Free Dining Plan 2006 Vs. 2007 Questions

[eianson]

OK, I've searched these boards and elsewhere to try and get some questions answered relative to the Free Dining Plan. Specifically how it worked last year and how it works this year. From what I have been able to figure out, this is the way it was/is:

2006
- Offered to WDW Resort Guests staying in late-August or Sept 2006

2007
- Offered to WDW Resort Guests planning a 2nd visit in late-August or Sept 2007 (bounce back)
- Offered to UK travellers staying at a WDW Resort in late-August or Sept 2007

Now, I am making the assumption that at some point in the future, Disney MAY open the free dining up to WDW resort patrons again for late-August or Sept 2007. So, assuming this were to happen, I am trying to figure out what the limitations were in 2006 (because they may also apply in 2007). Here are my specific questions:

1) In 2006 was there a minimum stay required in order to get the free dining?
2) In 2006 was the free dining limited to a mximim number of days (i.e. 6 day, 5 night stay)?
3) In 2006 was the offer only for specific WDW properties (i.e. only value or only deluxe)?

These are important issue to me, because they will determine if we are able to make the trip this year or not.

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

Eric

 

[jjohnson]

Disney also offered free dining in 2005 for mid aug/sept. I'm pretty sure the answer to all your questions is no. You didn't need to book a minimum number of nights. The packages could be booked 10 nights at a time but technically you could book 3 10day packages (wouldn't that be lovely). The free dining promotion was also available at all resorts depending on availability.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I think when we had free dining in '05 there was a three night stay minimum, 1 day base ticket required. It was available for all Disney onsite hotels (which I think excluded the dolphin, swan and Shades of Green.)

 

[thunderbird1]

The way I remember it, last year it was 3 night minimum, 10 night maximum for the room, and 1 day myw base ticket minimum, 10 day myw (any way) ticket maximum.

It was good at all resorts--value, moderate and deluxe--but limited in availability, and some resorts sold out faster than others.

While you could get more than 10 days, you had to book 2 separate trips, and buy at least 1 day myw base tickets with each. I've heard that the longest package you can get this year is 14 days, but don't know of anyone who has done it yet, and don't know whether free dining (if available at all) will be available for that long. Time will tell.

 

[aubriee]

The way I remember it, last year it was 3 night minimum, 10 night maximum for the room, and 1 day myw base ticket minimum, 10 day myw (any way) ticket maximum.

It was good at all resorts--value, moderate and deluxe--but limited in availability, and some resorts sold out faster than others.

While you could get more than 10 days, you had to book 2 separate trips, and buy at least 1 day myw base tickets with each. I've heard that the longest package you can get this year is 14 days, but don't know of anyone who has done it yet, and don't know whether free dining (if available at all) will be available for that long. Time will tell.

We went for free dining Sept 2005, Sept 2006, and will be back Sept 29th-Oct 7th, 2007 with the free dining. The above poster is correct.

The bounce back program was advertised for the value resorts, but when I booked it, the CM made a point of telling me it was good for any WDW resort for check in early August (sorry forgot the exact date) through Sept 29th. I told him I wanted the latest check in date available that I could still get free dining for the entire trip. Since I have an AP I bought only one day MYW tickets.

 

[eianson]

Thank you all. This information confirms what I believed to be true. The only other question I have (for now, anyway) is if I book a trip before free dining is offered, can free dining be added at a later date?

Thanks again,
Eric

 

[annie1995]

Thank you all. This information confirms what I believed to be true. The only other question I have (for now, anyway) is if I book a trip before free dining is offered, can free dining be added at a later date?

Thanks again,
Eric

Yes, that is what we did in 2005, and that is what we are doing this time around. We are booked for Sept 14-24, and only are waiting for free dining

 

[thunderbird1]

Thank you all. This information confirms what I believed to be true. The only other question I have (for now, anyway) is if I book a trip before free dining is offered, can free dining be added at a later date?

Thanks again,
Eric

Some have reported that you can; others have reported having to cancel and make a new reservation to get it; still others have reported being able to convert a paid dining plan package to the free one.

One thing to keep in mind is, just because you have a reservation at a resort, doesn't mean you'll necessarily be able to add free dining. They only allocate a certain number of rooms at each resort for free dining, and if the allotment at your resort is already gone (or if the resort is already too booked up), you will not be able to add it. Several people trying to book yesterdays "free parkhopping, water parks and more" promotion have reported not being able to add it to an existing package reservation. Since it was the first day of the promotion, I would guess that some resorts are so booked up on certain dates (spring break maybe?) that the package isn't available.

 

[Lewisc]

Thank you all. This information confirms what I believed to be true. The only other question I have (for now, anyway) is if I book a trip before free dining is offered, can free dining be added at a later date?

Thanks again,
Eric

Only if there is free dining inventory for the dates and resort you booked. Having a reservation "on spec" actually slightly reduces the chances that Disney will have a reason to offer a free dining promotion for the dates/resort that was booked on spec.

Past years guests who called early on generally got their first or second choice of resort. Disney has already sold free dining for 2007. It's possible the inventory of free dining rooms, for any promotion available to the general public, will be more limited than past years.

 

[missouridisneyfans]

How does that free dining work for the bounce back? My husband and I were at WDW in May 2006 and just decided to go back late September 2007. Is that promotion still availble?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

No...it only ran for a short period of time and expired at the end of the year.

Everything I heard about the '07 Free DDP indicates there is no cap to the number of days you can get the plan. I believe this change was instigated by offering it to residents of the UK first as they tend to visit for several weeks at a time.

 

[Boston5602]

In 2005 my family and I had already booked 10 nights at POR when they started the free dining , we called and told them we already had ressie and would like to add the dining plan . The trip had already been paid for and we did get the DDP without adding to the cost.