Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1

[mousebit]

Anyone know if you have to book the package with your Disney Visa to get the early notification? I have had Disney Visa during last Sept and never rcvd any notification

I wouldn't count on Chase to notify you. I use my Disney Visa regularly and get all kinds of email from them but for some reason I'm never notified of the free dining offer. There was some discussion about this last year and others had the same experience - we all learned about it on the DISboards, not from Chase.

No problem tho if you just watch these boards and subscribe to threads like this. You'll learn it here first. We had no problem booking last year after I discovered the info here. Just have your credit card ready to book when the dates are released. It's great to have those few extra days before the general public can book so you can pretty much get whatever your want. And we had a blast! Can't wait for free dining this year - lets keep our fingers crossed!

 

[lizandjason]

The bounceback is a special offer given only to those who have recently stayed at Disney.

Do you have to book the bounceback offer BEFORE you check out? We just got back a week ago. Can we call now and get the offer? Fingers are crossed!!

 

[lisalonglash]

Do you have to book the bounceback offer BEFORE you check out? We just got back a week ago. Can we call now and get the offer? Fingers are crossed!!

Sorry, but by all accounts, Disney is very strict about the bounceback being booked ONLY while the guest is on-site

 

[Tomh]

Yes, it has been repeated here many many times, by many people in the know, and was clearly printed on the bounceback flyer in our room that you MUST book the bounceback, and make your $200 deposit while you are still in the world.

 

[AKLforever]

I have a 2 part question, but in the end its all about the free dining plan.
I swear I saw somewhere on here a place to stay in disney that allows dogs, maybe it was the wilderness camp cabins? Im not sure, but would the FDP apply to that with tickets of course?

 

[milmore104]

I have a 2 part question, but in the end its all about the free dining plan.
I swear I saw somewhere on here a place to stay in disney that allows dogs, maybe it was the wilderness camp cabins? Im not sure, but would the FDP apply to that with tickets of course?

Dogs are allowed in the camp sites not the cabins.

You need to have a package w/at least a 1 day ticket to get the FDP.

 

[ctaci]

Ive been reading the boards now for a few weeks and Ive seen this mentioned more than once. I know I havent gone on my own trip yet but Im already planning the next one for the whole family. I was wondering about free dining and how to get it? Is it a time of year or something people are offered as a bounceback so its not really for everyone?

Thanks for any information!

Also - is 3yrs too young do you think to bring a kid to Disney? I really wanted to wait til DS1 was 5 but DS10 will be too old by then.. er, not too old but YKWIM?

edit: apologies! I just saw the sticky!

 

[meljw1960]

definately want to keep track of when free dining is offered. I have gotten it for the last two years and this year My son wants to bring his girlfriend and he put it up to me to do the planning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for it to start Aut 23 this year.

 

[khighgirl]

Okay all, I have another question...if we are trying to do a grand gathering during free dining how would we go about it? Has anyone done this before? Would I be able to call the grand gatherings number and get 7 rooms at once or would I have to keep calling the regular number until we got all the rooms we need? Thanks in advance for all your help.

Kelli

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Disney extended the 4/3 off until August 15th. Do you think free dining might start after that date?

 

[wdwmaw]

Okay all, I have another question...if we are trying to do a grand gathering during free dining how would we go about it? Has anyone done this before? Would I be able to call the grand gatherings number and get 7 rooms at once or would I have to keep calling the regular number until we got all the rooms we need? Thanks in advance for all your help.

Kelli

I have done this and you will need to work with the gg people.Disney has changed things a bit but use to I would book all of the rooms with gg and have them assigned them there gg #. The day the code would come out I would call the gg # and have them apply the code to all of the reservations. This process takes a while, esp. with 7 rooms. The people that work at the gg # are very good and really seem to be very experienced.

 

[wdwmaw]

Ive been reading the boards now for a few weeks and Ive seen this mentioned more than once. I know I havent gone on my own trip yet but Im already planning the next one for the whole family. I was wondering about free dining and how to get it? Is it a time of year or something people are offered as a bounceback so its not really for everyone?

Thanks for any information!

Also - is 3yrs too young do you think to bring a kid to Disney? I really wanted to wait til DS1 was 5 but DS10 will be too old by then.. er, not too old but YKWIM?

edit: apologies! I just saw the sticky!

Free dining is a promotion the Disney has offered for the past several years and has covered dates toward the end of August through September. It can be booked 2 different ways.Through bounceback which was held last fall for guests staying on property and willing to put a deposit down toward a vacation and covered dates 8/23-10/8.

It will also be offered for booking by the general public this spring, usually April. Here is a link to a site that tracks the release dates for discounts offered at Disney http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends

Free dining is offered as a pkg and is you will get a free dining plan based on purchase of a rack rate room and at least a base ticket for each person in the room.Bounceback guests were able to book the regular dining plan for the upcoming year.


I do not think 3 is too young. Dinsey is so perfect for families with the transpertation it is really so easy to just go back and forth. Parents can split up and one go back to room with the little one if need be. They offer child swap so that both parents get to ride with older siblings. Also, so many of
the rides are family freindly. You will not regret going with a small one. Disney is the perfect destination for all ages

 

[faindrops27]

Disney extended the 4/3 off until August 15th. Do you think free dining might start after that date?

I wish! I really would like to go in August. Before school starts. But, if not. I will go Sept 1st-9th.

 

[faindrops27]

I have done this and you will need to work with the gg people.Disney has changed things a bit but use to I would book all of the rooms with gg and have them assigned them there gg #. The day the code would come out I would call the gg # and have them apply the code to all of the reservations. This process takes a while, esp. with 7 rooms. The people that work at the gg # are very good and really seem to be very experienced.

I have a question to you. Since, you have dealt with gg, and free dining. Ok, we are looking at havinng 16 rooms. So far. There may be more. The question I have is when booking the individual rooms. Did you collect the money from those in your gg. Then book, or did gg allow each individual in your party to book each room themselves.

My concern is yes we are family, but I rather each individual be in charge of their own monies, and payments on the rooms. Instead of me collectiong thousands, and being in charge of the payments. I hope my question is clear. I think I am confusing myself.

 

[camtheriot]

I have a question to you. Since, you have dealt with gg, and free dining. Ok, we are looking at havinng 16 rooms. So far. There may be more. The question I have is when booking the individual rooms. Did you collect the money from those in your gg. Then book, or did gg allow each individual in your party to book each room themselves.

My concern is yes we are family, but I rather each individual be in charge of their own monies, and payments on the rooms. Instead of me collectiong thousands, and being in charge of the payments. I hope my question is clear. I think I am confusing myself.

I just booked a gg for my family and my brother-in-law's family. When I booked it, I was able to give my credit card info for my room and my BIL's cc info for their room so that I would not be charged for both. I know it would be quite a feat to get 16 different credit cards, but I think I would do it (family members could back out at the last minute - leaving you with the bill)

HTH

 

[orourkco]

Well I feel like I have figured out the whole thing...
I called yesterday to add another night stay onto my reservation. The reservation went up like $200 for one night. I figured the reservation would only increase by the difference from 4 nights to 5...
In fact, the dining is figured out by the hotel nights (not by the park tickets).
So, if you are staying 4 nights and bought a five day pass, you onyl have 4 days of dining. Get it?
Which also leads me to believe that waiting for free dining to come to buy the park tickets is a waste... if you have hotel reservations already- you can't add the free dining (with the discounted hotel rate).

 

[khighgirl]

I have done this and you will need to work with the gg people.Disney has changed things a bit but use to I would book all of the rooms with gg and have them assigned them there gg #. The day the code would come out I would call the gg # and have them apply the code to all of the reservations. This process takes a while, esp. with 7 rooms. The people that work at the gg # are very good and really seem to be very experienced.

So now I have a follow-up question...should I book the rooms now, would it save time when the code is released or will it take just as much time to do everything at once when the code is released?
Thanks!

 

[ree123]

Disney extended the 4/3 off until August 15th. Do you think free dining might start after that date?

Wow, that would make my decision easier. I was wonderin if we should wait till FD comes in April to book. But, I hate to do that. Id like to book asap and get the air while its low. BUT, If the 4/3 is av. now thru mid August, Id rather do that. On the main WDW webpage, it still says 96/17 the offer is good. Has anyone seen this???

 

[KKB]

Just booked our 2nd DW trip Sept. 5-13. Very special as my father has lost nearly 100 lbs. since our first trip, and he is excited to go this time & be able to do all the walking!

We are saying at POP, and if free DDP comes thru, it will run us only $500/pp for 8 days! WOW! That's cheaper than a cruise--and our room has a window!
We were not planning to book air until after free DDP was a lock (Mom even got a Disney VISA just for early booking!), BUT we stumbled upon air for only $205ppRT with decent flying times!

WOO HOO!!!!!

Thanks to everyone here for all the info that made our first trip so great, and giving us a heads up about free DDP!!

 

[anewmac]

ok dont have time to go through the post, when is free dinning usually valid through.. we are going aug 8-18 or 19th LOL just started planning. going to book this weekend. but looking to see when free dinning is offered? TIA