Free Dining Fall 2015? (and a whole lot more)

[smitch425]

I read somewhere in this vast sea of speculation....that April 23rd was the big day. So....I'm guessing April 23rd. And please, whoever gets the exact date or even close to it....please post your Victory in here so we can all read it!

The UK free dining offer is released that day. I would be shocked if it was that early for the U.S. Current offers expire mid June. It could be after that, and if it is, I expect all dates could be released at that point.

 

[Plutopia]

It depends what's "worth it" for you. You get early access to the free dining offer usually and you can get 1-2% disney rewards back... We pay for,just about everything on our Disney visa to accumulate points then just pay it off each month. Its a nice way to have a little extra for vacation.

Do you get early access to FD if you have the regular Visa or is early access just for Premier Visa cardholders? I don't like that annual fee for the Premier

 

[Camaro305]

Do you get early access to FD if you have the regular Visa or is early access just for Premier Visa cardholders? I don't like that annual fee for the Premier

I think it's any Visa, including Visa Debit.

 

[Plutopia]

Great. Thank you!

 

[RedWolf95]

I think it's any Visa, including Visa Debit.

It is with any of the Disney Visa's, I've got the regular one and have used it to book early. BUT, don't count on Visa to let you know when the offer is available.

 

[Dawn Dis]

I just want to say because i dont know if we do it enough...Smitch425 you are awesome always on top of everything. Thank you so much for all of your knowledge!!!

 

[akmata]

I got a Disney email last week and the subject line started with the word FREE. I got excited until I read the next word....shipping. LOL. It was a Disney store add for free shipping.

 

[RedWolf95]

Do you get early access to FD if you have the regular Visa or is early access just for Premier Visa cardholders? I don't like that annual fee for the Premier

By the way, just remember it's not a slam dunk that they will offer it early to Visa holders. The year I got mine, 2013, they did not do the early release when they released FD in August for late fall.

 

[FlyingBelle]

i know - I got an email yesterday suggesting that a transfer points to my rewards card because an exciting offer would be coming very soon - then I saw it was for the Disney store. Got the offer today and it was for 40% off many items at the disneyshopping.com.

Waiting for free dining!!!!

 

[smitch425]

I just want to say because i dont know if we do it enough...Smitch425 you are awesome always on top of everything. Thank you so much for all of your knowledge!!!

Awww...thanks! I'm happy to help if I can. Disney is one of many passions in my life, so anything I can do to help others have great trips brings me joy.

 

[Beth06015]

There is a current airline deal and I'm so tempted to grab it but I've also read about the average 80 day window before being cheapest so I don't know what to do! Is it really most likely going to be cheaper during that time so I should wait? The current prices are decent but I've seen them about $50-60 cheaper per person in the past so I really hope they have something like that around June/July!

I got this from the book "Buy ketchup in May and fly at Noon"; used the advice to book a trip to Florida last time and grabbed under $180 RT tickets NY-FL at around 3 months out

Which is the best day of the week to shop for airline tickets? Monday or Tuesday. That's when airlines often offer lower fares, and in fact, Tuesday is when most travelers buy tickets. Airlinesraise fares later in the week. What about the widespread belief that airlines offer the best deals from 12:01 to 2:00 am on Wednesdays? Some deals may be had at this time, but it turns out that isn't a widespread practice among the airlines. Shopping tips: 1. Weekday domestic fares change about three times a day, so sign up for e-mail alerts. 2. When you book your ticket, it's great to find a nonstop flight, but beware of "direct flights." Many of them stop once en route to their final destinations. 3. Before you buy, check out farecast.com, which will predict whether the price of your flight will go up, down, or stay the same during the next week.

When is the best time of year to buy domestic airline tickets? Early, but not too early. Shop around as early as you want, but airlines start offering the cheapest seats about three months in advance of a flight. Prices tend to rise within sixty days of flight and then again within thirty days of flight. If there are any seats left within twenty days, price often dip then. Airlines want to fill every seat, and last-minute deals are possibly to find, but don't count on it. Demand for flights is high, and carriers are more likely to punish procrastinators by hiking ticket prices within a week or two of a flight. The exception: When you plan to fly around the holidays, it's a good idea tin that case to lock in a price ASP if it seems reasonable.

 

[unwritten01]

Let's roll the dice....who thinks April? Could you all make a guess, we'll see who is closest! And who thinks no FD this year?

May 11..Magic 8 ball agreed.

 

[lauracitawita]

Ok, I rolled the dice and went ahead and purchased airline tickets for 8 of us for Nov 8th, hoping that will be a FD day. Was that a bad idea or does anyone think I'll get lucky?

We did the same thing the other night. I booked flights for the 9th - 23rd. I looked at the historical free dining. Almost every year included the Sunday (That would be Nov 8th this year). There was one year that started on the Monday which is why we booked the 9th...just in case.

Either way it's a gamble, but I am pretty sure you will be good.

Like a pp said..worst case scenario just do two bookings and start your free dining on the Monday. (hopefully one of those days will include free dining!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Good luck!!!

 

[Just Love Disney]

Does anyone (possibly Smitch ) know how FD impacts crowds? Are the parks generally more crowded when FD is offered vs. no discounts (rack rate), or RO discounts?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Does anyone (possibly Smitch ) know how FD impacts crowds? Are the parks generally more crowded when FD is offered vs. no discounts (rack rate), or RO discounts?

I know some people have said that last year was the busiest they've seen it be during free dining, but its still not as busy as peak times in the summer or around holidays. I went last September during free dining and didnt feel it was that busy.

 

[smitch425]

Does anyone (possibly Smitch ) know how FD impacts crowds? Are the parks generally more crowded when FD is offered vs. no discounts (rack rate), or RO discounts?

I'd say a slight to moderate increase in park crowds, and a large increase in restaurant crowds. FD is offered when many people can't go because of school, but there will be some who pull their kids out or have flexible work schedules who decided to plan a trip based on the offer. The biggest impact is to TS restaurants because many people will use FD to its fullest when they otherwise wouldn't do all of those TS meals. So ride lines will be a little bit longer, but more noticeably, getting a walk up at at TS restaurant will be much more difficult during FD periods. October is much more crowded than it used to be, which is why fewer FD dates are offered. Many people budget for a full price trip, and go with or without FD.

 

[richmo]

Does anyone (possibly Smitch ) know how FD impacts crowds? Are the parks generally more crowded when FD is offered vs. no discounts (rack rate), or RO discounts?

Free dining is offered as an incentive during periods where overall attendance is generally down.. you'll probably never see it during a holiday period or early summer. When I've been there with free dining (but not using it), I found the parks to be relatively uncrowded...although there are still busy days. All Disney is trying to do is keep up the occupancy rate during slow periods. Those same rooms can be occupied other parts of the year with no incentives.

What is difficult with free dining is getting dining reservations. With so many on a dining plan, popular ADR's fill up fast.

 

[Camaro305]

I'd say a slight to moderate increase in park crowds, and a large increase in restaurant crowds. FD is offered when many people can't go because of school, but there will be some who pull their kids out R have flexible work schedules who decided to plan a trip based on the offer. The biggest impact is to TS restaurants because many people will use FD to its fullest when they otherwise wouldn't do all of those TS meals. So ride lines will be a little bit longer, but more noticeably, getting a walk up at at TS restaurant will be much more difficult during FD periods. October is much more crowded than it used to be, which is why fewer FD dates are offered. Many people budget for a full price trip, and go with or without FD.

THIS! We budget for a full priced trip, and if FD comes along, the refund goes towards bonus spending money, or booking that next trip!

 

[Just Love Disney]

I know some people have said that last year was the busiest they've seen it be during free dining, but its still not as busy as peak times in the summer or around holidays. I went last September during free dining and didnt feel it was that busy.

I'd say a slight to moderate increase in park crowds, and a large increase in restaurant crowds. FD is offered when many people can't go because of school, but there will be some who pull their kids out R have flexible work schedules who decided to plan a trip based on the offer. The biggest impact is to TS restaurants because many people will use FD to its fullest when they otherwise wouldn't do all of those TS meals. So ride lines will be a little bit longer, but more noticeably, getting a walk up at at TS restaurant will be much more difficult during FD periods. October is much more crowded than it used to be, which is why fewer FD dates are offered. Many people budget for a full price trip, and go with or without FD.

Free dining is offered as an incentive during periods where overall attendance is generally down.. you'll probably never see it during a holiday period or early summer. When I've been there with free dining (but not using it), I found the parks to be relatively uncrowded...although there are still busy days. All Disney is trying to do is keep up the occupancy rate during slow periods. Those same rooms can be occupied other parts of the year with no incentives.

What is difficult with free dining is getting dining reservations. With so many on a dining plan, popular ADR's fill up fast.

Thank you!

 

[Just Love Disney]

What a great idea! I think I might 'steal' it