Free Dining Questions

[ndoss]

We are planning on another Disney Vacation, this time in September or October 2008. The budget is somewhat of an issue and we would love to get free dining. We are planning to stay at a value resort. Assuming Disney offers it again, what do you recommend as far as dining plan goes:

1. Go ahead and book hotel only, with hopes they offer free dining and then add it later, thus holding our spot in the value hotel. Is this a legit process?

2.Wait until early April to book everything.

3. Forget free dining and go in October?

The other questions:

1. What are the crowds like during the free dining offerings? Both in parks and at restaurants? My family and I went in early October 2001 and walked on most of the rides. We would rather have shorter lines then free dining.

2. What is the weather like in September? Is it much warmer towards the end of September then October?

Other thoughts about free dining?

Sorry this is so long. My husband is mocking me as I type

 

[kjetjl]

We had free dining Sept. 2007. Booked it on April 14 when the promotion came out to the general public. If you make a reservation before this, you have to cancel your original reservations and make a new one with free dining because there is a pool of rooms at each resort for the free dining (if it is offered this year.) I hope that makes sense. There were no rooms for POP the first day so I made a reservation for one of the All Stars but I called twice after to get POP. So it never hurts to keep calling to get the resort you want.

We thought the lines and crowds were awesome. There were a lot more people than one might expect at that time but we walked on to most rides. We did need to use fast pass a couple times. Sometimes the parks seemed deserted and then at other times there was quite a crowd. But we have been during President's week in Feb (VERY crowded) and Sept. was heavenly, in terms of crowds and lines. But restaurants are packed. Plan out your days and book the dining reservations as soon as possible.

The heat is unexplainable. We are not used to that kind of heat/humidity. But it was bearable if you got into the A/C/swam/went to the water parks. And be prepared for short rain showers every day. If you have kids in a stroller, buy a rain cover and bring ponchos.
We asked many CMs if the weather was typical and they said it was a little hotter than usual but that there really is not much relief until the end of Oct.

All said and done, our trip was great! We booked bounceback and are going again in Sept. 2008.

 

[sanibelover]

The parks during free dining in September aren't crowded, but as has been said, the restaurants are. Be sure to have reservations for all of your meals at sit down restaurants.

September is hot and humid - October weather is often beautiful. I don't think you will walk on in October now. It is becoming a very busy time of year with Food and Wine and the weather, etc. It is an incredibly popular time to visit. The lines will definitely be shorter in September. September is a great time to go, BUT don't expect any good hair days!!!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I'd like to point out something that was mentioned above but not really accurate. If you book now and free dining comes out...you just call them and they credit your account. You technically do not have to "rebook"
We always go in September and love it. I'm way too impatient to wait in long lines so I'll put up with the heat to be able to ride everything...several times over if I want to.

 

[gigi1313]

I'd like to point out something that was mentioned above but not really accurate. If you book now and free dining comes out...you just call them and they credit your account. You technically do not have to "rebook"
We always go in September and love it. I'm way too impatient to wait in long lines so I'll put up with the heat to be able to ride everything...several times over if I want to.

actually, i am not sure that that is accurate... the OP said she was going to book "hotel only" (aka room only) and at that time, to change to a package (ie free dining) would require completely rebooking... if the OP booked a package and free dining became available to the general public then she could simply amend her package...

 

[tina_la]

I just booked with my travel agent this week and she said that when we booked and "if" free dining is offered (she thinks they will) she will just "add it on" to our package. So I am not sure if she adds it on or cancels and starts over but she said it would "be no problem". Also told me that Disney gives the approved/ offical Disney agents a heads up on free dining before the general public. Again not sure how accurrate that is because I booked myself last year and this is the first time I have used an agent. I have booked my room and tickets but let her know if there is no free dining offer I want to change my ressies for a cooler time of year (November/ December). Yes it's humid in September but being from the south we didn't think it was too bad. Walked onto almost all rides last year but you SHOULD make your ADR's as soon as you can for 9/08. I already let my agent know where we would like to eat so she can book when they accept ADR. I know it's still very early but would like to get that hassle over with ASAP and I'm an overplanner when it comes to Disney. IMO I would book a package now and alter later if need be. Yes this is legit. As a side note last year I booked my package myself at the end of May and got the free dining and a value hotel. I did have to be a little flexible with the dates (didn't get first choice) and it didn't bother me about which value we stayed in. So if you are willing to be flexible you could prob book in April too.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sorry, yes, I meant if you booked a package now and free dining comes out...they credit it. That being said, I've booked through a AAA TA before and I knew about Free Dining before she did (and she was their Disney specialist). That was the first and last time I booked thru AAA. Discount is nice but if there is an offer from Disney (ie free dining) you lose your AAA Discount anyway.

ADR's for Sept can be made in March...Happy Planning!

 

[pskorf]

Not to be dumb, but can someone explain to me what you are talking about with the "free dining"? I have never heard of this before. Thanks!

 

[gigi1313]

basically the last few years, sometime around early april, disney has released a special deal for those traveling in august/september where if you purchase a package (resort room, park tickets, dining plan) the basic dining plan portion is free... it's a great deal and as my dh says "free food tastes better!"

 

[kaytieeldr]

We had free dining Sept. 2007. Booked it on April 14 when the promotion came out to the general public. If you make a reservation before this, you have to cancel your original reservations and make a new one with free dining because there is a pool of rooms at each resort for the free dining (if it is offered this year.) I hope that makes sense. There were no rooms for POP the first day so I made a reservation for one of the All Stars but I called twice after to get POP. So it never hurts to keep calling to get the resort you want.

This is more correct.

Disney sets a room occupancy goal for each resort for each night of the year (well, all hotels do - but we're discussing Disney )
Specials/promotions/deals/discounts are used to achieve these goals.

Example only:
Say Disney sets an 82% occupancy level per night in September for each of the Value resorts.

From September 1 - 7, they have reservations (combined package and room-only) for 85% of the rooms at Pop Century, 80% of the rooms at All Star Movies, 78% at All Star Sports, and 72% at All Star Music.

Since the Pop reservations are higher than the goal, there won't be any Free Dining Plan rooms available at Pop Century that week, but there are a varying % of promotional rooms available at the All Stars.

Yes, this will change following cancellation of reservations made on speculation - but booking a room now, or even a day before the special starts, doesn't mean that Guest will be able to convert that reservation to include the (in this case) free dining.

====

Also, somebody mentioned Travel Agents being notified before the general public: If you choose to go this route, strongly consider using a Disney Specialist - either Dreams Unlimited or Small World Travel. Couple of reasons: First, the AAA Agent with whom I dealt last year really didn't have ANY idea what I was talking about when I tried to "pre-reserve" the package (I went in the Saturday before the Free Dining Promo was released and wanted her to book it for me the first day I was eligible - which would have been the following Thursday).
Second, AAA - most B&M agencies - start working at 9 AM. The Disney Travel Specialists at DU and SWT work from home. THEY can - and will - be working on your reservation right at 7 AM,,, thus increasing your chances of getting the resort and dates you want.

 

[pinkerbell]

We are planning on another Disney Vacation, this time in September or October 2008. The budget is somewhat of an issue and we would love to get free dining. We are planning to stay at a value resort. Assuming Disney offers it again, what do you recommend as far as dining plan goes:

1. Go ahead and book hotel only, with hopes they offer free dining and then add it later, thus holding our spot in the value hotel. Is this a legit process?

I booked then cancelled beacuse my dates we not in the free dinind and rebooked, with a disney visa I was able to book before the general public, whatch the boards, I got nothing from Disney Visa allerting me to this...Thanks disers!! the big advantages are, getting your ADR's in sooner and avaialbility

2.Wait until early April to book everything.

start planning ADR's now, my feeling is since many of us were able to book bounceback, we will all be waiting with our fingers on the buttons to dial in ASAP for our free dining reservations, they can be booked 180 days in advance.. then something about 10 days that I dont really can't expalin

3. Forget free dining and go in October?

end of sept beg of oct are basically the same to me

The other questions:

1. What are the crowds like during the free dining offerings? Both in parks and at restaurants? My family and I went in early October 2001 and walked on most of the rides. We would rather have shorter lines then free dining.

it will not be like 2001, but still better than may - august

2. What is the weather like in September? Is it much warmer towards the end of September then October?

your talking a few degree's, from sept to oct, we go toward the end sept into Oct to get the coolest possible temps, but I don't think I can even tell a few degrees difference, still better than summer

Other thoughts about free dining?

What a deal!! We love going in spring and fall and are so glad we can now take advantage of this great opportunity... some people say too much food, I'm 5ft and 105lbs, it's not too much, both yrs we left a few snacks and counter service meals on our "account" but we go for two weeks. I am sad there will no longer be an appatizer and like many wish we had a choice of appetizer or desert, but it is, what it is

Sorry this is so long. My husband is mocking me as I type

he'll be rolling on the floor with my lenghtly response

 

[pinkerbell]

We are planning on another Disney Vacation, this time in September or October 2008. The budget is somewhat of an issue and we would love to get free dining. We are planning to stay at a value resort. Assuming Disney offers it again, what do you recommend as far as dining plan goes:

1. Go ahead and book hotel only, with hopes they offer free dining and then add it later, thus holding our spot in the value hotel. Is this a legit process?

I booked then cancelled beacuse my dates we not in the free dinind and rebooked, with a disney visa I was able to book before the general public, whatch the boards, I got nothing from Disney Visa allerting me to this...Thanks disers!! the big advantages are, getting your ADR's in sooner and avaialbility

2.Wait until early April to book everything.

start planning ADR's now, my feeling is since many of us were able to book bounceback, we will all be waiting with our fingers on the buttons to dial in ASAP for our free dining reservations, they can be booked 180 days in advance.. then something about 10 days that I dont really can't expalin

3. Forget free dining and go in October?

end of sept beg of oct are basically the same to me

The other questions:

1. What are the crowds like during the free dining offerings? Both in parks and at restaurants? My family and I went in early October 2001 and walked on most of the rides. We would rather have shorter lines then free dining.

it will not be like 2001, but still better than may - august

2. What is the weather like in September? Is it much warmer towards the end of September then October?

your talking a few degree's, from sept to oct, we go toward the end sept into Oct to get the coolest possible temps, but I don't think I can even tell a few degrees difference, still better than summer

Other thoughts about free dining?

What a deal!! We love going in spring and fall and are so glad we can now take advantage of this great opportunity... some people say too much food, I'm 5ft and 105lbs, it's not too much, both yrs we left a few snacks and counter service meals on our "account" but we go for two weeks. I am sad there will no longer be an appatizer and like many wish we had a choice of appetizer or desert, but it is, what it is

Sorry this is so long. My husband is mocking me as I type

he'll be rolling on the floor with my lenghtly response

 

[PrincessTiffany]

The parks during free dining in September aren't crowded, but as has been said, the restaurants are. Be sure to have reservations for all of your meals at sit down restaurants.

September is hot and humid - October weather is often beautiful. I don't think you will walk on in October now. It is becoming a very busy time of year with Food and Wine and the weather, etc. It is an incredibly popular time to visit. The lines will definitely be shorter in September. September is a great time to go, BUT don't expect any good hair days!!!!!

We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

It rained at least a little bit every afternoon we were there. On one day, without any warning, no menacing clouds or noticeable wind change, the sky just opened up and poured. It poured so hard, it was like the sky opened up and dumped a bucket of water on your head. There wasn't even time to put our ponchos on. By the time we drug everyone's ponchos out and put them on the rain stopped. We then left for our Ohana ADR looking like someone had just thrown us in the hotel pool - literally socked to the bone.

We did have awesome food on our trip. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Planet Hollywood, 50's Primetime Cafe, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana (best meal we had), and Crystal Palce. We had ADRs for all and always had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table. Saw them turning away walk-ups at all restaurants. Counter service was not too crowded, but we tried to eat early around 11:30 a.m.

I am a faithful fan of the UG and if it weren't for knowing about their touring plans and knowing how to utilize the Fastpasss system the lines would not have been manageable. There was the occasion that you walked up to something in the late afternoon and there was only a 10 or 15 minute wait, but most of the headliners kept 30 minute or more waits. At MK on our last day Space Mountain had a 75 minute wait at 3:30 p.m! Now, to you Christmas week, Easter week, or July 4th people that probably doesn't sound too bad, but we specifically booked these dates for low crowds, and there were not now crowds.

When we left we had every intention of booking the Free Dining bounceback for next September that they were offering, but after the terrible heat and crowds my husband said he would happily pay the $1300 we saved on this trip and put it towards a slower, cooler time to visit.

We have previously been at the end of January into the first part of February and have also been end of November into first of December and those are the times we will be planning our future WDW vacations.

I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.