Some FREE DINING Info & Guidelines

[DisDaze]

Great information! I wish they would offer free dining at the end of April.

It doesn't look like they have ever had free dining in April. I had heard that the new free dining dates would be August 17 - September 27, but now I am reading it may not start until August 25. Anyone else seen or read any good info on free dining dates or release dates?

 

[gichicdoc]

Great information! I wish they would offer free dining at the end of April.

We are hoping for mid-May. I am actually surprised that there isn't one for those weeks since most kids are still in school at that time

I do wish you pixie dust for your wish though

Who knows? Maybe they will post one that covers both of our trips....a girl can hope.

 

[DisDaze]

We are hoping for mid-May. I am actually surprised that there isn't one for those weeks since most kids are still in school at that time

I do wish you pixie dust for your wish though

Who knows? Maybe they will post one that covers both of our trips....a girl can hope.

The free dining dates have been released today and they are for August 25 - September 29, 2012. There are never free dining offers for April or May really either. Disney Visa Card holders can book today and the general public is supposed to be able to book on Monday.

 

[nemofans]

There are too many posts to go thru them all, so I will ask anyway.
What type of free dining do you get if you are staying club level at a deluxe resort?
Do you get reg dining or deluxe dining?
Thanks!

 

[DisDaze]

There are too many posts to go thru them all, so I will ask anyway.
What type of free dining do you get if you are staying club level at a deluxe resort?
Do you get reg dining or deluxe dining?
Thanks!

It's regular/basic free dining. The deluxe dining plan is never offered with free dining discounts. From what I have read on here and on Mousesavers, if you are staying at a Deluxe resort, it would save you more money to have a 35 -40% off room discount. Of course if there aren't any room discounts available, free dining should be the better offer.

 

[tjmj9801]

Question about staying Moderate with a free dining plan. Can I specifically ask for the QS plan instead? We don't like to plan our days at parks around when and where we're supposed to eat.

 

[smitch425]

The free dining dates have been released today and they are for August 25 - September 27, 2012. There are never free dining offers for April or May really either. Disney Visa Card holders can book today and the general public is supposed to be able to book on Monday.

August 25-Sept. 29

 

[smitch425]

Question about staying Moderate with a free dining plan. Can I specifically ask for the QS plan instead? We don't like to plan our days at parks around when and where we're supposed to eat.

They will not let you officially downgrade the plan itself, but I have heard that you can use a TS credit at a CS depending on the CM and restaurant. It is never a guarantee, though. You might be better off trying (depending on the makeup of your party) to get a % off deal and paying OOP for the QSDP.

 

[tjmj9801]

Thanks!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Question about staying Moderate with a free dining plan. Can I specifically ask for the QS plan instead? We don't like to plan our days at parks around when and where we're supposed to eat.

Under "Some Great Tips!" (near the bottom of the page) Page 5 the 2012 DDP Dining brochure now states:

If you choose, you may use your Table-Service entitlements at Quick-Service locations.

It was "unofficially" allowed for years, but glad to see it in the brochure this year. Here's a link to the brochure:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...alog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012Dining.pdf

 

[tjmj9801]

Good to know.

 

[smitch425]

Under "Some Great Tips!" (near the bottom of the page) Page 5 of the 2012 DDP Dining brochure now states:

If you choose, you may use your Table-Service entitlements at Quick-Service locations.

It was "unofficially" allowed for years, but glad to see it in the brochure this year. Here's a link to the brochure:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...alog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012Dining.pdf

Thanks for the confirmation! I think they finally made it official because people who were not "in the know" (like us Dis-ers are ) did not take the whole "make an ADR at 180 days out" seriously and were having trouble finding a TS to go to during free dining periods. Glad it is official.

 

[nemofans]

I have a few questions about free dining:

If I book a fantasmic dinner pkg at Brown Derby, that's 2 TS credits, right?

Are appetizers & salads extra?

How can we use free dining at the Food & Wine fest? Do we use 1 snack credit for each item plate you get from each kiosk or is it considered counter service?

Are there limitations to what you can order? Are there only certain entrees to pick from?

Thanks!

 

[DisDaze]

I have a few questions about free dining:

If I book a fantasmic dinner pkg at Brown Derby, that's 2 TS credits, right?

Are appetizers & salads extra?

How can we use free dining at the Food & Wine fest? Do we use 1 snack credit for each item plate you get from each kiosk or is it considered counter service?

Are there limitations to what you can order? Are there only certain entrees to pick from?

Thanks!

Yes, Brown Derby is 2 TS credits. Appetizers are included with the Fantasmic package, but not if you were just paying with your dining plan credits without the F! package.

I think there is a thread or a sticky on the Dining Plan Board that has a list of items you can use for snack credits at F&W.

If you are eating at a WDW restaurant that participates in the DDP, there are, generally, no limitations or restrictions as to what you can order off their menu.

 

[LovingDisney2012]

Maybe this will help with all of the reoccurring questions and misunderstandings that keep popping up about the WDW Free Dining Promotion and Promotion Guidelines (Of course, this info will be based on Free Dining Guidelines for the past 7 years, Disney can change their policies at any time.):

FREE DINING FACTS AND INFORMATION

The Free Dining Promo/Discount was first introduced in the fall of 2005 and up until the fall of 2009, was, basically, just offered during the timeframe of mid August to the first of October (height of hurricane season) and included the Basic/Plus Dining for all levels of WDW resort. Starting in the fall of 2009, they offered a second Free Dining Promo/Discount that covered dates between October 1st and the third week of December and they also started including the Quick Service DDP for Value resorts and the Basic/Plus DDP for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. With the popularity of the Free Dining Promo, last year, for the first time, WDW offered multiple Free Dining discounts during this year that included many value season/low crowd weeks.

To take advantage of a Free Dining (FD) discount you must be booked at a Disney-owned resort and purchase a Magic Your Way Package that includes room, tickets and dining with a 2 day base ticket purchase. The FD promos have a 3 day booking minimum and a 14 day booking maximum. You can not include Annual Passes or previously purchased tickets for Disney or any other outside ticketing agent.

The current FD promos have included the Quick Service Dining Plan for Value Resorts and the Basic/Plus Dining Plan for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. You can not downgrade to the Quick Service Dining if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort - there have been reports that, once in the parks, guests have been able to trade/convert Table Service (TS) credits for Counter Service (CS) credits, but this is not advertised on the WDW website and should not be considered WDW "policy." You can however pay the monetary difference and upgrade to the Basic/Plus DDP or the Deluxe DDP if you are staying at a Value Resort and can upgrade to the Deluxe Plan if you are staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. The Deluxe Dining Plan has never been included in any free dining promos. Here is a breakdown of FD upgrade costs for 2012:

2012 Upgrade from the Quick Service DDP $34.99/$11.99 to Basic/Plus DDP $51.54/$15.02
$16.65 per adult 10+; $3.03 per child 3 - 9 (Upgrade cost per day)

2012 Upgrade from Quick Service DDP $34.99/$11.99 to Deluxe DDP $85.52/$23.79
$50.53 per adult 10+; $11.50 per child 3 - 9 (Upgrade cost per day)

2012 Upgrade from Basic/Plus DDP $51.54/$15.02 to Deluxe DDP $85.52/$23.79
$33.98 per adult 10+; $8.77 per child 3 - 9 (Upgrade cost per day)

Your check in date must fall within the dates of the FD promo to apply the discount to your reservation. If your check in dates do not fall within the FD dates, you can not apply the discount - even if every single night of your vacation falls within the promo, except for your check in date, you can not take advantage of the FD promo.

If any of your vacation dates fall within a FD promo dates you can receive the FD discount for your entire vacation stay, up to 14 nights, even if you are checking in on the last day of a FD promo, you can still recieve the discount for up to 14 nights.

If your vacation starts a couple of days before a FD promo, it's possible to do a Split Stay - meaning, you can do a room only reservation for 1 to 3 nights at the beginning of your vacation, pay for your food out-of-pocket for those days, and be allowed to pick up your PACKAGE TICKETS up to 3 days early at guest relations at any of the four parks or at Downtown Disney (For further info on picking up tickets early, please see Diser, CheshireFigment's, Ticket Sticky on the top the Themeparks Board.)

If you already have an existing reservation that falls within the dates of a FD promo, you can call and have the FD code added to modify that reservation. You can not add the FD code on line, you will need to call WDW Reservations, 407-W-Disney. You do NOT have to rebook, your reservation number does not change and there is not a fee - if you are within your 45 day window, they can charge you a $50.00 change fee, but, most FD promos come out before the 45 day window, so this shouldn't be an issue. If you have already paid your package in full, WDW will refund you the monetary difference - this can take up to 2 billing cycles or about 2 months. Each resort is only allotted so many FD rooms, so if you call and your resort is sold out of FD promo rooms, you can change your resort and do not have to cancel or pay a fee and your reservation number stays the same. If your existing reservation is a room only reservation, then you would have to cancel and rebook under a Magic Your Way Package to receive the FD discount. If you booked with a Travel Agent, then the TA must call and add this discount to your existing reservation. The TA owns your reservation and Disney will not change the discount/code for without going through your TA.

Typically, in the past, other than last's August FD announcement, Disney Visa holders ere given the FD Promo Code three (3) days before it opens to the general public. In the past, all you had to do to get the Disney Visa FD discount was put $200.00 down with your card, the balance did not have to be put on the Disney Visa. If you are already booked with a Disney Visa, you will simply have to put another $200.00 deposit down to apply the code. If you have paid the trip in full with a DV, they will still refund the monetary difference and you will not have to re-apply any money.

If you already have Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) changing or modifying a reservation does not effect or cancel your ADRs. You would have to go on-line or call WDW Dining to cancel ADRs, even if you completely cancel a vacation/reservation. Remember, anyone can make ADRs, even offsite guests and don't have to be linked to your reservation in any way. If you have already booked and paid for any restaurants and/or dinner shows, and then a FD promo/discount is released, you can contact Disney Dining once you modify your reservation to include the FD code and give them your reservation number, and they will credit you the amount you pre-paid. This type of refund also takes 2 billing cycles or about 2 months.

Hopefully this info will give everyone an overview of the current Free Dining Guidelines.

Edited to add historic Free Dining Dates and Promo Release Dates:

Free Dining Promos/Discounts Released Spring of the Year Offered
August 21 – October 4, 2005
August 13 – September 30, 2006
August 26 – September 22, 2007
August 30 – September 27, 2008
August 16 – October 3, 2009

July 27, 2009(First Time for quick service at values, free Disney Dining at moderate and deluxe resorts)
Free Dining released for travel from October 4 – December 17, 2009

May 3, 2010
Free Dining released for travel from August 15 – October 2, 2010.

July 6, 2010
Disney extended the Free Dining offer for travel through early fall 2011. Many dates were blacked out:

August 15 – October 7, 2010
October 22 – Octocber 28, 2010
November 12 – November 18, 2010
November 27 – December 2, 2010
December 10 – December 21, 2010

January 1 - 5, 2011
January 9 - 13, 2011
January 21 - February 3, 2011
February 11 - 17, 2011
February 25 - March 3, 2011
May 27 - June 2, 2011
August 19 - September 29, 2011

March 2011
Free Dining Discount released for August 28 - September 24, 2011

August 3, 2011
Free Dining Discounts released for dates through early Spring 2012
October 1 – October 6, 2011
October 22 – November 3, 2011
November 12 – November 17, 2011
November 26 – December 1, 2011
December 10 – December 15, 2011
January 8 – January 12, 2012
January 21 – February 2, 2012
February 11 – February 16, 2012
March 3 – March 8, 2012
March 24 – March 29, 2012

My family is having our first DW vacation during the free dining promo, and while I have already researched free dining A-Z, I just wanted to say that it is very nice of you to be so helpful to everyone!

 

[annmarieda]

I have a few questions about free dining:

If I book a fantasmic dinner pkg at Brown Derby, that's 2 TS credits, right?

Are appetizers & salads extra?

How can we use free dining at the Food & Wine fest? Do we use 1 snack credit for each item plate you get from each kiosk or is it considered counter service?

Are there limitations to what you can order? Are there only certain entrees to pick from?

Thanks!

Although your questions were answered, I thought I would add this: Typically, a snack is priced under $4 and will have a special symbol by the item to note that it qualifies. (not sure on the symbol and f&W) As mentioned, there is a great thread that lists current snack credits.

My favorite sweet credit - white chocolate elephant cupcake in AK. Or wait, maybe it is school bread in Norway withing WS... OR maybe a dole whip float in AK.

My favorite non sweet credit- egg roll in AK..or a cheese stuffed pretzel in Ak...

As you can see... many options.

As for restrictions or limitations to dinning... as mentioned, there really isn't anything you can't order for your meal and I have personally had substitutions on several occasions. (if you go to Mama Melrose try the chicken parmigiana with their cheese sauce instead of the red sauce that is listed on the menu) In fact, my dd last trip ordered an ap for two from CR as her meal instead of something off the entree menu. Unless you are doing a package like fantasmic (or buffet obviously) you get an entree, drink and dessert. Oh... and then sometimes some restaurants offer a prix fix menu and often that will come with an appetizer too. The one thing that is consistently inconsistent though is what counts as a drink. Many places allow you shakes or smoothies while others only allow the fountain drinks. Even then... when there in December, at Y&Y we were not allowed to choose tea or any special non alcoholic drink. One month later when dd went she got to have something "special"

And, one last thing... the Derby is 2ts credits not because of the Fantasmic package, but rather because it is normally 2ts credits. If you are choosing it because of the package... Mama Melrose has been a long time favorite of mine. 1ts credit and you get the appetizer with it. AND the priority seating.

 

[nemofans]

Thanks for the tips!

No, we are not choosing BD b/c of the Fant pkg. We like to eat at BD every trip. It's the only place at DHS we want to eat at. I get the cobb salad every time too. I don't mind using 2 TS b/c we will have a couple extra from arrival/departure days.

 

[DisDaze]

Under "Some Great Tips!" (near the bottom of the page) Page 5 the 2012 DDP Dining brochure now states:

If you choose, you may use your Table-Service entitlements at Quick-Service locations.

It was "unofficially" allowed for years, but glad to see it in the brochure this year. Here's a link to the brochure:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...alog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012Dining.pdf

I believe, previously, you had to go to your hotel customer service or concierge to have the TS credits "converted" to CS credits. I wonder if this is still the case or if they can actually now do this at the CS locations? Anyone heard?

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

looking for the link that was made by a family with all the snack options on it. I can't find it. Someone put a lot of work into it

 

[Liza111577]

looking for the link that was made by a family with all the snack options on it. I can't find it. Someone put a lot of work into it

Here you go:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2853528