Sounds like they are hinting at free dining

[luvdisney00]

I called yesterday and spoke with a CM. Unfortunately she said we had no codes or discounted rates and quoted me rack rate. Then she said that if I booked a pkg for my dates at rack rate that there would be no problem adding a code if one came out for my dates. I asked if that was likely and she said, "I can't say for sure, but free dining looks very likely." This is the 3rd wk in Sept. that I was talking about.

I thought if free dining came out and I already had a pkg ressie, I'd have to cancel and rebook based on availability, but she said no I'd be able to keep my ressie and add it. I got the feeling she really wanted to get me to book, but was unwilling to offer any discounts. I would have liked a 40%, but then if free dining comes out I lose it anyway, right? The way I'm running the #'s free dining is a better deal for us even though we are staying deluxe.
This is all so confusing! Maybe I'll call today and get a different answer!!!!

 

[angwill]

You can either have free dining or 40% off not both. Did you book a dining package with tickets? If you only booked room only you will have to cancel and rebook. If you booked a package and your resort is not available when they release free dining then you will have to rebook at another resort as well. Last year I was going free dining or not so I booked before they announced it. When it was announced our resort POP was not available for our dates so we had to change to ASMu but then Pop opened back up and I had to rebook again.

HTH

 

[christa112]

We went in 2005 and had already booked our trip at ASM and about 2 mos later the Free Dining came out for Disney Visa. I called immediately and the CM credited my cc with the difference that worked out to be over $500.00. I guess I was fortunate that I did not have to switch hotels it was as easy as me calling and getting the price reduced.

Our 2nd trip free dining was being offered so we opted to stay at a Mod CB and got the free dining, just to see the difference in resorts.

We are going back in Sept again and my kids want to stay at a Value because they like the themes better, even though the pool at the mod had a water slide.

So we are planning staying at the POP this time around and keeping my fingers crossed for free dining, but if not we are going anyways, it will just be a bonus to have free dining. I would love to save $500.00 again and use it as spending money.

As for the 40% off code I think it is going to be worth while if you are staying at a Deluxe resort, because you are going to see the most savings vs value or mod resort.

I hope we all get free dining!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[wezee]

I have talked to WDW 3 times in the last week (changing our Sept. ressie to a king room, and booking my inlaws for several days in Sept.) On each occasion I tried my best to get the CM's to give me a tip off about the possibility of free dining....with no luck. We have the free dining bounceback, but was hoping to add on the free dining for inlaws if the promo comes out. All 3 CMs said that many of the resorts are almost completely full for that time period, so they would not speculate on Sept. free dining. They did say if the resorts are almost full....WDW has no reason to offer the free dining, which makes sense.

I hope the CM's are wrong, since I would love to be able to get free food for Mom & Dad inlaw.

PS......I will say, everytime I have called CRO, all of the CMs have been fantastic, helpful and downright awesome!

 

[HeyJPK]

how does one get that 40% code?

 

[DoodlesMom]

how does one get that 40% code?

I was wondering the same thing. We're looking to go in July or October and was hoping for a deal since the DDP deals probably won't be going on at that time. Any advice appreciated. TIA!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I called yesterday and spoke with a CM. Unfortunately she said we had no codes or discounted rates and quoted me rack rate. Then she said that if I booked a pkg for my dates at rack rate that there would be no problem adding a code if one came out for my dates. I asked if that was likely and she said, "I can't say for sure, but free dining looks very likely." This is the 3rd wk in Sept. that I was talking about.

I thought if free dining came out and I already had a pkg ressie, I'd have to cancel and rebook based on availability, but she said no I'd be able to keep my ressie and add it. I got the feeling she really wanted to get me to book, but was unwilling to offer any discounts. I would have liked a 40%, but then if free dining comes out I lose it anyway, right? The way I'm running the #'s free dining is a better deal for us even though we are staying deluxe.
This is all so confusing! Maybe I'll call today and get a different answer!!!!

There is no guarantee you will or won't have to rebook. It just depends on what resort you want for which dates. POP and ASMo usually sell out first and WL wasn't even offered last year when the free dining promo came out. If you have a Disney Visa and call on the first day the odds are better that you won't have to rebook. If you call when it comes out to the general public, then you choices are going to be smaller and you have a better chance of having to rebook. There is no way to know right now which resorts they will need to fill. We just have to wait and see.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I was wondering the same thing. We're looking to go in July or October and was hoping for a deal since the DDP deals probably won't be going on at that time. Any advice appreciated. TIA!

You could get a post card in the mail. You could get an email. You could just have a random code attached to your name when you call the reservation line. I think it's luck of the draw, personally. Free Dining has historically only been offered in September and few days in August. Never in July or October.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I got free dining from October 1st through the 8th in 2005!!!!!!

 

[danx2plus3more]

you know i read posts like this and get antsy and feel like i need to book right away.i hate that..i will be booking with a disney visa and would like to wait until the free dining is offered..now im thinking i should just book and add it when it comes out.

 

[aubriee]

you know i read posts like this and get antsy and feel like i need to book right away.i hate that..i will be booking with a disney visa and would like to wait until the free dining is offered..now im thinking i should just book and add it when it comes out.

Not me! If the resorts look full they'll have no reason to offer free dining.

 

[nurse.darcy]

pleeeeeeaaaaasssssseeeee. . .I have tried to book many different resorts online and have had no trouble booking what I want for these time frames. . .the only exception being at the contemporary, which only had MK view available. . .This is a scare tactic to get people to book now. . .

 

[luvdisney00]

There is no guarantee you will or won't have to rebook. It just depends on what resort you want for which dates. POP and ASMo usually sell out first and WL wasn't even offered last year when the free dining promo came out. If you have a Disney Visa and call on the first day the odds are better that you won't have to rebook. If you call when it comes out to the general public, then you choices are going to be smaller and you have a better chance of having to rebook. There is no way to know right now which resorts they will need to fill. We just have to wait and see.

You see I thought it was certain that I had to reebook no matter what and my confusion was that she was telling me that I would not. I am going to book something in the next week or two anyway. It's not that I want to "fill" up the hotels, and I agree that people shouldn't make a bunch of "just in case" ressies, but we are going with or without free dining, and my dates aren't flexible. I will however changes resorts if I absolultely have to if it comes down to free dining or no free dining. I do have a Disney Visa, and I will be watching and waiting to call the first day if they offer it (if they do). The phone call just sounded to me that the CM was trying to say without saying that it would be offered.