Free Dining 2008 Watch

[curlgirl71]

In December when we were there they told us we could use TS for CS when we were out of CS. But you can not use CS credits for TS.
Hope this helps.

 

[capturedfairy]

Pop century here from 08/27-09/01 (5 Nights) and this year we are on a budget so we got 3 days Magic you way BASIC tickets and free dining(not upgrades, because Its plenty of food for us) at 1421.00 We are a party of 4. 2 Adults a Junior(10) and a Child(3) pretty good for Disney.

Last year same time of the year with free Dining at the AKL asked for a Pool View room, and asked for an upgrade when we got there, and got a Savannah View room!!!! for 0.00 EXTRA! this trip was with 4 day MYWbasic tickets, free dining and 4 Nights, we paid 1900.00 around there. It wasnt more than 2000...

Book thru Dreams unlimited, It cost the same as with Disny but you get the extra services by them (setting you up with Dining and other arrangements and plans you might need.)

 

[kimsuenew]

My understanding....TS credits can only be used at Table Service locations. However, you can use your TS credit for lunch, dinner or breakfast (at any TS location that serves these meals...some don't serve breakfast). For example, you can eat lunch at Le Cellier but you'll have to use a TS credit to do so. Hope this helps.

Last year, while at SSR in September, the TV kept running a WDW/SSR promo where you could use your TS credits for a CS meal and if you did so you could get a free lanyard and pin set.

We actually traded 4 TS in and got 4 CS (breakfasts) and the 4 sets on our last day (we had 4 unused TS, 6 unused CS, and 18 snacks... all spent on the last day). The lanyards were plain blue with a clip on the end and each had two pins on it (kind of cheap). It gave us a quick 8 pins (2 each set) to pin trade!

I am not sure if this will be possible this year or not but if WDW had any sense it would be... providing a CS meal sure beats a TS meal (cost wise, and those pin sets... cheap, cheap, cheap)!!

 

[DisKate]

Last year, while at SSR in September, the TV kept running a WDW/SSR promo where you could use your TS credits for a CS meal and if you did so you could get a free lanyard and pin set.

We actually traded 4 TS in and got 4 CS (breakfasts) and the 4 sets on our last day (we had 4 unused TS, 6 unused CS, and 18 snacks... all spent on the last day). The lanyards were plain blue with a clip on the end and each had two pins on it (kind of cheap). It gave us a quick 8 pins (2 each set) to pin trade!

I am not sure if this will be possible this year or not but if WDW had any

Thanks to everyone who responded...We are trying to decide (if we go) if we should make ADR's for all of our TS or just "wing" some of them...anythoughts on this?

 

[disneyJMD]

Congratulations to all of you DV card holders that were able to get your free dining!!!

I actually have a special request for you guys - for those of us anxiously waiting for Thursday morning, could you please post where you are booked and for what dates? And if you're feeling really generous can you also share with us the size of your party and how much your package was. Like for us, we're a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) that are wanting to get free dining with an upgrade to deluxe so I am really curious as to how much extra that is. Anyhoo, any and all info is much much appreciated!!!

We booked POR for 10 nights 9/18-9/28 for our family of 6 (DH & I,plus DS10, DD7, DD 4, and DS 15 months). We have a standard room and a ten day park hopper with water parks ticket, plus upgraded to Deluxe dining. (including insurance)
Total cost before yesterday was $5.938.49
New Price After Free Dining is $4,465.09

I had already booked all of of our ADRs knowing that they would book up quickly. I was one of the nuts who was on the phone at 7am on day 180 to be sure I got what I wanted. It was nice to be able to book ressies for some signature meals without even hesitating, as the deluxe dining will cover it! We are going to try California Grill, Artist Point, CRT (lunch and breakfast), and Cat 1 HoopDeeDoo. Now we only have 163 days to wait!!!

 

[KT721]

Is anyone staying at Coronado Springs from september 20th to 27th that happened to get free dining? I already have a reservation there for these dates and would prefer not to have to change resorts.

BTW, is it Thursday yet? This waiting is killing me

 

[WeemanMom]

We booked POR for 10 nights 9/18-9/28 for our family of 6 (DH & I,plus DS10, DD7, DD 4, and DS 15 months). We have a standard room and a ten day park hopper with water parks ticket, plus upgraded to Deluxe dining. (including insurance)
Total cost before yesterday was $5.938.49
New Price After Free Dining is $4,465.09

I had already booked all of of our ADRs knowing that they would book up quickly. I was one of the nuts who was on the phone at 7am on day 180 to be sure I got what I wanted. It was nice to be able to book ressies for some signature meals without even hesitating, as the deluxe dining will cover it! We are going to try California Grill, Artist Point, CRT (lunch and breakfast), and Cat 1 HoopDeeDoo. Now we only have 163 days to wait!!!

We are booked for the POR 09/12 through 09/28 - but I have to wait until Thursday to see about getting the free dining. Since we have a family of five, we will be in the Alligator Bayou. (night of 09/12 and night of 09/27 are room only reservations).

We were on the phone at 7:00A exactly 180 days out to get the ADRs we wanted to. Got everything we were looking for: LeCellier, Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Gala, etc. We are also going to HoopDeeDoo!

 

[deslynnpatterson]

Is anyone staying at Coronado Springs from september 20th to 27th that happened to get free dining? I already have a reservation there for these dates and would prefer not to have to change resorts.

BTW, is it Thursday yet? This waiting is killing me

I am with you!1 I have to wait until Thursday too!! I am wishing this week away so fast!! I can't wait until Friday God luck and i hope you don't have to change resorts!

 

[Heathr6913]

I'm waiting too and very IMpatiently may I add!!! I'm hoping for Coronado Springs Sep 15-22. I'm still a little nervous that my dates go 2 days past the end of free dining. I know a lot of people are getting their dates past the 20th as long as they check in before that...but it's still making me nervous! Thursday needs to hurry up and get here so I can stop stressing.

 

[disneygal65]

I don't know what age your children are, but we have discovered that they really don't miss that much (ours are in elementary school- it may be a different story for older kids) We usually have them do some kind of special project to turn in when they get home to show that they learned something. Last time they each picked three countries represented in WS and presented some information from each. They didn't really have any homework to do while they were gone, but the teachers appreciated the extra effort they had gone to.

As for crowds - we didn't go last year, but the prior year we were there during the Sept. 8 - 18 range you gave and it was GREAT. Most rides were walk on. The only thing we used a fast pass for was Peter Pan. Longest wait other than that was maybe 10 minutes. Free dining was in effect at the time.

Some folks just don't feel right about missing school - but it doesn't bother us in the least! (I know - bad parents!!)

We always pull ours out of school. Its so much more enjoyable and since they are all A/B students their grades dont suffer. We're going 8/30-9/8 so we get 9 days and they only miss 5 days of school. BTW...I live in the same area as you...I probably live within 20 miles or so... Alabaster.

 

[tusers]

I still haven't received my Disney Visa email to announce Free Dining. Is anyone else still waiting for theirs? I am even a charter member! I wonder what is up?

(Don't worry, I have already booked on Monday morning with the help of my DIS friends. Just curious if anyone else has felt excluded by Disney Visa.)

 

[EmilyB]

We just changed our reservation today we were booked at Cornonado Spring for sept. 19-26th with free dining and decided to change to POR

 

[chessie2008]

I got the Free Dining email from Disney Visa on Monday at 2:35...

 

[cepmom]

I still haven't received my Disney Visa email to announce Free Dining. Is anyone else still waiting for theirs? I am even a charter member! I wonder what is up?

(Don't worry, I have already booked on Monday morning with the help of my DIS friends. Just curious if anyone else has felt excluded by Disney Visa.)

I still haven't received my free dining email from Disney Visa....good thing I wasn't relying on them for any info

 

[greyhorse]

I never received an email from disny visa either. Did anyone?

 

[TeresaG]

I'm sorry if this has already been answered in this thread, but will I have to rebook my ADR's if we get free dining tomorrow?

Plus, has anyone had any luck just adding the free dining to their existing reservation? We're staying at Pop the 18-21 of September and those dates are not flexable. My TA first said we could just add it, and now she's saying the free dining is only for those staying 5+ nights (it's a AAA TA). That's not the case right?

This craziness better be worth it...


Thanks for any help for this newbie

 

[DLBDS]

I'm all set.....POR 9/11-9/16....5 MYW (basic) park passes for 3....FREE DINING!!!! .....$1,528.49.

I'm not sure if this is a great deal money-wise.....I just wanted to experience the DDP. I've always stayed deluxe and used my AP and AAA for discounts (DDE). AP has expired now though.

I think it's pretty darn AWESOME since I hadn't planned to go back to WDW this year. ....DH doesn't even know!


Oh, and I got the DV email Monday. It was there when I checked it that morning.

 

[IggyLans]

I'm sorry if this has already been answered in this thread, but will I have to rebook my ADR's if we get free dining tomorrow?

Plus, has anyone had any luck just adding the free dining to their existing reservation? We're staying at Pop the 18-21 of September and those dates are not flexable. My TA first said we could just add it, and now she's saying the free dining is only for those staying 5+ nights (it's a AAA TA). That's not the case right?

This craziness better be worth it...


Thanks for any help for this newbie

No, you will not have to rebook your ADR's. These are 2 seperate reservation systems. No, I believe minimum of 3 nights with a purchase of 1 day MYW ticket.

 

[DisNorsworthys]

:

We always pull ours out of school. Its so much more enjoyable and since they are all A/B students their grades dont suffer. We're going 8/30-9/8 so we get 9 days and they only miss 5 days of school. BTW...I live in the same area as you...I probably live within 20 miles or so... Alabaster.

I completely agree. We've taken our oldest two out of school for a week in Sept. on our previous two trips with no problems. They are both in elementary school and excellent students, but it's always been worth it for the free dinning! BTW...Dothan

 

[dsnygirl2006]

Has anybody had any luck just adding the free dining to their existing ressie.....I am already booked at Pop and I want to add the free dining with an upgrade to deluxe???? This waiting is killing me.... Not only that, my AAA TA has to call and take care of this and I HATE that, Disney will already be 3 hours into making reservations by the time she calls.....