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

[alternativepirate]

How many people are in your family? How many kids? What are their ages? What level resort are you wanting to stay at? All of those variables come into play. If you want to price out a package, just go to the WDW website and put in the dates for your package WITHOUT adding the dining plan and that is the cost that your package will be with the free dining code applied to it (also remember that the website automatically adds the preferred room choice and the Waterparks and more option, so if you don't won't those you will need to adjust those for the correct pricing info).

2 adults.
I think I will try pricing out the package without adding dinning.
I wanted to say like 8 or 9 days, with 7 day park hopper at Port Orleans.

 

[alternativepirate]

alternative pirate, of course, it depends on your travel party, ticket type, resort level, length of stay, etc. but mine was $1,998 for 9 nights at POP (value resort) with 8 day Park Hoppers for 2 adults, DS13 and DS6. Awesome price!

oops...sorry...didn't see your resort preference there already...mine's a value instead of a moderate

Thanks for posting that lanasboys. I have stayed at POP before and I like it as well. The price gives me a good idea of what I am looking at paying.
I hope you have a great time!

 

[Telcogirl]

Hmmm, do you know if you can combine that credit with the DVC discount on AP's?

 

[figment41]

What free dining?? Did I miss something??

 

[Miniefan]

I just went to wdw website to price out what I think our package will be when I book FD on Monday when general public code comes out, and it looks like the total will be $1289 for 3adults 1 child for 10 nights at ASSp with the one day base tickets. I am so excited I could jump up and down. I am so glad we already purchased our annual passes!!

A 10 day vacation for 4 plus food for $1289, who woulda thunk it!!

I originally used the Oct dates but when I changed to September, the price went down $200.

Kim

 

[gssmks]

For those of you who have already booked the FD, do they give you the option between the original DDP or the QSP? We are hoping we can get the QSP for this trip. We are two families going together. The other family has never been to WDW and have said that they would prefer to focus on the rides, shows and attractions and do not wish to spend a lot time at sit down meals.

 

[blondemom]

Forgive me if it's been asked 1000 times. I have never been able to get free dining - except now!! From what I've read here, your meal credits are uploaded onto your Keys to the Kingdom (forgot what they are called) cards. Since there will be three adults (my 11-year old baby is an adult!) and one child, they will automatically deduct those credits? And, a meal is considered an entree, a drink, and a dessert? And, one snack is included - and to the folks who compiled that snack list - THANKS!!!

I am on cloud nine since I got the free dining offer. I was so afraid we wouldn't be able to afford this trip. My 11-year old and my husband eat like they've never eaten before. This saves us tons!



Lisa

 

[TLHB70]

For those of you who have already booked the FD, do they give you the option between the original DDP or the QSP? We are hoping we can get the QSP for this trip. We are two families going together. The other family has never been to WDW and have said that they would prefer to focus on the rides, shows and attractions and do not wish to spend a lot time at sit down meals.

They didn't offer that option to me.

 

[mbanks21]

Yes, if you go to a TS restaurant and everyone orders a meal they will take one room key and remove 3 adult and one child credits from your total

 

[brockash]

are we sure they will be releasing to the general public on Monday the 30th?

I just called WDW Travel and she said she didnt know anything.

I'm guessing they will. My TA said she hadn't heard anything either this morning, but I asked her to call anyways, and gave her the code, and now I have FD. I'd just have your TA call Mon. regardless.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

For those of you who have already booked the FD, do they give you the option between the original DDP or the QSP? We are hoping we can get the QSP for this trip. We are two families going together. The other family has never been to WDW and have said that they would prefer to focus on the rides, shows and attractions and do not wish to spend a lot time at sit down meals.

No, I do not believe it is an option. But the basic DDP only has one TS meal per day. I really don't find spending an hour and a half having a decent sit down meal each day as detracting from our vacation, but maybe that's just us.

 

[meljw1960]

are we sure they will be releasing to the general public on Monday the 30th?

I just called WDW Travel and she said she didnt know anything.

I contacted my TA this morning and she was already on top of it. she'll be taking care of my ressie on Monday.

 

[Miniefan]

For those of you who have already booked the FD, do they give you the option between the original DDP or the QSP? We are hoping we can get the QSP for this trip. We are two families going together. The other family has never been to WDW and have said that they would prefer to focus on the rides, shows and attractions and do not wish to spend a lot time at sit down meals.

Does anyone know if they will still convert some of the TS credits to CS credits?

Or, you could always use the TS credits for early bkfasts before the parks open, or late dinners after the parks have closed.

Kim

 

[DISNEYNY]

This is our first time on the DDP, and we'll be there during free dining. I've read people talk about some snacks and drinks (like smoothies) that are sometimes allowed on the DDP, and sometimes not. Is it fair to assume that during Free Dining, they are going to be very strict about what they allow on the DDP?....no smoothies for us!

I have done FDP 3 times and I don't think they are any stricter on what you can get. If it is normally allowed on the plan you can get it. We have always gotten shakes for drinks at table service restaurants that offer it. Examples are Sci Fi, Prime Time, Le Cellier, WCC and Turf Club. We are going again this year 8/16 - 8/25.

 

[meljw1960]

alternative pirate, of course, it depends on your travel party, ticket type, resort level, length of stay, etc. but mine was $1,998 for 9 nights at POP (value resort) with 8 day Park Hoppers for 2 adults, DS13 and DS6. Awesome price!

oops...sorry...didn't see your resort preference there already...mine's a value instead of a moderate

We're booked for two rooms at POP 2 adults in each room so for each room this was what we paid. $1356 for 7 nights, 2 adults with 8 day base tickets with parkhopping AND water park and more options..

it comes out to about $678 per person and of course, we will be getting free dining also.. Great deal!!!

 

[DISNEYNY]

I hope I am doing this right-1st timer. I have a question for all the Visa card holders...How does the 6 mo no interest on vacation packages really work? Do you have 6 mo from the date of charge or from the original booking date?

Thanks

You have 6 months from the day you pay. So if you pay a $200 deposit now that is due in 6 months. Then if you pay off your balance in July or August the rest is due 6 months from that date. It is clearly seperated out on your statement so you know exactly how much is due and when it is due.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I feel a little nervous - what do you suggest. I called at 7:15 eastern time today and was only on hold for about 2 minutes. The guy was very nice and seemed good. He got to what seemed like the last screen and it kept hanging on him. He put me on hold for a while and then came back. He said he was still waiting for someone to pick up (where ever he was calling for help). While he was on hold he went back in and said it looked like it took. Should I be nervous? I know others had glitches.... If he saw it on the screen when he went back in - am I good to go? I don't want any suprises later on for something that was totally not my fault!!!

Thanks and any advice would be great!

If you got a reservation confirmation #, you're good to go!

Did you guys get a email with a code?I have a Disney Visa have not got anything.

I NEVER rely on DV to email me. LOL
Disboards and Mousesavers are ALWAYS faster.

Question for those of you who have already booked- did they make you pay the deposit immediately or are they still able to do the 10 day courtesy hold?

I plan to book on Monday when they release general public code but my paycheck doesn't get direct deposited until Wed at 12am, so I am really hoping that they still do this, otherwise I'll have to wait until Wed to book.

Thanks and congrats to all who got the dates and resort they wanted.

Kim

It's being reported NO courtesy holds (I think I saw that on Touring plans).
Whether that is for the DV sale only, don't know.

Is there a list of restaurants I can look at also, what happens if you don't say use your cs on one day do you lose it, or can you use it for snacks at the end. I think what I am saying is if you don't use it all on that day do you lose it?

You don't lose them. They are good until Midnight of the day you check out.

So if on my last day I am leaving in the morning, is it better to just grab snacks to use up the left over ts and snack credit left. Also can you use the snack credit at goofys candy store

Snacks at Goofys, yes. TS or CS for snacks, no. TS for CS, sometimes, usually during free dining, but don't bet on it.

I hope I am doing this right-1st timer. I have a question for all the Visa card holders...How does the 6 mo no interest on vacation packages really work? Do you have 6 mo from the date of charge or from the original booking date?

Thanks

I think it's from the time you book - so today for me. That's part of the reason I wait until almost the payment due date (45 days out) to pay my balance. You can also make payments as you go along, if that helps. Final payments are due 45 days out.

This is our first time on the DDP, and we'll be there during free dining. I've read people talk about some snacks and drinks (like smoothies) that are sometimes allowed on the DDP, and sometimes not. Is it fair to assume that during Free Dining, they are going to be very strict about what they allow on the DDP?....no smoothies for us!

They don't know who has the free dining, and they seem to allow what they allow normally. And that varies from restaurant to restaurant, and sometimes from server to server. So, no, they don't seem any stricter. But that definately could vary by situation.

I am trying to decide what to do here. My friend is at Disney right now with his family.I can not get in touch to see if he wants to do this deal.I do not want to tie up more money If he does not want to go.I did not see an answer if you can do the 10 day hold he will be back before then.Is it worth going with the park hoppers at the end of September or should I save there I will not be doing the water parks.Thanks

We like the parkhoppers when combined with free dining, because you are not locked into dining only at the park you are at.
But it definately can be done without, especially if you utilize the hotel restaurants.

For those of you who have already booked the FD, do they give you the option between the original DDP or the QSP? We are hoping we can get the QSP for this trip. We are two families going together. The other family has never been to WDW and have said that they would prefer to focus on the rides, shows and attractions and do not wish to spend a lot time at sit down meals.

No. Only Reg. Dinig plan, or pay extra to upgrade.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

You have 6 months from the day you pay. So if you pay a $200 deposit now that is due in 6 months. Then if you pay off your balance in July or August the rest is due 6 months from that date. It is clearly seperated out on your statement so you know exactly how much is due and when it is due.

great-that is the clarification I was looking for-Thanks for you help!!!

 

[Get me to Disney!]

Now that I have free dining, I have to figure out where to eat. I want to experience things other than Pecos Bill which we usually do multiple times just to save money when we were paying out of pocket. Time to start stalking a new thread LOL. Congrats to all who got the FDDP!!

 

[serene56]

i have a question regarding the free dining-- for people who booked their package ahead of time and only added the code-- was it actually cheaper?


the reason I am asking- I have been looking at pricing for Sept and had a handle on what it would cost-- on paper---subtracted the dining cost for the week.

Anyways-- since free dining has now been announced --those prices I was seeing before are not even close to what the price I was looking at. there is a $600.00 difference in the totals-- Now free dining doesnt seem like its worth it to me.

Do the hotels raise their rates in order for the free dining to work?