Free dining plan question

[jlx2]

Can someone tell me when they offered free dining this year? We would like to plan on going then in 2009 and I can't remember the exact dates to give us an idea. Also does anyone remember when the packages went on sale so we can keep an eye out? Hopefully they'll do it again next year. Thanks!

 

[KatMark]

Can someone tell me when they offered free dining this year? We would like to plan on going then in 2009 and I can't remember the exact dates to give us an idea. Also does anyone remember when the packages went on sale so we can keep an eye out? Hopefully they'll do it again next year. Thanks!

It is usually announced to Disney Visa cardholders in March I believe and to the general public in early April. I can't remember the exact dates, but it was end of August through end of September the last couple of years.

 

[beroh2253]

Yep, somewhere around April 7 and if you had the Disney Rewards visa card I think you could sign up 3 days earlier.

 

[skier_pete]

OP is also asking dates: This year was August 23rd through September 20th to the General Public though if you arrived before Sept 20th you could stay up to 10 days past that date. 2007 dates were similar.

Last two years it was "officially" announced in early April - I know because I booked both times. If you watch these boards, people will be fretting like crazy for about a month before hand that they are not going to offer it...don't worry they will, especially with the economy like it is...however, you can expect "free" dining to be the Quick Service dining plan this year, and you will need to pay an upgrade to the regular DDP. (That's a guess on my part-though.)

SkierPete

 

[jlx2]

Thank you all so much for the information I really appreciate it!

 

[gigi1313]

however, you can expect "free" dining to be the Quick Service dining plan this year, and you will need to pay an upgrade to the regular DDP. (That's a guess on my part-though.)

SkierPete

i don't know if that's a good guess... bounceback free dining for august/sept '09 is regular basic dining plan, not quick service... i would expect it to be the same if/when it's offered in april...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Can someone tell me when they offered free dining this year? We would like to plan on going then in 2009 and I can't remember the exact dates to give us an idea. Also does anyone remember when the packages went on sale so we can keep an eye out? Hopefully they'll do it again next year. Thanks!

Since 2005, Disney has been offering the Free Dining promo for Magic Your way packages with a 3 night minimum and a 14 day maximum (Basic Dining Plan; 1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack per person per night) during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. The free dining offer is usually announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public. The booking dates for this year for the general public were August 24 through September 20 (but you could book up to 14 days past that date and still receive the FD promo) and you had to book by June 22 to receive the FD offer.

Free Dining has been a brilliant plan on the part of Disney to fill the crowds during what was previously their slowest season, and hurrican season to boot. And then having the bounceback for free food while the free diners are there in the parks, on their Disney high, well I would call that pure marketing genius. The bouncebackers have been offered the basic dining plan for next year, just as in previous years, so that should be the offer for the general public in April.

 

[silmarg]

I CANT WAIT TO HEAR ABOUT FREE DINING FOR '09.

If I had to guess, I think the dates will be expanded over last year (as the economy is sooo bad)... heck Disney is offering pretty good discounts in the spring at the Parks, expanding Military discounts on DCL, and $99 DCL bounce back offers...

I would not be suprised to see the free dining begin in mid Aug and run thru early Oct. I also think it will not be the counter service plan either - but the better TS plan.

I will likely be in the parks either before of after my 4 day DCL on Aug 30. I will decide if I am going before or after the cruise based on when the free dining is offered.

May try to stay at AKL-Savannah view... unless my compensation gets hammered (which is very possible as I kinda work on Wall St)... in which case I will try POR, POFQ or POP Cent.

 

[skier_pete]

i don't know if that's a good guess... bounceback free dining for august/sept '09 is regular basic dining plan, not quick service... i would expect it to be the same if/when it's offered in april...

Good to hear -I assumed they would do it because it seems that every year they take away a little something...to me the QS meal plan is a waste of money. I am still hoping they will offer it in December like they did this year - it would actually beat the 4 & 3 offer if we stay at a value.

SkierPete

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would not be suprised to see the free dining begin in mid Aug and run thru early Oct. I also think it will not be the counter service plan either - but the better TS plan.

I disagree with this estimation. I can't see Disney offering a wider variety of dates to the general public than they did to the Future Stay Guests - and since that booking eligibilty period has been over for more than a month, it would be extremely difficult to expand the dates available to the BounceBack Guests.

 

[FigmentsFan]

Txs