2013 Free Dining Watch

[Get me to Disney!]

We are hoping to go in September 2013. Would it be wise to book the room/tickets now and add on the DP later if they don't offer it free? I have no idea what to do, whether I should wait until the spring to book everything, or to do the booking earlier and then add on later. Thoughts?

What I did - now this was in 09 so things could have changed. I booked my entire trip without adding dining about a year in advance. That way I was able to book my ADR's. Once they released the free dining, I added it to my package and it was easy. I think it's kind of kept secret that you can do it this way because they want you to hear of free dining, call and make a res with dining, and then they hope you'll forget to call back to make it free Good luck!! FREE DINING is the greatest - at least it was for us!!

 

[mariela]

Hello, know something of the free dining plan 2013, when will the dates? I'm from Argentina .... thanks

 

[Glittercat]

Just another person watching for dates for free dining for Sept. 2013. I'm probably booking our resort this afternoon- once we've all decided. My husband the Mister very much wants DDP, and of course would prefer it to be free. I would prefer to go without the plan this year, but as this is his vacation too and he likes not feeling like we're paying out of pocket at the World so I'll book it. Going to keep a close watch on dates though just in case it is FD! *waves*

 

[TDC Nala]

Hello, know something of the free dining plan 2013, when will the dates? I'm from Argentina .... thanks

There are no dates yet. Currently the only way to get it is 1) move to Great Britain, or 2) visit WDW now and book a bounceback offer while you are there for next August-September.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

There are no dates yet. Currently the only way to get it is 1) move to Great Britain, or 2) visit WDW now and book a bounceback offer while you are there for next August-September.

Yeah! I was there in July... the bounceback was only room discount until the end of December! Not fair... I wanted the free dining!

 

[BuzzandWoodyMom]

We are hoping to go in September 2013. Would it be wise to book the room/tickets now and add on the DP later if they don't offer it free? I have no idea what to do, whether I should wait until the spring to book everything, or to do the booking earlier and then add on later. Thoughts?

There has been a free dining discount in September every year for the last 9 years, so it's a pretty safe bet to book in September for a free dining promo. The August/September free dining discounts are usually released around the end of March/first of April.

 

[enchantedrosex]

Has there ever been free dining available for mid/late December or early January trips? I'm looking to go next Dec/Jan, I'm I'm hoping to get the free DP!!

 

[dakotix]

Has there ever been free dining available for mid/late December or early January trips? I'm looking to go next Dec/Jan, I'm I'm hoping to get the free DP!!

Last year the FD for Jan started on Jan 8th. A week later was marathon weekend which was not included. This coming January the marathon weekend is earlier (around the 11th I think) so it may happen so the FD is offered earlier as well like Jan 1. The UK version of FD for next year has already been released. There's starts Jan 1st so having then is not unheard of.

I just hope they don't begin FD for January after the marathon. In that case we wont be able to take advantage of it. We'll still go though, there likely will be a room discount which will be nice to take advantage of. Right now we're booked Jan 9th-15th...cant wait!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

The UK dates usually do not match our dates for free dining. But I hope it works out for all those waiting.

 

[Zipears Fan]

What I did - now this was in 09 so things could have changed. I booked my entire trip without adding dining about a year in advance. That way I was able to book my ADR's. Once they released the free dining, I added it to my package and it was easy. I think it's kind of kept secret that you can do it this way because they want you to hear of free dining, call and make a res with dining, and then they hope you'll forget to call back to make it free Good luck!! FREE DINING is the greatest - at least it was for us!!

Yeah, we did the same thing in '09. Unfortunately, now in 2012 and beyond there are two things wrong with this approach: (1) Disney has offered FD to those checking in during limited windows of days and, if anyone books a year in advance, nobody what those windows are, so there is the risk you may need to adjust your ressies; and (2) Whether a guest seeks to make ressies thru her DDP or outside of it, there is around a 180 day or so advance limit.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

i want to go for MNSSHP and MVMCP both during the same trip, but like this year that week is not a FD week, and it would be a 1,000$ more than if we did the week before or after, that has the free dining this year. So i think the free dining will determine when we visit. Otherwise it is like paying 1K to go to MVMCP, lol. -really!

 

[disnut1149]

Has there ever been free dining available for mid/late December or early January trips? I'm looking to go next Dec/Jan, I'm I'm hoping to get the free DP!!

Hi
We had free dining the middle of December a few years ago. I don't know if they had it in January. I'm hoping for free dining for May 2013!!

 

[Disney2012]

Been waiting like everyone else to see when free dining will be, but as a newbie I may not be understanding something. My dates right now are Jan. 30-Feb. 6. Was ready to change dates if need be to get free dining for the whole trip, because I noticed sometimes early Feb. dates aren't included. But if I check IN on a free dining date, do I automatically get the rest of my stay on free dining, even if some February dates aren't listed? Or do all of my dates have to fall on free dining days? Can someone please tell me how this works?

TIA for the information! Just when you think you have stuff down, the questions come!!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

In the past, as long as your checkin date is within the dates listed, you are good. But Disney does have a way of changing policies from time to time.

 

[Disney2012]

Thanks so much for the info, disneyfantotheend! Hope that's true and they don't change that practice. This is my first booking, and already I stress at the idea of having to change things around!

 

[smitch425]

Been waiting like everyone else to see when free dining will be, but as a newbie I may not be understanding something. My dates right now are Jan. 30-Feb. 6. Was ready to change dates if need be to get free dining for the whole trip, because I noticed sometimes early Feb. dates aren't included. But if I check IN on a free dining date, do I automatically get the rest of my stay on free dining, even if some February dates aren't listed? Or do all of my dates have to fall on free dining days? Can someone please tell me how this works?

TIA for the information! Just when you think you have stuff down, the questions come!!

FD is based solely on your check-in date. As long as you check-in on an included date, you can get FD for your entire stay up to 14 nights.

 

[RealEyes13]

i will be going Feb 5-13...do you think there will be FD then???

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Was just there September 1st - September 8th and had a bouce back offer in the room for free dining. I can't remember the exact dates but it was towards the end of August to the end of September. We have never done the free dining, always used a room discount, but I figured we might as well book before check out in case we don't receive any other discounts.

Sent from my GalaxyS II

 

[disgram]

Going to get on the band wagon, too. Am thinking about taking friends in Sept. around the 10th. Thought maybe it was too early to start thinking but here I am!!

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

We are planning a November trip so I'm hoping they have the same free dining weeks as this year.

My girls school have every Friday off in November, so we can do a 10 day trip and only miss 4 days of school.