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

[n2mm]

What if you have the DV but don't have a code? Can you call general res and just tell them you have the DV without a code?

Also, what if you wanted to check in before Aug 16, would they honor it?

This is not a pin discount. This would be advance booking opportunity for those holding a Disney Visa and it will require you to pay the $200 deposit (per room) with your Disney Visa. (The balance can be paid any other way you want). As long as you are prepared to pay the deposit with your Disney Visa, you are good to go.

If you want to check in before the promotion date, you will have to have 2 separate reservations. Since the promotion starts on the 16th, you must check in by then and not before. You will be doing a split stay and it becomes tricky with the tickets at this point becuase you can not get your tickets for the package until the 16th, so you have to decide if you want to do a room only (no dining) or if you want to buy 2 packages and then you have 2 tickets, which gets expensive.

 

[trixiemuffin]

What do you think the chances are that Disney will offer only the counter service plan for value resorts? I hope it is the regular plan. I would hate to miss out on those fabulous table service meals!

 

[hardingk]

This is not a pin discount. This would be advance booking opportunity for those holding a Disney Visa and it will require you to pay the $200 deposit (per room) with your Disney Visa. (The balance can be paid any other way you want). As long as you are prepared to pay the deposit with your Disney Visa, you are good to go.

I can just call the reg number and as long as I pay with the Disney Visa I am good? What about the check in dates?

 

[n2mm]

I can just call the reg number and as long as I pay with the Disney Visa I am good? What about the check in dates?

I edited my post to cover the checkin dates.

 

[hardingk]

This is not a pin discount. This would be advance booking opportunity for those holding a Disney Visa and it will require you to pay the $200 deposit (per room) with your Disney Visa. (The balance can be paid any other way you want). As long as you are prepared to pay the deposit with your Disney Visa, you are good to go.

If you want to check in before the promotion date, you will have to have 2 separate reservations. Since the promotion starts on the 16th, you must check in by then and not before. You will be doing a split stay and it becomes tricky with the tickets at this point becuase you can not get your tickets for the package until the 16th, so you have to decide if you want to do a room only (no dining) or if you want to buy 2 packages and then you have 2 tickets, which gets expensive.

I have an AP, so I would only need a 1 day ticket anyways.

 

[n2mm]

I have an AP, so I would only need a 1 day ticket anyways.

OK, so you're exactly like us. I had the FD pin so I'm already booked for Pop 2 rooms for Aug. 16-22. We also want to come in earlier, so will either stay at a DVC using our points or will be waiting for an AP discount. We all have APs and will be saving the 1 day base tickets for renewals along the way.

Of course, I'm torn because we are also holding our 2 bdrm reservation through DVC in case we change our mind about doing the Pop FD for that week. The plus side is that we will be putting 240 points back into our DVC account for a future trip(s).

 

[hardingk]

OK, so you're exactly like us. I had the FD pin so I'm already booked for Pop 2 rooms for Aug. 16-22. We also want to come in earlier, so will either stay at a DVC using our points or will be waiting for an AP discount. We all have APs and will be saving the 1 day base tickets for renewals along the way.

Of course, I'm torn because we are also holding our 2 bdrm reservation through DVC in case we change our mind about doing the Pop FD for that week. The plus side is that we will be putting 240 points back into our DVC account for a future trip(s).

Looks like we think alike!! We are DVC members too and are waiting to see what the AP rate is as well!

 

[MissyPooh5890]

I already have a package booked from September 12-21 and I did pay the deposit with my Disney Visa card. My question is will I be able to add/modify my reservation to include "Free Dining" when the booking opens for DV card holders. Will they be able to tell that I booked my package before with a DV or will I have to put another $200. down??
I would like to be able to add FD when it opens to DV card holders and not have to wait until it opens to the general public on Monday.

Thanks in advance.

 

[n2mm]

I already have a package booked from September 12-21 and I did pay the deposit with my Disney Visa card. My question is will I be able to add/modify my reservation to include "Free Dining" when the booking opens for DV card holders. Will they be able to tell that I booked my package before with a DV or will I have to put another $200. down.

I would like to be able to add FD when it opens to DV card holders and not have to wait until it opens to the general public on Monday.

Thanks in advance.

All you can do is call try. If anything, Disney is completely inconsistent. You would be able to modify only if your current room reservation is part of the promotion. Keep in mind that not all categories are part of a promotion. It's not unusually for the more popular rooms, resorts, and categories to be excluded from the promotions. Remember this is to fill empty rooms at less filled resorts. Resorts like WL and Pop may already be at capacity becuase of the current pins and promotions already being offered during this timeframe. Post back and let us know if you were successful. Also, have a backup plan in case your current room is not part of the promotion. I've seen many times now folks holding reservations for Pop have to move to one of the All Stars in order to get the promotion. Good luck.

 

[tinkandme]

I am a DV holder, How will they make the announcement?
E-mail? on their website? On Disney's website?
Anybody have past experience with this?

Thanks to ALL!!!!! this has been great!

 

[rw_hadley]

Our travel dates are 8/15 - 8/22. We already have airline tickets bought, so the dates are not flexible.
We have an existing reservation at WL with the AAA discount.
Any suggestions for how to work the free dining into this?
I'm thinking we could have just the first night be the AAA discount (if it would be available for just the one night), and then as a separate reservation with the Free Dining, getting just one day's park admission, and then get 7 day park hoppers for the rest of the days. I realize there is a chance we might have to change rooms, but I'd at least ask to keep the same room.
Does this plan sound like it would work? Anyone have a simpler solution?
TIA

 

[PrincessTiffany]

What do you think the chances are that Disney will offer only the counter service plan for value resorts? I hope it is the regular plan. I would hate to miss out on those fabulous table service meals!

The free dining bounceback offer and all of the free pin code offers that have come out this Spring are for the Basic Dining Plan - 1TS, 1CS and 1Snack. I don't see them offering anything different for the general public offer.

 

[tzolkin]

When are these announcements usually made and what time can you call reservations? I'm trying to help my parents plan their trip. They booked for Sept. in the hopes of free dining.

I'm just wondering if I get up and check here at 7:00 if it's available, can I have her call then? Should I check earlier? Are they not open to make reservations until later?

Thanks

 

[n2mm]

Our travel dates are 8/15 - 8/22. We already have airline tickets bought, so the dates are not flexible.
We have an existing reservation at WL with the AAA discount.
Any suggestions for how to work the free dining into this?
I'm thinking we could have just the first night be the AAA discount (if it would be available for just the one night), and then as a separate reservation with the Free Dining, getting just one day's park admission, and then get 7 day park hoppers for the rest of the days. I realize there is a chance we might have to change rooms, but I'd at least ask to keep the same room.
Does this plan sound like it would work? Anyone have a simpler solution?
TIA

The only thing I would suggest is to go to a water park the first day as 1 day tickets are very expensive. Maybe mini golf and a nice meal at a resort restraurant. JMHO. Yes, you will need a separate reservation for your first day, just tell the CM when you checkin that you have a "continuing" reservation and they will note it in their database and hopefully you'll keep the same room. Just zip down first thing in the morning and recheck in EARLY before the hordes of free ddp folks arrive. That's my plan.

 

[trixiemuffin]

The free dining bounceback offer and all of the free pin code offers that have come out this Spring are for the Basic Dining Plan - 1TS, 1CS and 1Snack. I don't see them offering anything different for the general public offer.

Thanks. I hope you are right! Last August we had the FD and absolutely loved it! Now we are spoiled and don't want to give up our TS meals.

 

[J2MB]

OK, so you're exactly like us.....We all have APs and will be saving the 1 day base tickets for renewals along the way.

How does this work? Does Disney apply the value of the 1 day base ticket to your AP renewal? Is it only good for renewals, or can it be a first time AP purchase? Do you know if the credit has to be applied to an AP within a certain timeframe? Is this info anywhere on Disney's web-site?

Sorry for all the questions, but any additional detail would be appreciated.

 

[MindyMouse76]

Hello!
I already have a reservation for a vacation in September for a week. After I booked it with Disney, I got a Disney Visa Card. How will that work with the free dining (assuming Disney Visa Card Members can get the discount first). Will that still work as long as I put another deposit down this time on that card? So far we have only put down the first 200 deposit (on another credit card).

Thanks!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hello!
I already have a reservation for a vacation in September for a week. After I booked it with Disney, I got a Disney Visa Card. How will that work with the free dining (assuming Disney Visa Card Members can get the discount first). Will that still work as long as I put another deposit down this time on that card? So far we have only put down the first 200 deposit (on another credit card).

Thanks!!

Yes, just call Disney when the code comes out and apply it to your existing reservation and you will have to put down a $200.00 deposit with your Disney Visa. Remember to have a backup resort, just in case your original resort is booked up due to limited availability.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

When are these announcements usually made and what time can you call reservations? I'm trying to help my parents plan their trip. They booked for Sept. in the hopes of free dining.

I'm just wondering if I get up and check here at 7:00 if it's available, can I have her call then? Should I check earlier? Are they not open to make reservations until later?

Thanks

Just check late tonight or early tomorrow morning for the code. Disney Reservations opens at 7:00 a.m. eastern standard time, 6:00 a.m. central, 5:00 a.m. mountain and 4:00 a.m. pacific.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Our travel dates are 8/15 - 8/22. We already have airline tickets bought, so the dates are not flexible.
We have an existing reservation at WL with the AAA discount.
Any suggestions for how to work the free dining into this?
I'm thinking we could have just the first night be the AAA discount (if it would be available for just the one night), and then as a separate reservation with the Free Dining, getting just one day's park admission, and then get 7 day park hoppers for the rest of the days. I realize there is a chance we might have to change rooms, but I'd at least ask to keep the same room.
Does this plan sound like it would work? Anyone have a simpler solution?
TIA

We are going 8/15-8/25 through the FDP pin code offer. I have 2 seperate ressies one room only for the 15th the other is the FDP package starting on the 16th. One day park tickets are very expensive so we are just planning to hang at the resort, go to dinner and then over to Downtown Disney. We have done it this way for the past three years and we enjoy a relaxing day before the package begins.