Can you get free dining if camping?

[jmh]

Does anyone know if the free dining package is available if camping at Ft. Wilderness? Not in a cabin, just an RV site.

 

[becky1960]

This was discussed the last time they offered Free Dining and the answer was no. I believe I read somewhere that it wasn't being offered on values either.

 

[LegoMom3]

This is just a guess, but since you have to pay rack rate for your room when getting free dining, I would imagine Disney would push for the more expensive lodging options (Moderate and up) so as not to lose money!?

 

[sahm3]

Are they offering free dining again? I am almost positive I read that someone who got the dining package last year was staying at Pop Century. that is a value priced place isn't it? But I have no idea about whether it was offered for camping or not.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I spoke to a TA who said free dining was being offered for FW.

 

[lookingforward]

I know it is offered when you book a FW Cabin, but last time the camp sites were not included.

 

[jmh]

Thanks for the replys. I spoke to 2 different CMs at CRO. The free dining promo can be used for the Ft. Wilderness cabins but the campsites are excluded. BTW, all the values are included in the promo.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

That's a bummer. We sold our RV, but were thinking of renting one to go during the promo. IMO, it's really too much hassle to not get the extra incentive. With a 4-legged baby girl, FW campsites are the only option we have at WDW. Looks like it's going to be awhile, before we'll be going there again.

 

[lookingforward]

I can understand the dissapointment! Why not try a value? It is, of course, nothing like FW, but I stayed at the POP in December and was awestruck by the value and fun theme of the hotel. We had a great time there. It would be a bit more than a preferred site but if you factor in the savings in gas, etc. it might be even. It was really kid friendly there, lots to do, kiddie pools, play areas, etc. The free dining is a great incentive. We booked again because of it. (or so I tell my husband who is about disneyed out)

 

[tarheelmjfan]

lookingforward,
I'm not sure, if you were replying to my post or not. If you were, I appreciate the thought. Unfortunately, our isn't allowed in any of the WDW hotels or the cabins. A camper is the only way for us to go.

 

[Gillian]

The campsites weren't included in the spring promo for the free ticket upgrade either. I emailed Disney through the Contact Us link on their website to complain and spoke to someone who said she would forward my comments to the marketing department.

Basically, I was told that they use these promos to sell rooms, and since FW is often busy, they don't include it.

In my email & phone conversation I mentioned that although FW costs less, campers also get fewer services (no housekeeping, no towels, no roomservice or pizza delivery). I don't know if FW costs less to maintain than a resort, but since there are no beds, furniture, roof or walls, it's possible.

Anyway, if you think this should be changed for people who might be interested in the dining plan, let disney know!

 

[bicker]

The offer is available at value resorts. That's probably as far as Disney will go, since effectively, many folks staying at value resorts are making money on the deal: The dining benefit is worth up to $160 per night.

I just read in another thread about how some folks, ineligible for free dining because of where they were staying, booking rooms at the value resorts just to get the free dining, and not actually staying in those rooms. I would suspect that there would be a lot more abuse like that if people only needed to pay $39 per night to get a $160 value in free dining! Imagine not being able to get a campsite with the free dining promotion because the place is already sold-out with folks who aren't actually staying there.

 

[Gillian]

bicker, I hear you! I still think it's worth letting Disney know how we feel.

I guess I am comparing preferred sites ($53 in value season) where we are booked) with water, sewer, cable to the value resorts, and not the $39 partial hookup sites.

I was upset about not getting the free ticket upgrade for our trip this month, but I know (hope!) we'll enjoy FW & our popup more than a value resort.

 

[Monki]

Does anyone know if the free dining package is available if camping at Ft. Wilderness? Not in a cabin, just an RV site.

OK - so I just called Disney, and the free dining is being offered for travel dates for the end of August thru mid September, and only if you have a Disney Visa. I nearly hit panic, because I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FREE DINING!! (or free ticket upgrades, anything for FREE) - we are going the week of Easter - just 2 more weeks to go!

but NO. So, if you are traveling those dates, make sure you have a Disney Visa before you book!

 

[magicforever]

is free dining the same as magic your way plus dining?

 

[Gillian]

OK - so I just called Disney, and the free dining is being offered for travel dates for the end of August thru mid September, and only if you have a Disney Visa. I nearly hit panic, because I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FREE DINING!! (or free ticket upgrades, anything for FREE) - we are going the week of Easter - just 2 more weeks to go!

but NO. So, if you are traveling those dates, make sure you have a Disney Visa before you book!

Starting tomorrow, April 4th, you can get this offer without having a disney visa. But only for aug 13 - sept 30th And not for the campsites, LOL.

 

[Gillian]

is free dining the same as magic your way plus dining?

The package is magic your way plus dining for the same price as magic your way without the dining.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

OK - so I just called Disney, and the free dining is being offered for travel dates for the end of August thru mid September, and only if you have a Disney Visa. I nearly hit panic, because I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FREE DINING!! (or free ticket upgrades, anything for FREE) - we are going the week of Easter - just 2 more weeks to go!

but NO. So, if you are traveling those dates, make sure you have a Disney Visa before you book!

So, when you called, were you wanting free dining with a rv site? Did they say ok if you had a disney visa?