Free Dining Plan Dates?

[Karalea]

Just trying to remember when they offered the free dining plan in 2005.

Anyone remember??

Hoping for a repeat of it this year.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I thought that they offered the free dining plan when they first started the dining plan as a way to introduce guests to it and see how it went. Then they started charging. I would imagine that if they had of planned on giving it away again they would have done it in January. I think they did it in early 2005, but since I had an AP for my Jan 2005 trip I wasn't able to take advantage of it.

 

[ezmark]

The free dining was offered end of Aug to earlier Oct which was a value season so this past value season xmas time - mid Feb it was not offered so who knows if they are ever going to offer it again, only time will tell.

 

[Noah122898]

It was August 20(?) throught October 4 (?) We were there August 24-31 and got in on the free dining. That used to be a slow time at WDW because of the hurricanes and kids back to school.

 

[Anjiebaby]

A popular theory on why free dining Plan was offered was: 2005's Free Dining Plan offer tied in with Hurricane season. 2004's Hurricane Season frightened some people away from booking during Value Season - August to October so free dining was an enticement.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

On or about June 1st they announced the free dining plan if you bought a 5 night or longer Walt Disney World vacation package checking-in from 8/21 - 10/4.

 

[Disbug]

I tend to agree with other posters that the Free Dining plan was used to introduce people to more WDW restaurants, as well as fill the existing room vacancies at closer to "rack rate". As long as people are filling up the rooms AND paying for the Dining plan, there will not be a return to Free Dining. (Keeping eyes open and fingers crossed just in case!)

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Actually, it was free dining with a 3 night stay from 8/21-10/4. Hurricane season 2004 was so bad that I am sure WDW was very low on resort bookings. It was a nice surprise to get the free dining last year on a trip we had already planned, but I don't expect to see that again this year (not a bad hurricane season for FL in 2005). Some good package discounts would be nice though...

We were at WDW 8/30-9/6. I have never seen so few people as were there that first few days (before Labor Day weekend). It was almost eerie. When I saw how low the crowds were, I understood the free dining incentive.

 

[Dancenash]

It was great. Got to try out lots of new places. We were there sept 6-sept 12 2005.

 

[Hanover]

We loved the free dining plan when we went 8/21 - 8/27. We can't wait to use it again when we are there next week. It allows us to try out some restaurants we would have otherwise never tried out.

 

[nbodyhome]

Actually, it was free dining with a 3 night stay from 8/21-10/4. Hurricane season 2004 was so bad that I am sure WDW was very low on resort bookings. It was a nice surprise to get the free dining last year on a trip we had already planned, but I don't expect to see that again this year (not a bad hurricane season for FL in 2005). Some good package discounts

I really don't think that hurricane season enters into the equation. August was slow, and September is always slow - but October/November are also hurricane season, and those were VERY busy. I just think that more people want to come for the Food and Wine festival, and September is traditionally slow - due to kids back in school and such.

Denise

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Denise,

Not to be rude...but do you actually think that the fact that several major hurricanes hit Florida in late August/early September in 2004 has NOTHING to do with the offer for free dining? We go that time frame every year (except 2004 thankfully) and have never gotten a great offer like that.

How many major hurricanes have hit Florida in October/November???

 

[frannn]

Actually, it was free dining with a 3 night stay from 8/21-10/4. Hurricane season 2004 was so bad that I am sure WDW was very low on resort bookings. It was a nice surprise to get the free dining last year on a trip we had already planned, but I don't expect to see that again this year (not a bad hurricane season for FL in 2005). Some good package discounts would be nice though...

We were at WDW 8/30-9/6. I have never seen so few people as were there that first few days (before Labor Day weekend). It was almost eerie. When I saw how low the crowds were, I understood the free dining incentive.

The hurricane in Oct paralyzed FL for weeks. I live in NY, but my company is in FL. There was no electricity, gas, streetlights, for several thousand people in different parts of FL. Orlando was not hit as bad as other parts. From what I understand, Sept is the most active month for hurricanes.

 

[bsusanmb]

I believe that those hurricanes had everything to do with free dining plan. In 2004, we missed half of our vacation over Labor Day because the airports were closed. When we got there, I kind of wish we had cancelled. VWL were so flooded that it was a mosquito haven, and there was a lot that was closed due to the residents of Florida being affected by the hurricane and being unable to report for work. I live in PA and our nurses were asked to volunteer to help with the hospitals in Florida at that time.
DH said never again will we schedule during hurricane season. When I saw the free meal plan in 2005, we took our chances and booked our vacation.

Good business sense to offer a freebie to get those rooms filled.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

The hurricane in Oct paralyzed FL for weeks. I live in NY, but my company is in FL. There was no electricity, gas, streetlights, for several thousand people in different parts of FL. Orlando was not hit as bad as other parts. From what I understand, Sept is the most active month for hurricanes


And the parks were closed for how many days? I know that at least two of the 2004 hurricanes closed the parks for several days. The parks closing and trouble with travel is what scares people off.

I don't care to start an argument. If Disney offers free dining again this August-October, then I will know I was wrong thinking it was due to the 2004 hurricane season.

 

[crisi]

Disney has offered a September special every year for the past several years. If you want to go on a bargain, September is the time to plan for. Low attendence plays in - hurricanes are part of it, but so is school being back in session, the weather still being muggy, etc.

The dining plan was great, but the seven days for the price of three deal or whatever it was (Fairytale package?) may have been a better deal for more people. As I recall, that covered hotel and park passes (you were on your own for dining).

However, they've never offered the same exact deal twice. And I suspect they won't again - its about managing expectations for Disney, if people expect free dining in September and they don't offer it, people will be disappointed.