Looking to book 7/10 HELP!

[smorkovsky]

So, it looks like Ill be booking our 2014 trip on the 10th!

We are going 9/2014, and I'm anticipating FD since Disney typically offers FD in September. We'll book mid month just to be safe and fall into the typical window it's offered.

Here is my concern. If don't get FD, I really don't want a dining package at all. One of our kids is 10, so paying for a third adult is going to make the package more expensive than paying OOP. (Don't you think?) So I'm torn on whether to book the trip WITH or WITHOUT the dining package. WWYD?

 

[minnie mum]

It doesn't make much difference. If free dining happens, you'll still have to call, whether you've booked a dining plan now or not. The only advantage of not booking dining now is if free dining doesn't happen next Sept. Possible. Not likely.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I would book the trip without the dining plan. You can always wait to add the dining plan. You don't have to add it when you book. Then I would go ahead and make all my dining reservations at the 180 mark, whether or not I have booked the dining plan. Then if free dining is announced, the ADR's are set. If free dining isn't offered, then I would cancel the reservations that I didn't want to use.

 

[smorkovsky]

I would book the trip without the dining plan. You can always wait to add the dining plan. You don't have to add it when you book. Then I would go ahead and make all my dining reservations at the 180 mark, whether or not I have booked the dining plan. Then if free dining is announced, the ADR's are set. If free dining isn't offered, then I would cancel the reservations that I didn't want to use.

I'm under the impression that if you want to add the dining plan later, you would have to Go through a cancellation/refund process. That's my
dilemma....but in fairness, the issues only arise if they don't offer FD in September. And since that seems unlikely, I ought to just book the dining plan and then cancel it if they don't offer fd. That would be my least likely situation to have to deal with refund/rebooking.

 

[dansdad]

I'm under the impression that if you want to add the dining plan later, you would have to Go through a cancellation/refund process.

If you book a room and tickets together, it is considered a package. Then if you want to add dining, you can without cancelling and rebooking as long as you add it at least 3 days prior to your arrival.

Now if you booked room only and then wanted to add dining, you would need to cancel the room only and book a package with room, dining and tickets.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Just keep in mind that free dining may not be offered next year in Sept. For the past 4 years we have gone in Aug during free dining and guess what, this year free dining wasn't offered for our dates. Of course our airline tix are already purchased and we are locked in. It doesn't make sense, since the weekend we are scheduled to go there is plenty of availability, even the coveted little mermaid rooms are wide open. My understanding is that Disney typically discounts "slow" periods, but in our case not necessarily. Just saying that if you really want free dining, you need to be flexible on your dates. Better luck to you! I hope you get free dining next September.