Can someone tell me what is free dining?

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

and when is it offered. DH and I will be taking our DGS baxk to the world in September. I have heard tthe term free dining here and there on the boards but haven't a clue what it is? I don't even know if it would applied for our visit? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you :banana:

[RMulieri]

free dining ,is the basic dining plan for free when you booka full priced non-discounted resort with package including at least a one day park ticket per person.Every one in your group must be on the same pkg and no other discounts can apply.It is generally announced in early April for bookings of trips during the month of late August thru Late Sept. So around March or so you will begin to hear the buzz here.

[happymommy]

Check these boards frequently. That is the only way that I found out about the Disney Visa free dining package that we have booked for our arrival next week. We actually got 30% off our room at AKL plus the dining for our family for free! The rack rate for our entire package was $2800 plus, we're paying $1500.

If you apply and get the Disney Visa there is no annual fee, and they seem to offer the promotions to the Visa holders more, or prior to the general public. If you are comfortable with getting an additional credit card, I highly recommend it. They also gave me a $40 credit for my first use (the package!).

[PrincessTiffany]

and when is it offered. DH and I will be taking our DGS baxk to the world in September. I have heard tthe term free dining here and there on the boards but haven't a clue what it is? I don't even know if it would applied for our visit? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you :banana:
Since 2005, Disney has been offering the Free Dining promo for Magic Your way packages with a 3 night minimum and a 14 day maximum (Basic Dining Plan; 1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack per person per night) during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. The free dining offer is usually announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public. The booking dates for this year for the general public were August 24 through September 20 (but you could book up to 14 days past that date and still receive the FD promo) and you had to book by June 22 to receive the FD offer.

When the free dining code for the general public comes out, just call and have it applied to your existing reservation.

[KKB]

Check these boards frequently. That is the only way that I found out about the Disney Visa free dining package that we have booked for our arrival next week. We actually got 30% off our room at AKL plus the dining for our family for free! The rack rate for our entire package was $2800 plus, we're paying $1500.

If you apply and get the Disney Visa there is no annual fee, and they seem to offer the promotions to the Visa holders more, or prior to the general public. If you are comfortable with getting an additional credit card, I highly recommend it. They also gave me a $40 credit for my first use (the package!).

You got free dining NEXT WEEK?
I thought it was Sept. only!
You have me thinking...Mom got a Disney Visa just so we could get free dining in Sept, but next Dec. might be better! (and 30% off, too---WOW)

[PrincessTiffany]

You got free dining NEXT WEEK?
I thought it was Sept. only!
You have me thinking...Mom got a Disney Visa just so we could get free dining in Sept, but next Dec. might be better! (and 30% off, too---WOW)
In September Disney Destinations sent out some emails that offered free dining pin codes for select dates in October, November and December. These emails were random, not for the general public, and the codes were non-transferrable. A few weeks later Disney Visa send out a free dining code for their card holders for the same select dates in October, November and December. These pin codes are not part of the regular Fall Dining promotion that comes out for the general public.

[RMulieri]

Also to note, this year was the FIRST time ever that they offered free dining at anytime other than Aug/Sept..There is no guarantee this will become an annual event.

[eddad]

Can you upgrade from the basic dining plan and pay the difference?

[PrincessKsMom]

Check these boards frequently. That is the only way that I found out about the Disney Visa free dining package that we have booked for our arrival next week. We actually got 30% off our room at AKL plus the dining for our family for free! The rack rate for our entire package was $2800 plus, we're paying $1500.

If you apply and get the Disney Visa there is no annual fee, and they seem to offer the promotions to the Visa holders more, or prior to the general public. If you are comfortable with getting an additional credit card, I highly recommend it. They also gave me a $40 credit for my first use (the package!).

Can someone please explain this to me? I thought there was no double dipping? It was either a room discount or free dining, but not both? Thanks.

[skier_pete]

Can someone please explain this to me? I thought there was no double dipping? It was either a room discount or free dining, but not both? Thanks.

For the past four years they have had the free dining in the August / September time frame...but you could not apply additional discounts. Back in October of this year, they announced free dining for specific weeks in October / November and December. They even offered some room discounts along with the free dining...this is a result of the economy....you can bet that next year there is a pretty good chance some pretty deep discounts will be offered, but a lot of the REALLY good discounts will only be a few months before you travel. You should still see free dining offer come out in early April for August/September though.

SkierPete

[disneynuts777]

Can you upgrade from the basic dining plan and pay the difference?

Yes...both times we have done the free dining we have upgraded to the DxDDP. We have also upgraded for our free dining bounceback trip this upcoming August. The difference was 33.00 per adult, 11.00 per child(3-9) per day.:banana: :banana:

[su_A_ve]

Current Disney Visa Free Dining promotion ends with arrivals of 12/20. That is, if you arrive on 12/20 you can get FD for the duration of your trip (up to 14 days).

The Disney Visa FD promo this time also included some discounts on the room portion (about 10%).

This promo is actually still available. I was able to switch resorts a couple of days ago. I had inquired availabilty first and CBR and CSR still had, all the way till 12/28.