So early but...September 2015!

[Krystarella]

Hi there.
We're looking for free dining, but don't know when these promotions come out, or how to capitalize on it. Do we wait to book until we see this deal? Can the deal be applied retroactively if the promotion is still available for our planned dates? Do I have to run in a circle thirteen times, counterclockwise on the third Wednesday of every month from now until we leave? Help!

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Hi Krystarella,

Here is what happened in 2014, no guarantee that it will be offered next year.

Most of the discounts for September 2014 came out in May 2014 but one Room Only discount came out in February. There was a Free Dining discount this year for the general public for September 2014 that was released in May.

You definitely can apply a discount to an existing reservation if the discount applies to the room reservation that you have and there is availability. The availability restriction would apply to a new reservation also.

So you have two options:
A) you can book the room you want now and then hope for a discount
B) wait and try to find a room that falls into a discount category.

If you wait however, you run the risk of rooms in the category you want being sold-out. I prefer option A.

If you feel like reviewing the past 4 years, Mousesavers has a great list of historical discounts here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

 

[uetzb]

If too many people book early hoping to get free dining, it decreases the chances that free dining will be offered.

If you really want the free dining promotion and that will impact whether you are going to take the trip or not, you should not book early, as this will create less need for Disney to offer the discount.

If you have your heart set on a specific resort and you are going to go regardless of future discounts, then booking early would get you into where you want to go and you could just hope to be able to add a discount later.

In 2014 the amount of free dining rooms available was much lower than it was in earlier years. I don't have anything to back this up, but I believe there were a large number of bookings made by people who were hoping to "hold a room" in case free dining was released. In my opinion that is why the free dining promotion was much more limited than before. Anyone who has getting free dining as their top priority should wait to book until it is released.

Booking early never guarantees you will get free dining when and if it is offered.

 

[OnePrinceOnePrincess]

If you feel like reviewing the past 4 years, Mousesavers has a great list of historical discounts here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

This was super helpful!!! Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

If too many people book early hoping to get free dining, it decreases the chances that free dining will be offered.

If you really want the free dining promotion and that will impact whether you are going to take the trip or not, you should not book early, as this will create less need for Disney to offer the discount.

If you have your heart set on a specific resort and you are going to go regardless of future discounts, then booking early would get you into where you want to go and you could just hope to be able to add a discount later.

Booking early never guarantees you will get free dining when and if it is offered.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

If too many people book early hoping to get free dining, it decreases the chances that free dining will be offered.

If you really want the free dining promotion and that will impact whether you are going to take the trip or not, you should not book early, as this will create less need for Disney to offer the discount.

If you have your heart set on a specific resort and you are going to go regardless of future discounts, then booking early would get you into where you want to go and you could just hope to be able to add a discount later.

In 2014 the amount of free dining rooms available was much lower than it was in earlier years. I don't have anything to back this up, but I believe there were a large number of bookings made by people who were hoping to "hold a room" in case free dining was released. In my opinion that is why the free dining promotion was much more limited than before. Anyone who has getting free dining as their top priority should wait to book until it is released.

Booking early never guarantees you will get free dining when and if it is offered.

This would work well if enough people followed along. But I think the majority of people will book their room and then hope for a discount. So if you wait to book your room, and you really want to go you might not get the discount or the room you want. Maybe that's just me being paranoid

It is good advice and if we could get everyone to follow along that would be great, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Of course, like you said, if the FD promotion impacts whether you can go or not. Then you really don't have a choice but to wait and pray for a discount.

Good Luck with your discounts to all!!

 

[uetzb]

Yes, I realize a lot of people will do it anyway, but what can you do. Maybe over time if enough people say it then it might make a big enough impact.

I think part of the problem is people get so excited about going they just want to get something booked. The waiting is the hardest part.

 

[kevdad]

Yes, I realize a lot of people will do it anyway, but what can you do. Maybe over time if enough people say it then it might make a big enough impact.

I think part of the problem is people get so excited about going they just want to get something booked. The waiting is the hardest part.

Is another problem booking ADRs? If the discounts come out <180 days before our stay, we really need something booked to make those. Maybe just make a one-night reservation for the first night of our stay, then cancel and make the full reservation when the discount is released?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I tend to agree, the problem with FD 2014 was people booked rooms hoping to apply a discount. We all know, that didn't go well. Maybe people will think differently now. I'm not too fussy as far as resorts go, so I tend to wait for a discount before booking. The dates are more important. P.S. If you don't have a reservation that needs to be modified to apply a discount, you can beat everybody on the phone by booking online through the promotional link.

 

[uetzb]

That should work kevdad

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Is another problem booking ADRs? If the discounts come out <180 days before our stay, we really need something booked to make those. Maybe just make a one-night reservation for the first night of our stay, then cancel and make the full reservation when the discount is released?

But will you still be able to book ADRs after that one-night reservation? What I mean is if your real intention is to stay 7 nights will you be able to get ADRs for all 7 nights even though you are only booked the one-night?

 

[kevdad]

But will you still be able to book ADRs after that one-night reservation? What I mean is if your real intention is to stay 7 nights will you be able to get ADRs for all 7 nights even though you are only booked the one-night?

My understanding is you can book 180 days out for up to 10 days of your trip, I don't think the length of your trip matters so a one night reservation the first night of your planned stay would work. Maybe someone else can clarify?

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

My understanding is you can book 180 days out for up to 10 days of your trip, I don't think the length of your trip matters so a one night reservation the first night of your planned stay would work. Maybe someone else can clarify?

Hi Kevdad,
I know you said "someone else" but I've been doing a little research, here is what I have found out.

When staying at a Disney on site hotel you are given the ADR 180 + 10 privilege. But in order to make your reservations you either have to call 407-WDW-DINE or make them online in MDE.

If you call Disney they ask for your reservation number to confirm your reservation and the CM may not allow you to make an ADR beyond your reservation dates.

If you try to make them online you have to use MDE. In MDE only the one day you have booked will be listed so you won't be able to book ADRs beyond that.

I would still like someone who has tried to book beyond their trip dates to respond though. This is kind of interesting. Thanks for raising this question.

 

[kevdad]

Hi Kevdad,
I know you said "someone else" but I've been doing a little research, here is what I have found out.

When staying at a Disney on site hotel you are given the ADR 180 + 10 privilege. But in order to make your reservations you either have to call 407-WDW-DINE or make them online in MDE.

If you call Disney they ask for your reservation number to confirm your reservation and the CM may not allow you to make an ADR beyond your reservation dates.

If you try to make them online you have to use MDE. In MDE only the one day you have booked will be listed so you won't be able to book ADRs beyond that.

I would still like someone who has tried to book beyond their trip dates to respond though. This is kind of interesting. Thanks for raising this question.

I think you're correct, we could only book ADRs for the length of our stay up to 10 days. Thanks for doing the research!

 

[QueenQueso]

I'm hoping for a FD promotion in Sept again. I lucked into it last time, being totally unaware that such a thing even existed until a few months after a TA made our reservations for us. I had picked up a travel guide from the library and stumbled across the Dis while googling something the guide referenced. Thank God for that, because the stuff I learned on this site saved us tons of time, money and tears! I'll be in the camp that's waiting for the promo to be released before booking. I booked first last time and then had to change resorts to get the deal. Ended up for the best, I LOVE the Ft. Wilderness cabins.

 

[JenLynn]

QueenQueso, I am in the same boat ... my husband and I want to go Sept/Oct 2015 ... we don't particularly care what dates or which resort so we are waiting and will hope FD will be offered and works for us.

 

[Vernie822]

Last year, I booked in early March for September. I'm glad I did it then because I was able to grab the ADR's I wanted. I had no idea of free dining at the time, but from reading the boards I learned to look for the discounts. I called and was able to get free dining. It was stressful, but worth it. We ended up having to switch to Coronado Springs since it was not offered at Port Orleans Riverside.

If you aren't picky about dates (maybe you're too early/late for free dining but will be able to switch dates come May to take advantage of the promotion) or resorts, I would book now and just call to get the discount when it comes out. For me, I wanted to be able to take advantage of booking ADR's at 180 days and I didn't mind having to switch to a different moderate resort.

 

[pigletgirl]

I went ahead and booked a BB offer because POFQ was included. The resort is ideal for our needs and I knew that the Port Orleans resorts would probably not be included again for 2015. We aren't interested in the other moderate resorts (CBR or CSR).

 

[dpswift]

Is another problem booking ADRs? If the discounts come out <180 days before our stay, we really need something booked to make those. Maybe just make a one-night reservation for the first night of our stay, then cancel and make the full reservation when the discount is released?

That is the only reason I am considering booking early. DH and I are planning on going for our 25th aniversary and I want to get good ADRs. We are not sure but may upgrade to deluxe dining.

To me it is not so much booking the perfect room but being able to get our top pick ADRs without spending hours getting them.

 

[TooBoyz4us]

If you are already booked, and have paid off your package before free dining is announced and then are able to apply the promotion to your package, how is the dining portion of your stay refunded to you?

My BIL was wondering IF this happens for them, if he could request the refunded amount in Disney Gift Cards?
He would like to save the money amount for gratuities, etc.

I suggested maybe a better option would be to leave the outstanding balance on his account, add charging privelges to his arm band, and use that for gratuities etc.

What do you think?