Sorry if this has been posted..??about free dining

[lisareneeo]

I have never paid attention to the free dining promotions Disney offers because we have annual passes and we do not qualify for this. I have friends who would love to go to WDW and this may allow them to go (if it is offered this year) My question is... is it usually the last week in Aug/Sept? I guess that makes sense for Disney because all of the kids are going back to school then. I doubt my friend would take her kids out in the beginning of school because her twins are starting middle school this year and that would be tough at the beginning of the year.

Just thought someone may be able to help me.
Thanks
Lisa

 

[matt&jakesmom]

The free dining was offered towards the end of August last year. We were lucky enough to get in on it. Just have to wait and see if it will be offered again this year around the same time.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Last year it began Aug. 13 and we booked the bounceback deal in Dec. which was free dining beginning Aug. 5 this year.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Just thought of this too -- we went last August with free dining and we also had AP's. We just bought a one day ticket which was around $70 per person and used the AP's to enter the parks. You can use the one day ticket and upgrade to an AP (or any other multiday ticket) when yours expire so you don't really lose anything. It's well worth it for free food!

 

[lisareneeo]

Pugrpooh,

I am not sure I quite follow. If I buy a one day ticket can I also get the free dining the entire length of my stay and use my ap that I already have?

Also, if you get the free dining can you use the AP to get a room discount if available. I thought I read somewhere that you must pay rack rate for free dining but then the free dining out -weighs the cost of rack rate. I am just beginning to gather info on this subject so I not sure of how it all works.
Thanks
Lisa

 

[TDC Nala]

Pugrpooh,

I am not sure I quite follow. If I buy a one day ticket can I also get the free dining the entire length of my stay and use my ap that I already have?

Also, if you get the free dining can you use the AP to get a room discount if available. I thought I read somewhere that you must pay rack rate for free dining but then the free dining out -weighs the cost of rack rate. I am just beginning to gather info on this subject so I not sure of how it all works.
Thanks
Lisa

Yes.

Unless you are staying at a DVC resort on points, you must purchase some form of ticket in a package to be eligible for the dining plan. If you are an AP holder, you can purchase a package with a one-day base ticket, but you'd still have the dining plan for the length of your stay. The plan is tied to the number of nights at your resort, not the number of days on your ticket. You can use that ticket, or you can hold it and use it toward the value of your AP renewal. I will have two one day tickets to use when I renew mine.

In order to purchase the package you would have to forego any chance at a room only AP rate. You won't be able to book a package with that rate. You'd have to have a package discount, and they are not offered to AP holders.

I suppose the free dining could outweigh the cost of rack rate - depends on where you stay. For sure in a value resort. In some of the deluxes, probably not so much unless your party has a number of people who are on the adult dining plan.

The promotion is generally offered for mid to late August and all of September, at the height of hurricane season.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

The possible dates for this year's Free Dining is Aug 26 - Sept 29th. I would keep eyes open the first part of April for an announcement of the promotion.