Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1

[Magoobear]

Made my reservation to Allstar Movies last week and Travel Agent contacted me at 7:05 am this morning he got Free Dining Plan added. Can't wait, but that would mean summer is over.

See whomever in September 13th -20 from Michigan

January-2006 Caribbean
September-2006 Pop Century

 

[lsutiggergirl]

We have a GG going in september so I called the GG line to re-book some members of our group who didn't have the free dining pin. I got right through! So if you have a GG, I would call them direct!

 

[LMCT88]

Congrats all. I just have a question how do you figure out how much you are saving, when I do it I find I have spent more (I originally had booked room with a 40% off code for Sept 6-13 I still was going to have to pay for passes (for only 6 days as we have other plans, and the passes saw them on a site mousesavers were 274.00 a piece). So when I did the math my hotel was 548.00 (Pop Century) and the passes where 548 that total would be 1006, that way but when I booked with free dining same exact things it's 1355 (anyone know what I am missing I am thinking I am not calculating food cost in my first quote). Thanks inadvance.

 

[SassyCat]

Hi, I have a quick question about the free dining - DH and I are going to WDW at the end of sept for the expedition everest challenge. We were able to use the special marathon price for AKL, does that mean we will not be able to have the free dining? I'm guessing that is probably so, but I was hoping someone might know for sure. Thanks!

 

[meljw1960]

Can I ask....why is POP so popular

Just reading though what everyone booked, POP seems to be the most booked. Also how big is POP b/c it looks like everyone will be there

I was noticing that too, but it looks like most of you disers will be going in sept, mine is Aug 25 - sept 1, and I haven't heard back from my TA yet, but I know she's good and will take care of it for me. I've tried to stay at POP for the last 3 yrs and keep getting moved, or upgraded as the case may be. we really want to be at POP this year.

 

[Albertan mom]

I slept in, called 5 hours after they opened, and just got in to Pop!!

August 19th-29th, preferred room, 7 day hopper with water parks option, free dining!
Yay!!

Now to convince hubby and save money....

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

FINALLY!!!

4 CMs later... we have FD Sept 16-30 ASMo!

Its always hard for us because we need a super sweep of the room (ALL new linens including comforter, carpet shampoo, new air filter and new pillows) because of DD's very very severe allergies. Last time we went they used febreeze in the room and she sneezed and sneezed for the first 3 days non-stop. Poor thing

So we finally got it all down pat and we are IN, thank you Lord!!!

And how strange is this... the woman who answered the phone, named Angelina, was the same CM who helped me this morning on Live Chat figuring out how to upgrade from a ten day ticket to an annual pass. I asked, do you do the live chat, too? and she said yes... and I asked, were you on there a couple hours ago, because I know her name was Angelina... and she said she was. And I said I was asking about upgrading tickets to an annual pass, and she said yes and you also had a paper ticket from 2003 you need converted! I said YES, thats ME!! How weird! What are the chances with everyone who's calling in today????

 

[DISNEYNY]

Can I ask....why is POP so popular

Just reading though what everyone booked, POP seems to be the most booked. Also how big is POP b/c it looks like everyone will be there

I know, many people go to POP every year and I always question my choice when I go some where else. We were at POP last year and had a great time. The 2 years before that we were at Music & Movies...loved those too. This year we are going to Sports...we like to switch things up. The biggest reason I hear people choosing POP is because they have their own bus. Whenever we have been to the AllStars they have hardly ever shared buses so it has not been a problem for us.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I know, many people go to POP every year and I always question my choice when I go some where else. We were at POP last year and had a great time. The 2 years before that we were at Music & Movies...loved those too. This year we are going to Sports...we like to switch things up. The biggest reason I hear people choosing POP is because they have their own bus. Whenever we have been to the AllStars they have hardly ever shared buses so it has not been a problem for us.

I agree, I think people hear that the All-Stars share buses and it makes the them think the bus situation is better at Pop. I have stayed at All-Star Movies and Pop and they are pretty much the same. The only reason we ususally pick Movies is because my kids love Movies because they can identify with all of the movie characters and icons. We have stayed at Movies and of the hundred or more times we have taken the buses from there, we have literally "shared" a bus twice - both times it was after fireworks at MK and they just dropped people off at Sports and Music before they hit movies. It was not a big deal at all and does not affect our decison at all when we are picking a resort.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I was noticing that too, but it looks like most of you disers will be going in sept, mine is Aug 25 - sept 1, and I haven't heard back from my TA yet, but I know she's good and will take care of it for me. I've tried to stay at POP for the last 3 yrs and keep getting moved, or upgraded as the case may be. we really want to be at POP this year.

Hey, you're staying the same dates I am! However, I wouldn't mind getting upgraded... I like my mini-fridges and/or interior hallways.. but I'm a college student this year, so there goes that.

Has it just been luck in getting upgraded, or has there been some similar thing that happened every time?

ETA: My boyfriend is finally excited about the FD, now that he woke up and realized that he gets to eat for free for a week. And when he remembered the Dole Whips.

 

[DisneyMom5]

We have a GG going in september so I called the GG line to re-book some members of our group who didn't have the free dining pin. I got right through! So if you have a GG, I would call them direct!

Do you have the direct number to GG handy?
I thought I would get the prompt to put in that we had more than 8 members in our party when I called to modify my ressie, but I didn't, and I didn't get GG, and they had to transfer me.
I'd prefer to avoid that in the future!

 

[splashmtnfan]

FINALLY!!!

4 CMs later... we have FD Sept 16-30 ASMo!

Its always hard for us because we need a super sweep of the room (ALL new linens including comforter, carpet shampoo, new air filter and new pillows) because of DD's very very severe allergies. Last time we went they used febreeze in the room and she sneezed and sneezed for the first 3 days non-stop. Poor thing

Soooo, who does all the work???? (Cleaning etc.) Does she take allergy meds? We used to have the same problem with my daughter's asthma/allergies until she started taking a once daily med. She was always getting sick... every vacation.

 

[rw_hadley]

We're in! We've got six nights at WL 8/16 - 8/22.
(Actually arriving a day earlier and using AAA discount. We plan on non-park activities that day.)

I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, but since we've not used FD before, here's my question:
Do you get a bill or receipt of some kind with the total the meal would have cost, in order to calculate gratuity?

 

[MaceysMom]

I am waiting to hear back from my TA. We have already booked CSR for Aug 31.-Sept.6. I hope we can keep everything the same just with free dining! I wish she would hurry up and call!

 

[ljsolberg]

if I used the 4/3 deal I cannot use free dining...correct?

 

[Mickey_Mom]

We're in! We've got six nights at WL 8/16 - 8/22.
(Actually arriving a day earlier and using AAA discount. We plan on non-park activities that day.)

I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, but since we've not used FD before, here's my question:
Do you get a bill or receipt of some kind with the total the meal would have cost, in order to calculate gratuity?

Yes, you get a bill showing you what the meal would have cost without the FD. It freaked out my DH and I the first time we got one, we thought we'd misunderstood and we were supposed to pay the $300 tab!!

 

[shera]

free dining and the 4/3 are during different dates

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Can any expert out there please clarify the time window for ADRs? I know its now 90 days instead of 180, but I've heard mention of a 10 day perk for staying on Disney property? Is that the case?

 

[mybabesuz]

It just means you can book at your 90 day mark for the length of your vacation up to 10 days out...
Off site they have to call back everyday to make each ADR at 90 days.

 

[micknpluto]

I'm so excited!

We are arriving the night before, she started our package the night before as well cause the dining is free it didnt make a difference with the cost.... we're not using dining options that night so we are going to double up and book Hoopdie-doo-review!

amazing!!! Thanks again for all the great info!