Everything We Know About Free Dining -

[jjnv]

We have three room reserved at POP. We will split to two flights, half of us get in before lunch and half after lunch. Will we be able to check in and get our cards for lunch before the others arrive?

 

[disneymomjcs]

Depending on who is in which room.

Everyone is suppose to be present to check in but I've heard and experienced sometimes that is not the case.

If everyone has their own reservation. Three different you should be able to check in for the rooms whose people are there. Since you'll need to leave a cc# on account for room charges.

They may ask someone else to stop by after they get in just to verify # of people especially for free dining they may crack down.

I have done this before when only my daughter and I have flown in on an earlier flight. My husband flew in later that night.

I checked in and no one asked anything and I got all our key cards and went on my merry way.

Best of luck

 

[Charin]

Hi.

Assuming FD is offered on 2009, can you make an educated guess as to which will be the earlier check in date in order to take advantage of it? If I am checking in a couple of days earlier, should I just make two back to back ressies?

If I am staying this year during FD period but I am not taking advantage of the offer, do you think I would still get a bounceback FD offer?

Thanks in advance for your fb.

 

[threelittlemonkeys]

How do you find out if and when they are offering the free dining again?

 

[Zim]

How do you find out if and when they are offering the free dining again?

You'll need to watch this forum! The opportunity to book with free dining or add free dining to an existing ressie becomes available around second week of April (in the past at least)... the rumor mill flies until the very day it becomes available... but generally it's offered for the end of august through the 3rd week of September... We're booked Sept 19th - 26th next month and got FD because our ressie begins on the last day FD was available....

 

[stepdisney]

Hi.

Assuming FD is offered on 2009, can you make an educated guess as to which will be the earlier check in date in order to take advantage of it? If I am checking in a couple of days earlier, should I just make two back to back ressies?

If I am staying this year during FD period but I am not taking advantage of the offer, do you think I would still get a bounceback FD offer?

Thanks in advance for your fb.

The only requirements to book bounceback free dining (if it is offered) is to be staying at the resort when the bounceback is being offered and to book before you leave the resort. You don't have to have free dining to book bounceback. You will find out the dates dining will be offered during the bounceback offer. If you are coming in a couple of days before the offer begins, you would book a room only (hopefully with a discount) and book your tickets with the package deal because you need tickets and room to get the free dining.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

1) What is the bounce back offer?
2) How hot is it toward the end of FD?
3) How hard is it to get ressies during FD?
4) How crowded is it in the parks during FD?

I'm trying to decide when to book ressies for 2009. mid-September through 2nd in December are our options. My husband hates crowds & I hate the heat? Any insight would be great. We'll be traveling w/ our 15yo, 3yo, & toddler. Thanks in advance.

 

[stepdisney]

1) What is the bounce back offer?
2) How hot is it toward the end of FD?
3) How hard is it to get ressies during FD?
4) How crowded is it in the parks during FD?

I'm trying to decide when to book ressies for 2009. mid-September through 2nd in December are our options. My husband hates crowds & I hate the heat? Any insight would be great. We'll be traveling w/ our 15yo, 3yo, & toddler. Thanks in advance.

The bounce back is the new way in which Disney disperses discounts. If you are booked at the resort, you may receive an offer to book an additional vacation before you leave the resort. The offer will be for a specific time period. The offer out recently was for those who were at the resort in in spring/summer and the bounceback was for Nov/Dec, same year 30% or 40% depending on where you booked. The free dining bounceback is unique in that it is for the following year, during the same time period i.e. Aug/Sept/Oct when free dining is generally offered. You have to be a guest at the resort to book a bounceback offer.

How hot depends on when you travel and a lot of other factors. What do you consider hot? NJ heat in the summer is very high humidity and numbers in the mid to upper 90's. We would be hot no matter where we were. We traveled during free dining the first year it was offered (2005) and it was October. It was near 90 every day, the rain cooled it off (it rained a little every day). It's hot in Florida from April until.......(this varies).

Not sure if you mean how hard is it to get dining reservations or resort reservations. I have a Disney Visa and am able to book resort reservations on the first day that free dining is announced. I've never heard of anyone NOT getting a resort room but I have heard of folks not getting their first choice of resort or having to choose a different view because all of the view's they wanted were taken. If you are talking about getting dining reservations, book at 180 (I think they may have changed it to 90 now) days in advance, you should get what you want even if you have to adjust the times a bit.

They offer free dining because most children are just back in school and the crowds are not that bad. This will be our 3rd free dining trip. The first year, it was a bit more crowded than the 2nd. We traveled in October the first year and Aug 30 - Sept 8 last year. Last year, especially after Labor day, we walked on all of the rides. It was very hot but not so hot that I thought I would die (again, depends on what you call hot). The unofficial guide gives this time of year on average between 4, 5 & 6 for crowds out of a possible 10. This was what they said last year and I was very pleased with the crowd level. I have pictures of MK with empty streets . The restaurants, however, are packed because everyone is eating.......for free

 

[ilovemickeymost]

Thank you for all the info. I love going in October b/c its not horribly hot. Not to the point where you notice the heat as much. And MNSSHP was so much fun. The weekend was a long weekend for the area schools, so it was busy, but by Monday everyone ws gone. My 13yo DD & I took my 4 mo DS to the flower show in May & it was sooo hot. We were all miserable. It just wasn't as much fun. I refuse to go in the summer b/c of the heat & crowds. That being said. This time I'll be going w/ my 15yo DD, 3yo DS, a 6 month old D?(so a lot of body contact), & DH who has never been to WDW for more than a long weekend. He hates crowds & waiting. Is it going to be like a week day in October or more crowded? If you have advanced ressies, how long past your ressie time do you normally have to wait to be seated? Does it take forever to get your food or do they staff accordingly? Then there is always December for all the festivities. I was at DL the 1st week of Dec yrs ago & it was almost empty & the weather was fantastic. I read enough reviews to know we would skip MVMCP. But, there is so much more to do that is free. Thanks to whoever answers the rest of these questions.

 

[stepdisney]

Go for your ADR's about 20 minutes early and the rest is like it normally is, service was good. We went in June on our first trip to Disney (2000) and it was very crowded and very hot. Seemed more hot because it was crowded maybe? Surprisingly, the Labor day week-end was less crowded than the beginning of October which was during the long week-end that I think you mentioned. We went during Yom Kippor, and Columbus Day and a lot of students were out of school. If I could get away during the first week of December, this is when I would go. I can't get away any more because I teach. It's the end of August - beginning of September or nothing for us right now. I've always dreamed of seeing the Holiday decorations and would love the Candlelight ceremony. One day, . Whenever you decide to go, have a wonderful, magical time .

 

[bless7ings]

2) How hot is it toward the end of FD?

Check out this excellent site: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711423

 

[bless7ings]

Thank you for all the info. I love going in October b/c its not horribly hot. Not to the point where you notice the heat as much. And MNSSHP was so much fun. The weekend was a long weekend for the area schools, so it was busy, but by Monday everyone ws gone. My 13yo DD & I took my 4 mo DS to the flower show in May & it was sooo hot. We were all miserable. It just wasn't as much fun. I refuse to go in the summer b/c of the heat & crowds. That being said. This time I'll be going w/ my 15yo DD, 3yo DS, a 6 month old D?(so a lot of body contact), & DH who has never been to WDW for more than a long weekend. He hates crowds & waiting. Is it going to be like a week day in October or more crowded? If you have advanced ressies, how long past your ressie time do you normally have to wait to be seated? Does it take forever to get your food or do they staff accordingly? Then there is always December for all the festivities. I was at DL the 1st week of Dec yrs ago & it was almost empty & the weather was fantastic. I read enough reviews to know we would skip MVMCP. But, there is so much more to do that is free. Thanks to whoever answers the rest of these questions.

I have been in Oct and love the weather too! But it was busy when we went.(don't remember dates but included Columbus day and unfortanately it was the grand opening of the 25th anniv. ) We went because they said it was low attendence(it had been before on a previous trip) I personally thought the weather was perfect! (80's and not humid!) I have been reading on the threads that Oct. is busier then it used to be and that the first two weeks of Dec. are not secret anymore and have become quite busy.(basically sounds like just this last year) You'll have to search the boards, I don't remember all the posts, just the general consensus.

In Sept 2005(first free dining): Waiting for ressies and food wasn't long in my opinion.(and that was w/kids) I think instantly up to 15 min for getting in. I don't really remember for waiting for food. But I don't remember it being bad.

 

[bless7ings]

Step Disney,

It's the end of August - beginning of September or nothing for us right now.

How is the last week of August? We can only go that week this year if I want all my kids this year.(for another family vacation) I think I have a handle on weather, but I was wondering about ride wait times? When we went before we walked on rides in morning hours and after early supper, but not at MK pm emh's!

I have heard it is the least busiest of Aug. The kids are back to school in Florida, but a few like you are trying to sneak a week in before labor day. I would have preferred to have gone the first two weeks of Sept. I am guessing the last week of Aug. is a bit busier then about the 2nd week of Sept.

We went Sept. 11-22, 2005 and it was not as busy towards the beg and got busier around the 17, 18th, esp. in the 20's and the weekends.

 

[stepdisney]

7 blessings (love that name by the way),

Last year it was just as you said, walk-on early in the morning and early evening, especially after Labor day. We went from the 30th of August until Sept. 8th last year. The EMH's were a bit more crowded but no where near as crowded as it was in October when we went in 2005. We were there for the last part of free dining and, in fact, a few days after it ended. The offer extended for the duration of our trip which was very nice. I think it was crowded like you said before, because of the October holidays, both the religious holidays and Columbus day. I would say vacationing the last DAYS of August and the first week of September would be the best time to travel. It is the least busiest of August. The numbers go down to 4's in the unofficial guide the day after Labor Day. The only time with numbers equal or lower than this is The second week of January right after Christmas break is over and right before "Jersey Week" in November.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

Well folks wanted to update all of you on our vacation thus far - I talked to our teen daughter & hubby seperately. Told them the pros & cons of going in Sept, October, & Dec. So, even though its more expensive to fly in Dec & no free dining, we are in value season for our room. They both said December w/out a doubt. We are going to skip the Very Merry party & head over to Gaylord Palms to see "ICE". I really want to be at the MK on the 5th to celebrate Walt's birthday. I was online & figuring out our vacation. When I priced it room & tickets only & then room & tickets & basicDP. The difference is less than it should be w/ the 2009 rates. I am NOT complaining. Now, I just need to get my ressie in before they decide to increase the rate in the computer. I called the ressie office & asked & he said to book before anyone notices b/c once you put your deposit down, the price is locked. Thank you again for all your help. I really want to go to Pirate & Princess now that I saw pictures of it, but I think hubby would if I snuck away (even for a weekend).

 

[stepdisney]

have a wonderful time. I have to say, the fireworks at the Pirate & Princess Party were the best I've ever seen....EVER!!

 

[bless7ings]

Well folks wanted to update all of you on our vacation thus far - I talked to our teen daughter & hubby seperately. Told them the pros & cons of going in Sept, October, & Dec. So, even though its more expensive to fly in Dec & no free dining, we are in value season for our room. They both said December w/out a doubt. We are going to skip the Very Merry party & head over to Gaylord Palms to see "ICE". I really want to be at the MK on the 5th to celebrate Walt's birthday. I was online & figuring out our vacation. When I priced it room & tickets only & then room & tickets & basicDP. The difference is less than it should be w/ the 2009 rates. I am NOT complaining. Now, I just need to get my ressie in before they decide to increase the rate in the computer. I called the ressie office & asked & he said to book before anyone notices b/c once you put your deposit down, the price is locked. Thank you again for all your help. I really want to go to Pirate & Princess now that I saw pictures of it, but I think hubby would if I snuck away (even for a weekend).

Could someone please update me on the pirates and princesses? I thought that was over?

 

[bless7ings]

I love mickey the most

btw, the free dining for Sept rates are already expired, so you wouldn't have been able to have gotten that. They usually come out in 2nd week of April and expire June 3rd week I think. They have extended it before but I guess they had enough this year. Also, be prepared they might possibly ask you about a bounce back during your stay there for next year.(which could be free dining)

 

[mbanks21]

Free dine will be offered for 09. Those checking in to free dine 08 will be able to book bouncebacks for late august to early october 09

 

[stepdisney]

Free dine will be offered for 09. Those checking in to free dine 08 will be able to book bouncebacks for late august to early october 09

Thanks for the information. It sounds like you have inside information. I've been studying resorts for next year just in case we book bounceback. Early October.....great news.