2013 Free Dining Watch

[plutospalforever]

First, thanks to those of you for all of the clarifications. Second, can someone shed light on BB offers. I hear of many people talking about their BB offers for free dining. We have never had such an awesome BB offered to us. Is it luck of the draw? One person gets one offer and the person next door can get another? Is it the time of year? Or, what????

 

[bellesbeauty05]

My family has been there every year since 2005, and we've never received a BB offer either. I was wondering myself...

 

[smitch425]

First, thanks to those of you for all of the clarifications. Second, can someone shed light on BB offers. I hear of many people talking about their BB offers for free dining. We have never had such an awesome BB offered to us. Is it luck of the draw? One person gets one offer and the person next door can get another? Is it the time of year? Or, what????

Generally, FD bouncebacks are offered to all guests staying on property in the late summer/fall months for FD for the following mid-Aug-mid to late September. If there is a bounceback offer available, it is open to all current guests.

 

[amccu18007]

First, thanks to those of you for all of the clarifications. Second, can someone shed light on BB offers. I hear of many people talking about their BB offers for free dining. We have never had such an awesome BB offered to us. Is it luck of the draw? One person gets one offer and the person next door can get another? Is it the time of year? Or, what????

I believe the BB offer is the same for everyone. They decide the dates and put a flyer in the welcome packet. If you don't have one you just need to call from your room. I believe it is Extension 8844? They either have one at that time or don't but it is the same for everyone if they do. Sometimes it is a room only offer sometimes it is free dining. HTH

 

[bellesbeauty05]

What about a pin code then? How does Disney decide who gets those in the mail? We have been every year since 2005, and we haven't received one of those either?

 

[smitch425]

What about a pin code then? How does Disney decide who gets those in the mail? We have been every year since 2005, and we haven't received one of those either?

No one really knows. There really is no way to ensure you get one. The only thing they need to send you one is your name and address. Beyond that, it is just a matter of the luck of the draw.

 

[black562]

What about a pin code then? How does Disney decide who gets those in the mail? We have been every year since 2005, and we haven't received one of those either?

The answer to that question is 42.

In other words, if you can figure that one out, you'll know the meaning of life. It's one of those great unknowns.

 

[Cappy81]

First, thanks to those of you for all of the clarifications. Second, can someone shed light on BB offers. I hear of many people talking about their BB offers for free dining. We have never had such an awesome BB offered to us. Is it luck of the draw? One person gets one offer and the person next door can get another? Is it the time of year? Or, what????

Not sure the system used for BB offers, but we were at AKL 9/12 and were able to book FD BB for this Sept., The booking window was narrow, from end of Aug. until 9/25 or 9/26.

 

[amccu18007]

Not sure the system used for BB offers, but we were at AKL 9/12 and were able to book FD BB for this Sept., The booking window was narrow, from end of Aug. until 9/25 or 9/26.

Does anyone know if historically, BB offers are in any way related to what they actually offer the public for that specific timeframe?

 

[rymel76]

Thank you guys. Looking forward to going mid to end of Aug either way. First time since I was a kid and bringing my wife and kids for their first time.

 

[amccu18007]

Thank you guys. Looking forward to going mid to end of Aug either way. First time since I was a kid and bringing my wife and kids for their first time.

Yay for a magical first trip....Have a wonderful trip!

 

[smitch425]

Does anyone know if historically, BB offers are in any way related to what they actually offer the public for that specific timeframe?

Not really. While bouncebacks are a decent indicator of what blackout periods could be, the dates of the bouncebacks are often different than those for the GP.

 

[plutospalforever]

Thank you guys. Looking forward to going mid to end of Aug either way. First time since I was a kid and bringing my wife and kids for their first time.

Feeling so excited for you!!! I bet your kids can't wait!

 

[RUSTYGATOR]

The question I'm wondering is Free Dining really worth it? Do you end up paying full rack rate for the room or do you get the current discount price when you take advantage of FD?

I mean for late summer the discount is supposed to be 15% off for value. If I add in a 10% coupon for a online travel site and cash back (from a referral site) on the main room rate (fees don't qualify for cashback) I get the hotel for about 72% of the rack rate.

Does free dining in a value work out to about a 50% discount for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids.? About $110 for a hotel and $104 for dining (basic package). If FD is worth it, is it better to upgrade to the Mid-level hotel to get the better dining than to stay at a value and get the casual dining plan and then to pay $40 more to upgrade it to the one sitdown a day meal plan?

I know if you book through Disney Agency or with a TA you get the Magic Your Way Package, but it doesn't seem to have anything that is a groundbreaking offer or a must have. I also know if you book directly, you can get a dining package which you can't if you book with a online travel site, it's hotel only.

Don't you get early morning hours if you stay at a Disney hotel regardless of how you book it? I've looked at the ticket discount you get if you combine hotel and tickets and for a family of 2 adults/2 kids, it looks to be about $40 on a 10 day ticket. You probably can get that discount with one of the recommended ticket sellers.

I'm not trying to start a war over free dining, but just wondering if the discount is that much or if I'm missing something.

 

[jska482]

The question I'm wondering is Free Dining really worth it? Do you end up paying full rack rate for the room or do you get the current discount price when you take advantage of FD?

I mean for late summer the discount is supposed to be 30% off. If I add in a 10% coupon for a online travel site and cash back (from a referral site) on the main room rate (fees don't qualify for cashback) I get the hotel for about 60% off rack rate.

If it is the rack rate, aren't you better booking through one of the online travel sites where you can get a 10% off coupon and 6-7% cashback on the purchase?

I know if you book through Disney Agency or with a TA you get the Magic Your Way Package, but it doesn't seem to have anything that is a groundbreaking offer or a must have. I also know if you book directly, you can get a dining package which you can't if you book with a online travel site, it's hotel only.

Don't you get early morning hours if you stay at a Disney hotel regardless of how you book it? I've looked at the ticket discount you get if you combine hotel and tickets and for a family of 2 adults/2 kids, it looks to be about $40 on a 10 day ticket. You probably can get that discount with one of the recommended ticket sellers.

I'm not trying to start a war over free dining, but just wondering if the discount is that much or if I'm missing something.

That would take long analysis...but, 30% off is on deluxe resorts. Those cost about $350/night. The values cost about $100-$120 and only get 5%-15% off. For a value resort, even at rack rate, it saves us $600-$700 to get free dining.

 

[smitch425]

The question I'm wondering is Free Dining really worth it? Do you end up paying full rack rate for the room or do you get the current discount price when you take advantage of FD?

I mean for late summer the discount is supposed to be 30% off. If I add in a 10% coupon for a online travel site and cash back (from a referral site) on the main room rate (fees don't qualify for cashback) I get the hotel for about 60% off rack rate.

If it is the rack rate, aren't you better booking through one of the online travel sites where you can get a 10% off coupon and 6-7% cashback on the purchase?

I know if you book through Disney Agency or with a TA you get the Magic Your Way Package, but it doesn't seem to have anything that is a groundbreaking offer or a must have. I also know if you book directly, you can get a dining package which you can't if you book with a online travel site, it's hotel only.

Don't you get early morning hours if you stay at a Disney hotel regardless of how you book it? I've looked at the ticket discount you get if you combine hotel and tickets and for a family of 2 adults/2 kids, it looks to be about $40 on a 10 day ticket. You probably can get that discount with one of the recommended ticket sellers.

I'm not trying to start a war over free dining, but just wondering if the discount is that much or if I'm missing something.

Disney does not allow stacking of discounts. You have to choose one discount only. For some, a room % off works better than free dining, and for others, FD saves hundreds more than a room discount. It all depends on how many people are in your party, their ages, and the resort you are staying at.

 

[gregger]

A family of four adults (can't believe they consider a 10 yr old an adult) with sit down costs $55.59 PP/PD and a stay of 9 days costs $2001.24. No way can I save that kind of $$$ at POFQ with a room discount.....So FD for my family is the best discount....

 

[Tifley]

We have 8 of us going, only one disney child. 2 Rooms at POR. At $56 per adult per night for 7 nights for the DP, plus the disney child...savings of around $3000 with free dining. Even if POR is 25% off 2 rooms...RO discount won't even come close for us.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

The question I'm wondering is Free Dining really worth it? Do you end up paying full rack rate for the room or do you get the current discount price when you take advantage of FD?

I mean for late summer the discount is supposed to be 15% off for value. If I add in a 10% coupon for a online travel site and cash back (from a referral site) on the main room rate (fees don't qualify for cashback) I get the hotel for about 72% of the rack rate.

Does free dining in a value work out to about a 50% discount for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids.? About $110 for a hotel and $104 for dining (basic package). If FD is worth it, is it better to upgrade to the Mid-level hotel to get the better dining than to stay at a value and get the casual dining plan and then to pay $40 more to upgrade it to the one sitdown a day meal plan?

I know if you book through Disney Agency or with a TA you get the Magic Your Way Package, but it doesn't seem to have anything that is a groundbreaking offer or a must have. I also know if you book directly, you can get a dining package which you can't if you book with a online travel site, it's hotel only.

Don't you get early morning hours if you stay at a Disney hotel regardless of how you book it? I've looked at the ticket discount you get if you combine hotel and tickets and for a family of 2 adults/2 kids, it looks to be about $40 on a 10 day ticket. You probably can get that discount with one of the recommended ticket sellers.

I'm not trying to start a war over free dining, but just wondering if the discount is that much or if I'm missing something.

Another thing to add to this discussion... think about how your family will want to eat on vacation. We have been on the meal plan before and while we saved money -particularly at expensive character buffets like Akershus, we didn't always eat what we wanted at other restaurants. For example, sometimes my kids would have preferred to order an appetizer or split an adult meal, rather than eat off the kid menu. My husband would have preferred eating an appetizer and a dessert, rather than an entree at some places. You can pay out of pocket for those changes, but that will diminish the value of the meal plan. We now look through the menus and take a guess at what we might eat at our restaurants before we commit to a meal plan. Meal plans offer a lot of food and choices, but it may or may not be what you want to eat.

 

[brizzer79]

We have 8 of us going, only one disney child. 2 Rooms at POR. At $56 per adult per night for 7 nights for the DP, plus the disney child...savings of around $3000 with free dining. Even if POR is 25% off 2 rooms...RO discount won't even come close for us.

I completely agree... even with a typical family of 4 the Free Dining is more of a savings than the room only unless you are staying in a deluxe.