~*~*~The Oct 2014 waiting patiently (or not so) for a discount thread ~*~*~

[jcemom]

Gotcha- sounds like a good plan for you.

We are resort specific and we were trying to use time over the Columbus holiday that would allow my kids to miss 4 days rather than 5. The ONLY reason I called and added was bc I decided it was feasible for us to move dates given learning (here) the complete lack of chance for FD/and possible RO and the very real chance for us to potentially save $1400 if we did move. Wouldn't anyone? Upon checking the rooms are getting really booked (as in lower level rooms are gone) and the CM I spoke with suggested just going for it to be better safe than sorry and lose out completely. I'm not interested in taking whatever resort I get and I was going by his suggestion. I panicked and made the alternate res.

That said I needed to move all ADRs and be sure my flight could be moved (most importantly) before canceling my existing. Again, wouldn't anyone? As I mentioned that extra booking was not something I was going to be sitting on. It was going to be for a day or so max. It's already been resolved with Disney and I have my one week set now that I've successfully moved flights and ADRs.

Again- sorry if this bothered anyone, just thought I was making sense for my situation.

Well I'm happy you were able to get everything successfully resolved. Now let's all keep keeping our fingers crossed for free dining lol.

It didn't bother me. I was just curious, that's all.

 

[wdwmaw]

We are resort specific and we were trying to use time over the Columbus holiday that would allow my kids to miss 4 days rather than 5. The ONLY reason I called and added was bc I decided it was feasible for us to move dates given learning (here) the complete lack of chance for FD/and possible RO and the very real chance for us to potentially save $1400 if we did move. Wouldn't anyone? Again- sorry if this bothered anyone, just thought I was making sense for my situation.

You are not bothering anyone and the best way to get answers is to think outloud. If you are resort specific then you need to book as early as possible and not count on a discount. If you want a discount then booking early will get you into a room but as your resort category books up your category may not be offered at all in discounts. In most cases you will not get your room category as those least expensive/popular rooms are filled. When discounts are released you may be offered a more expensive room for the price of your origional booking.

If you want/need a discount I would have just left the origional reservation and began booking dining for alternate dates. When discounts became available I would then move our dates (with dining already in place) and switch airfare.

Booking a Disney trip is very difficult when you are resort/catagory specific. Many on here have where we would love to be but potential savings can really sway our resort and room.

That said, remember when discounts are released and people begin moving resorts to get the discount applied to their reservation, resorts and room categories will then open back up to availability. If your room is not available the morning discounts are released, keep trying many have been able to get their first choice by calling, calling, and calling.

Another option is to check with Orbitz. This spring Orbitz had a deal where they were giving 15-20% off Disney discounted rate. You can not do dining plan with this option, but it may give you some discount during a disney blacked out day.

Just a little ramble,hahahaha for things to consider

 

[JenDisFan02]

I was going to switch our dates into September because they release those discounts now. But, honestly we don't like it hot, we like it warm, and I really think October is the ideal month for us. Holding out for a discount (sung to Holding out for a Hero, LOL

 

[lancgirl]

Thanks all! If we get the discount fine, if not fine. That's not going to make us cancel, we are going 100%, I just figured moving to a week with more of a possibility of a FD/RO made sense.

As far as the dining reservations ( and I am NOT trying to be a pot stirrer, just voicing thoughts) why is it acceptable to make multiple dining reservations over various weeks you ultimately will not use should your discount not pan out? I guess I see it from the perspective of someone who has booked and is definitely going regardless and is fighting to get ADRs with people who will just end up cancelling or are thinking about it if it happens to work out. I understand without that room reservation you can't book the 180 +10, but still the thought of taking up dining reservations one will not use is philosophically the same as me making multiple room bookings, no? I am not saying it's right or wrong, I'm just questioning the "accepting" of this practice. I certainly understand taking an ADR does not necessarily hold the same ramifications as taking rooms, but it is essentially the same premise. When someone has made a plan and paid a deposit on a trip and is making genuine plans, is it fair for those people to lose the chance to have a CRT res at 8:05am bc they are competing with people who may not even be there that week at all?? Again, not sure if it's right or wrong, just asking/thinking!

 

[smitch425]

Thanks all! If we get the discount fine, if not fine. That's not going to make us cancel, we are going 100%, I just figured moving to a week with more of a possibility of a FD/RO made sense.

As far as the dining reservations ( and I am NOT trying to be a pot stirrer, just voicing thoughts) why is it acceptable to make multiple dining reservations over various weeks you ultimately will not use should your discount not pan out? I guess I see it from the perspective of someone who has booked and is definitely going regardless and is fighting to get ADRs with people who will just end up cancelling or are thinking about it if it happens to work out. I understand without that room reservation you can't book the 180 +10, but still the thought of taking up dining reservations one will not use is philosophically the same as me making multiple room bookings, no? I am not saying it's right or wrong, I'm just questioning the "accepting" of this practice. I certainly understand taking an ADR does not necessarily hold the same ramifications as taking rooms, but it is essentially the same premise. When someone has made a plan and paid a deposit on a trip and is making genuine plans, is it fair for those people to lose the chance to have a CRT res at 8:05am bc they are competing with people who may not even be there that week at all?? Again, not sure if it's right or wrong, just asking/thinking!

Not saying either is right or wrong, but the difference is that restaurant bookings have no impact on Disney offering resort discounts. All ADRs could be sold out, but if rooms are empty, they will offer discounts to fill them. If rooms are booked up, there is no reason to offer a discount.

 

[wdwmaw]

Thanks all! If we get the discount fine, if not fine. That's not going to make us cancel, we are going 100%, I just figured moving to a week with more of a possibility of a FD/RO made sense.

As far as the dining reservations ( and I am NOT trying to be a pot stirrer, just voicing thoughts) why is it acceptable to make multiple dining reservations over various weeks you ultimately will not use should your discount not pan out? I guess I see it from the perspective of someone who has booked and is definitely going regardless and is fighting to get ADRs with people who will just end up cancelling or are thinking about it if it happens to work out. I understand without that room reservation you can't book the 180 +10, but still the thought of taking up dining reservations one will not use is philosophically the same as me making multiple room bookings, no? I am not saying it's right or wrong, I'm just questioning the "accepting" of this practice. I certainly understand taking an ADR does not necessarily hold the same ramifications as taking rooms, but it is essentially the same premise. When someone has made a plan and paid a deposit on a trip and is making genuine plans, is it fair for those people to lose the chance to have a CRT res at 8:05am bc they are competing with people who may not even be there that week at all?? Again, not sure if it's right or wrong, just asking/thinking!

Multiple dining reservations will not lead disney to think that resorts are full and not offer discounts. Actually, lots of reservations for multiple dates not attached to resort reservations implies guest has off property reservations that disney needs to get on property. This is the resort discount board and you will probably get the same argument on the dining board for multiple bookings. Years ago this became such a problem that we now have credit card/cancelation policys. Pople would book up Cinderellas and then offer those reservations on places like EBAY for a price Many people will also book multiple reservations and cancel when park hours are updated. On the TA calendar the HS and AK EMH days the first weekend of October for the TOT race should be swaped. I have planned for both days so I am going to cancel something when disney switches the EMH on those days. This is a huge problem during really busy days when the park is at capasity. Disney will release the hours and people that don't know historical times will book an 8am only to find out a month or even the week before arrival Disney has updated hours to an 8am opening. Now that is some very disappointed guest.


As someone who has been going to Disney for about 20 years now this is really a problem with booking so far out from your actual dates. Things change and thus our plans. With disney you really need to be flexable at times with your plans and I don't see that as my fault that Disney historically changes things.

I love your thought process, your thinking of everything

 

[lancgirl]

Thanks! Yes I agree and understand the difference. Just wondering from a philosophical sense. not saying I wouldn't do it!

I grew up going to Disney every year and as an adult with my own children, we go every other year. Part of the enjoyment of the trip is the plotting and planning and dare I say it- scheming! Muhahhaah!

And I would like to clarify- I am not holding any additional room reservations! Lmao!!

 

[wdwmaw]

Part of the enjoyment of the trip is the plotting and planning and dare I say it- scheming! Muhahhaah!

The more you type the more I like you

 

[lancgirl]

Lol! Thanks! Should I start a rant about using my 1997 Dixie Landings "refillable" mug? Jk!!!!

 

[wdwmaw]

Lol! Thanks! Should I start a rant about using my 1997 Dixie Landings "refillable" mug? Jk!!!!

Now your talking I confess, we have taken home a towel animal

We are way off topic now, so lets bring on some discounts and I wish you some for your trip. We will be at Disney the same time.

 

[lancgirl]

Sounds good- fingers crossed for discounts!!

 

[black562]

Free Dining should be available as soon as Thursday, May 1 for Disney Visa holders and Wednesday, May 7 for the general public. You can book through September 12.

The likely dates included are:
August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
November 9 - November 20
December 12 - December 23

 

[pixleyyy]

Free Dining should be available as soon as Thursday, May 1 for Disney Visa holders and Wednesday, May 7 for the general public. You can book through September 12.

The likely dates included are:
August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
November 9 - November 20
December 12 - December 23

I saw that. Bummed it's starting late this year. We'll end up having to do a split stay to take advantage of it.

 

[Disneylover03]

DH told me to extend our vaca for 2 more days and I went ahead and booked our airfare that had perfect flight times for us!
We are so pumped!
So, my question is this; I booked our rooms @ ASM for 5 nights on Orbitz with a discount... now I need to add 2 days....I won't be able to do that under original booking at that discount will I?
I'm hoping for Disney to come out with the fall room only discounts so we can maybe upgrade to Moderate.
Any thoughts or advice from you wonderful Dis'ers?
TIA!

 

[shellypaige]

Free Dining should be available as soon as Thursday, May 1 for Disney Visa holders and Wednesday, May 7 for the general public. You can book through September 12. The likely dates included are: August 31 - October 3 October 26 - November 1 November 9 - November 20 December 12 - December 23

Woohoo!!!! Isn't it early to see November & December dates? I thought those usually come in July/August. Either way, I'm excited!!!!!

 

[black562]

DH told me to extend our vaca for 2 more days and I went ahead and booked our airfare that had perfect flight times for us!
We are so pumped!
So, my question is this; I booked our rooms @ ASM for 5 nights on Orbitz with a discount... now I need to add 2 days....I won't be able to do that under original booking at that discount will I?
I'm hoping for Disney to come out with the fall room only discounts so we can maybe upgrade to Moderate.
Any thoughts or advice from you wonderful Dis'ers?
TIA!

Your check in date has to fall in the free dining offered dates. You won't be able to use an Orbitz booking...you must book through Disney.

 

[Nafinegar]

So bummed that our dates might be excluded. We are firm on October 21-27th for an adults only trip. Mother in law has the kids and we can't really change her schedule. On the bright side, maybe the parks will be emptier without free dining during most of our trip.

 

[dmiller64152]

I thought the dates for late October would stay a week earlier! May have to rethink my days, which will also mean rebooking my awesome ADRs. What to do ... I can't remember the rule, if I have one night during FD, can I get FD for the whole trip?

 

[Frozen2014]

Free Dining should be available as soon as Thursday, May 1 for Disney Visa holders and Wednesday, May 7 for the general public. You can book through September 12.

The likely dates included are:
August 31 - October 3
October 26 - November 1
November 9 - November 20
December 12 - December 23

Just to clarify...these would be the same dates for non-Visa holders? From the last few years we would be right in Free Dining (Oct 19-25)...but doesn't fall in the lists above.

 

[Disneylover03]

Your check in date has to fall in the free dining offered dates. You won't be able to use an Orbitz booking...you must book through Disney.

I am not wanting free dining...only room discount.