I am kind of mad...Has anyone been able to switch with free dinning?

[cgbsilver@hotmail.co]

I book the All Star Sports for our upcoming vacation, however when I book they said the pool was going to be closed until the 13th of Sept. which I thought was ok since it would only be for a few days of our stay. Later they made changes and now will be closed for all our stay, I have been calling like crazy to switch to another value. They all say the same no availability. I realize there is nothing I can do but wanted to vent here.

The last CM told me to try when I check in, I think there will be less chance then what do you think???

 

[BrianD]

My advice would be to keep trying to change resorts before you get there. People are always canceling so you never know when something might open up.

 

[debsays]

I tried to switch from Pop to CSR and they told me I'd lose my "free" dining. Tried twice with the same response.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

If you switch you will lose the free dining, because they aren't booking that promo anymore. Sorry.

 

[antmaril]

If you switch you will lose the free dining, because they aren't booking that promo anymore. Sorry.

This is not correct. You can switch resorts and not lose free dining if there is free dining still available at the resort you are interested in. You need to ask the CM to transfer you to Guest Services. Switching resorts with free dining can ONLY be done by Guest Services. There might not be anything available, but if there is, they can do it.

 

[kimberh]

I cancelled my free dining at POFQ a few weeks ago, check there.

 

[jennib5426]

I switched my free dining from ASMU to CSR in late August for my trip in 2 weeks. I did not lose any part of my free dining package. I could choose from CSR, CBR or WL and I just paid the difference that day when I switched.
It was the same price I was quoted when i booked free dining back in May.

You do need to speak to Guest Services which I reached through the regular Disney Travel number. You can only switch to what is still available for free dining. It seems that there were cancelations after the 45 day final payment date, so I was able to switch.
I was very flexable in which resort I wanted to switch to, I said any Mod and/or WL, AKL. I didn't ask about deluxe resorts so I am not sure if they were available.
I got my travel docs last week and everything is correct for my free dining stay at CSR.

Good luck

 

[kaytieeldr]

And you should try exactly FIVE days before you arrive, since package Guests cancelling between 6 and 44 days prior to arrival are charged a $100 fee, while the same Guests cancelling closer than that are charged $200 (and the ones who don't show up don't get any money back, but there's really no way to know until the next morning if they're no-shows or not).

So, exactly five days before you arrive, at 7 AM Eastern, call CRO. Ask to change resorts. If they say you'll lose your free dining, ask them to contact Guest Services for help while you're on the phone.

Look for posts by Canadian Guy - he's got a link in his signature to the EXACT instructions on how to handle this.

 

[jgallant]

we switched from por to csr. about a month ago. I was originally told no i would lose my dining and i pressed politely asking and the cm spoke to a supervisor who then called guest services and checked availability for me. and it all worked out. of course they may charge you a fee ( I was not charged for this ) but you may want to call again and try and if not try at checkin...can't hurt.

 

[Hopefully]

You have gotten good advice here. I would continue to try to change.
But did you know that you can use any All Stars pool? I have read here that they are not too far apart. I hope this helps a little.

 

[yngsj]

I talked to guest services at least a dozen times and was told no each time. I think those who were able to switch got lucky and talked to a flexable CM. So don't get your hopes up.

 

[bellarosemarie]

Same goes for me too. I have called trying to get moved asking to talk to someone in guest services. Each time they tell me there is nothing avaliable.
I'm going w/ my son who is 6 monthes and I didn't want to be in a overly crowded pool.

 

[Mom2Evie]

I was able to switch from ASSports to Pop and keep my free dining. It took several phone calls to do it though. I politely explained that we'd intended to spend the day at the pool and my experience was that Sports has lots of older kids or teenagers. I was really concerned about them being 1) bigger/rougher than my daughter and 2) condensed into one pool. I asked them to check availability with the plan at another value resort. I can only imagine that someone had cancelled because she did have a room for me at Pop. The CM I spoke to couldn't make the change but had a Guest Services or Supervisor do it for her.
I say keep trying. Be polite but firm each time. Be clear that the pool is the reason you want to switch and that you aren't looking for an upgrade.

 

[simonkodousek]

I would talk to Guest Services about this.

 

[GiGi30]

I was able to switch from AKL to Poly and retain the free dining. Did this 2 weeks ago for a trip happening 9.15-9.22 You do need to talk to Guest Services. They were awesome!