DO YOU HAVE A FREE DINING PIN CODE? ARE YOU SURE?
Disney World released its free dining offer today, with many excluded resorts and dates.
But also today Disney has been emailing lotsa people with “pin codes” for free dining as well. These are for a wider set of dates and more resorts than the offer available to the general public, including Port Orleans Riverside. And they will come out in waves…
From the offers I’ve seen so far, the eligible arrival dates are:
- 8/25 – 10/3/14
- 10/19 – 11/1/14
- 11/9 – 11/22/14
- 12/12 – 12/23/14
…more than what’s in the general public deal, especially in later October.
Moreover, more resorts are in this deal than the general public deal, including Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter. The image at the top of the page is an email confirming free dining at a date before the general public offer is available, and at a resort that the general public deal does not allow.
This pin codes come by mail and email, and lots of you have asked how to get one of these pin codes emailed to them and my answer has been consistently that I have no idea.*
So call Disney and ask. If a pin code is attached to your account, they will tell you; and if not, call again in a week or so, as these codes are released in waves!
*Oh, I have lots of ideas, but none I have any confidence in…
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I have already booked our stay and flight for December (booked everything myself). Is there any way I can still get the free dining plan?
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Tabitha, if your booking is all direct with Disney, it’s easy–just call Disney to try to change (some rooms/resorts may be sold out). If you did it through another–e.g. Southwest, Expedia, or such, it’s a lot harder. You can only get free dining by reserving directly with Disney (or via a travel agent who in turn deals directly with Disney), so you’d need to find out the cancellation policies on your current booking, Then if they are OK, book free dining, and then cancel the old bookings if you are successful.
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Thanks, Dave. In your opinion, would it be worth giving up the second bath and the added space at AoA for a room with bunk beds at the Wilderness Lodge?
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Michelle, WL is a great resort, but the rooms are very small, holding only four, and the bunks aren’t that big. See this for photos, dimensions, etc: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2014/01/07/review-disneys-wilderness-lodge-2/ Multi-generational families used to thier own space often do better in divided spaces like you’ll find at the Family Suites…
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Hi Dave,
Thanks for all your info and advice. It really is tremendously helpful. I’m taking my son to WDW in October. He’ll be almost 4. My parents are coming with us as well. We’re currently booked at AoA in a Cars suite. I know my son will love the room and the layout, especially the 2 baths, works very well for our group. I’m wondering, though, whether there are other hotels I should consider. I’m fortunate to have received a pin code for free dining, but I don’t know whether it makes sense, and is cost effective, to upgrade to a different hotel and take advantage of the free regular dining plan, instead of the quick service. From what I’ve seen on your site, I’m inclined to stay put, but are there other hotels that could be worth considering for our multi-generational family?
Thanks again,
Michelle
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Michelle, this is a tough one. I suspect you’re in the best spot, but see this for a comparison of some direct alternatives https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/09/05/review-the-family-suites-disneys-all-star-music-resort/ and this for an even broader set: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/12/15/lower-priced-options-for-large-families-at-walt-disney-world/
Note that you can upgrade to the regular dining plan by paying the price difference. So the right price comparison is the cars room plus this upgrade cost vs the cost of the next best alternative…
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I received one of these email codes. My question is can it be used for more than 5 nights/6 days? We are planning a 7-8 night/8 day trip from September 9-17. We want to stay at the Port Orleans which isn’t available for the free dining with the general public offer.
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Kathy, yes, it can be used for between 3 and 14 nights.
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Hi Dave,
I am becoming nervous that my week will be black out for all discounts. This is our 1st trip to Disney and yes, I am from Jersey. So, we arrive on November 2nd – November 7th. Are there EVER discounts during that week? We are staying at the Riverside. I was very excited about the trip but now I am wondering how to break this to my husband…. 🙂 Any hope that you could provide would be wonderful!!!!
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Daniela, there’s a good chance of room-only discounts that week! No guarantees, though…
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