2013 Free Dining Watch

[babydoll65]

I hope someone here can answer this for me. I plan on going to wdw nov 10-16 with the hopes of free dining. If they do offer it, they most likely should not be available on the sun and mon (which is Veterans Day) but most likely for the rest of the vacation which is 4 days left. Can I pay for the 2 days out of pocket that are not covered.

 

[Thorb73]

I hope someone here can answer this for me. I plan on going to wdw nov 10-16 with the hopes of free dining. If they do offer it, they most likely should not be available on the sun and mon (which is Veterans Day) but most likely for the rest of the vacation which is 4 days left. Can I pay for the 2 days out of pocket that are not covered.

Most likely this will not work. Your check-in date has to be within the free dining period. If you check in earlier than you don't qualify for free dining at all! You could probably split up your reservation - say make one reservation for 2 days and another starting with the first free dining day.

 

[TDC Nala]

I hope someone here can answer this for me. I plan on going to wdw nov 10-16 with the hopes of free dining. If they do offer it, they most likely should not be available on the sun and mon (which is Veterans Day) but most likely for the rest of the vacation which is 4 days left. Can I pay for the 2 days out of pocket that are not covered.

If you check in on a day that free dining is offered, you get it for your full stay up to 14 nights, even if some of the later dates fall outside of the promotion.

However, if you check in on a day that free dining is NOT offered, you are not eligible for free dining for any part of your stay (unless you book two separate resort reservations).

So if you check in on the 10th and free dining is not offered on the 10th, you aren't eligible for any free dining even if the later dates are within the promotion. You could book two reservations, check out and then check back in on a free dining date. If you do that, you'd need to figure out what to do about ticket purchases as you would be required to purchase tickets as part of the reservation with free dining.

 

[babydoll65]

Thanks so much. Don't think I want to split reservations to try to get the free dining. Seems like too much work.

 

[G719]

In 2012, free dining was offered November 9-15 which included Vetern's day.

 

[nikjd68]

I booked MYW package with room and tickets, no dining plan, for August 18 through 25. I used a PIN code to get a discount on a room. Couple questions: If FD is offered, will late August be included? Can I take advantage of FD where I have already booked a package with the PIN code and I don't currently have the dining plan. Also, my PIN has expired.

 

[smitch425]

I booked MYW package with room and tickets, no dining plan, for August 18 through 25. I used a PIN code to get a discount on a room. Couple questions: If FD is offered, will late August be included? Can I take advantage of FD where I have already booked a package with the PIN code and I don't currently have the dining plan. Also, my PIN has expired.

If free dining is offered, you can call to see if your resort and room category is available under the free dining offer. If it is, they can simply add free dining to your package and you would lose your room discount. If it is not available for your resort or room category, you can switch to a resort and room category that is available for the deal. There is no need to cancel anything. It would be a modification to your existing reservation. If ticket prices go up before a free dining deal comes out, you would have to pay the new prices if you modify your reservation, so you would need to do the math to see if switching would be the best deal. That week is often included in the bounceback offer for free dining, but not usually available for the general public offer. Anything is possible, though. Good luck!

 

[nikjd68]

Thanks!

 

[micknpluto]

It's usually offered at the very end of August.

 

[babydoll65]

In 2012, free dining was offered November 9-15 which included Vetern's day.

I didn't no that. Hope they do that again this year or at least a room discount.

 

[G719]

I didn't no that. Hope they do that again this year or at least a room discount.

Yep! You can find past dates of free dining on the Internet. I googled for them. We are hoping to go Nivember 9 and are impatiently waiting some kind of discount.

 

[babydoll65]

Yep! You can find past dates of free dining on the Internet. I googled for them. We are hoping to go Nivember 9 and are impatiently waiting some kind of discount.

Well, thank you and good luck to everyone going that same week

 

[MyZoeJane]

Thanks so much. Don't think I want to split reservations to try to get the free dining. Seems like too much work.

It's easy. I did it last February. We checked in on February 10th and there was no free dining for that day or the next, but there was for February 12th-17th for the rest of our trip. We booked room only for the first two nights, and they gave us our park tickets that went with our Free Dining package two days early. On the 12th I just had to check in for our Free Dining reservation and then our park tickets had the dining plan added for the rrmaining nights of our stay.

A no brainer, if you ask me!

 

[Chabby]

Question: if the reason Disney offers promotions is to fill out the resorts during slow times, wouldn't it be better to NOT book a reservation until they release the promotions?
I mean, if we all call and book Disney may think there is no need to offer anything.
I really don't know, I'm just a newbie who's desperate to see what promotions are available for the begining of September

 

[DisneyMom5]

Question: if the reason Disney offers promotions is to fill out the resorts during slow times, wouldn't it be better to NOT book a reservation until they release the promotions?
I mean, if we all call and book Disney may think there is no need to offer anything.
I really don't know, I'm just a newbie who's desperate to see what promotions are available for the begining of September

that's the theory, yes.
But since many people go ahead and book anyway, some because they'll go anyway, and some because they think it guarantees them a particular resort when the sale breaks (it does not), I'm not sure that NOT booking has much of an impact.
But I wait until the sale breaks, so count me in as one who believes it might make a difference.

 

[Chabby]

that's the theory, yes.
But since many people go ahead and book anyway, some because they'll go anyway, and some because they think it guarantees them a particular resort when the sale breaks (it does not), I'm not sure that NOT booking has much of an impact.
But I wait until the sale breaks, so count me in as one who believes it might make a difference.

Last year I booked our vacation not knowing about FD and when it came out I was able to add it without a problem.
This year our trip basically depends on us getting some sort of discount, preferably FD, but I would also take a s/p/d discount if they offer it.
I will also wait to book the trip

 

[micknpluto]

I heard someone else in the travel business. Specializing in WDW vacations say they're probably not gonna offer fd. If that's true that sucks !! And will definitely effect my annual trip to Disney in the fall. They did day they'll probably replace with a different kind of discount. Disney gods need to listen to us loyal fans !! We need fd

 

[scard192]

I heard someone else in the travel business. Specializing in WDW vacations say they're probably not gonna offer fd. If that's true that sucks !! And will definitely effect my annual trip to Disney in the fall. They did day they'll probably replace with a different kind of discount. Disney gods need to listen to us loyal fans !! We need fd

Rumors have been that if FD is offered it will be QS plan for Mods + Deluxe and nothing for the Values. My family is planning to stay at a Mod in October; hoping for FD.

 

[sharkyandbones]

fwiw, I wouldn't put any stock in rumors...Disney fans for whatever reason tend to be very negative with predictions and opinions on changes

Anyway, I have spoken with Disney agents in the past who have said that free dining is one of their biggest promotions of the year. It is a way for them to not only fill the resorts during slower periods but also introduce people to the many dining options on the resort that they otherwise may not experience. I doubt it is going anywhere. They may tweak it to encourage more people to stay in moderates or deluxes, but I would be surprised if they do anything more than that, such as only offer QS.

 

[mickey2000]

UK residents, get ready for some awesome news!! Book a dream Walt Disney World holiday at selected Disney Hotels on selected dates in 2013 & receive FREE dining for everyone on your booking for your entire stay when you add your Disney Theme Park Tickets.

Valid for Arrivals January 1st-March 19th, 2013 & April 7th-December 8th, 2013

Virgin Holidays has released an exciting offer for United Kingdom residents. This dream holiday in Walt Disney World must be booked prior to 10 July 2012. You’ll get accommodations at select WDW hotels, free dining for your family, fourteen Disney park ticket days, plus Virgin Holidays customers will receive $200 in Disney spending money when staying at select Disney resorts during the dates noted above.

Note, a 5-night stay is required! Guests staying at a Disney moderate resort will enjoy the free Quick Service Dining Plan. Reserving a deluxe hotel or villa will entitle your family to the free standard Disney Dining Plan.
With a Disney Dining Plan (DDP), your family will enjoy the freedom of having pre-paid for your holiday meals as well as tremendous restaurant choices. The DDP uses an easy points system that gives your family the flexibility of dining at over 100 locations in WDW.