November Free Dining?

[ngregoire17]

Does anyone know when Disney will release either free dining or 30% discounts for November? We ususally go the first week after Thanksgiving and have always received free dining offers. This time we are going the first week in November but I am willing to change the dates if our trip doesn't fall within a free dining offer. I spoke with a cast member and she said it would be good to go ahead a book my trip for room availability and if an offer comes out they would apply it the reservation. Is this a good strategy or is it better to wait to sort of encourage Disney to send you the pin so that you'll book the trip?

 

[partypa]

Free Dinning was released Aug 3. Room discount not til Oct 5. I would hold off for a little while. For a history of Disney Discounts www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html

 

[new york 1]

Yes, she is right you can put down $200 dep,and they will change it for u if FD comes out in 2011,FD was announced first week of AUG

 

[ngregoire17]

Thanks for the info. It does appear that most free dining for November opened in August.

 

[mousiemom]

we've also booked a room only and then if the fd comes out you can modify your reservation with the fd package. i've done this many times.

 

[PrincessAnnabell]

Does this mean if I book my Nov. 5-12 vacation now and then they release a free dining offer, that I am out of luck? I wasn't thinking of any promotions, just that we should book early to save on airfare. I also thought free dining was only in Sept. for some reason. I guess I have a lot to learn.

 

[shannonstar]

Does this mean if I book my Nov. 5-12 vacation now and then they release a free dining offer, that I am out of luck? I wasn't thinking of any promotions, just that we should book early to save on airfare. I also thought free dining was only in Sept. for some reason. I guess I have a lot to learn.

Not at all. If you booked a package deal, you can just have it added to your reservation.
If you booked a room only though, you will have to get a refund and rebook with a package. (I learned this my first booking)

 

[3_disprincesses]

Yes, she is right you can put down $200 dep,and they will change it for u if FD comes out in 2011,FD was announced first week of AUG

Don't assume though that they will "change it for you"...You will have to call with your reservation # and check to be sure #1-you qualify for the promotion, #2-there's still availability and #3-request the promotion be applied to your reservation!

 

[PrincessAnnabell]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Kristina]

I'd book it with a Disney certified travel agent and let them know what you want so that way they can be on the look out for you and change it right when the offer is released. I've done the same myself with Dreams Unlimited who own the Disboards and I'm always glad I did (although, I still panic when a offer is released lol )!

 

[cybrkitn]

Don't assume though that they will "change it for you"...You will have to call with your reservation # and check to be sure #1-you qualify for the promotion, #2-there's still availability and #3-request the promotion be applied to your reservation!

Qualify for the promotion ? Does that mean the usual "select resorts" restrictions that are on most of the discounts? Or is there something else?

We're going to be booking our package within the next few weeks and we're hoping for some for free dining to be offered again. Our December 2011 trip was postponed to this November/December and FD was offered during our original dates. I'd hate to find out after-the-fact that we can't take advantage of free dining should it come out in August.

 

[reiella]

Qualify for the promotion ? Does that mean the usual "select resorts" restrictions that are on most of the discounts? Or is there something else?

We're going to be booking our package within the next few weeks and we're hoping for some for free dining to be offered again. Our December 2011 trip was postponed to this November/December and FD was offered during our original dates. I'd hate to find out after-the-fact that we can't take advantage of free dining should it come out in August.

Select Resort and certain days[ it's very unlikely you will get Free Dining on Turkey-day for instance ].