Free Dining in 2011??

[deedeew80]

Hi! Just a quick question about the Free Dining being offered for certain dates in 2011. We are going in Oct. 2011, as of right now Free Dining is not offered at that time. However, I did see on Mousesavers that it is being offered through Nov. 2011 to the UK. So, do you think this will be offered to us too? That would be great!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!! TIA!!

 

[daleswife]

Hi! Just a quick question about the Free Dining being offered for certain dates in 2011. We are going in Oct. 2011, as of right now Free Dining is not offered at that time. However, I did see on Mousesavers that it is being offered through Nov. 2011 to the UK. So, do you think this will be offered to us too? That would be great!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!! TIA!!

Im hoping so too. We want to go next November 17th through black friday....Hoping like crazy!!!

 

[DisneyWeather!]

Just looking at free dining for this year, they have 10/1 - 10/7 and 10/22 - 10/28. So there is a decent chance of them extending into those dates next year if they don't hold true to their "weaning the public off discounts" pledge. Cross your fingers and say some prayers. It worked for me for next Aug. Saved us $1000+! Good Luck!

 

[sweetdana]

I have to assume not. Food and Wine Fest. is much bigger every year. You cannot even get a DVC this year 5 months out anywhere. I doubt they need to discount much, and FD is a biggy. As well this is some of the furtherest out they have done before for PROMOS usually 3-4-5 months in advance.. I don't see them offering 12-13-14 month out discounts. Just not a good business plan. I suspece they added Aug and Sept to avoid the BB promos they offered.


I wish you fairy dust.

 

[KELLY]

We are booked for free dining in September but I would love to move it to the begining of November. We would have done it this year but booked bounceback and then booked our flights early. So we were locked in. We are going to wait until April or May for our flights for our upcoming trip. We did get a great price on our flights this year.

 

[mitros]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

 

[thegib95]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

Couldn't disagree more, my main cmplaint as a kid was the food it was all bland and the same no matter where you ate, all CS were same and all TS were the same...

I think that is different now, i think that the food this past march was exceptional, we were on Deluxe Dining, and had tasty good meals every meal.

 

[DC7800]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

Very well said. These dining plans continue to undermine the quality and experience of Disney dining.

What does it say about your restaurant when you have to give the food away to get customers to eat there? At the same time, if you are merely providing free food as a commodity - such as the free dining promotion - you really shouldn't be surprised when cash-paying guests justifiably complain about paying premium prices for a public school lunch program experience.

my main cmplaint as a kid was the food it was all bland and the same no matter where you ate, all CS were same and all TS were the same...

I think that is different now, i think that the food this past march was exceptional

An examination of restaurant menus from today and 5-10 years ago would reveal far less variety and originality (and fewer menu selections) than are now available.

 

[jriae2000]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

Menus were dumbed down and food made less appealing because of the need to save money. When free dining goes away the menus will remain the same and the profits will rise. Its like the gas stations raising the price to $3.00 a gallon then dropping it to $2.75 to make us feel better about buying it. Hopefully not remembering it started at $2.50. Same stuff just more profits.

 

[artesian]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

Agreed

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

We pretty much hate the free dining plans. The meals have suffered a great deal. Food is just not the same at WDW any more since they started this "free dining" All the menus have been dumbed W--A--Y down, and the quality has suffered since it's inception. Dining is no longer the pleasure it used to be at the resorts and restaurants. They have made all of the menu items "cheaper" because of all of the waste going on with the free meals. Get rid of these deals completley as far as we are concerned.
We have been going to WDW since 1987, and the food is the worst it has ever been because of these so called deals.

Absolutely correct sir! Remember when Disney started the 'Signature' restaurant program? They had chef's at every restaurant who stuck to the theme. The chef's were allowed their own procurement. Disney employed more sommeliers than any one in the world! Then what happened? Greed, greed and more greed. Sadly there are lots and lots of people who defend these actions in the name of wall st. and shareholder responsibility. So sad.

 

[skier_pete]

How did this turn into rip on Disney Dining thread!!! Oh wait, every thread on the Rumors board is turned into a rip on Disney thread.

OP - it is impossible to know what Disney will do in the future.

However, they have offered free dining to the public select weeks in Oct/Nov/Dec in both 2009 and 2010. They also offered it to select guests (PIN holders and Visa holders) in 2008.

They also have EXPANDED the amount of days of FD in 2011, adding dates in the spring as well as the traditional dates in August and September.

I would say there is a better than 50/50 chance there will be SOME weeks for free dining in Oct-Dec 2011. But, until they officially put it out, you won't know. It'll probably be announced in July, as it was announced July 27th in 2009, and July 6th this year. (In 2008 - the extended FD for Visa holders wasn't announced until September - the discounts have moved earlier each year.)

Full disclosure - I am hoping for FD in Nov 2011 myself...though we will likely go regardless..we just may stay value without FD - and moderate with.

 

[deedeew80]

How did this turn into rip on Disney Dining thread!!! Oh wait, every thread on the Rumors board is turned into a rip on Disney thread.

OP - it is impossible to know what Disney will do in the future.

However, they have offered free dining to the public select weeks in Oct/Nov/Dec in both 2009 and 2010. They also offered it to select guests (PIN holders and Visa holders) in 2008.

They also have EXPANDED the amount of days of FD in 2011, adding dates in the spring as well as the traditional dates in August and September.

I would say there is a better than 50/50 chance there will be SOME weeks for free dining in Oct-Dec 2011. But, until they officially put it out, you won't know. It'll probably be announced in July, as it was announced July 27th in 2009, and July 6th this year. (In 2008 - the extended FD for Visa holders wasn't announced until September - the discounts have moved earlier each year.)

Full disclosure - I am hoping for FD in Nov 2011 myself...though we will likely go regardless..we just may stay value without FD - and moderate with.

Thank you! I was starting to think the same thing! LOL! Yes, we too are going regardless anyway. But to have FD on top of it would be great. Any kind of discount would be great!! Thanks for the info! Have fun on your trip!

 

[skier_pete]

Thank you! I was starting to think the same thing! LOL! Yes, we too are going regardless anyway. But to have FD on top of it would be great. Any kind of discount would be great!! Thanks for the info! Have fun on your trip!

It's always tough waiting for the discounts to come out, but there's been a discount in October for 5 straight years now, not always free dining, but at least room discount of some sort - typically around 30-35 % for Moderates, so hopefully you'll get something...

Your DD is adorable! (Assuming that's her in your sig.)

 

[Disco]

Oh, and she's a doll too! It's always tough waiting for the discounts to come out, but there's been a discount in October for 5 straight years now, not always free dining, but at least room discount of some sort - typically around 30-35 % for Moderates, so hopefully you'll get something...

Your DD is adorable! (Assuming that's her in your sig.)

Every time I go there are no discounts what so ever. But of course the year before will have free dining and the year after will have 30% off resort stays.
Every fricken time I go this happens! I'll wait and wait for some sort of discount and then there won't be any rooms left an I have to split my stay or sleep hidden away in the parks.

 

[deedeew80]

It's always tough waiting for the discounts to come out, but there's been a discount in October for 5 straight years now, not always free dining, but at least room discount of some sort - typically around 30-35 % for Moderates, so hopefully you'll get something...

Your DD is adorable! (Assuming that's her in your sig.)

Yes, that is my DD, thank you! She is 8 months now. When we go to WDW next year, she will be 21 months, so almost 2! I can't wait! Her first of many visits!! We will also be celebrating our 3 year anniversary at that time! I am going through WDW withdrawal! Haven't been since our honeymoon in Oct. 2008!! For obvious reasons...money, pregnancy, money! So we already started saving for this upcoming trip! Epcot F&W Festival and MNSSHP too!!! So no matter what....we are going, discount or no discount! However, any sort of discount would be nice!! I understand discounts are hard to come by at that time of year due to all the other events going on, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Just*the*ten*of*us]

We wanted to go in Oct/Nov too, hoping for more FD dates to be announced. So far were booked for the 29th of Sept to Oct 8th. Since the 29th is the last day of FD, were still able to get it for our entire trip. I guess thats as close as were getting unless they come out with more FD dates.

 

[ttfn0205]

We enjoyed the free dining last year and hope for it again in 11/11. With 5 kids it made meal time much less stressfull. The food choices were plenty and great for us. The variety at the pop was awesome! My son got to be the chef for the day. Good thing he was only in charge of making a sundae.
But the memories will last a lifetime

 

[skier_pete]

Yes, that is my DD, thank you! She is 8 months now. When we go to WDW next year, she will be 21 months, so almost 2! I can't wait! Her first of many visits!! We will also be celebrating our 3 year anniversary at that time! I am going through WDW withdrawal! Haven't been since our honeymoon in Oct. 2008!! For obvious reasons...money, pregnancy, money! So we already started saving for this upcoming trip! Epcot F&W Festival and MNSSHP too!!! So no matter what....we are going, discount or no discount! However, any sort of discount would be nice!! I understand discounts are hard to come by at that time of year due to all the other events going on, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

You will have a wonderful time. Disney World is great - but it's a whole other level when you share it with your children. October's a great time of year. This will be our 3rd mid-October trip (2000, 2006 and 2010) and it's probably my favorite time of them all.

We wanted to go in Oct/Nov too, hoping for more FD dates to be announced. So far were booked for the 29th of Sept to Oct 8th. Since the 29th is the last day of FD, were still able to get it for our entire trip. I guess thats as close as were getting unless they come out with more FD dates.

We did that in 2007 - it was actually a nice time to go, because it was right at the end of Free Dining - the restaurants got less and less crowded as the week went on. It was still hella-hot though.

 

[deedeew80]

You will have a wonderful time. Disney World is great - but it's a whole other level when you share it with your children. October's a great time of year. This will be our 3rd mid-October trip (2000, 2006 and 2010) and it's probably my favorite time of them all.

Yes, I am so excited to experience Disney through my daughters eyes! I'm sure it will be amazing! I went to Disney for the first time in Oct in 2008 on our Honeymoon! We loved it!! Will never go any other time! All my Disney trips were always in August. I will NEVER go that time of year again! Oct was the best!! Of course, this time of the year is my favorite, so that adds to my likeness! (is that a word? LOL!)