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

[willowsnn3]

It takes us that long due to restroom breaks for the DD's as well as eating breaks, sometimes. Even when I drove a truck, it sometimes took that long, even at night. I just love to drive anyway, so it really doesn't bother me, as for my DW and DD's, I can't say the same thing.

'nuff said, used to be married to a trucker

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

I heard that last year free dining was extended into Dec. does anyone know if that is true? And if it was, was it for a certain group (ie. disney visa, AP) or was it a general public code? We are planning a trip and December and that would be great if free dining was extended... Anyone hear any rumors about it?

 

[Goofy22]

I heard that last year free dining was extended into Dec. does anyone know if that is true? And if it was, was it for a certain group (ie. disney visa, AP) or was it a general public code? We are planning a trip and December and that would be great if free dining was extended... Anyone hear any rumors about it?

Nope free dining was not extended into December what happened was it was a special offer to Disney Visa Card holders and maybe possibly some ppl who have gotten pin codes. But it was definitely offered top Disney Visa Card holders. And it was only one week I believe the week of the 15th of Dec.

 

[mom2rtk]

I heard that last year free dining was extended into Dec. does anyone know if that is true? And if it was, was it for a certain group (ie. disney visa, AP) or was it a general public code? We are planning a trip and December and that would be great if free dining was extended... Anyone hear any rumors about it?

We took advantage of this offer last year. It ran from Dec 14th to the 19th. And it was only offered to Disney Visa holders.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I heard that last year free dining was extended into Dec. does anyone know if that is true? And if it was, was it for a certain group (ie. disney visa, AP) or was it a general public code? We are planning a trip and December and that would be great if free dining was extended... Anyone hear any rumors about it?

Last September Disney Destinations send out very select, random free dining pin code emailes for select dates in October, November and December, 9/28-10/11, 11/9-11/22 and 12/14-12/20 to be exact. Those codes were (and are) name specific and non-transferrable. A couple of weeks later Disney Visa send out the exact same offer for their card holders. It did not cover all of October, November and Decmeber, just those select dates. The Fall Free Dining promo was not extended and those codes were not part of the regular Fall Dining promotion. Also, there was no general public fd code offered for any of those dates.

There are some Disers reporting free dining email pin codes for late fall and early winter this year. There's really no way to know if it will come out for the general public, but I highly doubt there will be a general public fd offer for those dates.

 

[tink713]

Ok I'm not sure if this has already been answered but is there a minimum night stay to get the free dining this year? DH and I were going to go for 3 nights in September.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Ok I'm not sure if this has already been answered but is there a minimum night stay to get the free dining this year? DH and I were going to go for 3 nights in September.

Free Dining promo has 3 night minimum and 14 night maximum.

 

[THEVACATIONFAMILY]

It is a minimum of 5 nights, so it will be cheaper to go for that amount of time. My DW and 2 DD's and I are going in late September and we are planning on going for 10 days but we might reduce it for 7 so the in-laws can come along, but who knows. Hope you have a great time, like we plan on having. Have a magical time.

 

[hardingk]

I have been trying to make ADR's for our August trip....everything I want is booked I finally got something I wanted and the agent accidently discounted us...I don't know if the res went through or not

 

[PrincessTiffany]

It is a minimum of 5 nights, so it will be cheaper to go for that amount of time. My DW and 2 DD's and I are going in late September and we are planning on going for 10 days but we might reduce it for 7 so the in-laws can come along, but who knows. Hope you have a great time, like we plan on having. Have a magical time.

The free dining promo minimum booking is 3 nights. It's always been three nights since the discount was first introduced in 2005.

 

[mbanks21]

Its true. 3 night minimum 14 night maximum

 

[tink713]

The free dining promo minimum booking is 3 nights. It's always been three nights since the discount was first introduced in 2005.

Its true. 3 night minimum 14 night maximum

Thanks, I was a little confused because the Disney site says 5 nights, but it works with only three. This is a last minute anniversary trip as we are going to Disneyland in October too!

 

[disneynewman]

Does anyone think this year's FD will be less crowded than in years past? This is my first time going for it but back when we were all waiting for FD to be announced, people were saying that POP would sell out in a day...there is still availability left there and other resorts. Is this typical?

 

[LorilieMarie]

I have wondered that myself . . . I think that maybe it won't be as crowded because of the economy.

Ealier I was thinking it would be a lot more crowded because the free disney dinning plan secret was advertised to everyone, but unless your looking into a vacation in the first place, you don't know what a good deal it is.

 

[hardingk]

I think it will be crowded. I have been trying to make ADR's for our trip in August and EVERYTHING I wanted was already booked up.

 

[ExtinctDino]

Does anyone think this year's FD will be less crowded than in years past? This is my first time going for it but back when we were all waiting for FD to be announced, people were saying that POP would sell out in a day...there is still availability left there and other resorts. Is this typical?

It could be they made more rooms available for the promotion this year.

But maybe it's just less popular this year because so many people already took advantage of the buy 4 get 3 free deal.

 

[Bete]

Does anyone think this year's FD will be less crowded than in years past? This is my first time going for it but back when we were all waiting for FD to be announced, people were saying that POP would sell out in a day...there is still availability left there and other resorts. Is this typical?

I think there are many reasons for it to be less crowded this year. Certainly, less people travelling is one of them; because, the economy is still undecided. I think the biggest factor is the 40% resort discounts and the 4 for 3 deals that went on before free dining dates. I feel the 4/3 deal was the best Disney has done in a very long time for a discount. What was particularly appealing about the 4/3 deal is that it spanded all the resort levels, too.

Also, I will say more and more people may be realizing that's it's just too hot at that time of the year and prefer going at other times; since, there seems to be deals almost all the time this year. I'm always scared about this time of year; because, it's peak season for hurricanes and that's why Disney offers free dining as a general public discount. We had 100 plus degree heat index temps almost the entire week we were there two years in a row; that was enough for us. To me, it's like a roll of the dice and I don't want to do it that way anymore. Even the Food and Wine Festival is not enough to entice me. It's still a good deal and if it's a way to afford to go, then I understand why one will do it.

Also, you may find some holding out longer and making reservations later, but still going for the free dining. The cutoff is June 21; so, there's time still to make free dining ressies.

At least this year, you can enjoy less crowded parks hopefully; so, that's a little better perk than most other years.

 

[micknpluto]

I think it will be crowded. I have been trying to make ADR's for our trip in August and EVERYTHING I wanted was already booked up.

This is what i am afraid of. I call this saturday.

 

[disneynewman]

well I am curious to see how the Sept ADRs go. Most kids are back in school so I would think August would be a more popular choice than Sept. We arrive at the tail end of FD on Oct 2nd, I could never go in Aug....to hot!

 

[micknpluto]

Ive come to the realization, Im going to have to have a backup plan.. it seems people are having a hard time getting some ADrs.