>> FREE DINING 2011 WATCH - Read Post # 1 BEFORE Posting

[hcmommy]

I'm betting it's a really awesome coupon or free shipping deal or something that will trick me into buying more Disney stuff I don't need...or it's a snowglobe

I called reservations yesterday to ask a question and asked them to check my name for PINs and the CM told me there was nothing out there right now. Who knows! I hate that I missed the Dec. deadline for Free Dining in August. It's during my dates but my plans changed unexpectedly. I never thought I'd be going in horribly hot August

 

[DisneyGuess]

I called reservations yesterday to ask a question and asked them to check my name for PINs and the CM told me there was nothing out there right now. Who knows! I hate that I missed the Dec. deadline for Free Dining in August. It's during my dates but my plans changed unexpectedly. I never thought I'd be going in horribly hot August

We didn't think we'd be going this year either, at the deadline to book for the FD this year my DH was laid off, so we never dreamed we'd try to go to Disney. But, now we are & I hope something is released for Dec.!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Anyone know what is going on with the Disney reservation website? I have an existing reservation which shows up when I log in but when I click on it I'm sent a message stating that due to maintenance they are unable to pull up my reservation at this time????? Tomorrow is April 15th ..... do you think something is coming out like Knox thought??? He was right last year .... maybe again this year!

 

[pamkev]

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[Lorain1]

Anyone know what is going on with the Disney reservation website? I have an existing reservation which shows up when I log in but when I click on it I'm sent a message stating that due to maintenance they are unable to pull up my reservation at this time????? Tomorrow is April 15th ..... do you think something is coming out like Knox thought??? He was right last year .... maybe again this year!

This happens to me everytime I try to get into my reservation. It is hit or miss. I never really minded until I wanted to make a payment; then it was just frustrating and annoying.

I've been trying to order a customized map for my son for over a month now and everytime I try on my computer and my mothers I get three steps into it and it just keeps reloading. I sent off a message, but never heard back.

 

[KEPE]

April 15th and no announcement, another hope crushed, lol!!

 

[iluvwesties]

April 15th and no announcement, another hope crushed, lol!!

I think this post from another "Free Dining" thread is going to pan out:

By DisneyMom5

I don't remember how the dates fell last year, but in the past the Disney Visa holders got to book on a Monday, and then general public on Thursday.
So, if last year's dates are any indication, IF they do Free Dining (as they have consistently for the last SIX years, amid speculation EACH year that they would not), my guess is May 2 for Dis. Visa, and May 5 for General public, OR the next week, so the 9th and 12th. But my money is on the 2nd and 5th.
Probably for a limited time between Aug. 13 and Oct. 1st. week.

Then, if things follow last year, there will be some sort of extension of that first week of July for limited dates between Oct. and Mid-December.
Not sure if Dis. Visa got first dibs on that one or not.

If you could go back and read every Free Dining thread for that last 6 years, you'd laugh at how it's the EXACT same conversation. LOL

Someday, they probably WILL stop doing it. The way the economy is right now, they'll offer a deal...and it will be Free Dining or something else good.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40739258#post40739258

Anyone else think the same?

 

[Colleen27]

I think this post from another "Free Dining" thread is going to pan out:

By DisneyMom5

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40739258#post40739258

Anyone else think the same?

Yep. In the past the Thurs/Mon pattern has worked both ways - sometimes Visa Thurs followed by GP Mon, sometimes Visa Mon/GP Thurs. Before the summer GP offer came out I was guessing Apr 28 Visa/May 2 public, but given the book-by dates on the current offer and the summer PINs I think May 2/5 is more likely.

I've said it a dozen times - no matter how much Disney would like to eliminate significant discounts, starting with hurricane/back to school season doesn't make good business sense. Look for the real reduction in discounts to start in the busier 4th quarter, not at the time of year that they needed steep discounts to fill even in a strong economy when gas was half the current price.

 

[fivebyfive]

The difference this time around is that Disney has already offered Free Dining for their forth quarter.

From a business point of view, that changes everything from years past, as it all depends on how well it has already sold.

 

[Ziggy]

The difference this time around is that Disney has already offered Free Dining for their forth quarter.

From a business point of view, that changes everything from years past, as it all depends on how well it has already sold.

Good point, also the restaurants can only hold 'x' amount of people so they have to have a limit somewhere, however they could still offer a room only discount *fingers crossed* for something.

 

[Colleen27]

The difference this time around is that Disney has already offered Free Dining for their forth quarter.

From a business point of view, that changes everything from years past, as it all depends on how well it has already sold.

True, but having planned a trip for the timeframe it was offered (late Aug) well into the 180 window, I can say with confidence that restaurant availability is MUCH more open than usual for free dining time periods. There is a thread on the DDP board where someone else posted the same observation.

That, along with the current, more "last minute" offers going around right now of May - mid-Aug, have me thinking that Disney didn't find offering discounts way, way in advance to be as successful as they would have liked. I think we're seeing a return to what I read on Mousesavers way back when I was planning my very first trip to WDW - that codes should be thought of as "clearance sales" on unfilled room inventory.

 

[skier_pete]

Anyone else think the same?

I don't know what the dates will be, they've varied wildly over the last 5 years...BUT I do agree with the comment that every year the threads are exactly the same:

"There not gonna do it...."
"There not gonna do it...."
"There not gonna do it...."
"OMG, they announced it!"

I myself need it for November...so I am just trying to be patient and see what comes.

 

[chrisw127]

I really do think they'll announce it . . . at some point. Personally, I got tired of waiting and ended up renting DVC points. I figure that savings more than equals what I'd save with free dining.

At least, that's what I told my husband.

 

[DisneyMom5]

The difference this time around is that Disney has already offered Free Dining for their forth quarter.

From a business point of view, that changes everything from years past, as it all depends on how well it has already sold.

Well...that could be. It does add something different to the occasion.

I'm thinking that they've always offered bounceback, and the UK offers were offered a year in advance, so advance sales aren't new.

The difference with that sale is that it was for more months than the usual 6 weeks in Aug./Sept. I'll bet the 6 week time frame is NOT filled, because those who wanted free dining in a different month got it. They didn't adjust their trips to fit in that time frame.

If they have not filled rooms in Aug./Sept., they'll do what they have to, to make sure they are filled.

I can convincingly talk myself into free dining coming soon....whether or not that's the case!

 

[goofydad621]

I was talking to guest services the other day, we already have room booked for Espt 12 arrival, have had free dinning thee times previous and not sure if we would take it this time compared to our discount, anyway while I was talking to her I brought up free dinning and she said that it may still come out but it this was a whole new way of doing it since it was offered for that time frame already, I also told her that I was not sure if we would take it anyway as we have already decided we will stick mainly to counter service this time as it is a quick trip. She told me that I would be able to use table service credits at counter service, I told we never could before but she you would be able to this time.

The way she said" You will be able to this time" sounds like it may still happen or she just has no idea how it really works

What do you wonderful dis folks make out of this? Can someone with the magic free dinning 8ball shake it three times and ask it?

I tried to figure it out on my ouji board and it kept spelling Ohauna so I think it is just possessed by a Polynesian ghost

Dave Goofydad Dionne

 

[catne]

Sorry no offer yet...but last year's did come out in early May so could be they're waiting to see how bookings go in April again.

I would guess the offer will be for QSDP at mods & values, since that's what the email pin-code offer has been so far...

I do know last year during Free Dining we were surprised how empty the table service places were, but how crowded the counter service places were. Looked like people seemed to prefer the QSDP anyway.

And I suppose they will be glad to take your extra $$ if you want to upgrade

 

[3boys4me]

The difference this time around is that Disney has already offered Free Dining for their forth quarter.

From a business point of view, that changes everything from years past, as it all depends on how well it has already sold.

Did I miss this? I didn't think they offered FD for the end of the year yet.

 

[DannysMom]

Did I miss this? I didn't think they offered FD for the end of the year yet.

The FD offer that expired 12/20/10 had dates that went into Sept, I believe.

 

[Luvmepluto]

Did I miss this? I didn't think they offered FD for the end of the year yet.

They haven't! I think that Disney's new physical year starts in October (if I remember correctly). Maybe that is what fivebyfive means. Anyways.......I do remember we had this same conversation this same time last year on the FD thread. I remember things got pretty heated because certain individuals were stirring up the pot. In my opinion, it will be offered!

EVERYONE..........Don't give up!!!!!!

 

[3boys4me]

The FD offer that expired 12/20/10 had dates that went into Sept, I believe.

That's what I thought. Thanks Waiting and hoping for November FD.