is there a free dining watch thread for fall?

[ajnesbitt07]

Jumping on board. We're booked for Sept 24-Oct 1 at POFQ and I'm really disappointed to see that it was excluded last year! Is it a nightmare to change resorts at this point (within 180 days when all ADRs are booked) if FD is offered and POFQ is in fact excluded again? I'm not sure what we'd even change to. We originally booked at AOA for a suite, but decided we wanted a more relaxed and not so in-your-face Disney resort experience. It will be myself (33), my husband (34), our daughter (7), and our son (4.5). Any suggestions on another moderate resort we could switch to if this is the case? We've already stayed at POR and would rather stay somewhere else than repeat there. Thanks!

 

[CandiceF]

Jumping on board. We're booked for Sept 24-Oct 1 at POFQ and I'm really disappointed to see that it was excluded last year! Is it a nightmare to change resorts at this point (within 180 days when all ADRs are booked) if FD is offered and POFQ is in fact excluded again? I'm not sure what we'd even change to. We originally booked at AOA for a suite, but decided we wanted a more relaxed and not so in-your-face Disney resort experience. It will be myself (33), my husband (34), our daughter (7), and our son (4.5). Any suggestions on another moderate resort we could switch to if this is the case? We've already stayed at POR and would rather stay somewhere else than repeat there. Thanks!

CBR is usually included. It has a very tropical feel and has a great pool for kids.

 

[jcemom]

CBR is usually included. It has a very tropical feel and has a great pool for kids.

Agreed!

CBR has a great pool, with two slides AND a play area for the little kids with a bucket dump and slides! We loved it!

 

[jannalynn_11]

Jumping on board. We're booked for Sept 24-Oct 1 at POFQ and I'm really disappointed to see that it was excluded last year! Is it a nightmare to change resorts at this point (within 180 days when all ADRs are booked) if FD is offered and POFQ is in fact excluded again? I'm not sure what we'd even change to. We originally booked at AOA for a suite, but decided we wanted a more relaxed and not so in-your-face Disney resort experience. It will be myself (33), my husband (34), our daughter (7), and our son (4.5). Any suggestions on another moderate resort we could switch to if this is the case? We've already stayed at POR and would rather stay somewhere else than repeat there. Thanks!

Changing resorts won't affect your ADRs, they are not tied to your reservation/resort (if I understood your original question correctly).

 

[disdreams77]

What are the rumored dates?

I received an email from a travel agency yesterday saying they had a usually reliable source that indicated an offer would be released on 4/25 to Visa cardholders first and then the general public. We will have to see...

the

 

[goldnvalli]

What are the rumored dates?

the

So, if fd is one of the offers released on this date what do we do? Do we go on my disney experience and modify our reservations? If so, what time? Do we call to speak to a cm? If so, what time. I am actually off that day for spring break, so I'll be able to stay up all night or call at the wee hours of the morning. I just want to have all the correct information so I can attempt to get this offer quickly.

 

[myhoney]

It didn't list the rumored dates. It was just a heads - up that supposedly there will be some kind of offer. Usually you will start to hear more details on the DIS as it gets closer to the release date.

 

[scard192]

So, if fd is one of the offers released on this date what do we do? Do we go on my disney experience and modify our reservations? If so, what time? Do we call to speak to a cm? If so, what time. I am actually off that day for spring break, so I'll be able to stay up all night or call at the wee hours of the morning. I just want to have all the correct information so I can attempt to get this offer quickly.

for the GP offer you may be able to modify an existing reservation on line. one year FD was available on line around 12-1AM. most years the offer has gone live on line at 6AM Eastern time

If as suggested there is a Disney Visa advance booking window the only way to book it or modify a current reservation is on the phone at 7AM and a $200 deposit has to be put on the Disney Visa.

I will be working that day but plan to be up early, hoping to book 2 rooms at Pop.
good luck!

 

[SJSloan]

Question about the Disney Visa thing... I do not have a Disney Visa but the family that I am travelling with does. But we have two separate reservations, one under her name and one under my name. If Free Dining is released to Disney Visa holders first, could she put a deposit down for my reservation but use my as the lead still and book the reservation before the General Public? I am assuming no but just wanted to confirm.

Also, once booked does the rest of the balance need to be paid on the Visa or can you pay the balance off any way?

 

[scard192]

Question about the Disney Visa thing... I do not have a Disney Visa but the family that I am travelling with does. But we have two separate reservations, one under her name and one under my name. If Free Dining is released to Disney Visa holders first, could she put a deposit down for my reservation but use my as the lead still and book the reservation before the General Public? I am assuming no but just wanted to confirm.

Also, once booked does the rest of the balance need to be paid on the Visa or can you pay the balance off any way?

I "think" your friend can use her Disney Visa to put down the $200 deposit on both rooms. I don't have a reservation but plan to book a room for me and one for my sister family using my Disney Visa card; I would be managing her room in MDE.

you can pay the balance by any means you want, it's just the deposit that must go on the DVisa.

 

[SJSloan]

I "think" your friend can use her Disney Visa to put down the $200 deposit on both rooms. I don't have a reservation but plan to book a room for me and one for my sister family using my Disney Visa card; I would be managing her room in MDE.

you can pay the balance by any means you want, it's just the deposit that must go on the DVisa.

Ok thanks, I was hoping there was a way to still manage my own reservation but just use her to book the deposit and thus book before the general public. Or maybe just book the trip under her name and think link the particular reservation to my MDE. That's a thought... I have approx. 24 days to figure this out.

 

[120304]

Subbing, hoping for free dining in September...

 

[camtheriot]

Subbing!! Need Free Dining for a big Family Vacation!

 

[Dawn Dis]

Ok thanks, I was hoping there was a way to still manage my own reservation but just use her to book the deposit and thus book before the general public. Or maybe just book the trip under her name and think link the particular reservation to my MDE. That's a thought... I have approx. 24 days to figure this out.

I believe that You should be able to both work through the MDE your reservations will just be linked. Maybe a disveteran out there can verify that? Thanks

 

[smidgy]

Jumping on board. We're booked for Sept 24-Oct 1 at POFQ and I'm really disappointed to see that it was excluded last year! Is it a nightmare to change resorts at this point (within 180 days when all ADRs are booked) if FD is offered and POFQ is in fact excluded again? I'm not sure what we'd even change to. We originally booked at AOA for a suite, but decided we wanted a more relaxed and not so in-your-face Disney resort experience. It will be myself (33), my husband (34), our daughter (7), and our son (4.5). Any suggestions on another moderate resort we could switch to if this is the case? We've already stayed at POR and would rather stay somewhere else than repeat there. Thanks!

 

[smidgy]

POFQ is almost never included in any discounts. it is a small resort and fills up very easily without discounts.. you could book at POR and still use POFQ food court and pool, as they are sister resorts.

 

[lbuzz52]

i'm watching too. typically, there is a blackout in October that starts with the first Friday. it usually starts a week before Columbus day. But this year, Columbus day falls directly after the first Friday. So i have no clue what the blackout date will start with. I really hope its available at least until the first Friday.

 

[mpdej8]

Question about the Disney Visa thing... I do not have a Disney Visa but the family that I am travelling with does. But we have two separate reservations, one under her name and one under my name. If Free Dining is released to Disney Visa holders first, could she put a deposit down for my reservation but use my as the lead still and book the reservation before the General Public? I am assuming no but just wanted to confirm.

Also, once booked does the rest of the balance need to be paid on the Visa or can you pay the balance off any way?

last year, there was no pre-sale for Visa card holders. There may not be one this year either.

 

[kandb]

So, if fd is one of the offers released on this date what do we do? Do we go on my disney experience and modify our reservations? If so, what time? Do we call to speak to a cm? If so, what time. I am actually off that day for spring break, so I'll be able to stay up all night or call at the wee hours of the morning. I just want to have all the correct information so I can attempt to get this offer quickly.

I would just book a new package online as soon as the fd offer is released. Then later that day, cancel your other reservation and you will get your $200 back. That's what I did last year, very easy.

 

[Scootchu]

Don't want to miss this.