Free Fall Dining?

[rteetz]

I admit that I am new to all of this, but if you wait to book how would you get the ADR's you wanted? I just booked mine on Saturday at 6:00AM and still had to give up some of the things I wanted in order to get in. If I waited even a few hours, I wouldn't have got it at all. So how do you wait to try and get free dining and then have restaurant availability?

Also, why would they offer free anything in the peak summer months? Why not wait if they are going to reduce free dining? Again, I am new to this so I may very well be missing something.

You can book ADRs before the free dining offer comes out. You can book ADRs and not even have a trip planned. Nothing is stopping you from doing so. You can get free dining after booking ADRs.

Just because it's the peak summer months in the parks doesn't mean it is in the hotels. The free summer offer was only for value resorts and only for counter service dining.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

They've had free dining in 2012, 13, 14 and 15, so I hope this isn't the first year they decide to stop offering it since this is the first year I am actually hoping to use it.

Hope you get it. I really enjoyed it back in Oct / Nov 2015. Such a money saver for my Solo trip.

 

[SonicGuy]

I've been wondering if the "free" QS offer this summer is a test to see how little they can offer. Might be the beginning of the end of "free dining."

YEAH!

 

[rickers353]

Hi has anyone heard any news of Free Dining to be offered this Fall?
I was searching for a thread but couldn't find one, if anyone knows the link please share and I'll follow. TIA

I called to book a reservation in September and asked the person if they were going to offer it.

My response was :
"We have offered it for 8 years in a row now during that time and it was one of our more popular perks".
" However, I can not confirm any promotions until they hit our system in either March, or April, but I can't see them not doing it again this year".

I was then told to "Read between the lines", and reminded if they add the promotion later, I can always call back and change my trip accordingly.

I would say that was the biggest hint someone could give without just coming out and saying yes, but that could just be my version of reading between the lines.

 

[berkfam22]

When booking the free dining last year, was the water parks and more ticket an option to choose besides the park hopper? TIA

 

[Disney Dreamer 24]

Yes, we chose the water parks and more option with our free dining instead of the parkhopper.

 

[bsblady01]

has there been any updates as to when this will happen

 

[kdisser]

Not yet it's still an "iffy" waiting game.....

 

[smadath]

Hi has anyone heard any news of Free Dining to be offered this Fall?
I was searching for a thread but couldn't find one, if anyone knows the link please share and I'll follow. TIA

There's a rather lengthy 2016 Free Dining Watch thread on the Disney Dining Plan sub-board of the Disney Restaurants board.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-free-dining-watch.3465803/page-8#post-55231994

 

[monkeymom1210]

Going 11/9-11/13. From everything I looked at with past FD promotions I am hoping it will be offered that week (it has been the last couple years).

Also keep in mind certain resorts will NOT be included - last year AOA and the bungalows at Poly, and PO Riverside were all excluded from the promotion. I would expect similar restrictions this year.

Best bet is to stay away from Labor Day weekend, Halloween, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving. Days bookending those holiday weekends will be excluded as well.[/QUOTE

We booked Port Orleans Riverside in September. We book then cause we like that time of year and hope for free dining but watching for other offers too. If you are right and port Orleans will not be included this year . are there usually other offers for a percentage off run at the same time as free dining?

 

[MlWinans]

The past few years, Riverside has been excluded but French Quarter was included in the promotion. If similar restrictions apply this year and you want Free Dining you could switch over to FQ.

It is really all a guessing game though. This is just the trend over the last couple years.

As for other offers, there is a chance Disney could run a room discount option during the slower months in the Fall as well.

 

[Disneylover99]

The past few years, Riverside has been excluded but French Quarter was included in the promotion. If similar restrictions apply this year and you want Free Dining you could switch over to FQ.

It is really all a guessing game though. This is just the trend over the last couple years.

As for other offers, there is a chance Disney could run a room discount option during the slower months in the Fall as well.

Riverside has been included in the FD promotion, but some dates were restricted. POFQ has not offered FD to the general public for the last few years.

 

[monkeymom1210]

Riverside has been included in the FD promotion, but some dates were restricted. POFQ has not offered FD to the general public for the last few years.

thanks yeah I can switch but we have the Princess sweet. not sure if i want to give that up. Lets hope we dont have to . I will to not pay full price for our trip.ugh i hate this waiting game lol

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Paying twice the going rate for a subpar room for "free" food just makes me laugh.

 

[x99harrington]

Paying twice the going rate for a subpar room for "free" food just makes me laugh.

I'm not sure where you get "twice the going rate" you certainly never get 50% off Disney hotel rooms. Also, you can laugh all you want but when you have 2 adults, 3 disney adults, and 1 disney child..."free dining" is still one of the best promotions.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I called to book a reservation in September and asked the person if they were going to offer it.

My response was :
"We have offered it for 8 years in a row now during that time and it was one of our more popular perks".
" However, I can not confirm any promotions until they hit our system in either March, or April, but I can't see them not doing it again this year".

I was then told to "Read between the lines", and reminded if they add the promotion later, I can always call back and change my trip accordingly.

I would say that was the biggest hint someone could give without just coming out and saying yes, but that could just be my version of reading between the lines.

Also known as "I am a cast member just making things up because I can"

Seriously Disney does not tell these poeple about promotions until the day before at best! Just because they would not be able to keep thier mouths shut LOL!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm not sure where you get "twice the going rate" you certainly never get 50% off Disney hotel rooms. Also, you can laugh all you want but when you have 2 adults, 3 disney adults, and 1 disney child..."free dining" is still one of the best promotions.

I compare hotels based on quality. Disney's moderates are exterior corridor motels $70 to $80. Disney's values are no better then your average Marriot $150 to $200.

Putting on a pretty theme but delivery a subpar product does nothing for me.

 

[monkeymom1210]

I compare hotels based on quality. Disney's moderates are exterior corridor motels $70 to $80. Disney's values are no better then your average Marriot $150 to $200.

Putting on a pretty theme but delivery a subpar product does nothing for me.

I have never gotten a sub par product from Disney and you are also paying for the convince and amenities. You are paying for the amazing pools the large onsite restaurant and the convince of free transportation to all the parks. Are you hotels and resorts off sight at the 70-80 dollars going to provide that. The last 80 dollar hotel I stayed at had no pool, no restaurant and perks at all.

 

[6loversofdisney]

Paying twice the going rate for a subpar room for "free" food just makes me laugh.

I respectfully disagree. I have done many different promotions and free dining has proven to be the best deal for us. I am completely open this year as to when I can go so each promotion I keep checking on prices and it never comes close.

Free dining saves me about 4 to 5 thousand dollars for the 2 plus weeks I'll be there. We just can't beat it. And we would stay in the values anyway because we always felt they offered us what we need and want. A nice place to lay our head, clean, nice pools. That's all we need.

And PS the only way you'd get a hotel or motel for "half the price" is by staying off property which is not an option for us.

 

[Disneylover99]

Paying twice the going rate for a subpar room for "free" food just makes me laugh.

Have you ever stayed as a family of four in a Value or Moderate during late summer value season? It's the people with free dining who are laughing.