2005 Free Dining Dates?

[keishashadow]

Anyone remember the free MYW dining dates that were offered in '05.

Further, do you know when they were announced.

No dining deal in the latest offering late April thru September, 2006; still hoping for a repeat.

TIA

 

[bdklein]

What is the latest offering??

 

[MomofKatie]

The Free Dining promotion for Fall 2005 was from August 23 (I think- it was between the 21st and the 25th, at any rate) to October 4 (which was also the last day of Value Season). As long as you checked in by 10/4, you could get the Dining for free for up to 10 nights. We checked in on 10/1, and out on 10/8, and got the Free Dining for our entire trip.

Hopefully they will run this again- I would guess, though, that it won't be during any non-Value Season times.

 

[bicker]

That much is certain, and given how much they've learned about how much we guests value the dining plan, it seems likely they'll seek to get some money for it going forward.

 

[Hanover]

We were there the day free dining started...August 21st and we loved it. We are headed back to WDW next week and will be on the dining plan again.

 

[Allison]

I have to say I would be surprised if they offered the dining package free again considering the number of people who are paying for it now. It was a great way to introduce the program, but I don't think they will need to give it away for free anymore. You never know though.

 

[canwegosoon]

I agree with everyone..I highly doubt they would offer it free again...remember when it was offered the previous year Florida had been hit with several hurricanes, and then Katrina in 05, and several more hurricanes in the summer of 05. The free dining plan was probablly done in response to the 04 dip in travel during hurricane season, and to get the word out about the new dining plan, at a lower point of travel. I think that it's huge success might be part of the reason why we saw hefty price increases in tickets-to offset the cost of the food program-for many(not all) you have to actually be in the parks.

 

[Hanover]

I would like to see it free again, but I doubt it too. I still think I'm getting a great deal by paying for it!
Do you think Disney is really "losing" money? I am always reading about families that do not use all of their credits. We used every last one of them including 6 CS the last day for 4 people (got some food for the plane ride home). I also read a lot of trip reports with people ordering alcohol with their TS meals which tacks on some money they may not have spent.
I know that we are definitely going to more TS meals than we would go to while on the dining plan. We are spending about the same amount of money while on the dining plan (getting a TS, CS and snack each day) that we would spend not having the dining plan. We enjoy the TS meals much more than CS (especially the character dining) and feel like we really get a great deal.

 

[nancyL]

We had such a great time with the meal plan last time we went. We'll definately use it next time we go whether we buy it or get it as part of a promotion. We will go again sooner if its part of a promotion of course. Which means we'll go twice as much if they do offer a promotion- do you hear that Disney? We'll go twice!!!! We'll have to buy APs which means we'll probably go THREE times in that year!!! Thats alot of money we'll spend there if you offer another promotion that I cant pass up!!!!
hint hint hint!
NancyL

 

[Allison]

I would like to see it free again, but I doubt it too. I still think I'm getting a great deal by paying for it!
Do you think Disney is really "losing" money? I am always reading about families that do not use all of their credits. We used every last one of them including 6 CS the last day for 4 people (got some food for the plane ride home). I also read a lot of trip reports with people ordering alcohol with their TS meals which tacks on some money they may not have spent.
I know that we are definitely going to more TS meals than we would go to while on the dining plan. We are spending about the same amount of money while on the dining plan (getting a TS, CS and snack each day) that we would spend not having the dining plan. We enjoy the TS meals much more than CS (especially the character dining) and feel like we really get a great deal.

Losing money-I highly doubt it. I think their dining costs are significantly higher. I'm not sure how the dining revenues would be coming out but also consider the room discounts that are no more since people are now paying rack rate for a room. And how many people are now paying for a room at Disney who would have otherwise stayed off-site?

 

[keishashadow]

What is the latest offering??

Nothin' to get excited about...the same old, same old: 6 nts/7days AS; 2 A, 1 Jr., 1 C and base MYW tix $1,500.

Since it runs thru 3rd week of Sept., theoreticaly there's still an outside chance for weather -challenged Oct. to benefit from a potential promo. Realistically, probably not - but I can hope.

I assume they'd advertise it 2 or 3 months' out?

 

[Hanover]

And how many people are now paying for a room at Disney who would have otherwise stayed off-site?


Us for one! We love staying on site, but also love the free nights we earn from our credit card at the Embassy Suites Buena Vista. We are switching to Disney Visa finally this year because we prefer to stay on site and use the dining plan! After hearing today that DVC members can finally get the dining plan we may be looking into DVC again when we are at WDW next week!

 

[Allison]

And how many people are now paying for a room at Disney who would have otherwise stayed off-site?


Us for one! We love staying on site, but also love the free nights we earn from our credit card at the Embassy Suites Buena Vista. We are switching to Disney Visa finally this year because we prefer to stay on site and use the dining plan! After hearing today that DVC members can finally get the dining plan we may be looking into DVC again when we are at WDW next week!

Oh no, you're getting drawn in. It's a sickness you just can't recover from. If I could ever get my husband to consider DVC, I would be seriously looking at it but he doesn't have my love of Disney.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

This is supposed to be our year for a beach vacation, but I'd change that in a heartbeat if they'd offer free dining again. I'm not holding my breath, though....