Which resorts do you think sell out 1st-free meal deal?

[robinb]

Thats not true. I am at CSR from 8/28-9/3 with the all inclusive dining free package. The CSR resort might be sold out for the free dining for the timeframe you are looking for though.

I am also at CSR for 8/21-8/28 with free dining.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I agree with spiceycat.

As a travel agent I learned that the low end AND the high end sell out first. Although the difference in size of the Disney resorts will affect this theory I would say the values and the more expensive deluxes will go fastest. Some people will use a great deal to stay somewhere they've wanted to but couldn't afford without that deal and some people will chose a value as they might not go at all before the deal. You'll notice a lot of people saying on this board they there are going because of the free dining deal - might not have planned a trip otherwise.

I've often gone to look at the GF's availability when there's a great deal (like 7 for 4 last year) and those rooms disappear very quickly!

It works the same way with cruise ships etc.

 

[Lewisc]

It's anyone's guess since we don't have the slightest idea how many packages Disney has even made available at a given resort and room type.

In general All Star Movies sells out first. I'd think the allocation of packages would sell out. I'd also think the standard view rooms at WL and AKL would go quickly. Those rooms aren't that more expensive than the moderate hotels.

CSR is a convention hotel. If you're looking at a time in which there aren't any conventions booked I'd think the availability might be OK.

 

[slk537]

I called last night to get quotes for WL and the Poly - and sure enough, the standard view at WL for 9/21-25 were booked. We could have gotten woods view, but instead opted for the Polynesian.

The dining plan is why we are going to WDW in September for our son's b'day. We were debating between DLR (Grand Californian), 3 night DCL cruise, and WDW. Actually...I should say the dining plan is how I talked DH into WDW...

We absolutely LOVE Wilderness Lodge, but we did indeed choose the Polynesian because of the affordability with the dining plan...especially since we usually stay DVC on points now and can't do a dining plan.

I am so excited about this - the planning!!! Planning, planning, PLANNING!!!

(I am a detail freak and the fact that I have only 13 days before the 90 window to make all the AR plans is making me ticklish with glee all over)

 

[Princess Mommy]

Hummm... I have to agree with LadyTrampScamp&Angel, I am a TA too... once a free deal comes up, the high ends go b/c it makes them affordable for those wnating to upgrade from a mod or value. The Values go b/c it just makes going to Disney & staying with Disney affordable.
Though, I am having some trouble getting the mods for certain weeks this summer- especially CSR- and that is before free dining...

 

[Disney Fans]

FYI
Heres what I heard today. I have a friend that is now going also but wanted to stay at All Stars but was told it was sold out so she booked POP like us. Then another friend just called and said she was told that POP was sold out but they still had rooms at ALL Stars?????????
Crazy isn't it and this all happened within a 3 hour time frame today???? So I am guessing that because some people cancel then a room becomes open again, so I guess if you want a certain resort- go ahead and book for the dates you want at your second choise resort and keep checking back and then switch if a room becomes open at the resort you want?

 

[Disney Fans]

Just bumping up to see if anyone has heard about any of the resorts selling with the free meal promo?

 

[Chickkypoo]

We booked from Sept 28th-Oct 5th, and the only value resorts that were available for us to choose from last Friday when we booked were All Star Sports and All Star Music. We decided to go with Music.

 

[CuteKatCar]

bumping this up again.....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I'd think the allocation of packages would sell out.

This is why I'm confused. I had no idea they had an "allocation" of how many pkgs at each resort they'd allow??? You mean they wouldn't just allow EVERY room to be booked on a pkg (room, tickets, dining plan) if everyone wanted to? They are actually holding back rooms that they are NOT allowing you to get in on with a pkg? I had no idea.......this must be because of the dining plan? Surely it wouldn't make sense to allocate only a certain number of rooms for a pkg and the rest has to be paying for room only- surely they'd make more money allowing any and all rooms to be booked with a pkg deal if you wanted? Don't they make more money if you book the room, tickets, flight, etc. with them? So it has to be because of the free dining? IN which case they are offering free dining plan but limiting it so everyone can't get in on it? I think that stinks.

I was able to "look at" booking Pop Century a few hours ago- now it's only allowing All Star resorts. bummer

 

[SonyaD]

Actually anytime there is a special promotion not every room in the hotel will be able to use that promotion. I think they always limit the number of specials they are offering. Of course they don't want everyone to get the special rate in the hotel some people will be calling just to pay regular price and not know anything about specials.

 

[bpitzer20]

When I was researching rates a few days ago I was told that All Star Movies was sold out 8/21-26, but Music was still avaiblable.

 

[skippyman111]

Is that the contemporary? I thought that one was just CR. I'm soo confused with all the acronyms...

 

[Here's2Serendipity]

CSR is Coronado Springs Resort.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Of course they don't want everyone to get the special rate in the hotel some people will be calling just to pay regular price and not know anything about specials.

But this isn't a special rate- this is trying to book a package during the time frame that they are also giving free dining. Are you telling me they'll let you book a package and PAY for the dining plan during the free dining plan but at that same resort if you are booking a package with free dining they'll say it's all booked? That seems like a rip off to me... they are going to have some people PAYING for the dining plan during the free dining plan promotion? Is that even an option?
Or do they just not allow over a specific amount of rooms in each resort to even get a pkg so they CAN take advantage of the free dining plan? Either way- seems unfair to me.

This isn't a special rate in the hotel. I know when discount codes or AP codes come out they won't allow every room to be booked at that special rate.. this is booking a PACKAGE (ie: more money for them, rack rate for room with tickets, usually flight too like we did when we hadn't done that before, etc.) at the time they have a free dining plan promotion going on. I think that's a huge difference there and had no idea they were limiting it. I was considering another trip with my kids before the promo ended but now I can't seem to book Pop with the free dining plan so I guess it's sold out on that "promotion". I don't think I'll go... I'm not interested in staying at All Stars again right now.

 

[skippyman111]

But this isn't a special rate- this is trying to book a package during the time frame that they are also giving free dining. Are you telling me they'll let you book a package and PAY for the dining plan during the free dining plan but at that same resort if you are booking a package with free dining they'll say it's all booked?

We booked in May and I'm not sure if this free dining was available back then or not. We paid full rack for CR and the dining plan. I then found these boards (queue angelic music) and discovered the free dining plan. I called back and they refunded our money - $560 big ones. Man, it pays to look at this board..

 

[msmayor]

I only found out about the deal today. I had booked my family into the Wilderness Lodge for 8/26-9/3 at the beginning of June; when I called today to make the change and take advantage of the free dining I easily made the switch. I had to forego my AAA room discount ($200) but am getting almost $1200 in dining for free...four adults at $140/day!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

POFQ is sold out during my timeframe. We were original booked at POFQ for 10/5-10/9. Free dining came out and we switched to 10/4 as our arrival -- but we had to transfer to POR. Doesn't matter to me -- it's just a place to crash!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Do you get the free dining plan even if just your FIRST day of your stay is the last day of the promotion? If so, that's cool. Doesn't help us because I was wanting to stay Sept-Oct 3 while the kids had school break- but that's cool for those like yourself that can change the arrival date a little to get in on it.

Skippyman- amen to that... it sure does pay to read this board and read all the things everyone posts here. Thank goodness for Disboard and all it's members!
But I guess that means you would have had to pay for the dining plan, during the free dining plan promotion, had you not known to call back and change it?

 

[Disney Fans]

BibbidyBobbidyBoo o you get the free dining plan even if just your FIRST day of your stay is the last day of the promotion? If so, that's cool. Doesn't help us because I was wanting to stay Sept-Oct 3 while the kids had school break- but that's cool for those like yourself that can change the arrival date a little to get in on it.

I was told by Disney that as long as you check in your hotel by Oct 4th you will get the free dinning even after Oct.4th. We are staying Oct 1-7th and get free dinning the whole time. But heres the odd thing:
I call AAA and a couple of other places just to double check pricing and they all told me that if I used them to book I could only get free dinning until Oct 4th not after? So I guess if you book through Disney then you get the free dinning after Oct 4th as long as you check in by Oct 4th but if you book with anyone else you can only get the free dinning until Oct 4th.

Hope things have worked out for you and you are set to go this fall! And Hey we are going on the May 27th 2006 cruise too!! Can't wait for both!