Disgusted with the Fall 2012 free dining offer

[mayshamp]

I booked my Disney trip last month for this fall. This month, the Free dining offer came out, and I successfully added free dining to my trip.

So what am I complaining about? Just this: I notice that they allow free dining for arriving dates only on certain weeks, often skipping a week or two here and there:

"Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, Oct. 19 - Nov. 1, Nov. 9 - 15, Nov. 23 - 29, Dec. 10 - 13"


I just happened to book during the week when the free dining is on. What if I had booked on the week when free dining is off? The on and off is totally random, not because of holidays or anything, so one can't anticipate it.

My opinion is that Disney does this to make some people not able to add the free dining later. If anybody books flights with the vacation, chances are that they cannot adjust the flights to accommodate the free dining dates and then they will be refused the free dining option even though in name, you can always add the discount later.

I am lucky that I got the free dining this time, but I am writing this as a warning to myself and others. Next time, don't book ahead expecting to be able to get free dining if it's offered! If you think there might be free dining, wait for it to come out first!

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

 

[NancyIL]

Disney offers Free Dining to boost occupancy rates at their resorts during slower times. Occupancy rates are obviously higher in early to mid-October for Columbus Day weekend/week; early November for Jersey week; early December for Pop Warner.

 

[jenlov]

Actually, I think the dates have been similar from year to year recently, so most people booked expecting the discount to be for similar dates as last year. There's several threads dedicated to that topic. For example, last year it was Dec 9-12, this year, it's just a day off Dec 10-13. Others who weren't booked during those dates are simply changing reservations. But yeah, that would definitely stink if you had to change your airline ressies! Glad you got your discount! We're excited to be going in Dec w/ the same offer.

 

[sherirs04]

The window has been getting smaller each yr. last yr it went until dec 15. The yr before that it went a few days past that.

 

[vicki_c]

For the most part, the "on and off" is NOT totally random, it just seems that way to you. A PP has explained about particular fall events that drive up attendance, so therefore, no discounts at those times. Because the calendar changes every year, it's not going to be the same dates, but it is usually the same weeks (e.g., Jersey Week).

I really believe as well they people that book in advance hoping to add free dining can set themselves up for failure (just my opinion - anecdotal) since if enough rooms are filled in advance, Disney may block out certain dates for free dining. Why wouldn't they - free dining is meant to fill empty rooms, not to be nice.

 

[canopynut66]

sorry your upset but we always book a head to be sure of rooms we want and if you go on any other news letters will see when FD is offered and it is "close to same times" each year. So can then change our reeservation to that. and like this year we are going 10/28/12 thru 11/9/2012 so since we will be at WDW on the date it is going on it will --carry thru-- the entire time we are there. they did come out a little earlier this year but then had ran until Decembar 2011 for dates into spring and then started again into summer. so WDW more than fair on getting the news out there in one form or another to try and let all know. allears.net and wdwmagic.com and mousesavers.com and mousemisers.com are just a few of news letters some come daily and some monthly also is the food blog---and we never get air fare until we done adding or changing room ressies.one way can be sure of what you get is to do a bounce back offer that one can get at the check in desk or may be a paper on it in your room

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I think it ends earlier in December this year, because of when Christmas falls. The week before Christmas is going to be undiscounted this year because Christmas is early in the following week. And yep, no FD for pop warner week or columbus week. and then Thanksgiving week.

We were originally booked with a room only discount for Dec. 9-14, so we changed to Dec 10-15.

 

[kddisney502]

"disgusted" is such a strong word. I'm also surprised you're upset because you were lucky enough to free dinning. You should be happy and excited about your trip. Just think about all that yummy food you get for free. Have a great time.

 

[NancyIL]

If I'm not mistaken - when "free" dining was first offered several years ago - it was available only during value season from late August-late September. It wasn't offered October through December. WDW has since greatly expanded the dates it is available.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Next time, don't book ahead expecting to be able to get free dining if it's offered! <snip>

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

Uhm -- Pot meet Kettle -- who is sneaky and annoying here?

Keep in mind that Disney uses Free dining to bring in crowds at low times -- if people are booking in advance in anticipation of FD -- they may just push the attendance up above the threshold -- there by canceling the need for FD.

You folks do it to yourself.

 

[DebbieB]

I booked my Disney trip last month for this fall. This month, the Free dining offer came out, and I successfully added free dining to my trip.

So what am I complaining about? Just this: I notice that they allow free dining for arriving dates only on certain weeks, often skipping a week or two here and there:

"Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, Oct. 19 - Nov. 1, Nov. 9 - 15, Nov. 23 - 29, Dec. 10 - 13"


I just happened to book during the week when the free dining is on. What if I had booked on the week when free dining is off? The on and off is totally random, not because of holidays or anything, so one can't anticipate it.

My opinion is that Disney does this to make some people not able to add the free dining later. If anybody books flights with the vacation, chances are that they cannot adjust the flights to accommodate the free dining dates and then they will be refused the free dining option even though in name, you can always add the discount later.

I am lucky that I got the free dining this time, but I am writing this as a warning to myself and others. Next time, don't book ahead expecting to be able to get free dining if it's offered! If you think there might be free dining, wait for it to come out first!

I think it's sneaky and annoying of Disney to pull this trick.

It's not a "trick". There is already enough occupancy for the dates not offered. They will sometimes revise the available dates as rooms get booked up.

 

[Mariep26]

Have to agree with others on the strong phrasing...I find many things disgusting but FD at Disney (even though I did not get it with my Dec 8-15 ressie) is not one of them.
Your suggestion is fine but it does depend your priorities. My priority is having the room that I want, for the dates I want. If a discount comes along, I will be thrilled otherwise oh well!!
To be fair I am booking a Feb 25-mar 1 POR ressie for 2013 next week and I hope for FD or a discount but I know it probably won't happen. Still booking it though!!

 

[kerplop]

It's not a trick. Just because you're unaware of reasons a discount is not offered, doesn't mean they don't exist. There are lots of blackout periods for a reason - Disney has high occupancy due to events and doesn't need to fill rooms then. You should never book with Disney expecting a discount because you may be disappointed. Instead book what you can afford and if there's a discount, great! If not, you're still going to Disney World.

 

[usd2bmd]

They offer free dining according to projected occupancy. The weeks that they Don't offer it already have enough bookings. FD is all about filling rooms. If you do your research before booking it is really very easy to find the historical dates for free dining and to anticipate when the announcement will be made to offer it.

 

[StuckInKS]

People should not book ahead, especially if they want a discount. If too many people pre-book for the same week, then they may be locked out of FD because Disney thinks that they do not need to fill rooms that week. Book the week you want and then if you get FD, bonus! Otherwise, wait for the discounts to come out and then book your room.

Disney is not being "sneaky." If they see a week as "full" then why should they offer a discount for it?

 

[TACK]

I have to agree with most, I am just happy to have FD. All these random dates, free dining, room discounts are keeping marketing people employed.

I booked my flight on air miles almost a year ago. I know that is a risky move. But I was working with the historical data and was almost 99% sure it was going to work for some kind of discount.

Going to WDW - November 24 - December 8!

 

[disneyjunkie]

The weeks without free dining make perfect sense to me.

I'm in NYC. Between September and Thanksgiving, our schools are closed for:
2 Jewish holidays (1-2 days out for each holiday)
Columbus Day
Veterens Day
Election Day

If you're one to pull your kids out of school for a fall trip to WDW, you do it during a week when school is out.

Not offering free dining during weeks with a holiday is a no brainer.

 

[kerriemiller]

Im probably in the minority or maybe Im not doing something right . . . but we waited for the free dining dates to be released before we booked, I was all excited after reading how other people saved $1500 or $1000. Last year we stayed at VWL we ended up not eatting in the room as we had intended but based on what we spent last year this year with free dining we are only saving around $700. Sure thats something but some how Im feeling let down

 

[MDChris]

Free Dining is not an entitlement. Disney doesn't really have to give anyone, anything. I agree that disgust is a strong word. I would say to be happy you got it.

 

[mickeynut1]

As others have said, Disney releases discounts to fill rooms. If occupancy is up for a certain time frame, those dates will be excluded from any promos because Disney doesn't have to worry about filling rooms. Even though your dates were included in FD, if your resort had no availability under that promo, you would have had to change resorts or not been able to add FD. Discounts are never guaranteed and having a reservation already in place does not guarantee a discount can be applied. Booking a room early "in hopes" of a discount being offered, is not a good idea as booking that room/time frame is one room closer to occupancy, therefore, possibly not being included in a promo should one come out.