Free dining 2015 is open for everyone.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Do they ever do free dining any time between January and March?

Not quite. What has been offered during this time frame (we just booked under it this past January with MJ) is what they call Stay-Play-Dine.

Disney offers up all the components, accommodations, base level tickets and the dining plan and then packages it under one $$$ amount. They don't give you the actual breakdown of where you are saving the money, but from what I recall its about a 50% savings on the dining plan and maybe a slight room discount. Having done free dining discount and stay-play-dine, the free dining was the better offer, but I don't believe that has been offered during the times you mention, largely in part because of two holidays (MLK & Presidents Day) and hitting spring break weeks.

[Stu29573]

Not quite. What has been offered during this time frame (we just booked under it this past January with MJ) is what they call Stay-Play-Dine.

Disney offers up all the components, accommodations, base level tickets and the dining plan and then packages it under one $$$ amount. They don't give you the actual breakdown of where you are saving the money, but from what I recall its about a 50% savings on the dining plan and maybe a slight room discount. Having done free dining discount and stay-play-dine, the free dining was the better offer, but I don't believe that has been offered during the times you mention, largely in part because of two holidays (MLK & Presidents Day) and hitting spring break weeks.

Thanks! We're trying to look at all the angles!

[Wall-e]

I was able to find a room on-line yesterday with free dining. I quickly notified Karen at Magical Journey's and she jumped on the phone with Disney to change my reservation but they told her there were no rooms available for my dates. I went back on-line, the room was still available so I booked it myself. Karen canceled my existing reservation and I will transfer the new reservation to her. Clearly Disney is having major computer issues if we can both be looking at the exact same time and getting different answers. I am hoping everything will settle down in a few days.

[biggun35]

Are all the rooms gone now? My brother's trying to book a room in Nov but the website keeps telling him there are no rooms avaiable, he's looked at all the value and moderate resorts.

[garthbarth1]

Was really hoping for a Poly room discount for our stay in September. This will be the first year we have gone without a discount...any chance they will release more room only discounts for this fall?? Maybe I will still get a pin code in the mail?

[Tank3434]

Actually have to say I'm glad our Dec dates aren't included in the promo! Maybe it will cut down on the crowds and people will choose to travel during the offer instead!

[Stu29573]

We just booked our trip through Karen at Magical Journeys! We are staying at the All Star Music From Dec 15 thru 22! Yea!!!!!!

[hauntedmansiongirl]

We have had such a hard time with all of this!! Our CAA travel agent (Canadian AAA) was on hold with Disney from 0700-1530 yesterday, when she finally got to book our rooms. We wanted Coronado, but by the time she got through there was only Caribbean Beach pirate rooms left. At least we got something! We need 3 rooms- 2 adults; 2 adults; and 2 adults & 3 kids (8,6,9 months)- options were very limited for the family with kids!! Last night my brother in law wanted to splurge for a suite, which was available online on my iPad at 2130, but by the time I ran up to my computer at 2132, it was gone. King bed rooms for the 2- 2 adult rooms weren't a problem. I was up all night rechecking- the inventory was changing by the second. It was weird! And Disney won't allow you to book more than one room at a time (unless I'm missing something), so I wouldn't book all of us until we had the family suite booked. I called WDW at 0700 this morning and there was nothing available. I asked the agent if I should keep trying to see if anything opens up and she said no- once rooms are cancelled from a free dining promo they get released back into the regular queue and not back into the free dining room roster. That is very sad to me!!

[garthbarth1]

Actually have to say I'm glad our Dec dates aren't included in the promo! Maybe it will cut down on the crowds and people will choose to travel during the offer instead!

Well if no discount becomes available, this is a good way to look at it

[magicofdisney]

And Disney won't allow you to book more than one room at a time (unless I'm missing something), so I wouldn't book all of us until we had the family suite booked.

I do have two reservations, but they were booked months apart. My first reservation was booked last November as a bounce back offer. Then I was able to get through online yesterday to book a reservation with free dining. Both reservations are in my name for the same travel dates. Like you said, booking two online at the same time doesn't seem possible.

[TheVBs]

I am getting RO as a florida resident...All Star Sports down to $77/night.

Checked again and found it! Now we have to look at which is the better deal, free dining or the room discount. It's looking like we should keep the free dining.

[NJGIRL]

ok...after spending the last two days trying to get through with no luck (calling almost every hour), I was able to get someone at 7 this morning only to find that I could only get the discount if I upgrade my room....even though I already had a standard room reservation. I upgraded to save $85 instead of the $153 I expected.

Then after the call I noticed that the cast member wiped off my magical express reservation. I called back and had to wait 45 more mins to talk to someone again.

This cast member told me she couldn't help me because they where upgrading the system!!!!!!!
Why on earth did they have me wait 45 mins for nothing and why are they upgrading the system after the havoc they have made in the last two days.

[magicofdisney]

This cast member told me she couldn't help me because they where upgrading the system!!!!!!!

Thank goodness they waited for the THE MOST popular discount offering to be made this year when they decided that one...

[WiltonJohn]

Maybe the term "upgrading the system" means "fixing the system that can't handle the overload at the moment".

Which is far more likely than scheduling some sort of system "upgrade" at point where they KNEW they were releasing a promotion.

It is Customer-service-speak for "fixing a screw up".

Come-on.... they are not totally stupid.

best,

.............john

[Cinderelley]

They can spend all that money for the the magic band system, but they can't get a computer system that can handle the customer demand. Way to go Disney!

[disneyjo46]

I also feel like Disney is really gouging us on this! We were not doing park hoppers this trip so now if we want free dining we have to pay for park hoppers! Also All Star Movies(where we are booked) is not included! Why would they include all the other value resorts and not All Star Movies? So Frustrated!!!!

[magicofdisney]

I also feel like Disney is really gouging us on this! We were not doing park hoppers this trip so now if we want free dining we have to pay for park hoppers! Also All Star Movies(where we are booked) is not included! Why would they include all the other value resorts and not All Star Movies? So Frustrated!!!!

In the very beginning of free dining, only a 1-day ticket was required and tips were covered with the dining plan. They took away the tip allowance. Then they changed it to a 2-day ticket. Now it's a 2-day park hopper. Before long, it will be a length of stay ticket, possibly with park hopper requirements as well. In no way are they trying to help any of us out by offering these free-promotions. Right now people can still finagle a deal out of free dining but it won't last.

[NJGIRL]

Come-on.... they are not totally stupid.

Sorry after this week I will have to disagree with you on this statement.

[Cinderelley]

Ok, I know a lot of people are upset about the way free dining was handled this year but try to take a deep breath and remember that Disney doesn't have to offer this. Be thankful that they have offered something and that you are able to go. Many people can't.

[Stu29573]

Ok, I know a lot of people are upset about the way free dining was handled this year but try to take a deep breath and remember that Disney doesn't have to offer this. Be thankful that they have offered something and that you are able to go. Many people can't.

Amen!