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

[mom2taylorandemily]

Can someone answer for me my 1 question regarding dates for Free Dining? The update on the post #1 of this thread says Free Dining is From Aug. 15th thru Oct. 3rd. I need to confirm if this is true, if so I'd like to extend my trip by 1 day. Thank you!!

 

[LMCT88]

Thank you for the info, I have just one more question (sorry for the questions first time with free dining), how to I figure out if I saved, I previously had a room only ressie with a 40% off code, so room at Pop for 8 days 7 nights was 458.00 (I still had to buy passes and food, so trying to figure out about how much I saved by doing the dining and getting passes in my package), Thanks for any help.

 

[wishesUT]

Booked my free dining this morning (yippee). Now the hard part: We have 8 full days in the parks, booked 9 nights at Pop. I have my ADR list in mind (plan to be really flexible about times so hopefully we get the ones we want), but when I start trying to schedule what day in which park, whether to EMH or not, best days, most convenient park to restaurant (most of our ADRs are resort restaurants), my head really hurts. We are planning no water parks, so as to give us time to explore the 4 major theme parks without having to rush and possibly an afternoon at DTD. Our ADR picks are: Ohana(D-1st night), Sci-Fi (L or D), 1900 Pk Fare (D), Boma (D), Ohana (B), Chef Mickey (D), Le Cellier (D), Les Chefs (D), Akershus (D), Boma (B-OOP), and Crystal Palace (B-OOP) or Prime Time (L or D-OOP). We plan 2 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at DHS, 1 day at AK, and 1 afternoon at DTD, with the rest open for repeating faves or finishing things we didn't get to. We also want to see Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic, and possibly do MNSSHP. Whew - that's alot of planning. Does anybody have a good strategy for this? I don't even know where to begin?

I'm a planner too! I've actually adapted an Excel spreadsheet I saw once for my planning use. I use the crowd calendar from the Unofficial Guide to plan which parks I'll be going to on which days, and then plan my dining reservations from there. Right now I have my guestimates of what the park hours will be, and there's room on the form to put your ADR #'s and times. I think I look at it at least five times each day. Anyway, we are going for nine nights as well, so my Excel form might work for you. I can send a copy to you via email if you want to PM me your email address. Others probably have similar planning tools if you ask around.

 

[lisalonglash]

Thank you for the info, I have just one more question (sorry for the questions first time with free dining), how to I figure out if I saved, I previously had a room only ressie with a 40% off code, so room at Pop for 8 days 7 nights was 458.00 (I still had to buy passes and food, so trying to figure out about how much I saved by doing the dining and getting passes in my package), Thanks for any help.

It depends on your family size. The basic dining plan (which is what you're getting free with FD) costs US$39.99 per adult and US$9.99 per child aged 3-9. You should do the math to figure out which is better for your family, but FD saves our family of four (2 adults, 1 x 10yo and 1 x 7yo) US$130 per day versus what my 40% discount saved us at ASMu (which was just over US$300 total for our 7-night stay). Your room discount was probably about the same, depending on your dates, as Pop and ASMu are both values.

Enjoy that FD - I sincerely hope my awesome TA will be able to get us FD on Monday (we really want to stay at ASMu)

 

[LMCT88]

Thanks for the info it is just the 2 of us (adults) and I guess I am second guessing myself (lol) as the total went from 458.00 room only to 1355 for Pop Century (8 days 7 nights), FD and 6 Day Park Hopper Passes. So if I did the math correctly, I am probably saving around 200 bucks. Again Thanks so much.

 

[lisalonglash]

I'm a planner too! I've actually adapted an Excel spreadsheet I saw once for my planning use. I use the crowd calendar from the Unofficial Guide to plan which parks I'll be going to on which days, and then plan my dining reservations from there. Right now I have my guestimates of what the park hours will be, and there's room on the form to put your ADR #'s and times. I think I look at it at least five times each day. Anyway, we are going for nine nights as well, so my Excel form might work for you. I can send a copy to you via email if you want to PM me your email address. Others probably have similar planning tools if you ask around.

Which site are you using to get your park hour guesstimates? I'd like to plan which day will be which park, but I can't without the hours Of course, our dates could change depending on which flights we get anyway

Yes, I have an Excel sheet too - last year, I made each of my boys a photo album with each day's plan and notes in them. This year, I want a one-page itinerary that I can just fold and put in my Heys bag - less to carry around!

 

[goofygirl0415]

We got the email this morning that we are booked Sept. 12-17! Wilderness lodge this time with FREE DINING!!! My goodness am I excited!! New resort this time and free dining...I honestly don't know how it can get much better!!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Can someone answer for me my 1 question regarding dates for Free Dining? The update on the post #1 of this thread says Free Dining is From Aug. 15th thru Oct. 3rd. I need to confirm if this is true, if so I'd like to extend my trip by 1 day. Thank you!!

Per Mousesavers: Disney Rewards Visa cardholders can get FREE dining when you book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package for check-ins most nights 8/16/09-10/3/09. To qualify, you must use your Disney Rewards Visa card to reserve and pay for a vacation package that includes at least 3 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a one-day theme park ticket.

I'm a planner too! I've actually adapted an Excel spreadsheet I saw once for my planning use. I use the crowd calendar from the Unofficial Guide to plan which parks I'll be going to on which days, and then plan my dining reservations from there. Right now I have my guestimates of what the park hours will be, and there's room on the form to put your ADR #'s and times. I think I look at it at least five times each day. Anyway, we are going for nine nights as well, so my Excel form might work for you. I can send a copy to you via email if you want to PM me your email address. Others probably have similar planning tools if you ask around.

I love being in the company of fellow overplanners! The good news is, park hours SHOULD be available before ADRs can be made, so that will help decide where and when.
That being said, I already know where we are going what day, based on the best days.

 

[LorilieMarie]

I'm booked

If anyone is planning on going with a large pary . . .one thing I learned today is you can only book up to 3 rooms. Luckily, 2 of us have a DV, so we got our five rooms that we need.

I'm a planner too. I have an Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of my days also, if anyone wants a copy PM me.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

What is the Disney Destinations? This is my first time every going to WDW and we are going to late for FD and are unable to change our dates to earlier. So I would like to get the chance to get the Disney Destinations announcements if they do it again this year.

Disney Destinations is the name on the promo emails that come from Walt Disney World. They were not announcements last year, they were emails sent out to select, random people that offered pin code discounts. You just need to make sure your email is registered on the Walt Disney World Website or get a Disney Visa Card.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Will the code for general public be the same as the Visa holders or will there be another code announced Monday morning!!!

Yes, the codes will be different.

 

[gigi1313]

We got the email this morning that we are booked Sept. 12-17! Wilderness lodge this time with FREE DINING!!! My goodness am I excited!! New resort this time and free dining...I honestly don't know how it can get much better!!!

HI there! so, where are you going to eat all that free food?! that's the hard part! LOL!

now that yours is booked, i've gotta get on the horn and book my own... i'm hoping to wait 'til tonight when the wait time is less...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

HI there! so, where are you going to eat all that free food?! that's the hard part! LOL!

now that yours is booked, i've gotta get on the horn and book my own... i'm hoping to wait 'til tonight when the wait time is less...

The ADRs have gone back to 90 days. You won't be able to make them for your trip until about mid-June.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

HI there! so, where are you going to eat all that free food?! that's the hard part! LOL!

now that yours is booked, i've gotta get on the horn and book my own... i'm hoping to wait 'til tonight when the wait time is less...

Nevermind. I re-read that and I assume you mean you are getting on the phone tonight to make your resort reservations.

 

[Disney 4 2]

I made reservations in Feb. for a party of 7 (3 rooms) at the AKL. I booked with a local travel agent and paid my deposit. I do not have a Disney rewards card but applied for one on-line yesterday with Chase.

I have notified my travel agent about today's announcement for
disney card holders and the rumor for the general public on Monday. She called Disney vacations and they said I should be able to get the free dining applied to my current reservation.

Is there a restriction on resorts with the free dining?

I am booked September 20-27 AKL Concierge Standard view.

PS, you guys are great! This will be my 7th trip and I have planned the last 5 trips with help from this board.

This time since it my entire family (not just me and DH), I have gone "nuts" and have made a spreadsheet, planning with Sept. 2008 dates! LOL!d

 

[goofygirl0415]

It is going to be so hard to try and figure out where to eat!!! Luckily I have some time so I can make some good choices!! Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[KKB]

I made reservations in Feb. for a party of 7 (3 rooms) at the AKL. I booked with a local travel agent and paid my deposit. I do not have a Disney rewards card but applied for one on-line yesterday with Chase.

I have notified my travel agent about today's announcement for
disney card holders and the rumor for the general public on Monday. She called Disney vacations and they said I should be able to get the free dining applied to my current reservation.

Is there a restriction on resorts with the free dining?

I am booked September 20-27 AKL Concierge Standard view.

PS, you guys are great! This will be my 7th trip and I have planned the last 5 trips with help from this board.

This time since it my entire family (not just me and DH), I have gone "nuts" and have made a spreadsheet, planning with Sept. 2008 dates! LOL!d

Generally value resorts fill first; Concierge are likely a late filler, so I wouldn't worry too much, but I would be on it as soon as it is announced to the general public.

 

[SEPTBABIES02]

I called today from work to book the FD and realized I left my DV at home. I called back as I was walking through the front door and was only on hold for about 3-4 minutes. I have been holding out for FD for months I can't believe its finally here! Now comes the hard part-ADR. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[KKB]

We were booked POP preferred Sept. 5-13. Was on hold only a couple of minutes. The CM kept saying, "WOW! You saved so much money!"
There are 7 of us, only 1 will be a child, so this saves us $250/day or $2K over our 8 day trip! HOLY COW!
We are thrilled if we find a cruise for $500pp for 7 days. We are getting WDW room, passes & meals for that for 8 days! Worth missing 4 days of school for!
WOO HOO!
(we are going for Ohanas, Le Cellier & Boma from last trip; adding Whispering Canyon Cafe, 50s Prime Time, Jiko, Rose & Crown for this trip--read the reviews on the restaurant review thread and check the menus at allearsnet.com, that's how I planned our meals for the last trip--DH was amazed what great meals we had!--all from that good planning! Have fun with it!)

 

[mom2rtk]

So now all we have to worry about is the free for all come May/June when everyone calls at once to make ADR's.

I really liked the 180 day window and wish they hadn't changed it back to 90. I always felt like I had a leg up as an overplanner!