free dining plan

[happiness]

Has there been free dining plan in February in the past?

 

[jessrose18]

nope just august/sept since 2005

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I wish we could have free dining on every vacation however it is Disney marketing to fill rooms during a low period riddled with hurricanes.

It must be working because after a few years the low time now has people making second choices for rooms and not getting ADR's.

 

[TDC Nala]

The free dining plan is historically available only in August and September. This is the slowest time of the year for WDW which, prior to the free dining promotion, had been made even slower by active hurricane seasons.

 

[disney4evr]

Has anyone experiencedthe free dining earlier in August, we are going 8/9 -8/16 any chance they will move the free dining back a few weeks?

 

[mbanks21]

Has anyone experiencedthe free dining earlier in August, we are going 8/9 -8/16 any chance they will move the free dining back a few weeks?

ummmm no

 

[DISNEYNY]

Has anyone experiencedthe free dining earlier in August, we are going 8/9 -8/16 any chance they will move the free dining back a few weeks?

Free dining in 2006 started on August 13. The last 2 years it has been only for the last week of August...this year starts on 8/24.

 

[Nancyg56]

I took my DGD in 2006 for free dining. Last year it started too late and she would have missed the beginning of the school year.

 

[ReneeA]

We've gone every year for free dining since 2005, and they keep starting it later and later for the general public. This is the first year we won't be able to go during that promo due to the late start.

We had to go earlier and pay a bit more instead.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Has anyone experiencedthe free dining earlier in August, we are going 8/9 -8/16 any chance they will move the free dining back a few weeks?

I believe that time period of early to mid August is still pretty busy. Don't think Disney has too much trouble filling rooms at that time of year.
we are in the NorthEast and alot of schools dont start here until a day or so after labor day.

 

[cds28025]

I realize that this question is going to sound absurd-- but I have to ask. When you guys say "free dining plan" does that mean that all of your "included" meals are FREE? As in, you don't pay anything? Seriously?

 

[skier_pete]

Yup - "Free Dining Plan" means the Disney Dining Plan is free - that is 1 free Counter Service, 1 free Table Service and 1 free Snack for every person in your party in your room. It sounds like a great deal, and it most certainly is, but it's not quite as good a deal as it sounds, as you do have to pay full rack rate for your room. But since it occurs during value season, that isn't really all that bad either.

We did it last year, and decided to do it again this year. I don't much like the weather, but it makes the trip quite affordable. You could take a family of 4 to a value resort for 7 days for under $1700 including food.

SkierPete

 

[TDC Nala]

I realize that this question is going to sound absurd-- but I have to ask. When you guys say "free dining plan" does that mean that all of your "included" meals are FREE? As in, you don't pay anything? Seriously?

The free dining promotion is intended to sell rack rate (meaning: no discount on the room itself) room/tickets packages during peak hurricane season - and it usually starts after most schools are back in session. The promotion packages are generally available for a four-week period beginning in late August.

You purchase a room/tickets package on the promotion, and they throw in the basic dining plan for no extra cost.

As for not paying anything - you are responsible for paying your tips at table service restaurants, and for any off-plan items you decide to order (appetizers at TS, alcoholic beverages, etc). Other than that, yes, the meals included in the basic dining plan are free.

 

[asmit4]

We are going for free DDP. We booked a rack rate room at All Star Music. WITH tax, it was 93.00 per night.

With that, my mom and I get 1 TS, 1CS and 1 snack per person per night for free....

IF we had 2 children going under 17, we could add them in. IF we had 2 adults going, we could pay an extra 20.00 per night and the adults could get the free DDP too.

I think there is more 'value' to the free DDP, the lower the room you book. You won't find value rooms for 17 bucks a night, but we are essentially paying 17.00 per night for the room due to the 'free' DDP.

 

[cds28025]

OMG!! I really did not know that. Too late for this trip, everything is set......but I will DEF keep that in mind for our next trip.

Wow-- you learn sooooo much from these boards!!!
Thanks to all