Free Dining 2008 Watch

[The Brain]

We are going with another couple, We have the Visa they do not. Can they use the code I get? or is it only for card holders?(probably an obvious no for them) If so, if I book their vacation on my card would that work for them?
Lastly would/could 3 days make a huge differance? Waiting until the 10th that is.

it depends. You could make the reservation in your name and put a $200 deposit down and yes you could get free dining. Just pay it off the same way.

As far as waiting till the 10th, it kinda depends on how long its offered. If its really only gonna be three weeks, it COULD fill up quick.

 

[mistyg]

I booked my trip a few days ago for check in Sept. 27th. (Last year we checked in on Sept. 22nd, which was the last day of the offer.) Anyway, after I read the posting about the offer being through Sept. 20th, I made an adjustment to my reservation. The first CM I talked to gave me A LOT of hope that the offer was on the way. Today, the CM I got said that she would be really surprised if it was going to be offered

Well, I am not going to let today's CM get me down. Still hopeful

 

[jhoshowski]

I think the CMs are trying to help, but honestly, I think they know as much as (or maybe even less than) we do. Hang in there, everybody!

 

[ruthma]

I booked my trip a few days ago for check in Sept. 27th. (Last year we checked in on Sept. 22nd, which was the last day of the offer.) Anyway, after I read the posting about the offer being through Sept. 20th, I made an adjustment to my reservation. The first CM I talked to gave me A LOT of hope that the offer was on the way. Today, the CM I got said that she would be really surprised if it was going to be offered

Well, I am not going to let today's CM get me down. Still hopeful

This is what mouse miser has said about the rumor See date

Free Disney Dining 2008?
03.18.08 | 11 Comments


We have been hearing rumors, that we since have substantiated, that Disney World will be releasing Magic Your Way package discounts to the general public on April 10, 2008. So, I know what you are asking yourself, will this be the free dining discount everyone is hoping for, or something completely different?

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
Based on discounts released late last year for travel during 2008, which offered the dining plan for free, we believe Disney will release the free dining discount again in 2008. Here are the travel dates for those discounts:

UK Resident Free dining: August 10 - September 27, 2008
Bounceback offer for WDW guests: August 30 - September 27, 2008
While it is possible that Disney may release another discount, and not the free dining, we fully expect to see the free dining released on April 10 to the general public. Expect the following time line:

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

 

[Brooknwdw]

I HOPE that about the ending date of the 20th is not true...I have ressies and perfect ADR's for Sept 20-27th!

 

[mistyg]

Even if it is true, you should be okay, because last year you simply had to check in by that date. (The offer ended on Sept. 22nd and we checked-in and took advantage of free dining for a week starting on Sept. 22nd). So, if your check-in is Sept. 20th, then you would be fine

 

[Temair]

Thats good to know cause we are planning sept 19 to 28.

 

[jody618]

Rumor has it that those booking after December 1st must be checked out on the last day of the promo. We used to check in the last day and stay for 8-9 days but now you have to be checked out on the rumored Sept. 27th.

 

[WeemanMom]

I really hope it goes to the 27th. We are going the 13th to the 28th. I have already made all my ADRs. I have had my trip booked since late last year...with DDP. Still hoping to get the free dining though.

Regardless, I will go either way, I would just have change a few other actitivies (cancel some things). I have a budget and I'm going to stick to it.

 

[maedelken]

I hope that the end date is the 27th! We check in the 27th and would love for it to be extended throughout our entire stay. Well some people have been saying that it will not work that way this year. Well I talked to some CMs and some have said it will extend only one said no. Mostly they said they won't know the terms and conditions until they know if it is being offered. I feel that if they are allowing it to extend for the bounceback people then there is some hope for us stupid people who didn't book the bounceback when it was offered ugh!!!!!!!!!! Well we will be going this week no matter what I hope because my kid has two days off that week. So I will just wait and see who is correct. Of course I had the CMs that said it won't be offered because they had a good response with the bounceback promotion and that if it was going to be offered they usually know by now. Needless to say I was bummed after that call so I called back two more times to get some more opinions. Worrying about free dining is consuming my life !

With four kids it would help you know.

 

[wdwmaw]

Even if it is true, you should be okay, because last year you simply had to check in by that date. (The offer ended on Sept. 22nd and we checked-in and took advantage of free dining for a week starting on Sept. 22nd). So, if your check-in is Sept. 20th, then you would be fine

This is not the case this year. Late last year Disney began its day to day pricing and you can no longer carry room rates or promotions into dates that do not follow into a certain season (ex. value vs. reg.) or a promotion. So far all of your dates need to fall within the promotion period.

The bounceback people booked under the old rules.

 

[mistyg]

Could someone please explain to me how bounceback offers work? I was there during the bounceback offer for free dining last year, but I didn't hear about the offer until I read these boards after we had already returned from our trip. I don't want to miss out on any offers again this year, so I just need to know how you find out about these offers.

 

[wdwmaw]

Could someone please explain to me how bounceback offers work? I was there during the bounceback offer for free dining last year, but I didn't hear about the offer until I read these boards after we had already returned from our trip. I don't want to miss out on any offers again this year, so I just need to know how you find out about these offers.

Bounceback is somthing Disney offered last year. I was there too the first of Oct. and did not know it was extended. Bascially you get the number from the flyer in your room. If you know about it you can ask at front desk or take the number with you Ext. # 8844 from your room phone or resort phone. You then had the opportunity to book the free dining pkg. for '08 with a $200 deposit. You had to book and make a deposit before you checked out. Some were able to do that once they got home. I was not ! Disney later offered bounceback offers through the first of this year I think that gave 20% off value or 30% off moderates. Other resorts were offered if you called and asked. I hope this explains it

 

[LegoMom3]

Could someone please explain to me how bounceback offers work? I was there during the bounceback offer for free dining last year, but I didn't hear about the offer until I read these boards after we had already returned from our trip. I don't want to miss out on any offers again this year, so I just need to know how you find out about these offers.

I know some people had flyers left in their rooms. But, I would just say, now that you know this type of thing does go on sometimes, ask at the check-in desk before your last day, if they do have any "bounceback" type promotions available at that time.


.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thank you for starting this thread, and thanks mod for making it a sticky....easy to find!

Will add myself to the list of waiters

 

[mickey mommy]

We are hoping for Aug 23 to be the start date. How accurate has Mousemisers been in the past?

 

[gigi1313]

This is not the case this year. Late last year Disney began its day to day pricing and you can no longer carry room rates or promotions into dates that do not follow into a certain season (ex. value vs. reg.) or a promotion. So far all of your dates need to fall within the promotion period.

The bounceback people booked under the old rules.

there's no absolute to what you are supposing... yes, most promos have an end date, but that may not be the same for free dining... i've spoken w/a salesperson for wdw and he indicated that it would be available for the entire stay based on check-in date... FD is different than a room rate i was told...

 

[mickey2000]

This Bounceback is also currently at the resorts ??
Copied from another board.
Seems there is already more competition for August & September !

" We just came back from a split stay at Poly/BWI on Sunday, and in both rooms there was a big piece of cardboard shaped like a clock with the bounceback offer on it . . . I'm sorry but I don't have the exact dates, but it was for August until late Sept., then again from about Oct 19 or so until close to Halloween, again for early November, and finally, YES for early December. I'm sorry that I don't have the exact dates for you, though -- perhaps someone brought back the "clock" with the exact dates."
__________________

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I have the "clock" bounceback info:

I booked the bounceback in Jan, but still want free dining-it's a better deal!

 

[megan722]

I have to wonder with all of these people reserving rooms in anticipation of the free dining if it will be self defeating in the end. Think about it - the more rooms that are reserved, the less likely they are to offer it. If they are at or near capacity and they aren't offering anything free, then why offer it at all? I tried to search for availability at the Contemporary pretty much all of Sept. and there are no rooms available for any of the weeks during the window of my visit (6 nights.) I wasn't booking, just looking.... I'm not trying to be "Debbie Downer" but I think we may be harming "the cause" by booking in anticipation of the free dining - and I want it!!!! So stop reserving people!!!! LOL