***free Dining...bad News!!!***

[Me-A-Mom]

I just called 407WDISNEY and asked about Free Dining for this year. CM said "I'm sorry we will NOT be offering the Free Dining in 2008." Now, she could've just been in a bad mood and wanted to ruin my day also. BUT...This Could be true!!!:eek:

Just a little FYI for Free Dining Watchers.

[lclark0621]

I have called a couple of times for different reasons. When I ask if they have any idea about free dining, I get all sorts of different answers. Some say they will have it, some say they will not be doing free dining.

I have come to realize the CMs on the phones know about as much as we do (sometimes less).

And no one will really know anything about it until Disney releases it or doesn't.

[DeeCeeSW]

I just called 407WDISNEY and asked about Free Dining for this year. CM said "I'm sorry we will NOT be offering the Free Dining in 2008." Now, she could've just been in a bad mood and wanted to ruin my day also. BUT...This Could be true!!!:eek:

Just a little FYI for Free Dining Watchers.

Free dining was offered to me as a bounceback last August to start on August 30, 2008. There WILL be free dining.

[I Run Long]

They were saying exactly the same thing last year but lo and behold on the 12th of April they released free dining and we got it. So, I say keep your fingers crossed for them to do it again this year.

[Me-A-Mom]

Free dining was offered to me as a bounceback last August to start on August 30, 2008. There WILL be free dining.

What does "bounceback" mean? I have heard it said on other boards but don't know what that means.:confused3

[Me-A-Mom]

They were saying exactly the same thing last year but lo and behold on the 12th of April they released free dining and we got it. So, I say keep your fingers crossed for them to do it again this year.


I'm crossing!! :goodvibes :goodvibes

[RMulieri]

I just called 407WDISNEY and asked about Free Dining for this year. CM said "I'm sorry we will NOT be offering the Free Dining in 2008." Now, she could've just been in a bad mood and wanted to ruin my day also. BUT...This Could be true!!!:eek:

Just a little FYI for Free Dining Watchers.

AH, I would just wait and see.2 different CMs said the same thing to me, and then another said it will probably offered to the general public..I guess we need to wait and see,:goodvibes

[christa112]

You probably got a CM in a mood and is probably getting sick of answering that question.

Do you think they get commission on the vacations that they book. I spoke with a CM last night that tried to sell me an 9 day, DDP, with water park tickets in a three bedroom suite for the bargain price of $14,000.00I told her, I think that is little out of our price range. Then I told my husband and was laughing histerically about it.

[G&J's Mom]

What does "bounceback" mean? I have heard it said on other boards but don't know what that means.:confused3

I will use myself as an example. I was at CBR during the first week of October 2007. There was a flier in my room offering Free Dining, if I book a trip, or bounce back for certain dates in 2008. The stipulation is you had to book before you checked out. They had an extension to call from my room and I gladly obliged. Now I believe they are still having bounce back deals offering room discounts.

Now, sadly, although I am still bouncing back in 2008. I am no longer bouncing back with free dining since I found out they switched my DD's Fall break outside the promotion dates. :headache:

Hope that helped!

Denise

[ShellyLynn3630]

I will use myself as an example. I was at CBR during the first week of October 2007. There was a flier in my room offering Free Dining, if I book a trip, or bounce back for certain dates in 2008. The stipulation is you had to book before you checked out. They had an extension to call from my room and I gladly obliged. Now I believe they are still having bounce back deals offering room discounts.

Now, sadly, although I am still bouncing back in 2008. I am no longer bouncing back with free dining since I found out they switched my DD's Fall break outside the promotion dates. :headache:

Hope that helped!

Denise

I am from Georgia too and plan on taking my daughter out of school for a week in September if free dining is offered. I have never done this but I am this year!!!!!

[Timmbco]

They can't offer Free Dining this year because it is not "FREE" anymore.

They could potentially offer.... TIP ONLY DINING or NO APPETIZER/MANDATORY TIP DINING



(Yes, I'm cranky about the changes)

[hifidigital]

Technically, the food would be free... :)

[kathiep]

Not to be a downer but you do have to wonder. If enough people signed up for the bounceback before checking out this year, they might not need to offer it all.

And, I hear about a lot of people pre-booking their trip in the hope it will be offered and planning to call and have it added later. Those reservations can decrease the chance that Disney will think they need the promotion to boost occupancy.

[erikthewise]

They're not having it until they announce having it.
They're not not having it until they announce not having it. ;)

[PrincessSuzanne]

Not to be a downer but you do have to wonder. If enough people signed up for the bounceback before checking out this year, they might not need to offer it all.

And, I hear about a lot of people pre-booking their trip in the hope it will be offered and planning to call and have it added later. Those reservations can decrease the chance that Disney will think they need the promotion to boost occupancy.


I have never heard of that happening. They have done this in past years and it hasn't stopped Disney from doing it, why would it stop them now. Disney will do whatever there little Mouse desires.

Suzanne princess:

[cobbler]

I personally wouldn't take much of what a CM says regarding this very seriously.

MOre times than not, CM's are out of the loop when it comes to discounts. I don't know how many times I have had to tell them that there were AP rates avail, go and check, here is the code, that I could book my dining longer than 180 days out with my MVMCP ticket and so on.

That is my take on it.

[angeleigh]

Last year when I was booking my free dining room I was chatting to the CM and he said that they don't know about discounts ahead of time. He told me that they sometimes don't tell them until the day the discount is released. Another interesting thing that he told me is that they are not allowed to tell people there is a discount. If they call and book the dining plan and don't give the free dining code they can't tell them about it. I thought that that was interesting. Now if you ask if there are any discounts available they can tell you but they can not tell you unless you ask.

[CathrynRose]

What does "bounceback" mean? I have heard it said on other boards but don't know what that means.:confused3

If you booked your next trip, before your current trip was up (in September) they offered a free-dining 'bounce back'.

They already DID offer free dining - Im booked for it.

Ill keep my fingers crossed for the rest of you, however - the lines will be shorter if I dont. :rolleyes1 ;)

[G&J's Mom]

I am from Georgia too and plan on taking my daughter out of school for a week in September if free dining is offered. I have never done this but I am this year!!!!!

Ya know, I have not cancelled yet, because I keep thinking I could do this. But then I think how tough her school district is. They have already threatened me once when my daughter was out of school in kindergarten for 6 days with extremely high fevers and then two days with double ear infections. I had doctors notes for both, it was excused and they "still" hauled me in. I told them next time they called me in, I would be coming with my lawyer. They backed off. So, it would be 5 days of unexcused absences and a slew of nasty letters from the school for the rest of the year. I am just not sure this is something I want to deal with. BUT, alas, I still have not cancelled. :confused: So, never say never, I guess. ;)

Denise

[cdel73]

Last year a women cm said they would not offer free dining. She said that the hotels were at capacity so why would they, but she was 100% wrong. I am not sure whether or not they will have it this year with all the codes and bouncebacks, but I will be waiting and hoping.

[spiceycat]

don't know.

but last year was the first time that Disney offer the bounceback - so that might their solution.

they give something to people who go to Disney alot - free dinning in aug & sept.

and the discount codes to people who don't go to disney alot.

so they might not this year - but Sept is a hard month to book - disney has had hurricanes 2 years in a row. It hasn't been so long that people can forget it yet. So I though that was the reasoning behind the free dinning.

to get guests to WDW despite the chance of a hurricane.

[Hedy]

I'm wondering how the non-Free dining bouncebacks will effect the possibility of free dining. I know my bounceback offer in December included a number of "free dining" esque dates-if enough people booked the room discount, they might not have the availability to encourage them to offer free dining to the public.

[annie1995]

They can't offer Free Dining this year because it is not "FREE" anymore.

They could potentially offer.... TIP ONLY DINING or NO APPETIZER/MANDATORY TIP DINING



(Yes, I'm cranky about the changes)

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth IMO. I really don't understand why all the uproar over it if its free. Big deal if I have to pay a stinking tip:confused3 . Now if I had to pay for dining, then its not such a good deal, but heck the majority of my meal costs are free??!! I'll take it anyday:goodvibes

[PrincessPatty]

I was told last week while adding to our September trip, that they won't be offering free dining due to all the changes to the plan and the fact that they are now using bounceback to bring people back.

I'm kind of glad, as my quiet Septembers have become much more crowded...and not so much like the quiet time of year its supposed to be!!

[annie1995]

I'm kind of glad, as my quiet Septembers have become much more crowded...and not so much like the quiet time of year its supposed to be!!

I agree 100%, but I was sooooo scared to say it for risk of flames :rolleyes1

[aubriee]

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth IMO. I really don't understand why all the uproar over it if its free. Big deal if I have to pay a stinking tip:confused3 . Now if I had to pay for dining, then its not such a good deal, but heck the majority of my meal costs are free??!! I'll take it anyday:goodvibes

I agree it's a good deal and will probably book it again if it's offered (We've had free dining the last three Septembers:cloud9: ). However, as an AP holder we now will have to run the numbers. We would have to give up our AP room discounts, buy a one day MYW ticket we don't need (already have four of these), plus we lose the gratuity and appetizer. The DDE and the AP room discount may be a better deal now.

[dclfun]

They have offered free dining bounceback offers for at least the past two/three years. I know as we've taken advantage of it and have our
bb trip booked for Aug 30-Sept 12, 2008. I also would agree there's a likelihood it will be offered again this year to everyone, just as it has in the past. It's hugely popular and a way for some families to afford a WDW trip who otherwise would not have that option w/in their budget. It's a great way to fill the resorts during a time which is certainly hard to fill due to school, the heat, potential hurricanes, rainy weather potential. We'll all just have to wait and see but last year people were told "no free dining this year" when they called, and lo and behold...it was offered.---Kathy

[PrincessPatty]

They have offered free dining bounceback offers for at least the past two/three years. I know as we've taken advantage of it and have our
bb trip booked for Aug 30-Sept 12, 2008. I also would agree there's a likelihood it will be offered again this year to everyone, just as it has in the past. It's hugely popular and a way for some families to afford a WDW trip who otherwise would not have that option w/in their budget. It's a great way to fill the resorts during a time which is certainly hard to fill due to school, the heat, potential hurricanes, rainy weather potential. We'll all just have to wait and see but last year people were told "no free dining this year" when they called, and lo and behold...it was offered.---Kathy



Hmmm...that's odd, I've been going in September since 2003, and last year was our first year to get the bounceback offer......maybe they "picked and choosed" who got it in years past.....

[bertalander]

We heard in 2006 that bounceback was being offered. But we didn't see the sign in our room... but we never check up further as we weren't planning on a 2007. Then the code came out and I was sad!

[Luv2Roam]

Some day free dining is bound to come to an end. But I am sure it will be replaced by something just as equitable.

[kimsuenew]

:thumbsup2 Free dining is a wonderful perk, that's for sure! :thumbsup2

We were lucky enough to get bounce back free dining for 2008! We are staying at Pop. :goodvibes

I am hoping it is offered to all, as my youngest sis and her family will come down as well if it is (my little neices have never been, ages 4 & 8)! :lovestruc

The UK was offered free dining 2008 (booked this fall), however, they had to book moderate and up. It certainly makes me wonder if (with the exception of bounce-back people already booked in a Value) they will require Moderate and up, if offered to everyone?! :confused3

If that is the case, that may be the difference between my sis, BIL, and neices going... and extra $60. or so per night would be a challenge for them to come up with. :sad2:

Well... lets all just hope it IS offered, and with exception of the well known DDP changes that have occurred, that nothing else changes, and it stays as it has historically been! :cutie:

[Jakesmom504]

Ya know, I have not cancelled yet, because I keep thinking I could do this. But then I think how tough her school district is. They have already threatened me once when my daughter was out of school in kindergarten for 6 days with extremely high fevers and then two days with double ear infections. I had doctors notes for both, it was excused and they "still" hauled me in. I told them next time they called me in, I would be coming with my lawyer. They backed off. So, it would be 5 days of unexcused absences and a slew of nasty letters from the school for the rest of the year. I am just not sure this is something I want to deal with. BUT, alas, I still have not cancelled. :confused: So, never say never, I guess. ;)

Denise

:eek: :eek: :eek:
That is outrageous! I would've been fuming...especially if she was sick and hello, I know how important school is, trust me, but kindergarten??? That makes me mad just thinking about it!

[PrincessTiffany]

I just called 407WDISNEY and asked about Free Dining for this year. CM said "I'm sorry we will NOT be offering the Free Dining in 2008." Now, she could've just been in a bad mood and wanted to ruin my day also. BUT...This Could be true!!!:eek:

Just a little FYI for Free Dining Watchers.
I wouldn't believe that CM. Free Dining has been a brilliant plan on the part of Disney to fill the parks with crowds during what was previously their slowest season, and hurrican season to boot. And then having the bounceback for free food while the free diners are there in the parks, on their Disney high, well I would call that pure marketing genius. We love Disney. Yes we think it is the happiest place on earth. But, first and foremost, Disney is a very large corporation and they will always do what is best for their bottom line and free dining has been very good for Disney's bottom line. The crowds have grown and grown over the last few years and the free dining secret is out. I don't see Disney ending free dining anywhere in the near future.

[ShhhQ]

They can't offer Free Dining this year because it is not "FREE" anymore.

They could potentially offer.... TIP ONLY DINING or NO APPETIZER/MANDATORY TIP DINING



(Yes, I'm cranky about the changes)

Couldn't tell! lol

[ShhhQ]

Hmmm...that's odd, I've been going in September since 2003, and last year was our first year to get the bounceback offer......maybe they "picked and choosed" who got it in years past.....

We were there the last week of Aug. last year and never heard a hint of a bounce-back offer... however, when we got back home I got on the DIS and other people who had just got back as well were offered it! So maybe it is hit or miss!

[keishashadow]

Not to be a downer but you do have to wonder. If enough people signed up for the bounceback before checking out this year, they might not need to offer it all.

And, I hear about a lot of people pre-booking their trip in the hope it will be offered and planning to call and have it added later. Those reservations can decrease the chance that Disney will think they need the promotion to boost occupancy.

exactly, if the rooms are filled to a certain % they have no reason to offer it to the public.

it's a relatively new program anyway:confused3 ; certainly not a tradition - more of a special incentive to fill the rooms after the last devasting storm rolled thru and the public was gunshy as to booking.

One thing about Disney, they like to tinker;) ; always something new offered ala the next best thing.

[Capt'n Tom]

This is nice discount plan - that attracts visitors in slower periods and also keeps their restaurants busy. It is one of the more popular discount programs they have offered and is getting more popular every year (we have gone 3 straight September's). I would expect some modification this year with the changes in the Dining plans (Free basic and a reduced Deluxe?). We are waiting until April to make reservations - but plan on being there.

[CarolA]

[QUOTE=kimsuenew;23064172The UK was offered free dining 2008 (booked this fall), however, they had to book moderate and up. It certainly makes me wonder if (with the exception of bounce-back people already booked in a Value) they will require Moderate and up, if offered to everyone?! :confused3

[/QUOTE]

I think this is a real possiblity. Remember last year the UK bookers were the frist ones with info on the DDP changes and in spite of the outcry on these boards that "it's only UK and it won't happen here" the plan out now is the EXACT same plan they gave the UK bookers.

Travel from the UK tends to be booked through a couple of large agencies and in advance so I think Disney does sometimes give them stuff ahead of US residents getting the notices!

[iloveeeyore]

But, first and foremost, Disney is a very large corporation and they will always do what is best for their bottom line and free dining has been very good for Disney's bottom line. The crowds have grown and grown over the last few years and the free dining secret is out. I don't see Disney ending free dining anywhere in the near future.

I agree! The free dining has turned out to be a brilliant marketing strategy for Disney, because it actually SELLS the DDP. We got it for free last trip and we are buying it this time, because we realize what a "good deal" it is for our family. I think in the long run, Disney makes money on the DDP because the general public ( not Dis-ers) doesn't use it very wisely, and also the perception of getting something cheap enables people to spend their money in other ways, whether on merchandise, or a longer trip, or a resort upgrade...plus the dining plan keeps people on property and away from other competing theme parks in the area. I believe they'll offer it again in the slow months.

[jobie61]

I was talking to a CM when booking with my 40% code, and asked her about the free dining plan in August. She said that something was in the works again, but she would give me anymore details.

Said the offer would likely go public in April.

CM's will discourage the free dining in order to get you to book your vacation with them instead of waiting for the free dining offer.

[bertalander]

Thanks for the good news, John! Love it!!! :goodvibes

[jenseib]

Why are you guys even asking now anyways? You know they aren't allowed to tell you.

On another thread, someone said their cousin is a CM and said it was coming out in April. But again, who knows if that is true. I really want to go, but my DH wants to wait a few years before we go again. I think doing free dining would be wonderful too, but by the time we go, with my luck, it will no longer be offered.

[ShhhQ]

We are gonna go with or without the free dining, but the free dining would help us to have more spending money while we are there!!!!

[kimsuenew]

We are gonna go with or without the free dining, but the free dining would help us to have more spending money while we are there!!!!

:thumbsup2 Absolutely!

[mom2mykids]

We were there the last week of Aug. last year and never heard a hint of a bounce-back offer... however, when we got back home I got on the DIS and other people who had just got back as well were offered it! So maybe it is hit or miss!

We went the middle of September and there was a flyer on the table of our room, when we checked in, offering the free dining if we re-booked before we left. Alas, we were unable to do that. Just couldn't have the kids miss a week of school again....especially since one of them would be starting middle school.

[tflood]

We are gonna go with or without the free dining, but the free dining would help us to have more spending money while we are there!!!!

My thoughts exactly :banana:

[sammi6]

Ya know, I have not cancelled yet, because I keep thinking I could do this. But then I think how tough her school district is. They have already threatened me once when my daughter was out of school in kindergarten for 6 days with extremely high fevers and then two days with double ear infections. I had doctors notes for both, it was excused and they "still" hauled me in. I told them next time they called me in, I would be coming with my lawyer. They backed off. So, it would be 5 days of unexcused absences and a slew of nasty letters from the school for the rest of the year. I am just not sure this is something I want to deal with. BUT, alas, I still have not cancelled. :confused: So, never say never, I guess. ;)

Denise


Here, family vacation is an excused absence, thankfully, since September is when we like to vacation. I know that as my kids get older though, I won't be able to continue to do that, being that the work will get much harder to do at home. I can't believe they called you in when your child was only in kindergarten plus you had doctor's notes, that is just ridiculous!:scared1:

[Goofy22]

Wow! Maybe I'll change my vaca from july to august to get the free dining if they offer it! I will have my eyes open in april! That would save me apprx $1000 or so! Good deal! This is a trip for my DD's 8th grade grad and if we switch to august and they have free dining this means she would be able to take a friend! that would be awesome! As it is we are going the end of July so it's close enough!

[kimsuenew]

Wow! Maybe I'll change my vaca from july to august to get the free dining if they offer it! I will have my eyes open in april! That would save me apprx $1000 or so! Good deal! This is a trip for my DD's 8th grade grad and if we switch to august and they have free dining this means she would be able to take a friend! that would be awesome! As it is we are going the end of July so it's close enough!

Just a "heads up"... for those of us there on free dining in 2007, our bounceback offer (the date range we had to choose from for 2008) was August 30, 2008 through September 27, 2008 (to get free dining).

I would imagine that if it is offered to all again this spring, those dates will be the same.

Only the UK gets earlier August (I think the first year the US was offered it, it was mid August as well). And the UK had to stay moderates and up for 2008, no value resorts!

Free dining for the US in 2007 started on August 26th, bounceback free dining 2008 begins August 30, the date range just seems to be dwindling!

I hope it is offered to all... here is a sprinkle of pixie dust! :wizard:

[esdras]

I would imagine that if it is offered to all again this spring, those dates will be the same.

Only the UK gets earlier August (I think the first year the US was offered it, it was mid August as well). And the UK had to stay moderates and up for 2008, no value resorts!

Free dining for the US in 2007 started on August 26th, bounceback free dining 2008 begins August 30, the date range just seems to be dwindling!

Not necessarily. The dates have only been dwindling on certain offers, but not all. Here are the Free Dining dates:

2005: Free Dining (North America) Aug. 21 to Oct. 4 (45 Days)

2006: Free Dining (North America) Aug. 13 to Sep. 30 (49 Days)
2006: Free Dining (North America Round 2) Aug. 20 to Sep. 30 (42 Days)

2007: Free Dining (Bounceback) Aug. 5 to Sep. 29 (56 Days)
2007: Free Dining (U.K.) Aug. 12 to Sep. 29 (49 Days)
2007: Free Dining (North America) Aug. 26 to Sep. 22 (28 Days)

2008: Free Dining (U.K.) Aug. 10 to Sep. 27 (49 Days)
2008: Free Dining (Bounceback) Aug. 30 to Sep. 27 (29 Days)
2008: Free Dining (North America) ???

So, looking at these I haven't got a clue :confused3 as to what the dates might be if Free Dining is offered to the general public.

Since the general public got the shortest window in '07, will the '08 bounceback be the short one with general public getting in the 40-50 day range?

Will it be identical to the bounceback? It hasn't been before.

Will it be a staggered start date, with identical end dates? That could have it start on either the 16th or 23rd of August.

In '07, it ended before the U.K. and Bounceback - which could mean starting on the 23rd this year (the closest equivalent date to last year's 26th) and ending around September 20.

Only two out of eight Free Dining offers have lasted less than 30 days - so trying to figure out exactly when (if it happens) the general public dates will fall is likely impossible.

It might very well be a very short window, but I think there's enough history that we can at least hope for an offer with a longer time-frame. :goodvibes

And, of course, this all depends on what the demand has been for Free Dining from the Bouncebackers and Brits... as if Disney will give us those numbers. :mad:

[BabyPiglet]

They said that last year. And the year before that. And the year before that.

I actually had a CM tell me they was a 99.9% chance they were going to offer it, and to look out for April.

CM's don't know much more than us, take everything they say with a whole shaker of salt.

They will most likely offer it. And if they don't I'm sure it will be replaced with something equally as great.

[esdras]

They will most likely offer it. And if they don't I'm sure it will be replaced with something equally as great.

Exactly. This is HURRICANE season. Free Dining has been great for getting attendance up over the last few years, but to depend on only the U.K. and Bounceback to keep the numbers up isn't likely. There will be SOME sort of General Public discount for that time period. Historically, (thanks again to mousesavers chart, this is what has been offered...

2004:
8/1/04-8/28/04 "available to anyone" room-only code offered 6/27/04, exp 7/31/04
8/1/04-8/28/04 package discounts for general public offered 6/27/04, exp 7/31/04
8/29/04-9/29/04 "available to anyone" room-only code offered 7/19/04, exp 8/28/04
8/29/04-9/29/04 package discounts for general public offered 7/19/04, exp 8/28/04

2005:
8/21/05-10/4/05 package discounts for general public ("free dining") offered 6/2/05, exp 7/3/05 and offered 7/21/05, exp 8/20/05

2006:
8/13/06-9/30/06 package discounts for general public ("free dining") offered 4/4/06, exp 6/4/06
8/19/06-9/30/06 "available to anyone" room-only code offered 7/10/06, exp 8/18/06
8/19/06-9/30/06 package discounts for general public offered 7/10/06, exp 8/18/06
8/20/06-9/30/06 package discounts for general public ("free dining") offered 6/2/06, exp 6/25/06

2007:
7/29/07-9/29/07 room-only discount for general public offered 6/28/07, exp 7/28/07
7/29/07-9/29/07 package discounts for general public offered 6/28/07, exp 7/28/07
8/26/07-9/22/07 package discounts ("free dining") for general public offered 4/12/07, exp 6/24/07

There will be either Free Dining, room-only or some sort of package promotion for the general public over the August-September time frame. Whether the Package or room-rates would be as good a discount as Free Dining depends on so many factors - the discount, length of stay, size of family visiting, resort level, etc.

I'm fully expecting a discount greater than the 20% off accomodations I currently have on my package - my only concern is that I want the release date of all the promotions for that time frame to come out before the first week of July - allowing me to tweak (if necessary) our ressie BEFORE making the final payment.

[DISNEYDUET]

A coworker just booked her trip for Aug 23-29 and her Travel Agent got her free dining. Just a heads up!

[DeeCeeSW]

A coworker just booked her trip for Aug 23-29 and her Travel Agent got her free dining. Just a heads up!

How interesting. Why would they offer your coworker those dates but offer a bounceback to me last August for this August with free dining starting on August 30th? Reading the post above, tho, shows me that a variety of dates are released each year. I did not know this. If your coworker has managed to snag free dining for dates before 8/30 then maybe there is hope for those of us who did not book.

Still, I have a 40% off room-only code. I wonder if I make out better keeping that instead of switching to free dining (if offered).
And even tho it would be "free," wouldn't we have to tip for all of our TS meals bc of the changes to the dining plan?

[DISNEYDUET]

How interesting. Why would they offer your coworker those dates but offer a bounceback to me last August for this August with free dining starting on August 30th? Something doesn't sound right. Are you sure it's free dining? If your coworker has managed to snag free dining for dates before 8/30 then maybe there is hope for those of us who did not book.

Still, I have a 40% off room-only code. I wonder if I make out better keeping that instead of switching to free dining (if offered).

:confused3 She was told it was free dining. I don't keep up with any of it anymore since we are DVC members. This will be their first trip so I can't pick her brain but so much since she has no idea what I am talking about half the time.

[jenseib]

I doubt very much she got free dining. Alot of TA's sell free dining by saying stuff like "it's like eating for free once you get there" Because you have paid for it up front and won't have to pay out of pocket. Or the TA quoted her a price saying that the dining was included and your coworker could've thought the dining was free. When I researched my trip last year, I talked to several different TA's and they all had lines like that. And some really didn't know alot and acted like the dining would be free, but it really isn't. One even told me that you got a days dining with every day of ticket you purchased. Which is not true. It's per night you stay and has nothing to do with the tickets you purchase.

[mpls_mm]

I am glad you said that, i was ready to start cold colling TA's.:rotfl2:

[Goofy22]

That would be awesome since her dates are exactly a month later than mine I could do that! I hope she is right and it is free dining I know ill be there then!