2016 Free Dining Watch

[prettypatchesmsu]

This is really interesting information, thanks for posting those links. If you read the terms of those offers the free dining offer was tiered by resort. Values got free breakfast, Moderates got free Quick Service and Deluxe got Regular Basic DDP. I wonder how long their offers have been tiered like that? Foreshadowing??

I know that it was that way in 2015 for their "2016" UK deal. So it must not mean too much to the US offering or we would have already seen that change. Now in the future, who knows, but at least it isn't a recent change.

 

[Confederate Scott]

I still do all of the planning when we use a TA. All the TA does for us is book the trip. I book the ADRs and Fastpasses. She will ask if I have questions or if I need help with anything. She will also send me reminders of when things open up.

I guess my concern is that the TA could have and likely will have multiple clients they are trying to get free dining for versus just trying to secure it on ones own. That said, not everyone has the time to call and do that.

 

[piglet1979]

Totally agree. I am sure my wife feels the same way with my 24/7/365 Disney planning. lol

I am always planning. Even if we do not have a trip planned. You never know when I can talk my husband into going.

 

[SunnieRN]

Thanks for the info. one other ? If you don't mind, what if I took the room discount at AoA instead of staying there and upgrading from QS to DD

You need to figure out what is right for you and your family. The age of your children could play into this a lot, as the atmosphere at AoA is totally different than the moderate hotels.

You could take the room discount and buy the dining plan of your choice, or, you could get free dining in place of the room discount and upgrade to basic dining.

The makeup of your family, number of adults and children will let you know which would be the better discount.

 

[piglet1979]

I guess my concern is that the TA could have and likely will have multiple clients they are trying to get free dining for versus just trying to secure it on ones own. That said, not everyone has the time to call and do that.

I am pretty sure that mine does not book many Disney trips so I think she was only looking from free dining for us. At the time I was a little worried because she has 2 little kids (8 and I think 3 at the time) and her husband was deployed. As I was following along on here I was talking to her and telling her what I was hearing. Like I said we are friends from school so we were messaging over Facebook. How big is your TA's company? If it is small I think you will be fine.

 

[kellyjeanie]

The rack rate of the room I want minus the usual room discount is the number I watch - if I felt like that amount would be enough to feed my family daily, the room discount would be a better deal. If not, free dining is a better deal. I don't compare it to the price of the dining plan because I don't think I'd go that route if it wasn't included in the free dining package.

 

[keys2kingdom]

I know that it was that way in 2015 for their "2016" UK deal. So it must not mean too much to the US offering or we would have already seen that change. Now in the future, who knows, but at least it isn't a recent change.

Have we seen any 2016 FD dates yet, I can't remember if there was anything else earlier this year. I wonder if the UK 2014 for bookings in 2015 deal was the same. VBell91 do you happen to know?

 

[sweetcarolinamoma]

I am always planning. Even if we do not have a trip planned. You never know when I can talk my husband into going.

SAME! I am always planning. Reading. Looking. Dreaming.

 

[LinaNate]

Remind me about the free dining rules... In the past it's been if you check in during the free dining dates you get free dining the whole stay (even if your check out dates fall outside the dates, correct?

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Have we seen any 2016 FD dates yet, I can't remember if there was anything else earlier this year. I wonder if the UK 2014 for bookings in 2015 deal was the same. VBell91 do you happen to know?

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I think we would have seen it changed for the FD bounceback offered in 2015 for US 2016 dates if they were going to change this. But yes, I'd also like to know about the 2014 UK deals. But if we talk about the future, as in 2017 US, I could see disney pulling this. We had that weird one meal FD offer for the summer. Hopefully not foreshadowing. I don't know anything, but I would not think they would make this big a change to the US free dining offered to the public and have had a different offer for the bouncebacks.

 

[Tom P.]

Great! Are there any "rules" to this free dining? Like some places won't honor it. I can only get this or that. We have Quick Dining for our trip. I'm hoping there are no stipulations.

What you get with Free Dining are the same dining plans you would normally pay for. There are no differences. So as long as the restaurant would normally take the dining plan, it will do the same during Free Dining. And about 99% of the restaurants on Disney property accept the dining plan, so it's not like your selection is limited in any way.

Of course, if you have the Quick Service dining plan, then it won't work at table service locations, only quick serve. But that's just due to the nature of the plan, not whether you paid for it or got it through the promotion.

 

[Confederate Scott]

SAME! I am always planning. Reading. Looking. Dreaming.

All the time.

 

[Confederate Scott]

I am pretty sure that mine does not book many Disney trips so I think she was only looking from free dining for us. At the time I was a little worried because she has 2 little kids (8 and I think 3 at the time) and her husband was deployed. As I was following along on here I was talking to her and telling her what I was hearing. Like I said we are friends from school so we were messaging over Facebook. How big is your TA's company? If it is small I think you will be fine.

Nice that your TA does not handle many Disney trips. Good that it is a friend.

I handle doing all the planning on my own. I like to do it. It is all part of the fun for me.

Thanks to friends husband for his service to our Country.

 

[Mickeycrocs]

I have 2 questions. We are currently booked to stay offsite in Sept, but am thinking about switching to on site, since we might be able to get FD. IF,it would all still come within budget. Anyways...

1. We already have 5 day MYW tickets purchased through Undercover Tourist. If the FD comes with the Hopper, etc requirement, would we be able to add that to our already purchased tickets, or does everything have to be purchased as a package through Disney to get the FD offer.

2. This question is actually more of a concern. If the rumored dates are correct and there are no October FD dates, do you think that will make more people switch to September, thus making September much more busy? We chose Sept for MNSSHP and lowest crowds.

Same boat for concern 2!

 

[mmafan]

 

[The Dirty Steve]

Funny....seems like all the bloggers are feeling safe in talking about this rumor now.

Now Kenny The Pirate is talking...maybe there is safety in numbers!!!

 

[Jordyn1123]

Any thoughts on tonight being the night?

 

[aloha517]

Hi.. Do you have to cancel your reservation and make new one to add the free dining promo? Can you just apply it to your exsisting reservation?

 

[mmafan]

Hi.. Do you have to cancel your reservation and make new one to add the free dining promo? Can you just apply it to your exsisting reservation?

no...you just call and add it on......

 

[kaymil]

In past years, was there previous notice that booking would be available starting on certain dates? Just wondering how they alert DV card holders if there is an early release for us, and also wondering where I should look first every morning to see if there's any news--what's the quickest, most accurate source of news to check? Although I know you all will be on top of it, sometimes finding the information in a thread like this takes too much time