Questions free dining 2012

[livingskies78]

Ok I am new too all of this we are trying to save as much money as possible as this trip ia already costing alot to fly from Canada.

We are planning March 2012 and would love to get in on free dining if available

It sounds like we need to book Port Orleans Riverside as we have 5 people (dh, me, dd 9, ds 4, ds 2)

When can I book for 2012

Can I book a room and then add free dining

if free dining comes out when will it be


thanks

Canadian Girl first trip to WDW

 

[Mrs D]

Ok I am new too all of this we are trying to save as much money as possible as this trip ia already costing alot to fly from Canada.

1. We are planning March 2012 and would love to get in on free dining if available

2. It sounds like we need to book Port Orleans Riverside as we have 5 people (dh, me, dd 9, ds 4, ds 2)

3. When can I book for 2012

4. Can I book a room and then add free dining

5. if free dining comes out when will it be


thanks

Canadian Girl first trip to WDW

1. March is not traditionally a free dining time. It "usually" is August/September. Just keep your eyes on these boards to stay up to date on what ever promo might be offered for your time of travel.

2. POR would accommodate your family. As would 2 rooms at a value resort or a family suite. Also a 1 bedroom at any Disney Vacation Club resort (the Deluxe Villas).

3.Not sure - I'm sure someone else will answer.

4. Yes, you can book a room only or package and change it if/when any discounts/promos are released.

5. There's no telling.

6. You might want to look into renting points for a DVC resort. You can check out the DVC rent/trade forums here on the DIS as well as DIS sponsor David's DVC Rentals.

 

[DebbieB]

6. You might want to look into renting points for a DVC resort. You can check out the DVC rent/trade forums here on the DIS as well as DIS sponsor David's DVC Rentals.

Keep in mind that free dining is not available with a DVC points reservation. You can buy the dining plan at full price.

 

[aimay73]

When can I book for 2012---

If I remember correctly, rates come out around August for the following year, but I think you can book sooner than that and they will adjust your price accordingly when the new rates come out.

 

[Mrs D]

Keep in mind that free dining is not available with a DVC points reservation. You can buy the dining plan at full price.

Yes, thank you for adding the clarification!

 

[Bete]

in the last couple of years; because, the economy factors have suffered. I don't expect those offerings to continue.

Typically, in years past the only free dining offer was August/September and that's only because it's peak season there for hurricane weather. This was the enticement for people to come during possible bad weather circumstances. Even in that instance I would say it's only been maybe 6 to 8 years that the free dining offer has been done for that period of time.

None of us can predict the future; so, there may be offerings in 2012 that exceed Aug/Sept times. We shall see. There have been resort discounts for a long time; this was the typical discount for many years and it's still being used now in addition to free dining offers. I wouldn't expect those resort discounts to be as good as they are right now for 2012, either.

March can be spring, school break here and as such it's considered peak season. Normally, in peak season there are no discounts. April can be spring break time, too. All schools are not the same for breaks.

You may want to wait and see when it gets established for any discounts in 2012 then you can make a better decision as when to go if you really want a perk/benefit to come.

Paying for dining packages is still a good idea in most cases. There is a savings built in when you get it. Free is better, but I'm thinking Disney will start pushing back this offer by 2012. It may not dissappear, but there will be less available times for it.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

With children your age, you can stay at a regular value resort. Your youngest child will not count towards room occupancy, which begins at three years of age.

It would be a tight fit, but if getting the cost as low as possible is the goal, it is something to consider. You can get a pack and play for your youngest, or let all three kids share the full sized bed, sleeping across the bed at a 90 degree turn from where you normally put your head, or place one (or more) on the floor.

If your child turns three before the trip begins, then you will need to stay in another resort.

Frankly, you may find it a better price fit to bring your family before your youngest turns three so that you do not have to pay for tickets or a more expensive room. In addition, your under three child will eat free at buffets, dinner theatres, and is allowed to eat off of your plate at all sit down restaurants without an additional charge.

 

[Jessica14]

Just some food for thought (pun inteneded)-

When and if discounts of any kind come out for that time period, do your math. I know a lot of people say that free dining isn't free because you pay full price on your room. However, when I worked it all out, my room discount on a moderate was $250 less than what I could save on free dining for our 2 adult, 2 children family. At the end of the trip, we tallied everything and the bill was close to $900 not including tips). The dining plan would have cost us about $650, so even if we don't have free dining again, I think I would get it anyway.

Again, do all your math to see what works for you. We found that a moderate was less than a family suite at a value.
Jessica

 

[lil_momma]

I don't know how close you are to the US border but possibly you could fly out of a US city and get the flight through Disney. They use Delta airlines and are a lot less expensive than flights out of Canadian cities. We are flying out of Detroit, Michigan instead of Toronto, Ontario and it is about 1/2 the price or more. Fortunately, we live about equal distance from both places so it really doesn't matter. I think it's worth checking out. Our flights out of Toronto would have been over $1800 but through Disney they are just under $800.

 

[Mom2HandR]

March is a no-discount time to travel historically. I remember last year there were discounts up to and after our trip, but our time was not included. It was also very very crowded. Any chance you could go a different time?

 

[JenSop]

Packages for 2012 will probably be released in August. In the meantime, you are able to make a room only reservation by phone based on this year's rates, with the implication that rates WILL change for next year.

 

[rt2dz]

We've stayed with discounts in March, so I'm not sure how much of a no-discount time it really is. We may have stayed under pins though, and what time in March can come into play.

You can stay absolutely anywhere on Disney property; until your little one turns 3, he doesn't count against the number of people in your room. Once he does turn 3, in addition to the resorts the pp mentioned, you can also stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins.

You can book a room only reservation up to 499 days of your check-out date. You will be charged a one night deposit equal to the highest rate in the current year. When the rate for your travel dates are released, your costs for the room will be adjusted, although your deposit amount will remain the same.

You can book a package as soon as the prices are release, traditionally in August of the previous year. So, 2012 rates should be released sometime August 2011. I'd book popular times of year, or hard to get rooms (some suites) as soon as you can to insure that you get the room you want.

You can always add a discount to any existing reservation, provided availability.

I agree with the poster who said do the math. "Free" dining is not free, because you do have to pay rack rate for the room AND tickets. There is usually, although not always, a discount code for room only reservations during the same time frame. Disney is also the most expensive place to purchase tickets from. Authorized discount ticket brokers (such as Undercover Tourist--although there are many) are a better deal. On top of that, dining plans might not fit your dining style. Adding a dining plan, even when free, costs us more money than paying out of pocket. Saving Money and Walt Disney World Dining Plans, gives you a good overview on how to run the numbers.

 

[JanetMom]

Book whenever you are ready and then watch these boards!

When we went in March 2010 (from Toronto) we booked in May by getting a room only reservation. When the room rates came out in August we knew what the maximum we would pay was and then we (I ) watched these boards. In September they published a March discount and I was able to save ~$1000 off our anticipated amount.

For our next trip we booked our flights in March for our trip in March 2012. I wanted to book our flights that early to get them as cheap as possible. At this time I've booked a room only reservation. I'll see what the actual 2012 rates are when they come out and then I'll watch these boards for news of discounts.

Worst case we will pay full price, but I'm hope, hope, hoping we get some sort of discount.

 

[Rachaelt]

March is peak season. FD is doubtful, room discounts are a possibility. Before you purchase tickets from a discount retailer, price a package and the meals that you plan to do beforehand. I've shown people that they could save more money with the dining plan, than they would save with cheaper tickets.

 

[ChristianR]

I just found this on the UK site.

Minnie Reasons to Book Early for 2012!
Dine for Free plus $300 Disney Spending Money

At this special is not for the UK (it shows dollars).

The ticket price increase was just announced and the Dining Plan info for 2012 is out just without pricing (2 months earlier when you compare it to the last few years) so I think we will be able to book for 2012 pretty soon.

 

[stuffed with fluff]

The last 2 years we have gone in december which is busy season and have had free dining. I was shocked the first year: we booked with AAA for the Contemporary. When free dining came out and I had agent switch everything we ultimately only saved $72.00 from our original price. I do strongly recommend the dining package. I look at menu prices as does the wife, we would not of had the delicious meals we had if we were paying out of pocket. The yankee pot roast is awesome at the Liberty Tree but I would not pay what $24.00 for it. Well, the first time anyway, now I would but you get the point.

 

[rt2dz]

The ticket price increase was just announced and the Dining Plan info for 2012 is out just without pricing (2 months earlier when you compare it to the last few years) so I think we will be able to book for 2012 pretty soon.

Yes. I am signed up for a couple of TA newsletters and they sent out blasts saying they have 2012 pricing. Also, on the websites, it won't even let you enter the dates for 2012, but now you can. It won't give you pricing, but I'm guessing it will as soon as Disney starts selling tickets with the new pricing.