Free dining???

[Mariannekay]

I have a question about the free dining. IF they offer it for Sept and my family were arriving on the last day if the promotion, would we be able to get it for the length if our stay?

 

[davedmaine]

If you have an account in Disney's system you're eligible, but they are sent out at random/unknown reasons.

Personal opinion, is that FD will either be limited to pins/BB offers and SPD will be the new FD, or as Danny said - they change the levels they offer it.

Either way... it's definitely going to sting a lot for tons of people.

Not having FD offered Jan-Mar was a big hint that things are changing.

And I really hope they are...

 

[BearcatsFan]

And I really hope they are...

Okay, I'll bite. Why do you hope things are changing?

 

[SwimBikeRun]

I wonder if this is part of it. This is our first time going to WDW (I was there in high school). I didn't have any pins on my account. So, I booked SPD offer. Dragged my feet on paying. Got to the 40 day out mark, called and what do you know? Free dining pin was there! MUCH cheaper than SPD - I think I saved another $200.

 

[cdrn1]

If only they had a big new program of some sort they could roll out this year to incentivize people to stay onsite................

 

[MomofKatie]

I have a question about the free dining. IF they offer it for Sept and my family were arriving on the last day if the promotion, would we be able to get it for the length if our stay?

It has always worked that way before. Both Free Dining trips we have booked- one in 2005 and one last November- we have checked in on the last day FD was offered, and we got FD for our entire weeklong stay. That doesn't mean they will definitely continue the program this way (if it is offered at all), but historically, it has been done that way.

 

[aaarcher86]

I wonder if this is part of it. This is our first time going to WDW (I was there in high school). I didn't have any pins on my account. So, I booked SPD offer. Dragged my feet on paying. Got to the 40 day out mark, called and what do you know? Free dining pin was there! MUCH cheaper than SPD - I think I saved another $200.

Nah. People get them well before that point. FD pins for the first part of the year started going out in December. They didn't give a whole lot of options for the FD portion of the pin though - Jan through mar 7 :-/

 

[KNovacovschi]

I actually received a pin for the current promo of either FD or room discount. Have no idea how and was not able to use it. Not counting on it for our Nov trip. I do have a question however regarding the BB offers, how exactly do they work. There is a 20% room discount for our week in Nov but does it work like a pin where I have to be sent it or can I just call and have it applied?

 

[AkShqipMom]

We have book to go in May. This will be our first trip so I am keeping my fingers corssed we get lucky and get free dining.....

 

[DebbieB]

I actually received a pin for the current promo of either FD or room discount. Have no idea how and was not able to use it. Not counting on it for our Nov trip. I do have a question however regarding the BB offers, how exactly do they work. There is a 20% room discount for our week in Nov but does it work like a pin where I have to be sent it or can I just call and have it applied?

You can only book a bounceback offer while you are staying at WDW. There is either a sheet on the table in the room with the offer or they give it to you at check-in. Once you leave, it's too late.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I don't want to add to the rumour mill - but here is a site that talks of a bounce back offer in end summer/early fall:
http://**************.net/2012/09/02/bounce-back-offer-hints-2013-free-dining-dates/

doesn't mean it true, or that these are set dates or anything, just be aware that things may not be the same as they've been in the past - Disney can change it's mind

That makes sense. Race weekend is the last weekend of September (as well as F&W starting that friday). There is no need for free dining late in September. There will be tons of people in town.

I have a question about the free dining. IF they offer it for Sept and my family were arriving on the last day if the promotion, would we be able to get it for the length if our stay?

In the past, yup. This year, who knows? The Plus system might change everything (or nothing).

 

[mickey2000]

On 12/6/2012 I was staying at CS before a DCL cruise. In the room was a paper for free dining with dates. (don't remember the dates)
Was told that the dining was NOT for the Art of Animation regular rooms only suites.
I made a reservation for POP 8/22 - 9/1 and upgraded to regular dining

 

[feet1]

What exactly is the stay play dine offer that has been mentioned? We are going sept 19-28 and have our fingers crossed for FD. It's 3 adults, 13yo, 11yo, 10yo and 5yo...FD will really save us a ton of money.

 

[AliceIn]

I don't want to add to the rumour mill - but here is a site that talks of a bounce back offer in end summer/early fall:
http://**************.net/2012/09/02/bounce-back-offer-hints-2013-free-dining-dates/

doesn't mean it true, or that these are set dates or anything, just be aware that things may not be the same as they've been in the past - Disney can change it's mind

That was the free dining offer that was in my room last August at the AoA Suites. When we went in August last year, there was no free dining available the week we were there, despite it being available via bounceback for others. I believe they pushed the general public dates back by a week or more from the original.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

That makes sense. Race weekend is the last weekend of September (as well as F&W starting that friday). There is no need for free dining late in September. There will be tons of people in town.

In the past, yup. This year, who knows? The Plus system might change everything (or nothing).

They moved the Tower of Terror 10 Miler back to the first weekend in October. Not sure how this will affect any future discounts.

 

[KELLY]

If you have an account in Disney's system you're eligible, but they are sent out at random/unknown reasons.

Personal opinion, is that FD will either be limited to pins/BB offers and SPD will be the new FD, or as Danny said - they change the levels they offer it.

Either way... it's definitely going to sting a lot for tons of people.

Not having FD offered Jan-Mar was a big hint that things are changing.

I don't agree with this entire statement. Spring FD and late fall were fairly new. August September FD has been around a long time. I don't think not offering in the spring is the end to FD for the normal August September time frame. But these are all guesses at this point. They may changed the way they offer it.

 

[robmag]

Subbing

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't agree with this entire statement. Spring FD and late fall were fairly new. August September FD has been around a long time. I don't think not offering in the spring is the end to FD for the normal August September time frame. But these are all guesses at this point. They may changed the way they offer it.

I stated it was just MY guess based on what has been going on. Obviously no one can know what's going to happen until we actually get to that point in the year.

 

[KELLY]

I stated it was just MY guess based on what has been going on. Obviously no one can know what's going to happen until we actually get to that point in the year.

Like I said mine is just a guess as well. Not sure why your confused. I wasn't arguing with you. I just have a different theory.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

feet1 ...I believe you asked about the Stay/Play/Dine?

The Stay, Play and Dine was an offer that came out in Fall 2012 to advertise the opening of the expanded Fantasyland.

It was a 5 night 6 day vacation package that included resort room, tickets, and dining. The dining was not free....supposedly discounted.
I believe the last day to book the S/P/D was Dec 31st 2012.
The last day you could arrive was March 7th 2013 to get the package.

I had booked in August 2012 for March 9 - 14, but when S/P/D came out I moved my arrival date back 2 days, so I could book this package.

When the 30% room offer came out the 1st week of Jan I actually changed my package again,
because doing that saved me $$, and took some $ off of my balance.

Since I changed my package in Jan, When I check in I also get a $25 Disney gift card.
(AAA promotion since January is Disney month at AAA) nice little perk!