Offical free dining watch 2008

[Tiff172]

I am going from August 28th until September 1st (way too short of a trip ) I went and booked AKL because a CM suggested I get my ressie in but I doubt it matters...and it seems that for the general public they will release more dates (I pray)!

 

[Maliki2]

Got free dining!!!

I saved $459.52!

WOOT!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you think I should go ahead & book the rooms today at a value & then call on Thursday to add the FREE dining?

NO. I don't. That will simply remove four or whatever rooms from the "pool" of Free Dining promotion-designated rooms (they're not specific rooms, it's a certain number per night, and no, Disney will not reveal that number).
=

Can someone explain a few things to me.....

Can you stay at a deluxe, pay rack rates & still get Free Dining??
Is there an upgrade charge for the deluxe dining?
can I check in on the 19th & get the FD for my length of stay?
can I just buy 1 day ticket to get the FD??

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, you can stay in a Deluxe resort; to get Free Dining, you MUST pay rack rate.
Yes, you pay the difference between the basic Dining Plan and the Deluxe Plan, per person per night.
No. You would need to make two separate reservations - one starting on the 19th, and the other on whatever the first day of the promotion is.
Yes.

Please tell me I have nothing to worry about!

Nothing to worry about. The same thing happened last year.

It is killing me that they will allow checking in at the end however... ex.. 9/19 thru whatever and still getting FD because their check-in date falls within those parameters.

It starts when it starts. Somebody in another thread compared it to a restaurant: You can't get in until the restaurant opens, even if you're already there; but if you arrive five minutes before the restaurant closes, you can stay until you finish your meal (within reason).

Was able to book today at PO Riverside. The travel agent mentioned that I can book today, then she will be able to update the reservation on Thursday morning w/ the free dining promotion. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

She will be able to do that IF there are "Free Dining rooms" available at that time. Based on some of the posts in this thread, and reasonable knowledge, if all the Promo-designated rooms (again, count, not specific rooms) are booked for even one night of your trip, your TA will not be able to get you that resort with Free Dining - see the post above from someone who wanted POFQ at the end of the promotion.

Do you think I would be better off making the ressies now and then adding the FD on Thursday?

No, I don't. DISers who will not be able to call at exactly 7 AM Thursday might want to very seriously consider contacting Dreams Unlimited or another Disney Specialist Agency NOW - well, between now and Wednesday night. Your DU or SWT Agent very likely WILL be able to be on the phone at 7 AM, booking your reservation.

 

[tina_la]

just a little pixie dust for all you guys worried cause you can't book until Thursday (i'm in the same boat). I booked last year at the very end of May and they still had rooms at the values and POR. Pop was difficult (ended up in sports) but I could have gotten it if I changed weeks. So there is still hope (LOL)

 

[scgustin]

So if Pop is booked up for my dates, does that mean there will be zero rooms available on Thursday? Or are there a seperate block of rooms for Disney Visa and General Public?

Thanks

 

[Pixiedust34]

There was a glitch with our reservation. Our trip is already paid in full. The cm deleted the trip insurance by mistake when adding FD, and the TA has been trying to get everything fixed. It's finally fixed, and we're officially booked for free dining!! We got AS Music, where we were already booked. They just added the code to the original reservation.

I'm so excited! I've been waiting since 7:00 AM for this free dining booking!!

 

[kfalsey]

if you book a concierge room and have the free dinning code, do you get the discount for free dinning plus the fee concierge or do you still pay the up grade to conierge

 

[g3pak]

I doubt it but, has anyone gotten FD (without a split reservation) when you check in before 8/24? We are there 8/19- 8/25. Can't do a split : #1 kids go back to school. #2 # 3 day minimum. It is killing me that they will allow checking in at the end however... ex.. 9/19 thru whatever and still getting FD because their check-in date falls within those parameters.
Somebody call the Waaaambulance for me!

I hope the "killing me" part is an exaggeration. In this case, someone else's good fortune in no way costs you a penny. I hope that instead of resenting someone because they get a break, you would be happy for them.

 

[jewelshouse]

I hope the "killing me" part is an exaggeration. In this case, someone else's good fortune in no way costs you a penny. I hope that instead of resenting someone because they get a break, you would be happy for them.

Well I'm happy for me . . . we check in on the 20th and check out on 29. Free dining throughout. Our dd will be 10 on the 28th and we wanted to spend her birthday there!!!

 

[Madformickey]

159 days to go now. The tough part is over!!!
Booked pop for 9/14-9/19 Free dining of course
Just me and DW. No kids this trip!First time in 8 years with out hearing im hungry or my legs are tired.

So here is a question,we requested a room with king bed. Was told it is a request and not a guarentee, so is disney pretty good about this??


My only regret was we didnt book the Bounce back when we were there last september. Oh well wont make that mistake again!!

 

[JunkyardWillie]

So here is a question,we requested a room with king bed. Was told it is a request and not a guarentee, so is disney pretty good about this??

Enjoy your trip! But don't count on King bed -- it's simply a request.

What if 100 people request a king bed and only 50 rooms have a king bed?

 

[Sir Ron]

I have a question. My wife and I have annual passes. The kids don't currently have annual passes.

ANyways, what's the best way for my wife and our two children to do this free dining?

I haven't seen any AP deals worth getting recently. So what would be the cheapest way for us to do this? Can we get the kids tickets for the length of visit and the two of us use our APs?

Thanks!

 

[JunkyardWillie]

Can we get the kids tickets for the length of visit and the two of us use our APs?

Thanks!

No, you would need to buy two one day tickets for you and your wife.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

I have a question. My wife and I have annual passes. The kids don't currently have annual passes.

ANyways, what's the best way for my wife and our two children to do this free dining?

I haven't seen any AP deals worth getting recently. So what would be the cheapest way for us to do this? Can we get the kids tickets for the length of visit and the two of us use our APs?

Thanks!

We have had APs in the past with free dining. You will need to purchase (1) one day one park ticket for each person to get free dining. Then before you enter the park that day go to guest services at the park (if you need AP's) and ask them to apply those 4 tickets to whatever ticket you need (ie AP for kids etc.). We have never had a problem doing this.

 

[SpectroMouse]

Booked Free Dining!!! I am excited

 

[mousiemom]

159 days to go now. The tough part is over!!!
Booked pop for 9/14-9/19 Free dining of course
Just me and DW. No kids this trip!First time in 8 years with out hearing im hungry or my legs are tired.

So here is a question,we requested a room with king bed. Was told it is a request and not a guarentee, so is disney pretty good about this??


My only regret was we didnt book the Bounce back when we were there last september. Oh well wont make that mistake again!!

the times we've stayed @ pop and requested a king, we got it. i don't think you will have a problem. go ahead and request it now and when you check in make sure they have you down for that. we always stay @ pop and always had our wishes granted.
mousiemom

 

[biscuitgirl]

Enjoy your trip! But don't count on King bed -- it's simply a request.

What if 100 people request a king bed and only 50 rooms have a king bed?

I wasn't told it's not guarenteed, just that my request for a certain part of the resort couldn't be guarenteed. If I'm paying more for a king bed, I expect a king bed. The CM told me that king room was available when I booked. Is it possible they don't actually know? Confused!

 

[jenseib]

I wasn't told it's not guarenteed, just that my request for a certain part of the resort couldn't be guarenteed. If I'm paying more for a king bed, I expect a king bed. The CM told me that king room was available when I booked. Is it possible they don't actually know? Confused!

You don't pay more for a king bed. (At least at Pop, not sure where yo uare staying) You pay more for a preferred room. I'm not sure if only prefferred has kings or not, but I thought both standard and preferred did. (I could be wrong) It isn't gurantedd, but a good chance you will get it. Fax your request in a few days before you go as well.

 

[ShhhQ]

Basically, from what I understand.... the resorts don't actually asign rooms until a few days before check-in (I am sure there is a reason for this, just not sure right now) But if you have a specific request they will "TRY THEIR BEST TO HONOR IT" if they can.... We have requested a "handicap accessible" bathroom for my Mom and last year we were told we could only get that with a king bed... personally I would have prefered seperate beds.... my brother is going with us this year so we have 2 rooms, I asked for adjoining if at all possible.... even though I know it is a long shot!

Right now we are just hoping that we will be able to get FD and keep POP!
On pins and needles til Thursday!

BTW.... the king bed we had was in a STANDARD room

 

[dkdaisy]

You don't pay more for a king bed. (At least at Pop, not sure where yo uare staying) You pay more for a preferred room. I'm not sure if only prefferred has kings or not, but I thought both standard and preferred did. (I could be wrong) It isn't gurantedd, but a good chance you will get it. Fax your request in a few days before you go as well.

If you are staying at a mod, you do pay more for a king bed - $15 per night and it is guaranteed. They just don't guarantee where in the resort you'll be staying. It all depends on what resort level you're staying at!