Ummm - Disney offers FD to fill VALUE resorts..not Deluxe?

[Crystal_27]

I just read this and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. My friend is freaking out about waiting until tomorrow to get FD at the Poly because she's scared that the Deluxes will be sold out of their allotted FD rooms. I had told her that I believed that the Deluxes would be available well after the Values due to the fact that the Values fill up the quickest (because they are the best value). Well, a website post I just read stated that Disney offers FD to fill up the Values and that Disney doesn't typically have a problem filling the Deluxes. Can anyone explain to me what they understand the "typical" allottment of Free Dining rooms at the Values, Mods, and Deluxes to be? Does she have a shot at to get the Poly? Thanks very much in advance for any replies and good luck to those still trying!

 

[Markstudy]

I don't think they have as many rooms in the deluxe.

Seems the value resorts were built with 1,000's of rooms. Newer more modern building design, with lots more rooms

I don't think some of the deluxe resorts are as big? So less rooms to begin with.

 

[Crystal_27]

I don't think they have as many rooms in the deluxe.

Seems the value resorts were built with 1,000's of rooms. Newer more modern building design, with lots more rooms

I don't think some of the deluxe resorts are as big? So less rooms to begin with.

Ahhhhhh - that actually makes a lot of sense. I still wonder, though, how many rooms in each category are being released for Free Dining. I read yesterday that folks tried for the GF and the Contempoary and were denied at each. Oh well, hopefully everyone gets what they want in the end.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I have to put in a guess that, in addition to there being less rooms - they are also delineated further, like with concierge. Anyway so in addition to that, the deluxes are what people "strive" to save for and who doesn't have a dream deluxe resort??? So people really try to book them when they can, esp when other discount codes come out and such. You'll save the most with that 40% at a deluxe, and maybe will get to stay there when you never could've before, KWIM? Ok, so in addition to that, I also think current state has to do with the crazy American dollar exchange rate too! Deluxes are wayyyy cheaper to foreigners, who are already coming all the way over here... Heck, I'd for sure want to stay deluxe.

FWIW, my DF will be on the phone at 7 am booking our deluxe for FD.

 

[Markstudy]

Ahhhhhh - that actually makes a lot of sense. I still wonder, though, how many rooms in each category are being released for Free Dining. I read yesterday that folks tried for the GF and the Contempoary and were denied at each. Oh well, hopefully everyone gets what they want in the end.

I thought the one's that were denied at GF or Contempoary were in specail catagories- like "magic kingdom view" or "family suite" .... stuff that is in such demand that it always fills up, and thus not offered in FD.

I think you could get Contempoary just not all classes or rooms in the Contempoary.

 

[gigi1313]

each of the three all stars has just under 2,000 rooms, and pop has just over 2,800, so that's 8,820 rooms in the values...

the deluxe resorts vary w/number of rooms... but there are more deluxe resorts... in total, the deluxes have approximately 5,860 rooms, not including dvc/villas, shades of green, swan/dolphin, etc...

so, yes, there are more value rooms available than deluxe rooms...

and the moderates come in in the middle w/approx 7,127 rooms...

 

[labdogs42]

I can't figure any of this stuff out. I hope your friends gets the Poly. Let us know how it works out! Maybe we can eventually figure out the method to Disney's free dining madness!! All I know is, I was thrilled to get POP for FD, because I was sure it wouldn't be available (I'm with the crowd that thinks the values sell out for FD way before the deluxes, but that's probably because I'm cheap!!)

 

[DisneyWisher]

Disney offers free dining because a few years ago Orlando was bombarded with hurricanes, 3 in 1 yr. FD is in the height of hurricane season. As most of us know FD season is getting shorter and shorter. The first year I think its ran from Mid August to 1st week of October.

 

[ihearttink]

We are staying at the BC and we were able to add FD on Monday. Now I can be wrong, but I think that they would hold a certain amount of rooms at all the resorts for the General Public to book on Thursday. Just a guess and I could be totally wrong, won't be the first time and NOT the last either.

 

[markrhondab]

I also agree that there is no way Disney released all alloted free dining rooms on Monday. I think there are plenty held back for tommorrow and depending on the response they get could possibly open up more later. Last year I read there was still FD rooms available until June. Mark

 

[sydangel68]

I am also hoping for FD at the Poly. We've booked through Dreams Unlimited, so really hope my TA is on the ball and able to get it. I will be so disappointed if we can't. We only want to stay Deluxe as heck we probably won't come back to WDW for at least 5 years. DLR is just so much closer from Australia.

Will post if we get it.

Oh and originally I was booked online and tried calling Disney to change several things, it was a nightmare, the CO just couldnt understand my Australian accent and the inconsistency of the info was very frustrating. Hence the TA, now I can just do everything via email.

Also the CR doesn't have many rooms available due to the construction. THey only have MK view rooms and I read a previous poster wasn't able to get FD with that. CR was our first choice, but unlikely so we will just try and change our existing Poly res.

Cheers
Angela

 

[islandtimect]

More rooms might become available in a few weeks. Last year we tried to book FD at one of the deluxes a couple wks after it was announced. The prices were very expensive, because the less expensive garden views were taken. A few weeks later we called and got our 1st choice - GF garden view rm. CM said that many folks call the 1st day FD is announced and make a ressie. Then cancel it a week or two later when they realize they can't time off of work, can't afford it, etc.

Good luck!

 

[SnowWitch]

I think it helps fill rooms that otherwise wouldn't be booked. Our group for example has trips this year booked for April, Oct and Dec. At POR, BWV's, BwV's. The only reason I booked a Sept trip is the great value you get at a value resort with free or in our case reduced rate deluxe dining. Getting the dining for free or reduced Dxdp for a $94 per night room at a value resort vs a $340.00 at a deluxe is a better value. I think this helps the customer willing to pay rack rate at the
poly. Last yr I entertained the idea of a trip with fd and there were deluxes available with free dining long after the values were gone. Good Luck!!

 

[Crystal_27]

Thank you everyone for the responses to my original post and for the lively discussion. It sounds as if my friend at least has a shot at getting her Poly FD wish. Hopefully, everyone else gets what they want too!

 

[wdhinn89]

There is one person on the CR thread who said her TA was able to get them FD with a CRMKV and was told it was the last one available.

 

[Crisgw]

I hope we all get what we want tomorrow I'm hoping for FD on my existing WL reservation!

 

[Chuck-PA]

I called Monday and got AKL (which is deluxe) and got the free dining.

 

[Crystal_27]

My girlfriend sat on hold for an hour, called me (since I was already at work), and together we booked the Poly on-line with free dining. It took all of about 2 minutes. WHEW - glad that's over. Hopefully everyone else got what they wanted too. GOOD LUCK to those who are still trying!

 

[SleepingUgly]

We are currently booked for GF RPC at the end of August. I got an email from my TA this morning at 7:08 am, saying that she did not know if we were interested in taking advantage of the FD offer, but just in case, she had reserved for us a garden-view room at GF with FD. (Yes, she is that awesome! ). Anyway, dh and I decided to skip FD this time around and stick with our GF RPC ressies instead. So yes, standard rooms at the deluxe resorts are available for FD, and it appears that many TAs and travellers try to book ASAP just to claim a ressie, but then may cancel later on. So I would highly recommend that everyone keeps trying!

Linda

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

The only thing I was told was that Free Dining would not be available for Club Level at the deluxes. Which is a real bummer ....