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

[Disneymom2266]

Disneymom%,

I will never complain about planning again. I admire you wholeheartedly for doing it for 7 children plus a hubby, and inlaws!

Did you enjoy the pricess bfast at Ackershaus? We didnt like it at all. The girls loved the princesses, but the food was horrible. Now my kids are 18 and 12, so I miss them being little and enjoying the princesses,etc. Now it`s a totally different trip. I am 43 and contemplated having more, but now I think too old maybe? I will continue to enjoy your posts.

From your Illinois neighbor.

 

[mom2two2]

I am so sorry. I should have clarified my earlier question about booking the morning that Free Dining comes out.

I meant booking the actual Free Dining Package. I did not mean ADRs (I have not gotten that far yet - lol). I assume that the trick in getting the hotel and dates you want for Free Dining Package would be to call first thing in the morning when lines are open (is that 7:00 am FL time?). How does online booking (of the whole package) work? Does an icon appear on the Disney site at a certain time? I am trying to guess what would be the best bet for getting the dates/hotel I want on that first day that booking is available.

If I am trying to book the Free Dining hotel package for late Aug I would be able to make ADRs 90 days back from the date of arrival in Aug correct?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey there MOM! I done missed you too. Been a lot of sickness going on around here and everything mechanical is breaking down. Nothing that money cannot fix though so that is good.

Yes, it was the Disney Visa Free Dining during December I was referring to. I am wishing and hoping that lightning strikes twice as that would be the best of all worlds, Christmas decorations, great prices, lower crowds and Free Dining! What more could a gal want? (other than a certain family joining me down there).

SG

 

[KKB]

I am so sorry. I should have clarified my earlier question about booking the morning that Free Dining comes out.

I meant booking the actual Free Dining Package. I did not mean ADRs (I have not gotten that far yet - lol). I assume that the trick in getting the hotel and dates you want for Free Dining Package would be to call first thing in the morning when lines are open (is that 7:00 am FL time?). How does online booking (of the whole package) work? Does an icon appear on the Disney site at a certain time? I am trying to guess what would be the best bet for getting the dates/hotel I want on that first day that booking is available.

If I am trying to book the Free Dining hotel package for late Aug I would be able to make ADRs 90 days back from the date of arrival in Aug correct?

If you must call the day it is open to the general public, and you are pretty set in where you want to stay, I'd be on the phone as soon as you can. Expect to WAIT (gees, I waited 20 min. one regular Sunday!) If you are a Disney VISA holder, you can call earlier or if you are flexible about where you stay, you don't need to rush to the phones. There will be availablity for awhile, just not at all resorts all the time.

 

[Cdn Mickey]

It was $129 each way, for the 3 of us with the taxes it was just over $1000 which is a great deal. Is the $362 tax in???

This is right off the Airtransat website today
TOTAL: $362.81
Price taxes not incl. : $133.76 *
Other taxes : $214.94
Sales tax : $14.11
DEPARTURE
Saturday, September 12, 2009
from Toronto (Pearson International) at 0:00 AM
To Orlando (Orlando International) at 0:00 AM, Saturday, September 12, 2009
Flight TS tba
Economy Class
Returning on the September 19th.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Disneymom%,

I will never complain about planning again. I admire you wholeheartedly for doing it for 7 children plus a hubby, and inlaws!

Did you enjoy the pricess bfast at Ackershaus? We didnt like it at all. The girls loved the princesses, but the food was horrible. Now my kids are 18 and 12, so I miss them being little and enjoying the princesses,etc. Now it`s a totally different trip. I am 43 and contemplated having more, but now I think too old maybe? I will continue to enjoy your posts.

From your Illinois neighbor.

I actually enjoy it. It's a sickness, I know.
The only way one can enjoy a trip with seven children and the relatives is to plan the heck out of it.
My kids are easy though, because they LOVE WDW, and they love the perks I get them by being a compulsive planner.
[After being the family of the day at MGM one time, and eating all that free food twice, my dh no longer complains about my over planning. LOL]

We did like the Princess breakfast, but not because the food was so outstanding. [Though we DID enjoy it!]
The looks on my little girl's faces were priceless, and even my SIL was so excited about meeting Ariel. LOL
We won't be doing that one this time.
Going to try meeting Cindy and crew at 1900 Park Fair.

I am so sorry. I should have clarified my earlier question about booking the morning that Free Dining comes out.

I meant booking the actual Free Dining Package. I did not mean ADRs (I have not gotten that far yet - lol). I assume that the trick in getting the hotel and dates you want for Free Dining Package would be to call first thing in the morning when lines are open (is that 7:00 am FL time?). How does online booking (of the whole package) work? Does an icon appear on the Disney site at a certain time? I am trying to guess what would be the best bet for getting the dates/hotel I want on that first day that booking is available.

If I am trying to book the Free Dining hotel package for late Aug I would be able to make ADRs 90 days back from the date of arrival in Aug correct?

I would not guarentee that the icon will be available, or accessible, the very first morning. Their website is notorious for malfunctioning at moments like that.
I'd call.
There is an ADR calculator somewhere on the web. Google it. VERY helpful!
And yes, approx. 90 days from your check-in, and you can book 10 days (in a row) worth at a time.

Hey there MOM! I done missed you too. Been a lot of sickness going on around here and everything mechanical is breaking down. Nothing that money cannot fix though so that is good.

Yes, it was the Disney Visa Free Dining during December I was referring to. I am wishing and hoping that lightning strikes twice as that would be the best of all worlds, Christmas decorations, great prices, lower crowds and Free Dining! What more could a gal want? (other than a certain family joining me down there).

SG

Thanks Linda! We'd like to do that to. Just thinking that Sept. is gonna work out for all involved.

If you must call the day it is open to the general public, and you are pretty set in where you want to stay, I'd be on the phone as soon as you can. Expect to WAIT (gees, I waited 20 min. one regular Sunday!) If you are a Disney VISA holder, you can call earlier or if you are flexible about where you stay, you don't need to rush to the phones. There will be availablity for awhile, just not at all resorts all the time.

In '07 I called to book 3 rooms on the day that Disney Visa holders could. I waited about an hour. (A Monday.)

When I called to book 2 more rooms on the day it was available to general public (that next Thurs.), I waited over TWO hours, and that was calling right at 7 am. I did have to call Grand Gatherings that day, so I think that's why it took longer.
I wasn't able to get both rooms where I wanted them, but later was able to change the one.

If you are flexible about resorts and views/standard vs. preferred, and are not booking for 16 people, you should be ok. LOL

ETA: The website crashed while I was on the phone with the CM, and before it did I couldn't get ANY rooms at Pop, but when it came back up I was able to get one.
So if you possibly can get a Disney Visa, you have a much better shot of getting rooms exactly where you want them. If you don't have a preference, you'll be ok.


Happy Planning everyone!

 

[ZeroToHero]

This is right off the Airtransat website today
TOTAL: $362.81
Price taxes not incl. : $133.76 *
Other taxes : $214.94
Sales tax : $14.11
DEPARTURE
Saturday, September 12, 2009
from Toronto (Pearson International) at 0:00 AM
To Orlando (Orlando International) at 0:00 AM, Saturday, September 12, 2009
Flight TS tba
Economy Class
Returning on the September 19th.

Why are the taxes more than the flight itself?!

 

[KKB]

I know a lot of DISers were online while on hold the last couple of years...
Then those that called later in the day or later in the week didn't have near the wait time; but it does seem that some of the later callers (though not all) did have to compromise and take their 2nd or 3rd hotel choices.

I know I waited 45 min to book ADRs 180days out 2 years ago on a Sunday afternoon...

Bet if we tried in the middle of the night we might not find much wait time (though I suppose there are fewer CMs working at that time, so wait time may still stink...)

I gotta say, as huge as Disney is, it is a rare day that there isn't serious wait time when calling and their internet site can be SLOOOOOOOW...you'd think that they would be interested in upgrading such things. Those are a couple of the few things I can complain about when it comes to Disney...

 

[Kat73]

Hi I have a question

I'm probably going solo in September and hoping for a FD code. However there's a chance one of several people may decide to tag along- they just won't know when the codes come out likely.

If I book a room with FD, for myself, can I call back a month or two later and add a person to the room- I know they'd need to at least get a one day park ticket- but will Disney let me add FD to new people in the room later on?

 

[lisalonglash]

I know a lot of DISers were online while on hold the last couple of years...
Then those that called later in the day or later in the week didn't have near the wait time; but it does seem that some of the later callers (though not all) did have to compromise and take their 2nd or 3rd hotel choices.

I know I waited 45 min to book ADRs 180days out 2 years ago on a Sunday afternoon...

Bet if we tried in the middle of the night we might not find much wait time (though I suppose there are fewer CMs working at that time, so wait time may still stink...)

I gotta say, as huge as Disney is, it is a rare day that there isn't serious wait time when calling and their internet site can be SLOOOOOOOW...you'd think that they would be interested in upgrading such things. Those are a couple of the few things I can complain about when it comes to Disney...

That's one of the many reasons we booking our Disney vacation with our travel agent - she does all that stuff for us for free!

 

[lisalonglash]

Why are the taxes more than the flight itself?!

Because that's how it works in Canada That's also why we always fly out of Seattle instead of Vancouver!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Hi I have a question

I'm probably going solo in September and hoping for a FD code. However there's a chance one of several people may decide to tag along- they just won't know when the codes come out likely.

If I book a room with FD, for myself, can I call back a month or two later and add a person to the room- I know they'd need to at least get a one day park ticket- but will Disney let me add FD to new people in the room later on?

Usually the sale is available for a few months. If you are adding this person or these persons to your room, you should be ok.
If you can add them in the beginning, and drop them if they decide not to go, that works too.
The problem would be in finding additional rooms in the same resort later.
They sometimes add rooms, but you can't guarentee it.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

This is right off the Airtransat website today
TOTAL: $362.81
Price taxes not incl. : $133.76 *
Other taxes : $214.94
Sales tax : $14.11
DEPARTURE
Saturday, September 12, 2009
from Toronto (Pearson International) at 0:00 AM
To Orlando (Orlando International) at 0:00 AM, Saturday, September 12, 2009
Flight TS tba
Economy Class
Returning on the September 19th.

I so hope this is still available after FD is announced!

 

[2littleprincesses]

Question: Does Disney just announce this deal or do they say "Coming April 6 a deal for free dining. Check back." Or something to that effect. Basically do they give you warning or do they just have the deal up? TIA

 

[ZeroToHero]

Question: Does Disney just announce this deal or do they say "Coming April 6 a deal for free dining. Check back." Or something to that effect. Basically do they give you warning or do they just have the deal up? TIA

They tell you in advance. They'll put it up (hopefully) end of March/beginning of of April and then you know when to be ready, phone in hand, at 7 am.

 

[pixie_mtl]

Because that's how it works in Canada That's also why we always fly out of Seattle instead of Vancouver!

or that we fly from BTV and SYR. So much for being good citizen

 

[archersgirl1]

do you seriously have to have "phone in hand at 7 AM" Does it sell out that fast ?? I have to get myself mentally prepared here

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

do you seriously have to have "phone in hand at 7 AM" Does it sell out that fast ?? I have to get myself mentally prepared here

I hope not. I may actually be on vacation when its time to call.

Question - would you book the room/package first or the flight first? Can you change your dates with the rooms without penalty?

 

[Cupmom]

Crazy people myself included had phone in had at 7am for Free Dining back in 2007. It took well over an hour to get booked. I remember being on the boards chatting and waiting with others.

 

[HLAuburn]

do you seriously have to have "phone in hand at 7 AM" Does it sell out that fast ?? I have to get myself mentally prepared here

I think it depends on how particular you are about room/resort and how flexible your dates are. If you KNOW you have to have a courtyard view at WL starting Sept 1, then I'd be on the phone as early as possible. The thing we must realize is that MOST people who visit Disney aren't nearly as crazy as we are so most people don't even hear about the deals until the commercials come on TV or the emails go out or you start seeing pop up ads.

Since rooms are limited and FD is really popular, things do fill up fast. Also, with the bounceback deals and a lot of rooms already booked with % off PINS, there might be even less rooms to fill. I think standard rooms go fast and probably also the Value resorts.

My best advice is to get a Disney Visa! Hopefully we'll have a few days before all the (other) crazies start to call!