How would you handle this - free dining

[DisneyEJT]

We are currently booked at CR theme park view from 1/21 - 1/28. In order to do free dining, we would have to do room only the first night, and start the package on the 22nd. I'd prefer a room only discount - it would save us a lot more.

So should we just wait and see if a room discount comes out? If we wait and there doesn't end up being a room discount, what are the chances we'll end up missing out on free dining? If we switch to room only the first night to get free dining, what are the chances of having trouble switching back to a single reservation if a room discount does come out?

I can't decide what to do!

 

[kerplop]

You should be able to change your discounts fairly easily. A lot of people had made reservations before FD came out and were able to switch their reservations over to the discount

 

[DisneyEJT]

You should be able to change your discounts fairly easily. A lot of people had made reservations before FD came out and were able to switch their reservations over to the discount

I know that I can change discounts pretty easily in general. The problem is that in order to get free dining, I have to split my reservation (which I'd rather not have to do). Then I'd have to switch it back to a single reservation (package for the whole time) if a room only code comes out. Not sure if I should go through that hassle, or just wait to see if a room only discount comes out.

 

[kerplop]

Well my thinking here is that there are only a limited number of rooms with free dining available as a discount, so if you think there's a chance you'll want that I would go ahead and book it. If a room only comes out, switch, and that way there's no chance you might end up between discounts.

 

[Lehuaann]

I know that I can change discounts pretty easily in general. The problem is that in order to get free dining, I have to split my reservation (which I'd rather not have to do). Then I'd have to switch it back to a single reservation (package for the whole time) if a room only code comes out. Not sure if I should go through that hassle, or just wait to see if a room only discount comes out.

I'm guessing you're currently booked at rack-rate room-only in the hopes that a GP discount or pin code comes out?

CR TPV is a jewel to lose since there's no guarantee that your resort/room type will be available when a room-only discount becomes available.

Personally, I would book the FD with the 1 nt at rack-rate so I'd at least have some kind of discount/freebie. Spliting up your reservation is not hard to do and the CM can make a notation that you have an ongoing ressie to try to keep you in the same room.

Also, switching back over to a room-only reservation is again, easy. BUT it depends on IF your resort/room type is offered at discount.

 

[robinb]

Personally, I would book the FD with the 1 nt at rack-rate so I'd at least have some kind of discount/freebie. Spliting up your reservation is not hard to do and the CM can make a notation that you have an ongoing ressie to try to keep you in the same room.

This is what I would do too. You can pick up your park passes from your FD reservation a day early. Look at "I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package" on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684 .

 

[DisneyEJT]

OK - thanks everyone. I guess that makes the most sense. Still would really love that room only discount though! It's a much bigger savings for us.

 

[Rachaelt]

This is what I would do too. You can pick up your park passes from your FD reservation a day early. Look at "I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package" on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684 .

This is no longer correct. Guest Relations cast members received updated communication on this yesterday. Approval codes for them to do this will no longer be issued.

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

This is no longer correct. Guest Relations cast members received updated communication on this yesterday. Approval codes for them to do this will no longer be issued.

This is terrible news! I didn't know this was possible and just read about it to my delight as we will have a full day with no tickets before our package starts. Only to read this in the next moment and be crushed! Why would they change this?

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

This is terrible news! I didn't know this was possible and just read about it to my delight as we will have a full day with no tickets before our package starts. Only to read this in the next moment and be crushed! Why would they change this?

My guess would be to cut down on the number of people taking advantage of the free dining...
I would think that you would have alot to gain by getting the free dining.
Since it's only the first day, what if you just hung out by the pool or went to DTD and did some stuff there... Or the mini golf? Or I dont know who is travelling with you, if you're travelling with your kids or whoever, but you could do BBB makeovers at DTD, the Pirate Adventure cruise at one of the Resorts, the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party at the GF, my kids have done all of those and loved them all. None would require them park admission. The Pirate Adventure cruise is only done on certain days I believe (but done at the GF so itd be convenient) and the Mad Hatter tea party is only done on certain days(there were both boys and girls when my daughter went) but the BBB makeover could be done any day.
Personally, I would sit one day out to get a a trip's worth of free dining.
You could also go over to AKL and check out the animals...just some thoughts.

 

[2forMe]

This is no longer correct. Guest Relations cast members received updated communication on this yesterday. Approval codes for them to do this will no longer be issued.

I have a hard time beleiving this. Where did you get this information??

 

[Hook's Girl]

This is no longer correct. Guest Relations cast members received updated communication on this yesterday. Approval codes for them to do this will no longer be issued.

Nope. Guest Relations Cast Members received no such communication. It's still a valid process.

 

[Rachaelt]

I have a hard time beleiving this. Where did you get this information??

Hub advisory and company emails.

 

[Rachaelt]

As of 6:10 PM-

With the influx of calls regarding the free dine offer please remember the policy regarding guests picking up tickets attached to a WDTC package.

Guests may not pick up their tickets prior to the date of their scheduled check-in for their WDTC MYW package reservation. Magic Your Way tickets cannot be pick-up prior to the check-in date of their package reservation. These tickets are fulfilled at the front desk and will be on their room key.

 

[5boyz]

As of 6:10 PM-

With the influx of calls regarding the free dine offer please remember the policy regarding guests picking up tickets attached to a WDTC package.

Guests may not pick up their tickets prior to the date of their scheduled check-in for their WDTC MYW package reservation. Magic Your Way tickets cannot be pick-up prior to the check-in date of their package reservation. These tickets are fulfilled at the front desk and will be on their room key.

Well thank god we always do a shopping day the first day at Disney....

 

[richkorn]

Room only 1 night before free dining package - going to check out Resort & go to DTD to browse around & bring kids to T-Rex cafe. No problem!

 

[jenniferreich]

Hi! I wanted to note that I found the exact same thing as Rachaelt--our trip is Nov 11 to 12, and I asked my travel agent if I could split the reservation and pick up our tickets a few days early. He said that's not allowed. I have to admit a part of me wasn't convinced, so I called Disney, and the very very nice cast member said that he's correct: They had received an email yesterday morning stressing that guests aren't allowed to pick up tickets early.

 

[digThisXL]

Nope. Guest Relations Cast Members received no such communication. It's still a valid process.

As of 6:10 PM-

With the influx of calls regarding the free dine offer please remember the policy regarding guests picking up tickets attached to a WDTC package.

Guests may not pick up their tickets prior to the date of their scheduled check-in for their WDTC MYW package reservation. Magic Your Way tickets cannot be pick-up prior to the check-in date of their package reservation. These tickets are fulfilled at the front desk and will be on their room key.

Conflicting information here....how do we find out which is correct?