Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!

[KPaul]

On behalf of the TA's out there, I need to chime in. I am using a AAA travel agent for our November 11-17 trip, and she's awesome. She actually called me the day before our 180 day mark to remind me that our ADRs opened the next day and to ask me if I wanted her to make the reservations for us.

I declined and took care of the ressies myself, but I was so impressed with her for being on top of it and proactively calling me.

I guess, like in most things, some TAs are better than others, and you just have to look around to find a good one.

 

[FrugalFashionista]

Yeah I don't like having to always wonder if someone else is actually calling and making the right changes. I've always enjoyed the booking of hotels and dining to be an exciting part of my vacation experience.

I love doing the research so I'm doing it al anyways. And I'm sure she will be calling for other families so I'm hoping I still get what we are wanting!

 

[plutospalforever]

As usual, I have to chime in about TA's, so bear with me. I have a super duper one and I know they vary greatly, so don't let a bad experience spoil it for you. Sure all TA's can book WDW, but for starters, a Disney Authorized Vacation Planner will know all the in's and out's and be totally aware of things like what we are discussing here on this thread; in fact, that is a good "test" question. It they laugh at you or tell you they have no idea what you're talking about, then keep looking. Another test question: "If a promo became available, what time would you be able to call?" If the answer is anything after 7 am, keep looking.

TA's can be as involved or as uninvolved as you like. I do all my planning and make all my ADR's. I have a TA because I could never call from work to book when a promo came out, or guarantee that I would not be on a school field trip, taking kids to school, or have appointments, etc. She is my wing man! And in fact this year, as another TA perk, we tagged team on CRT and BOG and we both ended up scoring, so I kept the best times and canceled the rest.

Not all TA's are created equal, just have to keep looking till you find a GREAT one!!!

Thought of something else: I was looking into a Disney Cruise for April, and she was able to find prices and dates that I could not doing my own search. That is another perk, sometimes they can score rooms, deals, etc. that can not be found on a typical search.

 

[plutospalforever]

On behalf of the TA's out there, I need to chime in. I am using a AAA travel agent for our November 11-17 trip, and she's awesome. She actually called me the day before our 180 day mark to remind me that our ADRs opened the next day and to ask me if I wanted her to make the reservations for us.

I declined and took care of the ressies myself, but I was so impressed with her for being on top of it and proactively calling me.

I guess, like in most things, some TAs are better than others, and you just have to look around to find a good one.

I think we are on the same wave length! I just noticed yours after I posted. Have a magical trip!!!

 

[mrsranger2131]

How many of you booked the first week of December expecting free dining ( like I did ) and are now:

A: Planning on changing to a free dining date when officially released.

B: Have already changed to a rumored date.

C: Just keep the first week in December and dine out of pocket.

D: Just keep the first week of December with dining and hope for a RO deal.

E: Cancel the trip altogether.

F: Other

I didn't mean for this to be so long but the options just kept coming to mind.

I am leaning toward D

I have never replied on here. Long time reader. Soooo disappointed. Was totally planning on the first week on December. Due to my work requirements (I have to work holidays) and kids school schedules it was the best week to go and see all the Christmas stuff (I totally want to see the Candelight Processional). Went last fall, husband's favorite thing was the dining. With our family size can't afford to do dining unless it is free. So, I called today and canceled everything I had booked. I had booked room and tickets back in May hoping when Free dining came out I would not have to pay the increase in price. Guess I should have just left it . . . I told the CM that maybe if enough people cancel that week Disney will change their mind and add it back into the deal. Maybe not, but you never know.

 

[houstonmama]

I have never replied on here. Long time reader. Soooo disappointed. Was totally planning on the first week on December. Due to my work requirements (I have to work holidays) and kids school schedules it was the best week to go and see all the Christmas stuff (I totally want to see the Candelight Processional). Went last fall, husband's favorite thing was the dining. With our family size can't afford to do dining unless it is free. So, I called today and canceled everything I had booked. I had booked room and tickets back in May hoping when Free dining came out I would not have to pay the increase in price. Guess I should have just left it . . . I told the CM that maybe if enough people cancel that week Disney will change their mind and add it back into the deal. Maybe not, but you never know.

What resort did you book? I'm not a disney expert but I wouldn't of cancelled it. You might be able to get a RO discount. I know it's not as good as FD (if you're staying MOD or Value) but its still a discount.

I would call back and rebook. What do others think?

 

[smitch425]

What resort did you book? I'm not a disney expert but I wouldn't of cancelled it. You might be able to get a RO discount. I know it's not as good as FD (if you're staying MOD or Value) but its still a discount.

I would call back and rebook. What do others think?

I wouldn't have cancelled it, either, BUT I would not rebook until the deal comes out and different packages could be compared to see what would fit into the given budget.

 

[kddisney502]

Does anyone know when POP Warner is going on? If it falls during the first week of December then that is probably the reason for no discounts.

Okay so I just googled it: 12/7-12/14 is POP Warner.

If these rumors are correct FD starts on 12-12, so those arriving later that week may be able to take advantage. We are arriving that week and are now considering a split stay for FD.

 

[camgenemmysmom]

Subscribing!

 

[houstonmama]

I wouldn't have cancelled it, either, BUT I would not rebook until the deal comes out and different packages could be compared to see what would fit into the given budget.

Ya good idea Whats your guess at why they dropped that first week?

 

[theallens]

This may have already been asked - but its a lot to read through...I've got reservations already booked for Nov 11-15 at a value and purchasing the regular dining plan - however, with FD becoming available during my dates - I want to upgrade to Port Orleans - should I go ahead and have my TA cancel my current reservation and rebook me at Port Orleans and hope the FD comes through- or do I have to wait and have her do this the day it becomes available to the public?

 

[mrsranger2131]

What resort did you book? I'm not a disney expert but I wouldn't of cancelled it. You might be able to get a RO discount. I know it's not as good as FD (if you're staying MOD or Value) but its still a discount.

I would call back and rebook. What do others think?

Was booked for POR. Sorry, but it would have to be a REALLY good RO discount to make up for free dining, and that is the only way DH agrees to go with me. Might be able to do the week before Chritsmas, but DD starting middle school so not sure how that works (do they have mid-terms yet or what) About to e-mail a teacher friend of mind to find out.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Just called Disney to check to see if I had any pins that I didn't know about. I did not have any so I told the cm that I was going to wait maybe another month to make reservations for Nov. just incase any specials came out. She was very nice and told me to definitely call back the first week of Aug!

 

[kbsparks]

How many of you booked the first week of December expecting free dining ( like I did ) and are now:

A: Planning on changing to a free dining date when officially released.

B: Have already changed to a rumored date.

C: Just keep the first week in December and dine out of pocket.

D: Just keep the first week of December with dining and hope for a RO deal.

E: Cancel the trip altogether.

F: Other

I didn't mean for this to be so long but the options just kept coming to mind.

I am leaning toward D

A. With three boys free dining is a must.

Just an observation - I think we're seeing the effect of "booked and hoping for free dining". This debate comes up occasionally. If you book a room, then Disney won't need to give discounts, the resorts are booked enough already. Alternately, there may not be enough rooms booked to matter in the overall scheme of things.

Also, I have gotten the Disney Visa offer on the release day just by calling for it, even though I don't have a Disney Visa. The fact that I knew about it was good enough for the CM. I don't know if that still works.

Well we booked hoping for FD sure but also because we are a family of 5 of options are so limited with resorts. Also, that was the best week for our family school wise. Now we have to reconsider because we have three boys. They eat a lot.

 

[plutospalforever]

This may have already been asked - but its a lot to read through...I've got reservations already booked for Nov 11-15 at a value and purchasing the regular dining plan - however, with FD becoming available during my dates - I want to upgrade to Port Orleans - should I go ahead and have my TA cancel my current reservation and rebook me at Port Orleans and hope the FD comes through- or do I have to wait and have her do this the day it becomes available to the public?

You don't HAVE to wait, but there is no advantage to changing ressies right now. I would just wait and have her call first thing in the morning. I would also give her back up room categories as well as back up resorts. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[houstonmama]

Was booked for POR. Sorry, but it would have to be a REALLY good RO discount to make up for free dining, and that is the only way DH agrees to go with me. Might be able to do the week before Chritsmas, but DD starting middle school so not sure how that works (do they have mid-terms yet or what) About to e-mail a teacher friend of mind to find out.

Hopefully things will fall into place and you can rebook!

 

[mrsranger2131]

A. With three boys free dining is a must.



Well we booked hoping for FD sure but also because we are a family of 5 of options are so limited with resorts. Also, that was the best week for our family school wise. Now we have to reconsider because we have three boys. They eat a lot.

So true! We are a family of 5 too!

 

[mrsranger2131]

Hopefully things will fall into place and you can rebook!

Thanks! Ya'll are all so sweet on here! It is so nice to see all the encouragement for each other!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Holy flip, I am darn sure glad I read this thread.

With the dates chaning to cover up until 11/2, all we have to do is add 1 night to the start of our trip to get free dining.

I have booked 11/3-11/10, not knowing it was Jersey week and killing my chances of getting F/D, but if these dates are correct, we can still squeak in.

I was super duper worried about having to end up telling DH we would have to change dates, and there being nothing avaliable at POR.

 

[SparklyDiva]

I am using a AAA TA for our upcoming trip. I might be totally off base or like I said, brain fried, but when I saw this info posted on Monday I emailed my TA.

She got back to me but told me: "Unfortunately the resort is sold out of all rooms. I cannot add promotions to a sold out resort." (We are staying at the Contemporary)

Can someone help me understand what she means - I've asked her to clarify and because I'm at work I can't call her and her work hours are exactly like mine so right at 5 pm she's gone.

The way I understood this latest promotion and from what I've read here is that we'd need 2 separate reservations - one for September 28 and pay for food OOP and then another ressie for September 29-October 5 and only be able to utilize FD until October 2. But free is free and since we already have our reservation why can't she call on August 1 and add the FD? Can I call or because I went through AAA it would cancel out whatever discount I received by using them?