Free dining plan

[CindiR]

I have seen mention of the free dining plans but don't really know anything about it.

Is this something that is just offered on rare occasion for Sept travel?

Anyone think this will be offered again? If so, where do I keep an eye out for information?

Thanks!

 

[mumeof3]

It was offered for a few weeks if you booked before a certain date,from what I heard they had to stop the promotion by 2 weeks,we did it and it was great,but for people that do not understand the whole making ADR;s ahead of time were stuck not being able to use it because restaurants were full to capacity,which if you were one who paid for the DDP then that would stink.I did hear one mom complain she could not use it because she never was at Disney and did not relize you needed reservations for TS meals....

there is talk that next year they will only take a certain amount of reservations for the promotion,they have to do something

 

[Jambo!424]

My family was lucky enough to get the free dining which was amazing. However, I have never seen August so crowded. First of all we couldn't get a room at the AKL. So we had to stay at CBR. Then that resort was so disappointing and crowded we were ready to switch resorts. The employees there said they don't think Disney would ever offer it again since it was so overwhelming. If they did offer it, I would think twice before going down during that time. We booked this in May I think with AAA. AAA tends to have special Disney weeks where they offer special packages so check that website maybe. You can have emails from AAA sent to you.

 

[beth_cam]

THey did it last year the same time of this year.....lowest travel time mid august through september triple bang of heat, schools starting up (i know people take their kids out of school to go but usually not the first few weeks), and worst hurricane season. And with the last few years of hurricanes lots of people have been 2nd thinking trips at that time. I've seen and advertisement for free dining for uk for next year.

This year, you had to book by something like june 6 and they ended up extending that to june 25 to get more people. Then they got so much response they knew the restaurants were going to be packed and had to call people to remind them to make adrs and offer TS alternatives (trade for cs and extras).

You also had to forgo any other discounts even AAA (although somepeople reported slipping in on a loophole of some sort where the applied the discount to a previously booked aaa package without losing the original AAA discount.) So free wasnt necessarily free but still depdending on your party size and hotel well worth it.

 

[beth_cam]

as far as keeping an eye out for information. keep checking here for rumors that tend to become real info. and www.mousesavers.com (register for their free newsletter there are special members only links for discounts in it)

 

[PaulaSB12]

They are offering the ddp next year for uk customers so maybe you will get it in the states as well. I am going to love it a 21 day holiday with free disney dining!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CindiR]

Thanks for all the replies. I have already joined mousesavers.

I just don't know if I can handle the heat in Sept though. I am a bit of a weenie when it comes to that.

I have had my vacation plans disrupted twice now after booking trips in Oct. which use to be my favorite time to go~ so going in Sept kind of scares me.

It is hard to pass up the free dining though.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I did hear one mom complain she could not use it because she never was at Disney and did not relize you needed reservations for TS meals....

I cannot grasp how anybody can not know ADRs are important. Every time my husband or I have called about anything, we could barely get a word in before they asked "Have you made your dinner reservations yet?" They're even calling guest's houses and asking them to make ADRs if needed! It's not as if it's some hidden disboard secret!

 

[jima53]

Were all the resorts including in this free dining offering. Did this include FT. Wilderness. I'm wondering if this did backfire on Disney with the August crowds and dinner crowds.


Jim

 

[Pugrpooh]

Were all the resorts including in this free dining offering. Did this include FT. Wilderness. I'm wondering if this did backfire on Disney with the August crowds and dinner crowds.


Jim

We stayed 8/15 - 8/22 at FW in a cabin. On Friday, 8/18 we went to MK and I don't think I've ever seen crowds that low. There were low lines on so many of the rides. You could practically walk onto Dumbo. The other days were crowded, but I didn't think excessively so.

This was our first time on free dining and I wouldn't hesitate to try it again, if they offer it.

There were some ADR's I couldn't get that I wanted, but at some places, like at Sci-Fi for lunch, there were empty tables when we were there.

Lynn

 

[robynguad]

We have the Chase Disney VISA and first heard about the free dining plan throught that. It was supposedly opened to cardmembers first. I have not had any trouble at all getting ADRs...we are going 9/10-9/15. I even called today for a reservation at Boma and they had several time slots open between 5:00 and 7:00. We were there in September a few years back and I would never go at another time.