The " My Dates didnt fall within free dining dates" thread

[letstalkboutdisney]

We just miss the dates too. We are going Aug 16th to 23rd. We too are hoping the crowds will be lighter. Does anyone think Disney will offer a room discount for August. When would they do that in June?

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I'm so disappointed about the dates. We'll be there from 8/15 to 8/22. We've had free dining three times and was hoping that it would be the last two weeks in August. My DD is a teacher, and has to be back the last week. We did get 30% off our room at POFQ, so that does help.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm booked for the third week of October with a 40% off room code. When I checked this afternoon about changing my reservation to go during free dining as my dates are flexible I found:

#1 - the cost savings weren't that big as I'd have to pay rack rate for my room to take advantage of free dining; and

#2 - All the TS restaurants I want to dine in were already full for prime time reservations (earliest available time was 8 pm or later) or I couldn't get in on the night I wanted at all.

I decided I was better off just keeping my October reservation. With all the people that will be there for free dining I'm hoping the October crowds will be lower and the restaurants won't be anywhere near as busy!

 

[beeayekay]

from what I've always noticed, the crowds have been better during free dining than in early august.

I agree. We went the first and second years of free dining during the week beginning Labor Day and there were NO crowds. Hot, but heat can be seemingly tolerated better if the parks are empty!

Babs

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I'm so bummed about the dates! My trip overlaps free dining, so if the crowds are bad I get hit twice by not being able to take advantage of free DDP, but still being stuck with all the people who are eating for free! We're going August 19th - 28th, but there's no way to get around it because flights are SO expensive labor day weekend, it's like a difference of $88 each for me and my BF - not worth the work IMO. I wish they could have started it just one week sooner!!

I have the same dates as you (sort of 8/20-8/29). I was hoping to be out of there before the free dining madness, but I guess not. I got the 40% off code, and booked a 2 bdrm at SSR - free dining doesn't save me as much as the code.

from what I've always noticed, the crowds have been better during free dining than in early august.

Really? We went last year before free dining started and I notice a huge jump in crowds.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We will be there just past the deadline, which I expected, since the F&W Festival will be going on then. I am just hoping to catch a couple of our days available with the Bounceback offer, when I am at WDW in less than 2 weeks!

 

[nikandboys]

I am booked Sept 26-Oct 3. Knew it was a long shot anyway. Does any one know if there will be a discount offered for that time frame? I am looking for anything as I got a code too but could use that due to the dates also.

 

[lugnut33]

Hi
I'm so disappointed about the dates. We'll be there from 8/15 to 8/22. We've had free dining three times and was hoping that it would be the last two weeks in August. My DD is a teacher, and has to be back the last week. We did get 30% off our room at POFQ, so that does help.

We will be at POFQ from 8/17-8/24 on the 30% ($104 per night). My wife is a teacher who has to be back the last week. LOL.

From 8/9-8/17 we will be in So. Cal. and spend 3 days at Disneyland, 1 at Sea World, 1 at San Diego Zoo, and then we'll bum around San Diego.

 

[Allieloopy]

We will miss free dining too. I thought so as we are going Aug 12-21. Oh well. We will just order some sandwich and breakfast stuff for our room, do CS and only do one big dinner show. We really liked the dining plan for the Character meals but it was a lot of food to go through.

I think we will be lucky that we don't have to cancel. I got a new job so now I can better afford to go but I don't know if I will have vacation days!
If the trip has to be cancelled then that just means I was meant to save up to take a Disney cruise next year.

 

[disnut1149]

We will be at POFQ from 8/17-8/24 on the 30% ($104 per night). My wife is a teacher who has to be back the last week. LOL.

From 8/9-8/17 we will be in So. Cal. and spend 3 days at Disneyland, 1 at Sea World, 1 at San Diego Zoo, and then we'll bum around San Diego.

It sounds like you're going to have a great vacation. I'll be there with my DD and DGD (5). Can't wait. Have a great time!!

 

[lilyv]

I'm booked for the third week of October with a 40% off room code. When I checked this afternoon about changing my reservation to go during free dining as my dates are flexible I found:

#1 - the cost savings weren't that big as I'd have to pay rack rate for my room to take advantage of free dining; and

#2 - All the TS restaurants I want to dine in were already full for prime time reservations (earliest available time was 8 pm or later) or I couldn't get in on the night I wanted at all.

I decided I was better off just keeping my October reservation. With all the people that will be there for free dining I'm hoping the October crowds will be lower and the restaurants won't be anywhere near as busy!

Plus, you'll be at WDW during Epcot Food and Wine.

 

[poohs_hunny]

Count me in - my dates are Aug. 12-15. I have to go back to work on the 25th, so that's a no-go. I guess I have no right to complain, since I got free dining the first two years it was offered, back when it covered mid-August. But still, it would have been nice! I'm still hoping for a room discount or something, especially since the prices of flights this year are !

 

[pha1226]

Me too. I'm booked at Pop 8/22 - 8/30 with a 20% off room code. I tried pricing a split stay to take advantage of free dining from 8/24 - 8/30 but the park tickets are soooo much more expensive that we wouldn't save any money doing free dining. Oh well....I'm just glad all my dining reservations are made!

 

[PrincessBelle23]

Why not do a split reservation. You can do a room only for 8-19 to the 24th, then book a Free ddp package for the 24-28th? You can even stay at the same resort and even stay in the same room.

I priced that, but we'd get hit with buying tix twice, and no matter how I work it it doesn't save enough to make it worthwhile. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I have the same dates as you (sort of 8/20-8/29). I was hoping to be out of there before the free dining madness, but I guess not. I got the 40% off code, and booked a 2 bdrm at SSR - free dining doesn't save me as much as the code.

Hopefully it won't be too crazy! At least the 40% saves you more... ours is just at ASMo so free DDP would have been better, but hey, 40% is better than nothing so in the end I guess I can't complain too much

 

[spalady]

We miss FD also. Our trip is Aug 10-17. I was really bummed this morning but am ok with it now. I am happy to be going to disney even without free dining.

 

[jerseygal]

Now with free dining announced from August 24th, thought that mid August that being August 10-August 24th would be a little less busy....

However, Disney has granted UK RESIDENTS last fall "free dining" bookings, which start August 10th-September 27th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For purposes of FREE DINING, YES, SAVING SOME MONEY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, since I'm traveling after the August 10th window, but before the August 24th window of free dining, those guests are EXCLUDED....

Perhaps Disney will offer some hefty discounts this June for that window of time as some posters have suggested..Apparently they did in 07!!!

Mid August travelers!!! Lets hope for some GENEROUS DISCOUNTS!!!!!