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

[LJD2143]

Does anyone know when the dates were announced in the previous years?

The historical dates for the Free Dining promotion offered to the general public were as follows:

2006 - Announced 4/4/06*; Dates 8/13-9/30
2007 - Announced 4/12/07*; Dates 8/26-9/22
2008 - Announced 4/10/08*; Dates 8/24-9/20

* The promotion was available to Disney Visa cardholders 3 days earlier.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Which number did you call, maybe I went to a different call center

I called 407-934-7639...

 

[Get me to Disney!]

ljd2143 - very interesting piece of information

 

[mjbradeis]

I called 407-934-7639...

I will try that one, I use the WDW-DISNEY one.

Thanks!

 

[mjbradeis]

The historical dates for the Free Dining promotion offered to the general public were as follows:

2006 - Announced 4/4/06*; Dates 8/13-9/30
2007 - Announced 4/12/07*; Dates 8/26-9/22
2008 - Announced 4/10/08*; Dates 8/24-9/20

* The promotion was available to Disney Visa cardholders 3 days earlier.

Thanks, great info!

 

[disneybridetobe]

Do you get better service if you are on the deluxe plan or does the server even know which plan you are on or if you are on a plan? Just wondering.

Nope! Just more credits. They can tell on your card which plan you have, but it doesn't affect the level of service you get.

 

[Disneynut5]

Nope! Just more credits. They can tell on your card which plan you have, but it doesn't affect the level of service you get.

Thanks, that is good to know...

 

[ClarkusR]

I got the 40% offer - it was sent to my home address. Does that mean I'm outta luck on the FD pin? I'd rather have the free dining.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I got the 40% offer - it was sent to my home address. Does that mean I'm outta luck on the FD pin? I'd rather have the free dining.

I actually received both pins so there is still hope. The FD pin went to my husbands email and the 40% was mailed in my name.

 

[n2mm]

I actually received both pins so there is still hope. The FD pin went to my husbands email and the 40% was mailed in my name.

Similar to us too. My husband got the 40% code and my daughter got the free dining code. (I'm just chop liver.)

 

[AlternateEgo]

I think the days are just dragging... waiting for April to come along

 

[mommyof3grlz]

subscribing

 

[mjbradeis]

I will try that one, I use the WDW-DISNEY one.

Thanks!

Tried the number you provided, and got right thru with a CM that was awesome! Was very helpful, but unfortunately could not find a PIN.

Oh well keep checking the mail and email!!!!

 

[noahdove]

I am hoping for free dining too

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

If I make an ADR now for late August hoping that Free Dining will be offered then, can I convert it to a Free Dining ADR, or do I have to wait until Free Dining is actually offered and make the ADR as a Free Dining ADR?



I hope this makes sense.

 

[TDC Nala]

Your ARs have nothing to do with the dining plan. You can make ADRS 90 days or less out, even if you do not have an active WDW resort reservation.

The only time you may want to definitely say you have the dining plan when making an ADR is if you are booking a meal that must be prepaid in full - CRT or the dinner shows.

The reservationist might ask if you are on the dining plan. They do that so that they may point out the fact that some of the restaurants cost 2 credits per person, or that appetizers (on the basic plan) and tips are not included, not because the reservation is tied to the dining plan somehow.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Your ARs have nothing to do with the dining plan. You can make ADRS 90 days or less out, even if you do not have an active WDW resort reservation.

The only time you may want to definitely say you have the dining plan when making an ADR is if you are booking a meal that must be prepaid in full - CRT or the dinner shows.

The reservationist might ask if you are on the dining plan. They do that so that they may point out the fact that some of the restaurants cost 2 credits per person, or that appetizers (on the basic plan) and tips are not included, not because the reservation is tied to the dining plan somehow.

Thanks for the info. I AM thinking in terms of the dinner shows-Hoop De Doo Review, and the Poly Luau show. It's coming up on 180 days for the dates I want, so I can make the reservation without knowing if I have free dining? I will have to pay in advance, though..can you cancel it within a certain time period, , or is it totally non refundable?

 

[TDC Nala]

The booking window has changed to 90 days for all reservations. If your trip is in August you will be booking sometime in May. You should know by then if a general public free dining offer has been announced.

The dinner shows must be paid in full at the time of booking unless you tell them you are on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan you will still have to put down a credit card number, which will not be charged unless you don't cancel and don't show up. Yes, they do have a cancellation deadline. I couldn't tell you what it is right now but it's probably at least 24 hours, possibly 48, prior to your reservation time.

If you make a reservation and then go on the dining plan later, I believe you may get the payment credited.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

The booking window has changed to 90 days for all reservations. If your trip is in August you will be booking sometime in May. You should know by then if a general public free dining offer has been announced.

The dinner shows must be paid in full at the time of booking unless you tell them you are on the dining plan. If you are on the dining plan you will still have to put down a credit card number, which will not be charged unless you don't cancel and don't show up. Yes, they do have a cancellation deadline. I couldn't tell you what it is right now but it's probably at least 24 hours, possibly 48, prior to your reservation time.

If you make a reservation and then go on the dining plan later, I believe you may get the payment credited.

Thanks for this info especially! I thought the shows had to be booked 180 days. Can you tell I have NEVER made an ADR in my life?? So I can relax about this, I will know a lot more in 3 months. Thank you for all this information, you have answered all of my questions.

 

[hthrbells]

If they were to announce free dining for the fall when do they typical do it?