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

[ohiotodds12]

We had a trip booked for last September (08) on our Disney Visa when Free dining came out the first Monday in April. We called later that day and was easily changed. Now this year if it holds true to what was offered to the UK, you may have to be staying in a Mod or Deluxe resort and those may fill up to the quota faster. Though we also booked the year before (07) on the last day it was offered in June and it had been offered to the GP for 2 months and rooms were available where we wanted to stay. You could probably do it either way but just remember, we were told that the deposit needed to be done on the Disney Visa and they asked us for the numbers of the different cards for everyone in our party (we had four rooms and I was on my cell calling everyone while I was on the line with Disney). Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Quick question- me and my df already have a trip booked for the first week of september...we had booked the vacation on my credit card bc i had the disney visa. When free dining becomes available....i wont have time that morning to call and change my ressie bc i cannot call in sick to work....can i just book another trip online with his credit card in his name? and then cancel mine?

You should be ok to caller later in the day.
If you are calling during the early booking for Disney Visa holders, it wouldn't work to use a non-Disney card (if that's what you are suggesting.)
As long as you are not wanting some super special view or something, you should have no problem.

We had a trip booked for last September (08) on our Disney Visa when Free dining came out the first Monday in April. We called later that day and was easily changed. Now this year if it holds true to what was offered to the UK, you may have to be staying in a Mod or Deluxe resort and those may fill up to the quota faster. Though we also booked the year before (07) on the last day it was offered in June and it had been offered to the GP for 2 months and rooms were available where we wanted to stay. You could probably do it either way but just remember, we were told that the deposit needed to be done on the Disney Visa and they asked us for the numbers of the different cards for everyone in our party (we had four rooms and I was on my cell calling everyone while I was on the line with Disney). Have a great trip!

I HIGHLY doubt they will limit the US promotion to Moderates and above.
Considering they manage to sell out the values sale rooms every time they offer it, they would be crazy to do that. UK sales are not always the same for what they offer and dates and such.
Besides, the Pin code free dining sale that has just been offered was for regular dining plan.

Re: getting rooms later - I agree, they open up more sale rooms as needed. Not to mention people cancel.

Re: When booking, I was able to put all of our grand gathering's deposits on my card, (I was the WDW expert, LOL, so therefore in charge of booking) and then they paid the balance off with whatever they wanted to (check, card, etc.)

I hope we hear something soon!

 

[disney fan 2013]

This may be a silly question, as I feel like I have seen similar questions on this thread but not quite exactly this.... I've already booked a bounceback reservation for August 25-September 8. If free dining does come out, can I keep the bounceback offer and still use the free dining? From what I've read, you need to pay rack rate for the room if you want to get free dining. So would I have to cancel the bounceback offer if I wanted to get FD? TIA

 

[Cupmom]

Just was online, chatting to a Disney resevation specialist on their web sight and asked about anything coming up for my 8/16 trip

Her exact reply... At this time I do not have any information on free dining, however I would suggest that you keep an eye on the Special Offers page over the next couple of weeks

 

[DisneyMom5]

This may be a silly question, as I feel like I have seen similar questions on this thread but not quite exactly this.... I've already booked a bounceback reservation for August 25-September 8. If free dining does come out, can I keep the bounceback offer and still use the free dining? From what I've read, you need to pay rack rate for the room if you want to get free dining. So would I have to cancel the bounceback offer if I wanted to get FD? TIA

What was your bounceback, a lowered room rate?
Then, yes, you'd have to pick one or the other.
You cannot combine discounts.

The free dining sale is usually "Purchase at full price a package of room and tickets (min. 3 nights, 1 day base ticket) and get the Disney Dining plan for free."

If it was free dining, then you already have the sale that is coming out.

Happy planning!

 

[livinlife25]

You should be ok to caller later in the day.
If you are calling during the early booking for Disney Visa holders, it wouldn't work to use a non-Disney card (if that's what you are suggesting.)
As long as you are not wanting some super special view or something, you should have no problem.


He now has a Disney Visa card....So would it be okay to do?

 

[hugabearjo]

HELP!! I am going crazy. Making myself believe that last year we had a pretty good idea by now what the offer would be, leaks of dates etc. has anyone heard anything???? I think there was even a leak of the ad by now. Am I just getting anxious and it was later last year the leaks came??

Thanks-
Jo

 

[trixiemuffin]

Just wondering if anyone knows what has happened in the past when the free dining offer begins in the middle of your stay. We are thinking of booking a package from 8/18-8/25, and free dining may not be offered until around 8/23. Will they let us get free dining for the entire stay?

 

[mom2rtk]

I had a trip booked 12/13 to 12/19. The FD started on the 14th. I had to restructure with a room only for the first night, then a package for the remaining days with FD. So you should be able to take advantage, but might have to rebook into 2 parts.

 

[trixiemuffin]

Thanks. We will probably change our trip dates so that we can get free dining for our entire stay. Maybe with some luck they will offer it a little earlier this year, since it looks like the 4/3 offer ends on about 8/15.

 

[ZeroToHero]

So I applied for a Disney Visa card on the off chance that I would be accepted (I haven't been 18 for six months yet, I will be in April, but as of right now, I'm a big "liability" apparently) but I haven't heard back yet.

I figured if I could start building my credit score AND have the ability to book free dining earlier that would be great!

Hoping to hear back soon - they didn't auto-approve me, and they said it would take a few days, but it's been longer than that.

 

[DisneyMom5]

You should be ok to caller later in the day.
If you are calling during the early booking for Disney Visa holders, it wouldn't work to use a non-Disney card (if that's what you are suggesting.)
As long as you are not wanting some super special view or something, you should have no problem.


He now has a Disney Visa card....So would it be okay to do?

Well, in theory, but I don't think you'll be able to do it through the website until it goes general public. I can't remember there being an icon on the website for disney visa only. But there might have been, so check!

Hope you get it all worked out!

 

[Nimbusteach]

Would love to know this as well!

 

[Sherry76]

You should be ok to caller later in the day.
If you are calling during the early booking for Disney Visa holders, it wouldn't work to use a non-Disney card (if that's what you are suggesting.)
As long as you are not wanting some super special view or something, you should have no problem.



I HIGHLY doubt they will limit the US promotion to Moderates and above.
Considering they manage to sell out the values sale rooms every time they offer it, they would be crazy to do that. UK sales are not always the same for what they offer and dates and such.
Besides, the Pin code free dining sale that has just been offered was for regular dining plan.

Re: getting rooms later - I agree, they open up more sale rooms as needed. Not to mention people cancel.

Re: When booking, I was able to put all of our grand gathering's deposits on my card, (I was the WDW expert, LOL, so therefore in charge of booking) and then they paid the balance off with whatever they wanted to (check, card, etc.)

I hope we hear something soon!

Seeing that you are the WDW expert I'm hoping that you can answer a question for me. Would we be eligible for th FD in September if we have a Disney Visa and are booked at BCV on someone elses points?

 

[curlgirl71]

I got a bounceback offer last year (first time ever) the dates are 8/23/09 thru 10/1/09 . I booked it for 2009 so I am getting free dining YEA!!!!!

 

[livinlife25]

Ahhh I didnt think about that!! Thanks for the help....We are booked CL and im just worrying about those going fast or worst case not being available at all If i dont get it then oh well but it will be like walking around knowing everyon else got a 500 dollar coupon and i didnt

 

[DisneyMom5]

Seeing that you are the WDW expert I'm hoping that you can answer a question for me. Would we be eligible for th FD in September if we have a Disney Visa and are booked at BCV on someone elses points?

They have never offered Free Dining to anyone booked with DVC points.
They want you to pay for a room and tickets, that's why they offer the Free Dining when your purchase a package.

Some people have tried to decide whether it is cheaper to pay out of pocket for a Value resort and get free dining, or use points and pay for the dining plan. It always pays to price it out. : )

Wouldn't it be lovely to stay for free AND get free food? We would LOVE that!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I think this waiting is aging me

 

[Cupmom]

I'm growing old along with you.

 

[Crystal824]

I'm aging along with you too. I can't wait to find out.