Sept Free Dining

[chessie2008]

Okay - we are booking our vacation for Sept and going with the dining plan. My question is this - if they come out with the announcement for Free Dining will they adjust our bill so that we then don't have to pay for it? Or should I just book the rooms and not the dining and then add it if they don't offer it for free?

 

[matt&jakesmom]

As I have done in the past I have booked the package along with the dining. If the free dining comes out all you have to do is call back and they will adjust and send out a new confirmation. Have done this the past 3 years with no problems. Will be booking out trip soon for end of August with the dining and if free dining is available during our stay will call back like in the past.

 

[RMulieri]

Not neccessarily.You can try and book now and then add free dining on later.However, that doesn't always happen.Most of the time they can adjust you.In my case, when free dining came out, all of the allotments for the free dining promo at POp were gone, so I had to cancel and rebook at As movies.I am trying to remeber, but I don't think all the resorts were avail. last year for free dining.I think Wl was not one of the ones on the free dining, and POP sold out real fast.

 

[chessie2008]

We are either going to stay at POR or POFQ. Anyone have any feedback on whether to book w/ or w/out dining and what the chances are that they will honor free dining at either of these resorts?

 

[CruisingCamper]

When is the free dining, Is it the same time every year? The same resorts? Which dining package?

Thanks for the info

 

[gigi1313]

Not neccessarily.You can try and book now and then add free dining on later.However, that doesn't always happen.Most of the time they can adjust you.In my case, when free dining came out, all of the allotments for the free dining promo at POp were gone, so I had to cancel and rebook at As movies.I am trying to remeber, but I don't think all the resorts were avail. last year for free dining.I think Wl was not one of the ones on the free dining, and POP sold out real fast.

all resorts were eligible for free dining last year, but they were not always available for the dates or combination of dates that people were looking for... no resorts were "blacked out" of free dining...

my advice to the OP is to book what you want now, but be prepared to change (either resort or dates) should free dining be offered and your first choice resort not be available for your dates...

 

[PrincessTiffany]

all resorts were eligible for free dining last year, but they were not always available for the dates or combination of dates that people were looking for... no resorts were "blacked out" of free dining...

my advice to the OP is to book what you want now, but be prepared to change (either resort or dates) should free dining be offered and your first choice resort not be available for your dates...

My BIL and SIL tried to book Wilderness Lodge when Free Dining came out last year and they were told that WL had NO available rooms with the free dining code. The CM said each resort is only allotted so many rooms for the Free Dining promo and WL was already booked due to the bounceback from the previous December. They ended up staying at POP with us.

 

[beroh2253]

Not neccessarily.You can try and book now and then add free dining on later.However, that doesn't always happen.Most of the time they can adjust you.In my case, when free dining came out, all of the allotments for the free dining promo at POp were gone, so I had to cancel and rebook at As movies.I am trying to remeber, but I don't think all the resorts were avail. last year for free dining.I think Wl was not one of the ones on the free dining, and POP sold out real fast.

Last year we also had to rebook, had POP, had to rebook at ASMU said no availability at POP, but called back and were able to switch back to POP. So you may have to rebook a different resort.

 

[Drea19]

Can someone explain the free dining plan? I booked with POP this September and I'm doing the regular Dining Plan. Could I get free dining?

 

[LisaInNc]

I booked the Free dining for Sept with the bounceback offer and they were only offering it for the moderates and the delux hotels. If they end up oppering it for the Pop I am going to jump on it since I don't like paying rack rate!

I booked it for 5 people since I was at the POR and for 10 nights. I have no idea who is coming with me and my daughter but I figured I might as well book it big and take stuff off as I go.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

They have already offered free dining for the UK residents, and no values were included this time, and nor was AKL for some reason.

We're booked at POFQ.

 

[guelde96]

We were offered bounceback last September and the values were included. We did not take the offer. Personally the weather is way to hot that time of year for me. For the PP who asked about dates. The bounceback dates were for most of September. No other months.

 

[guelde96]

Can someone explain the free dining plan? I booked with POP this September and I'm doing the regular Dining Plan. Could I get free dining?

Yes you could get free dining. You have to watch for it. Disney will not just change your reservation if it becomes available. I am sure some one knows for sure when it was announced last year. I believe it was around March or April.

 

[pinkerbell]

I booked the Free dining for Sept with the bounceback offer and they were only offering it for the moderates and the delux hotels. If they end up oppering it for the Pop I am going to jump on it since I don't like paying rack rate!

I booked it for 5 people since I was at the POR and for 10 nights. I have no idea who is coming with me and my daughter but I figured I might as well book it big and take stuff off as I go.

hmmm I booked on the bounceback in sept for a value... very few rooms left though... are you sure it wasn't just sold out?

 

[CruisingCamper]

When do they start advertising the free dining? And is it always in the same month?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

When do they start advertising the free dining? And is it always in the same month?

Since 2005, Disney has been offering Free Dining during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. It has already been offered to UK visitors for this September and to those of us who were there at WDW during Free Dining this past September for the dates of August 30 - September 27 2008. The free dining for this year should be announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public, just as the previous three years.

 

[kaytieeldr]

In 2005, Free Dining was announced in late May and bookable through June 23 for mid-August to early October arrivals. It was made available again in July for a few weeks, for the same stay period.

In 2006 and 2007, it was announced in late March or early April; Disney VISA holders were able to book three days before the general public.

In 2006 for 2007, Free Dining was available for booking by Guests coming from the UK. It was then also available to Guests onsite in mid-November to the end of December. I think the UK Guests could arrive as early as August 5and BounceBack Guests mid-August - both for arrivals through September 29. The general public offer started a week later that BounceBack, and ended September 22.

Note that ALL start dates are approximate, but I'm sure of the end dates.

The potential problem with booking now on speculation of Free Dining is, availability of the package is based on room occupancy projections. Say Disney sets a goal of 85% occupancy per night. If, before the booking starts (and assuming it's available, period), Pop Century has reservations for 88% of its rooms on September 1, the Free Dining Package will likely not be available at that resort for that night.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Since 2005, Disney has been offering Free Dining during the last part of August until the end of September, give or take a few days. It has already been offered to UK visitors for this September and to those of us who were there at WDW during Free Dining this past September for the dates of August 30 - September 27 2008. The free dining for this year should be announced during the first week of April. The first couple of days it will only be open to Disney Visa holders and then will open up to the general public, just as the previous three years.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[wezee]

Called CRO yesterday to check on our ressie that we booked with the bounceback and free dining. The very nice and helpful CM told me many of the resorts are booked for Sept., which may affect the chances of free dining being offered to the general public or at certain resorts. She also said that if free dining does happen, many people who have already booked and want to take change their ressie to get the promo may have to cancel and make completely new ressie.

 

[ElizabethB]

I'm always fascinated when people who simply answer phones for Disney speculate on what senior management is thinking and strategizing on!