2015 FREE DINING THREAD _ All Questions HERE!!

[donp]

I don't think I understand the poster that talked about the ebates and still using Target. Anyone got that down? Really, guys, this ends up being a big deal when you are spending $6000+ for a vacay. Every percent adds up. Great tips!

 

[alievans719]

I don't think I understand the poster that talked about the ebates and still using Target. Anyone got that down? Really, guys, this ends up being a big deal when you are spending $6000+ for a vacay. Every percent adds up. Great tips!

Don't know if it was me, but the way I get money off/back is I first get Target gift cards at a discount with Raise. Once I have them, I go through ebates and shop Disney gift cards at target, and with my red card set as default, I pay with the target gift cards. So I get the red card discount as well, and then after, you should get the whatever % Ebates is offering. From what I've heard, the ebates part is a little touch and go, and only works some of the time? I've only done it once, but received an extra 2% back with it, on top of my 10% I got through raise and the red card discount.

 

[ehoops120912]

I hold nothing against people who stayed up all night. I would not have gotten as close to what we wanted if I had not grabbed it at 8:30am when I saw how quickly the rooms were going. What should you have done waited until everyone else had booked? We had to change our days 2 earlier but other than that i got what we wanted.

My only complaint is that they should have given a couple days warning. Let them know what dates would be available. It does not seem fair that it went from a rumor to live. Last year there were so many false starts that it was hard to believe it was a go.

I did basically the same as you. As did hundreds of others. People can be mean on these boards.

I agree, Disney has problems they need to fix. All i have been trying to say is everyone knows its first come first serve. Everyone knows its limited. When I stay up all night to get it and I do because I stayed up all night, I call that a win.
When people sleep in till 10 am and plan to get FD and its all out, everyone knew it was limited. Everyone knew it was coming out online.
I did whatever it took to get my FD.... But people who feel "entitled" to free dinning no matter if they hit the crowds late, and then complain when they dont get it.

Scenario:
If I stand in line at Target for 10+ hours on Black Friday to get a TV, Im most likley getting a TV. But people who show up 15 minutes before the door opens and expects to get a TV? Those are the people I have issues with.

All I have to say is that if you did what it took to get free dinning, you got it. If you slept in and just thought ud get FD because you felt "entitled" to it, and you didnt and start complaining, I have a issue with....If you would of stayed up all night you wouldnt have MDE problems because you would of been the first person and crowd so low the site wouldnt crash....As far as the phones, that was disneys fault. But people had their chance with what "LIMITED" avaliability that everyone knew what they were getting into as far as that goes.

 

[donp]

Don't know if it was me, but the way I get money off/back is I first get Target gift cards at a discount with Raise. Once I have them, I go through ebates and shop Disney gift cards at target, and with my red card set as default, I pay with the target gift cards. So I get the red card discount as well, and then after, you should get the whatever % Ebates is offering. From what I've heard, the ebates part is a little touch and go, and only works some of the time? I've only done it once, but received an extra 2% back with it, on top of my 10% I got through raise and the red card discount.

So, i just went to the Raise site (i have never heard of it)---so, I buy say $238 of someone's partial ecard for Target that is 4.7% off. Then, I go to the Target Site, and buy $250 worth of Disney cards, and put the Target Red Card in, I will get 5% off the whole amount still? Seems like double dipping, but I like it! I will then have to investigate what you are talking about wtih ebates . . .

 

[Aubrav]

I agree, Disney has problems they need to fix. All i have been trying to say is everyone knows its first come first serve. Everyone knows its limited. When I stay up all night to get it and I do because I stayed up all night, I call that a win.
When people sleep in till 10 am and plan to get FD and its all out, everyone knew it was limited. Everyone knew it was coming out online.
I did whatever it took to get my FD.... But people who feel "entitled" to free dinning no matter if they hit the crowds late, and then complain when they dont get it.

Scenario:
If I stand in line at Target for 10+ hours on Black Friday to get a TV, Im most likley getting a TV. But people who show up 15 minutes before the door opens and expects to get a TV? Those are the people I have issues with.

All I have to say is that if you did what it took to get free dinning, you got it. If you slept in and just thought ud get FD because you felt "entitled" to it, and you didnt and start complaining, I have a issue with....If you would of stayed up all night you wouldnt have MDE problems because you would of been the first person and crowd so low the site wouldnt crash....As far as the phones, that was disneys fault. But people had their chance with what "LIMITED" avaliability that everyone knew what they were getting into as far as that goes.

I think the main problems people had were A. If they did get up later than the release after the issues started and B. If they were dependent on a travel agent to modify their reservation. The travel agents had a heck of a time doing anything because their personal system wasn't working. I also think some people were having issues modifying their reservation so they had to call. So basically anyone that called instead of booking online before the phone lines opened had issues.

I can see what you're saying but I think for some people there were circumstances that limited them.

 

[DisneyNannie]

If anyone is interested the Beach Club Garden view has rooms available with free dining.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

My dates were not available for POR, but I was able to get The Yacht Club with FD for almost the same price as POR & paying for dining. I have never been to DW. I really hope it was the right decision and my kids enjoy the Yacht Club.

Oh Honey! If you and your kids have never been to DW and you are starting in a Deluxe resort, I'd be shocked if you didn't like it. Your kids don't have anything else to compare it do at Disney, and each resort has something you will like different than another. There was a day that I would have been totally happy with Value as my first choice. I was all set to go to Value for this trip we have planned that originally we were not goingto do this year. BUT I have stayed Moderate 4 times now and I'm afraid to go value. LOL I would like to stay at the Yacht club at some point but as I told my husband I'm afraid I'll never want to stay moderate if I do. LOL Even as an adult, for the amount of time I'm at the resort vs the parks, DTD, and dining and other......The memories all blend and are magical. Happy for you to have such a nice option.

Also, I put down the 200 deposit, am I supposed to make regular payments or does it not matter as long as the balance is paid by 45 days out? Thanks!

Last reservations I had as long as I paid by 45 days out I was all set. It depends on how well you budget vs save. It all works.

I agree, Disney has problems they need to fix. All i have been trying to say is everyone knows its first come first serve. Everyone knows its limited. When I stay up all night to get it and I do because I stayed up all night, I call that a win.
When people sleep in till 10 am and plan to get FD and its all out, everyone knew it was limited. Everyone knew it was coming out online.
I did whatever it took to get my FD.... But people who feel "entitled" to free dinning no matter if they hit the crowds late, and then complain when they dont get it.

Scenario:
If I stand in line at Target for 10+ hours on Black Friday to get a TV, Im most likley getting a TV. But people who show up 15 minutes before the door opens and expects to get a TV? Those are the people I have issues with.

All I have to say is that if you did what it took to get free dinning, you got it. If you slept in and just thought ud get FD because you felt "entitled" to it, and you didnt and start complaining, I have a issue with....If you would of stayed up all night you wouldnt have MDE problems because you would of been the first person and crowd so low the site wouldnt crash....As far as the phones, that was disneys fault. But people had their chance with what "LIMITED" avaliability that everyone knew what they were getting into as far as that goes.

I know it's more fun to be over with at the beginning but I keep reading all kind of comments about more rooms being allocated and TA's having rooms on hold that will be freeing up. It's only May 1st. I'm hopeful that with a little time people can readjust and get what they need. I"m bumming POR at my week has nothing for me so far, but there are many reasons I'm booked there but I'm not giving up hope that something won't come up down the road for me.

Here is another thing, more and more people use computers now and the internet is a huge information source. So of course even if Disney is opening up the same amount of rooms as years past, booking is so much different and people are more knowledgeable earlier in the game. So there is no way for me to prove my theory of how the room allocations go out and if they limit in the beginning and release more later or if more free up or......It's a business. Has anyone looked at College tuition lately? That's a business too.

Ok I'm tired. Looking at my planning journal and watching Mickey smile and Minnie peacefully hug him. Stay focused on the magic.

May pixie dust come to you all.


p.s. The CM I had this morning kept saying "Thank you for your patience". I told her "what good does it do for me not to be patient with you. You are the one trying to send Pixie dust my way. Patience will get me more Pixie dust, even if that means only less stress." She laughed and had almost a sigh in her voice I wasn't going to be another vacationer yelling at her.

 

[samsteele]

The travel agents had a heck of a time doing anything because their personal system wasn't working.

This was my issue & I was just incredibly lucky that my TA could get through by 9:30 am on Mon and that my dates at the POP were wide open. I was up around 5 am, saw what I wanted online, but took a chance and waited for my TA to get into the office at 9 am. I just had a lot of plain, dumb luck. And a hard working, conscientious TA. What I'm taking from this Free Dining Experience this year is that Disney has very little need to discount its moderates. None of them. The demand for all of the moderates (except for CBR and CSR in the dead of winter) is very strong. They are putting heads in the beds even at rack rate and during the less popular play, stay and dine. It still wanted to fill the values and some deluxe resorts at limited times this Fall. There was very limited availability this year for free dining. I doubt if there will be much (or any) for fall 2016.

 

[kandb]

I am so glad I did not depend on the travel agent we had already booked a package with to try to get us FD. I knew it was coming out. I got up at 5:40am and booked a CBR resort for our family of 5 (2Adults,2disney adults and 1 child), we got a standard room, water parks included, 9 nights and 10 day passes. The total for our package was $4K. I think we got a good deal. The price for FD is definitely going up. We have done FD for many years and the prices for Disney have gone up every year. I also planned ahead and got all my dining already, so that is a plus. With Disney it's all about planning, can't ever wait or resorts/dining are gone.

I transferred the reservation I made to the travel agent, and that was very easy.

 

[verleniahall]

p.s. The CM I had this morning kept saying "Thank you for your patience". I told her "what good does it do for me not to be patient with you. You are the one trying to send Pixie dust my way. Patience will get me more Pixie dust, even if that means only less stress." She laughed and had almost a sigh in her voice I wasn't going to be another vacationer yelling at her.

I had a similar experience the other day. Then I had to call in yesterday with a question, and the CM had noted on the account that I was super patient and sweet while waiting for the CM to do whatever she was working on with my account. They both seemed very thankful not to be yelled at

 

[5kidsmommy]

Ok I'm tired. Looking at my planning journal and watching Mickey smile and Minnie peacefully hug him. Stay focused on the magic.

May pixie dust come to you all.


p.s. The CM I had this morning kept saying "Thank you for your patience". I told her "what good does it do for me not to be patient with you. You are the one trying to send Pixie dust my way. Patience will get me more Pixie dust, even if that means only less stress." She laughed and had almost a sigh in her voice I wasn't going to be another vacationer yelling at her.

I don't get the need for folks to be angry with the CMs, truly there are a lot more people going to Disney, they can't please everyone but so many have this entitled feeling that they should just give them discounts and then when it doesn't work out they get angry with the Cms and that's just wrong. I try to be extra kind when I call in just to hopefully make up for the jerks they deal with.

 

[ml sumner]

You can try it, but for some reason they wont let me use a visa credit card at my Sam's Club

We can't use Visa at our Sam's club either. We were told they didn't take Visa credit cards but would take Visa debit cards. We use a MasterCard every time we go.

 

[cath1979]

I have a quick question..does anybody have ever ask for a specific room at a resort (found the one I really one on the room finder). It is possible do to do? how do we do it and how many days in advance can we do that?

 

[lazer]

We can't use Visa at our Sam's club either. We were told they didn't take Visa credit cards but would take Visa debit cards. We use a MasterCard every time we go.

They only take Sam's credit cards, or it has to be debit...or cash. (Costco has similar restrictions). But, it's another way to keep their cost low (or so they claim) credit card companies charge more and more to merchants than most people realize.

I have a quick question..does anybody have ever ask for a specific room at a resort (found the one I really one on the room finder). It is possible do to do? how do we do it and how many days in advance can we do that?

It's possible, but I wouldn't count on it actually working. Most TAs and Disney frequent travelers suggest asking about a specific area of the resort over a room number. (Like at CBR pick Jamaica, or POP say which decade you'd prefer). It's much easier to get your general area than a specific room (and there isn't much difference in most rooms honestly). Just my two cents

 

[samsteele]

I have a quick question..does anybody have ever ask for a specific room at a resort (found the one I really one on the room finder). It is possible do to do? how do we do it and how many days in advance can we do that?

Your resort will likely have a very hard time trying to grant your specific room number wish as another family may be in that room when you check-in. A better strategy may be to think about why you love that room and check off those things when making your online reservation. For example, is the room you really want in 1) a specific building that you want 2) on a certain floor (top floor or bottom floor), 3) is it close to transportation, etc. If you can tell your resort what things are important to you, then they can help find you a room that may match these things. It is also important to prioritize. You likely won't get everything you want in a room location. So if you can decide what are the top 1 or 2 things that are most important about your room location, it will help the resort get you to where you want to be. Best wishes.

 

[dpswift]

I called with 3 minor issues yesterday the CM was so nice and pleasant. Kept apologizing for the slow computers. I was put on hold for IT she came back at least twice to say she was still waiting. The IT man also went far and away out of his way for me. It is not their fault, even if it were their fault they are more likely to help if you are nice to them.

 

[cath1979]

Your resort will likely have a very hard time trying to grant your specific room number wish as another family may be in that room when you check-in. A better strategy may be to think about why you love that room and check off those things when making your online reservation. For example, is the room you really want in 1) a specific building that you want 2) on a certain floor (top floor or bottom floor), 3) is it close to transportation, etc. If you can tell your resort what things are important to you, then they can help find you a room that may match these things. It is also important to prioritize. You likely won't get everything you want in a room location. So if you can decide what are the top 1 or 2 things that are most important about your room location, it will help the resort get you to where you want to be. Best wishes.

TY, lol lst time my only specification was ground floor and didn<T get it, so I was wondering if I get a better chance if I make a resquest sooner for a specific room

 

[cath1979]

I have to say.. Tomorrow is my 180 mark and I<m sooo nervous really want CRT and BOG

 

[DisneyNannie]

I made changes to my reservations at 7 am on 3 rooms. I received the email on 1 room but not the other 2. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to send the email.

 

[samsteele]

I have to say.. Tomorrow is my 180 mark and I<m sooo nervous really want CRT and BOG

It should open up online right at 6 am. When I did my ADRs earlier this week, I made sure I was already logged into MDE, had the dining reservation page open to BOG and had the date and time ready to type in. I also made sure to schedule BOG (and any other high priority restaurant) later in my vacation so I had a better chance of getting those reservations. eg if you can make your reservation for the last or second last full day of your vacation, it will help. Good luck!