September 2008 code watch

[jcemom]

It makes no difference whether you're flying a participating airline or not on the way TO Disney. Put the luggage tags on your checked baggage and they will retrieve it and deliver it to your room regardless of which airline you're flying.

It does make a difference on the return trip though. Participating airlines allow you to check your bags at the resort and you won't see them again until you claim them at your home airport. Non participating airlines don't do that. You'll need to take your bags with you to the ME bus. The driver will stow them underneath in the storage compartment until you get to the airport. Then he'll give them back to you. You are responsible for getting them inside to your airline's luggage checkpoint counter (or finding a skycap to do it, not sure if anyone is dropped near curbside checkin but I don't think so, I think it's on a different level).

We usually fly Southwest, a non participating airline. In December I booked Southwest to Disney and AirTran, a participating airline, on the return trip. I think I'll do the same next time. It was so much more convenient to not have to schlep luggage on the bus and through the airport.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for that info!!!

 

[jcemom]

You're welcome. Happy I could help.

 

[ebowman]

I apologize in advance if I am asking a question that has already been answered, but I have not read all 29 pages of posts in this thread. We are booked for the Poly for Sep 7 - 12. We are obviously hoping for free dining, but that will not keep us from going. Here is what I have gathered about FD so far (please correct me if I am wrong):

It will likely not be announced before April
It may or may not be offered at all resorts
It will likely book quickly
I will quite possibly need to cancel and re-book to get FD (if offered)

Now...here is what I am most concerened about. If I am booked with DDP now, I can (and will) start making ADRs at the 180 day mark. If I have to cancel/re-book to get FD, will I have to re-book all ADRs? If so, will I run the risk of missing out on the times that I want and already have booked?

 

[jamsmu]

excellent question! I'll be interested in the response

 

[keodark]

I am by no means an expert, but from what I've read, ADRs are not connected to your resort reservation... they just need to know that you --have-- a resort reservation if you're making them right at the 180 mark (because of the +10 thing).

This means that as long as you had a resort reservation when you placed your ADRs, changing that reservation doesn't affect your ADRs... as far as I know.

Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

The real issue (for me, anyway) is that if the Free Dining is offered during a narrower range this year, that will exclude my planned week (end of Sept.), which means I'll be changing my week to an earlier one, thus risking not getting my ADRs because by April 1st, that 180 mark will have already passed! oops..

-Keo

 

[kaleighsmom]

plezzz pray for free dining!!!

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

Yes you should call and get your ADR's as soon as your 180 window opens.
That is what I have done in the past. I ended up changing a few but had no problems. Make sure you make those hard to get ones like CG at firework time, or CRT.
Have fun make your ADR's. My window opens on March 8.
I cant wait.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

plezzz pray for free dining!!!

Don't worry. I'm sure there are many of us praying the same thing. FREE DINING

 

[kaleighsmom]

how do I know when my 180 window opens????????????

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Ooh thats AWESOME!!! I guess I will hold out, cross my fingers, and hope that they offer it Thanks so much for the info!

Glad to help!

We usually fly Southwest, a non participating airline. In December I booked Southwest to Disney and AirTran, a participating airline, on the return trip. I think I'll do the same next time. It was so much more convenient to not have to schlep luggage on the bus and through the airport.

This is a GREAT idea! I am so glad you mentioned this. It would be great to not have to drag the luggage everywhere on the way back since we usually try to make the most of the day.

I am by no means an expert, but from what I've read, ADRs are not connected to your resort reservation... they just need to know that you --have-- a resort reservation if you're making them right at the 180 mark (because of the +10 thing).

This means that as long as you had a resort reservation when you placed your ADRs, changing that reservation doesn't affect your ADRs... as far as I know.

Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong here.-Keo

I think you're correct. Your ADRs are not connected to your ressie--I think just your phone number you make them under. If you have a ressie made, you can make them at 180 + 10. Otherwise call the morning of the 180 day mark each day to make an ADR.

how do I know when my 180 window opens????????????

There is a "dining reservation calculator" on allears. That is what I've used to figure out our day. There might be one here on the DIS as well but I don't know where to find it. My date is March 10th!!!!!

Glad I have my spreadsheets done!

 

[ebowman]

I think you're correct. Your ADRs are not connected to your ressie--I think just your phone number you make them under. If you have a ressie made, you can make them at 180 + 10. Otherwise call the morning of the 180 day mark each day to make an ADR.

What is the "180 + 10"??

Can you make reservations for your entire week long stay starting with 180 days out from Day 1?

 

[jcemom]

What is the "180 + 10"??

Can you make reservations for your entire week long stay starting with 180 days out from Day 1?

Yes, that's correct. Some restaurants reserve tables for the 180 day mark though. So if you don't get the time you want at 180+ be sure to call back at exactly 180 days out and you'll get it -- CRT is one I know for certain does this.

As for ADRs being tied to your resort reservation, they're not. No worries. If you need to cancel and rebook your resort reservation it won't affect your ADRs at all.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

how do I know when my 180 window opens????????????

Call Disney Dining and ask when your 180 window opens for ADR's. They will pull up your ressie and tell you exactly when that is.
What are your dates. Ours are Sept 4-11 and my window opens on March 8. I will start calling on the 4th and just see if I can get a CM to book that early. It never hurts to try.

 

[scottny]

http://pscalculator.net/allearsnet/pscalcae.php

here is the link I got on here for the allears one.

put in the date of your arrival and your 180 day will show up.

I am march 10th.

 

[ShhhQ]

I apologize in advance if I am asking a question that has already been answered, but I have not read all 29 pages of posts in this thread. We are booked for the Poly for Sep 7 - 12. We are obviously hoping for free dining, but that will not keep us from going. Here is what I have gathered about FD so far (please correct me if I am wrong):

It will likely not be announced before April
It may or may not be offered at all resorts
It will likely book quickly
I will quite possibly need to cancel and re-book to get FD (if offered)

Now...here is what I am most concerened about. If I am booked with DDP now, I can (and will) start making ADRs at the 180 day mark. If I have to cancel/re-book to get FD, will I have to re-book all ADRs? If so, will I run the risk of missing out on the times that I want and already have booked?

The only reason your ADRs would have to change is if you had to change your dates! Otherwise its not a problem.... I already had my trip booked and ADRs made last year before they announced the FD and did not have to change any ADRs when my reservation got changed.

 

[kaleighsmom]

thanks you all!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Just an FYI...last year I didn't find out about free dining until June....i know...gasp! And I had no problem booking the dates I wanted and got ALL the ADRS I wanted.

 

[Disneykidz]

Just an FYI...last year I didn't find out about free dining until June....i know...gasp! And I had no problem booking the dates I wanted and got ALL the ADRS I wanted.

Thank you for posting this. This is very reassuring!

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

Just an FYI...last year I didn't find out about free dining until June....i know...gasp! And I had no problem booking the dates I wanted and got ALL the ADRS I wanted.

That great news for those who join late. Thanks for posting