Questions about dining plans

[Lila95]

We booked our Disney trip through a travel agent and I've decided she hasn't gone out of her way to get us a good deal. Is the free dining package I keep hearing about only good at certain times? We will be at Disney from Oct. 28- Nov. 4 this year. Is this something only offered if you book online? If the free plan isn't an option for us I plan to purchase the dining plan. Do I have to have the dining plan booked before I can make reservations? I can start calling in a few weeks to try and get a seating at the character breakfast at the castle. Thanks for any informatoin!

 

[Henlady]

Lila
The free dining plan for this year is for Magic Your Way reservations made for the time period of August 13 thru September 30, 2006. You can book up to 10 nights stay with the purchase of at least one one-day park ticket for each member in your party and receive the free dining. These reservations can be made by phone directly with Disney, or on their website.

Hope this helps

Kris

 

[angel's momma]

Free dining ends Sept. 30. (Technically Oct. 10, if your arrival day is 9/30.)

You can make your reservations without having the plan booked.

You do have to add the plan before arrival, I think 5 days in advance, but I'm not sure.

 

[formernyer]

Free dining is only available for travel between 8/13 and 10/9 (and travel must begin no later than 9/30). You can book ADRs at any time once you enter the 180-day window. You don't need to have purchased the DDP in order to make ADRs.

If you aren't an AP or Florida resident, discount opportunities are very limited. The only decent discount would be through AAA, but most non-AAA TAs aren't going to lose your business by referring you to AAA. You might want to call your TA and mention that you heard about the AAA discount and you'd like it applied to your vacation (she most likely won't be able to do this). Once she tells you she can't do it, rebook through AAA and cancel the original reservation. Even if you lose $100 of your deposit, it might still be worth it depending on which hotel you're staying in. Just be sure you rebook BEFORE cancelling the first reservation, because hotel availability might be an issue and you don't want to lose your room.