So did anyone not get what they wanted?

[goofy4tink]

I called twice to get a woods view room at WL but they say it doesn't show up as available. There web site says differently, so for now I have a courtyard view, but will keep trying to get the cheaper room with my free dining.

The website doesn't show the rooms that are available for the special FD package. There are only so many rooms, at the participating resorts, that qualify for the free dining. Once those rooms are gone, you can no longer book the FD there. My ds is planning on booking POP for a one night stay in Sept...and he'll be able to. But, if he wanted to book the package with free dining, he would most likely be told there was no availability there for the free dining package.

 

[JunkyardWillie]

I couldn't keep my Family Suite either!
I seriously do not understand why in the world the Family Suites are not included in Free Dining!!!!

Because they don't need to offer any incentives to fill the family suites. They are in enough demand. Same reason others couldn't get free dining at GF or CR.

 

[goinback]

Because they don't need to offer any incentives to fill the family suites. They are in enough demand. Same reason others couldn't get free dining at GF or CR.

There is NO Free Dining at CR or GF?

 

[vellamint]

Me too, but I'm dealing with it.

Im dealing with it but only because I AM staying at the Family Suites for the 4 days prior to moving over to Pop!! lol.....

I really shouldnt but I am..
It would be ALOT easier if I just switched our "before free dining" room to Pop to attempt to stay in the same room
It would be a LOT less expensive if we stayed offsite in the 3 bedroom at Cypress Pointe that was my backup.

But I REALLY really want to stay in those suites.

 

[esdras]

Because they don't need to offer any incentives to fill the family suites. They are in enough demand. Same reason others couldn't get free dining at GF or CR.

Family Suites aren't necessarily excluded from FD - BUT, there is a good chance that prior bookings have been sufficient in that Disney doesn't have Family Suites to release for the promo.

Now, just as an FYI - Family Suites for week long vacations are essentially impossible to get (at least with an online availability check) prior to August 17. From that weekend onwards and through September, I can get a Family Suite to show up at rack rates in an online search.

All that means is that there are still Family Suites available - whether there are enough (or enough during the time you want to book one) to be released for FD is an entirely different matter - and something we have no way of finding out.

I think a few (but probably very few) people will get a Family Suite with Free Dining this year - I hope to be one of them on Thursday. I'm not counting on it though.

 

[VickiVM]

I couldnt keep my Family Suite at the All Star Music......had to take 2 rooms at Pop.

I tried this morning to get your Fam. Ste. with AAA - no go

I still can't complain - 2 rooms at ASMU for $150/nt is pretty good - if they're adjoining, even better!

 

[timmac]

I couldn't keep my Family Suite either!
I seriously do not understand why in the world the Family Suites are not included in Free Dining!!!!

It's all about numbers for Disney. As has been stated by many people, on many threads (and is sort of intuitive anyway), discounts are released to attempt to supplement those times/rooms that would otherwise be lost opportunity.

The family suites, as popular as they are, and as limited as they are (192 total?), book rather quickly already, and thus there's no need to offer any incentive in order to fill said rooms.

 

[JunkyardWillie]

There is NO Free Dining at CR or GF?

It looks like the number of rooms available was very limited... Those resorts stay pretty full without the need for discounts.

Thousands of value rooms need to be filled -- thus "free dining".

 

[esdras]

Family Suites aren't necessarily excluded from FD - BUT, there is a good chance that prior bookings have been sufficient in that Disney doesn't have Family Suites to release for the promo.

Now, just as an FYI - Family Suites for week long vacations are essentially impossible to get (at least with an online availability check) prior to August 17. From that weekend onwards and through September, I can get a Family Suite to show up at rack rates in an online search.

All that means is that there are still Family Suites available - whether there are enough (or enough during the time you want to book one) to be released for FD is an entirely different matter - and something we have no way of finding out.

I think a few (but probably very few) people will get a Family Suite with Free Dining this year - I hope to be one of them on Thursday. I'm not counting on it though.

Okay, had to respond to my own post - as I was happily surprised to be able to get a Family Suite from Aug 25 to Sep 1 (plus, one more night in the suite as a room-only ressie) with Free Dining.

Managed to do it online at about 7:05 am this morning.

I can only guess that certain people aren't able to get it unless their dates work out just right with availability - but, I can confirm that Family Suites were included in the promo.

 

[vellamint]

Okay, had to respond to my own post - as I was happily surprised to be able to get a Family Suite from Aug 25 to Sep 1 (plus, one more night in the suite as a room-only ressie) with Free Dining.

Managed to do it online at about 7:05 am this morning.

I can only guess that certain people aren't able to get it unless their dates work out just right with availability - but, I can confirm that Family Suites were included in the promo.

CONGRATS - lucky.....I guess my dates are off 8/24 - 8/30

 

[minmate]

My dates were off too, so I had to give up our room-only Family Suite ressie and book two rooms too. We already have airfare so our dates aren't flexible... Kids wanted to stay at ASMu as we've stayed at Pop twice before - so that's what we're doing. Come to find out kids are excited about separate rooms bc they think it's neat to call each other from one room to the other (yes obnoxious isn't it?! lol)

Anyway - because we wanted guaranteed connecting rooms and that isn't a guarantee in preferred, we are staying standard - and ultimately saved about $776 by getting Free Dining - so that's worth it.

Needless to say, we're pretty happy. We're going to be at Disney with free FOOD! Yay!!!!

 

[kimatigger]

I could not upgrade my parents or brothers ressie this morning for POP 9/12-9/21. I just called for the 3rd time today and was told nothing at any value resort was available for FD.

 

[tflood]

I had to give up our King bed at POFQ and switch to a Pop preferred w/ a King request. I hated giving up a guaranteed King! Oh well, at least I saved $475 and that's just the room difference, we're saving an additional $450 with free dining, so with that kind of savings, i'll eventually get over it

 

[billnang]

Just and FYI... I booked POR last year for us and my in laws... then we decided to go to the POLY.. i called and there was nothing available...I kept calling or checking online and finally slow and surely we were both able to get in to the POLY..people cancel or change their mind about date or where they want to stay...
KEEP trying!!!

Good luck to all
Angela oh BTW... we got POLY again this time!!!

 

[christa112]

Kids wanted to stay at ASMu as we've stayed at Pop twice before - so that's what we're doing. Come to find out kids are excited about separate rooms bc they think it's neat to call each other from one room to the other (yes obnoxious isn't it?! lol)

Sounds like something my kids would love too!!!!

 

[dclfun]

AS Music rooms are gorgeous since the renovation, and the ones at Sports are almost finished too. I couldn't believe the furnishings, larger TV, etc. that really make a big difference. Plus ASMu has the outdoor big-screen poolside movies, bingo games, etc. We loved coming back and seeing everyone having so much fun around the feature pool. It was a real toss-up for us this year to do Pop vs. ASMu ( the icees won out but barely ).---Kathy