Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!

[scard192]

I would assume DV FD on Thursday, but it could go straight to GP FD - that has happened one time before in 2010, when it went straight to the general public with no DV offer, but that has only happened that one time. This "rumored" FD release date has been all over the Disney and travel blogospheres for weeks - sorry, but the Disboards don't hold the patent for discount leaks ;-). August 1 should still hold true for some discounts to be released. And, as I mentioned, in an earlier post, these kind of discounts and announcements around them are planned by marketing divisions, literally, months in advance. Nothing has been just cancelled on a whim. Also, though it may seem like the whole world is on the Disboards or taking part in Disney social media, and the speculating that surrounds it, but in reality only a small percentage of Disney customers read these boards or ever catch wind, so to speak, of these kinds of discounts.

You seem very knowledgeable for someone who just joined the DIS; hope this info turns out to be correct for all the people hoping for FD this week.

 

[poohbear13]

This just showed up in my RSS reader.

http://dads-blog.dadsguidetowdw.com/here-we-go-again-free-dining-at-disney-world-for-the-fall/

I take it with a grain of salt but I'm hopeful.

What is funny to me about that posting is that he is shocked that the first week in Dec. is listed... I am not shocked because that runs into pop warner week. aka crazy football and cheerleader time. I know, I was caught smack dab in the middle of it last year (on a free dining promotion)

But agree... i don't think we have seen the end of FD promos for 2013 yet

 

[plutospalforever]

I'm seriously considering booking the current FDing deal.....just in case. I hate to miss it all together. And while we won't have any ADRs if I book our trip with the current deal (unless by some miracle ADRs open up for me).....we can survive off the QSDP as long as we're at Disney .....I can't imagine missing the trip all together.

If they did extend the FDing dates, I could just move my trip dates.....no biggie .

Just FYI: we are going the last week in September, and last week I made some ADR changes and did a search for all available TS for each day, and I was surprised at how many great places still had availability. And there is a Cancelled Sept ADR thread, where folks are posting what they are cancelling and you can PM them to coordinate. I did this with 'Ohana! Good luck!

 

[Terk-1]

My AAA TA called this morning and I just called and we were both told that the free dining has not been extended. The CM seemed pretty angry too. She said that they have been flooded nonstop with calls in regards to this and asked me what website I saw this on so that they could report it to their managers. She said that her manager was none too happy about this either and was going to report it to her manager too. I told her that I heard it from a co-worker and not on a website, so as not to throw anyone under the bus. I did, nicely, ask if it was extended would it be offered to DV cardholders first or just to the general public. Her response was "sometimes it does, sometimes it does not." Oh well, no problem.

No biggie & no need for hostility. It is what it is. Will just keep trying for a pin code & keep my fingers crossed for an extension.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

"Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat; call in the spirits, wherever they're at. Rap on a table; it's time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond. Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween: awaken the spirits with your tambourine. Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond; let there be FREE DINING, from regions beyond! Wizards and witches, wherever you dwell, give us a hint, by ringing a bell!"

 

[poohbear13]

My AAA TA called this morning and I just called and we were both told that the free dining has not been extended. The CM seemed pretty angry too. She said that they have been flooded nonstop with calls in regards to this and asked me what website I saw this on so that they could report it to their managers. She said that her manager was none too happy about this either and was going to report it to her manager too. I told her that I heard it from a co-worker and not on a website, so as not to throw anyone under the bus. I did, nicely, ask if it was extended would it be offered to DV cardholders first or just to the general public. Her response was "sometimes it does, sometimes it does not."

Will just keep trying for a pin code & keep my fingers crossed for an extension.

This sounds like an annoyed CM that has gotten one too many calls regarding FD today.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I don't want to say EVERYONE was being ridiculous this am...because it isn't fair to be inclusive like that. But, I am hoping that some posters had their children dictating for them...because there were some very childish statements. It was a rumor...many were hopeful...but it is what it is. Let's not let this bump in the road ruin our day, summer, future trips, year...lives! LOL I have to say....I am a little glad (and please don't come at me for this because we all want the dining for selfish reasons so let me be selfish too). But, we eliminated credit cards from our household to just help us budget easier. So, obviously no DV here. I am hoping to get into POR with free dining as my family is 5 people. It will be a hot ticket. So, I am happy if no one else has a jump on me. Now, on the flip side, if someone gets it and I don't, good for you! I am adult enough to be happy for others' good fortune. We are going...POR or not...I may have to scale back on spending money or cancel a dining res or two...but it's about the time with my kids and husband and the smile that creeps across my face when I see the castle the first time, smell all the smells the first time...or whatever makes me Disney happy! I hope everyone gets what they need or want soon, but if not enjoy your time with whomever you are going! That's the bigger picture...the memories!

 

[Twin Dad]

What is funny to me about that posting is that he is shocked that the first week in Dec. is listed... I am not shocked because that runs into pop warner week. aka crazy football and cheerleader time. I know, I was caught smack dab in the middle of it last year (on a free dining promotion)

I think he's surprised it is there is because that week is popular. The author of that blog has been predicting the demise (or at least downsizing) of free dining for two years now because attendance has been improving ever since the economy went in the tank.

 

[plutospalforever]

This just showed up in my RSS reader.

http://dads-blog.dadsguidetowdw.com/here-we-go-again-free-dining-at-disney-world-for-the-fall/

I take it with a grain of salt but I'm hopeful.

Wow!!! He's been the king of "No more free dining", so for him to post this in his blog, well....

So, who's calling tomorrow!!!!!

 

[poohbear13]

I've been on and off these boards for years, usually change emails with jobs and can't ever remember screen names. I worked at Disney all through college - many moons ago. I'm now a freelance web developer, with a background in marketing. I even did some work for ESPN last year, which is now a Disney owned subsidiary - so still working for Disney in a sense ;-)

Can you get friends and family discount? Need a friend in New England

No really, did they offer you their employee discount?

 

[Terk-1]

Originally Posted by HeyIt'sMe
"Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat; call in the spirits, wherever they're at. Rap on a table; it's time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond. Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween: awaken the spirits with your tambourine. Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond; let there be FREE DINING, from regions beyond! Wizards and witches, wherever you dwell, give us a hint, by ringing a bell!"

LOVE this!!! The Haunted Mansion is my FAVORITE ride in all of Disney!!

 

[Terk-1]

This sounds like an annoyed CM that has gotten one too many calls regarding FD today.

Yup, but I kept my tone friendly. It is what it is. There is no need for anger either through them or the boards. It will all work out in the end. I'm going to WDW for 12 days either way so I am

 

[poohbear13]

Yup, but I kept my tone friendly. It is what it is. There is no need for anger either through them or the boards. It will all work out in the end. I'm going to WDW for 12 days either way so I am

here here! It will all work out in the end.... best sentence in this whole thread

It will!!! Indeed

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I don't want to say EVERYONE was being ridiculous this am...because it isn't fair to be inclusive like that. But, I am hoping that some posters had their children dictating for them...because there were some very childish statements. It was a rumor...many were hopeful...but it is what it is. Let's not let this bump in the road ruin our day, summer, future trips, year...lives! LOL I have to say....I am a little glad (and please don't come at me for this because we all want the dining for selfish reasons so let me be selfish too). But, we eliminated credit cards from our household to just help us budget easier. So, obviously no DV here. I am hoping to get into POR with free dining as my family is 5 people. It will be a hot ticket. So, I am happy if no one else has a jump on me. Now, on the flip side, if someone gets it and I don't, good for you! I am adult enough to be happy for others' good fortune. We are going...POR or not...I may have to scale back on spending money or cancel a dining res or two...but it's about the time with my kids and husband and the smile that creeps across my face when I see the castle the first time, smell all the smells the first time...or whatever makes me Disney happy! I hope everyone gets what they need or want soon, but if not enjoy your time with whomever you are going! That's the bigger picture...the memories!

Goodness! I hope I don't take that last POR AB room so there is not one left for you. I'm going to feel guilty if i get it now! LOL But, hey, I need one for my family of 5 too! I really hope we all get what we need! I would be nice if Disney kept those rooms set aside ONLY for families of 5 though....
Good luck to you!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Goodness! I hope I don't take that last POR AB room so there is not one left for you. I'm going to feel guilty if i get it now! LOL But, hey, I need one for my family of 5 too! I really hope we all get what we need! I would be nice if Disney kept those rooms set aside ONLY for families of 5 though....
Good luck to you!

No worries! LOL We are going no matter what! My oldest is going to be a senior this year and I am already having separation anxiety! LOL So, we are doing all kinds of weekend trips as a family of 5 all summer long and then this is our big annual trip to Disney in the fall. I am trying to soak in as much of the 5 of us as I can because things will change when he heads off to the next chapter! Sounds depressing! But it is a great thing I know...just sad for a mom! Anyway, I don't hold anything against anyone I wish all the best, but yes am hopeful I can get that POR room. If I don't, I won't be the grump in the corner...I will still be the girl cheesing it up in pictures with my kids and husband this fall!!!! Disney is supposed to be fun! Let's not forget! Best of luck to you and everyone else!

 

[plutospalforever]

There we go peeps! I love all this positivity, keep it up! But you are starting to make me cry happy tears! This can have a Disney movie happy ending!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Happy tears are good tears! No need to continue with the beating up...that horse is dead and buried! Let's just be helpful and keep each other in the know. If we hear anything new or solid or fun or exciting...let's hear it! Funniest part is the one bond that everyone has here is Disney...the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!! LOL

 

[Twin Dad]

Wow!!! He's been the king of "No more free dining", so for him to post this in his blog, well....

So, who's calling tomorrow!!!!!

I was shocked when he posted this. To be fair, he has posted other FD deals in the past. Whet I like is he offers his opinions and speculations and isn't afraid to admit he's wrong.

I will be getting up early tomorrow but I was already planning on it.

 

[darnheather]

I'm happy all of you are staying positive and I will try to keep my hopes up but after all my family has been through we really needed this trip and free dining was the only way. We had it all lined up for September and spouse's boss refused him the time off. I'm going to be sick if I have to tell my older DD that we aren't going after all. So glad I haven't told Izzy.

Well we still could go. Shorter trip, stay off site, pack in lunch, fast food dinner. Not at all the trip I wanted for their first time in DW.

Ok, but it still could happen tomorrow. Please please let it happen tomorrow.

 

[GaBelle]

It is interesting and concerning to read some of the remarks here. As much as Disney values its guests, hopefully no one is making their travel plans based upon something read on the internet, unless it is an official site posting.
Many, if not all of the TA's that promoted FD for Fall and it's anticipated dates were reading the same social media content speculation, and were not given any advance notice by Disney, as is pattern and practice.
Fall promotions were always scheduled to release on Aug 1, and, as is also usual, such promotions are evaluated to maximize return up until release.
Based upon a better than expected response to Armed Forces promotions, pre-bookings and occupancy for most resorts, and extremely heavy pre-bookings for ADR, particularly in association with F&W dates, Disney is certainly looking at reductions/changes/limitations in RO discounts, and limitations to FD, if offered, to fill certain time frames. CS reps were in fact prepared for the reaction to social media speculation, and do not have further information at this time.
Social media can certainly impact corporate decisions, both positively and negatively.

Interesting first post.