Free Disney Dining Plan

[diberry]

Sorry if this has already been discussed - please redirect me if I'm duplicating a thread here.

We got back 3 weeks ago and I'm already planning our WDW trip for 2009. I keep seeing mention of the Free Disney Dining Plan effective for holidays from the beginning of August next year. In previous years it seems to have started in late August but this would fit in with our dates (DH is a teacher). It seems to apply to any Disney moderate or deluxe resorts if booked before 4th Novemebr. A lot of the big travel companies seem to be offering it. I just wondered what's the catch? It looks too good to be true. If you actually buy the DDP it costs £22 per person per day so it obviously offers a considerable saving. Could someone tell me the ins and outs please? Many thanks.

 

[heatherbelle]

If you look over on the main trip planning board you will find loads of advice and tips.

Bascially, you need to think about what type of meals you like. If you want the normal dining plan 1 sit down 1 CS (Counter service) and 1 snack, then you need to stay at a delux resort. Virgin are selling AK, IKW, SSR, and the other delux resorts with this plan and the free dining attached.

If you stay in a moderate or below, then you will get 2 CS and 2 snacks I think, but please check, plus a free refil cup. (These can be bought any time of year for around $12.00). We only purchased 1 for our family.

To us the free dining was fab. We ate at some places we could never afford with cash. had loads of caracter meals too.

The best were Le Cellier in Canda, Fort Wilderness buffet, Cape May. Best snack credit usage was the bakery on main street. The apple turnovers were delicious. We also visited the bakery by Boardwalk a few times.

The dissappointing ones were Hollywood and Vine and Stich breakfast.

I wouldn't want a holiday full of CS meals. We tried a few of the moderate resorts and decided as a family we couldn't eat that type of food for 2 weeks.

We came back with spare snack credits and spare CS, but it was free so it doesn't matter.

Go for it, you will not be dissappointed.

'm sure on the main dining thread, there is one dedicated to the dining plan. There are loads of better resturants available than the ones we tried, but I have a young DS and buffet one's are best for us as a family.

 

[diberry]

Thank you very much! I hadn't realised there were different plans for moderate and deluxe resorts. On http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/Special-Offers.asp?ID=7 it says what you have quoted:

Book five nights or more at a selected Disney Resort for arrivals between 2nd August - 3rd October 2009, and you'll receive free dining for the duration of your stay for everyone in your party.

- Opt for a Disney Moderate Resort and receive a Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan for FREE
- Opt for a Disney Deluxe Resort and receive a Disney Dining Service Plan for FREE

This fantastic offer is only available for bookings made on or before 4th November 2008.

But on this site:
http://www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk/hotels/disney/dining-plan-offer.html
it says:

Stay at a Disney Moderate Resort Hotel, a Disney Deluxe Resort Hotel or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and you will receive the Disney Dining Plan FREE! What’s included per person per day:

1 x Quick Service (Counter) Meal
1 x Table Service Meal
1 x Snack.

Disney Deluxe Resort/ Deluxe Villa Resorts are: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort and Villas, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Disney’s Moderate Resort Hotels are Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort

which makes it sound as if you get one table service meal a day even if you're staying at a moderate.

Anyway I'm glad you thought it was great. We are not fancy eaters and I think it would really suit us and, as you say, it would encourage us eat at places we might not otherwise have considered.

 

[Elise79]

The Disney site is correct however if you stay at a moderate you can upgrade to the normal DDP. We free dining!

 

[disneyholic family]

go to the disney UK site and check the rates with free dining for Old Key West...
they're cheaper than some of the moderates, but the OKW plan includes the regular free dining (WITH table service)..
it's a really good deal...

 

[diberry]

WOW!!!WOW!!!WOW!!! Thank you so much. That's an amazing price. AKL would be £2130 for 2 weeks with free dining and 14 day ultimate ticket included but OKW and Saratoga Springs would only be £1612 for the same deal - and much more space - that's over £500 cheaper!

 

[disneyholic family]

WOW!!!WOW!!!WOW!!! Thank you so much. That's an amazing price. AKL would be £2130 for 2 weeks with free dining and 14 day ultimate ticket included but OKW and Saratoga Springs would only be £1612 for the same deal - and much more space - that's over £500 cheaper!

i know - it's an amazing price...and includes table service..
when i checked it, OKW was cheaper than one of the moderates...which is totally strange..

 

[heatherbelle]

Just returned from OKW. We loved it.

It is an amazing price. Virgin want 4400 for 3 of us for next year. They are making 500.00 based on the prices you have quoted, if you just did their fly drive and paid for your accomodation through Disney. This is based on flying at the end of August.

If you decide to stay here, ask for a second or third floor room, as the ground floor ones are very dark. There is a thread running on these boards about OKW, which I've added to with further info.

 

[diberry]

There is a thread running on these boards about OKW, which I've added to with further info.

Thank you very much. Could you give me the link to that thread please - or any info on OKW?

 

[Pinky166]

Here's the link Heatherbelle is referring to....http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942995

I have been reading it as we have booked OKW for next Sept with free dining.

 

[gismo1554]

ARG why does it have to be Nov 4th you need to book by. Me and my DBF are heading over in October but aren't back until the 9th Nov. Hes never been before and wants an island holiday next year (which I don't mind) but I have a feeling after going to Disney he might change his mind. Just wish this offer went on for a week longer then it would be helpful!

Sorry if this has already been discussed - please redirect me if I'm duplicating a thread here.

We got back 3 weeks ago and I'm already planning our WDW trip for 2009. I keep seeing mention of the Free Disney Dining Plan effective for holidays from the beginning of August next year. In previous years it seems to have started in late August but this would fit in with our dates (DH is a teacher). It seems to apply to any Disney moderate or deluxe resorts if booked before 4th Novemebr. A lot of the big travel companies seem to be offering it. I just wondered what's the catch? It looks too good to be true. If you actually buy the DDP it costs £22 per person per day so it obviously offers a considerable saving. Could someone tell me the ins and outs please? Many thanks.

 

[diberry]

Here's the link Heatherbelle is referring to....http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942995

I have been reading it as we have booked OKW for next Sept with free dining.

Thank you - we've just booked for next August! Thank you so much disneyholic family for drawing my attention to this fantastic deal!!

 

[disneyholic family]

Thank you - we've just booked for next August! Thank you so much disneyholic family for drawing my attention to this fantastic deal!!

my pleasure!!!

 

[Elise79]

ARG why does it have to be Nov 4th you need to book by. Me and my DBF are heading over in October but aren't back until the 9th Nov. Hes never been before and wants an island holiday next year (which I don't mind) but I have a feeling after going to Disney he might change his mind. Just wish this offer went on for a week longer then it would be helpful!

Could you not book online while you are there????

 

[gismo1554]

Could you not book online while you are there????

Oh hadn't thought of that! Good idea