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

[Bob P]

The last three years free dining has been announced around the end of March.

 

[disneynuts777]

Beginning of April for Disney Visa card holders and then a couple weeks later for the general public.

 

[hthrbells]

oh good we are Disney Visa holders!!! Thanks

 

[JAG2007]

I'm going to be visiting WDW for the first time the first week of Dec. and hoping for a bonus of free dining (and willing to change my reservation to get it)... does anyone know if free dining is available to any and all, regardless of past visits?

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

As my way of bumping I wanted to add a simple point, and then later I have a question.
Although it's called "free dining", and even I call it that, it really isn't "completely free". For starters... there's the required tip. The tip can be as much as a full blown meal outside Disney! (more on that later) There are always other codes and deals going on at the same time that you COULD take advantage of. Though I'll be the first one to admit that they probably don't hold a candle to the "free DDP".
For instance; you COULD take advantage of an AP (if you had them) passholder rate and save some money on the room. If you eat like a bird, or you just prefer to bring your own food into the park, the room savings could be a better deal. Your paying full rack rate for your room with the FDDP deal. With the other specials you could pay a LOT less for your room rate. It's just something to look into.
What I am saying is don't put all your eggs into one basket. At least CONSIDER the other options before you book the free DDP. Don't do it just because everyone else does!
If you look into it and decide (as most of us do) that it's the best value, THEN at least you will be more assured of your decision. A little homework goes a long way.

Now, I haven't read the whole thread, but are there any rumors that anything will change in 09?
I have to tell you... I've done the DDP on 4 or 5 different trips, for 8 days each, and I have NEVER been as disgusted as I was last trip.
The tips not being included was a real stab in the back. I honestly didn't know about it. (Imagine that... a DISer who was all over the foodporn thread NOT knowing about the changes... ) We were one of the first 100 to book the deal (we usually are! ) We got there with all our meals booked from 4-5 months earlier, and we only took enough cash for what we thought we would need, which wasn't much. We were NOT prepared to pay $20 plus per meal for tip. That added about $200 to our trip expense, because we had some great meals planned.
We skipped the tip on the first meal (we didn't even bring our credit card to the restaurant... only our room key without charge capability) and when we were informed it was like "Huh???? " We then had to skimp on the rest of the tips.

I'm just hoping they change it back. I'm sure the CMs didn't like the loss of tips, because we heard others talking about not leaving tips and about tipping less than 10 percent because they too were unprepared to do any more than that. I felt guilty all week tipping either JUST the requested amount, or under the requested amount. And I'm one of those people who likes to give tips! Even people who don't expect one; like the guy who delivered my storage building last week. I tipped him an extra $20. But I wasn't expecting the new tip rule at WDW, and I just wasn't prepared for it.

I'd even go as far as to say that I would rather they took the snacks credit than the tip! I could work around the snack credit, because I know the system well. There's no "free" way around the new tip rule. It really does take the FREE out of FREE DDP. At just ONE of our meals the "suggested tip" was over $40.00!!!

 

[Tomh]

I had a different experience with the tips, and I'm certain I made a couple of VERY happy CM's last August. I HAD read all over the forums that the tips were no longer included, and had planned out my trip with a group of six people. Pretty much at the last moment, my cousin decided to go along with us, making it a group of seven.

The problem comes in that with a group of seven, there is an 18% gratuity automatically added. At some of the restaurants, either my brain was in
Disney overload, or the receipts weren't clear, or the pixie dust was clouding my vision or something, and I wound up adding a substantial tip on top of the 18% that they had already charged me. Needless to say, there were two CM's at Disney World last summer that got GREAT tips from me, and I'd bet that I'm not the only person who made that mistake.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Ok- question...NO I DIDN"T READ THIS WHOLE THREAD for starters! (What is it like 26 pages!! ) But I was wondering about Free DDP- & reguards to tipping, I remember that tipping was included last time, I know they took it off -like the other poster I would rather they take off the snack than the tip. We are a family of 4- do they add the tip on already? Do they put a "suggested" amount (for those who don't have tip calucator on their cellphone) --becuase what if your CM stinks-I mean really-I have been to restaurants were they did not DESERVE a tip. Just curious...normally I tip between 18-20% depends on the service. Thanks for all the input--any savings at Disney is a good savings (if on a buck or 2 here & there!)

 

[hugabearjo]

Does anyone remember when we started getting "leaks" last year before the announcement? I remember that someone from and advertising firm or print shop or ????? was able to leak the "tenative" aid lay out. Does anyone remember how close to the announcement that was?

Anyone have friends or family on the "inside" hearing any squeaks of free dining being offered again this year.

We were able to go the last two years for free dining and I am kicking myself for not booking bounce back when we were there. Long story but, I was trying to save face (we were traveling with a family that I know couldn't have booked too) and running scared (my son had a tumor on his foot that was removed shortly after we got home). Now I am in the crossing my fingers and wishing "Come on free dining!"

Any predictions on when "leaks" and "squeaks" will come is greatly appreciated. I wasn't watching close last year because we were already booked.

Thanks- Heres hoping we all get free dining!!!!

 

[Huff]

I'm going to be visiting WDW for the first time the first week of Dec. and hoping for a bonus of free dining (and willing to change my reservation to get it)... does anyone know if free dining is available to any and all, regardless of past visits?

I've never seen any free dining offers in Dec. However, there have been heavily discounted resort rates for specific dates in Jan. and Feb. in past years. These discounts can come close to equalling the cost of dining depending on party size and length of stay. We did this a few years ago and added the dining. Total cost for a week with dining in late Jan. was about the same as our Sept. free dining trip. They usually annouce theses offers in Nov.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I've never seen any free dining offers in Dec. However, there have been heavily discounted resort rates for specific dates in Jan. and Feb. in past years. These discounts can come close to equalling the cost of dining depending on party size and length of stay. We did this a few years ago and added the dining. Total cost for a week with dining in late Jan. was about the same as our Sept. free dining trip. They usually annouce theses offers in Nov.

There was free dining offered this past December, we went and of course the week that we went (12/7-14th) it wasn't offered!! Our luck, but every week before and after us, it was offered.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I got two PIN codes (yes, TWO) send to us last October/November for Free Dining in December 08. We just went in September, so it wasn't an option to go. But the offer was out there! (I'm not a VISA/AP/DVC either)

 

[disneynuts777]

Ok- question...NO I DIDN"T READ THIS WHOLE THREAD for starters! (What is it like 26 pages!! ) But I was wondering about Free DDP- & reguards to tipping, I remember that tipping was included last time, I know they took it off -like the other poster I would rather they take off the snack than the tip. We are a family of 4- do they add the tip on already? Do they put a "suggested" amount (for those who don't have tip calucator on their cellphone) --becuase what if your CM stinks-I mean really-I have been to restaurants were they did not DESERVE a tip. Just curious...normally I tip between 18-20% depends on the service. Thanks for all the input--any savings at Disney is a good savings (if on a buck or 2 here & there!)

If you are just a party of four there will be a suggested tip amount on your bill. It is then at your discretion what you choose to leave. However if you are a party of six or more an 18% tip mwill automatically be added to your bill.You have to find a manager and complain if you want the tip adjusted for poor service. I have also read that most managers at the restaurants will refuse to adjust the tip even after you complain.

 

[mom2rtk]

So how do you get PIN codes? I actually just lucked in to free dining in December. I had already booked our trip and someone told me about it. I called Disney and the gave me a price adjustment. But if someone hadn't told me, I never would have known.

We're thinking of going sometime this fall. l'm not sure if it will be early enough to get free dining, but I want to know my options!

 

[DISNEYNY]

We went for FDP in December last year. It was offered for one week 12/14 - 12/20/08. I believe it was only open to Disney Visa cardholders. I just checked back in my email and I received the offer from Disney Rewards on 9/18/08. The dates the free dining were available were 9/28-10/11, 11/9-11/22 & 12/14-12/20.

 

[mom2rtk]

But I HAVE a Disney Visa, and didn't get anything. Is there something I'm supposed to set up with them to get notification?????

 

[DISNEYNY]

But I HAVE a Disney Visa, and didn't get anything. Is there something I'm supposed to set up with them to get notification?????

I was surprised that I got that email from Disney Rewards. I have had other pin codes from Disney and I have never been notified via email and I know they have my correct email on file. You should probably call the number on your Visa statement and make sure they have your correct email on file.

 

[KKB]

PIN codes are random...you may or may not get one. I called yesterday; no code attached to our email Guess we will just wait for VISA holders announcement. In the state of our economy, NOT even worried...

Regarding tips...if I am getting free DDP, I can deal w/ tips! I would still do DDP if we were paying, for convenience, not having to say no to my kids, and not having to look at prices on the menu! Plus I NEED to not eat fast food once a day, and it was really nice to slow down and sit down each day together after going strong all day.

I just wish I could order an appetizer instead of a dessert...I'm just not a dessert person! Just as well...it will save me calories!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

SelfEmployed, hi there! When we were there in September I only ate at a couple of TS places. I got disgusted with the tipping situation. Frankly, where we live we can get a meal for what they wanted for a tip and I do not care to eat that much at one time anyway. I ended up trading almost all my TS credits for CS and two snacks. It worked much better for me as I was not tied to ADR's, ate when I felt like it and could graze, eat a bit here and there and still had loads of snack credits to bring stuff back home with me.

I think the worst was at Chef Mickey's where we were a large group and I finally got a drink brought to me and never got a refill or dirty dishes taken away and was informed that I owed a tip of $6. I barely ate anything either as it was not very good, at least that night. I had tips of $15-20 at a couple of other places but at least the service was good and the food alright as well.

I plan to do the swap again this trip.

Slightly Goofy

 

[lisalonglash]

SelfEmployed, hi there! When we were there in September I only ate at a couple of TS places. I got disgusted with the tipping situation. Frankly, where we live we can get a meal for what they wanted for a tip and I do not care to eat that much at one time anyway. I ended up trading almost all my TS credits for CS and two snacks. It worked much better for me as I was not tied to ADR's, ate when I felt like it and could graze, eat a bit here and there and still had loads of snack credits to bring stuff back home with me.

I think the worst was at Chef Mickey's where we were a large group and I finally got a drink brought to me and never got a refill or dirty dishes taken away and was informed that I owed a tip of $6. I barely ate anything either as it was not very good, at least that night. I had tips of $15-20 at a couple of other places but at least the service was good and the food alright as well.

I plan to do the swap again this trip.

Slightly Goofy

Hiya Slightly Goofy! So, how does this swap deal work exactly? Thanks!

 

[LJD2143]

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

The last three years free dining has been announced around the end of March.

Beginning of April for Disney Visa card holders and then a couple weeks later for the general public.

Previously posted, but people keep asking....

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