Free Dining Rumors

[squirrel]

If anything, they'll do a tiered system with values getting quick service and mods/deluxe getting regular dining. The values hold a great deal of people and they don't want those setting empty either. Plus, it means they get rack rate on the rooms, which is a good deal for them.

That's possible, they may have tested it out last Fall when the normal period of Free Dining was over. They could tell how fast the mods and values were going and compare with the regular DDP Free Dining.

 

[frayedend]

Let's just call it a hunch... but on Thursday they will announce that starting Monday 4/5 free dining will be available to visa members...this offer will also be available to the general public starting Thursday 4/8. The offer will run until 10/2. If you book your stay on or before 10/2 the free dining will continue through the length of your stay. Quick service will offered to value resorts while moderate and deluxe resorts will enjoy basic service. The number of rooms each resort has available for this offer will be limited.

So we can expect this announcement tomorrow even though it doesn't start until 4/5???

 

[beachgrl001]

Originally Posted by littlebirdie
Let's just call it a hunch... but on Thursday they will announce that starting Monday 4/5 free dining will be available to visa members...this offer will also be available to the general public starting Thursday 4/8. The offer will run until 10/2. If you book your stay on or before 10/2 the free dining will continue through the length of your stay. Quick service will offered to value resorts while moderate and deluxe resorts will enjoy basic service. The number of rooms each resort has available for this offer will be limited.



I hope your wrong about the QS at values I really wanted to book POP, But will upgrade if I have to...

 

[black562]

black562,
loved the pics (especially the one in epcot)

I know we are all worried/anxious but have faith I have been doing FD for 4 years now. I am pretty confident that it will be announced. I know it seems like there are alot of people waiting for it, but in reality its mostly just us die hards on the dis I really think its gonna be either april 1st or Monday 5th, If I dont see anything by the 5th I will start to panic.

Thanks, I'm glad you guys liked my little story.

Keep in mind though that there's always the possibility of a different kind of promotion that may be just as good as free dining. Disney reviews their booking constantly and can/will make changes on the fly as they see fit. I see three possibilities.

1. Free dining that more or less mirrors the bounceback offer.
2. Free dining with quick service for values and regular dining at mod/deluxe.
3. A different promotion for the fall time period as Disney could experiment with something new.

If they want to "scale back promotions" as they put it, then 2 or 3 would make sense. I'm sure no one here would be surprised with a quick service option at values, as they did that at the end of last year as a possible test.

We should know what Disney decides in the next few days...

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I was thinking the same thing. Littel birdie please come back and help us feel confident again. LOL I really don't know what to believe anymore. there are so many people with both views that feel so strongly they are right. Guess we have to just wait and see, but the wait is killing me!!!!

 

[black562]

I posted a blog update and thought I'd go ahead and throw it out here as well.

The one thing that's different this year from other years is the addition of Harry Potter just up the road from Walt Disney World, which was recently announced to open on June 18. I can tell you that this addition will certainly have no trouble drawing crowds. However, Disney may have to make some changes to how they've done past promotions.

In the past, free dining has required a minimum 3 night stay and 1 day park ticket. This year, those requirements will not suffice. I can see folks staying at Disney, eating for free and spending the day at Universal. For the promotion to be a success, Disney HAS to keep its visitors on property and in their parks.

I can easily see the following changes happening:

1. Minimum stay of at least 5 nights.
2. Tickets required for length of stay.

So yes, there's always the possibility that Disney will take a tiered approach to their fall promotions by offering a different discount in the next week or so, followed by free dining if needed at a later date. This would allow them to gauge the affect of Harry Potter as the opening date draws near. There are other promos that would also ensure the two requirements above, such as the 4/3 offer or some variant thereof. There's also the possibility that they will tier the free dining as they did at the end of 2009, with value resorts getting free quick service and mod/deluxe getting the regular plan in an attempt to fill the more high price resorts and gain more revenue.

Remember though folks, Disney is currently offering promotions through the busy season and has even removed blackout dates for the Easter holiday. It would make little sense to offer promotions during this time and offer nothing during the least busy time of the year.

You have to remember, Disney could plan a promotion and completely change it at the last minute, so nobody knows 100%...not even the ones that claim they have "insider tips".

Stay tuned...

 

[black562]

Joe, I really look forward to what you have to say on this topic. I find myself getting frustrated with the drama- to the point that I think I'm just going to stop checking in. But then I'd miss your logical, well thought out responses to said drama (some of which echos what I'm already yelling at my computer, lol). Thanks for keeping it a little more grounded!

Oh, and the pictoral story was a much needed injection of fun.

Thanks for the kind words. In the end, nobody has the answers, and everything is fluid until an official announcement. There are people here who claim to have insider info that its definitely going to happen, while others claim to have the same insider info that its definitely not going to happen. My conclusions are based on logical facts, data from the past, current happenings, the current economic situation and the new Harry Potter area at Universal. When you lay everything on the table and look at the sum of the pieces, it helps you to better draw conclusions and make a judgment.

Have I heard insider tips...yes I have...but unless they're a member of the Disney promotion team, then anything and everything can change on a dime. Still, I think, at some point, we'll all end up happy.

 

[frayedend]

In the past, free dining has required a minimum 3 night stay and 1 day park ticket. This year, those requirements will not suffice. I can see folks staying at Disney, eating for free and spending the day at Universal. For the promotion to be a success, Disney HAS to keep its visitors on property and in their parks.

I can easily see the following changes happening:

1. Minimum stay of at least 5 nights.
2. Tickets required for length of stay.



Stay tuned...

Go to Universal and head back to Disney to eat? I don't think so. But I say this only because I only have the 1 day pass and I'm hoping you are wrong. We have extra week long passes from a friend that she didn't use the year before. That was what prompted this trip. We added the 1 day to get the dining. Which also brings up that if they require tickets for length of stay that wouldn't go along with their policy of 1 day passes now.

 

[babybunny223]

Still, I think, at some point, we'll all end up happy.

Now see, that is why I like reading Joe's posts and blog. He makes you feel good; that what Disney is all about.

 

[leebee]

I'd spend the day at the Wizarding Worldl and go back to Disney to eat. Let's see... in late August, Universal park hours post closing at 7pm. No problem going back "home" to Disney for a free table service meal! If the timing is right, I might even be able to catch a 10pm showing of Wishes!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I really wish I could just leave this go and stop coming to these threads. I am subscribed to about 5 different free dining alerts, so what are the chances I won't get one, if it does come available? Not very big I wouldn't think. So I think it is time for me to move on. Best of luck to everyone.

 

[Leeanne]

So if i check in on October 2, will this qualify me for free dining?

If you got this answer then sorry for answering it again...I missed it when I was looking. Once the promo comes out you would need to call Disney and have it added to your reservation or make the reservation and use the code, pin, promo, ect. Then (if it is extended to Oct 2) if you check in on Oct 2 then (from previous promos) you will recieve fd for the entire time! Just checking in on Oct 2 does not qualify you for FD....you will need to have it added to your reservation. Hope that helps!
Good luck!!

 

[Daxton]

We have a unique situation. We arive April 15th staying at AS Sports..then depart on the Disney Cruise for the 18th thru 22nd...we then come back to Pop Culture and depart the 25th. I have not bought park tickets yet ( was going to buy a 7 day during our first three night stay) and we didnt do the meal deal. If the meal plan is announced do you think I could still take advantage of it? I would probably have to buy 2 separate 3 day tickets because of the cruise in the middle of our stay, but even with that I would think I would still save quite a bit of $$$. Any thoughts or advice on this anyone?

 

[black562]

We have a unique situation. We arive April 15th staying at AS Sports..then depart on the Disney Cruise for the 18th thru 22nd...we then come back to Pop Culture and depart the 25th. I have not bought park tickets yet ( was going to buy a 7 day during our first three night stay) and we didnt do the meal deal. If the meal plan is announced do you think I could still take advantage of it? I would probably have to buy 2 separate 3 day tickets because of the cruise in the middle of our stay, but even with that I would think I would still save quite a bit of $$$. Any thoughts or advice on this anyone?

The fall promo is rumored to begin on August 15, not April 15....

 

[Daxton]

Ahh ok..then I guess I will have to stick to my plan! Thank you!

 

[brian7221@att.net]

If i remember right last year they had same deal, free dining thru September. Then somewhere along the line they extended it into late October, which i hope is the case for 2010. We have a trip planned for mid October. Got my fingers crossed.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Last year free dining was offered to Mods and above in Early December too

 

[Minnie321]

I recieved a VISA deal about two weeks ago for buying so many days of dining and recieving so many free - I really don't remember the details because I recieved it right before I was leaving for Disney and it was for the summer months - when I am boycotting Disney (now that I returned last night from 7 days I am in a full boycott - not just summer - I am really sad I hope my feelings change, but right now I want to be as far away as possible until half of the people attending find somewhere else to go - and frankly I wish they would stop giving everything away - that would help with the crowds).
Anyway don't remember details, but it was VISA and it was buy so many days get so many free and it was for summer months - I don't remember when it started or ended.

 

[doccoc2002]

I recieved a VISA deal about two weeks ago for buying so many days of dining and recieving so many free - I really don't remember the details because I recieved it right before I was leaving for Disney and it was for the summer months - when I am boycotting Disney (now that I returned last night from 7 days I am in a full boycott - not just summer - I am really sad I hope my feelings change, but right now I want to be as far away as possible until half of the people attending find somewhere else to go - and frankly I wish they would stop giving everything away - that would help with the crowds).
Anyway don't remember details, but it was VISA and it was buy so many days get so many free and it was for summer months - I don't remember when it started or ended.

This is for QS for kids only who also get to stay, play and eat free. Valid until Aug 14th. You had to book 4nights/5days.

Sorry you had a bad time...but this is probably the worst week to go to Disney if you do not like the big crowds...Deals or NO deals Easter week is the WORST...way to busy. I would never go again during this time...way to many people and a lot of them RUDE!

 

[Oglet]

I recieved a VISA deal about two weeks ago for buying so many days of dining and recieving so many free - I really don't remember the details because I recieved it right before I was leaving for Disney and it was for the summer months - when I am boycotting Disney (now that I returned last night from 7 days I am in a full boycott - not just summer - I am really sad I hope my feelings change, but right now I want to be as far away as possible until half of the people attending find somewhere else to go - and frankly I wish they would stop giving everything away - that would help with the crowds).
Anyway don't remember details, but it was VISA and it was buy so many days get so many free and it was for summer months - I don't remember when it started or ended.

Sorry you had such a bad time, the same happened to me after my first trip there. I went the day after Christmas and it took me years to give Disney another chance it was just horrible.

I am actually a CM and I assure you there are many many times during the year when the crowds are extremely low and the parks almost feel empty however as the above poster pointed out you really went at a horrible time. The truth is just like you all these other people who were there went because it was convenient for them to go. Spring break was in full force and this past week a lot of counties in Florida had spring break so you probably had a bunch of locals there as well.

I read in one of your other posts where you called the park dirty. If you ever get the chance to see Magic Kingdom at about 4am in the morning you will see custodial crews out washing the sidewalk and roads, wiping down poles and cleaning things you would never even think about cleaning and touching up things with paint. I don't doubt that throughout the day with 60,000 people in the park at times things would get messy and things would look far from perfect, things get swept up that need to be, bathrooms still get cleaned and anything major gets taken care off right away.

Please don't think Im attacking you or what you said, that is simply not my intention. I am just sorry that you had a horrible experience as I am sure you spent a lot of money and had high hopes for your trip.

Hopefully one day you will give it another try, pick a time of the year when its not so busy, I did after my horrible experience and I am extremely happy that I did.