Missing Out on Free Dining?

[PracticallyPerfectPoppins]

Hi everyone! We are considering making a 3-day trip down to Disney over Labor Day weekend this year. I want to get a head start on our reservations (AoA Cars Suite), however I noticed that last year that particular weekend was part of the Free Dining promotion. Though 2017 dates haven't been released yet, I am wondering what would happen if I booked our package now and then the Free Dining promotion is available for our dates? Would I be able to modify my reservation to take advantage of the Free Dining, or would I be S.O.L because I did not book after the promotion was announced? I don't want to make reservations now if it would be better to wait for the dates to be announced. This is only our second trip to Disney and I'm pretty new to how the deals and discounts work TIA!

 

[uccats97]

You can apply a promotion after booking if it's available during your stay.

 

[aebeauregard]

Book now if you want to go. If it becomes available call as soon as you can to try to apply it to your trip. Just know that they only set aside so many rooms for free dining so you may have to change resorts to get the deal.

Also there is usually other things you need to qualify for free dining. For example in the past you need at least two day park hoppers. So if it becomes available you may also end up changing your ticket options.

I love the free dining promotions but I've found you have to be flexible.

 

[PracticallyPerfectPoppins]

Thank you both! We were already planning on getting 2 day PH tickets, so hopefully we'll be able to snag the deal (if there is one!.

 

[JimmyBean42]

Also look at history of prior years for the hotels involved and the types of rooms involved. From experience, we've gotten free dining the last two years and both years we stayed at Caribbean Beach and the first year we had to move into a Pirate room from a standard room and last year we had to move into a Preferred room from the standard we had booked. So you could get bumped up to a higher rate room to get the free dining. So always be ready with the math on what works best for you. And book quick! they've been limiting the total number of rooms available more and more every year. Good luck!!!!