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

[Mickey_Mom]

As a Canadian, I too am thankful they are starting to offer the FD in more ways to more people. I'll take what I can get!

My apologizes if this has been asked and answered, but we are staying at the POP with the free dining this August and are wondering if we don't use all of our table services, can we switch them for counter services?

 

[kath1210]

As a Canadian, I too am thankful they are starting to offer the FD in more ways to more people. I'll take what I can get!

My apologizes if this has been asked and answered, but we are staying at the POP with the free dining this August and are wondering if we don't use all of our table services, can we switch them for counter services?

I have had no problem using table service credits as counter service credits, although some here have reported problems. We've done this at the ASMU food court, Pizzafari in AK, the quick-service restaurant at the Poly, the France counter-service place and at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot.

 

[Bete]

I have no problem with the QS plan for the Values and I am a Value person. I would assume that one could upgrade and pay the difference if it mattered? For those who only want to eat at one or two TS they could pay OP.

Now if I could keep my $49 rate and get QS I would think I was in heaven!

It is wonderful that they are offering more weeks with FD in whatever form IMO.

Slightly Goofy who cannot wait to see what happens next and wishes it would not cause that would mean the economy etc. was doing better.

I've been lucky enough with our schedule to be able to take advantage of the best deals at Disney; so, I'm spoiled in that way. I'm glad you mentioned about upgrading, but there is a cost to that privelege and I will have to make some serious comparisons when it comes time to decide. I have other varibles in the equation, as well.

I have some peculair circumstances, whereas, a 2 bedroom condo will make for a better vacation for us. I can't afford the Disney privilege to get the advantage there with a 2 bedroom villa, etc. Everyone's circumstances are different.

I'm very happy to have had the advantage last year. I just think for the times as they are, that it's a bad decision on Disney's part to make a change such as this one, right now. They should not allienate the value resort customer in this way.

Also, the swine flu problem will hurt Disney's bottom line and to take this step towards value resort customers is just a bad move at this time.

 

[enchantingodin]

My apologizes if this has been asked and answered, but we are staying at the POP with the free dining this August and are wondering if we don't use all of our table services, can we switch them for counter services?

Last year when we went we were able to trade a TS for a CS and 2SCs. They give you a voucher (peice of paper) and you have to use both at the same time. We did it for one meal last year and ended up with 11 SCs to use at Goofys on our way home.

 

[mom2rtk]

You know, I wouldn't be surprised to see even more people now sign up for free dining in September, now that they're afraid it might be their last shot at the best deal! And just when I thought traffic might be light after everyone did the 4/3 deal!

I heard the Pop was booked, but has anyone heard about the other values? Or whether they added more rooms for the deal at the Pop?????

 

[Bete]

It's not clear but it mentions other great rates for 11-28 to 12-17 are available in this Disney Destination ad. It's in the darker blue box of the e-mail in small print further down from the free dining offer. It says to call about it.

I will call hopefully tomorrow to see what it is about but I'm hoping for a heads up if anyone else has asked about it yet. I'm more interested in those dates; I want December.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Bete, when I saw the additional FD dates I was hoping that they might extend them to the first part of December, when we are going. That would be a dream come true. Thank you for the information. I have my fingers crossed, as well as my eyes.

I hear you on the fact that the QS might not work for your group. Having lost a significant amount of weight I do not like to eat when I am not hungry and also am a tad bit cheap and do not care to shill out big bucks for tips when I can only eat a bit any old way so my circumstances are different.

I greatly enjoyed FD when it included tips etc. but even then I felt like the moderates and deluxe resort folks were getting the raw end of the stick. More of the Value folks have four in their room so they are basically getting their room free, or even better, with the FD, while the others are not getting nearly as much. Even if I won the lottery I would still be a Value person. It is just who I am.

This is why Disney has so many options and choices. I just hope that everyone can find something that will make them happy and able to go and enjoy!

SG

 

[mom2rtk]

To be honest, I always thought that free dining deal was just too good to last at the values.

But honestly, don't you think you'd get REALLY tired of CS in a week's time???? If that's what they want to promote, they really ought to add more variety to their CS offerings....I just don't see ever being able to do this........

I'm more glad than ever to be booked for Sept/Oct this year!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Has anyone priced out their new pin code? I'm wondering which is a better deal- free dining for September or Big kids play and eat for little kid prices pin offer.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

mom2rtk, I totally agree with you on all counts. A big part of any vacation for most folks is the food and the variety has gone away from many of my favorite spots.

Maybe you could pay OP for 1-2 TS if that is important to you? With what you will be saving on the other meals it would still be a nice savings.

I am booked for December and hoping that they will have FD, in any version after Thanksgiving. Even if I have to give up my $49 rate and pay $82 it is still a bargain and makes life easier.

Enjoy! SG

 

[Bete]

I was given the vacation package code anyway and for the later times mentioned in the e-mail. Something was screwed up with my e-mail, but Disney was pro-active and did it for me, anyway. I'm booked for 10 nights starting 11-30 with free QS dining at POP.

In talking with guest services, not just a cast member; because, my pin had a problem, I was told there are five offers out there, right now.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Is the Goofy ad you're speaking of being sent out to the general public or just Disney Visa holders? Or both?

 

[Bete]

Is the Goofy ad you're speaking of being sent out to the general public or just Disney Visa holders? Or both?

only certain people will get them. It's not a Disney Visa offer, right now; nor, is it to the general public.

You have to be lucky enough to get one.

 

[4maxwelz]

My sister just got a pin code from Disney for FREE QS dining with stay at select value resorts or FREE DDP with stay at select moderate resorts 10/2/09 through 11/24/09.

Email came from Disney site.

Maybe we'll see a general public announcement in the not so distant future. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[momsworld]

Just got an email with 2 pin codes. One was for value and one for moderate resorts. Each including free dining for Oct 2nd - November 24th. We bumped up from the Movies value resort and switched to the Caribbean and still saved about $150 from our original Value resort price (we had a 40% off code before) and have free dining now! I'm so excited i could go pack right now! While on the phone i was told that the DNSSHP tickets went on sale this week so i purchased them as well. She said we could only get them for Halloween night and there are only a select amount available. Good luck to everyone else!

 

[Bete]

My sister just got a pin code from Disney for FREE QS dining with stay at select value resorts or FREE DDP with stay at select moderate resorts 10/2/09 through 11/24/09.

Email came from Disney site.

Maybe we'll see a general public announcement in the not so distant future. Keep your fingers crossed!

you will see it's valid for 11-28 through 12-17. This may help their trip planning. Whatever your offer is for that e-mail extends to these later dates. I know; because, I booked the later dates.

 

[carmie3377]

you will see it's valid for 11-28 through 12-17. This may help their trip planning. Whatever your offer is for that e-mail extends to these later dates. I know; because, I booked the later dates.

Yeah, I booked the later dates too. However, mine was only for the adults eat and play at the kid's prices. Overall, it's a savings of $500+ but would be close to $800.00 if it was the free dining. Oh well, at least I got an offer - I'm thankful for that. Still hoping though that FD will be released to Disney Visa holders or the General public.

Anyway, I booked Dec 2-5 (DH, the kids and me) and Dec 12-17 (DMIL, the kids and me). Hubby, the kids and I will be on the Magic Dec 5-12 so 2+ weeks of Disney fun for me .

 

[Neraasen2008]

Has anyone heard any rumours if the dining plan will be extended further (past October 3, 2009)?

 

[momsworld]

The only way the plan is being extended right now is through pin codes only. Got one myself last week for free dining. Dates Oct 2 - Nov 24. It also said ask about later dates 11/28-12/17. I know other people have booked those through the in only as well. It's the same as the other pins can't be shared unless reservations are linked.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Has anyone heard any rumours if the dining plan will be extended further (past October 3, 2009)?

Just reiterating what the other previous poster said, there are some email pin codes being sent out for late fall/winter free dining dates. There's not really an "extension" of the fall free dining dates. Those codes are name specific and are not for the general public. Also, I believe, that the counter service dining plan is being offered with the values and the basic dining plan with moderate and deluxe resorts.