New to FD...simple question (I think)

[Frwinkley]

Planning a trip for mid December. I've read through older threads about when FD is offered, and my dates may be included (provided it's even offered).

So...do you call when FD first becomes available (which looks to be on the 24th), or do you make your hotel reservation now and than call to add FD? Is FD guaranteed simply because you've booked a room and park tickets?

Thank you!

 

[Marthasor]

If you are going regardless of a discount, book now. If you are only going IF you get FD, I would wait for the offer to be released and get online to book ASAP. Having something booked now does not guarantee free dining. Only a limited amount of resorts/room categories will be placed in FD inventory. You will only be able to modify an existing reservation to FD IF your resort/room category are available for your dates.

 

[purple figment]

1. So...do you call when FD first becomes available (which looks to be on the 24th), or do you make your hotel reservation now and than call to add FD?

2. Is FD guaranteed simply because you've booked a room and park tickets?

Thank you!

2. Answering #2 first: Having a resort reservation in advance of any announcement of a special does not give you any advantage at all. The rooms allocated to a special offer come from a separate inventory. If you already have a resort package and your resort/dates/room category are included in the special and there is still availability when you call your reservation can be modified. It will look like you are keeping your original reservation (confirmation # won't change), but internally it will be a new booking. Booking a special may require some flexibility on your part because they fill quickly and you may have to change your dates, resort or room category.

1. As Marthasor said, book before a special is announced if you want specific dates and/or resort and will go regardless of whether you qualify for a future special. If you will go only if you can get free dining, room discount or some other special offer, there's no point in booking in advance, but be prepared to call or go online as soon as the offer goes live.

 

[SGMCO]

Last year the rumors got stronger the closer to release. On the day FD was suppose to come out I set my alarm and got up extra early to book online. Glad I did within minutes the inventory for Moderates was scarce, I booked one of the last MODs available at around 4:00 am in the morning. I'm 2 hours earlier than Florida time and you could book offer online before phone lines opened up by one hour, last year. If you decide to book when release, be ready, have your choices for resort numbered by first choice then second and so on until you get one that has availability, then make sure you have your Credit card ready. Make your choices fast.
Experiences from last FD shows that pre-booking doesn't get you FD, there were several people who had pre-booked thinking they could just add FD and were out of luck, their resort either sold out of FD rooms available or wasn't on the list. When they went to see if any other resorts were available for their week, all out.

 

[TravelandLeisure]

What time are you usually able to book online the morning FD drops?

 

[SGMCO]

What time are you usually able to book online the morning FD drops?

Last year it was 1 hour before the phone lines opened at 7:00am so it was 6:00am East coast time.

 

[sharonabe]

What time are you usually able to book online the morning FD drops?

Last year it was 1 hour before the phone lines opened at 7:00am so it was 6:00am East coast time.

Actually, it opened up around 5 am EDT last year, and people were up waiting on it most of the night. It COULD come live right after midnight. No one really knows when it gets loaded. If it really is important to you, you may want to just plan on being up all night Sunday night.

 

[SGMCO]

Actually, it opened up around 5 am EDT last year, and people were up waiting on it most of the night. It COULD come live right after midnight. No one really knows when it gets loaded. If it really is important to you, you may want to just plan on being up all night Sunday night.

Yes, I got up at 5:00ET which is 3:00am where I live (Denver, Co) and kept checking the whole hour until the offer finally showed up at 6:00am ET/ 4:00am MT and was able to book one of the last MODS (CSR).My DH only wants to stay at MODs or Deluxe and I find that when FD is offered with Reg. DDP (not QS plan) that booking a MOD is great savings if you have more than 3 Disney Adults. We usually travel with Our DS who is in his 20s.

 

[sharonabe]

Yes, I got up at 5:00ET which is 3:00am where I live (Denver, Co) and kept checking the whole hour until the offer finally showed up at 6:00am ET/ 4:00am MT and was able to book one of the last MODS (CSR).My DH only wants to stay at MODs or Deluxe and I find that when FD is offered with Reg. DDP (not QS plan) that booking a MOD is great savings if you have more than 3 Disney Adults. We usually travel with Our DS who is in his 20s.

Don't know if you're planning on FD again this year, but the rumor is MODs will only get the QSDP this year. If you want the regular DDP, you'll need a Deluxe resort.

 

[SGMCO]

Don't know if you're planning on FD again this year, but the rumor is MODs will only get the QSDP this year. If you want the regular DDP, you'll need a Deluxe resort.

No, not doing FD this trip--My DS won't be traveling with us, it will be just me and DH so I rented DVC points at OKW for Oct. and we will have more freedom. I don't think the FD promo will be worth it this year if MODs only get QS. Room only discounts may be a better deal this year. I couldn't eat QS for every meal for a whole week. I have already booked our TS ADRs for the week, we are paying out of pocket using discounted Disney Gift cards.

 

[cattrix]

Don't know if you're planning on FD again this year, but the rumor is MODs will only get the QSDP this year. If you want the regular DDP, you'll need a Deluxe resort.

I haven't done free dining in a while, will they still allow you to upgrade to the next level of dining plan for a cost?

 

[SGMCO]

I haven't done free dining in a while, will they still allow you to upgrade to the next level of dining plan for a cost?

As far as I know they still allow you to pay difference. But you would have to compare that to other discounts to see if it is a good deal.

 

[tink15823]

I haven't done free dining in a while, will they still allow you to upgrade to the next level of dining plan for a cost?

Haha Disney will always gladly take your money . We will be paying the up grade I ran the numbers and its still a better deal for our family of 6 . I have may alarm set an I am ready . Here is hoping we get FD and the rumors are wrong about the changes.

 

[cattrix]

Haha Disney will always gladly take your money . We will be paying the up grade I ran the numbers and its still a better deal for our family of 6 . I have may alarm set an I am ready . Here is hoping we get FD and the rumors are wrong about the changes.

Ha yeah, as a person who hasn't done a full week in Disney for a few years I'm a little overwhelmed by all the "add-ons" or "extras" that you can pay for now. Fingers crossed for Monday morning!

 

[SGMCO]

FD is a good Deal if your family has more than 2 Disney Adults.
I hope Disney doesn't lessen the deal by giving MODs QS, that just sucks! Plus you have to add Hopper to tickets (we do anyhow, got used to it).
I also hope that everyone who really wants FD gets it, you have to work for it (by getting up so early-I remember) and so I think you deserve to
have FD.