Free Dining 2009 dates

[lover_wdw13]

Hello everyone,
It's my first post on DIS and I just wondered when the dates where for free dining 2009. I really want to avoid going at this time because I know it will be really crowded, but I still want to go in early-mid August when the Value hotels are $82 bucks a night. Thanks so much

 

[Picabo]

I think we're all waiting to know what the free dining dates will be in 2009...from what I can tell it's normally in Aug/Sep but I'm not 100% certain on that. I'm sure other's can tell you what the "norm" tends to be. That being said....the value rates are offered other times of the year, if you can go... We are going 2nd week in December 09 and getting teh value rate. Lower crowds, better weather than summer.

 

[mickeynut1]

to the DIS . To answer your question....free dining usually runs from the end of August through September. So if you plan on going early-mid August (and IF free dining is even offered next year), you will be fine going as planned if you want to avoid free dining .

 

[pepperw23]

Welcome to the DIS!!!! If they offer free dining next year (never guaranteed) you will start to hear about it first right here. I knew about free dining before it was even on the Disney website right here on the DIS. These folks are amazing when it comes to good Disney info.

Start looking around the March/April time frame. The offer will first appear as an offer to Disney Visa cardholders, so if you don't already have one, I would recommend you get one.

 

[TDC Nala]

We have only the dates offered to the residents of Great Britain for 2009 - August 2 to October 3.

In 2008 the British were offered August 10 to September 27.

U.S. customers are generally offered a much shorter time frame than the British customers, but since the British offer period has been extended, I'd imagine it's a good bet the US one will be, also. It generally starts sometime in the last 2 weeks of August.

That's just a guess though.

 

[brekin67]

Welcome to the DIS! Free dining has previously been offered mid August through the last week of September or so. We always go during this time and it is not crowded at all. We generally have been able to walk right onto rides or not wait more than 30 minutes or so. If you look around the DIS, I think that is what a lot of members say (that the crowds are minimal)
It is totally worth it to go to Disney during free dining and eat at restauraunts you might otherwise not try due to the expense. Don't let free dining deter you from the dates you want. Have Fun!

 

[TDC Nala]

It is totally worth it to go to Disney during free dining and eat at restauraunts you might otherwise not try due to the expense. Don't let free dining deter you from the dates you want. Have Fun!

It may be worth it if you want to use the dining plan. If you do not want to use the dining plan, or if you do not want to book the package reservation necessary to get it free, it can be a problem to get TS restaurants. If you don't have reservations you can probably forget about TS meals.

It appears the OP does not want to use the dining plan and wants to avoid the overcrowding in the restaurants.

 

[got2luvtink]

And free dining might not be the same as it was this year. It's been speculated that free dining might only include CS restaurants next year.

 

[TDC Nala]

And free dining might not be the same as it was this year. It's been speculated that free dining might only include CS restaurants next year.

It is also true that at this time it is only speculation as to which, if any, dining plan will be offered free to US customers in 2009.

The British are being offered the basic plan if they book a deluxe resort and the counter service plan if they book a moderate, and their offer doesn't apply to value resorts. The US offer is usually somewhat different from the British offer, though.