Offical free dining watch 2008

[jwboucher]

Subbing

 

[branmack]

in 05 and 06 it seems it was announced in June.

We booked our 2006 free dining trip either on April 3 or April 6. Unsure about 2005 but 2006 free dining was definately annouced around the end of March.

Still crossing fingers.

 

[Belle_20]

I agree with Branmack. We also went with free dining in 2006 and booked in April. June seems really late to announce a discount.

 

[crystalcml]

Well people, the current promotion Disney has out for the free park ticket upgrade doesn't end until 3/21/08 so we will probably hear something after that promotion ends.

 

[Goofy22]

Well people, the current promotion Disney has out for the free park ticket upgrade doesn't end until 3/21/08 so we will probably hear something after that promotion ends.

Thank You that is my exact thoughts! As I have posted above! I'm glad someone thinks like me!

 

[mom2mykids]

I agree with Branmack. We also went with free dining in 2006 and booked in April. June seems really late to announce a discount.

Maybe June is when you had to book by? I know last year the offer for the public came out April 12th and you had to book by June 24th-ish (I know it was a date in that 20 range) LOL

 

[Castle99]

I have gone for the past two years in Sept. w/ free dining. We could not opt for the bounceback when we were there because DS will be in 1st grade and I don't want to take him out of school. It seems to me that there was a lot more buzz about free dining by this time of the year. I am hoping too, maybe you are right about them waiting to see about how many rooms they have available.

 

[cmurray234]

My family is booked for AKL the last full week in September. Does anyone remember whether free dining was offered to deluxe resort guests? A friend of mine told me that free dining was only available to moderate and value resort guests. Thanks.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

It was offered to deluxe guests. There is a limited number of rooms available, but that is at every resort.

 

[cmurray234]

It was offered to deluxe guests. There is a limited number of rooms available, but that is at every resort.

Thank you very much. We've never done free dining before, and are rather excited at the prospect.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

You're welcome.

We had free dining in 2006 and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge.


Free dining for 2008 has NOT been announced yet, but if it is, we will all find out here.

 

[mirmartinez]

I attempted to change to another hotel (wanted more sq ft) for september and the CM had trouble finding me a room. I was able to get my 5th choice BC standard (however water view was not availble) no ak villas, wl villas, bw villas, bc villas ( we are a family of five so we can not do standard ak and wl.
I thought september was a slow month. Or are these small hotels (never been their)

 

[robinb]

My family is booked for AKL the last full week in September. Does anyone remember whether free dining was offered to deluxe resort guests? A friend of mine told me that free dining was only available to moderate and value resort guests. Thanks.

It was offered to Deluxe resort guests, but it's a good idea to compare the "savings" of $38 per adult and $10 per child with other discounts you could be eligible for.

 

[robinb]

I attempted to change to another hotel (wanted more sq ft) for september and the CM had trouble finding me a room. I was able to get my 5th choice BC standard (however water view was not availble) no ak villas, wl villas, bw villas, bc villas ( we are a family of five so we can not do standard ak and wl.
I thought september was a slow month. Or are these small hotels (never been their)

The Villas are all owned by the Disney Vacation Club and are reserved for use by DVC members until a certain number of days before (I can't remember how long). They have probably not released extra rooms to CRO yet.

 

[utkscvol1]

Still keeping fingers crossed for free dining! We have had a few unexpected things come up and it will cut it close to get it paid for by the due date. So yep, free dining would be wonderful!

 

[cmurray234]

It was offered to Deluxe resort guests, but it's a good idea to compare the "savings" of $38 per adult and $10 per child with other discounts you could be eligible for.

Thank you for the tip. I seem to remember that last year, they ran AKL at 40% off room rates - which after you figure in the amt. you save on room tax and the rest of it, ends up being a better bargain than free dining. But I think they didn't offer that until July. It is my understanding that Disney will permit you to change your code up to 45 days before your scheduled arrival. We were just going to book the free dining (if it's offered) and then switch it later to the room rate.

 

[*disgal*]

Thank you for the tip. I seem to remember that last year, they ran AKL at 40% off room rates - which after you figure in the amt. you save on room tax and the rest of it, ends up being a better bargain than free dining. But I think they didn't offer that until July. It is my understanding that Disney will permit you to change your code up to 45 days before your scheduled arrival. We were just going to book the free dining (if it's offered) and then switch it later to the room rate.

It depends on who is in your party. We are a family of 5 but all my children are 10 and above, so according to disney's dining plan, we are all adults.

That's $190 a day. We might be going in August and would like to stay at the Poly. The rate is $340.........40% of that is $136. We make out better on the free dining. (IF they have it)

 

[mirmartinez]

which one do you think the other will be for?
if it is regular could you pay the differnce for the upgrade/

 

[thunderbird1]

Thank you for the tip. I seem to remember that last year, they ran AKL at 40% off room rates - which after you figure in the amt. you save on room tax and the rest of it, ends up being a better bargain than free dining. But I think they didn't offer that until July. It is my understanding that Disney will permit you to change your code up to 45 days before your scheduled arrival. We were just going to book the free dining (if it's offered) and then switch it later to the room rate.

It depends on who is in your party. We are a family of 5 but all my children are 10 and above, so according to disney's dining plan, we are all adults.

That's $190 a day. We might be going in August and would like to stay at the Poly. The rate is $340.........40% of that is $136. We make out better on the free dining. (IF they have it)

You really have to do the math yourself--don't count on Disney to tell you what is the best deal. Last year, I remember someone had the WL booked for herself and her ds (under 10) at 40% off, but switched to free DDP when that offer came out. 40% off + full price DDP would have been the better deal, but once she'd switched she couldn't go back because the 40% off rooms promotion had ended. Moral of the story: figure out for yourself what the best deal for your family is, and make your decisions accordingly.

Come on free DDP announcement!

 

[robinb]

One more thing to remember when you are comparing discounts with free dining ... if you are the type who would normally buy the dining plan anyway it is not offered along with the room-only discounts. So, "free dining" may still be best for your family even if it costs a bit more.