Negative posts need not be posted!

[bicker]

1. Disney does the free dining promotion during the summer months when its crowd levels are crazy.

It should be noted that late August through late September has traditionally been the most lightly-attended times of the year, and that probably hasn't changed this year. While the restaurants may be rather full, the theme parks are still relatively "empty" by comparison to April, July, and late December.

 

[LubsPoohBear]

do they do the free meal deal every summer??? or is this a one time thing im tring too plan my next trip anyone with somemore info on this.... plz help me out..... is it only certain hotelss at WDW or what ??????

 

[bicker]

This is the second year. It isn't clear whether or not they'll do it again next year.

 

[Scraper]

Oh yea I am sure after reading this thread people will stopComplaining about crowds at Disney

 

[jima53]

If you've ever read a lot of forums about any type of vacation plans or trips you will always see both kinds of postings . I've learned that they are all based on the opinions people form that are greatly personality based. Some don't like one thing, others do. I read them and move on. Maybe get some good info even from the ones that make me mad. I'd rather the post be left here, even the negative ones. Face it, everything about Disney isn't perfect all the time,,,,,

Jim

 

[DznyLvr2005]

Sorry for sounding ignorant, but I have simply not had the time to do the research on this but what is this "free" dining I am hearing about. Thanks for indulging me.

Free dining, is exactly what it says, FREE!!!! If you booked a trip before June 25th for an august-September 30th trip, you get free food for your entire stay. I'm super glad that I'll be going for free dining and I don't mind hearing about crowds, because if there were no crowds, they'rd be no Disney World!
I saved almost $700 because of FREE DINING!!!

 

[MassMom94]

Goin' tomorrow and I am just REALLY happy that there are no hurricanes or tropical storms lurking out there (just re-checked the tropical weather advisory from the Nat Weather Service)! Crowds should be the least of anyone's worries this time of year ... seriously, people, get a grip, get up early, use FP, relax, and have fun!!

 

[bicker]

Well, let's keep in real. It's not really free. In previous years, Disney offered very deep hotel room discounts during the heart of hurricane season -- big big discounts Now, instead, you pay rack rate -- FULL price -- and so they throw in the dining "free". For many guests it is a better deal, but for many guests it isn't.

 

[David R]

I haven't noticed any larger crowds than usual at this time of the year due to free dining. What I have noticed is that it's about impossible for me to call up for a dining reservation for that same evening and find an available table at a normal time, even worse than during peak seasons with no free dining.

But I guess it's not a big deal, let visitors enjoy the nice restaurants, I can always go back and eat there some other day.

 

[richard_andmel]

I think you have to take everything here with a grain of salt, the good and the bad. Don't change your whole vacation just because people are all of a sudden saying negative things, and don't think that WDW is the most perfect place in the world and nothing ever goes wrong. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. People sometimes have expectations that are unrealistic for the good and the bad. Just try to be open minded and enjoy yourself.

I will say one thing that I would like to see less of on the boards is people going mental anytime someone complains about Disney. (Not including the OP in this, this thread just made me think of it.) I'd also like to see people post at least one good experience for every bad one they post.

Mel (Who is off to WDW soon and will come back with loads of great things to post and probably one or two annoying things that she didn't let wreck her holiday. )

 

[DznyLvr2005]

Ummm. well it is Free, and I said I saved a ton of money and the whole trip, including tax, cost me less than it's EVER cost me to go to DW. Less than $1800 with free food! (Lunch snacks and dinner)

 

[mking624]

Well, let's keep in real. It's not really free. In previous years, Disney offered very deep hotel room discounts during the heart of hurricane season -- big big discounts Now, instead, you pay rack rate -- FULL price -- and so they throw in the dining "free". For many guests it is a better deal, but for many guests it isn't.

It all depends on how you look at it...
Paying rack rate...but you're eating for absolutely no cost.
Paying a discount...but paying for food.

If a person typically eats at a TS every single day (and there are MANY who do that), not paying rack rate but paying for meals can either equal...or even be more (in some cases) than paying rack rate, but getting free food.

It basically depends on how much you typically spend on dining.

 

[richard_andmel]

Well, let's keep in real. It's not really free. In previous years, Disney offered very deep hotel room discounts during the heart of hurricane season -- big big discounts Now, instead, you pay rack rate -- FULL price -- and so they throw in the dining "free". For many guests it is a better deal, but for many guests it isn't.

Totally agree here, we could have saved more with our AP but chose to get the free dining to stop our parents from paying for all of the meals.

 

[cleo]

Part of the benefit of these boards are that people share their experiences, both good and bad. I'm afraid the best answer if you don't like a topic is to hit the Back button.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I'll throw in 2 more cents...
Going last year for our honeymoon and missing out on free dining... We spent probably over $150/day on food (sit down meals) so $150 X 11 = $1650 on food for 11 days!
Also, disney DID come out with a 'code' to use for hotel discounts for the time frame we are going in next month. BUT, I called disney and it works out better to be getting the free dining, then the hotel discount.
I guess it all depends on what you feel like saving on.

 

[MassMom94]

Well, let's keep in real. It's not really free. In previous years, Disney offered very deep hotel room discounts during the heart of hurricane season -- big big discounts Now, instead, you pay rack rate -- FULL price -- and so they throw in the dining "free". For many guests it is a better deal, but for many guests it isn't.

Good point. I booked my trip in late July, well after the free dining promotion was over, but I got $70 off my room/night (Wilderness Lodge) with an e-mail PIN. (Probably could have gotten it through a public code, too.) On average, I don't think my family consumes $70/day (plus tax!) worth of food on Disney property. Moreover, I don't want to waste the time on a table service meal every day. (We do a couple/trip). Just different priorities... I know free dining is a big draw for many people, and that's great.

 

[GoofyTraci]

i agree with the original post, I'm new to this site a couple of months now and This will be my first trip to Disney Sept 18-24 and I as well am getting tired of hearing about it too. If you are so worried about the crowds and changes b/c of the free dinning, then change the dates of your trip so you may have a better time. I personaly just want to go and have fun. I don't really care what the others are doing. I was planning to go regardless. Thanks for the post.

 

[bettyann29]

I think ALL posts regarding the crowds help others.. Not to be rude, but ... If it bothers you, just dont open it..

 

[cabanafrau]

Yeah, some of the posts get negative.

Some other posts get argumentative.

Yet others give great info.

But the best of all are the ones brimming w/ fun & pixie dust!

Use your mouse to lead you exactly where you want to go on this site, devoted to a magical place that started w/ just a mouse!

 

[Grumpy23]

I'm going in 21 days and this is all I have to say, crowds, hurricanes or not