2015 Planning - Free Dining?

[mayfam2010]

*If* they offer free dining next fall (2015), how soon do they usually announce the promo?

We have dates in mind for out trip next year, but I know that if they do offer free dining it won't be until closer to the date. If we book now (or soon-ish), and free dining comes available after our booking, can we add that promo?

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Last couple of years it hasn't been announced until May. You can have it applied to an existing reservation (if available).

 

[mayfam2010]

Last couple of years it hasn't been announced until May. You can have it applied to an existing reservation (if available).

Thanks Mrs.Grumpy!

 

[mccreel]

There was an article about the lack of availability of free dining. Like POR being completely left out. The problem is, a lot of people book in anticipation of free dining. So the rooms show pretty good occupancy. They offer free dining and other promotions to fill hotels. If there are already a lot of people booked for the rooms, there is no need to offer free dining. Now we always go in October when we go because that is when our wedding anniversary is. So it does not matter if they offer free dining or not. But if everyone books in anticipation for free dining, less will be offered because the hotels already have a lot of reservations. Kind of a double edged sward....

 

[Elevationist]

I'm crossing my fingers that it gets extended through early December. I'm checking in on Dec. 4th, 2015. Here's hoping!

 

[cawqueen]

I'm crossing my fingers that it gets extended through early December. I'm checking in on Dec. 4th, 2015. Here's hoping!

Judging from the patterns the last several years, this would be an unlikely scenario. The dates seem to have become more sparse rather than Disney adding dates, and early December hasn't been included. We check in on the 12th, and this was the earliest date in December this year. It's been similar in the last several years.

 

[ajjoplin]

We are also looking to go in early Dec 2015. Was hoping for free dining but plan to go either way. What if your booking ends during free dining dates? Do you get the promo for the entire stay? Was looking at Dec 5-13 so didn't know if that would work...if FD started around the 12th.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The date that you CHECK IN must be part of the free dining offer. If the offer period begins Dec. 12th and you check in on the 5th you are not eligible, even if any of the later portion of your trip falls within the offer. Only the date you check in matters.

 

[babydoll65]

We're going next Sept (12-19) hoping for the same thing though I know they usually offer free dining in Sept. Would prefer to stay at POR but staying at pop to secure the fd. It was offered in early May this year so got a ways to go before then.

 

[organized mommy]

Just and FYI - Stay, Play and Dine is open for Disney Visa Cardholders!!

Just saved $972.13

This offer becomes available to the general public on October 9, 2014.

 

[vikster1]

How about discounts for Spring 2015? Does anyone know when they typically put out?

 

[finny1981]

We're going next Sept (12-19) hoping for the same thing though I know they usually offer free dining in Sept. Would prefer to stay at POR but staying at pop to secure the fd. It was offered in early May this year so got a ways to go before then.

We will be there those same dates. It will have been four years since last time we went as a family and we are all so super excited. What are you doing to pass all these days without losing your mind?

 

[olpr]

We're planning to go Sept. 20-26. We've also thought about booking POR but do you guys think there is a good chance that resort won't be included in the free dining promotion? If not, do you have any suggestions for other Moderates that would be more likely to be included? Just so I can be pricing out differences. I've taken part in free dining a few times, but this is my first time planning my own trip! Thanks!

 

[SPOERLX3]

Here is the historical data for promotions all the way back to 2011.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

 

[dpswift]

There was an article about the lack of availability of free dining. Like POR being completely left out. The problem is, a lot of people book in anticipation of free dining. So the rooms show pretty good occupancy. They offer free dining and other promotions to fill hotels. If there are already a lot of people booked for the rooms, there is no need to offer free dining. Now we always go in October when we go because that is when our wedding anniversary is. So it does not matter if they offer free dining or not. But if everyone books in anticipation for free dining, less will be offered because the hotels already have a lot of reservations. Kind of a double edged sward....

I am trying to decide what to do as well. DH and I want to go down in Sept to celebrate our anniversary which is the end of Aug. I would like to book something so that I can make ADRs. We are planning on restaurants being am important part of the trip and are even considering upgrading to Delux dining.

I am concerned about the fact that POR was left out this year. I do know that now CBR has some 5 person rooms so I am hoping that POR will not be quite as full when discounts are being decided. This past year after FD had been open to the public a FD PIN was given out to selected people that did include POR.

 

[Chip_Dale]

Can you change resorts on an existing booking once free dining comes out. Does changing your reservation to free dining cancel any ADR's that you have booked? Might book at my second choice resort as to increase the chance of FD being available at my first choice resort.

 

[finny1981]

Disney told me that yes you can change your resort once free dining comes out and that you do not lose any of your ADR's. Hopefully someone who has experienced this can verify it.

 

[Fenway1970]

Disney told me that yes you can change your resort once free dining comes out and that you do not lose any of your ADR's. Hopefully someone who has experienced this can verify it.

This is true if the resort you are changing to has rooms available for the promotion.

It's been said many times, though, and it bears repeating: if you won't go without Free Dining, the worst thing you can do is book before the promotion is announced. The more people book early, the less incentive Disney has to offer the promo, as previous posters have touched on. It's why POR was excluded from the 2014 public offer.

It's hard to wait, believe me I know. Between wanting to secure good ADR times as soon as possible, and/or maybe wanting to lock up one of the new Murphy bed rooms at CBR, plenty of mouse fingers will be getting itchy around February/March. Disney knows all this too which is why they wait until well after the 180-day ADR window has opened to announce the discount.

 

[SPOERLX3]

This is true if the resort you are changing to has rooms available for the promotion.

It's been said many times, though, and it bears repeating: if you won't go without Free Dining, the worst thing you can do is book before the promotion is announced. The more people book early, the less incentive Disney has to offer the promo, as previous posters have touched on. It's why POR was excluded from the 2014 public offer.

It's hard to wait, believe me I know. Between wanting to secure good ADR times as soon as possible, and/or maybe wanting to lock up one of the new Murphy bed rooms at CBR, plenty of mouse fingers will be getting itchy around February/March. Disney knows all this too which is why they wait until well after the 180-day ADR window has opened to announce the discount.

Exactly!

 

[momminnie]

What the stay.play and dine discount?