2013 Free Dining Watch

[sietzsounds]

waiting patiently here as well!!!!! our trip starts August 13th so we may be too early for FD, but u neva know

 

[mickey2000]

UK Free Dining 2013
For any Brits looking to book a WDW holiday via the Disney website for 2013 - here is the free dining offer and dates. There will be black out dates so you'll have to put your choice of dates in the search engine to check these. You need to also book your tickets as part of your package to qualify for free dining.

No free dining at values resorts. Quick service plan at moderate resorts. Regular dining plan at deluxe resorts and also Saratoga Springs and Old Key West which are available with some great room rates currently. A one bed at one of these DVC's is running at a similar price to the Yacht/Beach Club, a studio is less.

For selected arrivals between 1 Jan - 19 March and 7 Apr - 8 Dec 2013 inclusive.

 

[jacksgirl]

Still hanging in here too. We arrive September 27th, but are a bit flexible with that date. Could come in a couple of days earlier or later, if need be, to fit into discount dates. FWIW, I called yesterday (my 180 day mark) to make ADRs. Got everything I wanted at the time I wanted, easily (YAY). During the conversation, I mentioned to the CM that we usually come during FD but that, since it doesn't look promising this year (I was angling for info if she had any), I just bit the bullet and booked anyway. She said "Oh, I wouldn't count it out just yet for those dates. They're cutting back on the amount of times it's offered, but it's not completely gone. I think you're very likely to get it for your dates."

 

[Fenwar]

Free dining has not been offered at all this year to the general public. People are standing by hoping for the offer in August and Sept.

Thank you....I was getting worried

 

[gr8tdame]

We stayed at POFQ in jan and had a free dining pin. Every year we have booked a BB with free dining . This year we were not given a BB offer so we did not book our return trip. If there is no free dining offered we will take a cruise or go to an all inclusive resort. Disney will not get our $$$$$$$. Free dining was the only way I could convince my family to go to Disney.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Fivemuggles]

Still hanging in here too. We arrive September 27th, but are a bit flexible with that date. Could come in a couple of days earlier or later, if need be, to fit into discount dates. FWIW, I called yesterday (my 180 day mark) to make ADRs. Got everything I wanted at the time I wanted, easily (YAY). During the conversation, I mentioned to the CM that we usually come during FD but that, since it doesn't look promising this year (I was angling for info if she had any), I just bit the bullet and booked anyway. She said "Oh, I wouldn't count it out just yet for those dates. They're cutting back on the amount of times it's offered, but it's not completely gone. I think you're very likely to get it for your dates."

We arrive on sept 28, and are staying at POR- so im crossing my fingers here too! Otherwise I think we will def downgrade to a value, or stay offsite - with 5 people in our family, we can't afford to go without a really good deal, like FD!

 

[lnh'smom]

We arrive on sept 28, and are staying at POR- so im crossing my fingers here too! Otherwise I think we will def downgrade to a value, or stay offsite - with 5 people in our family, we can't afford to go without a really good deal, like FD!

We would probably switch to off site too. With 4 kids, 2 of which are adults, there is no way we can afford it!

 

[Coconuts]

This is an easy one. No free dining in November, no DisneyWorld. There are better travel values.

We are in the same boat.

 

[Tink3rbell86]

Im starting to get a little antsy. I'm holding out on buying our plane tickets because if the end dates are earlier then the 22nd we may switch for the free dining. I just dont want to wait toooo long and pay TONS for our flight. No matter what the discount can't they release something for fall!!! What the heck are they waiting for!?

Still have hope!

 

[disneymom06]

We drive down so are able to be flexible with time. FD is the only was another Disney trip is in the running. For repeat visitors, it is not a one time splurge so we are at this time looking at other options.

 

[supe3]

I started looking yesterday at off site places to rent as a backup if their is no free dining in Sep/Oct. How long should we wait before making other plans? Or maybe I should be asking what is the latest date you would expect to hear something from Disney about free dining before we KNOW their is or is not going to be free dining?

 

[smitch425]

I started looking yesterday at off site places to rent as a backup if their is no free dining in Sep/Oct. How long should we wait before making other plans? Or maybe I should be asking what is the latest date you would expect to hear something from Disney about free dining before we KNOW their is or is not going to be free dining?

Oct deals typically come out in July, but have come as late as the first week of Aug. If we don't hear anything by mid-Aug, that would be the time to panic.

 

[mommycrawford]

Us too. No free dining = staying off property

Sadly,...I have to agree! The prices have just gotten prohibitively high!

 

[Tifley]

OK...starting to get very nervous. Thought I would price out a vacation using a TA that Mousesavers suggested because they advertised a fall special starting Sept 12th that included dining. She emailed me back stating if we booked with her, because we are a large group, she could get us a group rate, but if FD came out, we couldn't switch. I explained I was just pricing out options incase they don't have FD. She then responded saying she wouldn't count on FD this year at all because Disney is having no problems filling up rooms with the discounts they are offering right now! That really crushed my hopes of FD for our trip...possibly moving offsite now

 

[wundermommy76]

I know that last year free dining was already offered by now because we booked in March 2012 for September 2012 & FD was included!!! This is getting frustrating now.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I know that last year free dining was already offered by now because we booked in March 2012 for September 2012 & FD was included!!! This is getting frustrating now.

Last year was the only year it was offered in March, so don't let that worry you too much. Historically FD has been announced later (although not too much later - more like April or May).

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[revdon64]

OK...starting to get very nervous. Thought I would price out a vacation using a TA that Mousesavers suggested because they advertised a fall special starting Sept 12th that included dining. She emailed me back stating if we booked with her, because we are a large group, she could get us a group rate, but if FD came out, we couldn't switch. I explained I was just pricing out options incase they don't have FD. She then responded saying she wouldn't count on FD this year at all because Disney is having no problems filling up rooms with the discounts they are offering right now! That really crushed my hopes of FD for our trip...possibly moving offsite now

Have you considered the possibility that your Travel Agent just wants your business and will lie to or misinform you in order to get your business?

I wouldn't count out Free Dining just yet, in fact, I'm still hopeful for it. We're booked and will go regardless, but it will still be nice.

 

[Texas Barbie]

Have you considered the possibility that your Travel Agent just wants your business and will lie to or misinform you in order to get your business?

I wouldn't count out Free Dining just yet, in fact, I'm still hopeful for it. We're booked and will go regardless, but it will still be nice.

I agree. The agent is just trying to get the booking. I wouldn't give up yet.

 

[kelleigh1]

I agree. The agent is just trying to get the booking. I wouldn't give up yet.

I once had a TA tell me that Disney never has discounts. Needless to say, I've never booked with that one. When a TA doesn't even know the basics about WDW, that's when I go elsewhere. Thankfully I have a good TA right now, but I actually didn't book our Nov. trip with her. I booked at the AAA Travel Show that was in my area last month because they were also offering gift cards when you booked. Yesterday I emailed the TA that I booked with at the show, and I still haven't heard back from her which does concern me a bit. It has only been a day, but I'm used to hearing back the same day when I contact me TA.

 

[gdesousa4688]

I just got an email with summer discounts but it's for rooms only. Book by 6/14 for stays from 4/28 to 8/14. I'm staying 8/24-8/28.