September Free dining?

[twitch]

Any hints/rumors/knowledge about whether or not the Sept. Free Dining promo will be running this year?

Any idea when they have released this promo in the past?

 

[RMulieri]

They had released it already for dates thru October 2011 and it had to be booked by December 20th,2010. No word whether they will or won't offer it again .Traditionally it has been offered the End of March/Beginning of April for trips in Mid August-early Oct.At this point they have mailed out to select individuals a free Dining offer thru October, but it is for the QSDP at value and Moderate resorts and the regular DP at Deluxe or higher.I would stay tuned to see what happens in the next few weeks

 

[Celidh]

Good question, I've been wondering the same thing. Here is a link to mousesavers.com that list which specials were offered when in the past.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#2011

According to this, historically, free dining for Sept. has been offered the end of March/beginning of April, or even May one year.

Disney's current specials end on March 27th. That would be the up to 40% off and kids stay and play free. So, I'm wondering, does Disney usually have a new special right away or do they sometimes go for a while with no special at all?!?! Does anyone know whether Disney tends to always have a special going or not.

If they do always announce a new special, I am hoping for the free dining for the next one. The time of year would be right but as people say, nothing is guaranteed with Disney. They may choose to have not to have free dining at all. That would be horrible for some of us.

Anyone have any input on this?

 

[mom2rtk]

I think that all depends on what their current occupancy rate is during that time period. And there's no way for any of to know that.

At this point, I would expect the next specials to be announced to be for fall, October to December. But that's pure conjecture on my part.

I do believe this. I think Disney is absolutely addicted to high occupancy and packed parks. So there's no way they will without SOME special going on.

 

[vinotinto]

I received a pin offer for free dining through mid-August. It's likely Disney will release that offer to the general public before deciding what to do with the Fall dates.

 

[innoculation]

I am hoping. We have already booked and will not change plans, but free dining woulf allow us to spend more in the parks.

 

[Tikitoi]

They had released it already for dates thru October 2011 and it had to be booked by December 20th,2010. No word whether they will or won't offer it again .Traditionally it has been offered the End of March/Beginning of April for trips in Mid August-early Oct.At this point they have mailed out to select individuals a free Dining offer thru October, but it is for the QSDP at value and Moderate resorts and the regular DP at Deluxe or higher.I would stay tuned to see what happens in the next few weeks

I agree with this.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our resorts codes and rates board.

 

[arthur06]

We are booked at Beach Club for 4 nights and BLT for 4 nights, but might considered switching for free dining.

 

[boufa]

I realize it is cliche and has been said over and over again but, no one knows for sure until it happens.

All of the guesses are just guesses. I have a feeling that they will offer free dining in September, but in the end there are more factors that go into the decision than we know. There is no magic formula, no obvious pattern. Sure past discounts, and past discount timing does seem to give us an idea of what they will do... but there are new variables that are impossible to account for.

We wait, we watch and most importantly we book via a travel agent who will re-book us. I imagine I will find out from my travel agent before I see it on a message board.

 

[sillylily]

I'm hoping for FD, but I've finally decided I'm not changing my dates or resort again, we're going 9/24-9/30 regardless. It would be wonderful to get FD, though, and I'm hopeful!

 

[DaniB]

We wait, we watch and most importantly we book via a travel agent who will re-book us. I imagine I will find out from my travel agent before I see it on a message board.

I'm sorry but I just find this comment to be so funny!

I do my bookings with a company that deals only with Disney vacations. Our TA told us that while their company is notified of special offers 3 days ahead of time, they are *not* allowed to notify customers until Disney officially releases the info.

Now, last year - the correct date Disney would offer FD was released on this message board, BEFORE Disney annouced it!

So me? I know I'll find out from DIS before a TA.

 

[jchrapcyn]

Here's my question- have they offered Kids Stay & Play Free in the past- cause that's a pretty good deal if you have a few kids- maybe they are not offering FD. How many years in the past have they offered FD?

 

[VAN]

I think FD started about 5 or 6 years ago to fill in the September dates. With the economy taking a dive, they have expanded FD into other dates in the past.

I find it curious that many asking about the FD for this year, did not book when it was offered (late last year). I have found that you need to revisit and/or pay attention periodically, because the Disney offers come and go ... you just need to be on top of things if you even think there is a chance you might go.

I tend to book something "just in case" and then cancel if it turns out not to fit in with our plans.

 

[DaniB]

Here's my question- have they offered Kids Stay & Play Free in the past- cause that's a pretty good deal if you have a few kids- maybe they are not offering FD. How many years in the past have they offered FD?

Yes. And last year the offer was better. It was kids stay, play & eat free.

 

[Sugar Jones]

Yes. And last year the offer was better. It was kids stay, play & eat free.

I'm pretty sure it was only stay & play free, which really is only play free since kids stay free regardless. I believe there was a Disney Visa offer for kids play & dine free, but it wasn't a public offer from Disney.

 

[fivebyfive]

Now, last year - the correct date Disney would offer FD was released on this message board, BEFORE Disney annouced it!

Because this message board is owned by a travel agency.

 

[jchrapcyn]

Didn't FD come out really late one year like in the summer? maybe I am imagining

 

[mom2rtk]

Then that answers my question- I believe they are scaling down the offers

I still absolutely refuse to believe that. I think they are thoroughly addicted to having the resorts and parks packed year round. And given the price of gas and lack of turnaround in the economy, I don't see that happening without a fall deal. They have trained the public to expect them.

 

[ollyg]

I'm pretty sure it was only stay & play free, which really is only play free since kids stay free regardless. I believe there was a Disney Visa offer for kids play & dine free, but it wasn't a public offer from Disney.

There was a Disney Visa offer for "kids stay, play, and dine released on 3-4-10 and again on 4-24-10 per mousesavers.

I would if this were offered again this year.