Free Dining Plan - questions for future use

[HenDuck]

Unfortunately, we won't be able to go to WDW this year , but I wanted to know for possible future trips:

1) When do we first get notice of the free dining plan offers?

2) When did they extend the (booking) dates this year?

3) What is the usual applicable period?

4) What was the first year that they offered the free dining plan? (Was it last year?)

5) How would I go about planning for it next year?

(Should I book a room at rack rate in advance? Then can I change it to include the free dining when the offer comes out or do I have to cancel the original ressie and book a new one? What if I want to reserve a room with AAA rate then change it to rack rate with free dining? How would I do that?)

TIA. You have all made me so excited about this free dining plan, that I think this might be the leverage I need to convince my family to stay on-site and to go to WDW next year.

You guys rock!

 

[Amyrlin]

Unfortunately, we won't be able to go to WDW this year , but I wanted to know for possible future trips:

1) When do we first get notice of the free dining plan offers?
:

We never know, this year is was annouced at the beginning of May and was avialble to book thrugh until 4th June, for dates in Aug and Sept. But ther eis no general rule.

2) When did they extend the (booking) dates this year?
:

The extended the booking period this year near or on the first deadline. This was for the booking peirod onky, which ends today, there was not change for the dates you could stay

3) What is the usual applicable period?
:

Well, last year was the first year so there is no 'usual' peirod, but both times it has been end of Aug and September, this is one of the quietest periods, it is also hurricane season, so that may give some clues on why they are offering it.

4) What was the first year that they offered the free dining plan? (Was it last year?):

last year

5) How would I go about planning for it next year?

(Should I book a room at rack rate in advance? Then can I change it to include the free dining when the offer comes out or do I have to cancel the original ressie and book a new one? What if I want to reserve a room with AAA rate then change it to rack rate with free dining? How would I do that?)

Hmmm, there is no general agreement on this, but I would point out that the more bookings they have at rack or AAA rate, where you are already commited, the lower the commerical pressures will be to make special offers, whatever they are. They have been tending to release discount codes and offers later than usual, so they look to be playing a wait and see game.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Got to put my 2 cents in to say not to count on free dining again next year. While it was a great perk offered the past 2 years- that doesn't mean that it will be offered again next year. (although I would certainly love it if they did since we always go in September!)

 

[LakeAriel]

If you know you are going and where you are staying book it! That's what I did. I never dreamt there would be free dining again. Then I switched!

 

[legalslave]

Actually, the free dining plan was announced at the beginning of APRIL. The first date that the general public could book was April 4.