Possible good news on Free Dining dates

[sanibelover]

One variable this year - more than in past years - is the foreign visitors - especially from Europe and Japan. We just returned last week and I felt like the minority speaking English. Disney may be marketing (wisely) to the foreign market as they can better afford a Disney trip than a lot of Americans. Don't know if Late August/September is a big travel time for them or not but early March certainly was!

We won't be making a trip again this year, but I will cross my fingers for all of you hoping for free dining!

 

[*disgal*]

Well, our family has made 7 trips in 8 years to WDW, not always staying on-site.

The only deluxe we have stayed at is the WL but that was when we only had 2 children. Now with 3, we don't fit.

I have always wanted to stay at a monorail resort and if they come out with free dining for the end of Aug., we could do it. We've already made up our minds that without free dining, we won't go. We didn't have a trip planned for WDW this year, so if we get to go it will just be a bonus. Otherwise, maybe next year or the year after.

 

[wezee]

So, your AAA agent has to book the free dining? When I get notified of the FD thru Disney Visa, I need to call AAA agent and they call Disney? Correct?

This makes me nervous, the AAA agent my dad is dealing with is a **** who knows nothing. There are 16 of us going and one small mistake makes for a huge mistake!

When we booked last year with our AAA agent.......the TA had to call to make any changes to our reservation. I tried to call CRO once and they said since the res. was made thru a TA, I was not allowed to change it in anyway. I can only advise you watch the DisBoards and urge the TA to modify your res. ASAP, if a code comes out. Rooms could very limited, since you have a very large group. And, of course you would loose your AAA discount if you are able to book with any other promo offer.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I will be in disney august 10-16 so I am hoping for FD then!!! but it doesn't seem likely.

nope.. last year it started in the 26th.

Also you have to check out and back in so people with packages have to watch what also. What we did is checked in on 8/25 and did room only for the night.. than checked back in the following morning (along with everyone else who did the same thing, you should of seen that line ) and started are package with tickets than.

 

[denman007]

Does everyone know that tip and appetizer is not included this yr? I just found out a few days ago.

 

[amaycatbaker]

I called today and the CM said "when free dining comes out I could apply it to your reservation." I think "when" is better than "if". I already have with my package a dinning plan but she said "when"! I am so excited! I think that is good news! Right?

 

[danx2plus3more]

i just booked my trip this morning for sept. 12 -the 21st..she asked me if i wanted to add one of the dining options and i told her i was holding out for free dining hoping it is announced soon...she said ok i completely understand and we kept on booking..i asked her when i finished what i needed to do to add the free dining if its released and her responce was(if your stay falls within the dates all i had to do is call in and add it)..i have heard some say that the cms stated outright that dining wasnt going to happen but the vibe i got from this lady was that it indeed was going to happen..now i was booking with a disney visa and she knew i got the visa just so i could get first crack at it. i know they cant tell you anything but the chuckel in her voice and they way she said it was like yeah..id wait too..so what do you think??sound promising?

 

[stephanie23]

I will be in disney august 10-16 so I am hoping for FD then!!! but it doesn't seem likely.

I will be there the same time as you! Where are you staying? I am hoping for free dining but know it prob. wont happon that early.. A code would be nice!

 

[mom2connorandcaleb]

When you book before free dining is announced, do you already have to have the DDP in your package to get free dining? Thanks!

 

[amaycatbaker]

When you book before free dining is announced, do you already have to have the DDP in your package to get free dining? Thanks!

You do not have to have dining in your package to get free dining. I want dining anyway so I booked before the offer. They will change it when the code comes out, as long as I call in to make sure.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

When we booked last year with our AAA agent.......the TA had to call to make any changes to our reservation. I tried to call CRO once and they said since the res. was made thru a TA, I was not allowed to change it in anyway. I can only advise you watch the DisBoards and urge the TA to modify your res. ASAP, if a code comes out. Rooms could very limited, since you have a very large group. And, of course you would loose your AAA discount if you are able to book with any other promo offer.

Ok, I thought maybe that's the way it was-, BUT- I have been told 2 completly different answers to this on this thread, does anyone have another tie breaking experience with AAA, as far as whether or not I can call myself to apply the Free Dining? My TA has told me I can do it, or he can- but I have about as much faith in his answer as I do my dog's answer. TIA!!!

Also, with the Visa promo, do you have to actually USE the DV to pay for the trip? Or just have one?

 

[Sonoma]

Ok, I thought maybe that's the way it was-, BUT- I have been told 2 completly different answers to this on this thread, does anyone have another tie breaking experience with AAA, as far as whether or not I can call myself to apply the Free Dining? My TA has told me I can do it, or he can- but I have about as much faith in his answer as I do my dog's answer. TIA!!!

Also, with the Visa promo, do you have to actually USE the DV to pay for the trip? Or just have one?

We booked with AAA last year before free dining was released. The morning the discount was available, I went to the AAA office and sat down with my TA while she changed the reservation. I was told that the TA had to be the one to change it. My AAA TA was very nice and did everything that I asked, but she did not know that the free dining promotion had started until I told her about it.

 

[Va-bear]

I called today and the CM said "when free dining comes out I could apply it to your reservation." I think "when" is better than "if". I already have with my package a dinning plan but she said "when"! I am so excited! I think that is good news! Right?

Ohhh, sounds pretty good - what are your dates, may I ask?!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

We booked with AAA last year before free dining was released. The morning the discount was available, I went to the AAA office and sat down with my TA while she changed the reservation. I was told that the TA had to be the one to change it. My AAA TA was very nice and did everything that I asked, but she did not know that the free dining promotion had started until I told her about it.

I wish I could go give my TA a visit, but he's soooo far away from here. OK, I will have to give him a call asap after I know. Thanks!

Does anyone know if you have to use you Disney Visa to book 3 days ahead, or just have one?

 

[mygr8kdz]

I wish I could go give my TA a visit, but he's soooo far away from here. OK, I will have to give him a call asap after I know. Thanks!

Does anyone know if you have to use you Disney Visa to book 3 days ahead, or just have one?

usually, you need to at least make the deposit with the Visa.

 

[dlpcarden]

Aubrie I thing the CM's get incentives on the packages they book. So if they book a more exensive package they get more money. Some will tell you anything to get the booking. JMO.

I too an hoping and praying for FD. It would save us about $1200. There's no package that could top that.

I totally agree!!! Free Dining would save us $1150.00. There is no other discount that would save us that much!!

Keeping fingers crossed for FD...

 

[dlpcarden]

I called today and the CM said "when free dining comes out I could apply it to your reservation." I think "when" is better than "if". I already have with my package a dinning plan but she said "when"! I am so excited! I think that is good news! Right?

"WHEN is a whole lot better than "IF"..... it sounds promising guys!!!

 

[deek05]

We booked with AAA last year before free dining was released. The morning the discount was available, I went to the AAA office and sat down with my TA while she changed the reservation. I was told that the TA had to be the one to change it. My AAA TA was very nice and did everything that I asked, but she did not know that the free dining promotion had started until I told her about it.

I'll second what Sonoma's answere is...We had to do the same thing with our AAA TA a couple of years ago.

 

[dlpcarden]

I'll second what Sonoma's answere is...We had to do the same thing with our AAA TA a couple of years ago.

I have been keeping my AAA TA up to date on the status of free dining. I want to make sure that I don't miss out on such a great deal!!

 

[angeleigh]

nope.. last year it started in the 26th.

Also you have to check out and back in so people with packages have to watch what also. What we did is checked in on 8/25 and did room only for the night.. than checked back in the following morning (along with everyone else who did the same thing, you should of seen that line ) and started are package with tickets than.

Just noticed that we were at POR the same time you were last year. We checked in on the 25th at 11 p.m. and then checked in before 7 a.m. on the 26th. I was the first in line