Free dining every year?

[Cando86]

Hi all!!
I really have no idea how free dining works at all (can anyone get free dining?, I have no idea!!). Do they offer it every year? When is it usually? September, right?
I'm mostly curious because I am *HOPEFULLY* planning a trip for September '09 and am wondering if this is going to be a busier period now that Disney offers free dining.
Any insight guys??
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[beroh2253]

Free DDP when oppered is in early April for those of us in the US. Keep your eyes posted here in March for any news. We went the last 3 years the last week in Sept. and the parks were not real crowded, except EPCOT when the Food and Wine fest started. Now whne you are down at the resort during your free DDp stay they offer a bounce back for the following year. The way the economy is I can't see them not offering it for Aug. -Sept. of 09

 

[SGMCO]

Sept. is Peak Hurracain Season--this last sept. was a really busy season.
We had FD 2007 and this year 2008. This year the crowds were very light--
there was no wait for most rides--walk right on--loved it!!
I was extremely hot and humid--but just pace yourself--with inside shows,
rides, TS meals. We will be going for FD again Sept. 2009 because we
took advantage of the FD Bounce Back that was offered while at
WDW last trip. I've already figured out where I would like to eat at.
If you are a Disney Visa you get 1st dibs on booking FD if Disney offers it.
DV also sends out many specials to Card holders 1st.

 

[beroh2253]

Sept. is Peak Hurracain Season--this last sept. was a really busy season.
We had FD 2007 and this year 2008. This year the crowds were very light--
there was no wait for most rides--walk right on--loved it!!
I was extremely hot and humid--but just pace yourself--with inside shows,
rides, TS meals. We will be going for FD again Sept. 2009 because we
took advantage of the FD Bounce Back that was offered while at
WDW last trip. I've already figured out where I would like to eat at.
If you are a Disney Visa you get 1st dibs on booking FD if Disney offers it.
DV also sends out many specials to Card holders 1st.

We bounced back this year from last and this year the DW didn't want to sign up for bpunce back because of the economy and now I regret it becauce we won't get first shot at the restaurants even with the visa, but in April we will probably sign up to go the last week in Sept again but may loose out on Le Cellier. Would also like to get the get 4 night and 3 free for the last week in March would like to get there and see Paul Rever & the Raiders and the Turtles during flower power but that is now dating myself

 

[KatMark]

We've gone for three free dining periods and the crowds have been very light (except the weekend of Labor Day--that was a little crowded--especially Extra Magic Hours in the evening at the Magic Kingdom). We walked on everything this past September in 5 to 10 minutes maximum (except for teh big mountain rides and Soarin--those were a little longer). The restaurants were a lot busier and they were turning away walk-ups for sit down meals, but as long as you make your adr's you should be fine. We too have already selected where we want to eat next year as we got the bounceback promotion too.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi all!!
I really have no idea how free dining works at all (can anyone get free dining?, I have no idea!!). Do they offer it every year? When is it usually? September, right?
I'm mostly curious because I am *HOPEFULLY* planning a trip for September '09 and am wondering if this is going to be a busier period now that Disney offers free dining.
Any insight guys??
Thanks in advance!!!

Since 2005, Disney has been offering the Free Dining promo for Magic Your way packages with a 3 night minimum and a 14 day maximum (Basic Dining Plan; 1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack per person per night) during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. The free dining offer is usually announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public. The booking dates for this year for the general public were August 24 through September 20 and you had to book by June 22 to receive the FD offer.

Free Dining has been a brilliant plan on the part of Disney to fill the 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. I personally don't see it Free Dining ending anytime in the near future.

As for crowds, the free dining secret is out and the crowds will continue to increase every year that the promo is offered. We went in September of 2007 and we did not find low crowds. The reason that the crowds were slightly lower during the fall 2008 free dining promo is because there were 5 named major storms during thetime frame this year.

 

[princesswendy720]

We bounced back this year from last and this year the DW didn't want to sign up for bpunce back because of the economy and now I regret it becauce we won't get first shot at the restaurants even with the visa, but in April we will probably sign up to go the last week in Sept again but may loose out on Le Cellier. Would also like to get the get 4 night and 3 free for the last week in March would like to get there and see Paul Rever & the Raiders and the Turtles during flower power but that is now dating myself

You could always book your trip and put down a deposit before the promo comes out then have it applied to your reservation. That way you'll know your dates and you can book Le Cellier (and whatever other restaurants) at 180 + 10 mark. Just a thought. That's what I plan on doing.

 

[RMulieri]

I went 9/21-9/26 which was still free dining for people that booked the bounceback the previous year.it was really not all that crowded, but I will say looking t the UG crowd projections for Sept 2009 has me seriously re-thinking a trip.( even with bounceback free dining)..a crowd level of a 9 on Sept 26th? wth is with that?i was thinking with the economy as it is the projections would be less for 2009 not more.