March 5th Might Be the Day for Free Dining

[Pixiedust34]

I hope this promotion will be rolled out on March 1/5! We missed the BB offer by just a couple of days and have been hoping for FD for September all year!

My dh is a teacher (he's not going with us on our upcoming trip) and always starts school in mid-August. We've never fit in the traditional FD dates when he does travel with us. I understand how frustrating it is that FD doesn't start sooner, but I know from experience that WDW seems very crowded at the beginning of August which is probably why there aren't many discounts then. Last summer we got very lucky with a quick service (with a moderate stay) pin we were able to use, but that was the only time my dh was ever able to travel with FD.

 

[rafiki14]

I literally JUST got my disney visa in the mail. I would love love love to book free dining for labor day weekend.

Come onnnn. Please be true!

 

[dhardawa]

If it is a Disney Visa offer on 3/1, will we be notified by email? I have had a Disney Visa for years, but never got advanced offers for anything.

 

[Dorisk3]

If it is a Disney Visa offer on 3/1, will we be notified by email? I have had a Disney Visa for years, but never got advanced offers for anything.

Definetly don't wait for Visa to notify you, the years I actually got an email, it was several days later.

Just keep on eye on the disboards , allears or mousesavers, someone will have the code and post it the day before or the morning of.

 

[mjp12831]

Arrgh we check in on August 23-September 1! So we'd have two days of no dining plan!

I don't think it works this way - I think you have to check in on a FD date to get FD for your trip. I don't think it becomes free on 8/25 for the remainder of your trip (given your scenerio and the proposed dates in this thread).

I may be wrong and would like to hear from someone who knows for sure.

 

[jenseib]

I don't think it works this way - I think you have to check in on a FD date to get FD for your trip. I don't think it becomes free on 8/25 for the remainder of your trip (given your scenerio and the proposed dates in this thread).

I may be wrong and would like to hear from someone who knows for sure.

You are correct. It has to be valid for check in day. You have to buy 2 days worth of tickets (though I have heard a rumor of some getting away with just one) and stay a minimum of 3 nights. You can recheck in to get it, but you will have to buy those tickets(which can be saved for a future trip) and stay another 3 nights.

 

[smitch425]

Arrgh we check in on August 23-September 1! So we'd have two days of no dining plan!

I don't think it works this way - I think you have to check in on a FD date to get FD for your trip. I don't think it becomes free on 8/25 for the remainder of your trip (given your scenerio and the proposed dates in this thread).

I may be wrong and would like to hear from someone who knows for sure.

You are correct. It has to be valid for check in day. You have to buy 2 days worth of tickets (though I have heard a rumor of some getting away with just one) and stay a minimum of 3 nights. You can recheck in to get it, but you will have to buy those tickets(which can be saved for a future trip) and stay another 3 nights.

If you have a trip booked for a checkin of 8/23, but FD doesn't begin until 8/25, then you have to book two separate stays. The first stay would be a room only reservation (no park tickets) for the nights of 8/23 and 8/24. The second reservation would be a FD package (with tickets) from 8/25-9/1. You would only need to buy park tickets with the second reservation and you could get the same # of days on your tickets that you originally wanted. You would go to guest relations at any park on your first park day and do what is referred to as "Early ticket pickup". You can pick up your package tickets up to three days early. You will just have to pay for your food OOP those first two days. It is possible that you would have to switch rooms since you would have to checkout and checkin again, but if they link your two reservations together, there is a great chance you can stay in the same room.

As for the ticket requirements, in order to get FREE dining, you must buy at least a two day ticket. If PAYING for the dining plan, then you only have to buy a one day ticket.

 

[mill4023]

Darn. We were really hoping to see something for November. I guess there is always a chance they'll add dates later.

 

[smitch425]

Darn. We were really hoping to see something for November. I guess there is always a chance they'll add dates later.

Disney operates on a fiscal year similar to the government. Their new year begins October 1st. First quarter discounts typically do not come out until August, so we'll have to wait awhile to hear about Oct.-Dec. deals.

 

[mill4023]

Disney operates on a fiscal year similar to the government. Their new year begins October 1st. First quarter discounts typically do not come out until August, so we'll have to wait awhile to hear about Oct.-Dec. deals.

I guess you're right. I looked at the history and the last few years, Oct to Dec free dining offers came out in July or August.

 

[mjp12831]

If you have a trip booked for a checkin of 8/23, but FD doesn't begin until 8/25, then you have to book two separate stays. The first stay would be a room only reservation (no park tickets) for the nights of 8/23 and 8/24. The second reservation would be a FD package (with tickets) from 8/25-9/1. You would only need to buy park tickets with the second reservation and you could get the same # of days on your tickets that you originally wanted. You would go to guest relations at any park on your first park day and do what is referred to as "Early ticket pickup". You can pick up your package tickets up to three days early. You will just have to pay for your food OOP those first two days. It is possible that you would have to switch rooms since you would have to checkout and checkin again, but if they link your two reservations together, there is a great chance you can stay in the same room.

As for the ticket requirements, in order to get FREE dining, you must buy at least a two day ticket. If PAYING for the dining plan, then you only have to buy a one day ticket.

Thanks - we might do this as it would be easier than changing dates

Another alternative would be to cab over to Universal those first 2 days.

 

[NLD]

Well, if those are the correct dates (Aug 25), then that puts a stop on dreaming about an August trip for us.

That is the week dd goes back to school.

Hoping for at least one week earlier...

 

[mjp12831]

You would go to guest relations at any park on your first park day and do what is referred to as "Early ticket pickup". You can pick up your package tickets up to three days early.

Can you define 3 days early?

- if you booked two stays with the FD/Park ticket stay starting 8/25, does this mean you can pick up park tickets on the 22nd or 23rd? (I'd assume it's the 22nd but want to be sure you wouldnt count the 25th as a day)

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

Really hope the dates include Aug 19-24, since those are our dates. I would have to stay at a value resort if FD is not offered, to offset some of the cost.

 

[rafiki14]

Well, if those are the correct dates (Aug 25), then that puts a stop on dreaming about an August trip for us.

That is the week dd goes back to school.

Hoping for at least one week earlier...

fingers crossed for you!

 

[KigerKat]

This would be great news for us! We were planning a week-ish long vacation starting 8/25 and then we were coming back at the end of Sept. for the ToT 10-Miler!!

 

[smitch425]

Can you define 3 days early?

- if you booked two stays with the FD/Park ticket stay starting 8/25, does this mean you can pick up park tickets on the 22nd or 23rd? (I'd assume it's the 22nd but want to be sure you wouldnt count the 25th as a day)

I think it would be the 22nd. Here is some info from Cheshire Figment's ticket sticky regarding early pickup:

I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package

In cases where Walt Disney World Resort Guests would like to begin using their Package Tickets prior to the day of check-in (up to three days in advance), the Guests will be directed to visit any Theme Park or DTD Guest Relations location and request Early Ticket Pick-Up. (Note this cannot be done at a water park.)

It is only valid for people with packages at a Walt Disney World owned and operated Resort. You can be staying off-property at the time you pick up the tickets. Note that if you have a package which includes Dining, although you can pick up your tickets early you cannot get access to the Dining until you have actually checked in to your Resort.

Note that since August 2011 the Call Centers have been telling Guests this cannot be done. However it is still a valid procedure and can be done with no problem at Park Guest Relations Windows.

There is a possibility that if your package and the stay prior to the package are at the same Resort that you will be able to get the tickets at the Resort and not have to go to a Park Guest Relations Office.

And the tickets issued will be valid for the entire stay; they will not receive valid tickets when they actually check-in to their resort. There is a strong possibility that the tickets you have received prior to check-in cannot be added to your KTTW on or after check-in.

I would suggest you copy down the following information if you are planning to upgrade promotional tickets. If the person in the window is hesitant to upgrade these promotional tickets, ask them go go into The Hub >> WDW >> Work >> Ticketing >> Processes & Business Rules >> Early Ticket Pickup For Resort Packages where they will see the procedure.



You can send CF a message and ask for clarification on the meaning of "3 days". He would know the answer for sure.

 

[DisDaze]

I'm anxious to see if the Fall Free Dining codes will be able to be applied to the new AOA resort. I don't think they will, but I"m hoping . . . . .

 

[cart-mom]

It's just like Disney to mix things up since FD has become so popular. I for one always go down the week before Labor Day and enjoy it. The crowds have all gone and lots of Brit's around. Not a problem for us. Risky for weather? Sure, but we have managed a few major hurricanes before.

 

[mikewdw]

what are chances this could be an announcement for free dining or something like it for early summer (june)
mikewdw