free dining plan?

[dolphincrazy]

Hello
I've been reading up on the disney dining plan that they would be doing this from August 5th (I think) to Sept. 29 and now I'm confused because my husband called Disney to find out if it was true and the girl said that was last year and when he asked if they were doing it this year she said, "we haven't been given any information about this yet" so, any inside information? this will
either make or break our trip, make it if it's true and possibly break if it is not
Thanks in advance! Maryann

 

[xyzabc33]

If and when they do release it to the public it wont be announced until May or June for that Sept time frame.

 

[thunderbird1]

Actually, the last 2 years they initially announced the free dining promotion the beginning of April. Last year, they didn't sell out, so they extended the deadline for booking until the end of June.

This year, they have already announced the free dining promotion, but only for 2 targeted groups--UK guests, and guests who stayed at WDW resorts between early November and December 31 of last year. For the "bounce back" program, you had to book while still at WDW.

Like you, many of us are hoping and waiting for free dining to book that August/September trip. Keep checking back, especially around the beginning of April.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

I'm interested in the same thing. Which hotels generally participate in free dining? All of them or only some? We were going to try to stay in one of the All Star suites. I'm going to guess that the suites won't participate, but could I be wrong? We were also considering the Contemporary or regular rooms at the All Stars.

Can I book my room now and change it later when they announce the promotion? Or should I just wait? I'm afraid if I wait the suites will be gone.

 

[janets]

I'm interested in the same thing. Which hotels generally participate in free dining? All of them or only some? We were going to try to stay in one of the All Star suites. I'm going to guess that the suites won't participate, but could I be wrong? We were also considering the Contemporary or regular rooms at the All Stars.

Can I book my room now and change it later when they announce the promotion? Or should I just wait? I'm afraid if I wait the suites will be gone.

When and if the promotion is announced, there is no guarantee that there will be availability at all properties. It's not that some don't participate, it's more that they allocate a certain number of rooms to the promotion and if a property is booked enough, there might not be any rooms available under the promotion.

As for booking now and switching, that does not guarantee that you will be eligible for the above reasons. You would have to call and see if you could apply the code (which would include free dining) to your existing reservation. If they say no, then you'd either have to keep what you have or select an alternative accomodation. Remember that with free dining you pay full rack rate (no discounts). Only time will tell if they will offer to the general public.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

When and if the promotion is announced, there is no guarantee that there will be availability at all properties. It's not that some don't participate, it's more that they allocate a certain number of rooms to the promotion and if a property is booked enough, there might not be any rooms available under the promotion.

As for booking now and switching, that does not guarantee that you will be eligible for the above reasons. You would have to call and see if you could apply the code (which would include free dining) to your existing reservation. If they say no, then you'd either have to keep what you have or select an alternative accomodation. Remember that with free dining you pay full rack rate (no discounts). Only time will tell if they will offer to the general public.

I've heard about people like me who are suckers and pay rack rates, but I'm not sure how to go about getting a discount. I've heard about codes but haven't looked into them yet. I would be happy paying rack rates with free dining.

In 2004 we booked with AAA and the agent called me and asked if we wanted to change from Movies to Sports in order to take advantage of free dining and I said yes. I have no problems changing as long as it's within reason. I was just curious as to how it works.

 

[the Fidge]

Thunderbird I think you answered my ? the bounce back is no longer being offered on site?? It ended in December?? I was hoping ti would be available on my next stay, well DH will be happy!! LOL!

 

[minnieandme]

I really hope they do the free dining again. That could save me a couple hundred $. I will definately be on the lookout for it.

 

[jonimce]

Not sure if this will work this year, but last year we had already booked our stay at the Wilderness Lodge with the Dinning Plan (we always use dinning but it used to be twice the price) and when I read about the free dining on this site I just called my TA and she got me the refund.

 

[janets]

Hidden Mickey, the reason your TA was able to get you free dining if you switched is because there were no available rooms under the discount at the AS you were booked in, but there were rooms available at the other AS so by switching (actually making a new ressie and cancelling the old one) you were able to get free dining. For most people, the discount available through AAA or some other promotion is less than the cost of the dining plan (especially if you are a family of 4 like we are).

jonimce, you were lucky that there was availability at WL and your TA was able to get the code applied. I've seen some people not be able to get the free dining at their resort and change, others have been able to upgrade because the cost of the dining plan (when removed from their ressie) left them with the same cost as an upgraded hotel so they moved from value to moderate (if that makes sense).

We were lucky to be able to book bounce back during our trip in November (we're staying WL August 18-25). I was considering changing to August 25-Sept. 1 but DH is starting a new job in a couple of weeks and I just discovered that he'll be going to Denver to attend a trade show from Sept. 4-9 so I think it's best to go when planned, have 1 week back in the office, then off to the show. Plus, I think the airfare will be lower if we're not travelling over Labor Day weekend.

 

[kaybird]

Thunderbird I think you answered my ? the bounce back is no longer being offered on site?? It ended in December?? I was hoping ti would be available on my next stay, well DH will be happy!! LOL!

I asked while we were at POFQ last week, she said that program had ended. (Thought it was worth a shot) Now I wait hopefully for April

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

For 2005, the free dining promotion was announced in June. Last year, it was announced in April. This year... who knows!

 

[thunderbird1]

For 2005, the free dining promotion was announced in June. Last year, it was announced in April. This year... who knows!

Really? I was under the impression it was April both years. Thanks--this is great news. If they move it back 2 months every year, then this year it should be announced in. . . let's see. . . that would be . . . FEBRUARY! Less than a week away!

I can dream, right?

 

[bicker]

Well, of course, they have already announced free dining for 2007, twice, for two targeted groups. We really have no idea if, when, or how they'll offer it again for 2007.

 

[theprincess]

As like everyone else I too am waiting to hear if they will be offering the Free dining Plan. I am holding out before I make any vacation plans. Lets all hope and pray that Disney comes through again and quick!!!