or so (family of 3, child under 9) with the promotion.

I have a question, though. We have a Disney Visa and can our travel agent use the number to change things? Do we need to make a 2nd deposit? We don't have our reservation number, as our TA hasn't released it (agency policy) and doesn't prior to full payment.

Your TA will need to call to have the FD discount applied to your account. If you have already made a deposit with your DV card, you shouldn't have to make another deposit. We didn't have to when we had FD applied to our ressie in May. However, if you haven't used your DV card for a deposit/payment, then yes, you'll need to pay a $200 deposit using your DV card to take advantage of the early headstart for DV card holders.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I can't wait till the 29th. This thread is taking over my life!!! Haha

Mine too! I went and upgraded my debit card to the Disney Visa debit card in hopes of booking it earlier than the general public!

 

[AwayWeGo]

Hi AwayWeGo
Maybe you already tired this. Have you called and spoke w/a CM and explained that last time you went to MK you went w/your folks. And for some reason, his name is on your email. You have a PIN code cuz it came to your email but w/his name so how would you be able to apply this to your current reservation? Be real postive that it's your PIN number but somehow your dads name ended up on your email.

Good Luck.

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

 

[smitch425]

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

FANTASTIC! Soooo happy for you!

 

[Traceylee]

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

AWESOME!! I've been following your posts. So glad it all worked out for you.

 

[magictam2]

Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

WONDERFUL! I am so happy pixie dust came your way! I hope you family can join you too. Maybe we'll run into each other. I also had booked POFQ and when I was able to take advantage of FD, I moved to CBR too. I think we're going the same week

 

[HBGdancermom]

Upgrading to deluxe, These are my ADR's and I didnt want to worry about paying for any food.

November 10, 2013- Magic Kingdom
Dinner- Cinderella's Castle



November 11, 2013- Hollywood Studios
Dinner- Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Package



November 12, 2013- Animal Kingdom
Breakfast- Tusker House



November 13, 2013- Magic Kingdom
Breakfast- Ohana's


Dinner- 1900 Park Fare



November 14- Epcot
Breakfast- Chef Mickey


Dinner- Garden Grill



November 15, 2013- Magic Kingdom
Breakfast- Crystal Palace

Dinner- Be our Guest

You have some really good ADRs!! I would definitely keep trying to move CRT to sometime during the FD period of your trip. One thing I found on these threads that was so helpful for me was a link to a youtube with a disney dining plan calculator that these folks have put together. I play with it all the time and if I was computer savvy I could link it here.....but I'm not. If you go under the dining plan forums and search dining plan calculator the thread pops up. I think it is called DP or OOP. It might help you figure out if the deluxe is the best plan for you. I think the difference between the QS (which you might get free) and the Deluxe for you and the 3 girls is something around $115 more per day.

As for us, I am shooting for the RO dcst and just going to put the amount for food on a disney gift card so it is still essentially paid for before we go.

Hope that helps!!

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Hey smitch,

Since you are the one that told me about the Disney Debit card being valid, can you tell me if it is the same promo code as the debit card?

 

[black562]

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

Oh wow how perfect. I'm so glad this all worked out. Now you will finally have a happy nights sleep.

And all the great folks on this thread have been so helpful to everyone. That's what makes this place so great!!!!

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Your TA will need to call to have the FD discount applied to your account. If you have already made a deposit with your DV card, you shouldn't have to make another deposit. We didn't have to when we had FD applied to our ressie in May. However, if you haven't used your DV card for a deposit/payment, then yes, you'll need to pay a $200 deposit using your DV card to take advantage of the early headstart for DV card holders.

I used another card for initial down payment, but have since paid 700 towards trip on Disney visa. Our travel agent told me the entire balance has to be paid on Disney visa to get the discount....which is accurate????

 

[HBGdancermom]

Hi! AwayWeGo,
Totally agree with all the others. Does your dad have the same address as you??? If he does, it would be even easier to have PIN applied. Definitely call and don't be satisfied with the first "no." Wish you all the best and I hope everything works out. Sending prayers and Pixie Dust your way!!!!

I think this is a very good idea!!!

 

[MinnieMommy]

So night #2 of tossing and turning and trying to figure out how to make this work.
We know our travel dates cannot change due to the plane tickets being bought.
During the night, as I am in and out of consciousness I come up with a plan. I lie there trying to count our dates on my fingers and keep forgetting what number and date I'm on, lol. So, when the alarm goes off this morning I remember my idea.
The last day of free dining before we are scheduled to get there would be Nov 23rd.
Here's what I'm thinking. Book a room for the last day FD is offered and the room will just be empty until we can get there. Then, once we arrive we "switch" to resorts and go on with our planned vacation. It would be 14 days total so even though we would be at our max day for FD, it would cover us. (I know it's dirty and the wrong way to do this and I would be taking up someone's spot for their vacation. I'm just trying to figure out a way not to cancel our trip that we have already bought plane tickets for. I normally wouldn't do this, but I'm thinking the "last resort" "out of options" plan here.)
All Star check in on Nov 23-Nov 28 Room Only
Then POFQ Nov 30-Dec 7 with our 6 day base tickets...no dining purchased because we would qualify for free dining.
I'm thinking that paying for the room for a week is $900. We are spending $1643 for dining right now, so by renting a room for a week before we arrive we would spend less money. (Even though I don't know where the $900 is going to come from yet.)
I called Disney and asked my question: Do I have to be present to check in or can I just rent the room and no one be there. (Worth a shot, right?)
Nope. You have to be present or its considered a no-show. So that round about way isn't going to work in case anyone else may have thought about doing that.
However, the CM said that I should watch because there will be "something" to come out when the free dining dates come out. Maybe room discount or older kids paying child price, something called kids play free?? She said some of those come to just about the same price as the FD! I told her that I believed that our dates were not going to be included on free dining. She said she would be surprised if they weren't, and that's when she told me about the different discounts that Disney can do.
I don't know if she could see anything, but she told me not to worry. I have called and called trying to luck up with some pixie dust, and just about every time I speak with a CM they tell me not to worry and to check back 1st of August. It makes me think they may know or see something...or they are just trying to get me off of the phone before I start crying, lol.
Maybe they won't forget about the after Thanksgiving/1st week of Dec people.

edit: (forgot to add)
Also, she said she was "pretty sure that all Free Dining PINS have been sent out by now".

Perhaps I'm mis-reading, but are you suggesting a split stay and "carrying-over" the free dining from the first resort to the second resort?
Your dining credits for the first resort would end at midnight of your check-out day from your first resort.
If your second resort check-in day is not included in free dining, you would not get it as it is treated as a separate reservation altogether.
If I misunderstood your post, I apologize in advance.

 

[4CanadianMice]

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

I am so very happy for you ... prayers paid off. YAHOO!

Hope others (myself included) get some pixie dust for the first week of December. You have given me hope so thank you for that.

 

[uetzb]

Awesome!!! Always great to see everyone throw around their ideas to try to help someone make their trip happen and have it work out.

You're going to enjoy your trip that much more after the stress you've gone through to make it happen.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

I had called about the PIN a while back, but I started the conversation off with, "Can I use this even though it's in my dad's name?" With that no I just dismissed the whole idea. I wouldn't even had thought to look to see if I still had the email today if I hadn't been looking for the new PIN he received the other day. I was looking at it for the details to post for here for black562. I cannot thank ya'll enough because...
I just had the most magical conversation with a cm I could have had! I was on the phone for an hour and it was like talking to an old friend. I gave him the PIN and I could tell he was seeing something "off". He asked if I was sure I had called out the right PIN. I read them off again and he said, that works!
Now, the POFQ was booked for the FD promo, but I was able to switch to CBR and get a pirate room for almost the exact same price!!!

I wasn't going to tell my dad that I needed him to go. I was going to make his package deal sound as sweet as possible and then let him decide without feeling like he had to go in order for me to go. (Make sense?) My husband said we would still save money if we paid for part of their vacation and they went vs just paying for our dining. So I looked it up and they can go for $1,069 if my sister and her bf go and split the room. (5 nights) So, I'm still going to let them know and hope that we can all go together as a great big ole happy family. I know they want to go; I think they just don't know what to expect in price so they don't look into it.

I am hoping that more people here can talk to a cm like I did, because he honestly tried so hard and seemed so tickled for me. He made my day, week, month, CHRISTMAS! Now I get to tell the hubby when he gets home and the best part is...I am more grateful for what I have.

Been following your posts an crossing my fingers.
So happy this worked out for you!