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

[TRICKY_TINK]

I talked to a CM when I booked my trip with the free dining pin. She said she would be shocked if Disney didn't offer free dining to the general public durring the normal time since they already offered it via the pin codes to select guests. I dont think anyone has anything to worry about. I would call now and make the res. then just switch it to free dining when it comes out. Maybe just maybe they would offer only free QSD but I doubt it.

 

[lsutiggergirl]

Yeah I talked to one yesterday who said be looking in April for sure.

 

[JAG2007]

This may be a redundant question; but please bear with me as I am new and planning my first trip...

When free dining is open to the public, how will we know? I am hoping to make a reservation for November (either before Thanksgiving or after) and am really hoping for free dining.

 

[lsutiggergirl]

Keep watching this board. The posts will be out of control when it happens.

Also--it's usually sometime in April so keep checking the DisneyWorld.com site. The discounts are usually at the bottom of the page.

 

[KKB]

The past 3 years it has been announced in April, offered late August thru late September/early October.
Disney VISA holders can typically book first, usually the first week in April, and the public in mid-April. Some have already received PIN codes by email (they are sent randomly) for the fall dates.
So if you are booking a November trip, I would not plan on free dining...but do keep your ear (eyes!) to this board...and keep close tab on your email...you just never know...

 

[UGAFan0829]

I also spoke to a TA today who felt pretty strongly that Disney would once again be offering free dining this year.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed-but I'm also going to go ahead and book anyway-We're going to try and go regardless of whether they do offer it or not.

 

[DaParkers]

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.

You're right about the deluxe, and the number in your party, but, I disagree with the value accomodations and the 5 or 6 day part. I priced both and free dining won on a 7nite stay at a moderate also. For my DW, DS10, and myself, we would save $495 with the 7 for 4 deal and $840 with free dining. What people have to also realize is that the room portion of the 7 for 4 deal doesn't change if you have one person or 4, but free dining is applicable to everyone in the room. For us, it's $120 a day for 7 days. Also, even if both had priced exactly the same, free dining would still win because with the 7 for 4 deal, you have room and tickets, but still haven't accounted for food.

 

[VickynMickey]

Is there a certain number of rooms that are allowed at each hotel that people can book the Free Dining Under??
Do you have to be booked in a Preferred Room at Pop to get the Free Dining.
We are booked in two regular rooms.
When do they open up the Free Dining and where can you find about it first?

 

[KKB]

Is there a certain number of rooms that are allowed at each hotel that people can book the Free Dining Under??
Do you have to be booked in a Preferred Room at Pop to get the Free Dining.
We are booked in two regular rooms.
When do they open up the Free Dining and where can you find about it first?

Yes, there are a limited number of rooms at each resort that they will attach free dining to.
No, you do not need a preferred room.
KEEP CHECKING HERE--daily, especially near the beginning of April. TRUST ME--we WILL know things here, first!!!

 

[ZeroToHero]

I've been lurking for a while, but now I have a question...
if you have a reservation at a hotel (let's say CBR) and free dining comes out, it's possible that you could have your room, but when you call they say they're out of free dining for that hotel?

weird...
is it the same number for each hotel (therefore making it a good idea to stay at a smaller hotel) or do bigger capacity hotels have more rooms with free dining?

 

[catne]

I've been lurking for a while, but now I have a question...
if you have a reservation at a hotel (let's say CBR) and free dining comes out, it's possible that you could have your room, but when you call they say they're out of free dining for that hotel?

weird...
is it the same number for each hotel (therefore making it a good idea to stay at a smaller hotel) or do bigger capacity hotels have more rooms with free dining?

Yes it could happen your resort or room choice is not available...so if you're sure you want free dining, be prepared to be flexible.

Don't know the answer to your second question

 

[LovinPooh]

okay, after going without the plan, I am a definite believer now
Is free dining something they have offered regularly over the last couple years? I cant go back this year. But wow, I could really convince DH if they did this next. Is there somewhere to check on the historical offers for this?

 

[2littleprincesses]

We are thinking of going 9/19-9/26 or 10/10-10/17. What are the chances that free dining will be offered at those times? Thanks!

 

[KKB]

We are thinking of going 9/19-9/26 or 10/10-10/17. What are the chances that free dining will be offered at those times? Thanks!

Of free dining being offered on your Sept. dates, but not likely for your Oct. dates, if dates are similar to the last 3 years.

 

[silmarg]

You're right about the deluxe, and the number in your party, but, I disagree with the value accomodations and the 5 or 6 day part. I priced both and free dining won on a 7nite stay at a moderate also. For my DW, DS10, and myself, we would save $495 with the 7 for 4 deal and $840 with free dining. What people have to also realize is that the room portion of the 7 for 4 deal doesn't change if you have one person or 4, but free dining is applicable to everyone in the room. For us, it's $120 a day for 7 days. Also, even if both had priced exactly the same, free dining would still win because with the 7 for 4 deal, you have room and tickets, but still haven't accounted for food.

I agree that free dining is prob better for a mod....

BTW, you are gonna love DCL...

 

[meljw1960]

Last year, we had two preferred rooms at POP booked and when the free dining was announced, we could not get the preferred rooms, so we changed to All Star Sports. I wouldn't have cared, but it was my moms first time there and we wanted her to have a preferred room. So I'm hoping this time we will keep our rooms at POP ( I haven't booked yet) because we want standard rooms anyway

 

[KKB]

Last year, we had two preferred rooms at POP booked and when the free dining was announced, we could not get the preferred rooms, so we changed to All Star Sports. I wouldn't have cared, but it was my moms first time there and we wanted her to have a preferred room. So I'm hoping this time we will keep our rooms at POP ( I haven't booked yet) because we want standard rooms anyway

They would rather you pay LESS for a standard room so you can get free DDP than pay the extra for preferred...what's the logic in that?

Sure hope we can keep our preferred POP room...just LOVED the convenience to the pool, the food court, the busses.

 

[brockash]

Yes, there are a limited number of rooms at each resort that they will attach free dining to.
No, you do not need a preferred room.
KEEP CHECKING HERE--daily, especially near the beginning of April. TRUST ME--we WILL know things here, first!!!

Is this true for Values as well? Last year we went during free dining, got free dining, but HAD to pay for a preferred room I could really careless about the room, because to me it's all about the same, so if we don't have to pay for a preferred on our 3 rooms, I'd obviously prefer to not.

 

[lsutiggergirl]

They may have made you pay for a preferred because the standards reserved for the free dining package were booked already...

 

[Nyla]

I have a quick question, and sorry if it's been asked before:

We have reserved the Deluxe Dining. If/when Free Dining becomes available will we receive the amount back that the Basic Dining would cost, and then just pay the difference for the deluxe?

Thanks!