Mother, Son, Giraffe, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom, Savannah
  • On Jul 18, 2012
    Daphne from MS Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi Jill, thanks for answering my question. It will save us money if we book a day early and receive the free dining plan. Will it be a problem to check in a day later than our reservation begins? Resv is 11/29 but we don't fly in until 11/30.

    Welcome back to the Moms Panel Daphne,

    Thanks for your patience as I researched a response to your question.  I called Disney resorts and the Walt Disney Travel Company.  I'm afraid that qualifying for that free dining promotion may be more complicated than you originally thought.  The Cast Members to whom I spoke said that guests who do not check in on the stated start date of their vacation run the risk of having their entire reservation cancelled.  They assured me that they would work closely with guests who arrive late due to cancelled flights and other circumstances outside the guest's control.  However, booking a day early to qualify for a free dining promotion would not fall under that same category.  Therefore, I would not advise you to change your reservation unless you can foresee arriving on November 29th.

    It might be worthwhile to check with your airline to see if they allow any flexibility in your date of departure.  It also wouldn't hurt to call the agent through whom you originally booked your vacation to see if they could offer any other solutions.  Otherwise, it doesn't look like free dining will be in the cards for your family on your upcoming trip.  I wish I had more encouraging news. 

    Don't be dispirited!  You'll have a fabulous vacation this November whether the free dining promotion works out or not.  In all my years of traveling to Walt Disney World, I haven't qualified for free dining once, but I'm hopeful that someday the stars will align properly and I'll get to take advantage of a free dining promotion.  I hope you will be able to also.

    Best wishes and thanks again for the question!
    Jill
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Meet the Panelist: Jill, New Jersey

Lesson plans, college plans, vacation plans...as a teacher, college counselor, and incurable Disney fan I find myself constantly planning.  I love to share advice with friends who have yet to experience all that Walt Disney World has to offer! Learn More About Jill

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