'Free' dining question ***New similar question for Dec period, #8***

[Dan Murphy]

It has been ages since I have visited the restaurant forum here.
Not sure if this question should be posted here or some other sub forum.

I am going to be at WDW, April 21-27. Can any of the restaurant experts here tell me if there is any 'free' dining going on at that time? I know the premise of 'free' brings people in, and, in turn, fills of the various dining places. Just want to be prepared if that is the case.

Thanks much.

 

[Mom2kmta]

I just got the offer for free dining about an hour ago. The flyer says "for stays most nights 2/28/10-7/3/10". I don't know why they sent it so late if it started 2/28? If you don't have a Disney card it should be offered to the general public in a few weeks...I think. I think you can book now and then add the free dining when it's offered. HTH

 

[Mom2kmta]

Oh, I meant to add it's the quick-service dining plan.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks, Shana, and welcome to the DIS. Well, with only QS being 'free', hopefully TS will not be all that bad.

Again, thanks.

 

[TDC Nala]

Only via a targeted PIN code (there is an active one for 2010). There has never been a general public free dining offer in April. It is the general public offer that brings in the crowds, not the PIN codes. (Those with quick service dining on the PIN code can easily upgrade to the basic plan for $10 per adult per night, so a lot of them will be in the restaurants.)

 

[candielips]

I just got the offer for free dining about an hour ago. The flyer says "for stays most nights 2/28/10-7/3/10". I don't know why they sent it so late if it started 2/28? If you don't have a Disney card it should be offered to the general public in a few weeks...I think. I think you can book now and then add the free dining when it's offered. HTH

Did you get this via an email PIN or through your Disney Visa? Just curious because you mention if you don't have a Disney card...?

 

[clanmcculloch]

Did you get this via an email PIN or through your Disney Visa? Just curious because you mention if you don't have a Disney card...?

This pin I believe was sent to Disney Visa holders. I didn't receive the email but when I called CRO they confirmed that we do have the PIN. If you have a DV then call to find out. To upgrade to the basic DDP during peak season it's $15 per adult per day, $3 per child per day.

With the Aug-Oct free dining deal, historically Disney Visa holders are given the opportunity to book 3 days before the general public. This is a different scenario and I think the other poster is confusing the two scenarios. In the Aug-Oct scenario, it's a Disney Visa offer and can be seen on the Disney Visa Rewards site. This free QSDP deal going on right now is a PIN code that seems to have been targetted at DV holders. PIN codes don't always get offered to the general public after a time. I wouldn't expect to see free dining be offered to the general public for date prior to Aug. 15.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Updating this with a question for a December trip.....

I am looking at going, as I have in past years, sometime in early December. Two things I am trying to decide between avoiding are the Pop Warner kids' week and 'free' dining.

Currently available, from what I can determine, 'free' dining is available to anybody on these dates.....

November 12-18, November 27 - December 2, and December 10-21, 2010

I posted this about a month ago, regarding PW and the 'free' dining'.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2502767

Now in today's mail, I received a PIN card for 'free' dining, 'for arrivals most nights 10/3-11/23 and 11/28-12/16'. It obviously skips the 4 day Thanksgiving period. I do not want free dining. I called the WDW number to ask if it excluded the Pop Warner days, 12/4-12/10. The CM said, no, those days were also included.

Again, I am trying to avoid crowds and I know 'free' dining offers bring crowds. Do any of you dining experts here have any thoughts as to whether the targeted PIN code 'free' dining I received would become a general offer to any and all. Or would I be safe in thinking that it would remain a smaller, targeted group of people, thereby not having too much impact? My thought has been to go during the PW days, like 12/2-12/10, but, if general free dining would be available then too, then nothing gained from trying to avoid that 12/10-12/21 period.

Now that I have myself thoroughly confused by the above, have I managed to confuse you also?

Hopefully the experts here will have an answer.