Not sure what happened..can someone explain?

[producergirl]

So I called this morning to check on the 7/13 PIN. I had original res for 10/10-10/17 which I changed to 10/7-10/17 last week to get the public free dining. BUT, we really want to stick to the 10/10 arrival date, so I thought if I had the PIN I could switch back to my original dates and keep FD.

Got a super friendly CM named Mitch...explained what I was trying to do, asked about the PIN etc. and from there it gets fuzzy. He checked and said I had a room only PIN, but didn't really say anything about the dining one. I mentioned that I had heard there was one coming out today and he said something like Yeah, there is SOMETHING today, but we weren't supposed to talk about it ahead of time..let me check something for you. Anyway, after a long time he comes back and says I'm set...10/10-10-17 with free dining and 6 days of park tickets like I wanted. He never mentioned a PIN, so I asked him what he did since those dates are blacked out from the public offer. He said Oh, just a little pixie dust. Needless to say I was thrilled...especially when the email confirmation came a few minutes later with the new, reduced price. HOWEVER, at the top it still lists my arrival date as 10/7 with a note that says GUEST ARRIVES on 10/10. It lists the right number of nights, price, meals etc., but that 10/7 arrival scares me. We won't be there until 10/10 and I don't want any trouble with the room, dining etc. Anyone know what he did and if it's legit? I know I can call back and ask, but I'd rather not rock the boat if you guys think it's okay.

Thanks,
Joanna

 

[chefmb]

HMMM--I've read some other posts where people book a room a night early so that they have a check in date that is valid for the FD, but they don't actually get there until a day later. Someone was wondering if they could reserve a room 2 days before they actually come in so that they have a valid FD date. I'm guessing that the CM did something like this on your ressie. You'd still be paying for 10-7, 10-8. and 10-9, though, so I guess it somehow works out that you still save money. That's my guess, but it's only a guess. I'd be a little nervous too, but if you have the confirmation number and all the prices work out for you, it's probably fine. I wonder if you'll end up with extra meals?? I don't have the black out dates in front of me, but I'll bet 10/7 is the last valid day before a blackout period. After I post, I'll go check that out! Good luck!

 

[chefmb]

Just checked. 10/7 is the last valid night on the FD public offer until 10/22, so I do believe your CM worked a little magic and got you in there. I just don't see how it can save that much if you're still going to have to pay for the 3 nights that you aren't there. You checked the price and it all worked out, right? I think Mitch might have really gone out of his way to work this out for you! You must sound very nice on the phone!

 

[producergirl]

That's just it...I'm NOT paying for the extra 3 nights. I had priced out the dates I wanted with Free Dining a long time ago, so I'd know how much I'd be saving if it ever came up and it is the exact number he gave me. Plus the confirmation email states "7 nights" not 10. It's wierd. And, he didn't say anything to warn me that I would see something strange on my confirmation...just that I was set for 10/10-10/17 with FD. He never mentioned the 7th. I know I should just count my blessings, but I'm nervous because I know my dates are officially blacked out of FD without the PIN...which I don't think he used.

 

[chefmb]

If you've got the email with your confirmation number and it states " MYW free dining" (or something to that effect), then I'd just pay it off, print it out, and take it with me to check in! It really sounds like Mitch figured out how to work the system to your advantage. I know I'd feel nervous too until I actually checked in (I'm a worrier), but if you have that printed confirmation, they would have to honor it. I don't think they could say, "Oh, sorry. We're changing it on you now." Just double check that the ressie says free dining on it, and make sure the price and dates are listed. Then I think you are covered!

 

[tinka-belle]

This has happened to me a few time with client's trips when dates are changed. Is it the first line at the top of the res that lists your travel dates, for example 10/07-10/17?

If it's that line the CM just didn't change the reservation trip parameters, but that doesn't affect your reservation at all as long as all the other info is right. IIRC that field is also used to cover multiple parties traveling together but not arriving or departing on the same dates, like a Grand Gathering for instance.

 

[free2div]

10/07 is the last valid night to get free dining..just added those 3 nights to mine so we are all going 3 more days..orginally we were to check in 10/10. Still saved 100.00 and got 3 more nights and free dining..Yes you will get 3 extra days of meals if he put you checking in on Oct 7th

 

[Brier Rose]

If you've got the email with your confirmation number and it states " MYW free dining" (or something to that effect), then I'd just pay it off, print it out, and take it with me to check in! It really sounds like Mitch figured out how to work the system to your advantage. I know I'd feel nervous too until I actually checked in (I'm a worrier), but if you have that printed confirmation, they would have to honor it. I don't think they could say, "Oh, sorry. We're changing it on you now." Just double check that the ressie says free dining on it, and make sure the price and dates are listed. Then I think you are covered!

I hate to say it, but this is EXACTLY what we experienced. It's been a few years ago, but I had called to pay off our reservation. I was told while on the phone that we were "being sprinkled with pixie dust" and had received an upgrade. It was a HUGE upgrade. We were staying in a one-bedroom suite at Grand Floridian for DD's Sweet 16, and they had upped us to a 2 bedroom suite.

The CM made a really big deal out of it on the phone..talking about how lucky we were and to tell DD that Mickey says Happy Birthday! I couldn't believe it, but then they sent out the new confirmation..and there it was all spelled out.

We were sooo excited, told DD all about the special "treat".
Fast forward..we get down there to check in..conformation in hand..they would NOT honor it. No way..NO how. Even the event planner that we had AT the Grand Floridian tried to make them honor it..still no.

Hopefully the OP wouldn't have that problem, but just wanted to point out that sometimes a printed confirmation truly isn't worth any more than the paper it's printed on.

 

[momallboy]

So I called this morning to check on the 7/13 PIN. I had original res for 10/10-10/17 which I changed to 10/7-10/17 last week to get the public free dining. BUT, we really want to stick to the 10/10 arrival date, so I thought if I had the PIN I could switch back to my original dates and keep FD.

Got a super friendly CM named Mitch...explained what I was trying to do, asked about the PIN etc. and from there it gets fuzzy. He checked and said I had a room only PIN, but didn't really say anything about the dining one. I mentioned that I had heard there was one coming out today and he said something like Yeah, there is SOMETHING today, but we weren't supposed to talk about it ahead of time..let me check something for you. Anyway, after a long time he comes back and says I'm set...10/10-10-17 with free dining and 6 days of park tickets like I wanted. He never mentioned a PIN, so I asked him what he did since those dates are blacked out from the public offer. He said Oh, just a little pixie dust. Needless to say I was thrilled...especially when the email confirmation came a few minutes later with the new, reduced price. HOWEVER, at the top it still lists my arrival date as 10/7 with a note that says GUEST ARRIVES on 10/10. It lists the right number of nights, price, meals etc., but that 10/7 arrival scares me. We won't be there until 10/10 and I don't want any trouble with the room, dining etc. Anyone know what he did and if it's legit? I know I can call back and ask, but I'd rather not rock the boat if you guys think it's okay.

Thanks,
Joanna

I had that happen the first time I changed my reservation. I called and it turned out they never changed the insurance date. Once a supervisor changed the insurance it showed correctly. Give them a call.

 

[producergirl]

Thanks for all your input. Just to clarify...here's what the reservation confirmation email says:
____________________________________________________
Arrive: 10/7/10
Depart 10/17/10

Ft. Wilderness Cabins
Magic Your way Free Dining

Then it lists all 6 members of my family.

Then under that it says;

10/07/10 Admission 6D Magic Your Way Pass 1 per person for 6 guests

10/10/2010 Hotel 7 nights for 6 guests
Note: Guest arrive to cabin 10/10

10/10/10 Quick Service meals 1 per night per guest (6 of us)
10/10/10 Table Sercie meals 1 per night per guest
10/10/10 Snack 1 per night per guest

The bottom line price is 3989.06 which is 7 nights at a cabin 10/10-10/17 plus tickets...but not dining.
__________________________________________________________

So.....despite the note about Guest Arrival on 10/10 and the fact that I'm only being charged for the 7 nights I'll actually be there, I'm still nervous about that 10/7 at the top. I really don't want to get there on 10/10 and be told that I should have been there on the 7th to get my tickets and/or free dining. We will not be able to fork over another 1300 at that time, belive me! This is crazy...I want to be excited since I've been wanted Free Dining since I booked the trip and I just don't want any trouble

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We usually arrive in the area a few days (or even a week) before our WDW trip begins (friends and family in the area). When we have told the CM our arrival date in the Orlando area, that has always been indicated on the reservation. Our check-in date was always there, too. It looks like this is what they have listed on your reservation - arrival in the area on the 7th, with a check-in on the 10th. Call and confirm.

 

[Lehuaann]

Thanks for all your input. Just to clarify...here's what the reservation confirmation email says:
____________________________________________________
Arrive: 10/7/10
Depart 10/17/10

Ft. Wilderness Cabins
Magic Your way Free Dining

Then it lists all 6 members of my family.

Then under that it says;

10/07/10 Admission 6D Magic Your Way Pass 1 per person for 6 guests

10/10/2010 Hotel 7 nights for 6 guests
Note: Guest arrive to cabin 10/10

10/10/10 Quick Service meals 1 per night per guest (6 of us)
10/10/10 Table Sercie meals 1 per night per guest
10/10/10 Snack 1 per night per guest

The bottom line price is 3989.06 which is 7 nights at a cabin 10/10-10/17 plus tickets...but not dining.
__________________________________________________________

So.....despite the note about Guest Arrival on 10/10 and the fact that I'm only being charged for the 7 nights I'll actually be there, I'm still nervous about that 10/7 at the top. I really don't want to get there on 10/10 and be told that I should have been there on the 7th to get my tickets and/or free dining. We will not be able to fork over another 1300 at that time, belive me! This is crazy...I want to be excited since I've been wanted Free Dining since I booked the trip and I just don't want any trouble

Personally, I would be worried.

Just because the CRO CM confirmed/sent you this (confusing) invoice and you pay your trip in full...nothing is final until it passes the resort upon checkin. They (resort CM's) appear to have the power to trump any invoice, discount, room type, upgrade, etc. It will be at their discretion and they can void the FD knowing you did not checkin on the actual date you were supposed to.

From your itinerary it appears the CRO CM is starting your park tickets on 10/7 to give you FD? However, starting your actual resort stay dates 10/10? I believe the CM "thinks" this method will work because;

*Tickets (start within promo dates)
*Rack Room (arrival falls outside promo dates)
=Yet both are under 1 reservation # to qualify?

Could this be a loophole?? Even "if" this method worked, it would seem someone needs to be there to activate your card/park tickets on 10/7. I guess you could take the chance and let the resort decide the outcome for you.

 

[catne]

don't think they need to be there on 10/7 to activate the park tickets...park tickets don't activate until first day you use them-and you don't need to activate the park tickets to "get" the deal...you just have to buy them in the room package.

Plenty of AP holders who want to get free dining will buy the minimum park ticket requirement on their package (2 nts) and then NOT use the park tickets to get in. They save the tickets for the following year to apply towards renewal of AP tickets.

 

[Lehuaann]

don't think they need to be there on 10/7 to activate the park tickets...park tickets don't activate until first day you use them-and you don't need to activate the park tickets to "get" the deal...you just have to buy them in the room package.

Plenty of AP holders who want to get free dining will buy the minimum park ticket requirement on their package (2 nts) and then NOT use the park tickets to get in. They save the tickets for the following year to apply towards renewal of AP tickets.

I understand that the OP doesn't have to activate/use the park tickets portion of the package at all...and if he/she does they have 14 days from the time of activation.

Allow me to re-phrase the question: wouldn't someone need to be present or something shown in the system on 10/7 for the OP to be eligible for the FD promo...package activated, room card, tickets picked up, something?

 

[antmaril]

I would have to call back. I'd be worried. I would call and ask the CM to tell you what days they have reserved for your free dining trip. I know you don't want to rock the boat and I get that, but, I wouldn't want to take a chance that it's wrong.

Good luck!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I understand that the OP doesn't have to activate/use the park tickets portion of the package at all...and if he/she does they have 14 days from the time of activation.

Allow me to re-phrase the question: wouldn't someone need to be present or something shown in the system on 10/7 for the OP to be eligible for the FD promo...package activated, room card, tickets picked up, something?

This seems to be the million dollar question around the boards lately. If you add dates to qualify...will it still *count* if you don't check in on that date? I have read numerous different answers..none for certain. Still..not a chance I would be willing to take.

I would have to call back. I'd be worried. I would call and ask the CM to tell you what days they have reserved for your free dining trip. I know you don't want to rock the boat and I get that, but, I wouldn't want to take a chance that it's wrong.

Good luck!

I agree. I would definately call back- I still would be worried even if the CM tells you it's ok. I would even want to talk to a manager if they still say it's ok... From my understanding you must *check-in* within the dates of the promotion to qualify. So even if you book 3 days in advance, you still may not get the Free Dining if you don't show up 3 days after.

 

[LoveKermit]

Just want to see what the outcome is....

 

[Sandisw]

As wonderful as it sounds, I too, would call back and ask what happened. You don't want to get down there on the 10th and find out that you don't qualify for free dining and find it removed from the package.

Since you were willing to change your dates to comply with the public code, I don't think I would chance it. But that is just me.

Good luck!

 

[Selket]

You might as well call back rather than worry about it and hope it works out. Ask them what the "arrival on 10/7" means to your reservation - and tell them you are checking in on the 10th.

As for the person who was told they were upgraded to a 2 bed suite and they got a confirmation with it - but the hotel wouldn't honor it - I can't believe Disney would refuse to honor an upgrade they made. That is really terrible.

 

[shoes99]

Today's pin offer dates are:
XXXXXX Family,
all you have to do is choose the deal that’s right for you!
For arrivals most nights 10/3–11/23/10 and 11/28-12/16/10.
FREE Disney Dining Plan
when you purchase a 5-night/5-day non-discounted Magic Your Way vacation package that includes a stay at select Disney Moderate Resorts, Disney Deluxe Resorts or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Theme Park tickets.

FREE Disney
Quick-Service Dining Plan
when you purchase a 5-night/5-day non-discounted Magic Your Way vacation package that includes a stay at select Disney Value Resorts and Theme Park tickets.
********************************
The OP wants 10/10 to 10/17, todays pin offer is 10/3 thru 11/23.
OP should pull up her reservations online. This date mixup happened to me when I changed the arrival date to get an offer. My first confirmation had screwy date range too, then I went online and it was fine. I also called
and they sent me another e-confirmation. Probably an internal date problem in the program.
I don't think this is a "trick the system" issue at all, todays free dining pin qualifies the OP for the package.