Free Dining 2008 Watch

[Mermaid2sea]

Fingers crossed you all get your dates....

 

[flea1267]

Found this on fatWallet:

Magic Your Way package discounts to the general public on April 10, 2008.

Since the Disney Dining Plan was introduced in 2005, Disney World has offered it for free as a “discount” during some parts of August and September each of the past three years. Here are the travel dates for the past free dining offer:

* August 21 - October 4, 2005
* August 13 - September 30, 2006
* August 26 - September 22, 2007

Timeline

* April 7, 2008 - Free dining to be released to Disney VISA cardholders
* April 10, 2008 - Free dining to be released to the general public
* August 30 - September 27, 2008 - Travel dates for free dining

Does anyone know if it is a 3 or 4 night minimum stay? Thanks!

 

[faindrops27]

bounceback offer, what is the best way to find out if we don't see flyers? Should we ask at the front counter? We would like to book the bounce back if it is offered while we are there.
Julie

I am hoping my hubby is impressed with the free dining promo. That way, I can book another bounceback if offered. (We are going on a cruise in 09' too) I was thinking if I do not see a flyer or a promo on the tv. To call down to the front desk everyday to ask if there are any special bounceback offers. Being offered.

 

[hdietsche1]

Middle of Aug????? Like Aug 12-16 Hee hee. Keeping fingers crossed for the impossible!!

 

[BellaNoche]

Found this on fatWallet:

Magic Your Way package discounts to the general public on April 10, 2008.

Since the Disney Dining Plan was introduced in 2005, Disney World has offered it for free as a “discount” during some parts of August and September each of the past three years. Here are the travel dates for the past free dining offer:

* August 21 - October 4, 2005
* August 13 - September 30, 2006
* August 26 - September 22, 2007

Timeline

* April 7, 2008 - Free dining to be released to Disney VISA cardholders
* April 10, 2008 - Free dining to be released to the general public
* August 30 - September 27, 2008 - Travel dates for free dining

I saw this on FatWallet too. Is this something that was posted by FatWallet, or someone who is a member?

 

[robinb]

I
Though we are choosing not to use free dining, as we don't feel it's worth it.

I am just curious why you don't think Free Dining is "worth it". I could understand see you're staying at a Deluxe, but you're going to be at POR with only a 20% AAA discount. That's a savings of only $33 per day. So why not book the free dining when it comes out and you'll be able to eat 2 meals a day for everyone in your room for only $33 more per day? You're going to have to eat anyway ...

 

[DISNEYNY]

I'm not liking these dates. Aug 30 is way too late for me. I hope it is not true.

 

[CinRell]

I'm a disney visa cardholder but don't want to put the trip on this card.... so my question is if it's introduced on the 7th to me as a card holder, would I have to put it on my card to take advantage of the "earlier" booking?

 

[robinb]

I'm a disney visa cardholder but don't want to put the trip on this card.... so my question is if it's introduced on the 7th to me as a card holder, would I have to put it on my card to take advantage of the "earlier" booking?

Yes.

 

[CinRell]

Yes.

Ugh! The entire trip or just the deposit?

 

[maedelken]

If you get there on the last day of free dining "the 27th" will it be extended throughout your stay. The CM I talked to didn't sound very optimistic about it being offered since they had the bounceback. Maybe that is what they are told to say? I booked anyway one can always hope!

 

[The Brain]

Ugh! The entire trip or just the deposit?

just the deposit and you'll be fine.

 

[deide71]

Looks like the info @ Fatwallet came from this site:


http://www.mousemisers.com/

anyone know how credible it is?

 

[robinb]

Ugh! The entire trip or just the deposit?

Hmmm ... I would think just the deposit.

If you get there on the last day of free dining "the 27th" will it be extended throughout your stay. The CM I talked to didn't sound very optimistic about it being offered since they had the bounceback. Maybe that is what they are told to say? I booked anyway one can always hope!

My guess is that the free dining promotion will have a hard stop date. Disney recently went to a day-by-day booking methodology for rates. Sorry!

 

[CinRell]

just the deposit and you'll be fine.

that I can do. Thanks!!!

 

[sassyat30]

I am just curious why you don't think Free Dining is "worth it". I could understand see you're staying at a Deluxe, but you're going to be at POR with only a 20% AAA discount. That's a savings of only $33 per day. So why not book the free dining when it comes out and you'll be able to eat 2 meals a day for everyone in your room for only $33 more per day? You're going to have to eat anyway ...

Because using the WDW site to compare prices (as we'd have to pay the rack room rate) the room rates are higher during "free" dining.

Coincidence? I think not. You're paying for it somewhere.

And I don't plan on scheduling my days around food...we've figured out using the "free" dining will actually cost about $100 more...once you add in tip for food (on TS anyway).

And remember, when you add the dining plan onto your trip, you are automatically buying a package..which must include at least a one day base MYW ticket.

I can buy the tickets cheaper through a different site, so using "free" dining isn't a good value for us.

 

[Carolc]

I'm not liking these dates. Aug 30 is way too late for me. I hope it is not true.

You and me both!

 

[deide71]

Because using the WDW site to compare prices (as we'd have to pay the rack room rate) the room rates are higher during "free" dining.

Coincidence? I think not. You're paying for it somewhere.

And I don't plan on scheduling my days around food...we've figured out using the "free" dining will actually cost about $100 more...once you add in tip for food (on TS anyway).

And remember, when you add the dining plan onto your trip, you are automatically buying a package..which must include at least a one day base MYW ticket.

I can buy the tickets cheaper through a different site, so using "free" dining isn't a good value for us.

Hmmmm, they look like regular rack rate for value season to me .

 

[pierresgirl]

Does anyone know if AKL has been in on the free dining offer before? I am planning on staying there in Sept and will take advantage of free dining if I can but if I can't get it there than we'll plan 1 fancy dinner and eat cheap the rest of the time.

 

[sassyat30]

Hmmmm, they look like regular rack rate for value season to me .

We've crunched the numbers, and "free" dining isn't a good deal for us, so we're choosing not to get it.