How often is free DDP offered??

[Serenity1207]

Does Disney offer the free DDP every year?? I really think that it's a great deal and I want to take advantage of it, but I don't know if my family and I can afford a trip this year. But, I hate to pass it up if it doesn't come around often. So, do they offer it every year? I know there are no guarantees that they will offer it next year, but what has the pattern been in the past. Thanks in advance for your input

Julie

 

[squirrel]

It has been happening for at least a few years.

 

[LoveTheEars]

I have traveled to WDW in 2006, 2008, and our upcoming trip in 2009 with the free dining option. Each time it was in late summer / early fall.

 

[Seahunt]

If you don't have a Disney VISA card you might consider one, as last year, for the first time, FD was extended for bookings for Disney VISA cardholders only:

Extended to stays between September 28 - October 11, November 9 - 22 and December 14 - 20, 2008

Walt Disney World extended the Free Dining period for Disney VISA cardholders ONLY. You had to purchase at least a 3 night MYW package with at least a one day MYW park pass for everyone in your party, and you received the DDP for free for every night of your stay. Some stays included a discount on the resort stay in addition to the Free Dining.

You had to have a Disney VISA to book and the $200 deposit had to be paid with your Disney VISA at time of booking.

Disney VISA cardholders are usually able to book the "regular" Free Dining packages (Aug-Oct) about three days earlier than the general public too, so they have "dibs" on resort availability, etc.