Anybody got a good guess for free dining 2010?

[heartsy77]

We have a huge Grand Gathering planned for Aug 2010 free dining. I know it will be next spring before we know exact dates. I am in nursing school and my friends want a rough of idea of when we are going so they can put in vacation requests? We have never done free dining before so I am unsure of when dates would be. I know free dining starts Aug 15 ithis year... is that later or earlier than usual?:confused3

[kaytieeldr]

Earlier than the last few years.

It's NEVER guaranteed - after all, Disney could change the Dining Plans entirely - but the later in August you can start your trip, the better.

Free Dining has started as late as August 24 or 27 - whichever was a Sunday, and I think it was last year but could be wrong.

If Disney offers Free Dining as a BounceBack promotion during the upcoming Free Dining, you'll have a better idea of the exact 'general public' dates. In fact, in 2009 the dates are, again I think, identical. That's unusual.

But even so, those dates won't be known until, well, mid-August or so.

[Sandisw]

Earlier than the last few years.

It's NEVER guaranteed - after all, Disney could change the Dining Plans entirely - but the later in August you can start your trip, the better.

Free Dining has started as late as August 24 or 27 - whichever was a Sunday, and I think it was last year but could be wrong.

If Disney offers Free Dining as a BounceBack promotion during the upcoming Free Dining, you'll have a better idea of the exact 'general public' dates. In fact, in 2009 the dates are, again I think, identical. That's unusual.

But even so, those dates won't be known until, well, mid-August or so.

The bounceback Free Dining that was offered in 2008 for 2009 began on August 23rd so it started later than it did for the general public.

I think if you plan to go toward the end of August you have a good chance of your dates being part of free dining if it is offered again in 2010.

[enchantingodin]

I did some research of the past few years back in March when I was trying to figure out the dates for this year. Thread found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2119357

So I really think it will depend on the economy next year and the success of FD THIS year for the dates. But if they do the 'normal' 4 week promo the dates would be sun 8/22 - sat 9/18. However they did a 6 week promo in 06, this year they are doing a 7 week one. So who knows? I'd keep checking the code boards when the first few people get back from this years FD and have bounceback info. Should give you the best idea. :)

[binkytell]

i have just booked for 2010 for saratoga springs with free dining and
42% discount from disney uk, this is not normally offered to book till the august for the following year.


so you never know the offer may come out earlier

[heartsy77]

i have just booked for 2010 for saratoga springs with free dining and
42% discount from disney uk, this is not normally offered to book till the august for the following year.


so you never know the offer may come out earlier


what was the time frame for your offer?

[Treacle44]

The UK dining offer runs from 2 August - mid November 2010.

x

[PrincessTiffany]

what was the time frame for your offer?
You can't go by the UK booking window. Their free dining window is always much longer than the U.S. offer.

[heartsy77]

You can't go by the UK booking window. Their free dining window is always much longer than the U.S. offer.


I see that. But it makes very hopeful that they will continue free dining for 2010!

[Treacle44]

UK booking window finishes 31 dec 2009.

x

[eeyorepixie]

Is this year UK booking dates earlier than last year?

[tinka-belle]

Aug. 16 (this year) is the earliest I've seen FD offered. The latest start date in the past few years was the Sunday before Labor Day. But remember with Disney, anything can change!

[heartsy77]

Aug. 16 (this year) is the earliest I've seen FD offered. The latest start date in the past few years was the Sunday before Labor Day. But remember with Disney, anything can change!


I could be wrong here but according mousesavers.com historical discounts the latest it has been offered since 2006 was usually around Aug 22 or 24th. I can't imagine the economy is going to do that huge of a turn around by next year. I will plan on free dining 2010 and hope for the best!

[chocolateMinnie]

We travel from the UK and have been before in our October half-term holiday (last full week of October) - this time (2010) is the first time we have seen free dining last this late it usaully finishes end of Sept/beginning Oct

[heatherbelle]

As other UK posterss have said, 2010 free dining plan is now on sale with UK tour operators (TA's). It is available to book right up until the end of December 2009. This has never happened in the UK before normally it is available to book from 08/22 until around 05/11, for the following summer.

The dates for travel with the 2010 plan are around 08/01 until 11/18/2010.

For 2009, we were offered the dining plan, firstly last summer around 08/23/08 to 11/04/08 for travel to the world from early august to early Oct. It was the re-offered to us in April of this year for travel between August and around 12/17/09. I have never known that before. Seems Disney is finding it hard to sell their rooms.