I dont think I want free-dining this year!

[CathrynRose]

You know, initially I was ****hoping***** for free dining, but the thing is - I already plan in spending the amount with dining. And the crowd level shot up during free-dining.

Am I alone in now *****hoping**** they DONT offer it?

 

[CarKey]

I want to go in May (08) since I will be taking the kids out of school for a week and this will be the end of my daughter's last year in elementary school. My best friend is coming and takes her daughter out of school every year for a vacation (this is my first time doing that ever!). She says if there is free dining in Septemember she wants to wait and go then but I won't take my daughter out of school at the beginning of middle school. I'm crazy for overthinking, I know. If there is no free dining then my problem is solved.

 

[thunderbird1]

Oh no, I'm sure Disney is hoping to fill up their resorts to the point that they don't feel they need to offer free dining to entice extra guests. I think that was the point of the free dining--get people hooked so they'll keep coming during hurricane season AND keep buying that dining plan!

But I understand where you're coming from--I don't think I would want to be in WDW during a free dining period if I were paying for the DDP (because of DVC membership, better deal with room discount, or whatever). Doesn't mean I'll back you up (we want, and likely won't go without, free dining), but I feel for you.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I think the 40% offer would be better than the free dining.

 

[kaysmommie]

I think the 40% offer would be better than the free dining.

Only if you stay Deluxe, otherwise free dining is better in a moderate or value resort. I booked poly for October and it will be about $200 cheaper for the week vs. what we paid last year with free dining. It was too good a deal even though the week we are going can be crowded with F&W, fall breaks, and MNSSHP. Still hoping it's not too bad. Last year it was not crowded at all during free dining and we went over Labor Day weekend, after Monday everyone left .

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

If I was to be really honest... I hope they don't offer it too. (I know, I know that's not very nice).

We went the past two years during the third week of August and last year was definately more crowded than the year before.... seems the word got out.

This year we are taking advantage of the great Swan discount and aren't eligible for the DDP.

 

[LisaNJ25]

If I was to be really honest... I hope they don't offer it too. (I know, I know that's not very nice).

We went the past two years during the third week of August and last year was definately more crowded than the year before.... seems the word got out.

This year we are taking advantage of the great Swan discount and aren't eligible for the DDP.

Me to lol

 

[tinkingreen]

If I was to be really honest... I hope they don't offer it too. (I know, I know that's not very nice).

We went the past two years during the third week of August and last year was definately more crowded than the year before.... seems the word got out.

This year we are taking advantage of the great Swan discount and aren't eligible for the DDP.

Hi GoofyBaseballMom26...Can you tell me what the "great Swan discount" is? That's the first time I've heard of that. Thank you in advance~

 

[n2mm]

Well since free dining has already been booked by the bounce back guest and by the UK folks, and after all of the bookings of the 40% pin code, I would have to say the damage is already done. There are 2 groups alone coming in with free dining. Whether they offer it to a third group (the general public) remains to be seen. We are coming regardless and are hoping for the free dining. If not, we will book our rooms with the AP discount and buy the ddp during our DVC stay since we plan to do a split stay.

 

[Disneyhappy]

My reasons are a bit more selfish. We can ony go on our longer family trip to WDW in August because of kids schedules. We stay in our DVC so we are not entitled to the free dining. No biggie - we paid for it OOP for the last two Augusts. Last year our trip was the first week of the free DDP (8/13). I wrote several posts upon my return about how crowded the parks were. We go for a few shorter trips during the year, sometimes at peak times and I thought some of the crowds were comparable to Easter and Christmas week. Also, you are out of luck if you want to change ADRs as everything was booked and no walk-ups are accepted. Crowds are great for Disney but not so great for the guests who have had better experiences in the past. For the first time visiters, they have nothing to compare to and are probably just so excited to be at WDW, they can care less about the crowds. This year, I thought I was clever with my planning because we could book our trip one week earlier than last year (8/4), only to find that free dining was offered to my friends in England starting that week, making me think that if free dining is offered again, it will start that same week! I think the crowd levels are worse the first week of free dining if last year was any indication based on numerous posts by DISers.

HOWEVER!!!!! I am hoping for free dining for all you Disney enthusiasts who are watching for it, especially if you can not afford to go otherwise. Everyone deserves to experience a piece of the magic!

 

[Hope73]

I thought the free plan was great. I went the last week of sept and didn't think the crowds were bad at all.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Hi GoofyBaseballMom26...Can you tell me what the "great Swan discount" is? That's the first time I've heard of that. Thank you in advance~

They offered a rate of $125/night at the Dolphin or Swan for the last part of Aug and part of Sept (I think). The deadline for booking the discount has passed though... sorry

 

[magsmom]

For the following reasons:
We have been going the latter part of August since 2003. We have seen a marked increase in the crowd levels during free dining.

ADRs were very hard to come by in August and for newbies who do not/did not understand that you needed to book months in advance were just out of luck.

We go DVC and pay for dining. In August last year we used free dining for our shoulder weekends and paid for dining when we were at the Boardwalk. We also paid for dining again this past February. We noticed that we got much better portions, more variety, and better service President's week this year than we did last August (example - the tenderloin appetizer at Le Cellier was double the size in February than it was in August). While we enjoyed the dining plan in August, it was just a better experience this past February.

We also noticed that in August portions started to become smaller as time went on. Again, we dined twice at Le Cellier - once on the 1st day of free dining, then a week later. The deserts in particular had shrunken in size. Not a big deal if you are getting dining for free, or don't know that the portions are bigger. But remember that even during free dining there are people who are paying for it.

As to the complaints that Disney received regarding Dining in August - I don't have to imagine too much. We saw it first hand.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Fine with me also--we booked under the 40% promotion.

 

[tinkingreen]

They offered a rate of $125/night at the Dolphin or Swan for the last part of Aug and part of Sept (I think). The deadline for booking the discount has passed though... sorry

Ok, Thank you though! That is an awesome rate!

 

[IMDORY]

It would be fine with me-I booked a deluxe w/40% off code. Saved wayyy more than I would with free dining.

I'm selfish too-after fighting the Christmas week crowds-I'd like to have a little more elbow room during the hot August days.

 

[Mnchknbrat1982]

In a way I hope they do free dining. As I am going during the time. However in a way I don't also. I can't book my adr's for 2 weeks yet. However, if they do free dining that would save me almost $400 off my trip for the 2 of us. So I could upgrade to a moderate hotel. However, I also know that if they don't crowd size will be small comparatively. But it really don't matter either way I am doing the Dining plan.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't think the crowds will be small mid-late August. Many school systems in FL, NC, SC and a few others will start school later this year. Also the Princess and Pirate Party will be held again this August.

Anyone expecting small crowds may be disappointed.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Does anybody know the date when schools go back at the end of summer in Fl?

 

[jsp2000]

I thought the free plan was great. I went the last week of sept and didn't think the crowds were bad at all.

Amen. We had our least expensive Disney trip ever last September. And the crowds were non-existant. Literally.

I'd go again in a heartbeat, should the promotion be offered.