Free Dining Plan

[PrincessPaczki]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for free dining!

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I was told by my AAA agent that they could modify our existing reservation if free dining comes out. Is that not true? I really want the room I have booked already(WL woods view) and would hate to lose it in order to get the DDP for free(I would, of course but wouldn't like it). IF what the agent told me is correct AND you want a certain resort/room category then it is in your best interest to book and then modify. Right? Somebody feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong because I want the right info. Thanks.

It is true... We did it last year.

 

[annieb727]

It is true... We did it last year.

well that's good to know - that's what I was trying to find out. I know you can't get BOTH discounts, but I was hoping it would be ok to modify my reservations so if free dining came out, I could get it INSTEAD of the normal 20% room discount - since that's a bigger savings as we're staying at a Value Resort.

 

[thunderbird1]

I was told by my AAA agent that they could modify our existing reservation if free dining comes out. Is that not true? I really want the room I have booked already(WL woods view) and would hate to lose it in order to get the DDP for free(I would, of course but wouldn't like it). IF what the agent told me is correct AND you want a certain resort/room category then it is in your best interest to book and then modify. Right? Somebody feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong because I want the right info. Thanks.

Yes and no. It's all based on availability. They only set aside a certain number of various room types for free DDP, so it's possible when you call your specific room type could already be sold out for the free DDP promotion. Last year, people reported having to change room types or even resorts in order to get the free DDP.

In your case, it sounds like you're going regardless of whether the free DDP promotion is offered again, and you understand that you may have to change rooms if it is offered again and you want to take advantage of it. Because of that, I would agree with your agent that you are better off booking now and changing to free DDP if/when it's offered. If you have to change rooms, that's a decision you can make down the line. In the meantime, you have the room you really want.

 

[bicker]

It is true that having an existing reservation provides you no advantage with regard to getting free dining if and when it is offered, so unless you're going to use your reservation regardless of whether you get free dining, there is no sense in booking it until free dining is offered.

I was told by my AAA agent that they could modify our existing reservation if free dining comes out. Is that not true?

No, that's true. It simply provides you no advantage with regard to getting free dining if and when it is offered.

I really want the room I have booked already(WL woods view) and would hate to lose it in order to get the DDP for free(I would, of course but wouldn't like it).

If and when free dining is offered, you could "switch" to free dining if-and-only-if someone who doesn't have that type of room at that resort "booked already", calling at the same time as you, could get free dining for that type of room at that resort. Does that help make it clearer?

IF what the agent told me is correct AND you want a certain resort/room category then it is in your best interest to book and then modify. Right?

Only if you'd keep the reservation even if free dining isn't offered (for that type of room at that resort).

 

[pperfectmom]

I'm still kind of confused(the story of my life). If all the wood's view rooms are booked at WL for that time, would they still, theorhetically, make certain rooms available for the free DDP? Does what I'm asking make sense?

 

[bicker]

If all the woods view rooms are already booked before free dining is announced, then you won't be able to get free dining in a woods view room. Special offerings are generally made available for rooms that are currently available at the time the offering is made.

 

[thunderbird1]

I'm still kind of confused(the story of my life). If all the wood's view rooms are booked at WL for that time, would they still, theorhetically, make certain rooms available for the free DDP? Does what I'm asking make sense?

I think so? Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I don't know exactly how they decide how many rooms at each resort will have free dining; if they say X number can have free dining, X percentage of rooms can have it or if they base it on current reservation levels.

In the unlikely event that every single woods view room is booked when (if) free dining is announced, I'm sure some of the remaining available rooms will be allowed free dining. You'd just have to decide which is more important to you--woods view or free dining. And even if you couldn't get both on the first day, you could keep calling back and checking later--lots of folks drop out at the 45 day cancellation mark.

 

[laceemouse]

If all the woods view rooms are already booked before free dining is announced, then you won't be able to get free dining in a woods view room. Special offerings are generally made available for rooms that are currently available at the time the offering is made.

What other views are there at WL? We have stayed at VWL and honestly I can't imagine there are very many rooms that don't view the woods? Maybe from a few you can see the parking lot on the other side of the trees??

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

The nurse at my doctor's office told me today that when they just booked their Aug. 18th vacation with the DDP for $4500, the CRO rep told her to check this spring for free DDP (claiming it was definitely being offered) and their price would change to $2800 (This was for 7 people, 2 rooms at ASMo, 7 day base tickets).

My Best friend just booked a long weekend in May and was talking to the CM and mentioned that she is going back in Sept....and the CM said it is going to be offered. I *so hope so

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

OK.... I have a question!

How do you think the best way to find out once they do offer whatever it is that they will offer (free dining or extra discount) Should I check on here (I do daily anyways) or should I start calling WDW daily in April to see if they are offering up anything??? What do all you fellow Dis'ers think?

 

[pperfectmom]

If all the woods view rooms are already booked before free dining is announced, then you won't be able to get free dining in a woods view room. Special offerings are generally made available for rooms that are currently available at the time the offering is made.

Waaaa! Thanks for the answer but it was NOT the answer I wanted. I'm just afraid WL is so popular there won't be any rooms available if they offer the free DDP. We are stretching funds as much as possible as is so I guess I'd have to find another place to take advantage.

 

[bicker]

What other views are there at WL?

I believe there are three categories: Standard, Woods and Courtyard.

 

[thunderbird1]

OK.... I have a question!

How do you think the best way to find out once they do offer whatever it is that they will offer (free dining or extra discount) Should I check on here (I do daily anyways) or should I start calling WDW daily in April to see if they are offering up anything??? What do all you fellow Dis'ers think?

I have no doubt that the moment a free dining promotion is made available to the general public it will be posted here on the DIS. I wouldn't waste time calling WDW, since CRO is (by their own admission) usually the last to know. I'm sure other sites, such as allearsnet and mousesavers will also be on top of things.

 

[fAnnF]

I booked with the 40% off code for room only, but will change if Free DDP is offered. as it will save me $700. and I'll use my ticket to renew my AP.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

OK I called Disney last night to make a change on our reservation (we added a day) so I asked the girl that if free dining comes out, did we have to make a new reservation and she said "no, we can just change this one so you don't lose the room"

 

[bearette]

When they have the free dinning plan when is it good for? Also how many days do you have to stay to get it? I know you only have to have a one day ticket per person, but what are the minimum hoel requirements? We might be going to a wedding out that way in May would the plan be offer then? Thx!

 

[DznyLvr2005]

When they have the free dinning plan when is it good for? Also how many days do you have to stay to get it? I know you only have to have a one day ticket per person, but what are the minimum hoel requirements? We might be going to a wedding out that way in May would the plan be offer then? Thx!

Free dining is usually end of august, and all of September. I'm not sure about hotel requirements... But for example,
Free dining was over end of septmeber, we had a trip booked Sept 29th - October 5th.... We got free dining the whole time since we booked 2 days before it was over. Free dining is amazing and unvelievable.
You have to have the package in order to get free dining.
If you do not have the package, I think you can buy a one ticket with dining and somehow get it the whole time.. Not sure, but my sister has an annual pass and was able to get free dining somehow, I'll have to ask her again what the deal was with that.

 

[Mariposa]

OK I called Disney last night to make a change on our reservation (we added a day) so I asked the girl that if free dining comes out, did we have to make a new reservation and she said "no, we can just change this one so you don't lose the room"

Which is completely true, as long as there is free dining availability in the room category when you call to switch over. It doesn't automatically switch and you're not guaranteed to be able to get free dining with the room.

Places like the Wilderness Lodge (which doesn't usually have problems filling rooms) will most likely not only have less rooms with free dining available than, say, Pop Century, but also a lower overall percentage of rooms with free dining available than Pop since they usually have no issues filling beds there (at the WL).

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Maybe this is just me, but I tend to think they might not do Free Dining the same this year as they have the past 2 years. People who got the 40% off code are being allowed to book dining plan with the room discount, which is completely different than what Disney has done before. Some folks are saying the room discount is saving them MORE than they would have saved with Free Dining. So we shall see.

We booked for August on the Bounce Back in December, so for the first time we are actually getting to use free dining. We went in October of '05 and August of '06 but missed free dining both times because we couldn't change our dates.

Good luck to all of those who are waiting! I hope something becomes available - either free dining or a great room discount for everyone!