New free dining offer yeaaah

[gotcreativity]

Saved over 400 for the hubby and me at the POP...just paid the difference for the deluxe plan, as this trip is all about the food for us.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I feel stupid but if I go to Disney's site, the only free dining I see if the one for this year... can anyone post the link to the new one please!

 

[daizieduck]

I feel stupid but if I go to Disney's site, the only free dining I see if the one for this year... can anyone post the link to the new one please!

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....=Promo&promotionCode=fy12dine&market=fy12dine

 

[momof2chipmunks]

Thank you! Seriously NOT sure how I missed that thread...I've been on these boards nonstop for 3 days!!! I guess now we have a couple confirmations!

Do we know why I was told to go to a GSO outside of one of the parks (ie the entrance at International Gateway or DHS) to get these tickets early....can't this be done at DTD? He told me not to go to DTD?!?!

I was told you can pick up tickets at ANY guest relations at ANY park and DTD. Last year we picked up our ticket at MK with no problem.

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

Out of curiosity is anyone shocked over the March 2012 dates for next year? I mean a person could check in March 31st for two weeks and get free dining? April 1st is Palm Sunday. That means if you check in the Saturday before, you can have free dining leading up to Easter!

I mean it's one of the BUSIEST times and they offer free dining? WOW

I just don't get that, other than the rack rate for that time frame MORE than makes up for the "free" dining.

That's a good observation. I didn't notice that. My kids are off the week before Easter, so yes that would be a good deal even though the room rates are higher. Gives families motivation to go during a more expensive time by saving on food.

 

[PHefner]

I was told you can pick up tickets at ANY guest relations at ANY park and DTD. Last year we picked up our ticket at MK with no problem.

How do you get into the park without a physical ticket to get to the Guest Relations office?

We're going to be at DTD for dinner the night we fly in and was hoping to just get the ticket there but the guy from Epcot said I had to go to the Inter. Gateway entrance or DHS (not sure where the GRO/GSO is outside of DHS)?

 

[pilferk]

Out of curiosity is anyone shocked over the March 2012 dates for next year? I mean a person could check in March 31st for two weeks and get free dining? April 1st is Palm Sunday. That means if you check in the Saturday before, you can have free dining leading up to Easter!

I mean it's one of the BUSIEST times and they offer free dining? WOW

I just don't get that, other than the rack rate for that time frame MORE than makes up for the "free" dining.

My bet:

Disney will take the 14 nights of rack rate (since it's much higher for that time period) from the few people willing/able to take that long of a vacation and not even think twice about it.

You're talking approx 2k+ in hotel, for a VALUE....3k+ for a Mod...and 5.5k+ for Deluxe over 14 days (the week prior to and the week of Easter). That's a hefty chunk of change.

 

[pilferk]

How do you get into the park without a physical ticket to get to the Guest Relations office?

We're going to be at DTD for dinner the night we fly in and was hoping to just get the ticket there but the guy from Epcot said I had to go to the Inter. Gateway entrance or DHS (not sure where the GRO/GSO is outside of DHS)?

You can't.

Guest Relations at International Gateway and DHS (it's just to the left of the turnstiles...it's a window) are accessible from outside the park.

I THINK MK also has access from just outside the turnstiles...but I could be mis-remembering. It was on the left side of the turnstile plaza, near the exterior gift shop.

DAK USED to have a window (like DHS) just to the left of the turnstiles but I've been told that it's not always manned. Anyone know if that's true? Has it been shuttered?

I'm not sure which GR can handle tickets and which can't. I've never had to deal with that sort of issue. Maybe they all can? Cheshire Figment (and his ticket thread) would probably have better info.

 

[Lehuaann]

After speaking to a CM on the reservation line and he said "No, they've never been able to pick up park tickets early in the 5 years he's been there and to call the hotel directly"...so called hotel "No, you can't get tickets early....it used to be 24 hours." So I insisted that they put me through to someone at a GR office (got someone at the Epcot desk) and wouldn't you know YOU CAN GET YOUR TIX 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR PACKAGE!! You need to go to a GR Office that is located outside of the park (DHS or International gateway entrance at Epcot...told me not DTD, not sure why) and they will do it!!

I'm so relieved! I knew the Disers were right!

THANK YOU for calling!! I was going to call, and then I saw your post.

 

[Colleen27]

My bet:

Disney will take the 14 nights of rack rate (since it's much higher for that time period) from the few people willing/able to take that long of a vacation and not even think twice about it.

You're talking approx 2k+ in hotel, for a VALUE....3k+ for a Mod...and 5.5k+ for Deluxe over 14 days (the week prior to and the week of Easter). That's a hefty chunk of change.

Yep. It is a good way for Disney to stretch out the holiday busy seasons, and not just at Easter. To use an example a friend from another forum priced out... A 5 night Jersey Week trip, Tues to Sun, for 2 adults, a junior and a child with 6 day base tickets and basic dining costs $2700. Or you could book 8 nights, starting Sat Nov 5 to get free dining, with 9 night base tickets for ~$100 less than the shorter package. So people book the longer trip, which means more likelihood of adding ticket upgrades or special experiences and more time spending money in Disney parks and resorts.

 

[ataylorrdh]

Just have to say I feel like I won the lottery yesterday! Thanks Danny 25!

 

[momof2chipmunks]

How do you get into the park without a physical ticket to get to the Guest Relations office?

We're going to be at DTD for dinner the night we fly in and was hoping to just get the ticket there but the guy from Epcot said I had to go to the Inter. Gateway entrance or DHS (not sure where the GRO/GSO is outside of DHS)?

At MK Guest Relations is located after the bag check area and BEFORE you go through the turnstyles that lead into the actual park. Therefore, you do NOT need a ticket to get to Guest Relations. I am not sure of the other parks. I would guess their set ups would be similar. At least, I hope so because we are planning to pick up our tickets at AK this year!

 

[RussTKD]

Thanks Danny... Just booked today.

 

[thepoohguy]

That's a good observation. I didn't notice that. My kids are off the week before Easter, so yes that would be a good deal even though the room rates are higher. Gives families motivation to go during a more expensive time by saving on food.

Well I happen to know that because my DW and I are getting off the Magic on the 30th. We are spending that weekend in Orlando but on the North side of town away from all the craziness of the parks. We are however spending 4 nights before the cruise at BLT!

Yeah, I'm turning 40 and it's a big celebration!!!

 

[guarn3md]

At MK Guest Relations is located after the bag check area and BEFORE you go through the turnstyles that lead into the actual park. Therefore, you do NOT need a ticket to get to Guest Relations. I am not sure of the other parks. I would guess their set ups would be similar. At least, I hope so because we are planning to pick up our tickets at AK this year!

There is a Guest Relations window outside of every park before you enter a park. I know the MK one well - because we stood there for 45 mins while the CM's tried to figure out how the Beach Club CM's screwed up my father's KTTW card and deleted his park tickets. I also know the one outside of Epcot's main entrance - it is too the right closer to the bus dropoff. My husband bought is AP there in May.


For people doing split stays - a word to the wise...We did a split stay in April at the Beach Club CL. They told us they would deliver us new cards the morning of the change over but that we wouldn't have to change rooms. So my Dad likes to get up early (5am) and walk/meet & greet people, who knows...anyway...he gets up takes his card from the day before and leaves. Well when he gets on the elevator to come back up, the card won't work to get him to the top level. He goes to a CM at the desk, who switches out his card - BUT forgets to put his park tickets on the card!!!! She takes the old card and gives him the new one - he doesn't realize he no longer has park tickets - UNTIL we get to the MK!!! The new card the CM gave him plus the new cards CL delivered to us did not have their park tickets on them! It took us 45 minutes to straighten out the mess. And most of that time was spent arguing with them that there was no proof he bought the tickets. OMG...we finally got it all straightened out, but my Dad was so mad!
What have we learned from all of this - make sure the new KTTW cards have everything loaded on them before you leave for the parks!
Debbie

 

[keishashadow]

i booked for next year, have confirmation in hand and expect it to be honored as i see nothing indicating offer is for canadians, proceed at your own risk imo

anyway, something popped out though in the 2012 guest package info, wondering if it means the package price can change before it's paid off if tickets increase?

All prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change until package is paid in full. After package is paid in full, package price is subject to change due to imposition of taxes or other charges of governmental authorities. If air transportation is included in the package, the airfare is not guaranteed until paid in full and the tickets are issued.

 

[stitch34]

Picking up tickets at DTD..... yes, we did it last year no problem. Had read on here only at GR at parks. But was at DTD that night and thought let's try it. CM knew exactly what we were talking about and was great and was easy to do, no problem.

 

[PHefner]

Picking up tickets at DTD..... yes, we did it last year no problem. Had read on here only at GR at parks. But was at DTD that night and thought let's try it. CM knew exactly what we were talking about and was great and was easy to do, no problem.

Sounds good. I think we'll try the DTD location first. Does anyone know how late they are open on a Friday night?

 

[kcsspartan]

I switched my reservation today, no problems at all, saved $300 for a six night vacation compared to my room discount.

 

[abminer]

Room-only reservations don't fall under the same 45 day cancellation policy that applies for packages, I believe it's 5 days prior, or least it was last year.

If you have your room-only reservation number handy, why not just go to WDW website and pull it up under "my reservations" to see if it's still active?

Good idea, at first when I logged in all it had was my ADRs, no resort or package at all, but I plugged in my new confirmation # and my free dining MYW package came up. I did the same with my confirmation # from my old room-only ressie and it said it wasn't in the system. So glad I don't have to call back !