Question about adding a day to a package with free dining...

[Veronique]

I've add an extra vacation day at the start of our trip.

We're staying at All-Star Music from sept 28 to oct 9 (instead of sept 29 to oct 9) with a free dining promo. So my actual reservations are : 1 x night from sept 28-29 + 10 x nights sept 29 to oct 9.

(EDIT to clarify I ask the CM to make our package 11 days, but she said it was impossible and did the 1+10 set-up)

1 - The CM told me I might need to check out and check in into another room on the second day. Anyone ever had to do that or they'll accomodate us at the resort? Since we are with a baby, the prospect of moving everything on a full park day is kind of annoying

2 - The CM also told me she could not extend the free dining plan form 10 days to 11 days, which i understand, but she says we could NOT use our credits on our arrival day. I wonder if maybe we could still use it on the day of arrival if we ask nicely at the resort ? I mean, why not, they're pooling all the credits anyway?

Just to be clear, I don't want more credits, I really just want to start using them earlier?

Thanks

 

[2forMe]

No your credits will only be available to use once your free dining package starts and you have checked in. This would be Sept. 29th for you. You are not able to access them on your room only reservation

 

[Disneylover99]

So you haven't actually added a day to your fd package. It sounds like you paid separately for a room on night number one. Correct?

If that's the case, you may have to change rooms and you cannot use dining credits early. You can use park tickets early if they are attached to your package though.

 

[Wood Nymph]

1 - The CM told me I might need to check out and check in into another room on the second day. Anyone ever had to do that or they'll accomodate us at the resort? Since we are with a baby, the prospect of moving everything on a full park day is kind of annoying

The CM is correct that you will have to check out of the first room and check into the next room. But very often the resort is able to keep you in the same room. Call resort reservations and have them add the request to link the two reservations.

2 - The CM also told me she could not extend the free dining plan form 10 days to 11 days, which i understand, but she says we could NOT use our credits on our arrival day. I wonder if maybe we could still use it on the day of arrival if we ask nicely at the resort ? I mean, why not, they're pooling all the credits anyway?

You will not be able to use your dining credits until the second day. But you can use your park tickets early. Just have the CM activate them for you at check in.

 

[mickeygirl78]

We have a similar situation this September. Our free dining package is from 9/17-10/1 and we have a room only reservation at the same resort on 9/16. In my case they could not add a night onto the package because 14 nights is the maximum for free dining. Did they check to see if there was availability to change your package dates to cover the entire time (since you are not at the maximum) rather than the one night room only? That would be the only way to guarantee the same room and have credits available at check in. Otherwise with the room only first, your credits will not start until you check in for your package on 9/29. As far as moving rooms, that is unknown. Did you have the CM link your reservations and note it was continuing? They did that with mine just incase they can get them in the same room. I plan to ask when I check in for the room only reservation to find out if they know my room for the package and if we can stay in the same room. That's what I'd recommend for you, find out so you'll know if you can settle in or not.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You also won't be able to make advance FP+ bookings for the first day using the tickets associated to the package.

None of this has anything to do with a CM being nice.

IF you are booked for the same room type, you will still have to check out and in for the package, but you may not have to change rooms.

 

[Veronique]

So you haven't actually added a day to your fd package. It sounds like you paid separately for a room on night number one. Correct?

If that's the case, you may have to change rooms and you cannot use dining credits early. You can use park tickets early if they are attached to your package though.

I wanted to add a day to the package, but the CM said it was impossible and adding a one night reservation was the only option

I'll try calling again tonight to see if they can change it!

Thanks everyone

 

[Veronique]

None of this has anything to do with a CM being nice.

Essentially, I guess my question should be, can I ask a different CM to change my 1+10 days into a 11 days package, even if 1 CM couldnt do it? Or can I move the dates around so at least my reservation would be 10+1 since I leave for the airport in the morning of the last day anyway!

We hear sometimes CM don't all know how to do everything...

I'll try my luck and report back!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you have the same room category booked for all 11 nights, you shouldn't have to change rooms, but you will have to check-in again. When you check-in for the first reservation, just let the front desk CM know you have a second reservation and would like to stay in the same room. Again, if you have booked the same room category for ALL nights, you shouldn't have to move.

 

[2forMe]

I wanted to add a day to the package, but the CM said it was impossible and adding a one night reservation was the only option

I'll try calling again tonight to see if they can change it!

Thanks everyone

Check online to see if there is availability for your whole trip under free dining.

 

[DBDiz]

The reason they're telling you that it's "impossible" is because the deadline to book Free Dining has already passed.

We're in the same boat in that we added a day on the end of our trip because airfare was cheaper and the flight times were better. They would not extend Free Dining when we did that as well.

 

[Veronique]

I'm just sad because we already have too much credit... We have only 9 days to use 10 nights worth of credit... We're spending one day at Universal and we have at least 4 TS reservation (Crystal palace (PPO), Disney Junior (PPO), Sci-fi and Tusker house)... We usually only do PPO to save money, but we want to try new experience since it's our third trip

I guess we'll just eat more breakfast and use the "3 snacks for 1 credits" tricks at Epcot F&W kiosk!

 

[tinka-belle]

The res CMs cannot see any FD space because the promotion has ended, however Guest Services can see if space was still available for your stay with past promotions. Call res and ask the CM to please check with Guest Services, you cannot speak to GS directly.

Be aware that GS has to look for the entire stay to make a change, not just the one extra night to add on. Under Disney's new change system, the new dates of you trip have to be available for the entire time, not just the extra day you want. If available GS can then rebook it for you within your reservation using the same res number and deposit and then you would have FD for your entire stay and not have to possibly change rooms.

Since the FD promo is so popular, there is a good chance that your entire stay might not be available, and if so you cannot add the extra night to your package. Doesn't hurt to inquire!

 

[Lehuaann]

I've add an extra vacation day at the start of our trip.

We're staying at All-Star Music from sept 28 to oct 9 (instead of sept 29 to oct 9) with a free dining promo. So my actual reservations are : 1 x night from sept 28-29 + 10 x nights sept 29 to oct 9.

(EDIT to clarify I ask the CM to make our package 11 days, but she said it was impossible and did the 1+10 set-up)

1 - The CM told me I might need to check out and check in into another room on the second day. Anyone ever had to do that or they'll accomodate us at the resort? Since we are with a baby, the prospect of moving everything on a full park day is kind of annoying

2 - The CM also told me she could not extend the free dining plan form 10 days to 11 days, which i understand, but she says we could NOT use our credits on our arrival day. I wonder if maybe we could still use it on the day of arrival if we ask nicely at the resort ? I mean, why not, they're pooling all the credits anyway?

Just to be clear, I don't want more credits, I really just want to start using them earlier?

Thanks

"Impossible" only because the FD inventory is gone/booked-up in the system - not because the promotion has expired. Modifications after a promotion has expired is absolutely allowed IF it is available.

I would call either day before or first thing on the 30-day payment due date to see if any cancellations released a FD room back into the pool. No guarantee, but it's worth a shot.

1) If it is the same room type, then maybe. Different room type, then I doubt it. However, that is information only the resort directly can accommodate, so it would be best to make your request upon check-in. In our experience with split-stays/different room types, they moved us, as completely expected...

2) That is correct. You will not have early access to dining credits from a package.

 

[Veronique]

"Impossible" only because the FD inventory is gone/booked-up in the system - not because the promotion has expired. Modifications after a promotion has expired is absolutely allowed IF it is available.

I would call either day before or first thing on the 30-day payment due date to see if any cancellations released a FD room back into the pool. No guarantee, but it's worth a shot.

1) If it is the same room type, then maybe. Different room type, then I doubt it. However, that is information only the resort directly can accommodate, so it would be best to make your request upon check-in. In our experience with split-stays/different room types, they moved us, as completely expected...

2) That is correct. You will not have early access to dining credits from a package.

Thank you, good idea. I'll do exactly that around the 30 day due date!

We ask for the same room type so I'm hopeful. I'll call this week to ask if they can do anything to help at all

 

[monkeymom1210]

I'm just sad because we already have too much credit... We have only 9 days to use 10 nights worth of credit... We're spending one day at Universal and we have at least 4 TS reservation (Crystal palace (PPO), Disney Junior (PPO), Sci-fi and Tusker house)... We usually only do PPO to save money, but we want to try new experience since it's our third trip

I guess we'll just eat more breakfast and use the "3 snacks for 1 credits" tricks at Epcot F&W kiosk!

book a 2 point meal to use up extra credit. they are extra fancy meals and you will enjoy them.