2013 Free Dining Watch

[nonsmom]

They are usually different. The GP offer typically start a week or so later and goes through very late Sept.

Is the GP offer the same as the Disney Visa offer? I have friends going down Aug. 20 and were hoping for FD. I have the BB and am arriving Aug. 18. I never noticed the GP being different. Thanks for the info.

 

[smitch425]

Is the GP offer the same as the Disney Visa offer? I have friends going down Aug. 20 and were hoping for FD. I have the BB and am arriving Aug. 18. I never noticed the GP being different. Thanks for the info.

Yes, Visa holders basically just get a few days of a jump start on booking the public offer. It is really only "the Visa offer" for 4 or 5 days.

 

[switch15foot]

Wish I could be a Visa holder ... but unfortunately not available in Canada.

Hoping for December 3 to 15; and that it will be warmer than my first trip to the World in Dec 2010.

 

[okienick]

I am a visa holder but have never taken advantage of an offer. Do you have to call to book the visa offer or is it available through a website?

 

[zy144622]

I am a visa holder but have never taken advantage of an offer. Do you have to call to book the visa offer or is it available through a website?

The code will be listed on the visa site and both website or call center can handle it.

 

[donnot]

Last I knew, Disney visa offers were limited to three rooms. Haven't booked more than three in a while, though.

In 2010 I got a PIN for free dining. I was traveling with a group of family and friends, and even though they told us we could get 3 rooms on the PIN, we got 4, no questions asked. Not sure if they made a mistake or just allowed it. I would push to get the 4 rooms on there (maybe tell them that one branch of the family won't be able to go if they don't get the free dining!).

 

[niclmac]

Anxiously awaiting ANY news!

 

[smitch425]

I am a visa holder but have never taken advantage of an offer. Do you have to call to book the visa offer or is it available through a website?

The code will be listed on the visa site and both website or call center can handle it.

Visa offers (before they go public) cannot be used online. You have to call Disney to book.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

Have room only discounts typically been offered for the same vacation days as fall free dining? If so, is there a typical roll-out pattern (e.g., room discount first)? I realize that both discounts couldn't be used together, but for our family it's going to be a close call determining which is a better deal.

 

[kohler2009]

Just curious I have been reading the date April 25. Is that the day people believe the free dining offer will come out for the fall?

My mom spoke with a CM last night who said fall deals will likely come out around June 14 when the summer promo is over. Who knows what is true. Don't lose hope

 

[brizzer79]

My mom spoke with a CM last night who said fall deals will likely come out around June 14 when the summer promo is over. Who knows what is true. Don't lose hope

Oh how I hope you are wrong!! Please oh please let them not make us wait that long!!! I am changing from campground to resort if offered and I don't want to wait that long to book airfare (if we don't take RV we will fly) or it will go up to high to make the deal worth it.

 

[plutospalforever]

Have room only discounts typically been offered for the same vacation days as fall free dining? If so, is there a typical roll-out pattern (e.g., room discount first)? I realize that both discounts couldn't be used together, but for our family it's going to be a close call determining which is a better deal.

Yes, when a free dining promo has been announced there has also been a room discount. Because you are correct, sometimes a room discount is a better deal than the free dining. I ran the numbers for our upcoming vaca in late sept. and a free dining promo would only save us about $100 over the room discount.

 

[plutospalforever]

My mom spoke with a CM last night who said fall deals will likely come out around June 14 when the summer promo is over. Who knows what is true. Don't lose hope

Ya know I think you may be right based on when promos have been released this year so far. Then there is the problem of semantics-what does "fall" mean? Typically late summer/early fall are under the same promo time period (which would be the next deal released). And then Disney has the fall/late fall promo period. So which "fall" are they talking about? Hopefully both????

 

[TheDisney411]

Ya know I think you may be right based on when promos have been released this year so far. Then there is the problem of semantics-what does "fall" mean? Typically late summer/early fall are under the same promo time period (which would be the next deal released). And then Disney has the fall/late fall promo period. So which "fall" are they talking about? Hopefully both????

If Disney actually waited to release the late summer/early fall discounts until June 14, which is highly unlikely, they would probably go ahead and release the late fall/early winter discounts because those discounts are typically released in July. But, i think thats a highly unlikely scenario. I just doubt Disney is going to risk losing a lot of on site guests by waiting that long to release discounts - wether they are for free dining, room only, stay/play/dine or whatever.

 

[Fivemuggles]

My mom spoke with a CM last night who said fall deals will likely come out around June 14 when the summer promo is over. Who knows what is true. Don't lose hope

I really hope not - because for the people who are planning on going in August or so, that's cutting it REALLY close to the 45 day mark, if you are paying in advance! Yikes!

 

[plutospalforever]

If Disney actually waited to release the late summer/early fall discounts until June 14, which is highly unlikely, they would probably go ahead and release the late fall/early winter discounts because those discounts are typically released in July. But, i think thats a highly unlikely scenario. I just doubt Disney is going to risk losing a lot of on site guests by waiting that long to release discounts - wether they are for free dining, room only, stay/play/dine or whatever.

I agree with the you. But based on Disney not releasing early summer until the very end of March, who's to say they won't do the same for the next deal? They seem to be releasing very late this year. They waited till the last promo was over before they released this current deal. This current promo ends June 14.

 

[lilchief27]

Kicking in my 2 cents....
1) Bit o'backstory - Working w/ TA - trying to book early October 7day Disney Cruise out of Galveston - didn't work out Asked TA if she has heard anything about FD. Here's her reply...

​

"Currently we have not received any indication when, or even if, the dining promotion will be released. In years past it has been done so much earlier. Last year those that traveled under the dining promotion received a bounce back offer in their rooms to book for this year, and some have received pin codes, but nothing for the general public at this time."
My feelings on her reply.....:sad:

2) BUT here's some hope..... Mousesavers.com (can I mention them on here?) historical data on FD for fall dates.....
For 2010
> Release dates: 4/29/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/15/10-10/2/10

> Release date: 5/3/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel dates: 8/15/10-10/2/10

> Release date: 7/6/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/15/10-12/21/10

> Release date: 8/16/10, exp 12/20/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 10/1/10-12/21/10

For 2011
> Release dates: 8/16/10, exp 12/20/10 -package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/19/11-9/29/11

> Release dates: 4/28/11, exp 8/27/11 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/28/11-9/24/11

> Release dates: 5/2/11, exp 8/27/11 package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/28/11-9/24/11

> Release dates: 8/24/11, exp 10/29/11 -package deal (free dining) for general public (reissued with slightly changed set of dates) for travel 10/1/11-12/15/11

> release dates: 8/3/11, exp 10/29/11 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 10/2/11-12/17/11

for 2012
> Release dates: 3/1/12, exp 5/18/12 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/25/12-9/29/12

> Release dates: 3/5/12, exp 5/18/12 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/25/12-9/29/12

> Release dates: 7/9/12, exp 9/29/12 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 9/30/12-12/13/12

> Release dates:7/12/12, exp 9/29/12 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 9/30/12-12/13/12

Sooooooo historically speaking, depending on when your trip is you may be waiting a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Hope this info helps

 

[plutospalforever]

Kicking in my 2 cents....
1) Bit o'backstory - Working w/ TA - trying to book early October 7day Disney Cruise out of Galveston - didn't work out Asked TA if she has heard anything about FD. Here's her reply...

​

"Currently we have not received any indication when, or even if, the dining promotion will be released. In years past it has been done so much earlier. Last year those that traveled under the dining promotion received a bounce back offer in their rooms to book for this year, and some have received pin codes, but nothing for the general public at this time."
My feelings on her reply.....:sad:

2) BUT here's some hope..... Mousesavers.com (can I mention them on here?) historical data on FD for fall dates.....
For 2010
> Release dates: 4/29/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/15/10-10/2/10

> Release date: 5/3/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel dates: 8/15/10-10/2/10

> Release date: 7/6/10, exp 8/14/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/15/10-12/21/10

> Release date: 8/16/10, exp 12/20/10 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 10/1/10-12/21/10

For 2011
> Release dates: 8/16/10, exp 12/20/10 -package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/19/11-9/29/11

> Release dates: 4/28/11, exp 8/27/11 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/28/11-9/24/11

> Release dates: 5/2/11, exp 8/27/11 package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/28/11-9/24/11

> Release dates: 8/24/11, exp 10/29/11 -package deal (free dining) for general public (reissued with slightly changed set of dates) for travel 10/1/11-12/15/11

> release dates: 8/3/11, exp 10/29/11 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 10/2/11-12/17/11

for 2012
> Release dates: 3/1/12, exp 5/18/12 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 8/25/12-9/29/12

> Release dates: 3/5/12, exp 5/18/12 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 8/25/12-9/29/12

> Release dates: 7/9/12, exp 9/29/12 - package deal (free dining) for Disneys Visa cardholders for travel 9/30/12-12/13/12

> Release dates:7/12/12, exp 9/29/12 - package deal (free dining) for general public for travel 9/30/12-12/13/12

Sooooooo historically speaking, depending on when your trip is you may be waiting a couple of weeks or a couple of months. Hope this info helps

Thanks!!! Very interesting I must say and kudos on such an industrious task. I like it!!! Shall we just say Disney is unpredictable? I know last year and years further back (2007, 2009??) they released promos very early. Unfortunately not this year. Here's to hoping sooner rather than later!!!

 

[ashlynsapp]

It seems to me that Disney released FD really early last year, so people are just getting worried because the are (hopefully) just releasing FD a little later this year. But I am very confident that FD will be released!!! Hopefully next week!

 

[FlyingElephant]

My mom spoke with a CM last night who said fall deals will likely come out around June 14 when the summer promo is over. Who knows what is true. Don't lose hope

I think that the cast member was most likely referring to the Fall/Late Fall discount rather than the Late Summer/Early Fall discount; the release date is just too far ahead.