FD - We've got your dates RIGHT HERE (here's my guesstimate dates - they were close)

[enchantingodin]

Dates for the past 3 years of FD are:
Sun 8/24 - Sat 9/20, 2008 (4 weeks)
Sun 8/26 - Sat 9/22, 2007 (4 weeks)
Sun 8/13 - Sat 9/30, 2006 (6 weeks)

If they do like they have the past 2 years (were it was a month long promo) then the dates will be Sun 8/23 - Sat 9/19.

However if they do a 6 week promo this year (which is likely since the economy is what it is), and they add a week before and after the normal month span like in 2006. Then the dates would then be Sun 8/16 - Sat 9/26. Of course 8/15 is also when 4/3 ends - coincidence?

Or - I could just be totally wrong with all of this research and pondering. We'll have to wait and see...

ETA: As posted over on the FD watch page there is now a rumor out. FINALLY! Found here: http://www.disunplugged.com/
"We’re hearing pretty reliable rumors that Walt Disney World’s next promotion will be free dining for travel between August 15 - September 30, 2009. If reports are correct, these will be available for booking starting on March 30th. Again this is RUMOR, so don’t bet the mortgage on this, but we’re comfortable enough with our information to put it out there."

Now, personally these dates seem a little off from years past. Again FD has always started on a Sun and ended on a Sat in the past. So I'd guess it'll start 8/16 and end either 9/26 (like I've already guessed) or end on 10/3. But since that would make it bigger that the PIN and BB promos I doubt it. The only reason I could see it ended on a Wed (9/30) is if they already have another big 4/3 type promo in the works.

Just my thoughts. Discuss.

ETA-2:

I was told that I could share this by my travel agent...not sure if she meant on a public forum but....I also assume this includes Americans through AAA
BOOKING DATES March 30 - June 21, 2009
TRAVEL DATES August 16 - October 3, 2009
PROMO OVERVIEW
Disney Spring Offer Magic Your Way Package plus FREE Dining for Canadian Residents.
. Guests must purchase a minimum three (3) night stay at a Select Walt
Disney World Hotels in combination with a Magic Your Way Ticket.
. Guests may also upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan at a discounted rate, or
add the Wine & Dine Add-On at regular rates.
. The Disney Dining Plan includes one (1) Table Service Meal, one (1) Quick
Service meal, and one (1) Snack per Guest per night at participating Disney
Resort hotel and Theme Park locations.

Walt Disney World AAA Vacations Member Benefits:
Don't forget that the exclusive AAA member benefits are also combinable with
the this offer:
. AAA Vacations® Diamond Card
o Provides special savings and values at participating locations throughout
the Walt Disney World Resort.
. Disney's Story Time experience
o An exclusive story telling experience with a character from a classic
Disney animated feature (advance reservations, reservations voucher
and valid Theme Park admission required; seating is limited and subject
to availability; operates on select days of the week and certain block-out
dates apply).
. AAA Diamond Parking
o Convenient preferred parking spaces at all four Walt Disney World
Theme subject to availability

WOW!!! An offical LEAK!!!
Thanks justadisneygirl for posting this info!!!

ETA - 3:
Looks like these dates are pretty official. Touring Plans also has them up.

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=44

ETA - 4: (sheesh!)
Again another good conformation. Mouse Savers has also posted the same dates.

http://www.mousesavers.com/ (look in the top right corner uner "LATEST NEWS & HOT DEALS" - you may have trouble veiwing in the AOL browser.)

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I hope your right. I am going starting the 26th on a 30% off bounceback and I am hoping for lighter crowds. The parks are much busier with free dining. I did the math and and my 30% deal was $20 better than free dining, so oddly enough I am hoping it doesn't include my dates. Thanks for posting your research, it gives me some hope.

 

[n2mm]

I agree with your start date of 8/23, but believe the end date will be September 25th or October 3rd.

I also believe the booking date for Visa cardholders will be April 5th and the GP will be April 8th.

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

One year it was April 1st was the Disney Visa cardholders. Everyone thought it was a joke but it wasnt

 

[zuzu310]

My 2 cents...I think it will be released for Disney Visa card members the first Monday of April which is 4/6 and then to the GP 4/9. I am so anxious to get this thing booked. I wish it would hurry up already. Also, I wonder why no rumors regarding a release date have broken by now. It makes me nervous!

 

[Donnainnj]

I'm hoping they start the release earlier this year, Maybe
March 30th, considering Easter week and Passover is right in there for what would be the expected release dates. (April 6th) Also with the 7 for 4 offer due to expire on March 29th, that would be a good day. As long as they offer it!
Donna

 

[familyS]

It is fun to guess

Maybe they'll instutute a different incentive, if attendance is down.

 

[goofygirl0415]

SO I am a Disney Visa card member. Does that mean when I book on the phone, I just tell them that and I will get the free dining?

 

[kirbygump]

OP - Isn't the 4/3 deal ending 8/15 not 9/15?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

SO I am a Disney Visa card member. Does that mean when I book on the phone, I just tell them that and I will get the free dining?

You have to put a minimum $200.00 deposit down with your Disney Visa.

 

[HLAuburn]

How much notice do Visa cardholders usually have before the day booking starts?

 

[jcemom]

OP - Isn't the 4/3 deal ending 8/15 not 9/15?

Yes.

OP, thanks for doing the research and posting all the previous dates for us. I hope they do extend it this year. I was originally planning to go in October, but free dining would save us money. Even with a 30% room discount we'd save money. I was hoping for one of the 40% off pins but I haven't received one yet. That would be better for us than free dining.

So I'm keeping my eye on September and the free dining deal. If it's released, or when it's released, I'm going to book it. We can go on September 15, but I'd rather go later in the month, the 22nd, or even the 29th.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

If they go along with the dates of the Pin Mailer my daughter received then the dates will be August 16th through October 1st.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

If they go along with the dates of the Pin Mailer my daughter received then the dates will be August 16th through October 1st.

The bounceback dates for this year's free dining were August 23 - October 6. The free dining pin codes that have come out last month were for August 16 - October 1. The general public free dining booking dates should have a smaller window than the bounceback or the pin code. So, my educated guess would be that the Free Dining dates that they should release in April for the general public will be for bookings between August 23 and October 1. That's just my guess though.

 

[enchantingodin]

The bounceback dates for this year's free dining were August 23 - October 6. The free dining pin codes that have come out last month were for August 16 - October 1. The general public free dining booking dates should have a smaller window than the bounceback or the pin code. So, my educated guess would be that the Free Dining dates that they should release in April for the general public will be for bookings between August 23 and October 1. That's just my guess though.

See I'm not so sure - in the past the promo has always ended on a Sat. 10/1 is a Thur and 10/6 is a Tue. I could see them ending it say on 9/26... maybe?

 

[fupresti]

Any chance free dining gets extended into October during the F&W festival?

 

[enchantingodin]

Any chance free dining gets extended into October during the F&W festival?

F&WF starts Sept 25th. Which is why my best guess is that it will be a month long promo again this year. But I could be (and hoping to be) wrong on that one. As I think the later in the year it gets the more Disney is going to hurt for people to come in.

 

[NYY2SMP]

I hope they offer it right after 4/3

 

[kevgraub]

See I'm not so sure - in the past the promo has always ended on a Sat. 10/1 is a Thur and 10/6 is a Tue. I could see them ending it say on 9/26... maybe?

In the past, have you been able to do the free dining as long as you were checked in by the date it ended. Our trip is planned for 9/25 through 10/2. If it were to end on 9/26, would we likely be able to do the free dining for our entire trip - based on how it worked in the past anyway?

 

[jcemom]

In the past, have you been able to do the free dining as long as you were checked in by the date it ended. Our trip is planned for 9/25 through 10/2. If it were to end on 9/26, would we likely be able to do the free dining for our entire trip - based on how it worked in the past anyway?

We didn't do free dining last year, but that's how it worked the two previous years. As long as you checked in by the last day you got it for your entire stay.