August / September - But only w/ free dining...

[modernscarlett]

I'm considering going last week in Sept because of low crowds and DD's school schedule. Free dining would probably change my considering to booking!!!

 

[kstgelais4]

So let me get this straight, they have offered free dining during Aug. and Sept for the last 2 years? If that is the case, I may be moving our 2008 trip up a few weeks (although, it was supposed to be DH 30th bday trip). Hey saving a thousand bucks is a little like winning the lottery

 

[thunderbird1]

So let me get this straight, they have offered free dining during Aug. and Sept for the last 2 years? If that is the case, I may be moving our 2008 trip up a few weeks (although, it was supposed to be DH 30th bday trip). Hey saving a thousand bucks is a little like winning the lottery

Is it ever! We just got back from a family reunion (almost typed ruinion--Freudian slip? hehe) in Las Vegas, and we would have been thrilled to "win" $1,000. Free dining is what lured us back last August, and what has our fingers crossed right now for this August.

Of course, there's no guarantee it will be offered to the general public again this year, much less next year, so don't count your chickens (or cancel existing plans) until they hatch. Also, keep in mind that DVC stays don't qualify for free dining. If you can manage with a regular old resort, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for free dining in 2008! There's nothing like a Disney birthday.

 

[stitchgal]

We are doing the last week of August and booked it with the bounce back program too when we were there last month. We are only doing it because of free dining and hoping they will bring the preschooler program back again too.

 

[1gr8mouse]

We enjoyed the free dining in Sept. Just the DW and I. We felt bad we didnt take the kids.....so we are anxiously awaiting a repeat offer. We have the visa, hoping to see something in April on it.....crossing my fingers!!!
Kids are 16, 14, 13.......the 13 year old is the biggest eater.....he would love it!!!!

 

[sunnymommy]

We will only go if free dining is offered. We have four children and it is so expensive otherwise...we will need to save longer to pay for it.

 

[zuzu310]

We will only go if they offer free dining again. We hope to take my mom and dad back with us this year. My mom has never been to MGM or AK and my dad at 50 has NEVER been to WDW at all!!!So here's spreading some pixie dust to all of us anxiously awaiting...

 

[TDC Nala]

Already going once in August, once in September through the bounce back booking program (which is now over).

 

[TDC Nala]

Also, keep in mind that DVC stays don't qualify for free dining.

If you are planning a DVC stay, you can add the dining plan for the regular fee. My two bookings were made for times when I don't wish to use my points.

Because you aren't paying extra for the room, the cost is about equivalent to booking a room at a value with free dining. Too often people make it look like a bad deal that DVC members don't get free dining, but they can get DVC rooms with dining at a Pop Century price.

 

[castleri]

Booked the free dining for late Sept last week while on property. The CM manning the reservation desk that evening started to explain that it was a new thing Disney was trying - having face to face resrvationists avavilable and that they were doing this trial with the free dining program. I told him I liked the face to face part and that I already knew about the free dining from the internet. He did say that the response had been more than they expected and he did not know yet if it would be offered to the general public as in years past as there is sa limited number of packages available. Now I have to find out about the tickets for this as some of us have APs and don't need 8 day tickets and some only want 6 day tickets. I set up the plan with 1 day MYW tickets witht the understanding that they can be upgraded once we get there. If anyone has done this I would appreciate any info you could provide. TIA

 

[Mary Anne]

If you are planning a DVC stay, you can add the dining plan for the regular fee. My two bookings were made for times when I don't wish to use my points.

Because you aren't paying extra for the room, the cost is about equivalent to booking a room at a value with free dining. Too often people make it look like a bad deal that DVC members don't get free dining, but they can get DVC rooms with dining at a Pop Century price.

Yes, but by doing these when you are getting Free Dining you are not only paying for the dining but also using your DVC points that could be saved for a future stay.

We've booked the bounce back free dining, paying for a Pop room, and will then be able to bank our points that we would have used for a bigger or more trips next year. This way our cost for this year is basically a cheap room and next year we can stay longer.

 

[thunderbird1]

If you are planning a DVC stay, you can add the dining plan for the regular fee. My two bookings were made for times when I don't wish to use my points.

Because you aren't paying extra for the room, the cost is about equivalent to booking a room at a value with free dining. Too often people make it look like a bad deal that DVC members don't get free dining, but they can get DVC rooms with dining at a Pop Century price.

I wasn't trying to imply that it was a bad deal that DVC stays can't get free dining, but rather pointing out that DVC stays don't qualify, so there isn't a real reason to wait for a free dining promotion period to book a DVC stay.

Also, and this is just my personal opinion, I don't think I would want to pay for the DDP during a time when the vast majority of the people using it are getting it for free. The restaurants were more crowded, reservations were harder to get and several restaurants changed their menus (and/or policies) during the free dining period. It didn't bother us any, but I know a lot of people were annoyed by the changes. Maybe I would have been, too, had I paid for the plan. Just my $.02.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wasn't trying to imply that it was a bad deal that DVC stays can't get free dining, but rather pointing out that DVC stays don't qualify, so there isn't a real reason to wait for a free dining promotion period to book a DVC stay.

Also, and this is just my personal opinion, I don't think I would want to pay for the DDP during a time when the vast majority of the people using it are getting it for free. The restaurants were more crowded, reservations were harder to get and several restaurants changed their menus (and/or policies) during the free dining period. It didn't bother us any, but I know a lot of people were annoyed by the changes. Maybe I would have been, too, had I paid for the plan. Just my $.02.

I stayed DVC and used the dining plan during the free dining period. Everything was fine, and it wasn't a big deal. Had a great time at California Grill, which of course was booked early. If you're going to use the points anyway, then you're getting a stay in which you are only paying for the dining plan. My attempt was to address those who were disappointed (and there are some) that DVC stays aren't eligible for free dining. I don't see any reason to be disappointed.

 

[plove53]

If they offer free dining... I'm am in! right now it is just a waiting game

-phil

 

[1gr8mouse]

Can we get free dining yet, huh can we???
How much longer till free dining???

 

[disneymarathoner07]

Visa Card holders (which everyone seems to think is a high possibility) we are there Aug 31-Sept 7. If not then we are going December 14-22. If we get free dining--then we are looking at going both times. Amanda

 

[aubriee]

Booked the free dining for late Sept last week while on property. The CM manning the reservation desk that evening started to explain that it was a new thing Disney was trying - having face to face resrvationists avavilable and that they were doing this trial with the free dining program. I told him I liked the face to face part and that I already knew about the free dining from the internet. He did say that the response had been more than they expected and he did not know yet if it would be offered to the general public as in years past as there is sa limited number of packages available. Now I have to find out about the tickets for this as some of us have APs and don't need 8 day tickets and some only want 6 day tickets. I set up the plan with 1 day MYW tickets witht the understanding that they can be upgraded once we get there. If anyone has done this I would appreciate any info you could provide. TIA

We'll be there Sept 29th-Oct 7th. I'll have an AP, but my mom will need tickets. I too booked with just one day base tickets, will upgrade my mom's once we get there, and save my one day ticket for a future day. We did the same thing this past Sept (bought one day MYW tickets, then upgraded my mom's and my ex's to 9 day MYW tickets at guest services). Once you check in, go to guest services and they can upgrade each ticket to whatever that person needs. The only thing is that if one of your people needs an AP, the resort can't do that. You'll have to take your one day ticket to guest services at a resort or DTD to upgrade to an AP.

 

[n2mm]

We've booked the bounce back free dining, paying for a Pop room, and will then be able to bank our points that we would have used for a bigger or more trips next year. This way our cost for this year is basically a cheap room and next year we can stay longer.

We did the same thing. Saved our points and used them for another stay and booked the free DDP. We paid $88 a night for 2 adults for 4 nights and magically got upgraded from Pop to CSR for the same price. And didn't have to use our points. We plan to do this again, but this time take a bigger bunch of family with us. We figured we can share a room with 2 of our kids and our room at Pop would be $109 a night (extra fees), which makes the DDP about $27 a person and a free room. We could never do the DDP on $27 a person if we stayed with our points and shared a studio. We do plan to move to the BCV (if avail) mid way just to relax. We also would not want to buy the DDP while the free DDP is going on, mostly because it would bug me that we paid for it. I did find the service and food a little less than par during free dining than I do during the rest of the year. We take 4+ trips to WDW a year using our DVC points 1-2 weeks each and have been purchasing the DDP as it's a great value, but we also have a DDE card too to use for other times. We still plan to go to WDW without the free ddp and stay on points, but will probably spend a couple of days off property at Universal Studios before checking in. Everyone is OK with that backup plan too.

 

[Mel6197]

Free Dining wont affect me going..

It will affect where I stay and for how long I go for.

If Free DIning comes we are going to do 14 days. Stay Value. 2 days of travel we dont count, 2 days of Old water Park passes from YEARS ago, and then get 10 day hoppers.

No Free Dining

Maybe 7 days tops..

Just felt soo good last year to walk up for simple Burgers, and Chicken Nuggets, have a bill of 60 dollars, and hand them a card, and not worry,

But the Best!

Go to Chef Mickey and not feel annoyed that my son drank a 20 dollar glass of soda, and ate nothing.

Im Really hoping for Free Dining..

 

[disneymom06]

We'll be there Sept 29th-Oct 7th. I'll have an AP, but my mom will need tickets. I too booked with just one day base tickets, will upgrade my mom's once we get there, and save my one day ticket for a future day. We did the same thing this past Sept (bought one day MYW tickets, then upgraded my mom's and my ex's to 9 day MYW tickets at guest services). Once you check in, go to guest services and they can upgrade each ticket to whatever that person needs. The only thing is that if one of your people needs an AP, the resort can't do that. You'll have to take your one day ticket to guest services at a resort or DTD to upgrade to an AP.

Just curious, when the person upgraded to an annual pass, did he/she lose any of their dining credits? I am hoping to do the same, I will have paid for the DDP and looking to upgrade 6 tickets to annual passes.