New Bounceback: Free Dining 2019

[scrappinginontario]

You can also check AP rates without having the AP ticket. You just need the AP ticket upon check in.

How do you do this? Anytime I've seen a Special Offer for APs and clicked the link I couldn't see what was offered without signing in.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wow, interesting that most of September is excluded, but all summer is included. Pretty big change in dates.

I just read that as, general public ''free" dining will be available the other times (August-December).

 

[goofygal531]

How do you do this? Anytime I've seen a Special Offer for APs and clicked the link I couldn't see what was offered without signing in.

There’s a way you can access the room only rates online I just don’t remember. You can call WDW directly to inquire. You can book the AP rate without currently having the ticket. Once you purchase the ticket, you can activate the voucher prior to check in.

The only good thing about the BB, the annual ticket increase pricing doesn’t effect you. I would bet come SW in 2020 APs will be over $1,000+ a piece. It’s close now.

 

[focusondisney]

We were there Jan 27 - Feb 4 this year and I was surprised how heavy the crowds were, especially towards the end of our stay. We were lined up outside for Michey's PhilharMagic as the entire cue inside was filled!! I've never experienced crowds like that!

I knew it was crazy crowded when I saw the loading area of Carousel of Progress was packed full. Never seen that before in 25+ years. I don’t travel at holidays, but we have been in early January, late April, early May, late August, early September & mid December. This January was definitely busy!

 

[DCLPrincess]

Each adult can book a room. You can book more than 1 trip. But unless it has changed, it has always been 1 room per adult.

Do you have to be on room you book? Could I book it in my sister's name?

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Does anyone know if you can book this BB for, say, 9 nights and then trim it down to 7 or 8 once travel plans firm up? We're definitely booking this but are unsure if we'll fly or drive, which may impact arrival/departure days. I thought it might be easier to take away days instead of add them, but would that work?

We do this exact thing. We usually book 12 nights and then trim down to 10 nights once we are home and have a better look at our calendar. We go with a plan (I already have our proposed August trip dates ready for next year to do the BB when we go next week), but want a little bit of wiggle room. This is easier than trying to add days on later in case there are no more days available at that time/resort. When we get home we usually give our BB number to our TA and then have her adjust dates for us.

 

[SarahC97]

Do you have to be on room you book? Could I book it in my sister's name?

You should be able to book a room in your sister's name. I've asked on Disboards about this in the past and have been told you can. I'm planning on doing it for our trip later this month, so I hope so!

 

[focusondisney]

Do you have to be on room you book? Could I book it in my sister's name?

They used to make each person stay as the lead guest on the room they booked. For example, a few years ago, my DH & I each booked a bounceback room: my & my DDIL in 1; DH & DS in the other. We then had to switch people around at check in. It was a pain & I’m sure a lot of work for CMs at the check in areas.

But I have since read that as long as you will be on the return trip, you can put the additional room in anyone’s name. So in my example above, we could have just booked that second room in my DS’s name & saved a lot of adjusting later. I haven’t done it, but I think others have with no issues. So as long as you & 1 other current guest will be on the return trip, you should be able to book 2 rooms for the bounceback trip with 1 being in your sister’s name. You will need to make a $200 deposit for each room. And give the name & address of each occupant too.

 

[Disneylover99]

You should be able to book a room in your sister's name. I've asked on Disboards about this in the past and have been told you can. I'm planning on doing it for our trip later this month, so I hope so!

Other people on the disboards have successfully done this. I was not able to last year after trying 3 or 4 times with different CM’s. Hopefully it will be easier to do this year.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Do you have to be on room you book? Could I book it in my sister's name?

I believe you are limited to the number of adults in your room. For example, I wanted to do this for my brother and SIL but could not as I was the only adult in the room and was already booking a BB for myself.

Also, I’ve heard conflicting reports about adding or decreasing nights to your stay. Some say you can decrease without a problem and others have said you can only do this if there is enough availability to book an entire new stay for the decreases dates. I have not personally experienced this but just sharing what I’ve read here more than once.

I know for our Sept 2017 trip I attempted to add 1 night to the beginning of our FD trip. Even though there was availability at the resort and it had fallen within the qualifying BB dates, when I attempted to do so I could not. I ended up booking a completely separate 1 night reservation at the same resort and understood that I may have had to change rooms. Ends up all was for naught as Irma moved in when we were supposed to go so we stayed home!

 

[SarahC97]

I believe you are limited to the number of adults in your room. For example, I wanted to do this for my brother and SIL but could not as I was the only adult in the room and was already booking a BB for myself.

Also, I’ve heard conflicting reports about adding or decreasing nights to your stay. Some say you can decrease without a problem and others have said you can only do this if there is enough availability to book an entire new stay for the decreases dates. I have not personally experienced this but just sharing what I’ve read here more than once.

I know for our Sept 2017 trip I attempted to add 1 night to the beginning of our FD trip. Even though there was availability at the resort and it had fallen within the qualifying BB dates, when I attempted to do so I could not. I ended up booking a completely separate 1 night reservation at the same resort and understood that I may have had to change rooms. Ends up all was for naught as Irma moved in when we were supposed to go so we stayed home!

I have heard that people have had difficulty decreasing nights under promotions. That stinks since I'm booking so far in advance it's difficult to know what flights will be like. I guess if I have to take a longer trip, oh well!

 

[Minniefan2296]

There’s a way you can access the room only rates online I just don’t remember. You can call WDW directly to inquire. You can book the AP rate without currently having the ticket. Once you purchase the ticket, you can activate the voucher prior to check in.

The only good thing about the BB, the annual ticket increase pricing doesn’t effect you. I would bet come SW in 2020 APs will be over $1,000+ a piece. It’s close now.

You need an AP or AP voucher to book AP rates, I think.

 

[Dave006]

You need an AP or AP voucher to book AP rates, I think.

No you don't need to have an AP or AP voucher to book AP rates. However, without an active AP or AP voucher assigned in your MDE, you will have to call CRO to get AP rate quotes. You can't look them up on the web site without one on your MDE account.

Note: The guideline is that you may be asked for your AP at check-in / arrival at the hotel or not it is really random. If you are asked about and AP and you have not activated your AP voucher yet, they will allow you 1-2 days to get it activated and just ask you to stop back by the Front desk.

Dave

 

[Kingdome8]

I will be there sept 27. Can’t wait to book next summers trip. Especially with free dining. Now vita decide mod with upgrade or just do deluxe with normal dis Disney.
Tuff decisions

 

[JessicaW1234]

Can’t wait to book next summers trip. Especially with free dining. Now vita decide mod with upgrade or just do deluxe with normal dis Disney.
Tuff decisions

Do you know the cost to upgrade per adult to update from QS DDP to the regular DDP? Do you have to decide this at booking, or can you make this adjustment to a BB reservation later w/o issue?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Do you know the cost to upgrade per adult to update from QS DDP to the regular DDP? Do you have to decide this at booking, or can you make this adjustment to a BB reservation later w/o issue?

In 2018 the cost to upgrade from Quick Service to the Disney Dining Plan is $23.00/adult and $4.05/child for each night of your stay.

You may upgrade at any time prior to your arrival.

 

[Beachmom0317]

Dying to know what the RO BB will be for 2019! We arrive 12/4/18 and want to go back the same week in 2019. Just don’t know what 2019 December dates will be included but I’m encouraged by seeing lots of December dates for the FD BB!

 

[Greg36]

I am really surprised to see the December dates. I really thought that with SW's most likely opening by December that there would be limited discounts. Not really surprised to see the expansion of summer dates. Seems like lots of reports of the parks being less busy through much of the summer and also possible that some people will be putting off trips until after SW opens...

 

[Disneylover99]

I am really surprised to see the December dates. I really thought that with SW's most likely opening by December that there would be limited discounts. Not really surprised to see the expansion of summer dates. Seems like lots of reports of the parks being less busy through much of the summer and also possible that some people will be putting off trips until after SW opens...

I really think that more and more people are looking at offsite options. That means fewer people on the dining plan. I kind of feel FD will always be around. It’s Disney’s way of keeping people on property to spend their money.

 

[scrappinginontario]

You’d have to run all the numbers. Disney math gives me a headache!

We’re a family of four with two Disney adult children (14 & 11). The FD BB is a no brainer for us. On average each year we save at least $2,500 on the DDP.

I like having our trip all included and all paid for. We’ve discussed APs for many years and it just never added up for us. Especially now that their almost $1,000 each!

For two people, the AP room discounts along with TIW card, might workout to a better deal for you.

Well, I did it! I poured myself a big cup of coffee, took a deep breath, sharpened my pencil and set to work.

Quick Summary:
- 2 upcoming trips for my DD and I
- 8 nights this December 2018 & 9 nights next September 2019
- getting 9 day park hopper tickets for Dec trip and 8 day park hopper tickets for September trip
- Pop Century, Standard room both trips
- Free QS Dining upgraded to DDP in Dec. Plan to do the same for next September

The big question, would it make sense for me to upgrade our tickets to APs in December?

Did the calculations for us and since my DD will be a Disney 'adult' (at the ripe old age of 10 next year!) we will save approx $400 by going with FD rather than upgrading our December ticket's to APs. This was taking into consideration a 20% room discount figuring that was pretty much a given. Even with the AP savings, I really can't see us saving that $400 as we do not have plans to visit FL other than these 2 visits.

If my DD was going to still be 9 next year it would be a completely different story but since she's an 'adult' and therefore I would pay adult price for her dining plan (personal choice to always travel with the DDP regardless if I spend more or not. I just like the freedom it gives me to travel without looking at food prices so it's a choice I make) it's not worth it to me to upgrade to Annual Passes.

Hopefully this will help others out too. If you're traveling as 2 adults (or 2 adults plus more) and staying at a value resort, there's a good chance the FD will be the better option for you.

If you're staying moderate or deluxe it may be a totally different scenario for you.

Just wanted to share my calculations with hopes of helping someone else considering upgrading to an AP.