Free Dining Dates Changed?

[angierae]

According to the link above, WDW has changed the free dining dates - I don't know what else changed, but the 3/2012 dates now end on 3/29.

They used to go to 3/31 - which is my arrival day, and I got free dining for my stay because of that. I won't lose my free dining now, will I? (I doubt it, but there was this momentary panic!)

 

[IwovMickey]

I was going to post about the same thing! We booked for Nov. 13th - 19th. Now it says the 11th - 17th ! So anyone know why they have changed it? Also how will this affect everyone that has booked already? Will Disney still let us have FD for the 18th and 19th? If they don't I really don't know what we will do!

 

[angierae]

I was going to post about the same thing! We booked for Nov. 13th - 19th. Now it says the 11th - 17th ! So anyone know why they have changed it? Also how will this affect everyone that has booked already? Will Disney still let us have FD for the 18th and 19th? If they don't I really don't know what we will do!

From what I understand, if free dining is available on your check-in day, you can get it for the length of your stay up to 14 days. So you're fine since you're coming in on the 13th.

Our arrival day is no longer within the FD period, but I don't THINK Disney takes away discounts once they're given.

 

[havoc315]

If you are already booked, and have your confirmation, they won't take it away. But you will lose the free dining if you try to make changes to your reservation.

The dates were weird when they started. They made no sense. They created disarray as people tried to move their reservations by 1 day, or started to book split stays just to take advantage of the free dining, since the dates were cutting weekends in half. Allowing people who check in the Saturday starting a peak period, to get the discount. Clearly, the original dates were a major error by someone. Must have been a very major mistake for them to now go back, and change the dates.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Just curious---Does anyone have the list of original dates?
I would like to compare to see the differences.

 

[angierae]

Oops, double posted from my phone.

 

[angierae]

Just curious---Does anyone have the list of original dates?
I would like to compare to see the differences.

I do, but im not at home. Ill post when I get home

I did think it very strange that we were checking in 8 days before Easter and got FD.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

According to the link above, WDW has changed the free dining dates - I don't know what else changed, but the 3/2012 dates now end on 3/29.

They used to go to 3/31 - which is my arrival day, and I got free dining for my stay because of that. I won't lose my free dining now, will I? (I doubt it, but there was this momentary panic!)

What link? I let out a deep breath after reading the new dates. We're checking in on Jan. 14. The original last day for free dining that week. That date is no longer available. The last day now is the 12th. If I had waited to book, we would not be going.

 

[Sara1Babe]

I love the Dis (I'm a lurker more than a poster ) but threads like this can't be good for my blood pressure. I went to Disney's site and our dates are no longer covered and when I went to check our reservations Disney said I didn't have any...start the panic....but then searched based on my conformation # and found it and it says "with dining" but sheesh it was touch and go there for a second

 

[havoc315]

Just curious---Does anyone have the list of original dates?
I would like to compare to see the differences.

You can find the exact dates on the discount board. But it appears to be:
Sunday start was push back to Saturday.
Saturday end date, was pushed back to Thursdays.

Thus, you can't check in on Saturday before a blackout week, and get free dining during that week.
And for people checking in during a FD week, won't matter whether you check in Saturday or Sunday. There are no weekends split in half anymore.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You can find the exact dates on the discount board. But it appears to be:
Sunday start was push back to Saturday.
Saturday end date, was pushed back to Thursdays.

Thus, you can't check in on Saturday before a blackout week, and get free dining during that week.
And for people checking in during a FD week, won't matter whether you check in Saturday or Sunday. There are no weekends split in half anymore.

Jan. 8 remained the same. It is a Sunday.

Old dates: October 2-6 October 2-8
October 23-November 5 limited availability October 23-29
November 13-18 November 13-19
November 27-December 3
December 11-17
January 8-14
January 22-February 4
February 12-18
March 4-10
March 25-31

New dates:
2011 - 10/1-10/6, 10/22-11/3, 11/12-11/17, 11/26-12/1, 12/10-12/15
2012 - 1/8-1/12, 1/21-2/2, 2/11-2/16, 3/3-3/8, 3/24-3/29

 

[tinkerbell1984]

They created disarray as people tried to move their reservations by 1 day, or started to book split stays just to take advantage of the free dining, since the dates were cutting weekends in half. Allowing people who check in the Saturday starting a peak period, to get the discount.

I've been thinking and does anyone know why the Feb 2012 5-11 week is being considered peak? We are booked here, thankfully already with a check in date of the 4th (last day of the original promotion dates), but now I'm concerned as to why this week seems to be blacked out. It was much cheaper to go this week than the following week as the end of the following week prices go up for the Holiday, so it doesn't make since it would be busier?

 

[TripTime]

Wow, we are coming in on the 10th of March and got free dining for the length of our stay. I see that date is no longer available. Please someone assure me that Disney won"t take my free dining away.I checked again today to make sure I have my reservation number.

 

[havoc315]

I've been thinking and does anyone know why the Feb 2012 5-11 week is being considered peak? We are booked here, thankfully already with a check in date of the 4th (last day of the original promotion dates), but now I'm concerned as to why this week seems to be blacked out. It was much cheaper to go this week than the following week as the end of the following week prices go up for the Holiday, so it doesn't make since it would be busier?

It does not mean it is a peak week for park attendance. Simply suggest that they aren't having trouble with resort occupancy that week. There may be some conventions or special events that are filling up the hotels. The parks should still be relatively empty.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've been thinking and does anyone know why the Feb 2012 5-11 week is being considered peak? We are booked here, thankfully already with a check in date of the 4th (last day of the original promotion dates), but now I'm concerned as to why this week seems to be blacked out. It was much cheaper to go this week than the following week as the end of the following week prices go up for the Holiday, so it doesn't make since it would be busier?

Not for sure, but there is generally a large cheer/dance competition at WDW during this time, and they book a lot of rooms at some of the value resorts, so Disney may feel they don't need to offer free dining at that time to encourage resort bookings.

 

[sunburnin]

Please someone assure me that Disney won"t take my free dining away.

You're good! I called on mine yesterday just to be sure (Dec 3 no longer in plan). They won't take away the deal if you already booked it.

For whatever reason they changed it, it was there issue and will honor those booked in the last 3 weeks with the old dates. There have been a few reports of people stil being able to book with the old dates in the past few days, but that'll end soon I bet. Probably letting the system catch up to the change.

 

[tinkerbell1984]

You're good! I called on mine yesterday just to be sure (Dec 3 no longer in plan). They won't take away the deal if you already booked it.

For whatever reason they changed it, it was there issue and will honor those booked in the last 3 weeks with the old dates. There have been a few reports of people stil being able to book with the old dates in the past few days, but that'll end soon I bet. Probably letting the system catch up to the change.

So good to hear! I wanted to call too but was afraid they'd go "Well since we have you on the line, yeah, we are taking it away." I'm paranoid.

 

[tinkerbell1984]

It does not mean it is a peak week for park attendance. Simply suggest that they aren't having trouble with resort occupancy that week. There may be some conventions or special events that are filling up the hotels. The parks should still be relatively empty.

Thanks! Yeah, I found out there is a dance competition the 4-5, but there's also a cheer competition the 11-12, so I'm wondering if there's something else going on... Hmm...

 

[TravelingJen24]

I feel bad saying it, but I'm glad there was a change. We arrive on the 3rd, but have DVC. This might free up for restaurants during our stay. I'm glad for all of those here though that already booked their times before they changed.

 

[jsh1975]

I was going to post about the same thing! We booked for Nov. 13th - 19th. Now it says the 11th - 17th ! So anyone know why they have changed it? Also how will this affect everyone that has booked already? Will Disney still let us have FD for the 18th and 19th? If they don't I really don't know what we will do!

We are booked to arrive November 19th for 6 days. I booked prior to the date changed so I am still "grandfathered" however the grandparents didnt book until the past week and were not able to get the free dining. We were told I could add them to my reservation but we would have to change resorts.