Free dining predicament- what would you do?

[amsafko]

We are currently booked for Aug. 23rd through the 31st. I know I'd need to check in on the 24th to get FD so I'd need two reservations. What would you do? How time consuming would it be to alter the reservation Monday morning? Should I just rebook now with 1 night on the 23rd then the remainder on a different reservation? I'm scared that in the time it would take to rebook on Monday we might miss the chance to get one of the fd rooms available. We are driving through the night of the 22nd and getting there late afternoon on the 23rd. Wanted to be able to do a full day on the 24th instead of getting there on the 24th and not really being able to take advantage of that day. What special things should I need to consider? Not having a ticket for the night of the 23rd is not a huge deal - we're staying at the Poly, kids will probably just explore and swim anyway. Thanks, any help would be so appreciated.

Amy

 

[The Brain]

I'm not 100% sure yet that you'll have to check in Aug. 24th to get it.

No one knows yet.

 

[dclfun]

If the posted information is correct, then I'd ignore your original ressie to start with and book another one starting on Aug. 24th with the FD promo. Then mention your existing ressie and ask to have it shortened to one day/room only and have it tied to the new ressie ( assuming you're at the same resort ). Sometimes it's impossible to book just one day however usually if you've booked a longer stay it can be shortened, hence don't cancel your original ressie and then ask for a one day ressie without being sure it's available. Things will be crazy on Day One as they were in the past and then the dust will settle. Best not to lose anything in the process that you already have and then find you can't get that one extra day. You will have to go the front desk to get new room keys on Aug. 24th but it will be well worth it to get the FD savings. I'd try to take care of everything in one phone call so all your ducks are in a row- and good luck!.---Kathy

 

[Cheroot]

Is there a way to get the FD for the 24th & 25th? I will have the pkg w/6 day hoppers.
(magic your way w/o dining)

 

[amsafko]

Thanks!

 

[kmk1180]

where do any of you see dates with the free dining plan?
I didn't think they were announced yet.

 

[Cheroot]

where do any of you see dates with the free dining plan?
I didn't think they were announced yet.

It's in the codes & rates forum, and technically not official yet.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We are currently booked for Aug. 23rd through the 31st.
Amy

We are in the same situation only flying in on the 23rd so I can't change that. I am debating on doing the room only for the 23rd (we weren't going to any parks that day anyhow) and then having free dining from the 24th thru the 1st. But we have deluxe dining so I would only do it if we can pay the difference for the upgrade. We are staying at POP and really don't want to upgrade to a moderate as that would pretty much wash out any savings anyhow. I am torn between waiting to change the reservation on Thursday (no VISA card) or make the date changes now and hoping there will still be availability at POP.

Planning a Disney trip should not be this stressful!

 

[amsafko]

Okay, I'm the OP. I called today to get the prices if we did one night room only on the 23rd and then a separate reservation for the 24th through the 31st that would have the tickets and meal plan. He had no problem with the one night room only. We are arriving late on the 23rd and would likely stay at the hotel and swim/maybe see the water parade. Would it be wise just to do this now rather than wait since he said it could be done?

Thanks!

 

[disneymomjcs]

We did this two years ago.

We checked into our room only reservation. The next day we went to the front desk to recheck-in and we stayed in our same room but got our new cards w/ dining. Our reservation was somehow linked. Good luck.