Free dining 2014

[chelliebelle4]

*hoping for one*

 

[oldtink]

Just waiting and prayin for Sept 29th to count or we will move up a week, but PLEEEAAAASSSEEEE include FD!!!!

 

[kcwiak]

Just waiting and prayin for Sept 29th to count or we will move up a week, but PLEEEAAAASSSEEEE include FD!!!!

Just my 2 cents and not to say it won't change but we did a BB for this September and we check-in 9/27 and that was the last day to get the FD for visit.

 

[kcwiak]

Disney has annoucned that the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for 2014 has been moved up one week, starting on 9/19/2014. I wonder if this change will mean the death of free dining for September?

This is awesome news (F&W earlier dates)! Last year we were leaving the Monday following the start and had only 1 day at it. We will be there 9/27-10/5 with FD. WOOHOO

 

[oldtink]

Just my 2 cents and not to say it won't change but we did a BB for this September and we check-in 9/27 and that was the last day to get the FD for visit.

Sept 2013 or 2014? Because our trip starts the 29th and our group of four agreed to move a back a week if FD was involved.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I too am beginning to wonder if Free Dining will be delegated to the beginning of the month and only until F&W begins. That is so popular that there really is no need for the added incentive of FD...I hope I am wrong though and am holding out! My dates are pretty flexible.

 

[Vidia2]

Just my 2 cents and not to say it won't change but we did a BB for this September and we check-in 9/27 and that was the last day to get the FD for visit.

Bounce back offers are different from the dates offered to the public.

 

[SGMCO]

I wish Disney would go back to their original time of offering FD Mid-Aug. through Sept., They used of not offer FD any other time of the year.

 

[kcwiak]

Sept 2013 or 2014? Because our trip starts the 29th and our group of four agreed to move a back a week if FD was involved.

2014. It was a BB offer at our 2013 trip. If they do GP the dates will prob be the same.

 

[kcwiak]

Bounce back offers are different from the dates offered to the public.

True but the time frame is pretty accurate of the GP FD in September

 

[oldtink]

I just got off the phone with
1) travel agent who said that Disney is being VERY closed mouth about pending promotions that will follow the current ones. The first signs will be when the Visa card holder come out. Once they have a chance to book, then we will know more. She did tell me to call Disney directly to make sure that my email was current and see if anyone would "say anything."
Our agent also told us that she has two different weeks on hold in case we need to bump up a week, so not to book flights until later spring or we may chance paying a penalty that will wipe out any deal we would land.

2) Called Disney and found that 1) our email was wrong so we couldn't have been sent an email with a pin if we did get one. He also said there are "no current pins out" at this time. Second, he said that the time to start looking or fall anything will be late April and there is "something" coming out but they have not heard specifics.
I mentioned that we were bring another couple who had not been there since Disney World was only Magic Kingdom and wanted to know if we get FD could they join that pin and he said it is good for up to 3 rooms. Also since we were bring on board what they consider "new Disney experience" that would be noted. I have no idea if that will mean anything, but it was worth a shot.

I have to say, I have never spoken to anyone at Disney who wasn't positive and cheerful.

 

[black562]

I just got off the phone with
1) travel agent who said that Disney is being VERY closed mouth about pending promotions that will follow the current ones. The first signs will be when the Visa card holder come out. Once they have a chance to book, then we will know more. She did tell me to call Disney directly to make sure that my email was current and see if anyone would "say anything."
Our agent also told us that she has two different weeks on hold in case we need to bump up a week, so not to book flights until later spring or we may chance paying a penalty that will wipe out any deal we would land.

2) Called Disney and found that 1) our email was wrong so we couldn't have been sent an email with a pin if we did get one. He also said there are "no current pins out" at this time. Second, he said that the time to start looking or fall anything will be late April and there is "something" coming out but they have not heard specifics.
I mentioned that we were bring another couple who had not been there since Disney World was only Magic Kingdom and wanted to know if we get FD could they join that pin and he said it is good for up to 3 rooms. Also since we were bring on board what they consider "new Disney experience" that would be noted. I have no idea if that will mean anything, but it was worth a shot.

I have to say, I have never spoken to anyone at Disney who wasn't positive and cheerful.

Do be aware though that, more often than not, there are many leaks that surface here a week or two before the promo is announced. Most times, the predictions are dead on the money.

 

[babydoll65]

Hi black,saw you changed your picture. Wasnt sure it was you at first. I'm trying to help my niece plan her first trip (honeymoon) I think her dates are 10/8 to 10/14. Historically, have they offered free dining then. I wasn't sure because I know some kids are out if school on fall break.

 

[skier_pete]

Just a comment - we also are booked with bounceback free dining for this fall. The window for Bounceback was August 23rd to September 27th. As others have pointed out, that does NOT mean that there will be free dining, or that this will be the window. Last year the window was smaller.

I think Disney is very close to eliminating "free" dining, other than for those few weeks of early September. I could see a deep package discount, but the value for the Dining plan is getting way too large relative to the room costs to keep giving it away for free.

(Four years ago in September a Mod room was $169 a night, and dining for a family of four adults was $150. Now a Mod room is $189 a night and free dining is $220+ a day. Disney is giving away a lot more value now.)

 

[SPOERLX3]

Hi black,saw you changed your picture. Wasnt sure it was you at first. I'm trying to help my niece plan her first trip (honeymoon) I think her dates are 10/8 to 10/14. Historically, have they offered free dining then. I wasn't sure because I know some kids are out if school on fall break.

Here is the historical data for Disney promo's Hope this helps.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/
2013 on 5/6 FD promo came out for 9/2 thru 9/25 then re-offered on 8/1 to cover dates 9/29 thru 12/22.
2012 on 3/5/12 FD was offered 8/25 thru 9/29 and then re-offered on 7/9 to cover dates 9/30 thru 12/13.
2011 on 8/16/10 they did an early FD offer for 8/19/ thru 9/24/11 (a year in advance) then on 4/28/11 FD offer came out on 5/2 that covered 8/28 thru 9/24 and then re-offered on 8/3 to cover dates 10/2 thru 12/17 and then on 8/24 the FD offer was reissued with slightly changed set of dates.

I have read on the boards (I think there is a complete forum) about whether the DISers "think" that the earlier Food & Wine festival dates will effect the dates of FD, possibly ending FD prior to the F&W festival starting. But based on the historical data, FD has been offered the majority of the time that Disney has had the F&W festival.

I guess we will all have to just wait and see what happens but hopefully this will help answer your question. YES! historically, they have offered FD during the dates you are looking for!Pixie Dust for 2014 FD for your dates (and mine)

 

[black562]

Here's the history of when free dining for September was released to the public. Note that Visa holders got an early crack at most of these by a couple of days. October dates began coming into play during the later years of free dining. Initially, it covered half of August into September. They started expanding as the economy tanked. The dates below are when the first fall free dining offers became available.

2005 - June 2
2006 - April 1
2007 - April 9
2008 - April 7
2009 - March 30
2010 - May 3
2011 - May 2
2012 - March 5
2013 - May 9

 

[oldtink]

Just a comment - we also are booked with bounceback free dining for this fall. The window for Bounceback was August 23rd to September 27th. As others have pointed out, that does NOT mean that there will be free dining, or that this will be the window. Last year the window was smaller.

I think Disney is very close to eliminating "free" dining, other than for those few weeks of early September. I could see a deep package discount, but the value for the Dining plan is getting way too large relative to the room costs to keep giving it away for free.

(Four years ago in September a Mod room was $169 a night, and dining for a family of four adults was $150. Now a Mod room is $189 a night and free dining is $220+ a day. Disney is giving away a lot more value now.)

Both our travel agent AND the CM said the same thing. There will be a promotion, they just don't know what it will be. If I get a deep cut in my resort costs, that will pay for the dining, so it all balances out. We will spend the money at Disney one way or another! So just sitting tight and waiting for the news.

 

[mickey2000]

Just a comment - we also are booked with bounceback free dining for this fall. The window for Bounceback was August 23rd to September 27th. As others have pointed out, that does NOT mean that there will be free dining, or that this will be the window. Last year the window was smaller.

I think Disney is very close to eliminating "free" dining, other than for those few weeks of early September. I could see a deep package discount, but the value for the Dining plan is getting way too large relative to the room costs to keep giving it away for free.

(Four years ago in September a Mod room was $169 a night, and dining for a family of four adults was $150. Now a Mod room is $189 a night and free dining is $220+ a day. Disney is giving away a lot more value now.)

My BB will start on 8/21/2014

 

[donp]

Well, here's hopin'! Just booked my Dining Reservations for my upcoming trip Sept 4th-13th. I am kicking myself for missing the window of opportunity for the BB offer that we had on our trip last year. I was planning on calling on our layover on the flight home--which ended up being a dash to the next plane. Realized the next morning--too late! Strict policy of getting BB only on the days that you are at the park.

Last year, there was a very accurate leak that came out as others were alluding to. Apparently, this fellow has been spot on for years. Will be checking back frequently! Fingers crossed for September free dining !!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Looks like May will be our best bet to hear anything. I have 2 weeks that I definitely can't go in September and the rest of the weeks are so flexible, here's to hoping!