FREE Dining dates posted for 2011!!!!!

[ChaMakay1923]

Hey everyone, I got an email yesterday from Disney Destinations listing the dates for NEXT YEARS FREE dining dates!!!! How cool is that???

They are:
Jan 1 - 5 • Jan 9 - 13 • Jan 21 - Feb 3 • Feb 11 - 17 •
Feb 25 - Mar 3 • May 27 - Jun 2 • Aug 19 - Sept 29

Unless this is only available to a select few peps who register for DD.. idk.. but thought I'd share.

I have a question though.. I know I seen a thread somewhere about this, but it's been months since I've been on the boards I can't remember where to get the answer.. so if anyone can help.. I'd appreciate it.

My question is... if my stay starts PRIOR to the start of the FREE dining... do I get my whole stay with free dining, or just from the start date listed until my departure date? (planned dates are: August 15th-26th 2011...free dining starts on the 19th)

TIA for everyone's help!

 

[Cafeen]

These have been out for awhile now , but always good to find them again .

For most promotions (free dining included), the check-in date is what determines your eligibility. As such, if you check in before the promotion starts and your stay extends into the "window", you are sill not eligible for that stay. Likewise, if you check in before the promotion ends, and your trip extends beyond the last date, you will be eligible for the entire stay.

What this means is that, no, you will not be eligible for FD for your entire (or any part of*) your stay that starts before it.

*However, if desired, you can plan a "split-stay" and take advantage of FD for the dates included in the window. A split stay is pretty much what it sounds like, you have 2 (or more) reservations/packages that cover the trip. This would require you checking out and then back in (to the same resort or a different one) on the day you do the split (more than likely, in your case, that FD opening date). It can be tricky and can require you to change rooms though, so it may not be the best case.

If looking into a split stay, also note that with a package from Disney, you can pick up park tickets up to 3 days early. What this means is that you could get tickets to cover your stay with the FD booking, skip parks on the 15th and pick up the tickets for the 2nd package on the 16th. Would save a bit of money by not buying tickets for that first portion (which can then be room only).

 

[ChaMakay1923]

I thought park tickets are on your Key card for your room? So how would that work then if I were to "pick them up early"? I think it'll be cheaper to do the split stay.. for all of us. So far we are a party of 9, maybe 12 or more. Might be a PITA...BUT in this day in age.. if it'll save us money, then so be it! Besides.. the other nice thing with doing a split stay.. we might qualify for another special for the "room only" portion! Anyway to save money.. I'm ALL for it!

 

[Nadjalu]

We are taking advantage of FD in Jan/Feb. Our vacation starts during FD and goes 2 days into the blackout period and we got the FD for our entire stay.
I was very excited!!!

 

[NJDisney]

Anyone think they will add more dates.

We were thinking of going late July early Aug

 

[purple figment]

I thought park tickets are on your Key card for your room? So how would that work then if I were to "pick them up early"?

Park tickets do not have to be on your KTTW card. Many people combine them for conveniece so they don't have to carry 2 things around.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Anyone think they will add more dates.

We were thinking of going late July early Aug

Summer.

No.

 

[Cafeen]

I thought park tickets are on your Key card for your room? So how would that work then if I were to "pick them up early"? I think it'll be cheaper to do the split stay.. for all of us. So far we are a party of 9, maybe 12 or more. Might be a PITA...BUT in this day in age.. if it'll save us money, then so be it! Besides.. the other nice thing with doing a split stay.. we might qualify for another special for the "room only" portion! Anyway to save money.. I'm ALL for it!

As mentioned, they can be split off from the KTTW card.

More detail on early ticket pick from CF's ticket sticky (post 15I)

I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package

In cases where Walt Disney World Resort Guests would like to begin using their Package Tickets prior to the day of check-in (up to three days in advance), the Guests will be directed to visit any Theme Park Guest Relations location and request Early Ticket Pick-Up.

It is only valid for people with packages at a Walt Disney World owned and operated Resort. You can be staying off-property at the time you pick up the tickets.

There is a possibility that if your package and the stay prior to the package are at the same Resort that you will be able to get the tickets at the Resort and not have to go to a Park Guest Relations Office.

And the tickets issued will be valid for the entire stay; they will not receive valid tickets when they actually check-in to their resort. There is a strong possibility that the tickets you have received prior to check-in cannot be added to your KTTW on or after check-in.

 

[ChaMakay1923]

With the early bird pick-up option...how does that work if you paid for say a 7 day pass....initially staying for a 7 day trip, but add the 3 days room only to be able to pick up three days early... are you entitled to use the tickets for the entire stay or just the 7 days you paid for them? (in otherwards, will we go three days during our original package stay without admission to the park) Hope this makes sense.

 

[Cafeen]

With the early bird pick-up option...how does that work if you paid for say a 7 day pass....initially staying for a 7 day trip, but add the 3 days room only to be able to pick up three days early... are you entitled to use the tickets for the entire stay or just the 7 days you paid for them? (in otherwards, will we go three days during our original package stay without admission to the park) Hope this makes sense.

You'll be entitled to them from the day you pick them up until they are no good (expired or used up). So, in your example (if I'm reading it right), with 7 initial days and then adding 3, you would be able to start using the tickets on when you pick them up. They will remain "good" until either 13 days after that day (they're good for 14 days total and day 1 counts) or until all 7 days are used up, whichever comes first.

However, you can also add days to the tickets during this same 14 day period, and adding days is relatively cheap (about $5/day after 5 days or so).

 

[NurseMinnieSk]

Do you have to book through Disney to get this? Is it just a free dining plan when you book a package? I'm a confused newbie! lol

 

[Cafeen]

Do you have to book through Disney to get this? Is it just a free dining plan when you book a package? I'm a confused newbie! lol

Free Dining is a special promotion for check-ins beginning on the list in the first post. To qualify, you must be staying on-site for at least 3 nights and have purchased at least 2 day park tickets for each member of the party. You (or your Travel Agent) must also book through Disney to take advantage of this offer. It is also subject to availability, and the amount of rooms at each resort that are eligible for this offer can go pretty quick. You also cannot take advantage of other special offers (room discounts, gift card offers, etc) if you are booking with Free Dining (although, you can decide to forgo Free Dining if you feel another offer is more advantageous).

Also to note that the actual value of the Free Dining promotion is dependent on where you stay (assuming you'd get the dining plan otherwise). Typically at the less expensive resorts, free dining is more readily the better discount while at the more expensive resorts, room rate discounts typically end up being more savings.

The paid Dining Plans can be added to (just about) any reservations made through Disney (again, by you or your TA). Prices vary by "level" and season, and the "Everything you wanted to know..." sticky should have plenty of information to get you started .

 

[NurseMinnieSk]

We would be renting points, so I'm assuming that wouldn't qualify. Thanks for your help!