is this true, no free dining this year?

[Luvmepluto]

I had a pin attached to my name for 30% off any resort for the entire 12 months. We originally planned to go in October but since the percentage rate being offered is September in better, we are going ahead and booking a Deluxe Villa at 40% for that month. I do not want to take the chance that they may or may not offer FD. If they do, than we can make that change.

If they had offered FD for October of this year......I would have already booked. I know that they are trying to get away from the promotions, but in my opinion, many go because of the promotions.

 

[mousiemom]

they will have to comeback out with the fd offer. that was too quick for us to go ahead and book that far in advance and we are BIG planners. i had to return from our dec. disney vacation 1st. they will probably need more bookings, i'm hoping!!

 

[jennapens]

I hope it's not true. I'm still hoping it comes out for late November / early December. We currently have the 35% room discount, but with free dining, it would be $150 cheaper.

 

[Missytara]

Since the previous Free Dining offer goes until September 2011, I don't see WDW adding more dates for October, November and December 2011, because they could have easily added those months on the previous offer.

However, last year they did extend free dining through those months after the initial offer, in July. I know, because once I heard it, I went in and did my ADR's for Nov/Dec in thinking with the new free dining package it would be difficult to get ADR's later.

Also I believe they extended it the year before as well from what I remember.

So I don't see your statement as fully correct.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

The phone CMs don't know that a discount is coming out UNTIL they are told - which is usually the day it comes out. They are notorious for giving information that isn't 100% truthful. BUT, as of right now, FD is not available for the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it won't come out or be extended like last year.

 

[undertheseas]

DH really wants to go to Cedar Park, he's been asking for years and we were set to go until we found out about our little surprise! She'll be 2 this summer and I think she's too little to go there, I'm ready for Disney again but I need to find a super duper deal to convince him. Free Disney food might convince him that we should see Mickey again!

 

[Rachaelt]

The phone CMs don't know that a discount is coming out UNTIL they are told - which is usually the day it comes out. They are notorious for giving information that isn't 100% truthful. BUT, as of right now, FD is not available for the end of the year, but that doesn't mean it won't come out or be extended like last year.

We have been told that it will not be offered again, at least as a GP discount. There are legalities involved, tied to the offer that expired. This may just pertain to the dates offered with that offer.

 

[Colleen27]

Keep in mind that talking to an agent at CRO about future discounts is like talking to a cashier at Kohls in June about what will be in their Black Friday ad. The decision comes for way, WAY above his pay grade and even the decisionmakers likely couldn't say for sure this far in advance.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I am hoping for free dining to come out, we are planning a sept vacation.If no free dining we will just stay on the beach and maybe head over for a day and a day at universal..I would rather stay at disney, but either way we are going to have a good time..

 

[gris gris]

We have been told that it will not be offered again, at least as a GP discount. There are legalities involved, tied to the offer that expired. This may just pertain to the dates offered with that offer.

Huh? what kind of legalities can be tied to a free dining promotion? I'm curious!

 

[PammyPoppins]

My crystal Mickey snowglobe says: that if bookings are down, free dining will come.

You are so, so RIGHT!! Very Smart of you!!
PammyPoppins

 

[ClareH37]

Disney Travel Co UK are offering free dining for the period 1 August-18 November, CS at value resorts, DDP at moderates and deluxe resorts, and you can upgrade to the DXDP for a very minimal cost per night.

You have to book before 31 March and this offer was first publicised last year for bookings this year. Based on this I'd be surprised if Disney US didn't offer something similar

 

[Shinji4u]

Disney Travel Co UK are offering free dining for the period 1 August-18 November, CS at value resorts, DDP at moderates and deluxe resorts, and you can upgrade to the DXDP for a very minimal cost per night.

That's not right at all! Value resorts doesn't content the CS Dining Plan...only moderates includes the CS and the deluxe includes the DDP! Value has nothing

 

[ClareH37]

That's not right at all! Value resorts doesn't content the CS Dining Plan...only moderates includes the CS and the deluxe includes the DDP! Value has nothing

Apologies, you are of course correct I've just double checked the website (had incorrectly assumed), I'm really quite astounded that value resorts do not qualify for any free dining - I have upgraded to the DXDP from the DDP for my November stay, I'd just thought all resorts got the free dining.

 

[beachclub]

IMHO if this is true hopefully this means the end to mediocre food, not rushed eating times and better customer service from the servers.
Since this began I have noticed a long downhill slide in these areas, especially the food quality and taste.
Sorry people who count on this every year but its time to put a stop to feeling like we are eating at McDonalds at Disney

 

[Rachaelt]

Huh? what kind of legalities can be tied to a free dining promotion? I'm curious!

When the previous fd promotion came out, they said that was it. If you wanted fd, to book it then. If they come out with another gp fd offer, that is negating that promise. Also to the ones talking about CM's not knowing anything, most of the time we do know about certain things. But play stupid to avoid discussing confidential things that we're forbidden to discuss. Even if it is already posted on disboards.

 

[Lehuaann]

When the previous fd promotion came out, they said that was it. If you wanted fd, to book it then. If they come out with another gp fd offer, that is negating that promise. Also to the ones talking about CM's not knowing anything, most of the time we do know about certain things. But play stupid to avoid discussing confidential things that we're forbidden to discuss. Even if it is already posted on disboards.

I was told the other day by a CM who pulled up my FD reservation made last Dec..."congrats on securing FD...it will not be offered again for 2011." I said "really"? She said "that's what we were told."

 

[w0rM]

A CM told me the same thing. Don't expect any more free dining this year unless they do really poorly in the months to come.

 

[gris gris]

maybe the CM says there is no free dining coming so you'll book the trip you were planning now, knowing if free dining does come out you're likely to modify your reservation? Do they get any incentives based on the amount of reservations they book? If so, then it makes sense to book you now, and then it doesn't matter to them if free dining comes out or not.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

IMHO if this is true hopefully this means the end to mediocre food, not rushed eating times and better customer service from the servers.
Since this began I have noticed a long downhill slide in these areas, especially the food quality and taste.
Sorry people who count on this every year but its time to put a stop to feeling like we are eating at McDonalds at Disney

Free dining hasn't ended. It's been offered for MANY dates through September of this year. And even if further offers don't come out this there, it will be back next year. Disney has made a fortune with this promo, they have turned weeks that were previously extremely low crowds times into busy crowd time - free dining won't be coming to an end anytime soon.

Also, I don't really understand all the complaining about free dining destroying food quality at Disney. I'm sure the Disney Dining Plan has contributed to less menu items being offered at some restaurants, but that has nothing to do with free dining and the Disney Dining Plan certainly is here to stay. We've been eating at Disney for years, pre DDP, post DDP and the food was good then and it's good now. We were just there a month ago and the food was good at all 9 table service restaurants we ate at.