Another Dining Plan Question...

[Highland_Holly]

My sister just booked for Aug 24-31 with free dining ( the first days ). She really wanted to fly in on Saturday the 23rd and asked about booking a seperate 1 day reservation (obviously without free dining) and the CM told her she can't do that... she can't even be "on the property" on Saturday if she want the free dining package starting Sunday. Is it just me, or is that the dumbest thing ever? Is there a way around this? If she does come in on Saturday, she will have to stay off-property AND pay for transportation from the airport AND figure out a way to move from the non-Disney hotel to the property hotel. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Holly

 

[Princess Clayre]

Sorry I don't know the correct answer but this seems crazy if she can't. Is it just that they don't do a 1 night package? I don't see how they can stop her booking a 1 night room only :shrug:

 

[Mystic]

The CM may have been trying to book a one night package which I don't think is possible. Your sister should call Central Reservations and book a one night room only reservation for the Saturday. She may not get the same room for both reservations and she may have check back in for the start of her package.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

All she has to do is book a one nights stay at any of the resorts. I have done this before for the same reason. Trust me...Disney will not turn her or her money away. When she calls she doesn't even have to mention her other reservation and she can even stay at a cheaper resort.

 

[Highland_Holly]

Thank you! I'll tell her. I knew that didn't sound right!

 

[J_Krafty24]

My parents and grandparents did that exact same thing last year. They were arriving late the night before free dining started. They scheduled a 1 night room only reservation and then a 9 night package. When they got to the resort the CM at the check in desk was even able to set it up so that they didn't need to change rooms. They just needed to go to the desk again the next morning and check out/check in.

 

[Master Yoda]

I think the CM is mistaken unless there has been a radical change in Disney's booking policy in regards to promotion eligibility. Had there been such a change I am pretty sure JPVondrake would have let us know about it. I have personally done multiple reservations in order to be eligible for certain promotions and have had zero issues with it.

 

[OneLuckyMom]

No, that is not the case. I currently have a room-only reservation for Aug 22nd-24th, and a free dining reservation for Aug 24th-30th, both at ASMusic. I did it that way last year too at Pop - in fact, in that case I ended up with a chain of 3 reservations (room only-free dining-room only) due to a wierd situation. Just tell your sister to call back and get a different CM. Doing this does require you to have 2 completely different reservations, so you have to check out/re-check in the day you change from one reservation to another. And you cannot use your park tickets that are on the free dining reservation before the day that reservation starts (i.e. you cannot add extra days to your free dining package tickets, and expect to use them for the days when you are on your lead in room-only reservation). I guess it also means you could risk having to change rooms, although I have been told that the resorts will always keep you in the same room in this case (and that has been my experience).

 

[JPVonDrake]

To confirm...

First let me apologize for the incorrect information and poor guest service you received from my fellow Cast Member at DRC. I do believe the Cast Member was simply confused as how to properly book what your sister wanted.

YES, you most certainly can make a separate 1 night stay at any Disney Resort of your choice based on availability.

To take advantage of the Disney VISA Free Dine offer, the package arrival date must begin between 8/24/08 and 9/20/08 and be booked for at least 3 nights and up to 14 nights. You will not have access to your MYW Theme Park Ticket or your dine entitlements until your scheduled date of check-in (8/24/08 in your case) on that package.

If you need a park ticket on 8/23, your sister could book a one night package with a 1 day MYW Ticket, otherwise she simply could book a one night room-only reservation and spend the day at Downtown Disney or just enjoying the hotel amenities. Either way, if she is staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort she can book a one way transfer from the Airport to her Disney Resort on 8/23. She then would add a separate one way transfer back to the airport on her Free Dine package reservation.

If you book at the same resort, ask us to note that you have a continuing reservation and although it cannot be guaranteed, the resort will do everything possible to keep you in the same room. If you book at any other Disney Resort, Bell Services will happily move your luggage from one Resort hotel to the other free of charge.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please feel free to post or PM me.

 

[wannabeBelle]

For the best information always, we all turn to JP VonDrake!!!! Belle