Resort availability during free dining question

[javaj]

We tried to upgrade our free dining ressie from AsMo to WL or CR -- no availability for our dates under that promo. No availability at any deluxes for that matter -- of course there is availability with rack rates or different promos (AP and current room only discount). Could this change in the next month? Should I keep checking?

Another option I have is to check availability under the latest room discount/package promo -- but I don't know whether they'd just let me switch over my current package to that one so I'd only have to pay the $50 change fee. I'd rather not pay the $100 cancel fee to cancel and re-book.

Thanks!

 

[Luv2Travel]

I don't think you want the free dining with a deluxe resort. You have to pay rack rate for the room and you don't really come out as well as you do booking a value or even a moderate.

You might be better booking with the current summer rates and buying the dining plan if you want to upgrade to a deluxe. What dates are you looking at? The CR is $180/night standard view with the summer rates, the WL is $135 for standard view (but that rate is pretty booked up).

As long as your package price goes up (or maybe stays the same?) with a change you are not charged the $50 change fee.

 

[javaj]

I don't think you want the free dining with a deluxe resort. You have to pay rack rate for the room and you don't really come out as well as you do booking a value or even a moderate.

You might be better booking with the current summer rates and buying the dining plan if you want to upgrade to a deluxe. What dates are you looking at? The CR is $180/night standard view with the summer rates, the WL is $135 for standard view (but that rate is pretty booked up).

As long as your package price goes up (or maybe stays the same?) with a change you are not charged the $50 change fee.

I already did the comparison between the free dining and the YYD code (we have APs but we really want the dining package so we'd have to use YYD) and the free dining is cheaper. YYD only gives $70 off per night while the free dining would still save us about $87 per night, whether it is value or deluxe.

We really should've booked WL or CR in the first place, but we had thought that some family members were going to be able to come and they would've needed to stay at a value. They couldn't come so now we just want to see if switching is at all possible.

 

[Luv2Travel]

I doubt availability will change for the free dining - but it wouldn't hurt to keep checking. If you want to upgrade, then you could book with the summer special rate and buy the dining plan - since there's better availability. I know the free dining had very limited availability at some resorts. Yes, you'll be paying $17 more a night, but still much better than rack rate + buying the dining plan. I'm a resort snob , so for me it would be worth the $17 to upgrade.

 

[javaj]

I'm a resort snob , so for me it would be worth the $17 to upgrade.

Thanks for the input. I just talked to DH and he agrees with you He even thinks POFQ would be better than AsMo, although we've never stayed in a mod before. I think I will call and check. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[javaj]

Well I switched to YYD so we could upgrade to the WL. It ended up being about $20 more per night (than if the room had been available with the free dining promo). But I know we'll be much happier at the WL so I will just take it as a lesson learned!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Good for you!
As I told one of my clients just the other day (he booked too late to get the free dining), even though its $20 more per night (than the free dining package), its still beats paying rack rate and buying the dining plan!
I think you will be much happier at the WL, hope you have a great trip!