The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[LakeAriel]

I tell you it's corruption~~~~Disney style!

 

[labdogs42]

In case Disney spies are reading this thread, I'll be staying offsite in September unless there is free dining OR a great AP discount -- come on, Disney!!

BTW, should I book something now in case there will be free dining? If so, how do I book? (room only? with AP? Package?)

 

[Hollybh]

I'm getting impatient. You would think there would be someone out there that knows something that could just let a little secret slide!!!!

 

[Hollybh]

Im so excited! I just realized I am a mousketeer now. I graduated from earning my ears! YAY. Now I just need to get the tag fairy on board.

 

[Praise2Him]

This is copied from another post:

"A quick update to my original post. I read today that a lady who says she works for a company that Disney advertises with saw an upcoming ad proof that reads, "FREE DINING, it's delicious - don't believe us, ask the dishes." She said that it quotes a 5nt/6day package for $455 per adult based on double occupancy, with the offer being available most nights from 8/26-9/22. The date that bookings begin was not mentioned. I would expect that this would be a sample quote for a value resort. She also didn't mention what day this ad would run, so unfortunately it's all still rumor at this point. I hope that Disney does finally announce this officially very soon for those of you who are waiting."

Sounds good!

 

[mousebit]

WOW! That sounds promising! Still just a rumor at this point, but...

I wish they would start it earlier so we could stay longer, but I'll take what I can get.

BTW, is it just me or does anybody else think that ad sounds a little corny - "ask the dishes"??? Guess I need more coffee!

 

[Ziggy]

BTW, is it just me or does anybody else think that ad sounds a little corny - "ask the dishes"??? Guess I need more coffee!

Isn't it a line from Beauty and the Beast?

 

[Praise2Him]

That is a line from the song "Be Our Guest" (which is also my ringtone!) from the movie "Beauty and the Beast"

 

[Hollybh]

Well, that wont help me since I will be home by then. BTW, I have 2 resorts booked, one for 4 nights and then one for 6 nights, consequtively. Are they able to look that up and still give me the free dining if it applies or will I have to stay all 10 nights at one place? Grrrrrr

 

[mousebit]

DUH! Yep, you're right! I guess they probably feature B&B characters in the ad. Back to my coffee now...

 

[alldiz]

Disney suits if you are listening.....

I have convinced my office....

That is 5 rooms....of people who all need park tickets...
who will go if free dining is offered
Pleeeeeese
Kerri

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

That is why I do all the booking my DH always thinks it is free dining. He also thinks if you stay 3 nights the fourth is free. I like keeping him happy with no worries.

ROTFLMAO!!! Your DH always thinks it's free dining and another wife "wins" trips to Disney! Absolutely love it! Now I know what I've been doing wrong all these years! Calling DH with the good news that we "won"! hehehe

 

[Hollybh]

I still think if it is offered, they will offer it at beginning of value season which is August 5th.

 

[djm99]

I do not believe the 8/26 -9/22 dates will end up being the "FREE Dining" dates . Just looking at mousesavers.com history of codes/rates, etc., I believe strongly that Disney will initially offer "FREE Dining starting August 5. This is way I feel like that.

In 2005, Disney offered "FREE Dining" for check in dates 8/21/05-10/4/05. The packages were for the general public and were made available 3 different times. The first time it was made available on 6/2/05, exp 7/3/05, then 7/19/05, and lastly extended Free Dining dates for 8/21/05-10/4/05. So in 2005 FREE Dining started 8/21


In 2006.......

FREE Dining was offered for the check in dates of 8/13/06-9/30/06 and the packages were for general public, they were made available on 4/4/06, and exp 6/4/06

Then a little later.... in 2006
The packages were for check in dates 8/20/06-9/30/06. The package discounts for general public ("free dining") made available on 6/2/06, exp 6/25/06.


So in my conclusion (if you understood the above info) In 2005 the FREE Dining packages were made available initially for check in dates of 8/21 then in 2006, initially made available on 8/13 (a week earlier), so my theory is that if Disney does offer FREE Dining, it will initially be available for check in dates on Aug 5th (a week earlier than last year). They might only allow 8/5 check in dates for a couple weeks but initially August 5th. Remember, this year Value Season BEGINS August 5th. Keeping in mind that this year we have a "new" summer season, its likely Disney will do something a little earlier this year. Besides why begin Value season so early. I think Disney was seeing the thread of low crowds in early August. As I stated in a earlier post, I went early August last year on a Thursday (August 3rd –I think), and I was able to get through MK with NO problems. I literally rode every ride and saw every show. The crowd was VERY manageable - not crowded at all!!!

See mousesavers for yourself....
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends

 

[n2mm]

DJM99, I would love your theory to be right, but you forgot one little thing. The Bounce Back Promotion. Had they not offered this, there would be more availability. Since these groups were offered this promotion in advance, it seem to have taken care of the earlier weeks and later weeks for the free dining. What the general public is going to get is the leftovers. If the BBP had not happened I would be more positive, however, I'm not and have pretty much moved to Plan B and have booked a 2 bedroom DVC location with my leftover points. I'm just waiting now for official announce so that I can start canceling my existing packages because I won't need them now. I did see a second reliable message out this morning, stating that someone has seen some information (publication ready to be released) that have the same dates that we saw earlier. I want the free ddp just as bad as others, but I don't think it going to turn out the way you and I both want it to.

 

[Hollybh]

I sure hope you are right about August 5th!!!

 

[djm99]

DJM99, I would love your theory to be right, but you forgot one little thing. The Bounce Back Promotion. Had they not offered this, there would be more availability. Since these groups were offered this promotion in advance, it seem to have taken care of the earlier weeks and later weeks for the free dining. What the general public is going to get is the leftovers. If the BBP had not happened I would be more positive, however, I'm not and have pretty much moved to Plan B and have booked a 2 bedroom DVC location with my leftover points. I'm just waiting now for official announce so that I can start canceling my existing packages because I won't need them now. I did see a second reliable message out this morning, stating that someone has seen some information (publication ready to be released) that have the same dates that we saw earlier. I want the free ddp just as bad as others, but I don't think it going to turn out the way you and I both want it to.

I think you are assuming that many of these people that checked in during 11/8/06 thru 12/31/06 would want to be in WDW the first week of August and all these individuals that made (lets be honest) last minute, un-thought out vacation dates for the NEXT year kept those dates. Just reading these boards proves that people had to make changes to their bounceback dates - which I think, unqualified them for the FREE Dining. And by reading all those old post, it wasn't like the bounceback offer was being tossed in their faces. I read several post of individuals having to "find" the bounceback booth, call around to different resorts, and just go thru extra hoops to get it. I'm not saying it wasn't widely offered, but I'm saying you are assuming that these chosen winter vacation WDW travelers want to go to WDW in August/September. I just don't think we can assume that. And, I think we give this message boards a lot of power. I'd like to think we do too, but not really.

 

[kimisabella]

This is just getting crazy - right now I have a trip booked for October, but if free dining comes out we're going to go in august w/my parents. I feel like I'm in "limbo" - I can't book a flight, I don't want to make adr's without knowing what I'm doing, I may have to book a rental car.... I've never tried to plan a trip like this - I just wish we could find out soon so I know what I am doing!!!

 

[djm99]

DJM99, I did see a second reliable message out this morning, stating that someone has seen some information (publication ready to be released) that have the same dates that we saw earlier.

Where - please direct me!!!

 

[bartleby1]

I am so hoping that your theory is correct, djm99, since we will be going Aug 12, however, I think disney may have pushed a lot more people into taking an August vacation due to the new summer season they added this year. They raised the prices for July and lowered them for August. Normally, we probably would have picked July for our vacation, but couldn't justify spending an extra $30 per night at a moderate so we held off for August. Our kids don't go back to school until after labor day so it really doesn't matter to us. I'm wondering how many people have done the same thing. Between hopes for possible free dining in August AND the prices dropping significantly, I bet quite a few people opted for August this year instead of July. I'm hoping that they didn't, but I'm sure many did