TOP SECRET Ladies and gentlemens like the previous year MY FREE DINING NEWS

[Poppergirl]

One item that hasn't been said yet, and it's been put forth in other posts covering the free dining topic, and that's the dates.

Reading the original post and comparing it to my pin code offer that I got back in May, the dates are unchanged. Many wondered if once a GP offering came out if they'd add or take away date options. At this point, it appears to be no change from previously released PIN code offers.

Also, this was touched on once, it is your check in date that triggers whether you get the free dining or not. There were a couple posters that commented on that they were checking in prior to an eligible date but staying within a/o beyond the valid dates.

As long as you check in during the eligibility period it does not matter if your stay extends into the blackout dates, you will still get it for up to 14 days. We check in on 11/23 but are staying into the blackout date (12/3) but will get it for the full 10 days.

For those that are checking in prior to an eligibility period, you have two primary options. If flexible, change your dates. If your dates are locked in, then make the best of it do a split stay. Book a room only reservation for the black out period and then a MYW package with free dining. This works really well if you are arriving one day prior to the eligibility period. We did this at POR and we didn't have to change rooms, only check out and recheck back in the following day. If you have to cover more days, then not sure how the tickets work, you may have to do some math to see if free dining still save money if you have to pay more for tickets.

Good luck to all that are hoping to get it.

So, I can check in on the 9th of Dec. at one resort and then check out on the 10th. Then I can check into a resort for my package/tickets on the 10th and I'll receive the free dining right? Thanks!

 

[KELLY]

Is this inside info...or just something you are guessing?

And why no LM rooms? I know people waiting for it and if they don't get it for LM rooms they will be switching.

If I Can remember correctly op has a friend. So no he isn't guessing.

It don't effect me either way but glad for everyone waiting.

 

[ivey_family]

Hooray! We messed up our dates last year and missed out on FD. We've been very careful to follow the pin code dates for this fall and it looks like it will pay off! Thank you, Danny25, for bringing us this good news!

Regards,
C.

 

[czmom]

Just curious if you think they will be excluded from room only discounts as well??

Thanks!

 

[Mommy Of 3]

Do you have any thoughts on FD dates in January 2013?

 

[MickiMouse1965]

This will be our first experience with free dining - so excited. We switched from the campground just to make it a little easier traveling with three little ones. Should I get up early in hopes of getting the discount or is there usually plenty of availability? We are booked at the AoA suites. Thanks! So excited!!

 

[Violet Parr]

This will be our first experience with free dining - so excited. We switched from the campground just to make it a little easier traveling with three little ones. Should I get up early in hopes of getting the discount or is there usually plenty of availability? We are booked at the AoA suites. Thanks! So excited!!

My question as well.

Also, it may sound crazy, but if we were at a deluxe or mod, would they let us downgrade to free quick service?

VP

 

[EpcotBill]

My question as well.

Also, it may sound crazy, but if we were at a deluxe or mod, would they let us downgrade to free quick service?

VP

They haven't allowed that yet so I doubt it.

 

[DsnyMama]

How CERTAIN are you that LM rooms are going to be excluded?? I really hope you are wrong... DD really wanted to stay there!

 

[kddisney502]

I'm bummed. Our arrival date is outside of the dates and not flexible. Have you heard anything about room only discounts?

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Ok Danny, trying to not be so skeptical, and praying you are right!!! And if you are, I'm sending you a great big HUG!!! I've been waiting for this, I'm taking my DD for her Sweet 16! This is her surprise gift!!!! So, thanks in advance!!!!

 

[danny25]

How CERTAIN are you that LM rooms are going to be excluded?? I really hope you are wrong... DD really wanted to stay there!

Hi sorry about that but they WILL be excluded no doubt.

 

[danny25]

Ok Danny, trying to not be so skeptical, and praying you are right!!! And if you are, I'm sending you a great big HUG!!! I've been waiting for this, I'm taking my DD for her Sweet 16! This is her surprise gift!!!! So, thanks in advance!!!!

I´m totally right plan with confidence because FD will be for those dates at July 12

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

So, I can check in on the 9th of Dec. at one resort and then check out on the 10th. Then I can check into a resort for my package/tickets on the 10th and I'll receive the free dining right? Thanks!

Yes. In 2010 we flew in the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was one day before Free Dining was offered. We got in early evening, didn't do a park, so we made a one night room only reservation at Port Orleans. Then for the rest of the trip we were on a MYW package with free dining and tickets. Our first morning there I went to the lobby and "checked out" and then rechecked in and got our dining plans and tickets all put on our keys to the kingdom card. We never had to switch resorts much less rooms (although technically they can make you switch).

Here is the caveat to this, and its the tickets. Free dining I believe always requires some minimum amount of ticket days to be purchased. Lets say you are going for 10 nights, one night as room only then 9 nights on free dining. I don't know (I think you can't) if you can buy a 10 day park pass and apply it to your entire stay, or lets say with your nine night package you say you want a 10 day park pass, I don't think you can bring 1 day forward to your room only day. So if you do what is called a "split-stay" you might need to determine whether or not you will be entering the parks that first day or not because you might be forced to buy 1 day only tickets and then for the rest of your stay you'd be on your MYW package tickets.

I'm sure someone can confirm this one way or another, but for free dining this is definitely worth looking into. Your check in date drives the free dining, check out doesn't matter (as long as it doesn't exceed 14 nights).

Hopefully I haven't muddied it.

 

[ClaudeGobet]

wahooooo! you're my hero buddy! i've been waiting for your post, knew it was coming soon... can't wait! disney here we come!!!! thanks so much for the update.

 

[smitch425]

My question as well.

Also, it may sound crazy, but if we were at a deluxe or mod, would they let us downgrade to free quick service?

VP

They have never allowed downgrades, but starting this year you are allowed to use any or all of your TS credits for CS meals at all restaurants.

 

[DsnyMama]

Yes. In 2010 we flew in the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was one day before Free Dining was offered. We got in early evening, didn't do a park, so we made a one night room only reservation at Port Orleans. Then for the rest of the trip we were on a MYW package with free dining and tickets. Our first morning there I went to the lobby and "checked out" and then rechecked in and got our dining plans and tickets all put on our keys to the kingdom card. We never had to switch resorts much less rooms (although technically they can make you switch).

Here is the caveat to this, and its the tickets. Free dining I believe always requires some minimum amount of ticket days to be purchased. Lets say you are going for 10 nights, one night as room only then 9 nights on free dining. I don't know (I think you can't) if you can buy a 10 day park pass and apply it to your entire stay, or lets say with your nine night package you say you want a 10 day park pass, I don't think you can bring 1 day forward to your room only day. So if you do what is called a "split-stay" you might need to determine whether or not you will be entering the parks that first day or not because you might be forced to buy 1 day only tickets and then for the rest of your stay you'd be on your MYW package tickets.

I'm sure someone can confirm this one way or another, but for free dining this is definitely worth looking into. Your check in date drives the free dining, check out doesn't matter (as long as it doesn't exceed 14 nights).

Hopefully I haven't muddied it.

Actually, you can! You can go to any guest relations at any park and pick up your package tickets up to 3 days before your check in date! We are staying room-only in AKV before starting free dining at CSR and we'll be picking up our package tickets early.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hi sorry about that but they WILL be excluded no doubt.

I'm not at all surprised.

Just try to book some of the dates from this promotion at full rack rate at LM/AoA. Many are sold out.

I really think they're going to be wishing they had more standard rooms at this resort.

 

[jenseib]

So, I can check in on the 9th of Dec. at one resort and then check out on the 10th. Then I can check into a resort for my package/tickets on the 10th and I'll receive the free dining right? Thanks!

As long as you book it that way.

They have never allowed downgrades, but starting this year you are allowed to use any or all of your TS credits for CS meals at all restaurants.

OOOh.. I hadn't heard that. Not that i want to...but I know some do....good to know. Where did you hear that at?

 

[Moomduck1]

Danny25 -
Do you have news of any room only discounts for fall?
Thanks!