Need advice about booking upcoming trip

[andychris14]

I am sick trying to figure out what to do. We are planning on going to disney in august and are keeping our fingers crossed that free dining is going to be offered. I keep checking air costs and the price keeps rising. I would book my dates now but am afraid that what if free dining is going to start the 22nd instead of the 15th. I know to be on the safe side I should plan our vacation after the 22nd but going down the week before is much better for us.
Should I take the gamble and book air in the hopes that it is offered on the 15or wait until it is announced officially.
Does anyone have any insight of the dates if it is offered at all. I would kick myself if I lose it because of a week.
Thanks

 

[andychris14]

well now the airfare is down today and feel like rolling the dice and taking a chance

 

[hlkeck]

1) Airfare - we just paid $160 inclusive of tax for a RT nonstop from Columbus to Orlando in September
2) Disney announced a kids dine and play free promotion from Mar-Aug 15th. That leads me to believe that free dining will start on the 16th.

Just a hunch based on past info plus this new deal.

 

[poohfriend]

1) Airfare - we just paid $160 inclusive of tax for a RT nonstop from Columbus to Orlando in September
2) Disney announced a kids dine and play free promotion from Mar-Aug 15th. That leads me to believe that free dining will start on the 16th.

Just a hunch based on past info plus this new deal.

i have the same logic. think Free Dininig will start the 15th

OP! I would book the flights. In this slow economic time Disney has offered more incentives than the last few years. Even if it's not free dining, you can expect a really good deal for that time period. Will you go even if it's not FD? Book flights at the good price.

My personal expectation is that the value resorts will be offered quick service dining as they were in the second free dining promotion last fall.

 

[clutter]

I've gone to Disney the last three (four?) Augusts. Trust me, the later the better, even with free dining!!! I'd book airfare (clearly it's not on SouthWest, where you can re-book, because they haven't released those dates yet) as soon as you see a good price for as late as you can make your vacation work. Remember you don't ahve to go Sun-Sun. Sometimes you get a better deal on airfare if you go Tu-Tu or another weekday.

 

[lalijack]

OP, what does farecast.com say about the flights you want to book? I have had great luck with their predictions, and am using them to keep an eye on flights for our upcoming July trip. Even though the prices for our flights have gone up a few dollars over the past few days, Farecast is projecting with 80% certainty that they'll drop, so I'm waiting.

I actually just got off the phone -- put my initial deposit on our room, etc. this morning. I am SO excited!

 

[mommycrawford]

I believe I saw yesterday that there is a kids 9 and under stay, play eat free promo with Disney Visa, and news reports that were going to be fewer discounts this year, so maybe THAT will be the summer promo.... i suppose it depends how much No free dining would impact your decision to go....and how much extra cash you can part with.

 

[lalijack]

Just thought I'd mention that I got a PIN code for free QSDP this morning in the mail! The offer was for travel dates through 7/3, but I called this afternoon to see if I could use it for my dates (7/11-7/17), and it worked! I actually upgraded to the standard DDP as well.

Even if you haven't received a mailer or email with a PIN code, it's well worth it to make the call to see if there might be a PIN associated with your name. Good luck!