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

[PrincessTiffany]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.

The annual fall free dining announcement has always come after the 180 day ADR booking window opens up. I have always made my resort and dining reservations by the 180 day window and then when the free dining code comes out, just add it to our existing reservation.

 

[buzyanne]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.

double post?

 

[beautyqueen]

I made all our ADR's for our trip yesterday!

 

[daisy2jae]

If you add dinning now and a code comes out for free dinning can you add the code and get your money back for the dinning you paid for? That way you can start booking at the 180 days? I have a trip booked sept 4th and I have dinning added. I was told I can call march 8th. I was hoping I will have a code for free dinning that I can add to my reservation.

 

[FunkyDuck]

Yes, you can always add the code/discount later...when it comes out...just call in and they will apply the discount.

 

[katieam1]

The annual fall free dining announcement has always come after the 180 day ADR booking window opens up. I have always made my resort and dining reservations by the 180 day window and then when the free dining code comes out, just add it to our existing reservation.

That's what I am doing too!

 

[daisy2jae]

Yes, you can always add the code/discount later...when it comes out...just call in and they will apply the discount.

thanks!

 

[newdeal]

The pin we got for quick service dining applied during the summer months, I think it went until the middle of august, not the typical free dining period. We are hoping it will be announced at the end of march so we can book our 180 days for the beginning of october

 

[PrincessTiffany]

The pin we got for quick service dining applied during the summer months, I think it went until the middle of august, not the typical free dining period. We are hoping it will be announced at the end of march so we can book our 180 days for the beginning of october

I believe, the current free quick service dining pin for spring/summer dates is February 28 - July 10, 2010.

 

[charliehorse6]

I just hate this "trying to read between the lines" game! Mousemisers says that booking are soft for the year...yet...when I called to see if any pin was attached to my name/address...the rep said that I had the best rate available and even if the offered a new discount it wouldn't be as good as what I've already got and that from what he hears, bookings are looking better this year than the previous years and he'd be surprised if they offered the free dining...???? I'm thinking I'll just quit checking until April 1st - this is driving me C R A Z Y!!!

 

[jmpellet]

I've already done my package reservation and ADRs and even in advance of 180 days I couldn't get Le Cellier for dinner. The only reason I did an actual package reservation was so I could get HDDR without having to pay upfront. I'm hoping the Disney Visa free dining will be announced soon so I can add it to my existing reservation.

I believe they will have free dining as they have for so many years now, especially that other promotions end at about the time free dining should start. Plus it is typically a "slow" time of year and they will need promos. Not to mention they already have bounceback and UK folks with FD during that time.

 

[Joey7295]

I believe they will have free dining as they have for so many years now, especially that other promotions end at about the time free dining should start. Plus it is typically a "slow" time of year and they will need promos. Not to mention they already have bounceback and UK folks with FD during that time.

What were the bounceback dates?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

What were the bounceback dates?

August 15 - October 2, 2010.

 

[SGMCO]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.

I have to book my ADRs on March 29th and hoping FD comes out by then.
I do have a Disney Visa. Since I already have booked my package, I will go ahead and make ADRs just to have them done.

 

[deanie]

I have a ressie for Nov 28 to Dec 8 so I am waiting patiently (!!) for either free dining or a discounted room. I like to choose the restaurant depending on what park I am at but the park hours aren't out yet (anyone know how far ahead they post?) I plan to have all my ADR's ready to go as soon as the 180 day window is here.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My only worry is that if they wait until the end of March/ist of April to release free dining. With a 180 day dining window those of us going in the 1st couple of weeks of the offer will be less then 180 days out at that time. It was very hard last year to get ressies when the time frame was 90 days. Sorry just thinking ahead.

May I ask why you are waiting? Why not book at the 180 mark?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I have a ressie for Nov 28 to Dec 8 so I am waiting patiently (!!) for either free dining or a discounted room. I like to choose the restaurant depending on what park I am at but the park hours aren't out yet (anyone know how far ahead they post?) I plan to have all my ADR's ready to go as soon as the 180 day window is here.

If they have a second FD offer, as they did last year, it probably won't come out until the end of the summer. The FD offer expected to come out the end of March/first of April will probably only be for the speculative dates of August 15 - October 2.

The Disney calendar and hours are released approximately 6 months out. So, November hours would not come out until about the first week of May.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Thanks for the reply! DH got a pin for free QSD but still hoping for reg DP

 

[clarkfamily]

AFAIK, typically the offers follow this:

a) available via bounceback
b) available via PIN codes
c) avalable for DVR holders
d) available to the public

Bounceback back in the fall '09 was for FD between August 15 and October 2. PIN codes were sent in early Jan for the same dates. I would expect the next DVR and/or public codes to be the same.

Similar things have happened with room discounts....

But you never know...

I will be taking our little one on our first vacation to Disney, so I am new to all of this, but very excited! I am a thorough planner (and it's obvious I'm in good company here)...but I am very confused about the constant references to free dining offers.

1. I'm not sure I understand the quote above about who will have access to these offers. What do "bounceback", "PIN codes" and "DVR holders" mean? Is there something I can do now to give myself access to free dining sooner?

In addition, could someone please help with these basics:
2. We are looking to travel OCT 7 - OCT 12. If I book now, and include a dining plan in my reservation, will I simply be able to have the cost of my dining plan deducted, if/when the offer becomes available?
3. I see lots of mentions here of ADRs. Does it matter if I make my ADRs before the free dining offer becomes available?

Any help for this newbie would be so appreciated!