Free Dining '10 Update: Disney Visa FD Released (See pages 1 & 57+ for details)

[PrincessMom4]

I want free dining

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

question.. with free dining am I reading right that you don't get any table service credits if you stay at a value resort? So with 3 of us, dh,dd and myself if its 41.99 for the 2 adults and 11.99 for dd, that would be $96/day. If the room rate difference is anything less than that, we should book the moderate resort then? But if free dining isn't advertised for 10/21 to 10/28 then we would be paying extra for the room and still no fd. So ultimatley, which hotel category should I be looking at?
Sorry, it's getting late and I just want to make sure I am getting this right. .. except I don't do coffee

 

[WDWKOOK]

question.. with free dining am I reading right that you don't get any table service credits if you stay at a value resort? So with 3 of us, dh,dd and myself if its 41.99 for the 2 adults and 11.99 for dd, that would be $96/day. If the room rate difference is anything less than that, we should book the moderate resort then? But if free dining isn't advertised for 10/21 to 10/28 then we would be paying extra for the room and still no fd. So ultimatley, which hotel category should I be looking at?
Sorry, it's getting late and I just want to make sure I am getting this right. .. except I don't do coffee

I only drink decaf., but I'll try and help you

Yes, you could get table service credits at a Value with the RDP and DxDP, just not with the QSDP. The Values don't have table service restaurants, but you do get the credits to use where available.

Here are the details of last years' promo. (now expired):

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Value Resort (the All-Star or Pop Century resorts) and receive the Quick Service Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Quick Service Dining Plan provides two counter-service meals and 2 snacks (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $77.96 per night of stay. Each person over age 3 also receives a refillable mug good for sodas, tea, and coffee at your resort food court with the quick service plan. Guests staying at a value resort can upgrade to the Standard Dining Plan for an additional $10 per night per person over age 10 and an additional $2 per night per child aged 3 - 9.

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort and receive the Plus / Standard Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Standard Dining Plan provides one table service meal credit, one counter-service meal credit, and 1 snack (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $101.96 per night of stay. It is possible to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan by paying the difference between the Standard Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan.
(From: www.squidoo.com)

Here is a link to a great thread which has lots of info. on everything to do with the DPs:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2353648

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I only drink decaf., but I'll try and help you

Yes, you could get table service credits at a Value with the RDP and DxDP, just not with the QSDP. The Values don't have table service restaurants, but you do get the credits to use where available.

Here are the details of last years' promo. (now expired):

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Value Resort (the All-Star or Pop Century resorts) and receive the Quick Service Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Quick Service Dining Plan provides two counter-service meals and 2 snacks (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $77.96 per night of stay. Each person over age 3 also receives a refillable mug good for sodas, tea, and coffee at your resort food court with the quick service plan. Guests staying at a value resort can upgrade to the Standard Dining Plan for an additional $10 per night per person over age 10 and an additional $2 per night per child aged 3 - 9.

Book a Walt Disney World Magic Your Way package at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort and receive the Plus / Standard Dining Plan at no additional cost. The Standard Dining Plan provides one table service meal credit, one counter-service meal credit, and 1 snack (up to $4 value) per person, per night of stay. A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) will save $101.96 per night of stay. It is possible to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan by paying the difference between the Standard Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan.
(From: www.squidoo.com)

Here is a link to a great thread which has lots of info. on everything to do with the DPs:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2353648

The verbage you quoted was from the offer that came out in the late summer for October - December dates. That was a completely separate offer and code from the annual fall free dining offer that was announced last spring that came out for August 16 - October 3, 2009 dates. That is the first and only time that the values were given the Quick Service DDP option with a free dining offer. That offer had nothing to do with the annual fall free dining offer.

The annual free dining offer that has come out every year since 2005 has always included the Basic DDP (1 TS, 1 CS and 1 Snack per person, per night.) The Basic/Regualr Dining plan was also offered to all levels of resort for the bounceback offer too.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

question.. with free dining am I reading right that you don't get any table service credits if you stay at a value resort? So with 3 of us, dh,dd and myself if its 41.99 for the 2 adults and 11.99 for dd, that would be $96/day. If the room rate difference is anything less than that, we should book the moderate resort then? But if free dining isn't advertised for 10/21 to 10/28 then we would be paying extra for the room and still no fd. So ultimatley, which hotel category should I be looking at?
Sorry, it's getting late and I just want to make sure I am getting this right. .. except I don't do coffee

No, that is not necessarily night. The annual fall free dining offer has always included the Basic DDP (1TS, 1CS, 1 Snack per person per night). There was an offer that came out late last year for some October - December dates that only included the Quick Service DDP for value restaurants, but that offer did not have anything to do with the original fall free dining offer.

There's some speculation here that the FD general public offer this year will only include Quick Service for the values, but the 2009 Bounceback offer for this year's 2010 Free Dining does include the Basic DDP for all levels of resorts.

The speculated dates for this year's fall free dining promo are August 15 - October 2, so your dates will not fall in that range. Last year's second free dining offer did not come out until late summer, and that was the first time WDW offered those extended dates, so there is no historical info to go on as to IF they will even have a second offer this year.

But, even if by chance, the annual FD offer this year only offer QS DDP for values or there is a second offer as last yaer, and you want the Basic DDP, all you have to do is upgrade and pay the difference, which is $10.00 per adult a day and $2.00 per child per day. The Free Dining discount is almost always a better discount than the room only discount when you are staying value or moderate.

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

Thanks to both of you. Looks like we should book at the value and if it is offered, just pay the difference to upgrade. Thanks to you all. Can't wait until the end of October!!!!!!

 

[disneymeces]

subscribing....

 

[mommylovesdisney]

I don't want to be a downer... I, too, am hoping for free dining, BUT I heard from a disney specialist TA that since the FD QS dp pin was released, usually it's an indicator of what is to come. I essentially got the idea that the only FD that might be available to the gen. public for the usual timeframe, regardless of resort, is the QSDP. I hope I compleletly misunderstood the TA or that they didn't know what they were talking about. That would totally stink for us

 

[meelkes10]

What are pins?!? there may be a thread for this, and I apologize if there is.

 

[WDWKOOK]

What are pins?!? there may be a thread for this, and I apologize if there is.

Good question and no need to apologize

"Pin" is short for "Pin Code". These are codes (usually quite long) that are specific to the person receiving them and are not transferable. They offer a discount such as a room-only discount (might be 20%-45% off the rack rate), free dining plan, buy a certain number of nights and get some free - that sort of thing. They are sent (randomly) via e-mail usually by "Disney Destinations" and sometimes by snail mail. If you are registered on the Disney website, have booked travel with the WDTC, have ordered a free DVD, have plugged-in some vacation dates on the booking page, etc... then you're much more likely to receive a "pin". Also, it's worth a call to the WDTC to ask them (nicely) if there might be a "pin" attached to your name.

There are also "General Public" codes that are released publicly and these codes (usually quite short) can be used either by anyone or by a targeted group, such as military or FL residents or AP holders.

Here are some sites that list current promos and their codes:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/ ("Disney Discounts")

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

http://allears.net/pl/discounts.htm

 

[kimmar067]

...has anyone EVER heard of teacher discounts for the WDW resorts?? I can almost SWEAR that there never have been any....I know that S/D offers teacher discounts (gosh, I've taken advantage of them in the past!)....my DS is INSISTING that there were/are, as per his GF's friend's mom, who is a TA. Can anyone help me out on this???

 

[PrincessTiffany]

...has anyone EVER heard of teacher discounts for the WDW ressorts?? I can almost SWEAR that there never have been any....I know that S/D offers teacher discounts (gosh, I've taken advantage of them in the past!)....my DS is INSISTING that there were/are, as per his GF's friend's mom, who is a TA. Can anyone help me out on this???

No, I have never heard of teaher discounts at WDW resorts either. Only at Swan and Dolphin.

 

[meelkes10]

Good question and no need to apologize

"Pin" is short for "Pin Code". These are codes (usually quite long) that are specific to the person receiving them and are not transferable. They offer a discount such as a room-only discount (might be 20%-45% off the rack rate), free dining plan, buy a certain number of nights and get some free - that sort of thing. They are sent (randomly) via e-mail usually by "Disney Destinations" and sometimes by snail mail. If you are registered on the Disney website, have booked travel with the WDTC, have ordered a free DVD, have plugged-in some vacation dates on the booking page, etc... then you're much more likely to receive a "pin". Also, it's worth a call to the WDTC to ask them (nicely) if there might be a "pin" attached to your name.

There are also "General Public" codes that are released publicly and these codes (usually quite short) can be used either by anyone or by a targeted group, such as military or FL residents or AP holders.

Here are some sites that list current promos and their codes:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/ ("Disney Discounts")

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

http://allears.net/pl/discounts.htm

Ah! Thank you so much!!! I was thinking it was some sort of secret club.

I'll keep my eyes peeled, most definitely.

 

[tiki23]

...has anyone EVER heard of teacher discounts for the WDW ressorts?? I can almost SWEAR that there never have been any....I know that S/D offers teacher discounts (gosh, I've taken advantage of them in the past!)....my DS is INSISTING that there were/are, as per his GF's friend's mom, who is a TA. Can anyone help me out on this???

Does Shades of Green allow teachers? I know there are some other occupations allowed besides the military.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does Shades of Green allow teachers? I know there are some other occupations allowed besides the military.

No, they only book military and federal gov't employees. Sorry.

But, the Hilton Bonnet Creek does advertise special teacher rates. (The WA may have them, too but you'd have to call them).

Here's a link to the page of the WA/HBC thread where I've posted the booking links:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35625036#post35625036

 

[kimmar067]

.... you'd THINK that WDW would offer special Teachers' Rates every once in a while, wouldn't you....didn't they used to honor 'Teacher-of-the-Year'???????

 

[mommabean]

Thanks! I just booked Pop Century today for my girls' first trip (my 4th). I would love to take advantage of free dining, we'll be there from 6/27 through 7/2.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks! I just booked Pop Century today for my girls' first trip (my 4th). I would love to take advantage of free dining, we'll be there from 6/27 through 7/2.

to the DIS and congratulations on booking, mommabean. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for FD for all of you

 

[charliehorse6]

Sorry to show my miniscule mouse ears here, but what are DVR holders...is that current Disney Vacation reservations???

 

[buzyanne]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.