Offical free dining watch 2008

[LoveTwoTravel]

This might not be the place to post this...but -
We have never booked the free dining - isn't it awfully confusing, with where you can eat, how many credits, and all that jazz?
We are currently booked at the Poly from Aug. 22-31. DH doesn't want me to look into the dining - but you are all so hyped up on it! There must be something that I am missing - except for the obvious - free food!
We are 2 adults (well, 3, including DS12), and DS8. We enjoy some sit-downs and some cs meals. We are currently holding ADRs for Primetime (2x), Whispering Canyon, Rose n' Crown, Chef Mickey's, Kona Cafe, Le Cellier and Stitch breakfast at Ohana - most of these are lunches except 2 breakfast and 2 dinners.
Can someone be so kind as to tell me if I should pursue the free dining? We are Disney Visa card holders, and are thinking of AP's if the discount is big enough!
Thanks - and sorry for my ignorance (or laziness?!)

With all of those ADRs you might want to look into the Deluxe DP. Or, you could always do the math (there are menus for all of the restaurants online) and, which ever comes out best choose it, and pay any overage OOP (since you have so many ADRs).

Some of the more experienced DISers might give more detailed info, but I'd say doing the math yourself is the ONLY way you can make that decision.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

This might not be the place to post this...but -
We have never booked the free dining - isn't it awfully confusing, with where you can eat, how many credits, and all that jazz?
We are currently booked at the Poly from Aug. 22-31. DH doesn't want me to look into the dining - but you are all so hyped up on it! There must be something that I am missing - except for the obvious - free food!
We are 2 adults (well, 3, including DS12), and DS8. We enjoy some sit-downs and some cs meals. We are currently holding ADRs for Primetime (2x), Whispering Canyon, Rose n' Crown, Chef Mickey's, Kona Cafe, Le Cellier and Stitch breakfast at Ohana - most of these are lunches except 2 breakfast and 2 dinners.
Can someone be so kind as to tell me if I should pursue the free dining? We are Disney Visa card holders, and are thinking of AP's if the discount is big enough!
Thanks - and sorry for my ignorance (or laziness?!)

Well, I definitely think you should! I wouldn't want to pay for all of that if I could get it free! You get one table service, one counter service, and one snack a day for each person. I wouldn't think it would be all that confusing. Sounds like you will probably eat cs and ts while you are there. I can't understand why you would consider spending the money unecessarily The restaurants you've mentioned add up to several hundred I'm sure. Why not take that money and apply toward somethin fun, like a tour or extra day?

 

[NannyPooh]

Thanks LoveTwoTravel -
We've been to WDW a ton of times, and have usually had APs, and use the DDE, so I haven't worried about it too much.
I think if I have free dining, though, I lose my AAA discount on room ressie - is that right? I'm still hoping for a bigger room only discount!
Eternally hopeful...

Thanks Also - Haleysmommom!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I think if I have free dining, though, I lose my AAA discount on room ressie - is that right?
!

Ahh, ok that makes it more clear Yes, you would lose your AAA discount. You would have to do the math and see which is the bigger discount. We have 16 people going with us, and the FD is definitely the bigger discount for us. We are also booked thru AAA.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

Thanks LoveTwoTravel -
We've been to WDW a ton of times, and have usually had APs, and use the DDE, so I haven't worried about it too much.
I think if I have free dining, though, I lose my AAA discount on room ressie - is that right? I'm still hoping for a bigger room only discount!
Eternally hopeful...

Thanks Also - Haleysmommom!

YES! You would lose the AAA discount. One or the other (I think we need to make that the motto of these FD pages since it's posted on almost every page) Hee hee hee.

There is a GREAT post somewhere that has a chart which breaks down the discounts vs the FD and you can easily see which is best for you (it uses # in party, ages of those in party, level of resort, etc.). Very easy to use and works well. Sorry I can't remember where it is--do a search for it to see if you can pull it up.

 

[jenseib]

I believe the AAA discount for Poly is 15 % off in Sept. And the dining plan cost about 38 per adult (over 10) and 10 under 10. So do the math. If you save more on your room per night than what the dining would cost, the nstay with AAA, but if free food is involved and the discount isn't that great ,I would go with dining.
My guees is the dining would be about 125 a day(give or take) so if you are saving that much off your room a night with 15 % off then keep it the way it is, but if not, you can try for free dining. You might not get it anyways for what you want either. So keep that in mind as well.

 

[NannyPooh]

Thanks all!
I did forget to mention my AAA discount the first time around, didn't I?! We are saving over $700.00 on the Poly w/ AAA discount - I looked up more on the DDP, and I think at this point - it would be a wash - BUT...despite what my ADRs look like - we really aren't that big of eaters when we are there. If we do a TS restaurant - that is usually our only big meal of the day. Plus - going in August (our first time in the summer - ugh) I think that it will simply be too hot to eat! Being from the Seattle area - our bodies are geared towards cold, damp, wet weather!
If I can get an AP discount on the room, and the DDE card again - then the extra money for the AP over the PH ticket still puts me ahead by a longshot!
Thanks again for all of the advice and help!

 

[Snuffy5]

I am a new Disney Visa cardholder and I am wondering when I should expect the promo code for FD. When does one usually receive the emails? Should I expect it today or will it come overnight?
Thank you!

 

[MRS AR]

I am a new Disney Visa cardholder and I am wondering when I should expect the promo code for FD. When does one usually receive the emails? Should I expect it today or will it come overnight?
Thank you!

The problem with waiting is that sometimes all the spaces for FD will be taken up on your dates before you get the code in the mail. Call CR and give them your reservation # and ask them to check your name for the code. They will have the code long before you get snail mail notification.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

The problem with waiting is that sometimes all the spaces for FD will be taken up on your dates before you get the code in the mail. Call CR and give them your reservation # and ask them to check your name for the code. They will have the code long before you get snail mail notification.

WAIT... Are you saying that the FD code for DV card holders should be in the Disney computer system? So that all we have to do is call tomorrow (or whenever it's permitted) and book the package (according to all stipulations)?

That would make things a little easier!

 

[safetymom]

If you are going to call tomorrow or when it is released then you should tell the CM the code. The first day early in the day the CM's won't know what the code is. For Disney Visa it would be the same code for everyone. If you don't mention that you are looking for a Disney Visa code the CM will not volunteer it.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

If you are going to call tomorrow or when it is released then you should tell the CM the code. The first day early in the day the CM's won't know what the code is. For Disney Visa it would be the same code for everyone. If you don't mention that you are looking for a Disney Visa code the CM will not volunteer it.

Can we just say, "I'm a DV card holder and I'd like to book a MYW package with FD, please." and that will be OK?

I'm sure you're right in that they won't volunteer the FD: we had a vaca during this time in '06 but didn't know about FD and so didn't get it.

 

[safetymom]

For some cast members NO. Some of them don't know there may have been a new code released. I am sure tomorrow if it is released someone here will have the code.

If the DIS confirms there is a code they will also have it listed on the main page of the boards.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

For some cast members NO. Some of them don't know there may have been a new code released. I am sure tomorrow if it is released someone here will have the code.

If the DIS confirms there is a code they will also have it listed on the main page of the boards.

So then is it pointless to call first thing in the morning (whenever it is released) until you have a code to use?

The only one I know to try at this point is the one that was offered on the boards a few days ago (by the Dis member whose mother is a TA).

 

[Palendat]

If you need the code, just check here on the DIS while you are on hold, and it will probably (99.999999999999999999% sure) be here.

 

[MRS AR]

So then is it pointless to call first thing in the morning (whenever it is released) until you have a code to use?

The only one I know to try at this point is the one that was offered on the boards a few days ago (by the Dis member whose mother is a TA).

Last time I booked a popular DV code I called the day it was released and had to be persistent (but nicely persistent) that the code should be listed with my DV and they were able to find it. That was a pay for 5 nights get 2 nights free package that was very popular. I thanked the Dis the whole stay at the GF. That was where I first learned about the code. I received snail mail about 2 weeks later, but was reading on the Dis that lots of people couldn't get the dates they were wanting because they were already booked up. If you call and they can't help you, all you have wasted was some time.

 

[thunderbird1]

So then is it pointless to call first thing in the morning (whenever it is released) until you have a code to use?

The only one I know to try at this point is the one that was offered on the boards a few days ago (by the Dis member whose mother is a TA).

Yes, and no. You might have trouble booking without the code but, believe me, you won't have trouble getting the code. It will be prominently posted all over the DIS boards the minute someone knows it. It will be on this thread, many other threads, and at the info area at the top of the page.

Just make sure you use a phone with an earpiece or speakerphone, cause you could be in for a long wait. Other than the anxiety of "will I get it or not?" last year, I actually enjoyed my 45 minutes on hold. We free dining hopefuls were a bunch of posting fools, and chatting with everyone really made the time go by quickly. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I might get up at 4:00 tomorrow morning just to wait with you. Or maybe not--I need to rest up and save my energy for WDW!

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

If you need the code, just check here on the DIS while you are on hold, and it will probably (99.999999999999999999% sure) be here.

Thanks! I will call and just keep my computer near. This is crazy!

Good luck everyone!

Last time I booked a popular DV code I called the day it was released and had to be persistent (but nicely persistent) that the code should be listed with my DV and they were able to find it. That was a pay for 5 nights get 2 nights free package that was very popular. I thanked the Dis the whole stay at the GF. That was where I first learned about the code. I received snail mail about 2 weeks later, but was reading on the Dis that lots of people couldn't get the dates they were wanting because they were already booked up. If you call and they can't help you, all you have wasted was some time.

Very true. I'm planning on giving it a try (and then reporting back here).

This is so funny to be so excited! I'm looking forward to going but all of this is really for my children so that heightens the excitement for me!

 

[Snuffy5]

The problem with waiting is that sometimes all the spaces for FD will be taken up on your dates before you get the code in the mail. Call CR and give them your reservation # and ask them to check your name for the code. They will have the code long before you get snail mail notification.

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. As of yet I have not booked a reservation. I have been patiently waiting {going crazy}, for the free dining promo to be released so that I can book our vaca.
According to other boards your Disney Visa is all you need to book the promo, that there actually isn't a promo "code".
Is that true?

 

[safetymom]

They always have a code. In previous years they also required you to make an immediate deposit with the Visa.