So much for being excited about free dining...

[Lisa LSR]

I'm so bummed and aggravated. We had AoA Lion King booked for Nov 15-22. My TA messaged me a few hours ago and said she was unable to get FD for us.

Now we have to choose from what's leftover everywhere else. In other words, spend more money to stay in a smaller room.

I know all the reasons they only offer fd to a percentage of rooms, and I know all the reasons to NOT book before fd is offered. That being said, I think it reallllly stinks for them to not extend the offer to people who were already booked.

Very frustrating.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm so bummed and aggravated. We had AoA Lion King booked for Nov 15-22. My TA messaged me a few hours ago and said she was unable to get FD for us. Now we have to choose from what's leftover everywhere else. In other words, spend more money to stay in a smaller room. I know all the reasons they only offer fd to a percentage of rooms, and I know all the reasons to NOT book before fd is offered. That being said, I think it reallllly stinks for them to not extend the offer to people who were already booked. Very frustrating.

So sorry u didnt get what u wanted

 

[ElizabethB]

I could write a book about the sheer number of things Disney does that stink. Won't change anything.

 

[mamato3sweetgirls]

That stinks. My first choice wasn't available either so the cm priced a few options--one of them being a family suite at AOA with the theme chosen at check-in. Is that still available for your dates?

Last year, we were hoping to book a Finding Nemo room with free dining, but it wasn't available so we booked POR instead. About 3 weeks later, that generic family suite option was available so I called and switched and prayed it would all work out! We checked in around 8 am, I requested a Finding Nemo suite and assured the cm we were planning to head to the MK and were willing to wait for the room. And we did wait! It was after 5 pm when our room was finally ready, but it was totally worth the wait! And, where better to wait than the Magic Kingdom?!

Today, we had to move our dates forward a day to get our backup plan room. I'll still be stalking the room availability for our original dates and our first choice room. Anything is possible, right?

 

[JewelsG]

Don't give up - just because it wasn't available today, doesn't mean it won't be available later - people change things all the time - I wanted POFQ a few years back, couldn't get it and then two weeks later was able to. I hope some extra magic comes your way

 

[BuckeyeBama]

That being said, I think it reallllly stinks for them to not extend the offer to people who were already booked.

I am sorry that you did not get your first choice, but I don't understand this part of your post. To draw an analogy, if you were to buy a dress for $100 and then the retailer were to have a sale 3 months later, should you be able to go into that retailer and demand a portion of your money back?

There is word out there of PINs for rooms and resorts not covered in the offer. Maybe call and check?

 

[denman007]

I'm so bummed and aggravated. We had AoA Lion King booked for Nov 15-22. My TA messaged me a few hours ago and said she was unable to get FD for us.

Now we have to choose from what's leftover everywhere else. In other words, spend more money to stay in a smaller room.

I know all the reasons they only offer fd to a percentage of rooms, and I know all the reasons to NOT book before fd is offered. That being said, I think it reallllly stinks for them to not extend the offer to people who were already booked.

Very frustrating.

This is one of the downsides to using a TA.

Perhaps 2 rooms at another value would be more space for the same amount.

 

[TandEsMommy]

I was on the phone within 5 minutes this morning and AOA suites were sold out for our dates--it most likely isn't the TA's fault. Hopefully they gave you a variety of options for your dates. You can get two rooms at Pop for less than one suite at AOA, so you don't have to spend more for less room.

I'm sorry you didn't get it, and I hope something will open up for you soon, but it sounds like you knew that you were increasing the likelihood of fewer rooms being made available for the FD discount, and knew that having one booked didn't guarantee you FD, but you pre-booked anyway. It is exactly as many here warned; while it always stinks to be the example, by virtue of stating you know all the reasons not to pre-book, you were better aware than many that it would be a hindrance. It isn't Disney's fault that they followed the same algorithm for allocating discounts as the rest of the industry.

Again, I really hope a suite opens up for you once the madness dies down

 

[LindyN]

Rooms FLEW out of inventory and there was a lot that went with the Disney Visa offer so they never even were available. The Nemo rooms are frequently blocked out from offers too.

Not everything held today is going to deposit, so keep checking back. I did not see any Nemo rooms available at AoA today. On Tuesday for some November dates there were only Cars suites available.

This entire promotion just sort of stinks. Removing Riverside from the mix forced families of five into the Family Suites or two rooms somewhere which impacts everything.

 

[alktdknckmom]

I wouldn't give up hope yet. My TA booked me at AofA Lion King Suites because Nemo suites were unavailable for our dates. I checked tonight just on a whim and the Nemo suites are available for our dates this time. I think today resorts were going in and out of availability constantly. Let the dust settle and try again in a few days.

 

[katclicks]

It is too late now, but when I called last week to book my fd trip all the aoa family rooms were available. I have a disney debit from chase and I get the same advantages except points as a credit card holder. It may be worth it to get that card for future use so you can get in on deals earlier. Good luck.

 

[allboyhouse]

This is one of the downsides to using a TA. Perhaps 2 rooms at another value would be more space for the same amount.

I'm confused.....how is it a downside to using a TA?

 

[GaBelle]

I wouldn't give up hope yet. My TA booked me at AofA Lion King Suites because Nemo suites were unavailable for our dates. I checked tonight just on a whim and the Nemo suites are available for our dates this time. I think today resorts were going in and out of availability constantly. Let the dust settle and try again in a few days.

This exactly!
Hopefully your TA will continually search for availability for you.

 

[diskids2]

I'm sorry you didn't get what you want. Keep checking though, people change their minds all the time...take a look at the resort changers thread! I booked free dining yesterday and I am already thinking of changing to another resort. You never know.

 

[TheGreatGafsby]

I'm confused.....how is it a downside to using a TA?

You give up control of your res to another party.

 

[mb3bm8]

I agree the returning guests and already booked disney guests should receive FD . We are the reasons disney is what it is...

 

[GenieCat]

I'm confused.....how is it a downside to using a TA?

Some agents are more knowledgeable and will work harder to find you the best deal. There are *many* who do not even know about Disney discounts and codes.

When choosing an agent, ask if they are a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge.

My main issue with using a travel agent, is not having control over my hotel and dining reservations. I could not change or cancel my own dining reservations until arrival. The agent would have to make that call.

As some have report here, their agents missed the free dining deal or simply forgot them.

 

[dimndgal1]

Keep trying and keep up the hope! I had a similar issue with our trip in '12... needed 2 rooms in same category AFTER summer promotions came out. It took some scouring but eventually they both opened up and we were able to stay at the resort we wanted for a lot less...

Highly recommend keeping an eye around the payment due date for packages during your travel dates (60 days, I think). You'd be amazed at how many resorts open up suddenly when money is due!

You give up control of your res to another party.

In a sense, yes - but had I not used a TA I would never have gotten the 4 rooms at the same resort under FD we needed... her experience had her in and done by 708a yesterday. Also, my TA has kept an eye for an earlier ADR we are looking for... sends and email every now and then saying "still looking" We've moved up 30 minutes since original ADR and I give her a lot of credit for taking the extra second to help me out!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Walt and Roy Disney are the reasons that Disney World is what it is.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm a TA and I was able to go online yesterday morning and book new reservations with free dining around 6:40 AM eastern time. That was definitely the best availability because many agents were on hold 7-10 HOURS. I will always advise my clients to wait and book once the offer is released instead of trying to call and modify.