Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls tonigth .......

[kimbo0569]

You are absolutely correct! As long as you are checked in before the FD offer expires, you'll be fine. Hubby & I use our snack credits for dining around the world when we visit.

Thank you! I feel better now. All I have to do now is firm up the dates with dh and my mom (she wants to come, just has to see if the dates work with her and she has enough vacation days).

 

[TheDisney411]

I was looking at the dates of the free dining and the food and wine festival. Looks like food and wine starts on Sept 27, but last day for free dining is Sept 25. I seem to remember and please correct me if I'm wrong, if I book my trip to check in on Sept 25, I can still take advantage of the free dining and still get to enjoy the f&w festival.

Help!

Yes, that is correct, as long as you check in by the last day of a FD promo you can have the discount applied to your entire stay, up to 14 nights.

 

[kelevans100]

I have been reading elsewhere that this "free dining" promotion is NOT for US citizens but is for South America and Europe residents. I also read that the US citizen "free dining" offer could certainly have different dates, like including the end of August. What are your thoughts concerning this?

 

[smitch425]

I have been reading elsewhere that this "free dining" promotion is NOT for US citizens but is for South America and Europe residents. I also read that the US citizen "free dining" offer could certainly have different dates, like including the end of August. What are your thoughts concerning this?

The author of this thread has been correct with every deal he has posted for two+ years. This will be the US offer. You can take him at his word. Do you have a link to where you are reading these statements? This question came up earlier in this thread, and Danny confirmed that it is absolutely the US offer.

 

[TheDisney411]

I have been reading elsewhere that this "free dining" promotion is NOT for US citizens but is for South America and Europe residents. I also read that the US citizen "free dining" offer could certainly have different dates, like including the end of August. What are your thoughts concerning this?

There are no separate discounts, free dining or otherwise, for South America. The UK WDW travel company had their own website and UK free dining offers and discounts have absolutely no baring on and usually have completely different dates than US discount offers.

The FD promo that will open for booking to the general public on May 9, will include the dates of September 2-25 and will certainly include US residents.

 

[kelevans100]

One of the sites is the "**************.net" website. They confirmed that the offer was only for non-us citizens. Here is the article:

NEWS ON FREE DINING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2013…SORTA

One of my crack sources–the mysterious J–just emailed me to let me know that free dining for the fall of 2013 will be out shortly for South American and European visitors.

The booking window will open May 9, and the offer will cover arrival dates of September 2 through September 25.

At the values, the offer is the quick service dining plan for free, and at the moderates and deluxes, the offer is the regular dining plan for free.

I refuse to read too much into the arrival dates right now, so my takeaway is that since this offer will soon be out for much of the rest of the world, we’ll see an August/September free dining deal out for US residents visitors in May as well.

 

[smitch425]

One of the sites is the "**************.net" website. They confirmed that the offer was only for non-us citizens. Here is the article:

NEWS ON FREE DINING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2013&SORTA

One of my crack sourcesthe mysterious Jjust emailed me to let me know that free dining for the fall of 2013 will be out shortly for South American and European visitors.

The booking window will open May 9, and the offer will cover arrival dates of September 2 through September 25.

At the values, the offer is the quick service dining plan for free, and at the moderates and deluxes, the offer is the regular dining plan for free.

I refuse to read too much into the arrival dates right now, so my takeaway is that since this offer will soon be out for much of the rest of the world, well see an August/September free dining deal out for US residents visitors in May as well.

While that site is a good read, I don't put much stock in their predictions, especially because they are calling the upcoming offer the "fall offer" when it is actually the "late summer" offer.

 

[TheDisney411]

One of the sites is the "**************.net" website. They confirmed that the offer was only for non-us citizens. Here is the article:

NEWS ON FREE DINING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2013…SORTA

One of my crack sources–the mysterious J–just emailed me to let me know that free dining for the fall of 2013 will be out shortly for South American and European visitors.

The booking window will open May 9, and the offer will cover arrival dates of September 2 through September 25.

At the values, the offer is the quick service dining plan for free, and at the moderates and deluxes, the offer is the regular dining plan for free.

I refuse to read too much into the arrival dates right now, so my takeaway is that since this offer will soon be out for much of the rest of the world, we’ll see an August/September free dining deal out for US residents visitors in May as well.

I believe the UK FD promos have already been released for 2013. There has NEVER been an exclusive free dining offer or dates for South America through the Walt Disney World Travel Company. A separate offer for South America would be strange, they can simply book through the US WDW site and book whatever the current FD promo is, same for Canadians. Why would they need a separate discount offer extended to South America? I don't think that makes sense.

 

[kelevans100]

So, the last 2 weeks of August will have no promotions?

 

[TheDisney411]

So, the last 2 weeks of August will have no promotions?

They will possibly release some room only discounts for mid to late August in June.

 

[smitch425]

So, the last 2 weeks of August will have no promotions?

There is still a chance for a room discount, but free dining is pretty much off the table at this point.

 

[kelevans100]

Hasn't Disney always called the last weeks of August their "Fall Promotion?" I spoke with a CM and they told me that their "Summer Season" ends the middle of August when the south goes back to school. What are your thoughts?

 

[black562]

Still looking into it, but looks like some room only discounts should be in the cards starting August 15. That would bridge the gap of no discounts between the summer offer and free dining.

 

[smitch425]

Hasn't Disney always called the last weeks of August their "Fall Promotion?" I spoke with a CM and they told me that their "Summer Season" ends the middle of August when the south goes back to school. What are your thoughts?

The Aug/Sept deals are considered late summer. Disney goes by the actual calendar when referencing discount periods. Their actual room rate seasons are referred to differently. The official first day of Fall is Sept 22. Disney's "fall" offer is for October-Dec.

 

[kelevans100]

Actually, I just looked at this website and saw that they call it there "Value 1 Season"...August 18-September 26th. Any thoughts as to why they would exclude August this year and have never done that before?! I am so bummed. We have gone to Disney the last week in August almost every year for the past few years and have always gotten the "Free Dining Plan" offer. We are scheduled again this year for August 25th arrival and will miss it if this holds true!

 

[smitch425]

Actually, I just looked at this website and saw that they call it there "Value 1 Season"...August 18-September 26th. Any thoughts as to why they would exclude August this year and have never done that before?! I am so bummed. We have gone to Disney the last week in August almost every year for the past few years and have always gotten the "Free Dining Plan" offer. We are scheduled again this year for August 25th arrival and will miss it if this holds true!

No concrete answer, but it is believed that the number of conventions in late August combined with the bookings from the bounceback offer has given them high enough occupancy that FD was not needed to fill the rooms this year. Even though you will miss out on this deal, there is still a chance for a room deal, and maybe the crowd levels will go down a bit if people who are flexible with their dates will move them. Good luck!

 

[black562]

Actually, I just looked at this website and saw that they call it there "Value 1 Season"...August 18-September 26th. Any thoughts as to why they would exclude August this year and have never done that before?! I am so bummed. We have gone to Disney the last week in August almost every year for the past few years and have always gotten the "Free Dining Plan" offer. We are scheduled again this year for August 25th arrival and will miss it if this holds true!

They didn't want a bunch of conference attendees all eating for free. Coronado is nearly sold out for the Mustang convention and another convention is going on at the same time over at wide world of sports.

 

[black562]

I'll throw out what I'm seeing at the moment.

Room only discount for travel dates between August 15 and September 28 with some exclusions. Available for booking possibly on May 9. I can't tell if this covers US residents but I think that may be the case.

Perhaps Danny will be able to fill in that gap soon, unless I can dig up more.

So call this tentative and possible for now.

 

[CJK]

Still looking into it, but looks like some room only discounts should be in the cards starting August 15. That would bridge the gap of no discounts between the summer offer and free dining.

Great news, thanks!!

 

[CJK]

I'll throw out what I'm seeing at the moment.

Room only discount for travel dates between August 15 and September 28 with some exclusions. Available for booking possibly on May 9. I can't tell if this covers US residents but I think that may be the case.

Perhaps Danny will be able to fill in that gap soon, unless I can dig up more.

So call this tentative and possible for now.

Thanks for your continuing updates!! Fingers crossed that we'll be able to apply this room only discount to magic your way packages.