Decided not to worry about December

[Elmo007]

There seems to be a lot of negative sentiment regarding free dining for the end of the year. However I was looking at the historical charts and note that FD generally was not released this early in the past. Given the economy and gas, I am optomistic that we will see FD again. I would like it earlier so I can get cheaper airfare but what can you do.

For me, if there is no FD, I will probably just go off property and have free breakfast and use the room savings for food

 

[keywestbride]

I agree completely. If July comes and goes with no discount, then I'll believe it's not happening.

 

[keishashadow]

I agree completely. If July comes and goes with no discount, then I'll believe it's not happening.

i'm of the same mind, but worried that the week i need (1st week/ typical pop warner time) won't be included. we were able to obtain it in '09, but no - go last year. Noticed it seemed to be one of the weeks excluded in most of the promos, so i'm making backup plans

 

[Bete]

Except for the last three years or so free dining wasn't offered for December. Disney may want to wean us all off of this idea of free dining at that time.

Actually, I won't stay on Disney property without it for December. We drive to the parks anyway. I know there's a Disney parking fee if we stay off site and I'm ready to handle that fee when I can get an included hot breakfast off site. I'm still money ahead.

I love the candlelight dinner package and we usually do this twice during our stay. Without free dining for it I may opt for once or not at all. I know it's two dining credits, but we make up the difference by going to QS if we are at a Disney resort.

I will definitely eat more offsite on meals if we don't get free dining. I'm not in love with the dessert idea anyway with the DP.

I just didn't feel comfortable making reservations last December for this December to get a free dining package. A year away just seemed too far away. Next year if they offer it early I will do it ahead of time. Disney may have booked enough early people for this offer and hence our feelings of not getting an offer now or in the near future.

I'm even contemplating skipping Disney World all together this year if this dining offer doesn't come through in the short run future. I've been a diehard fan, but there just isn't that much new there to keep paying high prices.

 

[keywestbride]

Maybe not for all of Dec, but the beginning was included.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html

8/15/10-12/21/10 package deal ("free dining") for general public 7/6/10, exp 8/14/10

10/1/10-12/21/10 package deal ("free dining") for general public 8/16/10, exp 12/20/10

9/27/09-12/17/09 package deal ("free dining") for Disney Rewards Visa cardholders 7/24/09, exp 9/26/09

9/27/09-12/17/09 package deal ("free dining") for general public 7/27/09, exp 9/26/09

In 09, we got a PIN code for the regular dining plan at a value- that was an awesome deal.

 

[FigmentChick]

I'm with you guys...if we see free dining being offered, it won't be until July. I would be so excited if it came out earlier (and greateful), but I'm not expecting it until then. We're currently booked at POR, but if free dining isn't offered, we will probably rent a house off-site (trust me....I've saved sooo much money that way). We drive to the parks anyway and, like someone else stated before me, I always work the parking fees into my budget.

I am going to make my dining reservations this Saturday with the anticipation that FD will be offered. If it isn't by late August, I'll cancel most of them. None of the reservations I am making require a credit card, so that's a bonus (my older two have decided that they are "too old" for Akershaus this year ).

Anyway, keeping my thoughts on the positive side that it will be offered due to high fuel prices and the economy still trying to balance itself out.

 

[keishashadow]

keywestbride, thanks for posting the link, but either the 1st week in Dec was excluded last year or the promo was fully booked for resorts I checked when i looked shortly after the announcement.however, you have given me a glimmer of hope lol

 

[keywestbride]

I'm not sure about the exclusion dates b/c we didn't go last year. We like to do about 8 days or so, starting a few days after Thanksgiving, so we usually bridge Nov/Dec. Crossing my fingers that we'll be lucky! If all else fails, we are booked under the % off PIN, so we'll at least have that.

In 09, we were there 27-the 5th or so, and had the FD PIN.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm not sure about the exclusion dates b/c we didn't go last year. We like to do about 8 days or so, starting a few days after Thanksgiving, so we usually bridge Nov/Dec. Crossing my fingers that we'll be lucky! If all else fails, we are booked under the % off PIN, so we'll at least have that.

In 09, we were there 27-the 5th or so, and had the FD PIN.

good luck!

 

[mousiemom]

we will be going this yr and if the fd doesn't come out,(which i'm w/yall on this one, i believe it will), we will do the room only and eat in the room a lot. we've been the last 3 decembers (the 1st week) and last yr they didn't offer the fd that week so we went 12/10-12/17 with fd. we are shooting for end of sept this yr.

 

[DisneyGuess]

I totally agree with all of you. I'm not stressing it until July. If nothing is uttered about FD in Dec. by then, I'll hope for a room only discount & plan alot more QS meals.
But I am definately not stressing it. I think with gas prices the way they are & the economy still the way it is, I think we'll get what we're hoping for!

 

[keywestbride]

good luck!

Thanks- you too!