When does the free dining plan end?

[katebeth]

I read a post that someone was going to Disney Sept 30 through Oct. 5 so they could be a part of the free dining plan....that is when we are going and we had to pay for it

Just wanted to make sure the did not extend it and we did not know about it

Thanks

 

[Hoosier Mom]

It ends Sept 30, but I read somewhere that you get the same benefit for your whole vacation based on the first day of your vacation. So my guess is that even though these people are staying on into October, the free promo is good for their entire vacation.

So are you going in Sept also? Were you not able to get the free dining before the offer expired in June?

I have friends in Hermitage (Lloyd & Dot Green).

Anyway, I hope you have a nice vacation.

 

[hrbib21]

Or, if you're like me and you booked your package through AAA, you got screwed and were never offered free dining.

 

[kcashner]

The last day to check in and qualify for free dining is Sept. 30. The free dining was available on packages lasting up to 10 nights, so if you checked in on Sept. 30 for a 10 day vacation you could be on the free plan up to October 9.

If you booked during the period when free dining was available and weren't told about it, there are a couple of possibilities. One, your TA was an idiot. Two, the resort you wanted didnt' have any packages left for the dates you wanted--they were limited in number. Even so, number 1 still applies--if your first choice resort was out of free dining packages, your TA should have gotten back to you with the possibility of doing a different resort! Do remember that there was a limited booking window--you had to book during certain dates for arrivals during a certain period.

 

[Evil Queen]

I hate to hear about folks missing it (we did last year, we knew nothing about it). We are going this year and have it.

I guess there could be a few different reasons why you didn't get it. From when you booked, how you booked, etc?

And a wave to you in Hermitage, I also lived there about 11 years ago. Right off of Old Hickory and Lebanon Pike.

 

[hrbib21]

I booked my trip 3/17 and free dining was offered for trips booked between 4/4-6/28. I called multiple times making payments during that period and also called to ask other questions. A REAL TA would've told me about the free dining and rebooked my trip. The $819 it's costing us to add it is now on their heads and I'll keep calling there to argue my case until someone does something reasonable.

Mind you, $800 isn't going to break the bank but I would rather not have to pay it.

 

[kcashner]

You are right--a good TA would have picked up on the free dining as soon as it became available and at least appealed to Disney to rebook the trip with the free dining. THere might have been a cancellation fee, but it wouldn't have been $800! Most TAs, especially with large agencies, can get these fees waived. At the very least, you should have been given the option.

Also, TAs can usually put a 48 hour "hold" on a package in order to give them time to get the client on the phone and confirm this is what they want. They could have put a free dining package on hold and then contacted you about whether or not you wanted to "switch" the plan an incur any cancellation charges on the first trip.

I'm really sorry you had a bad experience with this TA. THere are a lot of good ones out there!

 

[castleri]

I booked my trip 3/17 and free dining was offered for trips booked between 4/4-6/28. I called multiple times making payments during that period and also called to ask other questions. A REAL TA would've told me about the free dining and rebooked my trip. The $819 it's costing us to add it is now on their heads and I'll keep calling there to argue my case until someone does something reasonable.

Mind you, $800 isn't going to break the bank but I would rather not have to pay it.

The only question I would have is - did you get some type of AAA discounted rate, because if you did you would not be entitled to the free dining. I believe it was only for those who booked at rack rate and purchased at least a one day pass for everyone in the group. The TA should have at least advised you about the option however.

 

[katebeth]

Thanks so much for the info....We leave on Sept. 30 but we are not actually getting to Disney until Oct. 2 (got a day at the beach schelduled)...so tecnically that is when our "disney" trip begins...That is why we did not get free dining.

That is ok though..maybe next time

 

[Wendi2000]

The trip has to start by September 30th - the last day of the promotion.

We are going September 30 - October 9. I can't wait!!! I have to push it all the way to the end because there is a better chance for cooler weather that way. I don't know how anyone can go to Florida in the summertime! Last year I thought the trip had to be within the dates of the promo, so our last day there was the last day of the promo (I think it was October 4th.) If I had known I could've booked that as our first day I'm sure I would've.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

The trip has to start by September 30th - the last day of the promotion.

We are going September 30 - October 9. I can't wait!!! I have to push it all the way to the end because there is a better chance for cooler weather that way. I don't know how anyone can go to Florida in the summertime! .

Great minds think alike, we are going the same time, same reason.

 

[hrbib21]

The only question I would have is - did you get some type of AAA discounted rate, because if you did you would not be entitled to the free dining. I believe it was only for those who booked at rack rate and purchased at least a one day pass for everyone in the group. The TA should have at least advised you about the option however.

Yes, I did receive a AAA discount on my package but I would've gladly paid rack rate and still saved over $500 with free dining.