Free Dining Plan

[mema4]

When the dining plan was offered last summer for free - if you already were booked with a package that included the dining plan - were you able to then get that dining plan for free. I thought I remembered that if you had a package booked without the dining plan then you could add it for free BUT if you had a package booked with the dining plan then you had to pay for it - you couldn't then get it for free. Thanks

 

[Fast Pass]

There were several ways people did the free dining.
We were already booked with dining so we had to cancel our reservation and make a new reservation.
Some people all they had to do was add the free dining to an existing reservation.
Other people had to add on additional nights to get the free dining(I believe you had to stay 3 nights and have at least a one day park ticket)
It seemed to be more of a case of which CM you talked to how you actually got it.

 

[momandseandodisney]

Does anyone REALLY think they will do this again this year?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I had a room only. I had to cancel it and do a whole new reservation.
The packages carried a 45 day clause in them where it cost $200 to cancel. If you were to book one and then the announcement came say 30 days out, you're stuck.
There's no penalty for cancelling a room only until about a week out and any deals would come out long before then. Also, a room only can be turned into a package (at full price) pretty much any time you want.
So I book room only through Disney at the AAA rate, then wait. if a deal comes out on a package, I then go book it through my AAA agent. If not, I either keep the room only or go pay for a AAA package.

Last year, you could book the offer starting early June. I haven't heard if they're behind their target booking or not for August-October. Maybe if the News hypes the hurricane season again, Disney will make the offer again. Recall last year the news networks were hyping it months before it even began. But so far, the news hasn't really been interested.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Does anyone REALLY think they will do this again this year?

I doubt it. Here's my thinking as to why.

1. The news isn't hyping the hurricane season nearly as much as they did last year. So I don't expect their Booking percentage to be hurt as badly as it was last year.
2. Disney wanted to promote the plan. Ever since, business on the plan has been rather brisk. So if they do make an offer, it might take a different form.

 

[mema4]

Thank you for all your answers - this really helps.

 

[momandseandodisney]

I doubt it. Here's my thinking as to why.

1. The news isn't hyping the hurricane season nearly as much as they did last year. So I don't expect their Booking percentage to be hurt as badly as it was last year.
2. Disney wanted to promote the plan. Ever since, business on the plan has been rather brisk. So if they do make an offer, it might take a different form.

THANK IS EXACTLY WHAT I THINK TOO!

now a bit off topic but if i reserve a room and later (before arriving ) have to change the dates around a bit, would there be any penalities?

 

[RuthLS]

THANK IS EXACTLY WHAT I THINK TOO!

now a bit off topic but if i reserve a room and later (before arriving ) have to change the dates around a bit, would there be any penalities?

My understanding with room only ressies, is that if you are more than 5 days away from your trip you can cancel or make changes without penalty.

Ruth

 

[Miniefan]

I just booked all my dining and was on the phone with the girl for over an hour making all the res. and dining and everything else, we spoke briefly about last year when they offered the dining plan for free, she said since the dining plan had just been introduced, they were trying to get guests accustomed to what it was all about. In other words giving it to them free for a while to increase bookings and crowd levels during hurricane season, and get them hooked on having everything done as far as dining goes so next trip you realize you wouldn't travel without it.

As far as the cancellation policy with room only..... You will get all of your deposit back as long as you cancel within 5 days of your arrival.

Kim

 

[Lewisc]

It was like any other discount, if there were free dining rooms available at your resort for your dates you could swith your reservation even if you had dining.

The free dining program was extremely generous. A family of 4 got free dining that could have been worth $140, 2 adults and 2 junoirs. The value of the dining is more than the cost of the room in a value resort and probably even a moderate.

I think a free dining program, if offered, will be more limited. Maybe a BOGO, pay for one get one free. Maybe a requirement that the tickets purchased have to equal the number of nights on your reservation.

THE QUESTION ISN'T REALLY ABOUT FREE DINING it's more about what kind of discounts can we expect and I don't see discounts that high.

It is speculated that Disney may start charging for DME in 2007. I can certainly see free DME promotions in the future.