Hope this isn't too confusing, but this info on what the original offers said might help you figure the blackout dates were for the last 3 years. *For info only - these offers have all now EXPIRED*
Offer for Fall
2010 (dates were extended from original offer).
October December 2010 Free Dining Offer!
Valid for stays most nights October 1 - October 7, October 22-28, November 12-18, November 27 - December 2, and December 10-21, 2010
Book a Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a stay at a Walt Disney World resort and a park ticket, and receive the Dining Plan for free!
Book a Disney Value Resort and and get the Quick Service Dining free!
Book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas Resort and and get the Regular Dining free!
Discount Codes: The following codes can be used to for obtaining these discounts by calling Disney directly, or by contacting Dreams Unlimited Travel.
Dining plans can be upgraded at an additional cost. This discount must be booked by 12/20/10. Free dining available October 1 - October 7, October 22-28, November 12-18, November 27 - December 2, and December 10-21, 2010. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. Blackout dates may apply
We checked in Oct. 30, 2011 and that week was blacked out for free dining.
That's too bad -the original
2011 offer did list your date, so I wonder why you couldn't get it?
Fall/Winter FREE Dining Package
For a limited time, get a FREE Disney dining plan when you buy a full price 2011 Magic Your Way or 2012 Magic Your Way vacation package (including accommodations and tickets) for select dates at select Walt Disney World resort hotels.
Offer is valid for check-ins 10/2/11-10/8/11, 10/23/11-11/5/11, 11/13/11-11/19/11, 11/27/11-12/3/11, 12/11/11-12/17/11, 1/8/12-1/14/12, 1/22/12-2/4/12, 2/12/12-2/18/12, 3/4/12-3/10/12 and 3/25/12-3/31/12. Some dates may have extremely limited availability. Some of the most popular resorts and/or room types may not have any availability. Based on similar offers in the past, the offer can apply to your entire stay as long as you check in within one of the allowed sets of dates.
Stay at select Disney Value resorts and get the 2011 Quick Service Dining Plan or 2012 Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE.
Stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas resorts and get the regular 2011 Dining Plan or 2012 Dining Plan for FREE.
The package includes:
Accommodations in a select Walt Disney World resort hotel (3 nights minimum, 14 nights maximum)
Walt Disney World theme park Base Tickets (2 days minimum; can be upgraded to include add-ons such as Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More at an additional cost)
Book by 10/29/11. No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes suites, campsites and 3-Bedroom Villas. Advance reservations required. Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children's menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.
*My note: Some dates were modified after the original offer, and ended up being
October 1 to 6, 2011
October 22 to November 3, 2011
November 12 to 17, 2011
November 26 to December 1, 2011
December 10 to 15, 2011
2012 info
Free dining available select nights 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/9-11/15, 11/23-11/29 and 12/10-12/20/12 (some dates were modified after original offer):
September 2012 December 2012 Free Dining Offer!
Valid for stays select nights 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/9-11/15, 11/23-11/29 and 12/10-12/20/12.
Book a Walt Disney World vacation package that includes a stay at a Walt Disney World resort and a park ticket, and receive the Dining Plan for free!
Book a Disney Value Resort and get the Quick Service Dining free!
Book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas Resort and and get the Regular Dining free!
3 night minimum stay/14 night maximum stay.Must purchase a minimum of 2-day/maximum of 10 day park tickets. Dining plans can be upgraded at an additional cost. This discount must be booked by 9/29/12. Free dining available select nights 9/30-10/4, 10/19-11/1, 11/9-11/15, 11/23-11/29 and 12/10-12/20/12.All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. Blackout dates may apply. Discount is not valid at campsites, 3-bedroom villas or the Little Mermaid Standard View rooms at Disney's Art of Animation resort.
Money is extremely tight and this would just make it so much easier.
Since you had posted money is tight, if you were thinking of booking a Value resort I just wanted to be sure that you had read DISer danny25's previous posts that Values
might not be included in 2013 FD at all (and Mods & Deluxes would only get QSDP - BTW he has a great track record):
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3039016
Looks like the first or last week would be your best bet.
I agree, and probably would stick with around the first week of Oct., but again, based on danny25's info they
might need to book a Mod or Deluxe to get FD at all. Though hopefully Disney will scrap that possible plan anyway!