Can someone explain Free Dining to me?

[Diznejen1]

After tryping the title of my question, it seems pretty self-explanitory, but can someone please help me understand Free Dining.
How does it actually work?
We were at ASMu this weekend and a cast memeber mentioned booking another trip when free dining is offered. I could call CRO and ask, but I like hearing more from the gang here on the DIS
Thanks guys(and gals) Jennifer

 

[TDC Nala]

"Free dining" is a promotion used to sell rack rate room/tickets packages at WDW resorts. If you were planning to stay at a WDW resort and to buy a package that included tickets, then you may want to look into whether the promotion is offered this year.

It's usually for dates from mid-August to late September. This year it's speculated that the offer will be good from August 30 to September 27. These are the dates already offered for the "bounce back" promotion, which had to be booked during a previous stay last year.

You would purchase, through WDW Travel or perhaps through AAA, a package consisting of resort room (at rack rate, although if you book through AAA it may be possible to get an AAA package discount) and tickets. Every person on your reservation age 3 or older must purchase tickets for the same length of time, which can be as little as one-day base tickets. Then, the basic dining plan is thrown in for no extra cost. For the bounceback reservations, it was possible to upgrade to the deluxe plan by paying the difference between the plans. It's also necessary to remember that neither plan includes gratuities, so you'd have to pay those yourself.

Last year the promotion was made available to the general public for booking in early April. Disney Visa Card holders were able to book 3 days before the rest of the general public.

 

[Hootch]

couple of years Disney has offered the basic dining plan free from late August until sometime in October if you pay rack rates for the hotel room. Each resort has had a block of rooms set aside especially for this promotion so supply is limited. It's uncertain whether Disney will offer the same promotion this year.

If it's a single going then the room savings may or may not be offset by the dining plan depending on which resort is booked. I had friends that went in September a couple of years ago. I told them about the offer and they were able to adjust their plans. For two adults and two kids they said they saved about $600 with free dining.

 

[Diznejen1]

Thank you for responding. My only other question is about the plan itself.
If we book the rack rate and get "free dining" do they give meal vouchers? Or how does that work? Thanks again! Jennifer

 

[kaytieeldr]

No vouchers. Credits ("entitlements") right on your Key to the World.

 

[traveladdiction]

let's say you are staying for 4 nights.. each person in the room would receive one table service credit, one counter service credit and one snack credit, per day. So, for two adults staying for 4 nights... you'd get 8 table service credits, 8 counter service credits and 8 snack credits... you can use them all in one day or spread them out as you wish. A table service credit is good at any of the sit down restaurants on the plan and includes an entree, non-alcoholic drink and dessert. Gratuity is NOT included (used to be with the plan last year). A counter service credit, you would walk up and order a sandwich let's say, a dessert and a drink. Then, tell them you are using a counter service credit and give them your room key... it comes off your room credits and your receipt will show how many you have left... it works the same with snacks...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

couple of years Disney has offered the basic dining plan free from late August until sometime in October if you pay rack rates for the hotel room. Each resort has had a block of rooms set aside especially for this promotion so supply is limited. It's uncertain whether Disney will offer the same promotion this year.

If it's a single going then the room savings may or may not be offset by the dining plan depending on which resort is booked. I had friends that went in September a couple of years ago. I told them about the offer and they were able to adjust their plans. For two adults and two kids they said they saved about $600 with free dining.

Since 2005, Disney has been offereing Free Dining during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. It has already been offered to UK visitors for this September and to those of us who were there at WDW during Free Dining this past September for the dates of August 30 - September 27 2008. The free dining for this year should be announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public.

Free Dining has been a brilliant plan on the part of Disney to fill the crowds during what was previously their slowest season, and hurrican season to boot. And then having the bounceback for free food while the free diners are there in the parks, on their Disney high, well I would call that pure marketing genius. We were there for Free Dining last year, and yes we did have fun, but we went for low crowds and there was definetly NOT low crowds during the week of Sept. 14 - 22. I hope Disney has rewarded the marketing genius who came up with the Free Dining Promo. He has made Disney millions. I personally don't see Free Dining ending anytime in the near future.