New free dining offer yeaaah

Pretty sure the answer is "no." But we can't resort-hop or split our 10-day stay with the FD promo, can we?

We wanted to do 4 nights at POR, 4 nights at CSR, and 2 nights at AKL.

We have a 20% off (room only) PIN, and are evaluating which is the better deal.
 
Pretty sure the answer is "no." But we can't resort-hop or split our 10-day stay with the FD promo, can we?

We wanted to do 4 nights at POR, 4 nights at CSR, and 2 nights at AKL.

We have a 20% off (room only) PIN, and are evaluating which is the better deal.
Please see post #666 for all the FD booking and "split stay" guidelines.
 
You have to do at least 3 nights of a package for FD. You would have to buy two base tickets, per person for each package though. You need to do the math and see if it is a better value than your pin.
 

Pretty sure the answer is "no." But we can't resort-hop or split our 10-day stay with the FD promo, can we?

We wanted to do 4 nights at POR, 4 nights at CSR, and 2 nights at AKL.

We have a 20% off (room only) PIN, and are evaluating which is the better deal.

No, you will have to purchase 3 separate MYW packages with min 3 nt stay & 2 day base tickets.

You could do a split stay with 20%room only and FD package. I'm doing a tri-split stay with room only-FD-room only.
 
I am a newbie trying to make all my ADR's I booked in June work. We had originally planned to be at Disney December 10-16. We had not planned to do much on the 10th so it does not bother me to book a room only night at our resort (CSR) and loose that night in the parks. My concern is that our first ADR is for Donald's Breakfast Safari in Animal Kingdom at 8:30. Will I need to use online check in to have everything I need to get into Animal Kingdom that early on the first day of our package? Or will I be able to get all that I need for that when I check in on the 10th at Coronado Springs?

Is my question making sense? This is my first Disney trip to plan and book and I thought I had done such a great job of figuring out all the tricks and then my dates didn't match up!

Also, when I call to book with the CM be helpful in figuring all this out or do I need to know exactly what I want when I call?

Hope this isn't too confusing, but here it goes--
You will need to do a split stay reservation.
Reservation #1--Dec 10 room only--since this date is not included in FD there may be a room only discount that can be applied or maybe a AAA discount; you should be able to pick up your tickets at this time. This will get you into the parks. When you check in, let them know you are doing a split stay; you may not have to move rooms. They are usually pretty accomodating.

Reservation #2--Dec 11-16 5 nights, Magic My Way Package with free dining. This will give you 5 snacks, 5 counter service meals, and 5 table service meals.

Hope this helps. Enjoy and here's a little pixie dust coming your way.
 
Well, I thought I would spread the word and pass along that a little bird told me that these dates are correct. :littleangel: :littleangel: :littleangel:
 
Is it just me or is everyone losing their minds over this? While I'm just as pleased as everyone else if there is a new promo coming out, what is the panic? We could have booked the same rooms last year 3 months after the FD offer came out. These rooms are not going to be sold out in one morning. There are peope changing flights already and people getting up at 5am. Plus FD is really only a good value at the Mod resorts. The deluxe resorts are still way overpriced even with FD. Everyone calm down! :)

:lmao::rotfl2:
 
Would you have to change travel dates? The change fee for air should be no different than it would booking directly with the airline, Disney was just the conduit for that booking so they are more than likely to need to be the conduit for any changes. If it is just you moving to a new reservation, there should not be any fees if you are still using the ticket.

The TA likely did not make any commission on the air portion but it is easier for her to book it as part of a package if the pricing is the same. Disney doesn't pay commission on air nor do most airlines anymore.

:thumbsup2 Super! Thanks SO much for that bit of information! I know it wasn't exactly FD related... :rotfl: I couldn't just refer to post #666!
I was worried that because my airfare is "tied" to that reservation, that it wouldn't be able to be "taken out", if that makes any sense. I get that you can drop people from hotel, tix, etc. But airfare just seems difficult and frustrating and never know with airline restrictions and such :headache: So thank you for your helpfulness! :flower3: Just wanted to be prepared, if DBF does come and we have to switch!
 
I am guessing the answer is no but free dining is offered to end Nov 5 and again starting Nov 13th. I am checking out on the 13th but will still have the dining plan for that day, can I use the free dining offer? I am staying at AKL. Thanks for any help
 
I am guessing the answer is no but free dining is offered to end Nov 5 and again starting Nov 13th. I am checking out on the 13th but will still have the dining plan for that day, can I use the free dining offer? I am staying at AKL. Thanks for any help
FREE DINING FACTS AND INFORMATION

The Free Dining Promo/Discount was first introduced in the fall of 2005 and up until the fall of 2009, was, basically, just offered during the timeframe of mid August to the first of October (height of hurricane season) and included the Basic/Plus Dining for all levels of WDW resort. Starting in the fall of 2009, they offered a second Free Dining Promo/Discount that covered dates between October 1st and the third week of December and they also started including the Quick Service DDP for Value resorts and the Basic/Plus DDP for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. With the popularity of the Free Dining Promo, last year, for the first time, WDW offered multiple Free Dining discounts during this year that included many value season/low crowd weeks.

To take advantage of a Free Dining (FD) discount you must be booked at a Disney-owned resort and purchase a Magic Your Way Package that includes room, tickets and dining with a 2 day base ticket purchase. The FD promos have a 3 day booking minimum and a 14 day booking maximum. You can not include Annual Passes or previously purchased tickets for Disney or any other outside ticketing agent.

The current FD promos have included the Quick Service Dining Plan for Value Resorts and the Basic/Plus Dining Plan for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. You can not downgrade to the Quick Service Dining if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort - there have been reports that, once in the parks, guests have been able to trade/convert Table Service (TS) credits for Counter Service (CS) credits, but this is not advertised on the WDW website and should not be considered WDW "policy." You can however pay the monetary difference and upgrade to the Basic/Plus DDP or the Deluxe DDP if you are staying at a Value Resort and can upgrade to the Deluxe Plan if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. The Deluxe Dining Plan has never been included in any free dining promos. Here is a breakdown of FD upgrade costs for 2011:

Upgrade from Quick Service DDP $34.99/$11.99 to Basic/Plus DDP $45.99/$11.99
$11.00 per adult 10+; $0.00 per child 3 - 9

Upgrade from Quick Service DDP $34.99/$11.99 to Deluxe DDP $78.99/$21.99
$44.00 per adult 10+; $10.00 per child 3 - 9

Upgrade from Basic/Plus DDP $45.99/$11.99 to Deluxe DDP $78.99/$21.00
$33.00 per adult 10+; $10.00 per child 3 - 9

Your check in date must fall within the dates of the FD promo to apply the discount to your reservation. If your check in dates do not fall within the FD dates, you can not apply the discount - even if every single night of your vacation falls within the promo, except for your check in date, you can not take advantage of the FD promo.

If any of your vacation dates fall within a FD promo dates you can receive the FD discount for your entire vacation stay, up to 14 nights, even if you are checking in on the last day of a FD promo, you can still recieve the discount for up to 14 nights.


If your vacation starts a couple of days before a FD promo, it's possible to do a Split Stay - meaning, you can do a room only reservation for 1 to 3 nights at the beginning of your vacation, pay for your food out-of-pocket for those days, and be allowed to pick up your PACKAGE TICKETS up to 3 days early at guest relations at any of the four parks or at Downtown Disney (For further info on picking up tickets early, please see Diser, CheshireFigment's, Ticket Sticky on the top the Themeparks Board.)

If you already have an existing reservation that falls within the dates of a FD promo, you can call and have the FD code added to modify that reservation. You can not add the FD code on line, you will need to call WDW Reservations, 407-W-Disney. You do NOT have to rebook, your reservation number does not change and there is not a fee - if you are within your 45 day window, they can charge you a $50.00 change fee, but, most FD promos come out before the 45 day window, so this shouldn't be an issue. If you have already paid your package in full, WDW will refund you the monetary difference - this can take up to 2 billing cycles or about 2 months. Each resort is only allotted so many FD rooms, so if you call and your resort is sold out of FD promo rooms, you can change your resort and do not have to cancel or pay a fee and your reservation number stays the same. If your existing reservation is a room only reservation, then you would have toTy cancel and rebook under a Magic Your Way Package to receive the FD discount.

Typically, in the past, other than last's August FD announcement, Disney Visa holders ere given the FD Promo Code three (3) days before it opens to the general public. In the past, all you had to do to get the Disney Visa FD discount was put $200.00 down with your card, the balance did not have to be put on the Disney Visa.

If you already have Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) changing or modifying a reservation does not effect or cancel your ADRs. You would have to go on-line or call WDW Dining to cancel ADRs, even if you completely cancel a vacation/reservation. Remember, anyone can make ADRs, even offsite guests and don't have to be linked to your reservation in any way. If you have already booked and paid for any restaurants and/or dinner shows, and then a FD promo/discount is released, you can contact Disney Dining once you modify your reservation to include the FD code and give them your reservation number, and they will credit you the amount you pre-paid. This type of refund also takes 2 billing cycles or about 2 months.

Hopefully this info will give everyone an overview of the current Free Dining Guidelines.
 
Hi,

Thinking of changing my ressie. Currently booked BC CL or a week. Thinking of staying CBR for 10 days with FD! We can stay longer and its cheaper, even with my pin (room only). I understand they are mod vs deluxe but saving $$ and staying longer!:goodvibes

Question checking in Nov. 12 and checking out Nov. 22. How would D work for us??? Thanks!:)
 
OK, the phone number I have on my PIN code offer from Disney Destinations is a tiny bit different from the 407-W-DISNEY number. Which should I use to call on Wednesday about changing my ressie to add FD or does it matter?

Oh, and to all of you who are being so patient answering all of these questions (including mine), this is for you: :worship::worship::worship:

I just don't want to waste time calling the wrong number! That would be bad!
 
Hi,

Thinking of changing my ressie. Currently booked BC CL or a week. Thinking of staying CBR for 10 days with FD! We can stay longer and its cheaper, even with my pin (room only). I understand they are mod vs deluxe but saving $$ and staying longer!:goodvibes

Question checking in Nov. 12 and checking out Nov. 22. How would D work for us??? Thanks!:)
You would have to do a one night room-only reservation on November 12 and then start your package on the 13 and would receive the FD discount for your entire stay, up to 14 nights. Please see post #666 for Free Dining Info and Guidlines and "split stay" info.
 
Sorry, but you don't know that for sure. No more than we all know if this rumor is even true. Just a bunch of hopeful speculating right now.

I'm not sure what how long I've been a member of this forum has to do with anything. I manage a very successful multiple-million dollar business, so I think I've got a pretty good grasp on how business and marketing works. In November of last year I could still book pretty much any room I wanted under the FD or room discount promos and they were announced in July. I'm pretty confident the rooms will book at the same pace as last year. There are no new attractions on economic conditions to make me think otherwise. There are still lots of rooms left under the current promos. If you want to get up at 5am to book your room go ahead. I was merely making a lighthearted comment that I thought it was funny how a bunch of people were freaking out like they had to book a room in the first hour on Wednesday. Some people thought my comment was funny and everyone who didn't ignored it except you. :cool2:
 
I'm not sure what how long I've been a member of this forum has to do with anything. I manage a very successful multiple-million dollar business, so I think I've got a pretty good grasp on how business and marketing works. In November of last year I could still book pretty much any room I wanted under the FD or room discount promos and they were announced in July. I'm pretty confident the rooms will book at the same pace as last year. There are no new attractions on economic conditions to make me think otherwise. There are still lots of rooms left under the current promos. If you want to get up at 5am to book your room go ahead. I was merely making a lighthearted comment that I thought it was funny how a bunch of people were freaking out like they had to book a room in the first hour on Wednesday. Some people thought my comment was funny and everyone who didn't ignored it except you. :cool2:
Because if you had been around here more than 5 months maybe would would have known that FD promos, in the past, have sold out on the first day.

The big question is what does the fact that you run a multi-million dollar business have anything to do with knowing if a FD promo will sell out or not. My husband also runs/owns his own multi-million dollar company and doesn't know a dang thing about Disney FD offers, and really, doesn't care. He leaves that up to me, as I have my own Disney Trip Planning Service and have booked ourselves and many customers on FD packages :-)

Don't be so touchy, I wasn't insulting you, just pointing out that FD offers, in the past, have sold out quickly.
 
Random observation- one of the groups of dates goes until November 19. My kids are out of school the week of Thanksgiving. If that date is correct, we could go down Friday evening or even Saturday and get FD for the week of Thanksgiving. That sounds crazy. Would Disney have it like that?
 

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