is there a free dining watch thread for fall?

[Tara D]

We are going to do at least four nights at the end of September before our cruise. Open to staying up to seven nights and length of stay will also depend on the discount. Free dining would save us the most (family of five) I'll be one of the ones staying up all night

 

[Shannon R]

Hoping for free dining Nov 12-19 as well!! crossing fingers!

 

[Pineappley]

Just booked flights from the UK for 19th Oct to Nov 3rd. Planning on a split stay with Universal first then hoping for free dining for Disney!

 

[tee11]

Ok, watching this as well.
We haven't been at WDW in a decade. This will be our first time with our (very young) kids!
Is free dining worth it for us?
Alternatively, should we look for a room discount instead for the first week of September, and will there be one historically?

I've read the sticky threads on here, and am confused why people are staying up all night and WHEN and how do you know WHEN to stay up? Things must have changed a lot!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Add me to the group of watchers, wanting to go 9/3-9/9, hope to stay at CSR. Have already booked some ADRs, fingers crossed!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Ok, watching this as well.
We haven't been at WDW in a decade. This will be our first time with our (very young) kids!
Is free dining worth it for us?
Alternatively, should we look for a room discount instead for the first week of September, and will there be one historically?

I've read the sticky threads on here, and am confused why people are staying up all night and WHEN and how do you know WHEN to stay up? Things must have changed a lot!

Whether or not FD is "worth it" really depends on your situation. If you're staying at a value or moderate resort, the FD discount would likely be better than a room discount. But you would have to compare the numbers to know for sure. Usually there is a rumored date for the start of FD before it actually happens.

 

[tee11]

Whether or not FD is "worth it" really depends on your situation. If you're staying at a value or moderate resort, the FD discount would likely be better than a room discount. But you would have to compare the numbers to know for sure. Usually there is a rumored date for the start of FD before it actually happens.

Thank you!

I meant "worth it" in the sense that our young kids eat practically nothing!

I was wondering, if couples with young kids feel they saved significantly with free dining over the hotel room discount?

Also, if free dining requires buying park hopper passes - we had not intended that (simple tickets are fine for us), so I should factor that in...


And yes, we are considering a moderate resort... Haven't decided. It would be for a few days - so I probably would have to actually calculate the rack room rate minus 25% (?) or so vs. meals for all of us over a few -3?- days... Thank you!!

 

[Lori Fuhrmann]

I booked airfare for 8/27-9/4. Put the $200 deposit on POR--will stay there if FD comes and is offered for POR. If not, I will downgrade to Pop and starve my family for the week

 

[BStew]

If not, I will downgrade to Pop and starve my family for the week

 

[AndiM]

This is definitely where I need to be - looking at mid-November for our first trip to WDW in 10 loooong years, and Free Dining would make me oh-so-happy

 

[Capsfanjen]

In the past, there have been blackout dates for the free dining. Does anyone know if there is a rhyme or reason to these or are they random dates? For example, is the Jersey week usually blocked out?

 

[old feller]

This is definitely where I need to be - looking at mid-November for our first trip to WDW in 10 loooong years, and Free Dining would make me oh-so-happy

Just FYI. We went in November and ressies went fast. Be ready at 180 days

 

[tonya george]

Count me in too!! I love staying up all night for discounts I'm looking for the November days too, have looked at historical ones so as long as things don't change, I can't wait to try!

 

[Dancerwife]

We have our trip planned for mid-November. Free Dining would be awesome since there are 8 of us. Otherwise pb&j and a few special meals. Either way we are going to have a blast!

 

[Just Love Disney]

We will be going in late October. Crossing fingers for Free Dining....Any speculation on when it will be announced?

 

[mymommom]

Joining In Our family is planning for Fort Wilderness Cabins Oct 22 - 29 or Oct 29 to Nov 4. There are 15 of us so we are really hoping for Free Dining!! Any idea which time frame would have a better chance? We have gone the week before Thanksgiving and had Free Dining, but our son has training at work and can't get away that week. Here's hoping

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I booked airfare for 8/27-9/4. Put the $200 deposit on POR--will stay there if FD comes and is offered for POR. If not, I will downgrade to Pop and starve my family for the week

POR is usually not included. Meh, they don't need to eat anyway!

 

[jannalynn_11]

In the past, there have been blackout dates for the free dining. Does anyone know if there is a rhyme or reason to these or are they random dates? For example, is the Jersey week usually blocked out?

We are lucky enough to be able to choose our check-in date as either 10/28, 11/4, or 11/11 (staying 7 nights). Priority #1 is free dining (I know it's still up in the air if/when it will be offered); priority #2 would be lower crowds; priority #3 would be Christmas Party/decorations. Based on years past, it appears they block out FD during Jersey week, starting the Sunday before the convention, and running through the Saturday after the convention. Since the convention/week is later this year, am I correct in thinking FD will likely be blocked out Sunday 11/6-Saturday 11/12? Which week would you choose in this scenario?

 

[LM0601]

I am also very interesting in following this thread. Do I need to do anything to follow this when new posts are made? Or am I good now that I posted a message on this thread? I have a Disney Visa and for some reason I never get the free dining alerts for any promotions. Thanks!

 

[SJSloan]

I am also very interesting in following this thread. Do I need to do anything to follow this when new posts are made? Or am I good now that I posted a message on this thread? I have a Disney Visa and for some reason I never get the free dining alerts for any promotions. Thanks!

In the right hand corner right above the first post on each page there is a "Watch Thread." Just click it and it will ask you a question. Then after that you "should" get notifications when there is a new response although that doesn't always work. But if you click on the "Watched Threads" at the top of your page after you log in, it will show you the threads that have unread content first.