Free Dining during Value Seaon- in August 2007 [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

djm99

12-06-2006, 09:52 AM

With value season starting early this year (August 5) - I just can't resist the price. The price at a Value Resort is only $82 a night - 20% AAA - that's only $65.50 a night - can't beat that with all the sticks in the world. Anyway, I would purchase my own tickets – one at a time. I would save a couple hundred this way -but over the last couple of years, Disney only discounts packages - not rooms. I guess I'm asking, what’s the probability of Disney offering FREE Dining in August. I would really hate to "save" a few dollars only to really miss out on the FREE Dining. They are already offering this deal if you take a trip to disney and book before you check out. :hourglass

bicker

12-07-2006, 04:46 AM

It is very likely that they will offer free dining again, as they've already offered it to UK residents and to folks who are staying in Disney resorts this month (for a return visit during Hurricane season). And it will almost surely be MYW packages, possibly with minimum stay requirements and surely with admission purchase requirement (perhaps as much as five days for each, and you will likely be forced to purchase admission even if you already have admission, so if you're planning on looking into free dining, don't buy your admission this far in advance). You also indeed may lose your discount if you switch to free dining once it is offered to the general public (assuming it is).

I don't remember the actual dates it is being offered for, but I don't remember the promotion being offered to UK residents or current guests for return visits for so early in August. It does not necessarily follow the value season dates.

deltachi8

12-07-2006, 10:48 AM

The offer for current guests (Dec) to book a return does start Aug 5th - I am sure that was the date they gave me on the phone when I booked. I may be off a day or two, as I was looking at late August.

As this is a package you do have to book park tickets. I booked eight nights for Aug 07 with dining but oly purchased one day tickets (have an AP) and this was allowed. The rules can change at anytime though.

Also, the minimum I was quoted was a 5 night stay.

djm99

12-07-2006, 12:00 PM

August 5th is correct. In 2007 the Value Season begins August 5 - This is the first time I've ever heard of Value Season starting so early in August. Disney did ADD a Summer Rate - which is $9 more a night at the Value Resort (during June & July) - then previous years. I figure that even if I don't get free dining - its likely I'll at least get free hopping and/or water parks. I booked a base package - so I'm waiting til around May - and start my discount code hunt. If nothing - then I've "lost only about $155. That's pretty much the difference in booking with a AAA rate and buying tickets from discount online places.

As this is a package you do have to book park tickets. I booked eight nights for Aug 07 with dining but oly purchased one day tickets (have an AP) and this was allowed. The rules can change at anytime though.

Did you call to do this - or did you do this online - good thinking. You opened yourself up to AP rates too!!! Smart :teacher:

deltachi8

12-07-2006, 12:14 PM

Did you call to do this - or did you do this online - good thinking. You opened yourself up to AP rates too!!! Smart :teacher:

I was staying at ASMu and knew about the offer (from here) for surrent resort guest. The hotel staff could not helped me and directed me to CRO who connected me to someone who could book me.

ExPirateShopGirl

12-10-2006, 12:03 PM

djm99

12-10-2006, 12:14 PM

Can any current resort guest book a package for value season with free dining? If I need to go stay a night in order to do this... I could... conceivably... The things we do for Disney Vacations... :rotfl2:

You know they are already offering FREE tickets during January/Feb. and last August/Sept. they did offer FREE dining. I am hoping for this next year. If not I'm just going to book a 3 night dining package upgrade my tickets and stay 4 additional nights using AAA - I would have 4 days of dining so - that is pretty good. I think anyway. - What if I do this and FREE dining is offered. Will disney refund monies or can I get Disney dollars for the difference?

bicker

12-10-2006, 01:10 PM

If you make a reservation and pay for the Dining Plan, and then Disney offers the free dining promotion for those dates, and you call into to switch to the MYW package with free dining while it is still available at the resort of your choice, then you'll get the different back somehow -- either it will be applied to any remaining balance, or you'll get credited some other way. Note, though, that part of making that switch might include an increase to your room rate, and application of an admission purchase requirement, even if you already have admission tickets. You will have to make your changes through whomever you made your original arrangements through (Disney or AAA), and will be subject to limited availability that may apply to your travel agent's allocation.

ExPirateShopGirl

12-10-2006, 05:59 PM

mousehouselover

12-10-2006, 06:11 PM

Again... my question. If I stayed one night at any WDW resort right now, I can book a free dining package for next September... is that correct? Until when (the date) is this offer good?

Anyone? Bueller?

From what I've read, if you are a current guest, you can book a return visit for Aug/Sept through 12/31/06. I've seen other treads on this topic before, I know if you do a search, you'll find lots of info.

bonzarella

12-10-2006, 06:19 PM

Can any current resort guest book a package for value season with free dining? If I need to go stay a night in order to do this... I could... conceivably... The things we do for Disney Vacations... :rotfl2:
Yes, as long as you are a resort guest you can book the package. Avail dates run from 8/5/2007 thru 9/29/2007. I think there is a 10 night max, that is what I booked for. Could be wrong but I've read that. Might be worth it to take that flight. Our TA said she had a customer doing just that! :wizard:

oogieboogie

12-10-2006, 06:36 PM

The test is currently running at POR and Beach Club resorts. You have to stay at least one night by Dec 31, and book and pay the deposit by 12/31 in order to get the promotion.

The promotion is for the package + free dining from August 05-Sep 29 2007. We booked ours yesterday - 9 nights at ASMo, 4 1-day tickets = $1,100.54. At POR, the desk for the next vacation reservation was at the Disney Cruise Line desk, open from 1pm to 10pm.

In talking to the reservations specialist while booking our trip, Disney is running this test to gauge interest. If it's successful, then this will be the only way Disney will promote the free dining plan. It probably won't be offered to the general public anymore. So, naturally I asked her how the test program was doing - she said it was doing really great. She even had someone book 2 packages during the time frame because it's such a good deal.

kaytieeldr

12-10-2006, 06:50 PM

I figure that even if I don't get free dining - its likely I'll at least get free hopping and/or water parks. I disagree. Disney generally does not offer multiple package discounts during a given period, and so far they haven't ever offered the the free ticket upgrade in August/September.

Did you call to do this - or did you do this online - good thinking. You opened yourself up to AP rates too!!! Smart The poster you're addressing would have HAD to book next year's special either from the room phone or in person WHILE at Walt Disney World during the current booking timeframe. In addition, no, she/he is NOT eligible to combine AP rates with this (or any) package.

Can any current resort guest book a package for value season with free dining? If I need to go stay a night in order to do this... I could... conceivably... The things we do for Disney Vacations... Absolutely! You don't need to be staying at one of the resorts with either the booking desk or the in-room advertising to do it. You could just spend a single night in a Value resort and call from your room...

fantpan

12-10-2006, 07:29 PM

Just wondering, has anything ever been offered for April (after Easter)?

ExPirateShopGirl

12-10-2006, 08:11 PM

Absolutely! You don't need to be staying at one of the resorts with either the booking desk or the in-room advertising to do it. You could just spend a single night in a Value resort and call from your room...

Wonderful! I will have to fly stand-by, but all it will cost me is a night's stay at a value, if one is available! Chances are I won't even get to spend the night, but I can make my reservations right after I check in then head back to the airport to beg myself home!

:sunny:

kaytieeldr

12-10-2006, 08:17 PM

ExPirateShopGirl

12-10-2006, 08:34 PM

Well, yeah - IF you can keep yourself from doing at least something Disney... remember to call CRO, or visit the Yacht/Beach Club or the Moderate resort with a booking counter... don't take no for an answer :)

Now that I've had a moment to think about this... I don't want to be TOO hasty. I should probably go have dinner at Boma to make sure it's still up to par... ;)

GrandmaDisney

12-10-2006, 10:54 PM

ExPirate, the desk is open from 1-10 at least when I was there it was those hours. The CM I spoke to said the program was doing really wel, so my guess is no free dine in April, so we booked ours now. The CM was there on Wednesday, but she was also there on Thursday. I think (not sure) that she said she was there later hours on Thursday. Thet use the Cruise desk at POR-Riverside. It's very worth it. You save 60 percent orso on yur meals.

GrandmaDisney

12-10-2006, 10:55 PM

Girls, the desk is not at just any resort. Mind you, it's just at POR-Riverside.

Goofy4Disney!

01-11-2007, 03:03 PM

I'm so disappointed in myself! I was just at Disney December 10th to the 14th. And my plans are to go again in August. But I didn't take advantage of the "free dining if you booked before you left in December". Now I have to wait and hope they offer it sometime between now and August! Does anyone know if I can call to see if because I WAS there in December, if I can still book a plan with free dining for August? Doubt it.

letsgoagainsoon

01-11-2007, 03:43 PM

aubriee

01-12-2007, 01:29 AM

Not sure, but I thought I read you had to book within the first 24 hours of being home...it can't hurt to call though...

I was told by 10:00pm of check out day.

mom2my3kids

01-12-2007, 02:58 PM

I went ahead and booked my package, if no free dining I will cancel the package. Book the room with a AAA discount and buy park tickets through undercover tourist. I won't pay for the dining plan and only do a few Table Service Meals.

Hollybh

03-18-2007, 08:56 AM

I have a question about an already booked package. I already purchased a MYW package for August WITH the DDP and 5 day base tickets. If they do offer free dining, will I be required to purchase more tickets? Someone said you may have to purchase them again. Were you meaning, there is a minimal number you have to purchase? Should I cancel all my tickets or will that just carry over? I dont want to lose any money by taking advantage of free dining.

Just a note: Every time I call the resort, the CM says that the resorts are filling up fast. This makes me believe they may not offer the free promo. MY vacation is 5 months away and I cant get the room I requested due to the hotel filling up. :confused3

bicker

03-18-2007, 12:05 PM

If your package includes admission, you won't have to purchase more admission.

Hollybh

03-19-2007, 08:13 AM

I just got off the phone with CM. Free dining sounds favorable.

theprincess

03-19-2007, 08:03 PM

Sounds favorable for late August so that won't help me

bicker

03-20-2007, 05:30 AM

http://m8ball.nicksoft.info/en/ball_07.gif

#1Disfann

03-20-2007, 07:08 AM

http://m8ball.nicksoft.info/en/ball_07.gif

It's the first time I've seen someone answer with the all-seeing Magic 8 Ball! Now could you arrange an "It is certain" answer to the question "Will free dining start on a date that would include 8/21?";)

bicker

03-20-2007, 08:24 AM

I'll shake it up and see what the next answer is... :)

Cookie Princess

03-21-2007, 05:50 PM

It's the first time I've seen someone answer with the all-seeing Magic 8 Ball! Now could you arrange an "It is certain" answer to the question "Will free dining start on a date that would include 8/21?";)

I agree! Bicker, get shaking that thing!

Although I am hopeful, with all the rumors, an earlier date is starting to seem doubtful. :sad2: