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

[TDC Nala]

Please do not discuss tipping on this thread. All tipping questions and discussion should be placed on the Tipping Information Thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2056032

Please see the first post of this thread for the rules regarding tipping discussion on the restaurant boards. It's unfortunate that we have to do it this way, but tipping discussions have consistently gotten completely out of hand.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I apologize for discussing you know what. It was an innocent mistake.

lisalonglash, in years past, when they had free dining and the TS places were full up they offered to allow you to trade a TS for a CS and 2 snacks. What I do is order my CS meal, tell the cashier that I want to trade a TS for a CS and they do so and give me 2 certificates to be used for snacks. There may have been times when they did not offer this option but I have found it to be so when I went.

I think this is a better option than the CS meal plan, if getting it for free, especially.

Good luck and enjoy!

SG

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

TDC... sorry I didn't realize. My primary concern was for asking if it had changed for 09. I didn't mean to bring the subject up again. Wont happen again!

To those of you who keep asking WHEN we will know about free ddp... that's an easy one... this board will light up like a Christmas tree!!! If your a regular here... YOU'LL KNOW!!!!!

We've been really lucky. Last time we were booking our May trip in April (I love being self employed! ) when the calls went from no wait to 5 minutes to quite long. I asked the CM what happened and why the wait time was so long. She said "Deary... your a lucky one. The one behind you has a 45 minute wait!!! They'll be at 2 hours out by closing." So while we were finalizing our May trip, we went ahead and booked and paid for Sept!!! We know exactly which week we always want anyways, so it's always just a case of when do we pay.

 

[pdmedic]

Well we got free dining but I'm not feeling the best about it. I called Disney earlier to see if I had the PIN code on my account since I have seen so many people have it without notification. The agent I spoke with said I didn't have the PIN but that he would go ahead and apply the code for the dates we wanted. I let him know that I had a reservation through Small World Travel and he advised that he couldn't put the code on it but gave me a hold for 10 days with the same dates. I e-mailed my travel agent to see if they could apply the code and they called Disney and spoke with guest services and e-mailed me back that they were honoring the code but the employee was being disciplined for giving us the offer as well as double booking us. I just called Disney and they said the employee will be talked too about the correct procedure in the future but that the employee was not in any great trouble. I don't know we ended up with the free dining on the reservation but it's kind of hard to feel good about it at the moment.

 

[anewmac]

Well we got free dining but I'm not feeling the best about it. I called Disney earlier to see if I had the PIN code on my account since I have seen so many people have it without notification. The agent I spoke with said I didn't have the PIN but that he would go ahead and apply the code for the dates we wanted. I let him know that I had a reservation through Small World Travel and he advised that he couldn't put the code on it but gave me a hold for 10 days with the same dates. I e-mailed my travel agent to see if they could apply the code and they called Disney and spoke with guest services and e-mailed me back that they were honoring the code but the employee was being disciplined for giving us the offer as well as double booking us. I just called Disney and they said the employee will be talked too about the correct procedure in the future but that the employee was not in any great trouble. I don't know we ended up with the free dining on the reservation but it's kind of hard to feel good about it at the moment.

Awww the cm was just spreading some pixie dust... maybe if you know of the name you can write a letter/email saying how nice and curtious he was. How his show of pixi dust has made you a loyal dis fan, and you will be sure to pass on the magic while at the parks.

 

[pdmedic]

I called and spoke with a supervisor let the supervisor know what happened and that their CM helped us a whole lot and that my travel agent said he was being disciplined for it. Told the supervisor if it was going to cost the CM his job or something serious to cancel the reservation since my vacation wasn't worth that. The supervisor said since it was a simple error he would be informed the correct way for in the future but that it wasn't a serious issue. So guess I won't feel to bad about it.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

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.

So let me get this start--it is early in the morning-no green tea yet-they will give a SUGGESTED tip amount - I can leave what I see fit right?? (like if I see they deserve 25% or if I see they deserve nothing-right??) SOrry- as I said SLOW morning!!!

Sorry for talking about tipping on this board- I will go to the other place-- thanks

 

[lklasing]

I just saw on another board that there is speculation that they are going to extend the 7 for 4 promotion into the fall. The speculation that followed is that such an extension will kill free dining. I'm soooooo hoping for free dining for our Labor Day trip. Does anyone know anything about this or even just have any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks!

Leslie

 

[RMulieri]

I have officially given up trying to guess what Disney may do next. Both discounts are cash cows for Disney.They may extend 4/3 but not till after free dining, they may not do free dining,they may note extend 4/3, or they may run both promos simultaneously ( doubt it).

 

[princess&her4princes]

Just venting...called to see if I had a pin attached to my name again today, it's been weeks, and got the rudest CM ever..I was very polite and just asked to check if there was a possibility I had a code and she didn't give me the time of day. She just kept telling me that I had to get one via email or mail....why do I feel like I'm the only one that doesn't get these offers? Okay...thanks for letting me wine....lol!

 

[faindrops27]

I just saw on another board that there is speculation that they are going to extend the 7 for 4 promotion into the fall. The speculation that followed is that such an extension will kill free dining. I'm soooooo hoping for free dining for our Labor Day trip. Does anyone know anything about this or even just have any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks!

Leslie[/QUOTE

I would doubt that rumor. Every year there are the same naysayers. Every year. They come out with the free dining offer. I would not worry in the least.

 

[beroh2253]

The 4/3 seems to be a good deal, did anyone figure which is the better deal. If you get the 4/3 and buy the DDP or free DDP and rack room rates and park tickets. Maybe they will kick in the $200 bonus like they have now up till March, you could but some TS meals with that and not get the DDP.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Is the waiting killing anyone as much as it's killing me? LOL!! We're going no matter what, but it would just make my trip that much better and obviously that much easier for us to spend more there!! No matter what, Disney will be getting our money!!

 

[jupers]

Ok, we are going with a free dining pin at the end of August for 6 nights. Paid $1824 w/insurance.

I just priced the same trip for early in August with the 4/3 and purchasing the dining plan and it was $2107 with insurance.

We are going one less day than the 4/3 deal and the difference is about $300. So looks like they are neck and neck with free dining winning on a photo finish...

 

[VickynMickey]

We have never done the DDP. We are going Sept. 24th - 30th 6 total in our party two under 10. And Hoping praying for Free Dining would save big bucks.
So I have a few ?'s
What do you get with the Free DDP, How many meals etc.?????
Do you have to make ADR's for all your meals???
Can you eat at Counter Service???
How far in advance can you make your ADR's??
What resturants are allowed with the Free DDP, are any Character Meals included??
We have Pop Century Booked already and will just add on Free Dining if its offered during our stay.
Thank you all so much

 

[Goofy22]

We have never done the DDP. We are going Sept. 24th - 30th 6 total in our party two under 10. And Hoping praying for Free Dining would save big bucks.
So I have a few ?'s
What do you get with the Free DDP, How many meals etc.?????
Do you have to make ADR's for all your meals???
Can you eat at Counter Service???
How far in advance can you make your ADR's??
What resturants are allowed with the Free DDP, are any Character Meals included??
We have Pop Century Booked already and will just add on Free Dining if its offered during our stay.
Thank you all so much

OK! You get the basic dining plan which is 1 snack, 1 Counter service and 1 Table Service per person per day ages 3 and up!
Yes you should definitely make ADR's Free dining at times has beeen known to have no availability at Table service Restaurants!
You can make your adr's at 90days out for up to 10days of vacation !
Yes! Character meals are included !
If you goto www.disney.go.com you can download a Dining brochure and the basic dining plan would be what you would be getting for free! The restaurants on the plan will be on this brochure and you can print it!

Actually if Free dining is offered they may or may not be able to just add it to your current reservation sometimes they have to cancel your current and rebook the free dining package. Pop is very popular during that time and their preferred rooms go in a flash so make sure your up and ready when lines open in April if it's offered!

Chef Mickey's ( Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Minnie, Chip n Dale )
1900 Parkfare( Cinderella, Prince Charming,Fairy God mother etc..)
Garden Grill (Chip n Dale)
Cape May Cafe (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy)
Princess Story Book (princesses)
Crystal Palace(pooh, eeyore, tigger, piglet)
O'hana (lilo , Stitch)
are some character meals off the top of my head that are on the dining plan!

 

[silmarg]

We have never done the DDP. We are going Sept. 24th - 30th 6 total in our party two under 10. And Hoping praying for Free Dining would save big bucks.
So I have a few ?'s
What do you get with the Free DDP, How many meals etc.?????
Do you have to make ADR's for all your meals???
Can you eat at Counter Service???
How far in advance can you make your ADR's??
What resturants are allowed with the Free DDP, are any Character Meals included??
We have Pop Century Booked already and will just add on Free Dining if its offered during our stay.
Thank you all so much

With DDP (assuming its the same deal as prior years) each person gets 1 Table Service, 1 Counter Service and 1 Snack per day. This plan would cost $37 per person over 9 y.o. and $12 for a child.

I would recommend making ADRs for your table service restaurants as they will get crowded when free dining is announced. ADRs can be made 90 days in advance for most restaurants.

Most Character Meals count as a Table Service. Cinderella's Castle will use two table service credits.

You will want to get your Pop ressie modified as soon as free dining is announced.

 

[silmarg]

The 4/3 seems to be a good deal, did anyone figure which is the better deal. If you get the 4/3 and buy the DDP or free DDP and rack room rates and park tickets. Maybe they will kick in the $200 bonus like they have now up till March, you could but some TS meals with that and not get the DDP.

4/3 is a better deal if you are is staying deluxe and is you have a smaller party size and if you plan to stay the full 7 days.

Free Dining is better is you have a larger party, staying in value accommodations and are staying only 5 or 6 days.

That said we (2A, 2C) did 4/3 staying 7 nites at POP last week and paid for dining and bought 1 day passes. Cost $1577. We did get a $200 gift card. Net $1377

If we book a room at POP the 1st week of Sept and get 1 day passes. Cost (per disney.com) $948. And dining would hopefully be free.

That said, I may only be able to stay 4 nites in Sept and in the past free dining in the past required a 5 nite stay. Can I pay for 5 nites but duck out on the sly?

 

[Goofy22]

I have officially given up trying to guess what Disney may do next. Both discounts are cash cows for Disney.They may extend 4/3 but not till after free dining, they may not do free dining,they may note extend 4/3, or they may run both promos simultaneously ( doubt it).

My exact thoughts that they will bring back the 4/3 after the Oct 1st date! That is when free dining is over.

 

[VickynMickey]

Silmarg and Goofy22 Thanks for the info. I found the brochure and a great thread on the Dining Plan. I think I have figured it out. Now I can just hope and pray for Free Dining during our stay. What a savings this would be for our whole group. I am marking the calender for 90 days out for ADR's. April will be here before we know it, too find out either way
Thanks again!!!