Free dining in September 08?

[guelde96]

Last year we originally had to book All Star Sports for the free dining the last week of September. I kept calling and gat our entire grand gathering of 4 rooms moved to Pop. I really don't think it is as difficult as some people think. If you are persistent.

I did not really enjoy Pop during free dining. The resort was terribly crowded. The worst being the busses and the food court.

I also wanted to say that heat is relative to everyone. I am from the midwest. If we get 3 days in the 90's I think the world is coming to an end. Some people say it is not that hot. I checked these boards last year prior to booking in September. Based on the reviews about the weather not being that bad I went ahead and booked. I WILL NEVER GO BACK THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!! The weather was horrible. The heat and humidity Not to mention the rain, which really did not bother me because at least it cooled you down for a few minutes. We spent 10 days in September and due to the heat we saw way less than our previous trips in April, Feb, and March at 6 days.

The price was great but totally not worth it.

 

[beroh2253]

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.

We were there the same days, ME and DW, we stayed at at POP. This was the hottest Sept. (I did think at times I was going to melt) I remember being there 3 other times only in Sept. and never this hot. Every day about 2 thru 5 we would go back to the resort and just float in the pool, the pool wasn't crowded and that was nice.
We did sign up for the bouncback but we are also going in June (with our 2 children 19 AND 21) so may have to give up Sept.
But hope to do both times.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

We went the first week in October in 2005 for free dining and yes it was hot, but we also spent a lot of time at the water parks. I am beginning to think twice now about POP because of the crowds maybe. We stayed at ASMusic and like it, but now maybe I am considering Sports.

 

[KatMark]

We were there September 1 - 9 this year. Yes, it was hotter than usual, but it didn't bother us (my husband and I both hate the cold--it's freezing in Chicago right now and can't wait until we move to Florida). We took afternoon breaks and went to the pool during the hottest part of the day. We had rain the first day for 45 minutes and the last day for three hours and a little drizzle one other day. I have read a lot of people saying it was crowded. Yes, it seemed there were more people--especially at the restaurants. But we never waited more than 10 to 15 minutes for any attraction with the exception of Soarin' and Splash Mountain (and we did fast passes for those).

 

[pta-mom]

I'm finding this sort of amusing as we were in DW from Sept 22 to Oct 4 & really did not find the heat that bad! Yes, it was hot but no, we did not find it uncomfortably hot....we ate Mickey Bars & drank lots of water & it was just perfect!! I'm amused as being from "up-North", we are much more climatized to colder weather, not warmer!

This year, I am seriously considering trying August, before my guys are back in school. Maybe we will find that TOO hot!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I'm finding this sort of amusing as we were in DW from Sept 22 to Oct 4 & really did not find the heat that bad! Yes, it was hot but no, we did not find it uncomfortably hot....we ate Mickey Bars & drank lots of water & it was just perfect!! I'm amused as being from "up-North", we are much more climatized to colder weather, not warmer!

This year, I am seriously considering trying August, before my guys are back in school. Maybe we will find that TOO hot!!

I have been 3x in August (including this year Aug.26th - Sept.1) and we find the heat manageable. The only day that really bothered us was MGM - that is a very hot park! We ended up doing 2 half days there to see everything we wanted to see. You definitely need to get to the park in the morning and relax in the afternoon. As far as crowds go, my other travel times are February vacation (President's week) and April vacation (3rd week in April) and compared to what we are used to the crowds are really light in August. I guess it's all relative.

 

[kimsuenew]

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!!

We bounced back (staying at Pop this time, we could not afford to do SSR again although we loved it dearly)! Just an FYI... we tried three different times/people and were told the day free dining was scheduled to end it ended... we were not allowed to extend into October (we were trying for the last week in September and first week in October). We had to be out by the 27th (dates are valid to bounceback 8/30 - 9/27 for 2008)! I know that in previous years people were allowed to do that, but as I said, we were told by three different people we could not
go into in October... we had to be done by the promotions end. We then chose the September 14th - 27th. Were thrilled to be going back but not exactly thrilled with our dates! I may try to call yet a different person and try to extend it in again, I am just not real optimistic!

 

[twoeeyy]

Just an FYI... we tried three different times/people and were told the day free dining was scheduled to end it ended... we were not allowed to extend into October (we were trying for the last week in September and first week in October). We had to be out by the 27th (dates are valid to bounceback 8/30 - 9/27 for 2008)! I know that in previous years people were allowed to do that, but as I said, we were told by three different people we could not
go into in October... we had to be done by the promotions end. We then chose the September 14th - 27th. Were thrilled to be going back but not exactly thrilled with our dates! I may try to call yet a different person and try to extend it in again, I am just not real optimistic!

We booked the bounceback when we were there this past oct for Oct of 08. We booked from Sept 26 ( the day before promo ends ) until Oct 5th. We have done this on three different occasions and have never had a problem, I am sorry to hear that you had a problem doing so.

 

[ajcolorado]

I saw one site predict that - based on last year's patterns - Aug. 24 - Sept. 22 might be possible dates for 2008 free dining. Source: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freedining.html

Of course, the bounce-back thing was new this year, wasn't it? That could change everything.

 

[mom2my3kids]

We had to move our dates around because we can't go the end of Sept because of my kids ISTEP dates. We are moving the dates to End of January first of Feb 2009 I can't wait.

 

[wide awake]

For any of you wondering...free dining for Sept 07 was offered to Disney Visa holders on April 9 of 2007. We booked the bounceback for POP, but I am thinking there will be a twist on the offer this year...stay at a deluxe and get deluxe DDP for free...if so I'll change to Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom. I also think the no tipping on the 08 plan is going to be an absolute mess...wouldn't be surprised to see that change before our vacation.

We didn't find the weather a problem last year...or the crowds...had a fabulous time.

 

[skater]

I still think Sept. is a great time to go. The parks were not crowded in the mornings though sometimes fairly crowded in the afternoons. They were not even close to being as crowded as summer months. I also felt they were less crowded than a short May trip I took several years back (although that may have been due to lack of Disney knowledge and planning ). The heat does not bother me, but I know that is different for everybody. The worst part this last Sept. was the rain every night that DID NOT LET UP! This was the first time this has happened to us and it was disappointing to not get in the pool at night. Also, although Pop was crowded, most of the time it wasn't an issue. The only bad thing was the crowded food court, and that was mostly in the mornings and late at night. If you get to the food court very early, its still not too bad.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

For any of you wondering...free dining for Sept 07 was offered to Disney Visa holders on April 9 of 2007. We booked the bounceback for POP, but I am thinking there will be a twist on the offer this year...stay at a deluxe and get deluxe DDP for free...if so I'll change to Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom. I also think the no tipping on the 08 plan is going to be an absolute mess...wouldn't be surprised to see that change before our vacation.

We didn't find the weather a problem last year...or the crowds...had a fabulous time.

How do you think the tipping might change before your vacation??

 

[guelde96]

I am not sure if this is what you are asking. There is NO tip included in the 2008 DDP.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I am not sure if this is what you are asking. There is NO tip included in the 2008 DDP.

Yes, I know that. I just wonder too if the tipping will change before our hopefully "free dining" trip next year. Will it be added back, or possible added to all tables regardless of size? Just pondering.

 

[pta-mom]

I saw one site predict that - based on last year's patterns - Aug. 24 - Sept. 22 might be possible dates for 2008 free dining. Source: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freedining.html

Of course, the bounce-back thing was new this year, wasn't it? That could change everything.

That's interesting! Question: Is it true that if I book a trip from Aug 19 to Aug 31, I will NOT get free dining IF the dates for the free DDP ONLY begin on Aug 24?

I ask because in previous years, if my dates fell within the free dining period, I got free dining for ALL of my dates I was onsite but I've heard that this year, that will not work. Any one know for sure?

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I'm not sure yet, this could effect my dates a little if this is so. I'll just have to change a few days thats all.

 

[SmallWorld71]

That's interesting! Question: Is it true that if I book a trip from Aug 19 to Aug 31, I will NOT get free dining IF the dates for the free DDP ONLY begin on Aug 24?

I ask because in previous years, if my dates fell within the free dining period, I got free dining for ALL of my dates I was onsite but I've heard that this year, that will not work. Any one know for sure?

Only time will tell on the dates. However, last year you could not get free dining before the offered dates even if your trip began before that. (Different promos had different dates, but the one to the general public started on Aug. 26th.) If the dates in your scenario were the actual dates, you could only get free dining from the 24th to the 31st and you would have to have 2 separate reservations and the 2nd one would have to include at least a one day park ticket for everyone. Of course, this is using last years' scenario, things could change this year.
I for one would be thrilled if free dining were offered starting Aug. 24th. I would have booked the bounceback but it didn't start until Sept. 1st and we can only go in August. Here's hoping.

 

[LSchrow]

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!

as a PP stated, free DDP is not available when staying on DVC points.
BUT you can purchase the plan ($38A, $10C) for your stay.
& unlike the non-DVC DDP, you are not required to buy passes through them or pay rack rate for a resort (e.g., a BWV studio would cost $315-$475 PLUS tax per night in 2007), & there are no restrictions on dates or availability (only a certain amt of "packages" are available).
we enjoy the flexibility of taking our trips when free DDP is not offered (due to the crowds and/or timing of certain events at WDW ~ F&WF, F&GS, etc). btw, we have AP's (love that DVC discount ) so the no pass requirement is great.
personally, we find adding the DDP to our DVC ressies increases the enjoyment of our vacas, & makes the the already outstanding value of owning even better!!

 

[wide awake]

I think Disney will have to include the tip...I am guessing there will be many servers left w/ no or very chintzy tips, to the point where the service will be seriously lacking, leading to LOTS of complaints from guests paying for the DDP. I'm hoping the tip is added back by the time of our trip.