Free Dining '10 Update: Disney Visa FD Released (See pages 1 & 57+ for details)

[Peggy F]

We were at Pop Century last Sept. and took advantage of the bounceback to get free dining for this Sept. I am so glad we did...I just made all my ADR (we like to plan and have everything in place). I hope for all of you that they offer it again for Aug. & Sept. I was shocked to be able to get it last Dec. as well....we go each Sept. & Dec.

 

[mking624]

We have been eating at Disney for many years, before the DDP, after the DDP and three times for free dining and the food and service have always been good - pre-DDP, post DDP and during free dining.

Same here!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm hoping free dining will be August and September this year like it had been in previous years... we went to WDW in October last year hoping to avoid the crowds from free dining and it was VERY crowded. I understand a lot of people depend on free dining so I don't think Disney should do away with it completely, but I think it makes it hard for those of us who don't get it and try to plan our trips around it to avoid restaurant congestion and crowds when Disney decides to extend it longer than usual. I also think that the Dining Plan in general has ruined some of the great service and food that the restaurants used to have. Don't get me wrong...I've used the DDP before and have saved a LOT of money doing it. I just wish there was a happy medium where we could save money and not sacrifice the quality of food and service at the same time. I also think that the quality and service is even worse during free dining because there are so many more people eating at the restaurants...

We've planned a trip for the very end of October 2010 so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy the F&W Festival without the crazy dining crowds. I hope I don't make too many enemies with this post...It's just my opinion.

Enemies (not with this OP). You might want to take a look at this thread in the Rumors and News Forum:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2415773

 

[2BOYMOM]

We are curently booked for June with a PIN code. But if free dining does come out, we are switching to August. I have two boys (20, 18) so we love free dining!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are curently booked for June with a PIN code. But if free dining does come out, we are switching to August. I have two boys (20, 18) so we love free dining!

Wow, 18 & 20? Better get the DxDP

 

[NC State]

We have been eating at Disney for many years, before the DDP, after the DDP and three times for free dining and the food and service have always been good - pre-DDP, post DDP and during free dining.

I agree we love the food, it's all about planning ahead.

 

[daisy2jae]

We have been eating at Disney for many years, before the DDP, after the DDP and three times for free dining and the food and service have always been good - pre-DDP, post DDP and during free dining.

I agree...we haven't had any issues. I have mixed feelings on the tip issue. Use to be included and not anymore. When it was I felt the server didn't try to go out of his/her way to give us good service. However I love having as much as I can pre-paid and having tips to pay is just another thing I have to budget in. Either way free dinning is the only way some families can afford a trip to WDW. Places have always been packed whenever we've gone so it's not an issue to us with the large crowds for dinning.

 

[jgallant]

I'm hoping free dining will be August and September this year like it had been in previous years... we went to WDW in October last year hoping to avoid the crowds from free dining and it was VERY crowded. I understand a lot of people depend on free dining so I don't think Disney should do away with it completely, but I think it makes it hard for those of us who don't get it and try to plan our trips around it to avoid restaurant congestion and crowds when Disney decides to extend it longer than usual. I also think that the Dining Plan in general has ruined some of the great service and food that the restaurants used to have. Don't get me wrong...I've used the DDP before and have saved a LOT of money doing it. I just wish there was a happy medium where we could save money and not sacrifice the quality of food and service at the same time. I also think that the quality and service is even worse during free dining because there are so many more people eating at the restaurants...

We've planned a trip for the very end of October 2010 so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy the F&W Festival without the crazy dining crowds. I hope I don't make too many enemies with this post...It's just my opinion.

What you say is true. ( IMHO )

 

[Luvmepluto]

Hey everyone...

I received an email today from Build A Better Mouse Trip and it said this:

"Disney has already released free dining for U.K. residents. Many people have received special pin code emails from Disney offering the Quick Service meal plan with a qualifying reservation."

I hope this helps!!!!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Not sure if that helps. Are they saying they think they will offer it or that they won't because they have released it to so many already?

 

[pixie_mtl]

Here's what it says:

You may be wondering if there is any news yet concerning a free dining promotion at Walt Disney World this year. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any official word but here are my not-so-psychic predictions on that subject:

Will Free Dining Be Offered for 2010?

A “Bounce Back” free dining offer was available for guests who booked a 2010 vacation while on their 2009 Free Dining trip. Disney has already released free dining for U.K. residents. Many people have received special pin code emails from Disney offering the Quick Service meal plan with a qualifying reservation. Based on these things, I feel reasonably confident that we’ll soon see a free dining promotion for late August through most of September 2010.

Estimated Official Announcement / Promotion Release

· In years past, the Free Dining promotion was released in late March or early April.
· Disney Rewards Visa holders were allowed to book the Free Dining Promotion up to 3-Days prior to the promotion becoming available to the general public.
· The current batch of promotions for travel through late summer must be booked by March 27th.

Based on the past trends, I’m hopeful that we might have an official announcement for Disney Visa card holder in very late March with the promotion opening to the general public in early April. We’ll need to book your package and a refundable $200 deposit will be required within 1 week of booking the promotion. The package balance will be due 45 days prior to your arrival.

A New Twist

Disney did something new this last year – a late fall free dining promotion was offered that gave the Quick Service Dining Plan (no table service meals included) to guests staying at a value resort. The standard plan was offered to guests staying at moderate or deluxe resorts. Many are speculating that we will probably see this trend continue with the 2010 free dining promotion but no one will really know until the promotion is officially released. Even if this happens, guests at value resorts will still have the option to upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans – you’ll just need to pay the difference in the cost between those packages and the quick service dining plan.

An Important Tip!

Remember, free dining has been offered for a couple of years now and the public is increasingly aware of the possibility. People will begin making their dining reservations as soon as they book their trip. Based on 2009, we can expect that popular locations like Cinderella's Royal Table, LeCellier, Coral Reef, Fantasmic Dinner Packages, and Chef Mickey's etc. will be completely booked very quickly. In fact, I’m already having trouble booking Le Cellier for those dates and the promotion hasn’t even been released.

Here's an important note though - your 180 day window for advance dining reservations is already open for that time of year. We can currently book dining reservations through mid-September.

[...]


[...]

Important note: I have absolutely no direct information about Disney's plans - these are strictly educated guesses based on past information.

[...]

 

[WDWKOOK]

The UK offer dates were last amended on www.mousesavers.com on March 8th:

Current Holiday Offers for UK Residents Only

FREE Disney Dining and Up to 48% Off Select Accommodation, 5 July - 18 November 2010

Book your magical Walt Disney World holiday before 2 August 2010, for stays 5 July - 18 November 2010, and you’ll enjoy FREE Disney Dining. Make your booking for a minimum of 5 nights including tickets, and everyone in the party dines for FREE for your whole holiday. Receive Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Moderate Resort, OR Receive Disney Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Deluxe Resort. This offer can be booked in combination with the "48% off select accommodations" promotion below.

Save up to 48% when you book your accommodation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This incredible offer is available for all bookings made before 2 August 2010 and for hotel stays between 01 August - 18 November 2010. This offer can be booked in combination with the FREE Disney Dining Promotion above.

 

[Luvmepluto]

Not sure if that helps. Are they saying they think they will offer it or that they won't because they have released it to so many already?

Below is the enitre email:


You may be wondering if there is any news yet concerning a free dining promotion at Walt Disney World this year. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any official word but here are my not-so-psychic predictions on that subject:



Will Free Dining Be Offered for 2010?



A “Bounce Back” free dining offer was available for guests who booked a 2010 vacation while on their 2009 Free Dining trip. Disney has already released free dining for U.K. residents. Many people have received special pin code emails from Disney offering the Quick Service meal plan with a qualifying reservation. Based on these things, I feel reasonably confident that we’ll soon see a free dining promotion for late August through most of September 2010.



Estimated Official Announcement / Promotion Release



· In years past, the Free Dining promotion was released in late March or early April.

· Disney Rewards Visa holders were allowed to book the Free Dining Promotion up to 3-Days prior to the promotion becoming available to the general public.

· The current batch of promotions for travel through late summer must be booked by March 27th.



Based on the past trends, I’m hopeful that we might have an official announcement for Disney Visa card holder in very late March with the promotion opening to the general public in early April. We’ll need to book your package and a refundable $200 deposit will be required within 1 week of booking the promotion. The package balance will be due 45 days prior to your arrival.



A New Twist



Disney did something new this last year – a late fall free dining promotion was offered that gave the Quick Service Dining Plan (no table service meals included) to guests staying at a value resort. The standard plan was offered to guests staying at moderate or deluxe resorts. Many are speculating that we will probably see this trend continue with the 2010 free dining promotion but no one will really know until the promotion is officially released. Even if this happens, guests at value resorts will still have the option to upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans – you’ll just need to pay the difference in the cost between those packages and the quick service dining plan.



An Important Tip!



Remember, free dining has been offered for a couple of years now and the public is increasingly aware of the possibility. People will begin making their dining reservations as soon as they book their trip. Based on 2009, we can expect that popular locations like Cinderella's Royal Table, LeCellier, Coral Reef, Fantasmic Dinner Packages, and Chef Mickey's etc. will be completely booked very quickly. In fact, I’m already having trouble booking Le Cellier for those dates and the promotion hasn’t even been released.



Here's an important note though - your 180 day window for advance dining reservations is already open for that time of year. We can currently book dining reservations through mid-September. Contact us today if you already know that you want to go to Walt Disney World in late August through September. We will book your package now and then we’ll call Disney Dining and change your reservation include the Free Dining once the free dining promotion is released.



Once your trip is booked, we’ll make your dining reservations now (subject to availability) – before the “Free Dining” rush. This will give you the best chance at getting your first choice in times and locations. Dining reservations can be cancelled very easily if the promotion is not released or you decide not to travel.



When you let Build A Better Mouse Trip book your Disney vacation, your reservation is booked directly with Walt Disney World and you will receive a Disney confirmation. You receive all the great Disney benefits like Disney's Magical Express transfers between the airport and resort. But then we add some extra vacation planning services at no extra charge to you that we believe are a real value - first of all, we are happy to make dining reservations on your behalf and (best of all) we will provide your choice of two touring plan options that help you avoid long lines and will keep you ahead of the crowds.



You can learn more about our Walt Disney World Vacation planning services at this link: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

 

[lustergirl]

I have been in september for 4 years with the free dining promo. We were going free or not. Last year we went Oct. 1st through the 6th and during all of these times there was never a crowd situation and I found many places with not many people at all. Also I have never noticed a decline in the value of the food just because you are on the free dining promo. I am sure the cooks dont know that you are on the dining plan.

 

[doccoc2002]

We have gone to Disney before the DDP was offered free or not. We have never had a bad meal. I will say that when it was first offered free that the service was horrible because the waiters knew they were getting a tip no matter what! Now, the waitstaff knows that they have to work for it. I also don't think that FD has made it crowded...yes the restaurants are busy(but they are busy all the time) but the parks are never busy we always walk on most rides...the longest we have waited was probably 20mins and that was in MK on a couple of rides(maybe 3...Peter Pan, Dumbo, Big ThunderMRR)...that is why Disney does FP's and when we go most of the time they are not even using FP machines.
Don't shoot the messenger... but I for one am glad they have downsized proportions IMHO...this country needs to learn to watch what they eat! We eat too much and stuff ourselves with rich food loaded with FAT! Good for Dianey jumping on the bandwagon...
Now, I am not saying that the food isn't good because it is! I just think that we eat far too much food!
Alright I will step off my soap box now!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

That does sound very promising. Thanks for posting the whole article!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Noticed a new tv commercial during GMA this morning. The special offer was 30% off resort rates. The deal had to be booked by April 1st. I think that may be a hint as to when FD will be offered. I'm guessing Visa holders get the offer on the 28th. General Public, April 2nd.

 

[Luvmepluto]

The UK offer dates were last amended on www.mousesavers.com on March 8th:

Current Holiday Offers for UK Residents Only

FREE Disney Dining and Up to 48% Off Select Accommodation, 5 July - 18 November 2010

Book your magical Walt Disney World holiday before 2 August 2010, for stays 5 July - 18 November 2010, and you’ll enjoy FREE Disney Dining. Make your booking for a minimum of 5 nights including tickets, and everyone in the party dines for FREE for your whole holiday. Receive Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Moderate Resort, OR Receive Disney Dining Plan when you stay at a selected Disney Deluxe Resort. This offer can be booked in combination with the "48% off select accommodations" promotion below.

Save up to 48% when you book your accommodation at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This incredible offer is available for all bookings made before 2 August 2010 and for hotel stays between 01 August - 18 November 2010. This offer can be booked in combination with the FREE Disney Dining Promotion above.

I don't know much about the promotions that are offered to UK residents, but is it always about the same as here or are there variations to the offers? Just curious.....Does anyone know?

 

[boardom]

I think generally they get a more extensive time period for FD.

 

[doccoc2002]

I don't know much about the promotions that are offered to UK residents, but is it always about the same as here or are there variations to the offers? Just curious.....Does anyone know?

There is definately variations because they are allowed to book 2 deals not just one. They are able to book a room discount as well as free dining. I believe they have always been offered no free dining with values...QSDP with mods(rnemember they got notice of the QSDP first a few years back)...reg DDP with the Deluxes.