Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1

[Eli's 1st trip]

Thinking of getting a Disney Visa just for the heck of it...we dont use credit cards...but it might be worth it just in case...

Also, what do you need to do or is there anything you can do to increase your chance of getting a PIN? Thanks!!

Watching and waiting...

 

[foxlore]

I'd recommend it... We use the Disney Visa for everything - including DS' tuition... We then pay it off monthly. We do that to accumulate points for Disney Dollars - it's quite helpful. So don't just look at it as a possible way to get free dining (although that is a perk!) look at it as a way to take some extra "cash" with you to WDW.

 

[RysMomma]

Do they usually offer the Free Dining to Disney Visa card members first? Has that been the way it was done in the past? I have had a Disney Visa for years and was just curious! Thanks!

 

[stepdisney]

Yes, the free DDP has been offered to Disney Visa owners a few days before being offered to the general public. Watch here for the details about when. We usually get the information here on the DIS before hand so you'll know what day to call with your Disney Visa.

 

[RysMomma]

Yes, the free DDP has been offered to Disney Visa owners a few days before being offered to the general public. Watch here for the details about when. We usually get the information here on the DIS before hand so you'll know what day to call with your Disney Visa.

Thanks so much!

 

[THEVACATIONFAMILY]

Going in February and I am looking everyday to see if there are any codes given for the time I am going...From the 16th until, don't know just yet, but either way we are going and we are going to love it

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

My mom has a Disney Visa but I want to use my debit card to put the deposit down, can I use her card, assuming the offer will go out to Disney Visa Card holders, without charging anything to it?

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

And if I was to book WL for 4 nights instead of 2 right now at rack rate with a one day MYW ticket could I add on free dining when the offer comes out, if it does... without having to re-book it?

 

[lsutiggergirl]

You won't have to rebook your hotel reservations....just simply call to add on the free dining and ticket package.

 

[rbramblett]

You cannot add FD to a room-only resv., it has to be with a package. Last year I had a package booked and when FD came out my TA actually had to re-book the entire thing (she couldn't just "add" FD to my exisiting package) so you may want to just hang on to what you have until that golden annoucement!


.

Correct me if I'm wrong. We are taking our first trip in September, so it sounds like it is best to wait until FD is announced then book. We also have Disney Visa so hopefully we will get an announcement before it goes to the general public right? Help please! Been planning over a year and don't want to goof this up.

 

[beroh2253]

Correct me if I'm wrong. We are taking our first trip in September, so it sounds like it is best to wait until FD is announced then book. We also have Disney Visa so hopefully we will get an announcement before it goes to the general public right? Help please! Been planning over a year and don't want to goof this up.

What Legomom said is correct, that happened to us the year before, at first we had booked POP and when rebooking with FD we had to take ASMu, POP was booked they said, but we called back several time and eventually POP had an opening for FD and we switched. We also have Disney Visa and I think it was 2-3 days earlier that you could book so that may get you the resort you want, if not book the resort they give you and keep trying back to switch to the resort you want.

 

[Tomh]

There is no reason not to book the room / tickets now. You can add the dining promotion when it comes out, and if there aren't any rooms available in your resort, then they will rebook you at which ever resort has room in it.

 

[klacey1]

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

 

[DISNEYNY]

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

We usually start hearing rumors toward the end of March. It has been announced the beginning of April for the past few years.

 

[pegryfun]

I am pretty sure it was April 11th last year. I reserved our room with free dining then and I didn't have a Disney Visa. I didn't get my 1st choice of resorts, so have a back-up. This year I booked when I was there in Sept. for free dining through their "Bounce Back" and I now have a Disney Visa. I also transferred the reservation to AAA.

 

[SGMCO]

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

It's ususally about 1 week after DVisa Holders get the notice.
Just keep checking on Disboards and you will be ready.

 

[hannah_03]

Subscribing

 

[ilovemytink]

Subscribing! Can't wait to find out when FD is offerred so I can book!!!!

 

[beroh2253]

It's ususally about 1 week after DVisa Holders get the notice.
Just keep checking on Disboards and you will be ready.

I think maybe it was only 3 days. 3 years ago we didn't decide to go till mid June and still got in, choice of restaurants wasn't all we wanted but not bad (even got Le Cellier for lunch) and what the heck it was free. But now regret not booking bounce back while ther last Sept. like we had done the previous year. If we go this year it would make it 4 years in a row. First year booking mid June, second year booking I think 3 days earlier with the Disney Visa, third year booking the bounce back while at the resort and this year we didn't learn so maybe back to booking early with the Disney Visa.

 

[girlpenguin]

Does anyone know if Wilderness Lodge Villas are included in free dining? We're not Disney Vacation Club members but want to book this hotel for our September stay. I have the Disney Visa Card. Am debating on if we should go ahead and book our hotel now and then try to add free dining on later, or if I should just wait until free dining comes out.

Also, since there are 5 of us in this room, will all 5 of us get free dining if it's all paid for on one account?