Free dining in Dec. 2012?

[Datha1019]

I am planing my sons age 2 and my in laws, first trip to DW do they ever offer free dining in Dec.?

 

[disneynutz]

They offer "free dining" if they are forecasting low bookings at the resorts. The promo will be focused on the resorts that they need to fill up. Keep in mind that the crowds may be bigger during promotion times and your room will cost more.

If you love to eat or if you enjoy the Disney restaurants then it may be worth it. For us, we can eat at home and not fighting the crowds and/or getting a more substantial room discount is worth not going to WDW during "free dining".

Bill

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

They did in 2010... not the whole month just specific dates. We were able to check around 12/18 (the last day available) and stayed through Christmas you will be able to have Free Dining during your entire stay... good luck!

 

[RMulieri]

They have, but with blackout dates.The whole first full week of December is generally not included in the promotions simply because between Pop Warner and parade taping they don't need to offer it to book rooms.If they offer it again simply depends on whether they feel they need to to secure room bookings

 

[Kate and Family]

They offer "free dining" if they are forecasting low bookings at the resorts. The promo will be focused on the resorts that they need to fill up. Keep in mind that the crowds may be bigger during promotion times and your room will cost more.

If you love to eat or if you enjoy the Disney restaurants then it may be worth it. For us, we can eat at home and not fighting the crowds and/or getting a more substantial room discount is worth not going to WDW during "free dining".

Bill

Which resorts more typically have free dining?
Last trip (about 2-3 yrs ago) we had free dining at Coronado the last of Nov to first of Dec).

When and Where was your dining experiences?

 

[tofubeast]

This site will give you the historical discounts that have been offered in the past few years.

 

[danny1649]

Your post here,where I think the dining experts can help you.

 

[DisDaze]

I am planing my sons age 2 and my in laws, first trip to DW do they ever offer free dining in Dec.?

Yes, for the last 3 or 4 years. Free Dining is a HUGE discount especially if you are staying at a valure or a moderate resort, sometimes double the savings of a room only discount. We LOVE the dining plan and the Disney restaurants, it's part of the whole magical Disney experience for us.

Per Mousesavers, historic Free Dining Dates and Promo Release Dates:

Free Dining Promos/Discounts Released Spring of the Year Offered
August 21 – October 4, 2005
August 13 – September 30, 2006
August 26 – September 22, 2007
August 30 – September 27, 2008
August 16 – October 3, 2009

July 27, 2009(First Time for quick service at values, free Disney Dining at moderate and deluxe resorts)
Free Dining released for travel from October 4 – December 17, 2009

May 3, 2010
Free Dining released for travel from August 15 – October 2, 2010.

July 6, 2010
Disney extended the Free Dining offer for travel through early fall 2011:

August 15 – October 7, 2010
October 22 – Octocber 28, 2010
November 12 – November 18, 2010
November 27 – December 2, 2010
December 10 – December 21, 2010

January 1 - 5, 2011
January 9 - 13, 2011
January 21 - February 3, 2011
February 11 - 17, 2011
February 25 - March 3, 2011
May 27 - June 2, 2011
August 19 - September 29, 2011

March 2011
Free Dining Discount released for August 28 - September 24, 2011

August 3, 2011
Free Dining Discounts released for dates through early Spring 2012
October 1 – October 6, 2011
October 22 – November 3, 2011
November 12 – November 17, 2011
November 26 – December 1, 2011
December 10 – December 15, 2011
January 8 – January 12, 2012
January 21 – February 2, 2012
February 11 – February 16, 2012
March 3 – March 8, 2012
March 24 – March 29, 2012

March 5, 2012
August 25 - September 29, 2012

 

[I<3theMouse]

I knew I had seen a list of the specific Free Dining Dates from previous years somewhere! Thanks for posting this info.

I've been searching for it for quite a while today because I used the historical dates to plan our Thanksgiving 2011 trip and booked our room at that time based on when I thought/hoped free dining would be available. Lucky me- it worked out and we enjoyed free dining the entire week of Thanksgiving since we checked in on one of the free dining dates!

Wanted to use this data again to plan for Thanksgiving 2012 or possibly closer to Christmas time... Keeping fingers crossed that free dining will be released this summer for those timeframes. Considering booking room/tickets now and then adding free dining to ressie if/when it is announced.

Please please let there be free dining in Nov/Dec this year! I love staying on property, but to stay in budget, we might consider staying off property if free dining doesn't get offered. I know it's been said that WDW is scaling back on their promos, but sure hoping for free dining.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

We are booked for only 3 nights. Is there a minimum number of nights to be eligible for the free dining if it's offered?

 

[DisDaze]

We are booked for only 3 nights. Is there a minimum number of nights to be eligible for the free dining if it's offered?

3 night minimum, 14 day maximum

 

[jacob123]

in nov i noticed that they offer FD after the 11th (12-17) however if they offer it then it will hit in the thanksgiving time. do they ever offer it before the 11th and carry it through the 11th if booked before that date. we want to go 8-18th and i was hoping FD was not after the 11th but before that. what does anyone think may happen.