The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[LakeAriel]

We also were there last year at the end and saw many many people trying to get in without ADR's and they were turned away. for Example at Sci-Fi it was a 5 day wait to get in !!!! I guess by that point you would definately want all the food that is available with the DP

You do not need ADR's for CS meals but definately for table service.

 

[DisneyMom5]

What are the limitations of the UK and bounce back plans?

Specifically -- how many rooms could be booked w/ free dining, and how many nights total per ressie?

And, in previous years, could you book more than one room with the Disney Visa preview of free dining?

I am responsible for booking all of our group, which is 4 rooms, and I have a Disney Visa, so I need to know how many I could expect to book the first day, and how many would have to wait until the special would release to the general public. If it works the same as last time.

Also, dh and I want to stay 11 nights, and will book room only for the last night if needed. Hearing buzz that 14 nights of free dining on one ressie is possible. Know it is all speculation at the point, so trying to find out how it worked earlier.

 

[beroh2253]

I honestly believe that's it depends on who your agent is. I've heard a few people say that they got both discounts, and then most people say that they weren't allowed to get both. All depends on your agent.

Thanks I'll have to ask the AAA agent about using both discounts. Just waiting for the free dining to be anounced.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Thanks I'll have to ask the AAA agent about using both discounts. Just waiting for the free dining to be anounced.

Sorry, please don't get your hopes up...AAA did not allow both free dining and AAA room discount last year or the year before regardless of what others said..The only way I would believe that is to see the confirmation.

Not trying to be nasty, just don't want people to get disappointed.

 

[LakeAriel]

Sorry, please don't get your hopes up...AAA did not allow both free dining and AAA room discount last year or the year before regardless of what others said..The only way I would believe that is to see the confirmation.

Not trying to be nasty, just don't want people to get disappointed.

exactly...people plan around these scenarios and it is a shame to mislead or misinform.

 

[poohangel]

My aaa agent told me if free dining came out I would have to choose between the room discount and free dining that we couldnt do both

Except AAA. If free dining comes out, you can book thru AAA and get both free dining and a room discount. At least, that was true last year AND I was told the same thing by a CM this year. It MUST be booked through AAA, though - Disney cannot book this combo for you.

 

[scrapperjill]

I'll try and let ya know how things turn out.... I'm hopeing for the best but I'm not going to hold my breath. If it works that we're able to get the AAA discount and the free dinning then..YEA ...but if were not...one or the other will be good.

 

[beroh2253]

Sorry, please don't get your hopes up...AAA did not allow both free dining and AAA room discount last year or the year before regardless of what others said..The only way I would believe that is to see the confirmation.

Not trying to be nasty, just don't want people to get disappointed.

Thanks
Last year we got the free dining plan and not the AAA room discount. I did figure only one discount could be used, so never asked. How could you beat the free dining that was great that was alot more savings then the 20% room discount and we don't want to be greedy. I was satisfied, ( Me and DW do love to eat and nothing went to waste). Love to plan ahead so we have fun getting the ADR's.



1995 Port Orleans
1996 Dixie Landings
1997 Caribbean Beach
1998 Dixie Landings
1999 Dixie Landings
2000 Dixie Landings
2001 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2003 Dixie Landings
2006 All Stars Music
2007 Maybe Pop

 

[kdzgon]

This is incorrect. Only one discount will be permitted. I spoke to the AAA agent yesterday to verify and this is posted in the AAA threads. Either the room discount or the free dining...

You may have a different "opinion" or even experience, but I KNOW what I received last year. Perhaps someone has last year's AAA brochure with the listed prices and can "do the math" rather than simply quote what they believe to be true. I cannot speak to the experience of your agent, but mine was no better last year. She had no clue as to how the prices were calculated, but when I did the math it was obvious that I was being offered both an AAA discount and free dining (but for values and mods only). I don't know which threads are the "AAA threads", but I know what I received last year, I know what I was told by Disney this year, and I know I was not the only one to receive it (two discounts). Another poster mentioned how her AAA agent went the extra step and contacted her Disney rep to clarify, and guess what - she received the same discounts! She also related the harassment by a large travel agency specializing in Disney travel as a result of sharing this same info. Obviously, there was a vested interest (by the non AAA travel agency) in NOT having this info widely shared on a Disney-related message board. AAA had a few additional "perks" as well, such as a special story time with Belle.

I won't continue to argue this point, but I will certainly move my own bookings to my AAA agent if free dining is announced. I offered my experience so others could benefit - I'd be comparing quotes despite the pat answers received from an agent, but to each his own.

 

[TDC Nala]

We also were there last year at the end and saw many many people trying to get in without ADR's and they were turned away. for Example at Sci-Fi it was a 5 day wait to get in !!!! I guess by that point you would definately want all the food that is available with the DP

And if you want Le Cellier, book it ASAP. Or try it for lunch.

I was at WDW on March 11 and heard someone in the BC lobby say that Le Cellier was fully booked for dinner through the end of April. And that is without free dining.

 

[TDC Nala]

What are the limitations of the UK and bounce back plans?

Specifically -- how many rooms could be booked w/ free dining, and how many nights total per ressie?

And, in previous years, could you book more than one room with the Disney Visa preview of free dining?

For the bounceback plan you could book a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 nights, and one person could book up to 3 rooms.

You could add people (I just added my mother to mine, the price went up enough for her to get a ticket) to your package, but the primary name on the reservation could not be deleted or changed.

However, the general public offer when it arrives may not have the same terms as the bounceback offer.

 

[DisneyMom5]

For the bounceback plan you could book a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 nights, and one person could book up to 3 rooms.

You could add people (I just added my mother to mine, the price went up enough for her to get a ticket) to your package, but the primary name on the reservation could not be deleted or changed.

However, the general public offer when it arrives may not have the same terms as the bounceback offer.

Thanks, that what I wanted to know.

I'll just have to ask if I can book my inlaws room with the Disney Visa pre-notice. Never booked for other adults before. I would put it in their name, and the deposit will go on my visa.

We'll see.

 

[LakeAriel]

You may have a different "opinion" or even experience, but I KNOW what I received last year. Perhaps someone has last year's AAA brochure with the listed prices and can "do the math" rather than simply quote what they believe to be true. I cannot speak to the experience of your agent, but mine was no better last year. She had no clue as to how the prices were calculated, but when I did the math it was obvious that I was being offered both an AAA discount and free dining (but for values and mods only). I don't know which threads are the "AAA threads", but I know what I received last year, I know what I was told by Disney this year, and I know I was not the only one to receive it (two discounts). Another poster mentioned how her AAA agent went the extra step and contacted her Disney rep to clarify, and guess what - she received the same discounts! She also related the harassment by a large travel agency specializing in Disney travel as a result of sharing this same info. Obviously, there was a vested interest (by the non AAA travel agency) in NOT having this info widely shared on a Disney-related message board. AAA had a few additional "perks" as well, such as a special story time with Belle.

I won't continue to argue this point, but I will certainly move my own bookings to my AAA agent if free dining is announced. I offered my experience so others could benefit - I'd be comparing quotes despite the pat answers received from an agent, but to each his own.

It's not an opinion it is what the moderators here and the representative at AAA ( I am a member) told me..Try this:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1396315

 

[Scraper]

I think I know the answer but was just going to check anyway. We are DVC memebers. Last year I missed free dining. If they have it this year we are going to stay at a moderate just to get it. However is there anyway to get free dining if i stay at the vacation club on my points?

 

[n2mm]

I think I know the answer but was just going to check anyway. We are DVC memebers. Last year I missed free dining. If they have it this year we are going to stay at a moderate just to get it. However is there anyway to get free dining if i stay at the vacation club on my points?

No. We are DVC members also and booked a room at a resort and paid rack rate to take advantage of the free ddp. We got the free ddp and saved our points for another trip. This year we will miss the free ddp because we planned to go mid-August--so no free ddp for us. We will be staying at OKW for 4 nights and will buy the ddp and then move to the BCV for 5 nights and will not buy the ddp then.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think I know the answer but was just going to check anyway. We are DVC memebers. Last year I missed free dining. If they have it this year we are going to stay at a moderate just to get it. However is there anyway to get free dining if i stay at the vacation club on my points?

No, it's a promotion for room/ticket package reservations only. DVC doesn't need to offer an incentive to get its members to book.

But you can buy the dining plan and stay at DVC.

Unless you're going to eat in the room, it's still a very good deal to buy it.

 

[Scraper]

No. We are DVC members also and booked a room at a resort and paid rack rate to take advantage of the free ddp. We got the free ddp and saved our points for another trip. This year we will miss the free ddp because we planned to go mid-August--so no free ddp for us. We will be staying at OKW for 4 nights and will buy the ddp and then move to the BCV for 5 nights and will not buy the ddp then.

I thought so. we are booked at the BCV in late Aug. but if they do the free dining we will spend a few days at a moderate. We have season passes so I would have to book us each a day ticket but we can just upgrade it to our season pass next time we renew.

 

[LakeAriel]

I did the same last year, stayed in POFQ for a few days of free dining...I am actually thinking of renting out my BW reservation and staying there again...It's very tempting, though can I give up being able to walk to Epcot and MGM for the huge savings? I really am torn.

 

[lovesdumbo]

And if you want Le Cellier, book it ASAP. Or try it for lunch.

I was at WDW on March 11 and heard someone in the BC lobby say that Le Cellier was fully booked for dinner through the end of April. And that is without free dining.

I booked all my ADR's yesterday for my trip 8/20 to 8/30-looks like I will miss out on free dining so I've booked a package with AAA with paid dining.

The only thing I couldn't get for the exact times I wanted was Le Cellier. I was trying for an early dinner but they said I would have to do 2 parties-one of 3 and the other of 2. So I opted for lunch instead.

 

[Scraper]

I did the same last year, stayed in POFQ for a few days of free dining...I am actually thinking of renting out my BW reservation and staying there again...It's very tempting, though can I give up being able to walk to Epcot and MGM for the huge savings? I really am torn.

If you decide to sale the BW resevation please let me know when it is. Might have some friends interested.