Announcement of Free Dining???

[Dimples]

When will we know and how will we find out when/if free dining will be offered again. Do they put it on their website or will someone post it here or do we have to call everyday during the last week of March????

 

[Mcbruns]

I don't think anyone knows for sure. I was told by a CM weeks ago that it most likely won't be offered. Time will tell . . .

 

[bicker]

We learned about it here (probably through CMs who receive notice about the fact that the offering will be made available a day or two later) before it was announced in any public manner.

 

[Hollybh]

I am praying for free dining! LAst year it was offred the day we got back. We are going in August this year. Does anyone know if they validate free dining for the entire visit even if my vacation starts a day or two before it begins? Someone said that as long as part of your vacation falls in the time frame, they give you the entire trip.

 

[bicker]

You can only get the promotion if your check-in date falls during the offering period. That means you can extend your vacation over the end of the offering period, but not over the beginning.

 

[mirthmaiden]

I switched my reservation to AAA several weeks ago. I mentioned this to my TA that there were rumours about the possibility of free dining and what would I need to do, etc. I am uneasy now about her because she told me last year it was only for dates in September. When I said I thought it started in August, she adamantly told me it was September. That seems to conflict with information I've learned here.

After I thought about it, I realized that I would be ineligible now for free dining anyway (if it were offered) because I am no longer paying rack rate for my room, but AAA rate. I saved about $400+ on my trip by switching to AAA, but now I'm worried that I'd miss out if free dining is announced (not that my dates will qualify anyway....) <<<sheesh>>>

I don't suppose I'll feel completley comfortable until it's for sure about free dining or not.

 

[Hollybh]

So do you mean, if I check in on the 8th and the dining plan begins on the 10th, I cannot get it?

 

[bicker]

That's correct. You'd have to make two separate reservations, would only be able to get free dining for the second reservation, and would incur the risk of perhaps having to change rooms.

 

[mirthmaiden]

So do you mean, if I check in on the 8th and the dining plan begins on the 10th, I cannot get it?

Heaven knows I am not the authority on this stuff. I'm confused too. But, the way I understand it, your check-in date has to be on or after the start of the promotion in order to qualify. I have the same potential dilemma in the event that free dining is offered to coordinate with the bounce-back dates beginning Aug 5th. We are checking in on the 3rd. I asked about that scenario and was told we'd have to split it to 2 different reservations (Aug 3-4 and Aug 5-11) in order to get free dining starting on Aug 5th. Does that make sense?

It is frustrating trying to cover all the bases in advance when it's all just speculation at this point. Hang in there though. I'm doing the same thing!

 

[Hollybh]

When did the dining start last year? I can't remember. Are you assuming the 5th since it is the beginning of value season? Have you ever been during that time? We have always taken the kids out of school but my 5th grader had a difficult time making work up since she is a middle schooler now. We are hoping the crowds are down and it isnt too miserably hot. I can deal with hot as long as it isn't crowded AND hot. I wonder if the DDP will increase crowds a lot.

 

[mirthmaiden]

When did the dining start last year? I think it was August value season, but not sure. I went on a RCCL cruise last year, so I was busy on other message boards I can't remember. Are you assuming the 5th since it is the beginning of value season? The only reason I mentioned the 5th is because that is the start of the "Bounce Back" promotion. It has been mentioned as a possible start date for free dining to coordinate with Bounce Back. Again, this is entirely speculative right now. Have you ever been during that time? No. We went for a 2-day trip in July 2004 (4th of July), but otherwise our visits have been 1-2 days typically during slow times like February or November. (This is our first long trip ) But, that was prior to my being married to a teacher Now, I'm strictly limited to school breaksWe have always taken the kids out of school but my 5th grader had a difficult time making work up since she is a middle schooler now. I also have a 5th grader. DH is a teacher and I am a teacher-to-be. We both agree that it's best to avoid taking kids out of school whenver possible. But, we have done it for short periods too. It's really about your child and situation. No one else can tell you what is best for you.We are hoping the crowds are down and it isnt too miserably hot. I can deal with hot as long as it isn't crowded AND hot. Well, it's Florida and it's August. We pretty much know it will be hot. I'm thinking it will be crowded too, but have no prior experience so I can't compare.I wonder if the DDP will increase crowds a lot. I don't know about DDP increasing crowds since that has been around a while. Free dining on the other hand, will certainly increase crowds. That is the whole intention of offering free dining - to fill up the resorts.

All we can do is keep watching the DIS boards and hoping

 

[Hollybh]

Thanks. Sorry, I meant to ask about free dining increasing crowds, not DDP.

 

[aubriee]

So do you mean, if I check in on the 8th and the dining plan begins on the 10th, I cannot get it?

The dates for the UK Program and the Bounce Back Program are a little different, but my booklet about the Bounce Back Program says 'Requested arrival date must be on or between August 5, 2007 and September 29, 2007'.

When I asked when was the last date I could book and still get free dining for the entire trip he said that as long as you are checked in no earlier than Sunday August 5th and no later than Saturday Sept 29th you will have free dining for the entire trip. I booked for Sept 29th-Oct 7th. The people who were right behind me heard us talking, said they wanted to be there during the first week of free dining, and made the comment that they always travel down on a Saturday. He looked over my shoulder and told them they could make a room only reservation for Saturday August 4th and then make a pkg reservation for Sunday August 5th for how many nights they wanted, but they could not get free dining prior to Sunday August 5th.

Someone else may correct me, but I believe the UK Program starts about a week after the Bounce Back Program (they also have to purchase length of stay passes, whereas the Bounce Back people only have to purchase a one day MYW ticket)

 

[Hollybh]

We went last year and could have taken advantage of the bounce back promo. I remember it but we weren't planning a trip then. So, is a offer expected to come out?

 

[Hollybh]

I mean, when is an offer expected to come out assuming they offer free dining for August/September?

 

[mirthmaiden]

Does anybody else think that maybe with the P&PP dates just announced for August, there is less chance of free dining being offered to the public? Seems like the P&PP will boost attendance and bring in $ without them having to give anything away. I know it worked for me I just added on another day to our trip so we can attend the party.

 

[japajsm]

Does anybody else think that maybe with the P&PP dates just announced for August, there is less chance of free dining being offered to the public? Seems like the P&PP will boost attendance and bring in $ without them having to give anything away. I know it worked for me I just added on another day to our trip so we can attend the party.

Can you please tell me what P&PP is?

Thanks.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Can you please tell me what P&PP is?

Thanks.

It's the Pirates & Princesses Party. They just announced it will return on selected dates in August. I know a lot of people are happy about that and it will be heavy attendance for the parties.

 

[Bob P]

I mean, when is an offer expected to come out assuming they offer free dining for August/September?

You just need to stay tuned! They announced it around the end of March last year, but in 2005 it was later than that (around the end of May).

Keep checking back here and you'll probably see dozens of posts if and when it is announced.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Last year the free dining plan started on Sunday, August 13. I arrived on Saturday the 12th and could not get free dining on that day. We had to make a seperate reservation for the one night stay. When I booked I was told I might have to change rooms. When I arrived at the resort I was told I would not have to change rooms. I just had to go back to the front desk on Sunday and start my new reservation and pick up my park tickets and dining plan info. I have had split reservations before and have never had to change rooms. You just have to go to the desk twice, which can be a pain if the line is long.

Hoping the free dining happens again this year. If it does I'm going back in August.