Some FREE DINING Info & Guidelines

[TravelMama]

we are doing 4 night land/4 night sea and we received free dining

It is strange...it clearly states 5 night min stay on the special offers page, but when you put in the dates for pricing it's allowing the FD with a 3 night stay. I'm sure someone has already noticed this, it's just weird, but I'm not complaining.

 

[Gitsy]

I just saw a Free Dining promotion posted for UK residents. Good through Dec 8, 2012. The Quick Dining Plan is offered for those staying at Moderate resorts. I live in the US and was hoping for the a Free DDP promotion for a moderate resort in December (NOT quick dining).

My question: Do the US promotions typically mirror the UK promotions? I know no one has a crystal ball, but was wondering what your thoughts might be.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I just saw a Free Dining promotion posted for UK residents. Good through Dec 8, 2012. The Quick Dining Plan is offered for those staying at Moderate resorts. I live in the US and was hoping for the a Free DDP promotion for a moderate resort in December (NOT quick dining).

My question: Do the US promotions typically mirror the UK promotions? I know no one has a crystal ball, but was wondering what your thoughts might be.

You can always upgrade to regular dining plan for just a small amount more in $$! The times that I have been watching for promotions I have not found the US to mirror the UK promotions. If they would offer FD for us for that time frame I would probably be re-booking for another trip!

 

[erbeaman]

How many days of tickets are you required to buy for free dining? Is it still two days?

 

[clanmcculloch]

It is strange...it clearly states 5 night min stay on the special offers page, but when you put in the dates for pricing it's allowing the FD with a 3 night stay. I'm sure someone has already noticed this, it's just weird, but I'm not complaining.

This isn't actually what it says. The exact word are "Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, for arrivals most nights from August 25, 2012 through September 29, 2012." This doesn't say that's the minimum; it's just an example of a vacation for which you can get the offer. I'm sure they'd like you to THINK that's the minimum number of nights so you'll book a longer trip or not try to take advantage of the offer but the site doesn't actually state that as a minimum or any minimum for that matter. I believe when you go to try to book you won't be able to do less than 3 nights or less than 2 day tickets.

 

[TravelMama]

This isn't actually what it says. The exact word are "Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, for arrivals most nights from August 25, 2012 through September 29, 2012." This doesn't say that's the minimum; it's just an example of a vacation for which you can get the offer. I'm sure they'd like you to THINK that's the minimum number of nights so you'll book a longer trip or not try to take advantage of the offer but the site doesn't actually state that as a minimum or any minimum for that matter. I believe when you go to try to book you won't be able to do less than 3 nights or less than 2 day tickets.

Wow! thanks for explaining this....it's very misleading.

 

[jenlov]

Great info!

 

[Brave]

Looks like new free dining dates are coming July 13 - Yippee!

 

[smitch425]

Looks like new free dining dates are coming July 13 - Yippee!

They are coming July 12th.

 

[tjmj9801]

They are coming July 12th.

Makes sense seeing that 2013 booking will be available 7/11. Any ideas on how far FD dates will be? Until December or on into 2013?

 

[smitch425]

Makes sense seeing that 2013 booking will be available 7/11. Any ideas on how far FD dates will be? Until December or on into 2013?

Right now the only dates rumored to come out next week are for 2012, but I would expect the early 2013 dates to follow soon after.

 

[twinmom1107]

Need a little technical help.. We are booked 11/5 - 11/13 - so if FD starts 11/9 we can do a split stay and pay for dining plan 11/5 - 11/8 and then get FD with a new res. begin on 11/9. I think I have that right. I already have all the ADR's but booked some 2TS meals in the 2nd half which is where I'll be using most of our credits. So my question is, does the first half dining exp at midnight on the 9th? (that would solve part of my problem) or can I just carry any remaining credits from the first half in to the 2nd half (fingers crossed but I think I'm asking for too much..) I'm sure somebody has run in to this in the past - thanks!

 

[Brave]

They are coming July 12th.

Even better!

 

[Brave]

Need a little technical help.. We are booked 11/5 - 11/13 - so if FD starts 11/9 we can do a split stay and pay for dining plan 11/5 - 11/8 and then get FD with a new res. begin on 11/9. I think I have that right. I already have all the ADR's but booked some 2TS meals in the 2nd half which is where I'll be using most of our credits. So my question is, does the first half dining exp at midnight on the 9th? (that would solve part of my problem) or can I just carry any remaining credits from the first half in to the 2nd half (fingers crossed but I think I'm asking for too much..) I'm sure somebody has run in to this in the past - thanks!

The purpose of a split stay free dining reservation is to pay for a room only reservation (no package with tickets and dining) for 1 to 3 nights and pay out-of-pocket for your meals before the free dining dates, so as to be able to have a free dining PACKAGE for the rest of your length of stay on your second reservation. To get the dining plan you must be booked with a Magic Your Way package that includes room tickets and dining.
If you booked two separate packages with room tickets and dining, that would negate the savings of a free dining discount, as the free dining prom requires a minimum 2 day base ticket purchase.

Your check in date is 4 days before the free dining promo starts, so really, it's not really a plausible scenario in your situation, as you can only pick up your package tickets 3 days early.

 

[twinmom1107]

The purpose of a split stay free dining reservation is to pay for a room only reservation (no package with tickets and dining) for 1 to 3 nights and pay out-of-pocket for your meals before the free dining dates, so as to be able to have a free dining PACKAGE for the rest of your length of stay on your second reservation. To get the dining plan you must be booked with a Magic Your Way package that includes room tickets and dining.
If you booked two separate packages with room tickets and dining, that would negate the savings of a free dining discount, as the free dining prom requires a minimum 2 day base ticket purchase.

Your check in date is 4 days before the free dining promo starts, so really, it's not really a plausible scenario in your situation, as you can only pick up your package tickets 3 days early.

Ok I got ya, one more question though...what do you mean by picking up my package 3 days early? And can I use it 3 days early - reason being..we r arriving late the 1st day and heading to Universal on one day as well in the first half of our stay. Wondering if there is a benefit for us to book room only and pick up tics @ 3 days early. Bare with me..I'm a newby. thank you

 

[smitch425]

Ok I got ya, one more question though...what do you mean by picking up my package 3 days early? And can I use it 3 days early - reason being..we r arriving late the 1st day and heading to Universal on one day as well in the first half of our stay. Wondering if there is a benefit for us to book room only and pick up tics @ 3 days early. Bare with me..I'm a newby. thank you

What you would do is book a room only reservation for the first part of your stay, and then book a package with free dining beginning on the 9th. You can get the total number of park days you need for your entire trip with the free dining package, and just pick them up on the 6th at any guest relations office at any of the parks. You will not be able to access your dining credits until you physically checkin for your package stay, only your park tickets. Also, you cannot purchase a dining plan for the first stay because the purchase of a dining plan requires at least a 1 day ticket for everyone on the reservation. You would just pay out of pocket for the first stay's food.

Does that make sense?

 

[Phatoomch]

They are coming July 12th.

Yay, same day as Big Brother starts - the 12th will be a good day

 

[smitch425]

Yay, same day as Big Brother starts - the 12th will be a good day

I said the same thing to DH earlier today! Plus WIPEOUT! is on that night so it is WIPEOUT! cookie night at our house. Fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies and milk in the living room.

 

[Phatoomch]

I said the same thing to DH earlier today! Plus WIPEOUT! is on that night so it is WIPEOUT! cookie night at our house. Fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies and milk in the living room.

Seriously, I'm switching my phone off that night

 

[livinlife25]

Hypothetically- I am arriving the day before free dining starts. I was already planning on doing a split stay, parks on arrival day. Am I correct in thinking I can do a room only reservation at AKL for 2 nights, meals oop, but pick up my park tickets 1 day early. Then switch to WL for 4 nights with FD?