Free Dining in 08???

[sorul82?]

Of course, it really isn't free this year, if you consider you're giving up any room discounts to get it.

No, it's not technically free, but given the choice between the two discounts, free dining is a $139 per night discount for our family, so it is a much better discount than $50 off the room + 20% off TS meals with the DDE.

But, no, I don't think free dining will be offered next year. ......I did like the suggestion for 1/2 off the deluxe DDP.

 

[Reilly]

I would like to cast my vote for them having either free dining plan (like august 16 through sept 2008 would be spectacular!) or 1/2 off the deluxe dining plan would be great too!( Maybe they would consider doing both, that would be something) I booked a magical gathering of 12 family members for August 16th 2008 with the deluxe dining plan while residing at the contemp. with a MK View. Im secretly hoping to hit the lottery or for there to be a great promotion when the time comes. Anxiously waiting here....... I'm counting on my new friends here in the Dis Forum to be on the look out

 

[thunderbird1]

No, it's not technically free, but given the choice between the two discounts, free dining is a $139 per night discount for our family, so it is a much better discount than $50 off the room + 20% off TS meals with the DDE.

I agree with you 100%. I just like to point out to people that the "cost" is actually the amount of the room discount that you're giving up to get free dining, because I think a lot of people don't take that into consideration. People hear "free dining" and they jump all over it.

I know one person on here said she had a room booked with the 40% off at a deluxe for herself and her son (a child). When free dining came out, she immediately called to switch over to the free dining offer. It wasn't until after they'd made the change (and the 40% offer was expired) that she realized free dining was a $50 a day savings for her, but the 40% off code was a $100 a day savings. Bummer.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

What is your honest opinnion?? Do you think they will offer the free dining in 2008 again??

Yes.

Reasons I think they won't have free DDP again:
-Way too popular, restaurants overwhelmed
-It's been 3 years now, so time for a new promotion

Reasons I think they might have free DDP again:
-It brings in the people during a slow time
-New DDP will be less costly for Disney
-New DDP won't be as popular as the old

And the big unknown is what kind of hurricane season they have this year. If it's bad, I think free DDP is more likely; if it's mellow, less likely.

Like always, we'll just wait and see.

Exactly!

Nope I don't see them offering it again.

If Disney offers free dining, will they pick up the tab for the tip? If we still have to pay the tip, then it's not really free.

It was never technically free when you had to pay rack rate for room and tickets. With the gratuity gone - now it is definitely not free.

If there is not a "too tempting to resist" promotion for 2008 we will most likely skip WDW next year. I've been wanting to visit some other Florida attractions and/or revisit previous family vacation locations anyway.

 

[sorul82?]

I know one person on here said she had a room booked with the 40% off at a deluxe for herself and her son (a child). When free dining came out, she immediately called to switch over to the free dining offer. It wasn't until after they'd made the change (and the 40% offer was expired) that she realized free dining was a $50 a day savings for her, but the 40% off code was a $100 a day savings. Bummer.

Now if I could get one of those 40% off codes, I would book CR MK view!

 

[NMW]

I think it may hinge on what kind of hurricane season we have. If we have a hurricane, I don't think there's any doubt there will be a "Free" DDP during August/September 2008.

If we go unscathed, it's hard to say, and I guess the only answer is it depends on what their bookings look like. The first indication might come if they offer another "Bounce Back" promotion in Nov-Dec like they did in 2006. If they do that, I think they will at least offer a UK "Free DDP."

I don't think they will make a decision on free DDP for the general public until after the Bounce Back and UK promotions are over (if they do them). IF they get that far, I'd expect free DDP to the general public to be for a shorter timeframe and with less availability...like they did this year.

Free DDP is a great promotion for Disney because it puts people in beds during a period when nobody wants to go to WDW, but if their bookings are stronger, at some point they'll conclude they no longer need it.

I agree. It may depend on hurricane season. I know that I would never go to Disney during hurricane season. Free dining is in no way enough of an incentive. I was even a little worried about late October! For some people it's a huge incentive though. However, Disney has done the free dining 3 years in a row now, they might be making some changes considering they changed the dining plans for 2008.