Free Dining 2008 Watch

[faindrops27]

FYI last year the dates were not the same as the bounceback, I think they were shorter by a few days on both ends of the start and end...

Microcell- I was answering based on what I was offered for bounceback. When, I was there, in Sept 07'.

I was not all the way sure. But, your answer will help the person who asked.

So, let me ask this. Is there anyone who booked bounceback. Able to extend the free dine offer into October?

 

[pta-mom]

Any thoughts on when the Free DDP dates might be for the general public? I know Bounce Back began Aug 30 but I'm hoping they might make the general public's dates earlier. Do you think I have ANY chance of that happening????

 

[itibity]

I believe the bounceback offer was for check in August 30th-Sept 27th.
But, I am not sure what the dates will be offered to the public. I am thinking the same, but who knows.

This is our first time going to WDW and I pushed back my dates once with my TA hoping I might hit the free dining but now I'm starting to think I might not hit it Our dates are Aug 24-28..

UGH!

 

[crystalcml]

Any thoughts on when the Free DDP dates might be for the general public? I know Bounce Back began Aug 30 but I'm hoping they might make the general public's dates earlier. Do you think I have ANY chance of that happening????

Unless we hear something from an insider, we won't know until they make the offer public Hang in there they will be released soon !

 

[faindrops27]

I KNOW people are told DIFFERENT things.. this can happen with any company.

However, we have 14 nights on free dining. We are very fortunate as we even booked from the last night of Free dining out 14 nights. MANY people have not been able to do this. They had to book all nights within the promo dates. When someone posts this I agree that they should not push it. New rules have changed this past opportunity
BUT..
I think we started with a 10 night vacation and then when we got back bumped it up to the 14 (all with free dining on the same ressie #) and then 17 (on a different res#). I would call again, perhaps using the number on the flyer (i still have it if you need and I can post it). I don't knwo if it still works, but I have seen many posts lately where peole are adding days. I would call again, a couple times even, until you get someone who knows how to do it. The "new disney rules" do not seem to address adding days to a booked promotion if it falls within the guidelines. Good luck!

Pinkerbell you are right! as I started with 9 nights free dining bounceback, and just bumped it up to 13 nights. Same ressie, with free dining.

 

[pta-mom]

Unless we hear something from an insider, we won't know until they make the offer public Hang in there they will be released soon !

Thanks Crystal.

Another question for all you knowledgeable individuals....YES, YOU!!

Hypothetically, if my dates are Aug 19 to 29 & free dining comes out, say starting Aug 26, would I get it? All of it? Any of it? Would I have to than make more than one reservation, splitting my stay? Thoughts?

 

[faindrops27]

This is our first time going to WDW and I pushed back my dates once with my TA hoping I might hit the free dining but now I'm starting to think I might not hit it Our dates are Aug 24-28..

UGH!

Do not give up hope. As Microcell above. . Added that the dates were a few days earlier last year.

Is there anyway your dates can be flexible? I surely do hope you get in on the free dining.

 

[faindrops27]

I am so glad you hubby is going with ya this time!!!!
We decided to arrive on my birthday instead of having it at the end of the trip... that way most of our trip will fall on or after Labor Day.
We are eating at...
Chef Mickey's
Sci-Fi Drive-in
Crystal Palace
Coral Reef (got the diver and personal menu set up for a surprise for my friends)
Kona Cafe

I love your choices! It sounds as though you are going to have a blast!!

I have almost all of my ressies decided. But, still need 4. So far, I hope we will be able to get into:

Tutto Italia
Lecieller
Ohana'
Boma'
Wolfgang'
Yak & Yeti
The Wave??
Tokyo Dining
Trails End??

I never have been to Coral Reef. It looks so beautiful. But, you saw me Michelle. You know, I love to eat. I dont know if I will be full. Eating there. I always wanted to try Sci fi, and Chef Mickeys too. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[faindrops27]

Thanks Crystal.

Another question for all you knowledgeable individuals....YES, YOU!!

Hypothetically, if my dates are Aug 19 to 29 & free dining comes out, say starting Aug 26, would I get it? All of it? Any of it? Would I have to than make more than one reservation, splitting my stay? Thoughts?

I am posting to much here. But, here goes.

You would get free dining from the 26th, the date it starts. I know that for sure.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Microcell- I was answering based on what I was offered for bounceback. When, I was there, in Sept 07'.

I was not all the way sure. But, your answer will help the person who asked.

So, let me ask this. Is there anyone who booked bounceback. Able to extend the free dine offer into October?

Yep - booked bounceback from 9/23 - 10/5

 

[crystalcml]

Microcell- I was answering based on what I was offered for bounceback. When, I was there, in Sept 07'.

I was not all the way sure. But, your answer will help the person who asked.

So, let me ask this. Is there anyone who booked bounceback. Able to extend the free dine offer into October?

As long as you booked the offer on the last day of the promotion (9/27) and stay through October then you can get the free dining for you stay up to 14 days I believe.

 

[Goofy22]

This is our first time going to WDW and I pushed back my dates once with my TA hoping I might hit the free dining but now I'm starting to think I might not hit it Our dates are Aug 24-28..

UGH!

If you surf these boards more and more people are starting to believe that it maybe offered as of the 24th! I'm hoping so too! Since my vaca starts the 26th and may extend a day if they do free ddp! from the 24th!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

I am posting to much here. But, here goes.

You would get free dining from the 26th, the date it starts. I know that for sure.

However, to get free dining for part of your stay, you would in fact have to split your reservation into two. And, the second reservation would require a MYW admission ticket to make it a package and qualify for free dining. It might not be worth it for just a couple days of free dining.

 

[ShhhQ]

I love your choices! It sounds as though you are going to have a blast!!

I have almost all of my ressies decided. But, still need 4. So far, I hope we will be able to get into:

Tutto Italia
Lecieller
Ohana'
Boma'
Wolfgang'
Yak & Yeti
The Wave??
Tokyo Dining
Trails End??

I never have been to Coral Reef. It looks so beautiful. But, you saw me Michelle. You know, I love to eat. I dont know if I will be full. Eating there. I always wanted to try Sci fi, and Chef Mickeys too. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

Coral Reef is the only restaurant that we went to last year that we are repeating.... mainly because my friend chose it, but I found it the best meal we had all week (the only time I finished everything on my plate) The NY Strip was awesome and the potatoes to die for!!! However, they added crab legs to the menu this year making my decision extremely hard... steak or crab legs? Both would be great!

 

[coasterbob]

subscribing...............

 

[pinkerbell]

Microcell- I was answering based on what I was offered for bounceback. When, I was there, in Sept 07'.

I was not all the way sure. But, your answer will help the person who asked.

So, let me ask this. Is there anyone who booked bounceback. Able to extend the free dine offer into October?

See post 256 in this thread.. we were able to do this, but I understand we are part of a VERY SMALL group that could!!! I am very thankful as I realize we will probably not be able to do this again in the future based on the new rules

Pinkerbell, your children are absolutely adorable!! Thank you so very much for sharing. You have now convinced me to go take the kids to the waterparks!

I have a question, how crowded, are the lines @ BB or TL in September?

Off to research the waterparks!!

The pixs are from last yr and our stay was Sept 19 - Oct 3. Our kids are quite small so we stayed in Katchakiddie kreek at TL and Tikes Peak at BB.. they are literally small DD 4.5 is still in size 3 clothes. We went at the peak time of day but theere are really no "lines" at most of the places they played.. the slides had no lines at all to speak of.. it was great... your kids might also enjoy Ski Patrol Training Camp at BB. I suspect there may be lines there and in other areas.. but both waterparks are open that time of yr (usually) and I found the parks VERY enjoyable. We will try it (SPTC)this yr with ours, but are really going to push the learning how to swim thing! As long as your kids like water (bathm shower, pools etc) I beleive they will really enjoy it

see the fun for little ones link below for more pix's on how we do our vacation..

Looks like we will be there at the same time.. Look for my lime green mickey on my black mission space backpack that says The Dis!

 

[maddhatir]

Oh- no- Not to get flamed from the people who want the Free dining to start earlier than 8/30-

But I was dreading the thought that it might start the last week of August b/c we are supposed to be there from 8/24-8/29 and I was hoping to miss the free dining "crowds" during that last week!

I would rather pay 190.00 for the DP for the 5 days I am there just to miss the crowds.

 

[JLKennedy]

Oh- no- Not to get flamed from the people who want the Free dining to start earlier than 8/30-

But I was dreading the thought that it might start the last week of August b/c we are supposed to be there from 8/24-8/29 and I was hoping to miss the free dining "crowds" during that last week!

I would rather pay 190.00 for the DP for the 5 days I am there just to miss the crowds.

No flames from me, we're hoping for September (we'll be there from 9-6)

 

[ShhhQ]

Oh- no- Not to get flamed from the people who want the Free dining to start earlier than 8/30-

But I was dreading the thought that it might start the last week of August b/c we are supposed to be there from 8/24-8/29 and I was hoping to miss the free dining "crowds" during that last week!

I would rather pay 190.00 for the DP for the 5 days I am there just to miss the crowds.

Not Flaming anyone, but I just don't understand this.... I have heard this comment several times before but it doesn't make sense to me. We had our first trip to Disney the last week of August last year and were lucky enough to get free dining. I didn't find huge crowds... I know they weren't walk on crowds or anything, but just what I expected for Disney. Really the only time I felt crowded was when I left the Magic Kingdom at closing time and everyone else was trying to at the same time. I guess people have different ideas of whats crowded?
Here is hoping that it starts by the 30th.... since I arrive on the 31st and I WANT FD and save $570

 

[maddhatir]

Not Flaming anyone, but I just don't understand this.... I have heard this comment several times before but it doesn't make sense to me. We had our first trip to Disney the last week of August last year and were lucky enough to get free dining. I didn't find huge crowds... I know they weren't walk on crowds or anything, but just what I expected for Disney. Really the only time I felt crowded was when I left the Magic Kingdom at closing time and everyone else was trying to at the same time. I guess people have different ideas of whats crowded?
Here is hoping that it starts by the 30th.... since I arrive on the 31st and I WANT FD and save $570

The restaurants are definitely more crowded, ADRs are harder to get- and forget hoping to "walk in" and get a table (which I know is not usually the norm anyway, but with free dining- forget it)-

and with free dining Disney is hoping to draw MORE people into the parks b/c that is usually their "slower" times. That is why they offer it at the times they do.

Now DH and I went the 2nd week in Sept 2 years ago- with free dining- of course it was not REAL crowded b/c the kids were back in school- and that is how we prefer Disney.

So- I am factoring in the last week of Aug- a lot of kids are not in school (Northeast kids anyway) AND the free dining- to me that adds more people than we are used to.

That is my calculations.