Wait for Free Dining? Or book now?

[PlasticRedTopHat]

Hey guys, quick question! Should I book now for a trip from Sept 8-15th? And attempt to add the FD code later? Or wait until it comes out? Just not sure, first time planning for a Disney trip, and I've heard different things.

Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Hey guys, quick question! Should I book now for a trip from Sept 8-15th? And attempt to add the FD code later? Or wait until it comes out? Just not sure, first time planning for a Disney trip, and I've heard different things.

Thanks!

My suggestion: If you know you are going regardless of FD or not, I'd go ahead and book your package now to ensure you get the resort/room you want. If FD then comes out, call and apply the FD promo to your existing reservation.

 

[mjp12831]

Book now:

- if you want to cancel you can get a refund of the deposit up until you're 45 days from trip date (no penalty for doing it and minimal $200 deposit)
- booking now allows you to get ADR's at the 180 day mark - this helps you get the places you want (waiting might end up in them all being taken)
- booking now assures you that you will get the resort you want to be in and you won't get closed out if you don't react to the promo right as it comes out.

 

[ccgirl]

Hey guys, quick question! Should I book now for a trip from Sept 8-15th? And attempt to add the FD code later? Or wait until it comes out? Just not sure, first time planning for a Disney trip, and I've heard different things.

Thanks!

I'm in the book now camp. Free Dining, although offered frequently lately, is never guaranteed. Plus, they use it to fill the hotel so only so many rooms at each hotel are available with that promotion. Some hotels may not have it at all if they are already close to capacity.

I would like at discounts that are currently offered. Don't forget the AAA discount if you have it. At least that way there is some sort of discount.

How many in your party and where were you looking to stay?

 

[litlpixie]

I booked now for August using a 30%....but knowing my luck, if FD is announced and it's for the week I'm going, it won't be applicable in my booked resort. Man, that'll bust my buttons We'll see what happens.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I booked now for August using a 30%....but knowing my luck, if FD is announced and it's for the week I'm going, it won't be applicable in my booked resort. Man, that'll bust my buttons We'll see what happens.

Don't feel bad litlpixie... I'm in the same exact boat as you and now that I've had to switch my August dates to a week earlier in the month, the chance of getting the FD promo is going to be VERY slim ... I just keep telling myself that 30% off is better than nothing.

 

[TDC Nala]

Booking now won't reserve free dining for you, you'll still need to call and add it, and if it's gone for your dates and resort by the time you call, you'll need to change the reservation if you want free dining.

But if you're planning to go anyway, with or without free dining, then it won't hurt anything to book now, just remember it doesn't mean you can afford to wait around to add the discount if it comes out.

 

[dkmickey]

When did the 30% PIN come out? We are looking to go in July or August for a familymoon and I usually get PINs but haven't received anything yet!

 

[mommyrosa2]

When did the 30% PIN come out? We are looking to go in July or August for a familymoon and I usually get PINs but haven't received anything yet!

We received our "Game On" 30% pin code back in November, it started out with August dates but then said to check other dates in smaller print. We checked a few other months and it was good for all the different dates we tried.

 

[litlpixie]

When did the 30% PIN come out? We are looking to go in July or August for a familymoon and I usually get PINs but haven't received anything yet!

Sorry dkmickey, it was an emailed pin code, not a public one. I should have stated that in my post-sorry.

 

[mommyrosa2]

We received our "Game On" 30% pin code back in November, it started out with August dates but then said to check other dates in smaller print. We checked a few other months and it was good for all the different dates we tried.

Just wanted to add that ours came by "snail mail"

 

[litlpixie]

Don't feel bad litlpixie... I'm in the same exact boat as you and now that I've had to switch my August dates to a week earlier in the month, the chance of getting the FD promo is going to be VERY slim ... I just keep telling myself that 30% off is better than nothing.

Very true, it's better than nothing-and since I've booked 2 packages (1 for me ,one for my college age son & gf) I'll take any discount. MY only hope is that IF FD comes out I wont have to move to CSR.....I'll gladly move to any other mod, but Im just not a fan of CSR........but Murphy's Law loves to mess w/ me

 

[vinotinto]

I'm firmly in the camp that believes booking before a discount is out does not help you at all.

Even if there's a FD during those dates (and I would say it is likely), it does not mean every resort and every room category will have availability for that discount. They can't 'apply' to your reservation if it's not available for that discount, so there's no advantage in booking prior to discount being announced. There may also be discounts offered for different dates or your room/resort may be available on a different date, so keeping options open may give you a better chance at finding the discount. Booking now may mean one fewer room available at your resort that may be offered at a discount.

Having said all that, the second week of September should be one of the safest weeks to book in terms of discounts. It's the absolute peak of hurricane season, kids are back in school, and there's no special events like MNSSH or F&W, so both park attendance and resort bookings are low that week. So, if you were to book prior to discount, that would be a great week for it!