Free Dining - Art of Animation?

[insectreflection]

Thinking about a trip the end of 2015, would like to stay at Art of Animation but I think that was one of the resorts that was left off of Free Dining in 2014 - is that correct? Are Port Orleans and Art of Animation typically left out?

 

[Funfire240]

It's possible free dining with the suites could be included but I haven't seen any discounts for Little Mermaid rooms since it opened (I was lucky somehow to get free dining on the week the rooms opened thanks to tips on this board but haven't seen any discounts since then)

 

[FigaroandFifi]

Thinking about a trip the end of 2015, would like to stay at Art of Animation but I think that was one of the resorts that was left off of Free Dining in 2014 - is that correct? Are Port Orleans and Art of Animation typically left out?

I think they had free QS dining for the suites but nothing was offered for the Little Mermaid rooms. I looked into it briefly and you could upgrade your free dining to one of the other plans but you had to pay the difference.

I too will be curious about free dining in 2015, hoping to get to MNSSHP this year .

 

[Magic Band Defender]

In October 2013, we got free dining with our Cars suite at AoA. It was only the QS though, and we paid a pretty penny to upgrade to the regular dining plan.

 

[Mikie]

Usually, the AofA suites are INcluded in free dining ad Little Mermaid rooms are EXcluded. Prior to fall 2014, Port Orleans had always been included, but it was not included last fall. The offer is dependent on which rooms need to be filled and if the resorts are filling without a discount offered, then Disney doesn't need to offer anything! The bummer about the suites is that the price is certainly more like a moderate but you still only get the quick service dining plan. A couple years ago, we chose to stay at a Moderate resort and get the regular dining plan free rather than stay at a value suite and pay to upgrade to the regular dining plan. It was still a smidge more (not much) but we got a "better" resort and "better" dining (for us).

My personal speculation is that free dining may be dwindling and eventually not offered at all. Last year saw many new restrictions and blackouts and everyone says how park attendance is up. HOWEVER, I was really surprised by some of the dates that WERE included in the plan, so my guess is only worth the paper it's written on

 

[Misha72683]

In October 2013, we got free dining with our Cars suite at AoA. It was only the QS though, and we paid a pretty penny to upgrade to the regular dining plan.

I thought it was only $20 PP per night to upgrade to the regular DP? That's not too bad. Especially for a value where the room discount isn't much, you'd still be saving money.

 

[aaarcher86]

I thought it was only $20 PP per night to upgrade to the regular DP? That's not too bad. Especially for a value where the room discount isn't much, you'd still be saving money.

It is. I guess it depends how many people you have and what you consider a large amount in total.