The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[Kitty-chan]

I keep worrying that we'll have trouble since we're changing planes in Miami, on the coast . . . but ya know, airlines do manage to re-route people!

I'm just a worrywort, especially when it comes to vacation travel. It just seems too good to be true . . . I get to go to Disney again? With Free Dining no less? I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop!

 

[TheLastPrincess]

I wanted to backtrack and say that WDW has closed the theme parks 3 times for hurricanes within the last 8 years. So while the threat of a hurricane is significantly less than it is for the coast of Florida, there is a slight chance a hurricane or tropical storm could, pardon the expression, "rain on your Disney parade." If you're flying there, insurance should also cover your flight as well in the event that weather should cause cancellations or whatever.

 

[cknuazu]

I was just wondering for those of you who have used AAA, do you have to pay for the entire trip when you book it or just a deposit? If deposit, how much or what percentage of trip cost? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[MrsPMC00]

I was just wondering for those of you who have used AAA, do you have to pay for the entire trip when you book it or just a deposit? If deposit, how much or what percentage of trip cost? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

everytime I have booked Disney thru AAA, it is just the standard $200 deposit thst Disney requires.

 

[smilechaser]

sorry to dwell, especailly if this is a repeat question. I am obcessed with this thread though and don't remember seeing it yet. IS there a code out yet for all of us (seems like its just me.....boo hooo) non disney visa card holders for Thursday?

Also, has anyone ever done a split stay between 2 different DW resorts and how do you get luggagge etc from A to B?

 

[ruthma]

sorry to dwell, especailly if this is a repeat question. I am obcessed with this thread though and don't remember seeing it yet. IS there a code out yet for all of us (seems like its just me.....boo hooo) non disney visa card holders for Thursday?

Also, has anyone ever done a split stay between 3 different DW resorts and how do you get luggagge etc from A to B?

I haven't seen one yet....

 

[HLAuburn]

sorry to dwell, especailly if this is a repeat question. I am obcessed with this thread though and don't remember seeing it yet. IS there a code out yet for all of us (seems like its just me.....boo hooo) non disney visa card holders for Thursday?

Also, has anyone ever done a split stay between 3 different DW resorts and how do you get luggagge etc from A to B?

No code out for non-Visa peeps yet. I hear Thursday the 12th. I'd call at 7:00am sharp and plan on holding awhile. While you're holding, check online for the code.

As for a split stay, 3 resorts is a lot of moving unless you're staying 2 weeks, in my opinion. But, we did do a split stay last trip b/c WL wasn't available our last night. The bellhop picked up our bags from WL and when we checked into POP, they brought the bags to the room. Really easy.

 

[smilechaser]

No code out for non-Visa peeps yet. I hear Thursday the 12th. I'd call at 7:00am sharp and plan on holding awhile. While you're holding, check online for the code.

As for a split stay, 3 resorts is a lot of moving unless you're staying 2 weeks, in my opinion. But, we did do a split stay last trip b/c WL wasn't available our last night. The bellhop picked up our bags from WL and when we checked into POP, they brought the bags to the room. Really easy.

Sorry, I mis typed. I meant 2 resorts and have went back and corrected it to reflect the same. Thanks!

 

[annieb727]

Another insurance question since it was brought up - does the disney insurance cover airfare NOT purchased thru disney? if not, I'll look elsewhere.

Also, smilechaser, you're not alone...we have to wait until Thursday as well - I'm all set for waking up at 3:45am (6:45am EST) - lol...maybe I'll just stay awake - I wont' get home from work until about midnight anyway and I'll probably be too anxious to sleep.

Another question - if we do call and get through before getting a code, can you ask them for the code? Will they give it - like if you know all the details for it?? I'd hate to call and not have the code.

Oh one more question - you know how online you can Save your offers? Can I just leave it saved in there for THursday morning - it says the offer is good until 5/10/07 - so would the CM be able to pull it up and apply the code to it? Or should I go in and make the deposit now?

 

[PrincessAlina]

I was just wondering for those of you who have used AAA, do you have to pay for the entire trip when you book it or just a deposit? If deposit, how much or what percentage of trip cost? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

I just booked through AAA last week and it was $200 per room plus a booking fee.

 

[HLAuburn]

Another insurance question since it was brought up - does the disney insurance cover airfare NOT purchased thru disney? if not, I'll look elsewhere.

Also, smilechaser, you're not alone...we have to wait until Thursday as well - I'm all set for waking up at 3:45am (6:45am EST) - lol...maybe I'll just stay awake - I wont' get home from work until about midnight anyway and I'll probably be too anxious to sleep.

Another question - if we do call and get through before getting a code, can you ask them for the code? Will they give it - like if you know all the details for it?? I'd hate to call and not have the code.

Oh one more question - you know how online you can Save your offers? Can I just leave it saved in there for THursday morning - it says the offer is good until 5/10/07 - so would the CM be able to pull it up and apply the code to it? Or should I go in and make the deposit now?

I don't think Disney's insurance covers flights if you don't book through them. I'd recommend looking at www.insuremytrip.com, particularly Travelex. You can insure your entire trip for less that Disney's, and your flight would be covered.

As for calling w/out a code, you might get a cook CM, but my experience has been that you have to give them the code, or they ask for it. If you call Thursday AM, chances are you will be on hold, so while you're holding, check the boards or mousesavers for the code. I bet you will find it before you get to talk to a CM!

"Saving your offers" just saves it to your online account so you can retrieve it at a later date. It doesn't actually reserve anything w/ Disney. That said, I don't see any disadvantage in booking what you want now, and trying to apply the code later. The worst that happens is you have to cancel and rebook.

HTH!

 

[scrapperjill]

I found out that booking through AAA it depends on how your stuff is booked. I'm guessing it's that way for any TA place. Anywho...we booked out orginal trip MONTHS ago not really considering the Free dinning plan and the possablity of Disney offering it again this year. Anyways how ever my AAA TA booked it our trip ended up being $750 something (4 nights at POP and 2 day base tickets for 3 adults and 1 child)...our deposit ended up being more than $650 I asked the TA how in the world that could be..and she really didn't know. Fastforward Monday when the Visa coded started the TA called Disney back to "add" the Free DDP onto the reservation (Luckly I'd paid for the whole trip on my Disney Visa already)...and found out she had to totally rebook us...because the first time she did it like ala cart (that's why the deposit was soooo high) and not a 'package'. This second (new) reservation for the EXACT SAME thing ended up costing $900something and only required a $200 deposit.

Oh...I was also going to add the official Hurricane season is fairly wide spread...something like June to Nov....with peak season being September. But like others have said in WDW history hurricanes affecting park operations have been rare. I'd go as far as saying that the majority of those closers were in 2004 when Flordia was hit by multiple hurricane in ONE season.

 

[Chrissie-riel]

I don't think Disney's insurance covers flights if you don't book through them. I'd recommend looking at www.insuremytrip.com, particularly Travelex. You can insure your entire trip for less that Disney's, and your flight would be covered.

Sorry - beg to differ here. I have my Disney travel insurance Discription of Coverage right here.... On the "What is included" page it states:

"Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Covers you if you cancel or interrupt your trip for covered reasons. This includes airfares purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package, through a travel agent, or on your own."

I priced some different insurances and for my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 "free" kids), it comes out the same. So, I am just keeping everything together with Disney - makes it easier for me!

 

[annieb727]

Sorry - beg to differ here. I have my Disney travel insurance Discription of Coverage right here.... On the "What is included" page it states:

"Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Covers you if you cancel or interrupt your trip for covered reasons. This includes airfares purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package, through a travel agent, or on your own."

I priced some different insurances and for my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 "free" kids), it comes out the same. So, I am just keeping everything together with Disney - makes it easier for me!

Oh...that's good to know...I knew it covered airfare if you purchased it thru WDTC...great to know I can just get it through Disney and not worry about it...anyone know if there's detailed info on line about it somewhere? I'm assuming they cover hurricane travel issues?

We also need to have insurance that would cover my dh getting his leave revoked - and getting deployed - he's active duty air force, and while his window for possible deployment isn't until 2008, there's always that chance, kwim?

 

[Poohsmom]

I agree! The time I don't buy it, a hurricane will hit!!! So, I figure by buying it, there is no way there will be a problem!!!

What about us folks that didnt buy it?

 

[annieb727]

Found it:
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/media/reservations/insurancecertificate.pdf

It's for the Disney Insurance.

 

[5boyz]

Is there always a booking fee when going with AAA? If so does anyone know what it is? I booked with them and the guy never mentioned it so just wondering....Thanks

 

[mirthmaiden]

Is there always a booking fee when going with AAA? If so does anyone know what it is? I booked with them and the guy never mentioned it so just wondering....Thanks

I've booked both my trips with them and there has been no mention of a booking fee. I consider my AAA membership my "booking fee"

 

[PrincessAlina]

I've booked both my trips with them and there has been no mention of a booking fee. I consider my AAA membership my "booking fee"

Really? No fee?

This is the first trip I've ever booked through AAA. I can't remember what the non-member booking fee she quoted me was, but since I am a member, she said I only had to pay $15 (for two rooms).

 

[5boyz]

Mirthmaid Thanks!!! Good One!!!