Question: Early Free Dining booking for Canadians?

[esdras]

I've also posted this question in the Codes and Rates sub-forum, but I thought I would also post it here.

Has anyone heard about this possibility - since Canadians, without some serious hoop jumping and/or having a U.S. address, find it essentially impossible to get a Disney VISA card - will the early date available to them also be offered to Canadians? This happened with the last two Ticket Upgrade promotions - and I know I've been vocal about not being able to have a Disney VISA to CM's whenever I call. On many occasions they have replied to me that this is a common complaint they hear quite frequently.

Anyway, while I'm not counting on this happening, if anyone has heard that it might happen - or, if you have heard that it definitely won't - please post. I can hope...

 

[fivebyfive]

will the early date available to them also be offered to Canadians? This happened with the last two Ticket Upgrade promotions

Nope. Free Dining will be offered to Canadians on April 10th.

 

[esdras]

Nope. Free Dining will be offered to Canadians on April 10th.

Frak. (Yes, I'm a BSG fan)

I was expecting that answer though.

Do you mind me asking where you uncovered this information - I haven't seen it posted elsewhere - although with the number of Free Dining related threads I admit that I could have easily missed a post on this issue.

Thanks!

 

[fivebyfive]

Here I thought it was spelt Frack.

Do you mind me asking where you uncovered this information

Wish I could, but can't. Sorry.

I haven't seen it posted elsewhere

That's because this piece of information wasn't posted here, there or anywhere.

Just trust me when I say not to bother waking up for 7:00AM Monday morning.

 

[lisalonglash]

Just trust me when I say not to bother waking up for 7:00AM Monday morning.

So, theoretically, on April 10th, should we expect to see this available for a mid-October stay or no?

Thanks for your input, oh wise (yet secretive) poster

 

[princessbelle1981]

I've also posted this question in the Codes and Rates sub-forum, but I thought I would also post it here.

Has anyone heard about this possibility - since Canadians, without some serious hoop jumping and/or having a U.S. address, find it essentially impossible to get a Disney VISA card - will the early date available to them also be offered to Canadians? This happened with the last two Ticket Upgrade promotions - and I know I've been vocal about not being able to have a Disney VISA to CM's whenever I call. On many occasions they have replied to me that this is a common complaint they hear quite frequently.

Anyway, while I'm not counting on this happening, if anyone has heard that it might happen - or, if you have heard that it definitely won't - please post. I can hope...

Im confused How do Canadians get a chance at this? What do you have to do?

 

[esdras]

Im confused How do Canadians get a chance at this? What do you have to do?

Sorry, should have perhaps been more specific.

Currently, it seems as though a Public Free Dining offer is now way more than rumour - and Disney will again offer their Basic Dining Plan for free to those who purchase a full package with at least a one day base ticket for stays from August 24th to September 20th 2008.

Although the stay dates are not yet official - the info came out yesterday, but seems to be fairly credible, for the last week or so, the dates where people could start to book this package have been widely talked about.

This is the issue of "early" booking. Traditionally, when Disney offers their Free Dining promotion, people who have a Disney Rewards VISA card have been able to book (provided they use that card for at least the deposit) two or three days earlier than the "general public". I though Disney might be doing this now because Chase does not offer the Disney VISA to Canadians - or, at least it is virtually impossible for a Canadian to get the card unless they have a U.S. address.

However, the reason I asked if anything special was allowed for Canadians is because two of the last package promos (Ticket Upgrades) allowed for BOTH Disney VISA card holders AND Canadians to book on the earlier day, ahead of the "general public.

So, what do you have to do... not much.

Keep checking the main wdwinfo page or mousesavers to find out what the three letter code will be for the general public and then call this Thursday morning (Disney VISA card members will get a different three letter code they can start to use this Monday).

As long as you are willing to be somewhat flexible in your resort choice (rooms will be limited at all eligible resorts), and your dates fall within the offer period, you can call Disney directly on Thursday to book your package and get the Dining Plan for no additional cost.

I had really hoped that the Canadians would get an early jump - and since I have to get kids up for school early on Monday anyway, I might call just in case. Even if it won't work, I have nothing to lose by trying.


Oh, and BTW - I think it is spelled FRAK - just so that it is still a "four letter word"

 

[fivebyfive]

So, theoretically, on April 10th, should we expect to see this available for a mid-October stay or no?

Sorry, no to October. Good for travel between August 24th and September 20th. Must be booked by June 22nd.

However, the reason I asked if anything special was allowed for Canadians is because two of the last package promos (Ticket Upgrades) allowed for BOTH Disney VISA card holders AND Canadians to book on the earlier day, ahead of the "general public.

Traditionally speaking, Canadians have always had the 'jump start' on the January/February promotion. This is because a lot of us 'flock' to Disney to escape the winter, so it's always been a big marketing promo for Disney.

As for the recent April/May offer, the ONLY reason it was released to us early this year was because it was offered to Disney VISA holders on our Family Day. This being a brand spanking new holiday for us, Disney thought that they would spread a little 'Ohana themselves and offer it to us.

Oh, and BTW - I think it is spelled FRAK - just so that it is still a "four letter word"

Oh I think you are 100% right. I just never saw it written before is all.

 

[esdras]

As for the recent April/May offer, the ONLY reason it was released to us early this year was because it was offered to Disney VISA holders on our Family Day. This being a brand spanking new holiday for us, Disney thought that they would spread a little 'Ohana themselves and offer it to us.

Okay, that makes sense.

I was simply hoping that all of my complaints (nicely, of course) to CM's asking if I'd like to use my Disney VISA and having my answer be - "I'd LOVE to, but Chase won't LET ME!!!" - had finally registered and Disney started to address the issue by giving Canadians a jump on the promos.

Seriously, I think there SHOULD be some provision since it is next to impossible for a Canadian to take advantage of the early bookings that regularly go to Disney VISA members. I mean I would honestly be willing to become a member of some type of DCC (Disney Canada Club) with a small yearly fee ($10 or so) to get that advantage.

Yes, this is one of my pet peeves - if you couldn't tell by now!

 

[brighteyes]

I think it might be offered early to Canadian visa cardholders. This is purely a guess of course, based on the fact that last fall I received a Disney package offer in with my visa bill.

Just a guess, but I hope I am right.

Stephanie

 

[branmack]

I am one of those Canadians waiting for April 10th. I had posted basically the same question about a month ago.

There have been promos in the Toronto Star that matched the Disney Visa promos. The same dates and deals. The only thing is you had to book with a Visa.

It seems that there are alot of Disney Visa holders waiting for Monday. If Disney has a block of rooms set aside for them and a seperate set put away for the general public, I am starting to think that booking on April 10th won't be so bad. Most people expect to be on hold are a couple of hours on Monday. With most of the USA using Disney Visa, us Canadian's might have less hold times and more selection on April 10.

 

[tmli]

My source says no early release for Canadians on this promo. We have to wait til the 10th!

 

[brighteyes]

My source says no early release for Canadians on this promo. We have to wait til the 10th!

I keep calling visa and they have no idea what I am talking about. But it was worth a shot.

Oh well. I guess we can't have all the codes come to us first.

Stephanie

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm not aware of any provision for Canadians to take advantage of the Free Dining Booking early alongside Disney Visa card holders.

I really wouldn't worry.. last year there were plenty of choices still available for the general public by the time the general public booking window opened.

Knox

 

[Tinkershelly]

Last year we were able to book the free dining promotion for the last 10 days, Sept 20-30 but we didn`t book it until early June. We couldn`t get POP as our first choice, but got the All Star Sports. Good luck on Thursday everyone

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Trying to do the Math with a split stay to see if free dining will be worth it. I've got flights booked for the 18th to the 27th. So I would have to do a split from the 18 to the 24 and than the 24 to the 27th. So my questions are 1)How many nights do I have to book for the free dining? Obviously I am hoping three work.
2)I know you have to buy at least a one day ticket with the free dining so can I buy a 7 day ticket with my first portion of my stay even though that portion is only 6 nights?

 

[MinnieMommy]

As for the recent April/May offer, the ONLY reason it was released to us early this year was because it was offered to Disney VISA holders on our Family Day. This being a brand spanking new holiday for us, Disney thought that they would spread a little 'Ohana themselves and offer it to us.

What???
Family Day is not a "Canadian" holiday. It's not in every province.

 

[lisalonglash]

What???
Family Day is not a "Canadian" holiday. It's not in every province.

Family Day is only for Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. I'm confused too, MinnieMommy

A holiday observed by only 3 provinces out of 10 provinces/3 territories could hardly be called a Canadian holiday

I sooo wish BC had that holiday - it's a longgggg time between the New Year's Day holiday and Easter!

 

[fivebyfive]

What???
Family Day is not a "Canadian" holiday. It's not in every province.

Agreed. However, instead of offering it to just Ontario/Alberta and Saskatchewan (and upsetting the rest of the country), Disney made life easy for everyone and simply offered it to the entire country.

Nothing more/nothing less.

 

[maryliz]

Do the codes not get releasted until Thursday, or will they be out sooner than that. I have a friend who will need it, and I wanted to be able to give him the code as soon as it was released.

In the past, as long as you checked in by the last day of the promo, you could have the free dining for the duration of your stay. I wonder if that will change now that Disney charges for rooms on a per night basis instead of the "rate the day you check in is your rate for your stay." Anyone know if September 20th is the last day, or the last day you must check-in by?

TIA.