Got a free dining pin...but not good for our dates

[jemeh5]

I received a free dining pin via email tonight (at about 7:30pm), but it's only good for arrival "most" nights 4/23 - 8/13. We just booked a stay in November using a 40% off pin, so I don't really have a right to complain. Still, it's kind of annoying they'd send a free dining pin right after we booked dates NOT good for the free dining. As if I can afford to go twice - I wish! I hope others get the pin and are able to use it. Just wanted to let everyone know they might be on the way!

 

[Jen0504]

I received the same email!! I was so excited until I saw the dates. We are planning on going the week after Thanksgiving. I'm praying that this a good sign, and they will continue to extend it. Hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of the free dining when we book.

 

[jemeh5]

I hope they extend it too. But, I've read on other posts that with free dining comes bigger crowds..so maybe not worth it? I can't decide...

 

[Jen0504]

The last three years we have gone during the free dining, and the crowds were not too bad. Couple of years ago we went the same time (week after Thanksgiving), and the crowds were great. We went last year in September, and they were a little worse. However, we were told that quite a few schools in numerous states had their fall break at that time. Figures!! That's why we are going again in November. Plus, we LOVE the holiday decorations and the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I am a true believer in www.touringplans.com. They are usually right on the money when it comes to which parks have the least crowds.

 

[jemeh5]

Well bummer, that makes me want the free dining even more!
I'll definitely check out touringplans.com. Did you join the website and pay or just use the free part? We're going the Thursday before Thanksgiving until Thanksgiving Day but only staying in Disney for the first three nights. I know it's going to be crowded after the first three days so we'll need all the advice we can get. Thank you!

 

[Jen0504]

Will they let you change promotions later on if they do end up offering it?? Look at it this way....if they don't end up offering it you got the better deal. I did pay the money, and actually joined for a year. It was not very expensive at all ($10). I found it was worth it, because we try and go every year. Plus, I am a planner so I try to have everything planned before we go. It's a sickness really.

 

[jemeh5]

I don't know if they'd change them, but I think if you book a magic your way package, with a room and tickets, you can always add the dining plan later. So my dream is to add a free dining plan. I haven't decided whether to do the plan yet if we have to pay for it. We've been twice - once with the plan and once without. Plan does make sense but my parents are going to be there and I'm not sure if they'd like it.
I'll definitely join touringplans!

 

[Jen0504]

I'll be crossing my fingers for you!! I go with my two teenage boys (husband not a huge Disney fan), so the dining plan is definitely worth it for me!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I got the pin code and I CAN USE IT! I've emailed our DU agent and hopefully it will be applied! I'm a happy happy girl tonight.

 

[jemeh5]

Oh my - I think you DO need the dining plan with two teenage boys! Good luck to you too!!

 

[lacy1101]

Plus, I am a planner so I try to have everything planned before we go. It's a sickness really.

I feel your pain . . . I love the cure, though!

 

[Betty Breed]

How do you get pins for free dining?

 

[gillian521]

yay, my first post! We were about to scratch our may trip around Memorial day, which I made in the first place to tak eadvantage of the free dining, due to heat and fear of crowds.

I got a pin yesterday for free dining and was able to move my dates up to earlier in the month...and saved 400 bucks! I'm a happy girl!

We're the true cheapskates trying to make it for 5 days under $2500.00
we'll see how it goes!
I'm up for any and all cheap suggestions...but them feeding us for a week works great! I honestly wouldn't try 90% of the restaurants, maybe only 1 character meal. And the rest would be crackers and water all day!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

yay, my first post! We were about to scratch our may trip around Memorial day, which I made in the first place to tak eadvantage of the free dining, due to heat and fear of crowds.

I got a pin yesterday for free dining and was able to move my dates up to earlier in the month...and saved 400 bucks! I'm a happy girl!

We're the true cheapskates trying to make it for 5 days under $2500.00
we'll see how it goes!
I'm up for any and all cheap suggestions...but them feeding us for a week works great! I honestly wouldn't try 90% of the restaurants, maybe only 1 character meal. And the rest would be crackers and water all day!!

Some people feel the free dining plans have PLENTY of food. We usually take some instant oatmeal to have as breakfasts so we save our cs meals for lunch and dinner and be able to spend our snack credits for true snacks when we just have to have that mickey ice cream bar. Mostly when we are on the QSDP. Also, we order water from costco to be delivered to our resort just before we arrive so we don't spend snack credits for water. Especially at the warmer times of year.