August 2013 Free Dining thoughts? plans? strategies?

[WeLoveLilo05]

Hey all,
I know that free dining isn't a guarentee for next August, but since it usually is offered does anyone care to share what they think the projected dates would be for 2013? It seems as though it gets offered later and later in the month of August each year.

Also, for those going this Aug, if upon check in, the bounceback offers a certain date for 2013 free dining (lets just say Aug 19, 2013), does that mean that Aug 19 2013 would be the first day of free dining when it is announced to the public later in 2013?

Trying to plan strategically

 

[Singinglizzie]

Mousesavers.com posts a historical listing of when WDW has offered discounts in prior years, so you can see the pattern. From what I remember it's "typically" offered Aug 15- Sept. 30. Many schools start back mid-aug and most all start up by labor day. I think if you plan for the end of August you will see free dining if it's offered next year. BTW it's hot, during that timeframe and also potential hurricane weather.

 

[Diz Kids]

Hey all,

Also, for those going this Aug, if upon check in, the bounceback offers a certain date for 2013 free dining (lets just say Aug 19, 2013), does that mean that Aug 19 2013 would be the first day of free dining when it is announced to the public later in 2013?

Trying to plan strategically

I believe that for the past couple of years the dates offered for the bounceback were earlier than what came out for the public later in the year (maybe about a week?)

 

[tinka-belle]

We booked a BB last year, IIRC the beginning BB date was 8/19 or thereabouts. The GP deal came out for 8/25 and beyond.

The latest I've seen the fall FD bounceback travel dates start on is the Sunday before the Labor Day weekend, some years it's earlier than that.

For what it's worth WDW was offering FD for the late August to September period even back when the economy was good, sometimes for a shorter travel period though. With schools starting and the hot rainy weather it's always been a slower time for the parks and resorts. FD is one of the more successful promotions WDW has come up with to fill their rooms, even though it doesn't work for every family. Disney may tweak the dates or inclusions, like limit which resorts or offer only the QS plan free with an upcharge for the other plans for example, but the prospect of free food is an attention getter and results in higher bookings.

 

[mantysk8coach]

Free dining (the public offer) starts August 25 (Saturday) this year - hoping it follows the same pattern next year, as we are hoping to go August 24 (Saturday) - 31st next year. I don't see why it wouldn't be offered, as someone else said, they've been offering free dining during this time of year for years.

Just waiting to find out when school is going to start next year... hoping its still after Labor Day like it has been for the past few years now.

 

[amomma23]

We are also hoping for free dining next August. Actually we're going next month and hoping to bounce back. It would be great if the bounce back started a little earlier than GP. Our kids start back the last week of August and we'd really like to sneak a trip in before school next year.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

I am hoping for some kind of discount in August. I think we will be traveling too early for free dining but hoping for a % off at least.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Bounceback free dining is from Aug 18-Sep 26 2013, public offer usually starts a couple of days after, so, if I were you I would plan the trip starting on Aug 24 or later.

 

[Ginger9708]

I know this is so tricky. We went 2 & 3 years ago and both times started mid August around 15th and really worked for us. Now going by what happened this year not until end of August makes it hard. I would hate to go on vacation and then kids have to go right back to school afterward. We too would like to go next August (mid August) but dont know what to do going by what happened this year. There just is no telling what will happen for next year. I was going to book a moderate resort so this way it wouldnt matter if it were offered or not during our time period but my husband wants to stay deluxe as we always do.

 

[73justme]

I am looking at 8/28 through 9/4 we don't begin school until 9/5 and love going down that week, low crowds and not to mention FREE DINING have picked it up last few years now just hoping we can again.

 

[radetoan]

We are looking at 8/24 to 9/2. The kids start school on 9/4. Would love to have free dining. If Disney uses about the same dates as this year, I am hoping we would be okay. I have my fingers crossed!

 

[Sandmanswife9]

We are looking at 8/24 to 9/2. The kids start school on 9/4. Would love to have free dining. If Disney uses about the same dates as this year, I am hoping we would be okay. I have my fingers crossed!

We booked for those dates also and included the DDP hoping that it will be offered. We did that last year and when the promotion became available my son called and they changed it for us no problem. Make sure you book a moderate resort.

 

[mieshie75]

My family and I (10 of us) are planning on going to WDW in August of next year the 24-30th. I have been looking at all the sites to try and figure out what discounts, free dining or promotions disney will be running. Now i have a question maybe someone can answer. If we book a value resort now, but free dining does infact happen when we are scheduled to go, should I upgrade to a moderate so I get the better dining plan. Or will they let me pay the difference between a basic DDP (2 counter service, one snack), to the next level up (table service, couter service, snack). We really need the next level up DDP. And I have already budgeted for it and started putting that money away. Which is more cost effective though to stay at value and just pay or level up to moderate and get a DDP for free. Help!!!! By the way if you need to know 7 adults and 3 kids ages 12,11, and 5.

 

[tinkerbell1967]

How soon would they announce free dining for August of 2013?? Around March 2013 maybe?? Looking to go the end of August for 25th wedding anniversary!

 

[KELLY]

How soon would they announce free dining for August of 2013?? Around March 2013 maybe?? Looking to go the end of August for 25th wedding anniversary!

That seems about the time. They have offered it as late as May I think in the past also.

I never have to worry about it since we book bounceback for FD. We just came back 2 weeks ago. Before we left I made sure we booked for 14 nights. My girls start school right after labor day. So the addtional week the BB offers over the GP offer allows us to go for 2 weeks.

 

[goofygal531]

I didn't book the BB as we were unsure about our 2013 vacation plans at the time. Now I completely regret it!!

I had read that if FD falls within your dates, you can apply it to the length of the trip. We also would like to stay for 14 days, and begin our trip on 8/18. Would I be able to apply the FD if it begins 8/25 since I'll be there until 8/31?

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

I didn't book the BB as we were unsure about our 2013 vacation plans at the time. Now I completely regret it!!

I had read that if FD falls within your dates, you can apply it to the length of the trip. We also would like to stay for 14 days, and begin our trip on 8/18. Would I be able to apply the FD if it begins 8/25 since I'll be there until 8/31?

Unfortunately not, in order for FD to apply to your entire trip (up to 14 days) you must checkin during the FD dates. If FD starts 8/25/13 and you check in 8/18/13 you wouldn't be eligible until 8/25, so you would need two seperate reservations; which kind of negates the FD savings because of the required 2day tickets with the FD package.