2011 Free Dining is Extended! New dates as of 8/3

[OatsZoo]

I am not a fan of the free dining plan. It's virtually impossible to do a non scheduled table service meal (stopped at Le Cellier last week and they were booked for 7 months!), the selections have changed and the quality has lessened. And being behind folks at the counter service sites while they get the plan explained to them by the cashier or they are arguing with the cashier in regards to the plan - I just wish it would go away!

Well if you stop at the front desk of your resort they can tell you which resorts and parks have table service adr's still available that day and they can book one for you in the morning before you head to the parks. If you do not want to plan ahead, then you have to be flexible with the restaurant you want and the time. I think you would still have a problem getting into Le Cellier even without free dining.

 

[pkjne]

I am reading all of these posts. I want free dining so much. It does save us more then the room codes. We check in on October 23, 2011 so hoping they extend this code out to the end of October they are getting closer it is through September now SMILE
We would change it up and all but son is in the 8th grade this year and will be hopefully doing school baseball at state the end of September so really can't miss that for him......he has been looking forward to that since he got into middle school SMILE

We had the dining plan our first year 2007 and it saved us lots of money plus at that time we had three children and two adults. Then in 2009 we did the buy four days get three free so that was not a bad deal either saved us money and at that time we had three adults and two kids. This time so far not free dining only room code and we have four adults and one child...........my babies are growing up on me

 

[Tricia1972]

Just a friendly reminder that all tipping disucssion on the restaurant board is limited to this one thread

The first post of the thread explains why it's limited, and even has a tipping FAQ to address the most common tipping questions. If you don't feel that your tipping question in relation to Free Dining is answered in the first post, please feel free to ask any tipping questions in that thread.

Thanks!

 

[Toeknail]

there is nothing wrong with complaining, everyone has a right. Blaming and expecting things from a buisness is hysterical and ridiculous! People are actually angry that Disney "dissed" them and their families. IT IS A BUISNESS!

If you go to the grocery store, and something isn't on sale, do you go and complain to the manager or do you either just "buy" the item not on sale, or do you wait for it to go on sale to buy it? Disney is the same.......its a buisness people.....................I booked my trip NOT EXPECTING FD, but did hope for any discount possible, but we were going either way. It did save us $2070 for our group! (2 rooms DXDP), so we lucked out and were flexible with our dates, I know some are not...that is life. If you cannot go to Disney without a discount, then you cannot go to Disney. If you cannot buy an Escalde without a $10,000 manufacturor's rebate, then you don't buy an Escalade! I understand some are venting but some are really thinking Disney "dissed" them!

I don't remember anyone in this thread writing that they were "angry" that Disney "dissed" them.

 

[lisaisanurse]

there are so many posts/threads under resorts/dining that people are boycotting Disney, they feel they are entitled to loyalty discounts (that's the funniest one), threats to go to US/IA instead, people angry that disney are "inflating their prices"...attention: they can do what they want, they are a buisness, it's actually pretty comical what people feel they are entitled to from Walt Disney... I find it funny that people actually vent their complaints because their small children don't give them enough of a discount in Disney, lol. (The more adults in one room on the FD gives you more a discount)......that's funny..........maybe there are magic beans that can make your kids adults in Disney so you may save money!

 

[TDC Nala]

You can always register your kids as older than they are...but it'll cost you more in park tickets most likely.

I remember waiting at Le Cellier once during May when a couple came up and asked the gal at the podium what was the soonest they could get a table. She said "August." And that was quite a few years ago.

And if people want to complain, that is not against the DIS guidelines, but being argumentative, picking fights and attacking other posters is. Not that I'm saying I see that in this thread yet. It's also ok to post that you are not happy with the discount as compared to discounts offered in past years, and to post that you think it's still the best discount ever.

It is also okay to like or not like the dining plan, free or otherwise, but not to castigate others for their opinion, so please consider before you post.

 

[lisaisanurse]

 

[Toeknail]

there are so many posts/threads under resorts/dining that people are boycotting Disney, they feel they are entitled to loyalty discounts (that's the funniest one), threats to go to US/IA instead, people angry that disney are "inflating their prices"...attention: they can do what they want, they are a buisness, it's actually pretty comical what people feel they are entitled to from Walt Disney... I find it funny that people actually vent their complaints because their small children don't give them enough of a discount in Disney, lol. (The more adults in one room on the FD gives you more a discount)......that's funny..........maybe there are magic beans that can make your kids adults in Disney so you may save money!

Actually I have read the posts in this thread. Perhaps you are replying to the wrong thread?!

 

[lisaisanurse]

many posts/threads about it..............

 

[lisaisanurse]

I don't remember asking you .....

 

[Toeknail]

I don't remember asking you .....

That's ok, I was happy to help!

 

[anorman]

You can always register your kids as older than they are...but it'll cost you more in park tickets most likely.

I figured with free dining you wouldn't be able to do this.

I have two DDs; one 8 and one 10 years of age so one is an adult and one is a child according to Disney. The problem is, my DD8 has a wonderful appetite and is restricted to the child's menu while her sister will be on the adult plan. Any of you with two kids close in age will see what a problem this will cause! Is it possible, with free dining, to upgrade the younger one to the adult plan........particularly since I already have her booked as a child? I realize we would then have to upgrade her park ticket to an adult ticket but it would be worth it for me to do this. I doesn't seem that this would be in Disney's best interest (i.e. bottome line) to allow this. Any thoughts?

 

[Kaewin]

I'm hoping for the Free Dining but if not it's ok. I got it last time and it was great and it would save me a few dollars but it doesn't determine which restaurants I am going for. I am willing to pay, I just wish I could get a table.

But hey if it comes up for Nov I am so taking it.

 

[DISNEYNY]

I figured with free dining you wouldn't be able to do this.

I have two DDs; one 8 and one 10 years of age so one is an adult and one is a child according to Disney. The problem is, my DD8 has a wonderful appetite and is restricted to the child's menu while her sister will be on the adult plan. Any of you with two kids close in age will see what a problem this will cause! Is it possible, with free dining, to upgrade the younger one to the adult plan........particularly since I already have her booked as a child? I realize we would then have to upgrade her park ticket to an adult ticket but it would be worth it for me to do this. I doesn't seem that this would be in Disney's best interest (i.e. bottome line) to allow this. Any thoughts?

I have never done this, but I have read about people who have. If you think your DD would rather be on the adult plan then I would try to call and change the ressie. It would be worth it to pay for the adult ticket. I don't think it is "illegal" as long as you are paying for the adult ticket.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I figured with free dining you wouldn't be able to do this.

I have two DDs; one 8 and one 10 years of age so one is an adult and one is a child according to Disney. The problem is, my DD8 has a wonderful appetite and is restricted to the child's menu while her sister will be on the adult plan. Any of you with two kids close in age will see what a problem this will cause! Is it possible, with free dining, to upgrade the younger one to the adult plan........particularly since I already have her booked as a child? I realize we would then have to upgrade her park ticket to an adult ticket but it would be worth it for me to do this. I doesn't seem that this would be in Disney's best interest (i.e. bottome line) to allow this. Any thoughts?

They make more money in tickets...probably not a big deal. The downside is, then the child is permanently an adult at Disney. Next year, you can't say she's only 9.

 

[anorman]

They make more money in tickets...probably not a big deal. The downside is, then the child is permanently an adult at Disney. Next year, you can't say she's only 9.

Good point....although this next trip may be our last trip to Disney for a few years so it may not matter. It's something to think about though.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I figured with free dining you wouldn't be able to do this.

I have two DDs; one 8 and one 10 years of age so one is an adult and one is a child according to Disney. The problem is, my DD8 has a wonderful appetite and is restricted to the child's menu while her sister will be on the adult plan. Any of you with two kids close in age will see what a problem this will cause! Is it possible, with free dining, to upgrade the younger one to the adult plan........particularly since I already have her booked as a child? I realize we would then have to upgrade her park ticket to an adult ticket but it would be worth it for me to do this. I doesn't seem that this would be in Disney's best interest (i.e. bottome line) to allow this. Any thoughts?

You can upgrade your 8 year old and yes you will have to upgrade her ticket too - Disney never turns down your money. If you go next year and don't do the DDP, then you can just call them and have them put her back in at 9 in the computer it's not a problem.

 

[Tikitoi]

So how long is the FD plan offer available? When does it end to sign up for it.

 

[ccbayly]

I have two DDs; one 8 and one 10 years of age so one is an adult and one is a child according to Disney. The problem is, my DD8 has a wonderful appetite and is restricted to the child's menu while her sister will be on the adult plan. Any of you with two kids close in age will see what a problem this will cause! Is it possible, with free dining, to upgrade the younger one to the adult plan........particularly since I already have her booked as a child? I realize we would then have to upgrade her park ticket to an adult ticket but it would be worth it for me to do this. I doesn't seem that this would be in Disney's best interest (i.e. bottome line) to allow this. Any thoughts?

I upgraded my 7 and 9 year olds to be 10 year olds. The CM just laughed and said they are twins now. I told him exactly what I was doing and why and he had no problems with it. We have young ones with food allergies and wanted to have more options for them to be able to choose from.The difference in the cost of the ticket was well worth it for us.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We were in the middle of our trip in 2009 when DD turned 10. By Disney's rules, I could have had her as a child for the extent of our trip but I decided to upgrade her to an adult.

Interesting little fact...Everyone always posts that the Disney system will update your child's age automatically. When I upgraded DD to 10 in 2009 they still had her as 4. She was 4 in 2003. She's been back about 7 times since then. So I don't believe the ages are automatically updated.

I was very happy DD could order anything she wanted. Sometimes she still wanted the kid's meal but at some (many ) TS they offer a junior choice of kid's meals. Same item, just more of it. These items are not on the menu-ask your server.

While I had to pay extra to get DD an adult ticket, here's the expression on her face when she got an adult meal at WPC-Ravioli with Meatballs.

Well worth it, IMHO!