Questions about FREE Dining Plan

[looseends]

Hello – this is my first post! I’ve been reading the boards for several months as we plan our first trip to WDW, and I've been soaking up all the great information available here. Thank you to everyone for their valuable contributions!!

We’re tentatively planning to arrive Wed Nov 10, and leave Wed Nov 17, most likely staying on-site. We’d like to take advantage of the Free Dining Plan offer, but it is only available from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18. The offer I’ve seen says you can get the Free Dining if you book a package that includes a 5-night, 6-day stay. But I have a few questions about the “Free” aspect:

Of the 7 nights of our trip, 5 of those nights (i.e., Nov 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) fall within the time the Free Dining Plan is offered. Does that mean we can get the free dining, even though a portion of our trip falls outside the time frame that the free dining is offered?

If we cut back our trip to 6 nights total, and left WDW Nov 16, do we no longer qualify for the free dining (because then we’d only be at WDW for 4 nights instead of the 5 that are apparently required? Is the offer only valid if we stay a minimum of 5 of the nights during the time the offer is available?

If we extended our trip so we leave the 19th, then we’d be there for 7 nights during the time the free dining plan is offered. Would the free dining plan cover us for all 7 nights, or is it only available for a maximum of five nights?

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!!

Tony

 

[vicki_c]

A 5 night stay is not required - that is just the example they use for advertising. It would cover your entire stay if the dates match up, if there is a cap to free dining (I'm not sure), I think it's 10 or 14 days.

The free dining plan, if rooms are still available for your dates/resort, requires payment for a rack rate (full price) room and a minimum of 2 day tickets for your entire party.

If you check in during a free dining date, you will have FD for the entire stay.

If FD starts during your dates, you would have to book 2 separate reservations, one w/o free dining (for the earlier dates) and one w/free dining and the required package items stated above.

 

[Faldred]

It's the start date of your reservation that matters. Also, free dining has a minimum of a 3-night stay and a 2-day MYW ticket purchase. It has a maximum length of 14 nights, as with any WDW resort reservation, and MYW tickets cap at 10 days.

The 5 night/6 day in the ad is illustrative, not a requirement. (Though it implies a requirement and gets people to book longer, perhaps.)

You would likely need to make 2 reservations, one for November 10-11, and another from November 12 to the end of your trip. The free dining would apply only to the second reservation.

The drawback is that if you want to visit the parks before you check in on the 12th (as early as 7 AM, though!), you'd need a second ticket for everybody, and it's those first couple of days on a ticket that cost the most. Still, double-check that you won't be spending more on additional tickets than you'd save with free dining. Also compare against other available discounts, if any, such as % off room rates.

 

[siwash23]

You would have to check in on the 12th to get the free dining for your entire stay. You could also book 2 packages. . .The 10th and 11th w/o free dining and then the rest of the trip with free dining. The biggest disadvantage to booking 2 packages is that you have to pay 2 deposits.

 

[TDC Nala]

Also check with Disney reservations by phone and see if you have a PIN on your name that will allow you to check in on November 10 and get free dining. If you do not have one, you will have to split your stay to get free dining at all.

The biggest disadvantage to booking 2 packages is that you have to pay 2 deposits.

And that you have to buy tickets for both reservations if you want to be able to get into the parks for your full stay. This works better if your free dining stay is before the room-only because you can buy tickets with the package for the full length of your trip. If the room-only comes first you still have to buy at least two-day tickets with the package.

 

[disney11fan]

All i can say is wow. Never thought a large cheese and one item
pizza could be close to $30.
I heard it will be a soft open in early august and the dining plan could be used. When will they open for breakfest and have carryout?

 

[TDC Nala]

No breakfast at Via Napoli, they will serve lunch and dinner. And according to the Disney Parks blog, no carryout or CS.

 

[looseends]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I will look into PIN codes and other discounts. I actually did receive a PIN code a couple weeks ago (thanks to the suggestions I read on these boards about registering on the WDW website, signing up for the DVD, planning and saving a potential vacation package, etc), but if I remember correctly the PIN was only for a stay at a Value resort, so I’m thinking the Free Dining would be a better deal.

I hadn’t thought about the need to book two different packages - that might seriously offset the savings from the free dining, if I have to buy a 2-day park ticket and a 5-day park ticket, as opposed to a 7-day park ticket. However….to avoid having to buy park tickets under two different packages, could I do this:

Res. #1: Room only for Nov. 10 and Nov. 11

Res. #2: Magic Your Way Package for 5 night stay Nov 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, and a 7 day ticket for the parks, along with Free Dining.

Does that work? I’m thinking (hoping!) that the 7 day ticket bought under Res #2 could be used starting any time, such as Nov. 10. Or is that against the rules of the MYW packages?

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I will look into PIN codes and other discounts. I actually did receive a PIN code a couple weeks ago (thanks to the suggestions I read on these boards about registering on the WDW website, signing up for the DVD, planning and saving a potential vacation package, etc), but if I remember correctly the PIN was only for a stay at a Value resort, so I’m thinking the Free Dining would be a better deal.

I hadn’t thought about the need to book two different packages - that might seriously offset the savings from the free dining, if I have to buy a 2-day park ticket and a 5-day park ticket, as opposed to a 7-day park ticket. However….to avoid having to buy park tickets under two different packages, could I do this:

Res. #1: Room only for Nov. 10 and Nov. 11

Res. #2: Magic Your Way Package for 5 night stay Nov 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, and a 7 day ticket for the parks, along with Free Dining.

Does that work? I’m thinking (hoping!) that the 7 day ticket bought under Res #2 could be used starting any time, such as Nov. 10. Or is that against the rules of the MYW packages?

I don't think you could pick up your tickets included within the package until you check in with your package. In this case, the 12th.

You could do a room only reservation for the first two nights though and not go to the parks. You could resort hop to see all of the beautiful Christmas decorations. Also, DTD. Since the 10th would be a travel day you really only miss out on one full day in the parks. Also, just a note....if you are looking at the dining plan that is 1TS, 1Cs and 1snack....table service ressies are not abundantly available. You can make dining reservations 180 days in advance so a lot of the "popular" places are already booked solid for that week.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[looseends]

I don't think you could pick up your tickets included within the package until you check in with your package. In this case, the 12th.

You could do a room only reservation for the first two nights though and not go to the parks. You could resort hop to see all of the beautiful Christmas decorations. Also, DTD. Since the 10th would be a travel day you really only miss out on one full day in the parks. Also, just a note....if you are looking at the dining plan that is 1TS, 1Cs and 1snack....table service ressies are not abundantly available. You can make dining reservations 180 days in advance so a lot of the "popular" places are already booked solid for that week.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks ccgirl. Do you really think/know that some restaurants are already booked? I knew you could make ADR's 180 days in advance, but I had thought that time of year is relatively slow, so I'd be safe in that regard. We don't have to go to the hottest spots, but still, it would be nice to know our options for TS aren't severely limited. In addition, we were thinking that some of our TS credits would be put toward character dining, or a nice breakfast, or both, so we won't necessarily have a sit-down dinner every night.

 

[Missytara]

Thanks ccgirl. Do you really think/know that some restaurants are already booked? I knew you could make ADR's 180 days in advance, but I had thought that time of year is relatively slow, so I'd be safe in that regard. We don't have to go to the hottest spots, but still, it would be nice to know our options for TS aren't severely limited. In addition, we were thinking that some of our TS credits would be put toward character dining, or a nice breakfast, or both, so we won't necessarily have a sit-down dinner every night.

I go the week after Thanksgiving, which is also a slower time. I made dining reservations at 180 days out, anticipating that FD might be offered. Boy, am I glad I did.

My co-worker is going the same week and he commented a few Monday nights ago - his wife decided to start booking ADR's and many things were already booked that they wanted. Ironically, that morning, they had extended FD until almost the end of the year. She is having to call every other day to see if there are cancellations for some of the places they really want to go.... two of them, she has already given up on.

So, yes, once FD is announced, even though it may be a slow time of year, everyone is making TS ressies, because they get them for "free" and they are included in their package. Many of these people would be doing CS.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks ccgirl. Do you really think/know that some restaurants are already booked? I knew you could make ADR's 180 days in advance, but I had thought that time of year is relatively slow, so I'd be safe in that regard. We don't have to go to the hottest spots, but still, it would be nice to know our options for TS aren't severely limited. In addition, we were thinking that some of our TS credits would be put toward character dining, or a nice breakfast, or both, so we won't necessarily have a sit-down dinner every night.

Hi there. Sorry...yes, I know a lot is already booked because that is when I am going. Even though it is a slow time, keep in mind those staying off site can also make dining ressies 180 days in advance. Don't lose hope though, there are some places available still. And it sounds like you are flexible as far as breakfast vs. dinner. I would make the reservations now if you know you are going. I just put in dinner on 12/12 and there are still reservations for 1900 Park Fare, a character meal at the Grand Floridian, as well as Chef Mickey's (at 8:45pm), also Akershus. There were other restaurants I wouldn't hesitate to eat at, Biergarten, Boma, California Grill (2TS), Akershus. For breakfast on the 13th of December there was Akershus Princess Storybook dining (love this one), Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and a bunch of other places.

So...there is good availabilty now...especially if you want an early/late meal. I just wouldn't wait too long to book. Good luck.

Just read you were going in November. I thought you were going in December. Oops! Just put in a date and meal time and leave the restaurant blank and it will show you all availability.

 

[TDC Nala]

Check the online booking page on www.disneyworld.com/restaurants and see if the restaurants you want are still available and what times they might be available for before you sign yourself up for a dining plan with TS.

The capacity of the parks isn't the issue - free dining rarely fills up the parks, but it does fill up the restaurants.

 

[williamson_ja]

I have a couple of thoughts. Could you just move your vacation a couple of days so that you arrive on the first day of free dining? That would probably simplify things. If not, you really could just do the room only for those two days. You'd only really miss one park day doing it that way and there are plenty of things to see and do outside of the parks for one day.

Also, don't give up on dining reservations yet. I made my reservations for our upcoming trip far after the 180 date and still got almost everything I wanted. Will you get into LeCellier or 'Ohana? Probably not. BUT there are tons of wonderful restaurants in Disney. Be flexible and don't worry if you don't get into the most hyped restaurants. You'll be just fine. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't look into it and get your dining booked ASAP, it just means that I still think you can get into some wonderful places at this point.

 

[looseends]

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone.

To ccgirl and TDC Nala - I just checked the online booking page and now I see what you're saying. That may be my task for the next few days - research what restaurants have availability, and make reservations.

To williamson ja - changing the start date of our trip is an option I'm considering. We had hoped to have a Tues/Wed to Tues/Wed vacation because flights are cheaper those days. But we really have to weigh all the costs. But another factor is my wife's work schedule - she will be taking some time off, but she has to be back at work on Thurs Nov. 18, so the later we start the trip, the less time we have in the park.

 

[looseends]

Just playing with the online booking, and of course Ohana has no openngs during the free dining days that we'll be there (Nov 12-16). But interestingly (well, to me anyways), I found an opening at Ohana on Nov 10 at 5:10 pm (i.e., during the free dining blackout period).

 

[yooperfan]

Thanks ccgirl. Do you really think/know that some restaurants are already booked? I knew you could make ADR's 180 days in advance, but I had thought that time of year is relatively slow, so I'd be safe in that regard. We don't have to go to the hottest spots, but still, it would be nice to know our options for TS aren't severely limited. In addition, we were thinking that some of our TS credits would be put toward character dining, or a nice breakfast, or both, so we won't necessarily have a sit-down dinner every night.

I tried to make a ressie for Ohanas on a Wed. night 180 days out today and the earliest time I could get is 7:30pm. Yeah, some do book earlier, but, some people cancel as they adjust to park hours,etc. and I believe they release more tables for ressies as it gets closer.

 

[Cafeen]

I don't think you could pick up your tickets included within the package until you check in with your package. In this case, the 12th.

Actually, you can. This has formerly been one of those unwritten "policies" that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Recently they made it into official policy though.

From the ticket sticky:

I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package

In cases where Walt Disney World Resort Guests would like to begin using their Package Tickets prior to the day of check-in (up to three days in advance), the Guests will be directed to visit any Theme Park Guest Relations location and request Early Ticket Pick-Up.

It is only valid for people staying at a Walt Disney World owned and operated Resort.

There is a possibility that if your package and the stay prior to the package are at the same Resort that you will be able to get the tickets at the Resort and not have to go to a Park Guest Relations Office.

And the tickets issued will be valid for the entire stay; they will not receive valid tickets when they actually check-in to their resort.

- Entire Ticket Sticky -

 

[looseends]

That is great news, Allan/cafeen! I’ll look into that further. Interesting that you linked to Cheshire Figment’s thread – I just heard about that on last week’s podcast and it’s been on my list of threads to read. Also, the ADR thread you linked to in your signature looks intriguing too – I’ll have to check that one out as well. Thank you!!

 

[Faldred]

Actually, you can. This has formerly been one of those unwritten "policies" that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Recently they made it into official policy though.

That is awesome -- and it would really help the OP out!