Free dining?

[Deleted]

So our chances of getting a DVC rental are getting smaller by the day. I want something booked by 6 months out. We are going when free dining is sometimes offered (Nov 12-20). I'm thinking the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Can I book rooms now and then add the dining package later if it works for our dates? Can I not buy tickets until I know if the dining package works? We only want park hoppers if it means free dining.

Also what's the chance they won't honor a connecting room request?

[peggy]

Booking now absolutely doesn't mean you get free dining. You have to call/go online when it's released and change your reservation to a FD one. It may or may not be at the same level, resort, dates, etc. It's a clusterfuck by any stretch.

[ilikedonuts]

Connecting is no guarantee unless you only have 1 adult between the two rooms.

I would hope for the best but don't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

[curbsideprophet]

You can wait to buy park tickets. You don't need park tickets to book ADRs.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2016 10:41:20 GMT -5 @starry said:

I checked resort availability for your dates on DVC. The only FULL availability I see is

1 bedroom standard AKL Jambo
1 bedroom standard or savanna AKL Kidani
1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 2 bedroom near Hospitality House OKW
Everything minus preferred view SSR
1 bedroom VWL

Thanks, we definitely need 2 bedrooms because the ILs are coming too.  I'm using DVC rental store and I okayed OKW, but they haven't found anybody to rent the points from.  I'm not sure how long I'm going to wait for them at this point, maybe a few more weeks I guess.

[peggy]

Rumors are that free dining will be announced 4/25 this year. I booked 4/27 last year and made a few changes within the next week or so.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2016 10:41:20 GMT -5 @starry said:

I checked resort availability for your dates on DVC. The only FULL availability I see is

1 bedroom standard AKL Jambo
1 bedroom standard or savanna AKL Kidani
1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 2 bedroom near Hospitality House OKW
Everything minus preferred view SSR
1 bedroom VWL

Well just got an email with confirmation at OKW! Have you ever stayed there? It looks a little dated from photos.

[ribollita]

Apr 13, 2016 12:59:34 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Also, it looks like October is going to likely be completely skipped over for free dining!

Where did you hear this? I'm behind on rumors lol

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2016 13:03:13 GMT -5 @starry said:

Apr 13, 2016 12:54:53 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Well just got an email with confirmation at OKW! Have you ever stayed there? It looks a little dated from photos.

No but I think @savestheday has

I have stayed there twice. I LOVE the laid back feeling and the 2 bedrooms are FREAKING HUGE. Like amazing. 

Did you get close to hospitality house? If not ask for Turtle Pond Road unless you need an elevator. I love Turtle Pond Road. It's got a quiet pool with restaurant, and it's within walking distance to Hospitality House ( don't let them tell you otherwise, they act like it's MILES away, it's totally walkable.) 

Olivia's has good food, and you can almost always get a walk up. 

You can walk to Saratoga, and Disney Springs, but it will take like 40 minutes to walk to Disney Springs, but it is a nice walk. 

[ribollita]

Apr 13, 2016 13:41:17 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 13, 2016 13:40:12 GMT -5 ribollita said:

Where did you hear this? I'm behind on rumors lol

These dates make no sense to me at all. However, I understand analytics enough to realize Disney is basing their decision on SOMETHING. but what is it??

[Amy]

Apr 13, 2016 16:04:50 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 13, 2016 15:55:10 GMT -5 ribollita said:

These dates make no sense to me at all. However, I understand analytics enough to realize Disney is basing their decision on SOMETHING. but what is it??

Makes me glad I'm leaving Disney before October 1st, and hopefully missing the crowds!

the dates they are aren't as booked for - people shoot themselves in the foot with free dining - they book early planning on getting it and then Disney doesn't offer it for the weeks that are already well booked 

[Amy]

sorry meant to quote ribollita

[lishie]

Apr 13, 2016 12:54:53 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Apr 13, 2016 10:41:20 GMT -5 @starry said:

I checked resort availability for your dates on DVC. The only FULL availability I see is

1 bedroom standard AKL Jambo
1 bedroom standard or savanna AKL Kidani
1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 2 bedroom near Hospitality House OKW
Everything minus preferred view SSR
1 bedroom VWL

Well just got an email with confirmation at OKW! Have you ever stayed there? It looks a little dated from photos.

We stayed at OKW last year. The room are the largest DVC rooms, and the space is nice. I enjoyed the Key West colors and theming at the resort. It may be a little dated, but that's kind of the feel we were going for. We wanted a "river" view and we were walking distance to the hospitality house from there. It was maybe a 10 minute walk, but not crazy. We also walked to Saratoga and Disney Springs. That took a bit, but it was a nice walk by the water. We then took the boat back.

The pool area was nice and was never too crazy when we were there.

[Deleted]

Apr 13, 2016 14:03:37 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Apr 13, 2016 13:03:13 GMT -5 @starry said:

No but I think @savestheday has

I have stayed there twice. I LOVE the laid back feeling and the 2 bedrooms are FREAKING HUGE. Like amazing. 

Did you get close to hospitality house? If not ask for Turtle Pond Road unless you need an elevator. I love Turtle Pond Road. It's got a quiet pool with restaurant, and it's within walking distance to Hospitality House ( don't let them tell you otherwise, they act like it's MILES away, it's totally walkable.) 

Olivia's has good food, and you can almost always get a walk up. 

You can walk to Saratoga, and Disney Springs, but it will take like 40 minutes to walk to Disney Springs, but it is a nice walk. 

Thanks! I'm not sure where are unit is, all I see is 2 bedroom on all the info. When we check in early online will it say then?

[fancefpp]

Sorry to hijack but I have a question about reservations. My ILs are coming for a few days during our stay and it looks like it's during the rumored free dining. They already booked, is there a way for them to take advantage of it? It doesn't apply to us because we rented DVC.

[fancefpp]

Apr 14, 2016 12:03:55 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 14, 2016 11:58:48 GMT -5 fancefpp said:

Sorry to hijack but I have a question about reservations. My ILs are coming for a few days during our stay and it looks like it's during the rumored free dining. They already booked, is there a way for them to take advantage of it? It doesn't apply to us because we rented DVC.

They have to call and have if applied. Only certain resorts are eligible, so they may have to switch if they want it. Also, it's a major cluster when it's announced because everybody is calling.

There is a limited number of rooms available at each resort for free dining.

Great! Thank you, I'll tell them.

[Amy]

Apr 14, 2016 12:21:36 GMT -5 fancefpp said:

Apr 14, 2016 12:03:55 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

They have to call and have if applied. Only certain resorts are eligible, so they may have to switch if they want it. Also, it's a major cluster when it's announced because everybody is calling.

There is a limited number of rooms available at each resort for free dining.

Great! Thank you, I'll tell them.

They will need to call the day it's released and there will be a several hour hold time. It was nuts last year. We (the TAs in my agency) were calling in the min the lines were open and had 4 hour holds. Availability was crazy limited, I can't imagine it will be better this year.

[countthestars]

I have stayed at OKW! I'll be online tomorrow with info

[egishere]

Amy, just curious for agents do they let you change several clients reservations in the same call or do you have to hang up each time and call back? That sounds like a nightmare! We are going during the rumored FD time and booked through an agent so I'm hopeful she will be able to update our reservations.

[Amy]

Apr 14, 2016 17:32:58 GMT -5 egishere said:

Amy, just curious for agents do they let you change several clients reservations in the same call or do you have to hang up each time and call back? That sounds like a nightmare! We are going during the rumored FD time and booked through an agent so I'm hopeful she will be able to update our reservations.

Yes, they give you a 90 min limit so a bunch of us sit on hold and whoever gets through first changes as many as they can in the 90 min.

[countthestars]

It looks like @savestheday has jumped in with info but I'm happy to answer any questions you might have! We own at OKW - the rooms have been going through an update slowly over the last couple of years so I don't find them super dated. They are huge - so much space! Every room has a nice balcony most overlooking a golf course. Full kitchens.

I find Olivia's to be ok and Goods To Go to be pretty good. There's not a ton of food options but we always just eat breakfast in our room. We like to stay near hospitality but you will be ok if you aren't there. We have stayed near the Miller Cove stop many times and have been happy there as well. We usually take the boat to Disney Springs but as others mentioned you can walk (or bus).

[arch01]

Boo looks like we'll miss free dining if those dates are correct. Oh well, I was calculating it out and I think we'd be better off with a 20-30% room discount. Fingers crossed for that.

[marie3246]

Ugh we are going during free dining, but staying at DVC. I assume this means reservations are going to be super hard to get. I have a few already, but I hate having to plan every one in advance.

[spaghetticat]

I already have a trip scheduled for 8/25 but we wanted to change the date to 8/24. I booked with a travel agent. Is there anything I can do to get free dining applied or does the TA have to do it for me?

[anonymess]

Apr 15, 2016 7:41:23 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Boo looks like we'll miss free dining if those dates are correct. Oh well, I was calculating it out and I think we'd be better off with a 20-30% room discount. Fingers crossed for that.

I was listening to this week's DISunplugged podcast & Pete (host, Dreams Unlimited owner) said that Free Dining isn't the great deal it used to be & most people would save more with a room discount and paying for DP out of pocket.

[curbsideprophet]

Apr 20, 2016 10:37:06 GMT -5 anonymess said:

Apr 15, 2016 7:41:23 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Boo looks like we'll miss free dining if those dates are correct. Oh well, I was calculating it out and I think we'd be better off with a 20-30% room discount. Fingers crossed for that.

I was listening to this week's DISunplugged podcast & Pete (host, Dreams Unlimited owner) said that Free Dining isn't the great deal it used to be & most people would save more with a room discount and paying for DP out of pocket.

Surprised he would recommend the dining plan at all. I think for many paying OOP would be cheaper.

[anonymess]

Apr 20, 2016 12:06:18 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Apr 20, 2016 10:37:06 GMT -5 anonymess said:

Surprised he would recommend the dining plan at all. I think for many paying OOP would be cheaper.

I took it as a rec for those who really wanted the DP, not an overall endorsement for the DP.