Free Dining- Why don't they offer...

[disneyfantotheend]

I posted this on the very long free dining post, but didn't really get anyone with an opinion. Why do they allow people to book past the day as long as you are checked in by the last available date, but they don't allow people to get free dining, if their dates include the first available FD date, but begins prior to it? Acccording to Disney's site, value season begins August 3RD, so it isn't because they are still in peak season all the way up until FD. Any thoughts?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Packages/offers have specific booking dates, and specific travel dates. And packages come with a minimum and maximum stay. Just as an example some packages may only require a one night stay. Some a three night stay.
The maximum may be 10 nights, 14, 30, whatever.
I am sure the powers that be have all this down to a science and what the requirements are, availability, etc. I'm sure there are many factors involved. Plus consider each package has a limited number of rooms available.
Say if the last arrival date was 09/20/08 for a package. The maximum may be 14 days. So it is figured in that guests can stay 14 days beyond their check in. But they cannot take advantage of a package before the travel dates set up. There would always be someone who would want dates extended no matter how many were extended one way or another.
Look at it as if Target has a sale that starts next Monday, the 14th. They are not going to let guests come in early the week before and buy the item at the sale price.
That really would not even be fair to the guests who are buying within the set dates. That would start shutting them out.
Bottom line I think is that schools are still out until mid August and the parks slow down once school is back in. If it was a slow time, the FD dates would be extended.

 

[danx2plus3more]

UM WELL ITS SIMPLE ....promotion hasnt started yet..its kinda like this..say a resturaunt opens at 8am..you cant be seated at 7:30 am(they wouldnt be open..but if it closes at 9pm,and you walk in and order at 8:50..you will be there past closing( most places wont throw you out or turn you away ).i think its reasonable...

 

[Aliceacc]

They're trying to lure people into the parks once school has started. Since a good part of the nation is back in school by Aug 24th, they're thinking that free dining will get people who might not have booked otherwise.

Allowing you to extend free dining into mid August (and that would be us, by the way) simply offers a good deal to people who are coming anyway. There's no financial incentive for Disney to do it.

 

[goofy4tink]

To begin with, Disney can do pretty much whatever they want to do....they make whatever rules they want in order to get more of us into the resorts at times we don't normally go. Also, in order to take advantage of a particular perk, you have to be checked in. So, if you check in before the start of a perk, you can't take part in it, unless you break your stay down into two reservations.
I feel your pain...I was there last August and we left several days after the FD started. But, we weren't able to take advantage of it. Sure, it would be nice but thems the rules, so to speak.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Well I am not actually going in August, too hot, plus I was just there last year. We can only go once every 4 years. I was just curious, because I have been reading these threads.

The Target example is totally null and void in my opinion. Target also does not allow people to get the sale price after the sale is over.

Not a true complaint, I absolutely love Disney and would go even without any discounts. I just think it is very odd. IMO, and yes it is just an opinion, the dates should be the actual dates. Anyway, I jknow they can do what they want and so can any business. I was not knocking Disney, just seems the dates should either be firm or go both ways, IMO again.

I do think the school reason is the best. Totally makes sense. However, the fact that everyone would be asking for the discount at all times makes none. As I said the datyes should either be firm or go both ways IMO.

Thank you all for your input. I love DISNEY WORLD!

 

[Markstudy]

They're trying to lure people into the parks once school has started. Since a good part of the nation is back in school by Aug 24th .

its all about the kids going back to school free food, lets party!

 

[ihearttink]

Look at it as if Target has a sale that starts next Monday, the 14th. They are not going to let guests come in early the week before and buy the item at the sale price.
That really would not even be fair to the guests who are buying within the set dates. That would start shutting them out.
Bottom line I think is that schools are still out until mid August and the parks slow down once school is back in. If it was a slow time, the FD dates would be extended.

I have bought an item a week before a sale, not aware that it would be on sale the next week. I can bring my receipt in the next week, when it is on sale, and they will give me the sales price. Done this with many stores. Never had a problem.

As one poster stated, Disney can do whatever they want. But at some point there does have to be a cutoff.

One option is to do a split stay, if it's worth it, on the day FD starts for the remainder of your vacation.

 

[wezee]

Disney has their own set of rules. Like why can some people do the free dining bounceback and book past the ending date.......and others are told over and over by CMs that the policy has changed and it can't be done. I love WDW dearly and will continue to go, hopefully, every year.....but they really should be more consistent with their bookings and promos. JMO.
I learned my lesson....and if we are able to book the Sept. bounceback, this year......I will just keep calling (from my room) until I get a CM that will give me the extended dates!

 

[Aliceacc]

its all about the kids going back to school free food, lets party!

Unless, of course, you happen to be a teacher married to a teacher with 3 school aged kids.

Then you go in mid August (before free dining ) and you're back before school starts.

But it's a whole lot less painful when you snag a 40% PIN

 

[Markstudy]

Unless, of course, you happen to be a teacher married to a teacher with 3 school aged kids.

Then you go in mid August (before free dining ) and you're back before school starts.

But it's a whole lot less painful when you snag a 40% PIN

Wow you guys must get no satisfaction out of the Staples TV commercial... that shows the mom and dad dancing through the store gliding down the aisle on their shopping cart doing ballet moves as they buy BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES and the kids are standing their looking sad

So Glad to hear you snagged the 40% off

 

[Aliceacc]

Actually, I like going back to school in September.

Not nearly as much as I LOVE the end of June, of course. But I'm one of those incredibly lucky people, doing a job I love in a wonderful school. (Well, most days anyway.)

But I do love that commercial. It's so incredibly clever; it hits just the right note for parents everywhere.

 

[Minnie & Me]

I think Disney should let free dining be extended to include additional days at the beginning of the promo too. We had done free dining in 2006 and 2007; both years checking in on the first day of promo. Checked in at POP at 7am was a nightmare. Guard at the parking, showed us his inch thick list of all new guests for that day! They could ease the crush of guests by allowing flexible promo dates. We are still on the fence about booking this year because the first day starts on Sunday and we would have to leave by Labour Day.(Expensive flying days!)

 

[rantnnravin]

UM WELL ITS SIMPLE ....promotion hasnt started yet..its kinda like this..say a resturaunt opens at 8am..you cant be seated at 7:30 am(they wouldnt be open..but if it closes at 9pm,and you walk in and order at 8:50..you will be there past closing( most places wont throw you out or turn you away ).i think its reasonable...

this is the best explanation yet