Free dining in September 08?

[kaytieeldr]

Good question (number 1). In 2007, the UK offer ran from 8/5 to 9/29; the bounceback promo from 8/12 to 9/29; and the general public offer from 8/26 to 9/22 (start dates approximate, and I may have the UK and BB dates reversed)
Based on pigby's post, the UK offer is again longer than the bounceback period - UK starts by mid-August, while bounceback starts August 25/26/27 (whichever is Sunday).

 

[annie1995]

We're in a similar boat. Does anyone remember when the bounceback dates started for 2008? Was it the week before Labor Day?

August 30, 2008

 

[LisaBi]

I have to agree with PP's about heat and crowds in Sept. 2007. Yes, the heat was unseasonably warm, and I'm sure that made the crowds seem even worse. But it was substantially more crowded than previous Septembers. I did book bounce-back, but am seriously considering changing to early Dec. instead. While I love not worrying about food costs, I don't know if the new Sept. crowds are worth it. Also, when DS wants to eat, he wants to eat NOW. There's no holding out for an ADR time.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi,
My DH and I were at WDW late Oct. this year with the DDP (not Free). The weather was ok, some rain, cloudy most of our stay. We want to return again and were thinking of Sept this year, so my questions are (after reading about the free dining):
1. If they offer the free dining to the public do you think it would be the same dates as the offer to the "bounceback" and UK people?
2. If they offer this, is it at all Disney resorts? We liked Pop Century.
3. If we booked (we like AAA) now could we still get this offer after they announce it or should we wait until they do.
Thank you for any answers.

The bounceback was offered from 8/30 - 9/27 2008 during free dining this year.

There will be a set number of Free Dining Packages offered for each resort. With all of the UK and Bounceback offers already being booked, some resorts will have very limited numbers of packages available. Wilderness Lodge will be the first Deluxe to sell out. Pop will be the first Value to sellout (If you go by last year's numbers), then Movies. A lot of people who wanted those value resorts had settle for Music or Movies, because by the time the general public could book, the VISA holders (who get to book a week before the general public) had booked the others.

The triple AAA discount got a lot of discussion last year before the public dates for Free Dining broke. As I understand it you CAN NOT combine two discounts. It's either Free Dining OR Triple AAA discount, not both. If that's incorrect, someone please let me know.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The bounceback was offered from 8/30 - 9/27 2008 during free dining this year.

There will be a set number of Free Dining Packages offered for each resort. With all of the UK and Bounceback offers already being booked, some resorts will have very limited numbers of packages available. Wilderness Lodge will be the first Deluxe to sell out. Pop will be the first Value to sellout (If you go by last year's numbers), then Movies. A lot of people who wanted those value resorts had settle for Music or Movies, because by the time the general public could book, the VISA holders (who get to book a week before the general public) had booked the others.

The triple AAA discount got a lot of discussion last year before the public dates for Free Dining broke. As I understand it you CAN NOT combine two discounts. It's either Free Dining OR Triple AAA discount, not both. If that's incorrect, someone please let me know.

No, you're right, for free dining you have to pay the rack rate for the room, which means no room discounts.

For me, since I stay at the value resorts, it's a better deal to get the dining plan, since I save more on food then I would on a room, but if I stayed at the GF or something, it wouldn't be as vaulable, and may even be a worse deal to get free food then a room discount.

 

[kimsuenew]

Hi,
My DH and I were at WDW late Oct. this year with the DDP (not Free). The weather was ok, some rain, cloudy most of our stay. We want to return again and were thinking of Sept this year, so my questions are (after reading about the free dining):
1. If they offer the free dining to the public do you think it would be the same dates as the offer to the "bounceback" and UK people?
2. If they offer this, is it at all Disney resorts? We liked Pop Century.
3. If we booked (we like AAA) now could we still get this offer after they announce it or should we wait until they do.
Thank you for any answers.

Can someone verify? I had read on a board that the UK could not book value resorts in 2008 to get free dining. Was that true? I read that it was moderate priced resorts and up, although that is still a great deal!

Also, you must pay rack rate to get the free DDP, you cannot have a code or discount attached!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Can someone verify? I had read on a board that the UK could not book value resorts in 2008 to get free dining. Was that true? I read that it was moderate priced resorts and up, although that is still a great deal!

Also, you must pay rack rate to get the free DDP, you cannot have a code or discount attached!

I booked for the discounted deluxe plan next year, and I'm staying at Pop.

 

[pigby]

Can someone verify? I had read on a board that the UK could not book value resorts in 2008 to get free dining. Was that true? I read that it was moderate priced resorts and up, although that is still a great deal!

Also, you must pay rack rate to get the free DDP, you cannot have a code or discount attached!

The Uk offer did not include value resorts - we would have booked Pop so booked CSR instead but still considered it to be a good deal. As it was a package via UK tour operator, discounts on the room didn't apply, but we still took that into consideration when we booked.

 

[Mischa]

I've never taken advantage of the free ddp...how does that work? Is it just like the ddp that you pay for (just free)?

Also, does it matter if you are a DVC member - would we still be offered the free ddp?

Thanks for putting up with my silly questions!

 

[TDC Nala]

I've never taken advantage of the free ddp...how does that work? Is it just like the ddp that you pay for (just free)?

Also, does it matter if you are a DVC member - would we still be offered the free ddp?

Thanks for putting up with my silly questions!

DVC members are not eligible. "Free dining" is a promotion intended to sell rack rate room/ticket packages.

The only way DVC members may use the plan is to purchase it in conjuntion with a reservation on points at a WDW DVC resort. Unless they want to forego use of DVC and buy a package.

 

[kimsuenew]

I booked for the discounted deluxe plan next year, and I'm staying at Pop.

Hi! I knew that we could book values on bounce back (with free DDP) I had just heard the UK was not able to, and I wonder if they indeed were not... then would everyone else be able to if/when it opens up to the public in the Spring! We bounced back as well, switching from SSR to Pop with free dining in 2008! We can't wait to go!

 

[kimsuenew]

The Uk offer did not include value resorts - we would have booked Pop so booked CSR instead but still considered it to be a good deal. As it was a package via UK tour operator, discounts on the room didn't apply, but we still took that into consideration when we booked.

Thank you for answering my question! I had heard that and I agree... it is still an excellent deal, even at the moderate level! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Mischa]

DVC members are not eligible. "Free dining" is a promotion intended to sell rack rate room/ticket packages.

The only way DVC members may use the plan is to purchase it in conjuntion with a reservation on points at a WDW DVC resort. Unless they want to forego use of DVC and buy a package.

Thanks so much!

 

[skater]

I just had to throw in my opinions about Sept. and free dining (Just another excuse to talk Disney!)

1. Yes, Sept. is hot - its still summer and it is a sub-tropical climate - that's why Walt put it there . I happen to love heat and swimming without freezing, so that's good with me .

2. Yes, Sept. is more crowded than it used to be, but we had almost no problems with it. We were at the parks by opening and experienced little or no lines until after lunch, and by that time we were finished with the big stuff or could get fast pass to repeat. It just took a little more planning - but we still had plenty of relaxing meandering times!

3. As someone mentioned, free dining is a GREAT deal for families with kids who eat like adults . We also have 3 kids and two of them eat as much or more than the adults. They also have expensive tastes - which almost never get satisfied at home - which brings me to my 4th point...

4. Its vacation - we can order what we want (minus appetizer now ), without going into more debt. We don't have to say, "sorry honey, but you can't order the scallops, how 'bout a hot dog?

If you have big eaters and don't mind being at the parks in the morning, Sept. is an awesome time to go!

 

[dlpcarden]

We are booked for Disney Sept 19 -28 2008 at Pop Century. We hope that the dining plan will be offered for free and we can continue to stay at Pop. What is the best way to try and guarantee that we get Pop? My question is if I can't get Pop which value or moderate should I try to get?

I have 2 boys ages 4 and 10 if that might help.

 

[mickey2000]

In room flyer from 9/2007

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

We to are wanting to stay at the POP during free dining next year. I am a little worried seeing everyone already booking there with the bounceback offer already. My dates are either going to be the September 20th-28th or the 27th through October 5th. I just wonder which dates I will have more luck with. If we don't get it I suppose we will head back the ASMusic, which that will be ok to. Hey we will be at Disney regardless!!

 

[mickey2000]

We to are wanting to stay at the POP during free dining next year. I am a little worried seeing everyone already booking there with the bounceback offer already. My dates are either going to be the September 20th-28th or the 27th through October 5th. I just wonder which dates I will have more luck with. If we don't get it I suppose we will head back the ASMusic, which that will be ok to. Hey we will be at Disney regardless!!

When I made my bounce back reservations at POP late September 2007 I had to try 3 different times as I was told the resort was almost booked solid for September. Don't know about AS... I'm sure that the moderates if offered will have openings. JMO

 

[beroh2253]

When I made my bounce back reservations at POP late September 2007 I had to try 3 different times as I was told the resort was almost booked solid for September. Don't know about AS... I'm sure that the moderates if offered will have openings. JMO

This year we went the last week in Sept. when we first booked in early March we had POP and were paying for the DDP. When the free offer came out we had to rebook (and we did this the first day of the offer and have the Disney Rewards Card) and lost POP for ASMu, or at least for a few weeks. We kept calling back every few days till there was an opening at POP and got it. I think they only open rooms in so many blocks at a time so 1 resort doesn't get filled and others are open, I think they try to equally fill all the value resorts. So if you don't get POP at first keep trying.
And yes we did sign up for the bounce back when there this year and have POP for the last week in Sept. again.

 

[guelde96]

They offered us the Free Dining Bounceback when we were there Sept. 12 - 22 for next Sept. When we left home we had every intention of booking for next year, but the crowds and the heat were so horrible we didn't book it. We will never go back in September again. My husband said he would happily pay the $1,300 we saved to go during a cooler and slower time.

I agree with you 100%. We were there Sept 21-30 2007. No bounce back for us. The heat was so much more than I ever expected. I don't care what Disney gives as incentive that time of year they can count me out.