Free Disney Dining Plan!!!

[chocomochamouse]

Yippee!!! Hubby been into travel agents to enquire about free DDP - they said you will be able to book it from 20 August for travel next year from 2 August!!!
OMG - how giddy am I now - have been waiting for this - free DDP saved us a FORTUNE last year!!!

 

[Elise79]

Which travel agents was it? And did they give you any more details?

Sorry for the questions - just so excited

 

[chocomochamouse]

It was Ilkeston Co-op in Sheffield, for bookings made between 20 Aug to 11 Nov for travel between 2 Aug to 3 Oct 2009. Now you know as much as me!!!
My hubby said the person he spoke to was the first one to really know what he was on about - some of the TA's we have spoken to have not had a CLUE what we were talking about! Some of them have said "Oh yes, the dining plan - it costs this this and this..." and we have been trying to explain NO, WE MEAN THE FREE OFFER!!! Blank looks from some of them! Maybe they are just not WDW freaks like some of us - I am bouncing off the walls now!!!

 

[madmumof2]

Can someone please explain exactly what this is? Free food all day or just a meal a day? Anywhere or in certain places? How much could it save a family of 3, 2 of them being children lol

I was about to book for the 6th of Oct next year, but could go from the 3rd if it includes free food! lol

 

[chocomochamouse]

Can someone please explain exactly what this is? Free food all day or just a meal a day? Anywhere or in certain places? How much could it save a family of 3, 2 of them being children lol

I was about to book for the 6th of Oct next year, but could go from the 3rd if it includes free food! lol

Pretty much free food all day. Last year, we got a snack (bottle of drink/ice cream/bag of crisps), counter service meal (like at one of the fast food outlets) and a table service meal (proper 'sit down' meal! - sometimes buffet service). That was for me, hubby and 2 kids, although my daughter who was 10 at the time was classed as an adult, each day. In 2 weeks, we couldn't use all the credits, and on adding up what it would have cost us (they give you an itemised print-out when you leave) it came to $2,000 - a massive saving!
Think it may have changed slightly this year - am sure someone mentiones appetisers are not included, but don't quote me on that!

 

[FAB1]

I think the Free DDP for 2009 has changed as follows:-

For booking a Moderate you get 2 CS meals & 1 Snack a day together with a resort refillable mug

and for booking a Deluxe you will get the normal DDP ie 1TS, 1CS & 1 snack. Gratuities NOT included and no appetizers same as this year.

 

[Snowy-girls]

The appetiser is no longer included+also the gratuity is no longer included.It also depends now on what resort you book,i don't believe it works out as good as it used to-alot of people say that on here.x.

 

[anthony2k7]

just dont expect to see any steaks on the menus!!

 

[madmumof2]

LOL. Is it only if you book your whole holiday with a TA? Or can you ring up or something and ask after you've already booked?

 

[Lizzybear]

I think the Free DDP for 2009 has changed as follows:-

For booking a Moderate you get 2 CS meals & 1 Snack a day together with a resort refillable mug

and for booking a Deluxe you will get the normal DDP ie 1TS, 1CS & 1 snack. Gratuities NOT included and no appetizers same as this year.

Yikes, I don't think i'd be up for that.. Some CS is OK but 2 meals a day every day?! I think if I visited at that time of year again i'd just stay offsite, the accomodation savings would probably be better than the moderate resort free dining.

 

[Snowy-girls]

I personally think the 'free' DDP is becoming worse.I know i deffinatley would'nt want to eat 2 CS meals a day.I suppose it's ok if you have the money for a Deluxe,but not much cop for others.
I have never used the DDP-it did appeal to me a few years ago+i thought if we ever stayed on site i would seriously consider going then instead of when we normally go.But not now,i honestly don't think it's worth it.x.

 

[madmumof2]

What's CS? Probably a really daft question!

 

[Snowy-girls]

What's CS? Probably a really daft question!

Counter Service
TS-Table service.x.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I've never had the DDP - but just curious to know if you could somehow upgrade one of the CS meals to a TS meal & pay the difference. 2 CS meals don't really appeal.

 

[Shooby doo]

CS- Counter Service:Sandwiches,burgers,chicken fingers.....From what I can gather if you book a Mod & get Free DDP Lite,you will be able to upgrade to DDP for a set amount per day.I think that you would have to look at whether you would normally stay in a Value & the difference to upgrade to a mod plus whichever DDp compared to paying OOP.
Also worth checking how they will work out your arrival/leaving date-WDW has stopped allowing the US visitors to get Free DDP for the duration of their stay if their check-out is after the last date. We had this problem with Virgin this year (final date was 27th Sept & we leave the 30th)so they wanted to charge us for 3 nights DDP!
SD

 

[GarthBrooks5150]

Im going tomorrow on the free dining paln..

so looking forward to going to restaurants ive never been to...but to be honest i would never pay for the DDP.. just wouldne be worth it for us..

 

[irongirlof12]

yippee, get your foodie bananas out !

 

[Elise79]

LOL. Is it only if you book your whole holiday with a TA? Or can you ring up or something and ask after you've already booked?

The terms of last years offer were that it was NEW bookings only - soif you are thinking about booking you might want to hang till next wednesday and see!

Now just hoping Virgin play ball with being able to upgrade from lite to regular as we always stay at CSR

 

[madmumof2]

Would I not get it, staying at POP? That's a value resort isn't it?

Who do you have to book with to get it, or do you mention it to anyone and they add it?

 

[comingtodisney]

when i was looking around last year quite a few of the travel agents were doing the free ddp, but virgin was also giving 2 free nights accomadation also, so the were coming out the cheapest