The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[yellowfish78]

I went the year before last and wasn't a visa member, but... I love your avitar photo yellowfish 78. I think it should be the representative avitar for this thread.

SHH! Don't tell Disney but I got it off of one of their emails last year during the free dining promo!

 

[gigi1313]

i thought that was a food & wine promo photo, no? i used it on my f&w shirts last year

 

[stepdisney]

i thought that was a food & wine promo photo, no? i used it on my f&w shirts last year

I think everyone who has been up for the last three days watching the threads for the first "I got it" post should receive a tee shirt with chef goofy on front. No codes, blackout weeks, days or resorts

 

[momtoPrincessA]

I didn't put my deposit on dh's Visa either, so I'm wondering about this as well.

Today I ended up paying another $2000 down using the Disney Visa... I'm hoping that will suffice! I figure as long as it shows up on my reservation that I've paid at least part of it on the Visa, I should be okay.

Kelly

That's a good idea. I think I'll call and do that. I still got a conflicting story from a Visa rep who told me there were no set travel dates. Interesting.

 

[Reese]

Since I'm in Canada and can't get a Disney Visa does everyone promise to save me two rooms .
This is going to be the longest week. Is there any chance that they pulled the goofy promo and will reconsider FD for the public if they sell an abundance of rooms with the Disney Visa?

I'm a worrywart . I don't think I'll feel sane again until I have it booked. Than I can go on to worry about airplane tickets .

 

[Momto8]

Since I'm in Canada and can't get a Disney Visa does everyone promise to save me two rooms .
This is going to be the longest week. Is there any chance that they pulled the goofy promo and will reconsider FD for the public if they sell an abundance of rooms with the Disney Visa?

I'm a worrywart . I don't think I'll feel sane again until I have it booked. Than I can go on to worry about airplane tickets .

I'm sending some pixie dust your wayand hoping you are able to get what you want! We have Disney Visas but last year we were on a cruise from 4/1 through 4/9 and couldn't call until we were back. However, we were able to get what we wanted with no problem. I even added my DD a month later with no problem.

 

[jcemom]

Is there any chance that they pulled the goofy promo and will reconsider FD for the public if they sell an abundance of rooms with the Disney Visa?

I'd say no way. They aren't going to sell that many rooms in only 3 or 4 days. Most people won't even know about the special before it goes onsale to the general public. We here on the DIS are uber planners and just a very small percentage of Disney vacationers. The booking window is supposed to run through some time in June I think. The chance of everything booking up the first few days it's released is basically zero. As always, you should be prepared to be flexible as far as resort and room category go. That applies even to those planning to book first thing Monday morning though. Not every room category in every resort will be available, but something will be available at every level. Try not to worry too much!

 

[thelionqueen]

I don't know if this is a hard and fast rule (there hardly seems to be any of those when dealing with Disney) but last year I had a vacation booked with the $200 paid with a non-Disney card. When the code came out I went to the Disney website and applied for a Chase card and was given a confirmation number. I then called reservations to apply the discount code. She did not refund my original deposit and I'm not even sure she verified my new card. She said as long as I pay the balance with the Disney Visa I was good to go.

Several people had asked about this kind of situation so I wanted to share my experience.

Another experience to "add to the file". I made my down payment with my Disney Visa last year AND a portion of my debit card (didn't want to put any of it on the DV, but had to). The CM said that was fine. WELL, low and behold, when I called the NEXT DAY to change some of my ADR's my reservation was CANCELLED No email, no notification..NADA. The CM said she was unsure as to why it cancelled but it had.

This year, I already have my reservation made and am planning on cancelling and rebooking with the full $200 deposit, and then transfer the other $200 already paid to the new free diding ressie. Cannot afford any mistakes this year (even though everything was fine last year too)

THANK GOODNESS THERE ARE MORE OF YOU LIKE ME OUT THERE!!! Some here are questioning my sanity

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

That's a good idea. I think I'll call and do that. I still got a conflicting story from a Visa rep who told me there were no set travel dates. Interesting.

No set dates ......that would be fantastic and would work for me !!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed !
Looking at Aug. 18-24 ,or so . DD and I have to go back to school August 26 ...so that would leave us out of the Free Dining

 

[Frosty&PixieRN3903]

First off, CONGRATS to all of us who patiently awaited for the announcement of free DDP! I hope we can all get the ressies we want...as long as I get mine first . And as someone stated earlier...money will always prevail when it comes to Disney I do have a few questions: My wife called yesterday and tried to make some ADR's and they wouldn't allow her to because she didn't have a ressie number? What's up with that? I thought you could book without a confirmed ressie? Any suggestions?
The other question is simply for advice. We are getting our plans for dining together and we have like 9 to 10 Ts options picked but are only going for 7 nights. I have narrowed down a couple to mark off but I'm stuck on the last. We have never been to La Cellier in Canada but it looks like a good choice. Anybody experienced it before? What are you thoughts? It's either knock that one off or R&C Pub or 50's PT Cafe. What do you think?

 

[slyjly]

Hi! I've been lurking here for the last month or so, hoping along with everyone else for free dining. I have one question, I do not have a Disney Visa card. I booked two rooms with my visa debit card. So, when I rebook to get the free dining do I loose the $200 deposit I paid for EACH room? I am confused

 

[jcemom]

My wife called yesterday and tried to make some ADR's and they wouldn't allow her to because she didn't have a ressie number? What's up with that? I thought you could book without a confirmed ressie? Any suggestions?

Yes, you can definitely make ADRs without a reservation number. Have her call back. People staying offsite make ADRs and they don't have a reservation number.

You only need to give the reservation number if you're trying to make them at 180 days +10.

 

[jamounger]

You can make ADR's without a ressie at 180 days. what you can't do is 180+10. They always ask for a phone number or a ressie number. I bet they can see your reservation with both. I used AAA this year and was asked for my resort since I didn't have a ressie number. My 180 day was March 29 and we are checking in Sept 25.

 

[mnasmom3]

Hi! I've been lurking here for the last month or so, hoping along with everyone else for free dining. I have one question, I do not have a Disney Visa card. I booked two rooms with my visa debit card. So, when I rebook to get the free dining do I loose the $200 deposit I paid for EACH room? I am confused

I believe the deposit is refundable until 45 days out, so you should not loose your $400.

 

[jcemom]

I believe the deposit is refundable until 45 days out, so you should loose your $400.

You mean *NOT* lose, right?

They should be able to modify the reservation to include free dining, or transfer the deposit over if you need to make a new reservation, or refund the money if you have to make a new deposit. In any case you won't lose the deposits already made.

 

[mnasmom3]

You mean *NOT* lose, right?

They should be able to modify the reservation to include free dining, or transfer the deposit over if you need to make a new reservation, or refund the money if you have to make a new deposit. In any case you won't lose the deposits already made.

Right! Sorry for the typo!

 

[momtoPrincessA]

Another experience to "add to the file". I made my down payment with my Disney Visa last year AND a portion of my debit card (didn't want to put any of it on the DV, but had to). The CM said that was fine. WELL, low and behold, when I called the NEXT DAY to change some of my ADR's my reservation was CANCELLED No email, no notification..NADA. The CM said she was unsure as to why it cancelled but it had.

This year, I already have my reservation made and am planning on cancelling and rebooking with the full $200 deposit, and then transfer the other $200 already paid to the new free diding ressie. Cannot afford any mistakes this year (even though everything was fine last year too)

THANK GOODNESS THERE ARE MORE OF YOU LIKE ME OUT THERE!!! Some here are questioning my sanity

Ok, add me to the list of crazy people who keep calling Disney. I just spoke to a nice CM who told me that if you have an existing reservation (I do) but did not pay the deposit with your Disney Visa (me again) then when the code becomes available (she was very hush hush) you have to modify your existing reservation by switching your deposit to the Disney Visa. They will have to refund your initial deposit. Crazy! The good news....for those of us who have already booked packages with a discount, she told me that we should be able to apply the free dining to the already discounted package. Yeah! I thought I would be playing math wizard, calculating the best deal!

It definitely seems as though different CM's have different information. I have always found that frustrating.

 

[mnasmom3]

Can someone share the 800 number for CRO with me? All I can seem to find is the one that goes on my dime. I guess I shouldn't be greedy when they're giving me free dining, but I can't help myself. I'm expecting to have to be on hold a while tomorrow so I want it on their dime.

ETA: Now that I think about it, will this deal be available online so I don't have to sit on hold w/CRO? Where would it be? In the Disney Rewards section?

 

[kurt90]

The 800 number is 1-800-828-0228.

 

[Jewels*CPA]

I just called to make my ADR's...I talked with the nicest CM I have talked to yet. She asked if I was going to have the dining plan. I said yes, I am going to have it either way, but I am hoping for the free dining plan. She sort of chuckled and said that she was glad she was off for the next three days because of that. I didn't have every ADR figured out exactly...she said if she were me she would figure them out in the next couple of days because everything will fill up quick!

It is obvious they are going to be doing free dining...I'm so excited. She told me to call back either tomorrow or on Monday for it.

I also need help w/ my ADR's...I have Chef Mickey's for August 26th at 6:10, which is perfect.

I have Crystal Palace for the 27th, at 6:15...however, I was thinking to changing this to August 30, which will be our last night at Disneyworld. I have a 2yo son, and he's not really into Winnie the Pooh...what is another character meal that has all of the mickey mouse clubhouse characters that we would use in magic kingdom for our last night there?

On the 28th, we are doing epcot & animal kindgom...she highly recommended la celliers, but she only had a 4:30 and a 7:50 left...she said the 7:50 would make it hard to see illuminations, so I booked the early one...

On the 29th we are going to MGM...I booked Hollywood & Vine for 9:00 that morning...do you think I should push it back to be later? Or should I do the lunch on that day? My son LOVES little einsteins, so this is a have to do restaurant...I'm just a little concerned about my time, but I don't want him getting hungry/fussy.

So now that I have most of my table service meals, does anybody have any good suggestions for counterservice meals that a 2yo would like?

Also, we are leaving walt disney world on august 31st...will I get the free dining for that day too? If so, I thought I might try to schedule a breakfast somewhere in there...

I'll appreciate all the help I can get...can't wait to schedule on April 12th!!! (or maybe sooner the way this lady talked!!)