Free dining begins Aug. 17th

[alkc71]

I don't recall any type of announcement about this, but when I type in DisneyWorld special offers, it lists Aug. 17th as the beginning date for free dining. it used to be Aug. 31st.

Somebody on another thread said this is an offer for Canadians only. Apparently free dining for Americans still begins on Aug. 31st.

Hopefully this will help some fellow August travelers.

I have convinced myself Not to, (i keep repeating to myself...i WILL NOT book this year.) I want to save for exactly what i want in august 2015 so i am left wondering - is this common, for the CAN offer to differ from the US one. My past trips i found a price i was happy with and never thought to look for better. My Dis lurking has now taught me better. Thanks for the tip and all the other great info i probably would never know about

 

[Disneylover99]

I have convinced myself Not to, (i keep repeating to myself...i WILL NOT book this year.) I want to save for exactly what i want in august 2015 so i am left wondering - is this common, for the CAN offer to differ from the US one. My past trips i found a price i was happy with and never thought to look for better. My Dis lurking has now taught me better. Thanks for the tip and all the other great info i probably would never know about

Last year I believe the free dining offer was the same as the U.S. offer. The dates were the same and there was no free dining offer for the general public in August last year. I'm really surprised that it suddenly opened up for Canadians like this on the 17th of August.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I was so happy when i saw free dining starts on Aug.17 because we already had a package booked starting Aug17 @ CBR! I called RIGHT AWAY and applied the free dining deal......so happy!!!! Its been about 2 years since we had free dining (we dont use the dining plan unless its free).

 

[Hockeyfan17]

We are also excited about the Free Dining offer. We were scheduled for our trip on August 19-26, staying at POR with a PIN code offer and were paying for the DDP. When the offer came about, we did have to switch resorts to CBR, but we are now saving nearly $700 for the 4 of us. Can't wait to get there.

 

[Cottager]

I have convinced myself Not to, (i keep repeating to myself...i WILL NOT book this year.) I want to save for exactly what i want in august 2015 so i am left wondering - is this common, for the CAN offer to differ from the US one.

In years past, the last week of August was included in the Free Dining Fall Promotion, however, it changed in the last 2 years to starting around Labor Day for both Canada and the U.S. It was great for Canadians since most American schools in the south go back to school mid-August leaving the end of August quieter for Canadians whose kids didn't have to go back to school until after Labor Day. What did happen in the last couple of years was the inclusion of the end of August in the Bounce Back offer for Free Dining. If you're not familiar with the Bounce Back offers, its an offer for anyone staying at a Disney Resort to book their next trip before they leave the Resort (so go this year and hope for a Bounce Back Free Dining offer for next year ).

On our trip in August last year, we booked the Bounce Back Free Dining offer which included the end of August this year. I would guess that this recent public Free Dining offer was given to Canadians only due to our kids going back to school in September and the sale of rooms not being as high as Disney hoped for August. It came out of nowhere and wasn't offered in the past 2 years so I wouldn't plan on it being offered again next year.

 

[mommymanda]

Oh my hopes were up. We have a reservation August 23-29. I just called and all is booked We still got a good deal initially, but no dining plan. I am not even sure I would have saved $$ with the plan, but would have been nice to compare.

 

[Disneylover99]

Oh my hopes were up. We have a reservation August 23-29. I just called and all is booked We still got a good deal initially, but no dining plan. I am not even sure I would have saved $$ with the plan, but would have been nice to compare.

It shouldn't be too late to switch to free dining if it's a better deal for you.

 

[alkc71]

Last year I believe the free dining offer was the same as the U.S. offer. The dates were the same and there was no free dining offer for the general public in August last year. I'm really surprised that it suddenly opened up for Canadians like this on the 17th of August.

In years past, the last week of August was included in the Free Dining Fall Promotion, however, it changed in the last 2 years to starting around Labor Day for both Canada and the U.S. It was great for Canadians since most American schools in the south go back to school mid-August leaving the end of August quieter for Canadians whose kids didn't have to go back to school until after Labor Day. What did happen in the last couple of years was the inclusion of the end of August in the Bounce Back offer for Free Dining. If you're not familiar with the Bounce Back offers, its an offer for anyone staying at a Disney Resort to book their next trip before they leave the Resort (so go this year and hope for a Bounce Back Free Dining offer for next year ).

On our trip in August last year, we booked the Bounce Back Free Dining offer which included the end of August this year. I would guess that this recent public Free Dining offer was given to Canadians only due to our kids going back to school in September and the sale of rooms not being as high as Disney hoped for August. It came out of nowhere and wasn't offered in the past 2 years so I wouldn't plan on it being offered again next year.

Thanks for the info! Guess i will book as usual but keep my eyes open

 

[mommymanda]

It shouldn't be too late to switch to free dining if it's a better deal for you.

Thanks, I guess the person I chatted with was not up to date on the info. After calling I pulled up the webpage and sure enough was able to 'book' a new reservation that includes the free dining plan.

My first booking was with a travel agent, so she is in the process of changing everything around.

In the end we have swapped a Beach club resort stay with tickets, for a stay at AOA Cars suite that includes tickets and the DDP. I actually ended up paying $160 more than what I factored in for dining without the plan. We however can now get two more table service meals and a lot of other extras (desserts, drinks with lunch etc.) I had not put in the budget when we were paying OOP.

If anything the $160 is worth it for the huge stress relief I am feeling now knowing everything for our trip is zeroed off including food and I won't have to harass the family with watching the cost of what they order while we are out. I can just sit back and enjoy the vacation now.

 

[Disneylover99]

Thanks, I guess the person I chatted with was not up to date on the info. After calling I pulled up the webpage and sure enough was able to 'book' a new reservation that includes the free dining plan.

My first booking was with a travel agent, so she is in the process of changing everything around.

In the end we have swapped a Beach club resort stay with tickets, for a stay at AOA Cars suite that includes tickets and the DDP. I actually ended up paying $160 more than what I factored in for dining without the plan. We however can now get two more table service meals and a lot of other extras (desserts, drinks with lunch etc.) I had not put in the budget when we were paying OOP.

If anything the $160 is worth it for the huge stress relief I am feeling now knowing everything for our trip is zeroed off including food and I won't have to harass the family with watching the cost of what they order while we are out. I can just sit back and enjoy the vacation now.

Excellent news! Enjoy!