Free Dining for Sept 2008 is out!

[lisaanddenny]

We just returned last night from Caribean Beach Resort and I have until the 28th of Sept to book free dining for next year already! They indeed changed the Dining Package, Gratuity and appetizers are NOT included any longer but taxes are included, the servers will just not automatically get 18% any longer..............they are furious! I believe the last day of your vacation for next year is Sept 30th, 2008 for free dining! The Appetizer and gratuity was a huge savings with the plan, I anticipate a lot of people not buying the plan. If it's for free thats one thing but we have done the free dining twice and the appetizer and gratuity is a huge expense that will be missed.

 

[naynay80]

Are you talking about the "bounce back" program where if you book your next trip prior to your departure from Disney (by 9/28) you will receive free dining? If so, I'm pretty sure you have to book it while you are at disney - once you leave it is no longer available..

if you are talking about a different free dining please give me more details - we dont arrive until 9/29 so we cant get the bounce back.

 

[lisaanddenny]

I guess its the bounce back program but it clearly states that I can decide by 9/28 to book, then the offer is gone. The kids are wishing NOT to return to Disney, believe it or not, they prefer Universal with all the rides! Not enough rides for their taste, so we are not booking for next year! We will probably do Universal for 3 or 4 nights and Sea World and Bush Gardens for a day each!

 

[charliemim]

here in england i just purchased the deluxe dining plan for 2008 and it has appetizer included if you take table service

 

[Tinkerbell24]

I am so mad because we came home on the Sept 1 and we didn't know about it. We found out a couple days after we got home, so I was very upset! I am also disappointed about the appetizer being gone. The good thing about the 18% gatuity though is that some waiters treat you worse then others because their tip is already built in. Now that you have to tip them, you may get better service.

 

[LauraAnn630]

I have heard If you were there for free dining this year you can call and get the bounce back offer.

We were offered it and DH was going to book it. Just for me because he knows how much I love Disney.

But I told him no. We have other finacial obligations... booo hooo...

I think Ive had my fill of Dinsey for awhile.

Im waiting for US/ IoA to build this new Harry Potter ride? show?

I think next time will spend more time on the beach. Beachfront condo?
Then go to Disney for 4 days to use our waterpark passes we didnt get to use. Maybe do DQ and DTD (For pins)
We each have 4!

 

[holysmoke]

The kids are wishing NOT to return to Disney, believe it or not, they prefer Universal with all the rides! Not enough rides for their taste, so we are not booking for next year! We will probably do Universal for 3 or 4 nights and Sea World and Bush Gardens for a day each!

spent 5 days at the 4 disney parks with our kids and 2 days at universal/IOA and they loved the last 2 days so much more than Disney. It made me sad but Disney is so outdated and the parent swap program at universal/IOA is sooooooo much better than Disney.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

We just returned last night from Caribean Beach Resort and I have until the 28th of Sept to book free dining for next year already! They indeed changed the Dining Package, Gratuity and appetizers are NOT included any longer but taxes are included, the servers will just not automatically get 18% any longer..............they are furious! I believe the last day of your vacation for next year is Sept 30th, 2008 for free dining! The Appetizer and gratuity was a huge savings with the plan, I anticipate a lot of people not buying the plan. If it's for free thats one thing but we have done the free dining twice and the appetizer and gratuity is a huge expense that will be missed.

I am afraid you did NOT read the fine print. yes the offer is good to book through Sept 28, HOWEVER you MUST book it while you are still staying at the resort and you must book it from the resort. once you check out you cannot take advantage of it, several others on here learned of it after checking out and were Not able to get it even after calling and pleading with Disney.

 

[lisaanddenny]

there was a group of fourteen of us, 4 families and when we called, they said they would honor the reservation as long as the names were the same as the ones that just checked out.........fine print my tush

 

[Seahunt]

there was a group of fourteen of us, 4 families and when we called, they said they would honor the reservation as long as the names were the same as the ones that just checked out.........fine print my tush

Well, mickeythepooh IS right about lots of other DISers posting about coming home and then trying to book the offer and being told they were not allowed to Hope if you do decide to try and book it later that it works out better for you - here's some pixie dust to help out!

Here's the offer sheets posted by mickey2000 and they do show that you do have to book before checking out, not in fine print but in regular & big print (but again, hope you guys don't run into problems, especially with a group of 14! ):

 

[PolynesianMedic]

I have heard on some other podcast that the changes to the plan for 2008 are going to be something like this:

The current plan is going to be reduced in cost by a dollar or two, and no appetizer and no gratuity

There will be a "new" plan that will give you all 3 meals, 2 snacks, and your refillable resort cup for I think about $70 per day per adult.

Unfortunately that is all I can remember at the moment, considering the hour and I am trying to get myself tired enough to go back to bed, but I hope this helps a little.