How Does Free Dining Work?

[GrillMouster]

Would someone please explain how free dining works? I just reserved at a value resort using the passholder discount ($64). I understand that it's already too late to take advantage of free dining, but I'd still like to know how it worked this year. I've gotten bits and piece here and there, but haven't been able to put it all together. Do you have to stay a minimum number of days at a Disney resort? Are you only eligible if you were invited during a previous stay? As a resident passholder, would I have to pay the regular rate intead of the discounted passholder rate ($64 for Value resort in September)? To get free dining, would I have to make future reservations and pay a deposit (is this what they call bounceback)? Would that deposit be refundable if I had to cancel the future reservation?

It's a lot of questions, I know, but I haven't been able to find a complete explanation of this program. I just find general information and partial answers.

Thanks!

 

[wilde_oscar]

it is offered in the spring for those that book a package for travel in sept.

 

[RMulieri]

In order to qualify for free dining you needed to book a minimum of 3 nights stay and max of 14 days.You needed to book by June 22 ( it got announced for this year at the beginning of April), and needed to purchase a FUll priced MYW disney Pkg with at least a one day park ticket per person of your party.You can not apply any additional discounts.It is a special promo for everyone that is offered for travel dates generally from Late August thru Mid-Sept.Once it was announced officially, you had to call and book with the special promo code.Disney did not just give you free dining( you had to ask for it )Plus, there are only limited number of resort rooms at each resort that were eligible.So once they filled those rooms the promo was not available at that resort anymore( unless a cancellation opened up).Bounceback free dining has not occurred yet this year....Once people last year checked into the resort for free dining , they had a flier in their room that allowed them to book free dining for this year (bounceback)as long as they paid a deposit before they checked out.So hopefully this year people will be able to boumceback for next year.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

This is frpm the April 14 WDW park update on mouseplanet.com:

Walt Disney World announces free dining plan for late summer
As predicted last week, Walt Disney World announced a free dining plan for late summer, though not nearly as long a period as Universal's, and—as promised—I posted the codes in my blog as soon as the codes were confirmed for Disney Visa card holders, whose program was announced on Monday, as well as for the general public, which was announced on Thursday.




Both free dining plans are the same; the only difference was the start date for booking the package. The packages are good for most nights Sunday, August 24 through Saturday, September 20, and must be booked by Sunday, June 22. You can book packages or a minimum of three nights and a maximum of 14 nights. Availability is limited and certain restrictions apply.

Existing reservations may be modified to include the free dining package if available. The deal is not only for a free standard dining plan, though. You can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan and/or the Wine & Dine option and get a credit equal to the cost of the standard dining plan ($37.99 for ages 10 and up, $9.99 for ages 3-9) off of the enhanced plan.

For the Disney Visa package (reservation deposit must be made with a Disney Visa card), use the following codes:

CMK – Magic Your Way Package plus Dining
CMM – Magic Your Way Package plus Wine & Dine
CMP – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining
CMS – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining with Wine & Dine
Booking codes for the general public are:

AYG – Magic Your Way Package plus Dining
AYH – Magic Your Way Package plus Wine & Dine
AYI – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining
AYJ – Magic Your Way Package plus Deluxe Dining with Wine & Dine

 

[ireland_nicole]

As I understand it; free dining has been offered as a bounce back, so you may be able to book for next Sept. while you are there; Historically, it has been offered in April, First to Disney Visa holders and then 2-3 days later for the public; it cannot be combined with other offers, and must be booked by a given date (this year, I believe it was 6/22). The offers are made for limited amounts of rooms in multiple resorts, depending on their occupancy rate. A current reservation made before FD can be ammended to include it (i.e. we made our ressies in November, but changed it to include FD in April.) It provides a free DP for each member of the party, but can be upgraded to deluxe- this year, I think it cost $32 pp/pd adult to upgrade. As usual, it doesn't pay gratuity, etc. (wow, I really miss that and the appetizers, sigh) The available dates change each year, but usually cover the last week of Aug. through Sept. If there are any inaccuracies, feel free to supplement.

 

[dogodisney]

In order to receive FD you must book the package and pay rack rate for your room with a minimum stay of three nights. Every person 3 and older, staying in the room must also get a one day park ticket with the package.
This package was available to everyone. When the package is booked there is a $200. deposit due at that time. The balance is due 45 days prior to your stay. Up until that point your deposit is 100% refundable. Once the balance is paid there are penalties for cancelling.
HTH

 

[TDC Nala]

In order to receive FD you must book the package and pay rack rate for your room with a minimum stay of three nights. Every person 3 and older, staying in the room must also get a one day park ticket with the package.

You can actually purchase whatever length of ticket you desire, but you must buy AT LEAST one-day base park tickets.