If free dining - question

[noname70]

I have a room resssie in late august. If free dining is announced in April, is it for a limited number of rooms? For instance, when I change a ressie from rack rate to AP rate I have to scramble on the first day to make sure I get tthe discount through CRO. Is it that way with Free dining?

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have a room resssie in late august. If free dining is announced in April, is it for a limited number of rooms? For instance, when I change a ressie from rack rate to AP rate I have to scramble on the first day to make sure I get tthe discount through CRO. Is it that way with Free dining?

Yes, they're limited. When I booked our free dining package in Dec., I got woods view at WL because they didn't have standard view available.

 

[Luv2Roam]

And if you currently have a Room Only res through CRO, by going to a MYW + Dine package, you will be cancelling your CRO res and booking a WDTC package.

More than likely there will not a be an AP room rate plus free dining. (Doesn't look like you are expecting this. But throwing it out to clarify for anyone.) IF history repeats, guests will pay rack rate on the room, and get free dining.

 

[noname70]

Does that mean I should change my room only resv to a WDTC package? Then if there's free dining they could just alter the resv (and I would be guaranteed it?)

 

[Seahunt]

Also keep in mind that last year the first three days of the free dining package were for Disney VISA card-holders - it was announced to them first on 4/1/06 and then opened to public on 4/4/06 (for stays 8/13 - 9/30/06) - so they had first dibs on rooms. That offer originally expired on 6/4, but on 6/2 it was extended to 6/25/06, so there still must have been availability though maybe not at the resort of your choice....

And for the same dates 8/6-8/26/06 there were AP "room only" rates that came out on 6/8/06 and general public "room only" rates for 8/19-9/30/06 that came out on 7/10/06, so I don't think there's any way to actually 100% guarantee that you will be able to switch over to a free dining package if offered no matter how you book something now ("room only" vs package) as it will be based on availability at the time of the package offer opening (if it even is offered this year).

Just keep in mind that the package cancellations are different than the room only cancellations, and that the free dining package required rack rate for the room, at least a one day ticket for everyone, etc. Be sure and pencil everything out - I think it all comes down to how many in your party, which resort, etc. to determine which deal is actually better for your case in the end (for example two AP holders staying deluxe would probably be better $$$-wise with a room only AP sale rate and use a DDE card for dining as compared to a family of 4 in a value resort= the free dining package would be better $$$ for them)

I really don't know WHY Disney makes it soooo hard on us!

 

[kutchyone]

Does that mean I should change my room only resv to a WDTC package? Then if there's free dining they could just alter the resv (and I would be guaranteed it?)

No it doesn't guarantee anything. Just call on the day if/and when they announce the free dining offer. Make the reservation as if it was the only on you had. Once that is done ask them to cancel your room only. The question you need to ask is.....do I save more money with the room only AP discount over free dining? In our case, three adults, free dining always is better for us but that is also because we are staying at a moderate. It really depends on how many would be getting free dining each nigh and which resort your staying at.

 

[noname70]

... The question you need to ask is.....do I save more money with the room only AP discount over free dining? In our case, three adults, free dining always is better for us but that is also because we are staying at a moderate. It really depends on how many would be getting free dining each nigh and which resort your staying at.

Would 2 adults and one child (3 y/o) at a moderate beat an AP discount?

 

[kutchyone]

I think last years discount with the AP at a moderate was $50.00 off a night at the end of August. All you need to decide is will your family eat more then $50.00 per night? My family, daughter and I would so I know on the next trip the three of us, me, my daughter and her ex-boyfriend will! If you already have AP's your family can purchase, or at least in the past you could, a one day MYW ticket. This ticket will not expire and can even be used towards the purchase of your next AP.


I think last years AP discount on a deluxe or home away from home was a flat rate of $75.00 per night. Once again ask yourself will my family eat more then that amount per night/day? In our case the reply would still be yes.

Also, having the dining plan makes it much more fun when planning your dining. You can even dine at some locations that you maybe would shy away from because of the cost.