***free Dining...bad News!!!***

[spiceycat]

don't know.

but last year was the first time that Disney offer the bounceback - so that might their solution.

they give something to people who go to Disney alot - free dinning in aug & sept.

and the discount codes to people who don't go to disney alot.

so they might not this year - but Sept is a hard month to book - disney has had hurricanes 2 years in a row. It hasn't been so long that people can forget it yet. So I though that was the reasoning behind the free dinning.

to get guests to WDW despite the chance of a hurricane.

 

[Hedy]

I'm wondering how the non-Free dining bouncebacks will effect the possibility of free dining. I know my bounceback offer in December included a number of "free dining" esque dates-if enough people booked the room discount, they might not have the availability to encourage them to offer free dining to the public.

 

[annie1995]

They can't offer Free Dining this year because it is not "FREE" anymore.

They could potentially offer.... TIP ONLY DINING or NO APPETIZER/MANDATORY TIP DINING



(Yes, I'm cranky about the changes)

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth IMO. I really don't understand why all the uproar over it if its free. Big deal if I have to pay a stinking tip . Now if I had to pay for dining, then its not such a good deal, but heck the majority of my meal costs are free??!! I'll take it anyday

 

[PrincessPatty]

I was told last week while adding to our September trip, that they won't be offering free dining due to all the changes to the plan and the fact that they are now using bounceback to bring people back.

I'm kind of glad, as my quiet Septembers have become much more crowded...and not so much like the quiet time of year its supposed to be!!

 

[annie1995]

I'm kind of glad, as my quiet Septembers have become much more crowded...and not so much like the quiet time of year its supposed to be!!

I agree 100%, but I was sooooo scared to say it for risk of flames

 

[aubriee]

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth IMO. I really don't understand why all the uproar over it if its free. Big deal if I have to pay a stinking tip . Now if I had to pay for dining, then its not such a good deal, but heck the majority of my meal costs are free??!! I'll take it anyday

I agree it's a good deal and will probably book it again if it's offered (We've had free dining the last three Septembers ). However, as an AP holder we now will have to run the numbers. We would have to give up our AP room discounts, buy a one day MYW ticket we don't need (already have four of these), plus we lose the gratuity and appetizer. The DDE and the AP room discount may be a better deal now.

 

[dclfun]

They have offered free dining bounceback offers for at least the past two/three years. I know as we've taken advantage of it and have our
bb trip booked for Aug 30-Sept 12, 2008. I also would agree there's a likelihood it will be offered again this year to everyone, just as it has in the past. It's hugely popular and a way for some families to afford a WDW trip who otherwise would not have that option w/in their budget. It's a great way to fill the resorts during a time which is certainly hard to fill due to school, the heat, potential hurricanes, rainy weather potential. We'll all just have to wait and see but last year people were told "no free dining this year" when they called, and lo and behold...it was offered.---Kathy

 

[PrincessPatty]

They have offered free dining bounceback offers for at least the past two/three years. I know as we've taken advantage of it and have our
bb trip booked for Aug 30-Sept 12, 2008. I also would agree there's a likelihood it will be offered again this year to everyone, just as it has in the past. It's hugely popular and a way for some families to afford a WDW trip who otherwise would not have that option w/in their budget. It's a great way to fill the resorts during a time which is certainly hard to fill due to school, the heat, potential hurricanes, rainy weather potential. We'll all just have to wait and see but last year people were told "no free dining this year" when they called, and lo and behold...it was offered.---Kathy

Hmmm...that's odd, I've been going in September since 2003, and last year was our first year to get the bounceback offer......maybe they "picked and choosed" who got it in years past.....

 

[bertalander]

We heard in 2006 that bounceback was being offered. But we didn't see the sign in our room... but we never check up further as we weren't planning on a 2007. Then the code came out and I was sad!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Some day free dining is bound to come to an end. But I am sure it will be replaced by something just as equitable.

 

[kimsuenew]

Free dining is a wonderful perk, that's for sure!

We were lucky enough to get bounce back free dining for 2008! We are staying at Pop.

I am hoping it is offered to all, as my youngest sis and her family will come down as well if it is (my little neices have never been, ages 4 & 8)!

The UK was offered free dining 2008 (booked this fall), however, they had to book moderate and up. It certainly makes me wonder if (with the exception of bounce-back people already booked in a Value) they will require Moderate and up, if offered to everyone?!

If that is the case, that may be the difference between my sis, BIL, and neices going... and extra $60. or so per night would be a challenge for them to come up with.

Well... lets all just hope it IS offered, and with exception of the well known DDP changes that have occurred, that nothing else changes, and it stays as it has historically been!

 

[Jakesmom504]

Ya know, I have not cancelled yet, because I keep thinking I could do this. But then I think how tough her school district is. They have already threatened me once when my daughter was out of school in kindergarten for 6 days with extremely high fevers and then two days with double ear infections. I had doctors notes for both, it was excused and they "still" hauled me in. I told them next time they called me in, I would be coming with my lawyer. They backed off. So, it would be 5 days of unexcused absences and a slew of nasty letters from the school for the rest of the year. I am just not sure this is something I want to deal with. BUT, alas, I still have not cancelled. So, never say never, I guess.

Denise

That is outrageous! I would've been fuming...especially if she was sick and hello, I know how important school is, trust me, but kindergarten??? That makes me mad just thinking about it!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I just called 407WDISNEY and asked about Free Dining for this year. CM said "I'm sorry we will NOT be offering the Free Dining in 2008." Now, she could've just been in a bad mood and wanted to ruin my day also. BUT...This Could be true!!!

Just a little FYI for Free Dining Watchers.

I wouldn't believe that CM. Free Dining has been a brilliant plan on the part of Disney to fill the parks with crowds during what was previously their slowest season, and hurrican season to boot. And then having the bounceback for free food while the free diners are there in the parks, on their Disney high, well I would call that pure marketing genius. We love Disney. Yes we think it is the happiest place on earth. But, first and foremost, Disney is a very large corporation and they will always do what is best for their bottom line and free dining has been very good for Disney's bottom line. The crowds have grown and grown over the last few years and the free dining secret is out. I don't see Disney ending free dining anywhere in the near future.

 

[ShhhQ]

They can't offer Free Dining this year because it is not "FREE" anymore.

They could potentially offer.... TIP ONLY DINING or NO APPETIZER/MANDATORY TIP DINING



(Yes, I'm cranky about the changes)

Couldn't tell! lol

 

[ShhhQ]

Hmmm...that's odd, I've been going in September since 2003, and last year was our first year to get the bounceback offer......maybe they "picked and choosed" who got it in years past.....

We were there the last week of Aug. last year and never heard a hint of a bounce-back offer... however, when we got back home I got on the DIS and other people who had just got back as well were offered it! So maybe it is hit or miss!

 

[keishashadow]

Not to be a downer but you do have to wonder. If enough people signed up for the bounceback before checking out this year, they might not need to offer it all.

And, I hear about a lot of people pre-booking their trip in the hope it will be offered and planning to call and have it added later. Those reservations can decrease the chance that Disney will think they need the promotion to boost occupancy.

exactly, if the rooms are filled to a certain % they have no reason to offer it to the public.

it's a relatively new program anyway ; certainly not a tradition - more of a special incentive to fill the rooms after the last devasting storm rolled thru and the public was gunshy as to booking.

One thing about Disney, they like to tinker ; always something new offered ala the next best thing.

 

[Capt'n Tom]

This is nice discount plan - that attracts visitors in slower periods and also keeps their restaurants busy. It is one of the more popular discount programs they have offered and is getting more popular every year (we have gone 3 straight September's). I would expect some modification this year with the changes in the Dining plans (Free basic and a reduced Deluxe?). We are waiting until April to make reservations - but plan on being there.

 

[CarolA]

I think this is a real possiblity. Remember last year the UK bookers were the frist ones with info on the DDP changes and in spite of the outcry on these boards that "it's only UK and it won't happen here" the plan out now is the EXACT same plan they gave the UK bookers.

Travel from the UK tends to be booked through a couple of large agencies and in advance so I think Disney does sometimes give them stuff ahead of US residents getting the notices!

 

[iloveeeyore]

But, first and foremost, Disney is a very large corporation and they will always do what is best for their bottom line and free dining has been very good for Disney's bottom line. The crowds have grown and grown over the last few years and the free dining secret is out. I don't see Disney ending free dining anywhere in the near future.

I agree! The free dining has turned out to be a brilliant marketing strategy for Disney, because it actually SELLS the DDP. We got it for free last trip and we are buying it this time, because we realize what a "good deal" it is for our family. I think in the long run, Disney makes money on the DDP because the general public ( not Dis-ers) doesn't use it very wisely, and also the perception of getting something cheap enables people to spend their money in other ways, whether on merchandise, or a longer trip, or a resort upgrade...plus the dining plan keeps people on property and away from other competing theme parks in the area. I believe they'll offer it again in the slow months.

 

[jobie61]

I was talking to a CM when booking with my 40% code, and asked her about the free dining plan in August. She said that something was in the works again, but she would give me anymore details.

Said the offer would likely go public in April.

CM's will discourage the free dining in order to get you to book your vacation with them instead of waiting for the free dining offer.