The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[luv2nascar]

I had wanted to go in mid August when I thought free dining would be offered then. DH nixed that the other day when he found out HM would be closed till 9/12. Looks like Disney in Sept after HM reopens w/free dining.
Only down side to this other than a hurricane is DD11 will miss a week of 7th grade.

 

[poohfan]

We'll be getting there 8/25. I guess we could split our ressie and book the 1st day as room only and then do a package with free DDP for the rest of the trip. Is that possible?

We used a Disney travel agent to book our package. I keep reading about people getting the 40% off. Did you get a special code or postcard? By using a TA did I miss out?

 

[missmun52]

We'll be getting there 8/25. I guess we could split our ressie and book the 1st day as room only and then do a package with free DDP for the rest of the trip. Is that possible?

We used a Disney travel agent to book our package. I keep reading about people getting the 40% off. Did you get a special code or postcard? By using a TA did I miss out?

you should be ok. When/IF free dining comes out, you just need to call your TA and give them the code. Let them know what you want to do and just have them do it for you.

I like being able to do things my self and thats why I dont use a TA. I make too many changes (I would have used one if I got no discount however, I have AAA)

 

[KodakFigment]

Talked to a CM last night to price out a possible August trip. No pins or codes for me BUT he said why don't you book anyway and when the next offer comes out next month you can get in on that, after all you wouldn't want to not have a room available. I asked him if he meant free dining and he said it was highly possible. Now I knew better than to book, because any room I got now wouldn't necessarily transfer over to free dining. And it did seem a little sleazy for him to tell me otherwise. But I want to believe him about free dining! Here's hopin'!

 

[HotMama]

Talked to a CM last night to price out a possible August trip. No pins or codes for me BUT he said why don't you book anyway and when the next offer comes out next month you can get in on that, after all you wouldn't want to not have a room available. I asked him if he meant free dining and he said it was highly possible. Now I knew better than to book, because any room I got now wouldn't necessarily transfer over to free dining. And it did seem a little sleazy for him to tell me otherwise. But I want to believe him about free dining! Here's hopin'!

I am wondering why CM's keep telling people to book NOW and change to free dining when/if it comes out? I thought if a resort runs out of free dining rooms you can't just switch to free dining because you are already booked there.....from what I hear you might have to switch to another resort with free dining rooms available.....just seems wierd....

 

[sjms71]

I'm booked for 9/13-9/23 with dining plan. I've gone the last two years on free dining. I never booked early before but did this year because we are going regardless and wanted to make my ADR's. Anyway, I emailed my TA as to the possiblity of free dining this year and what I would have to do. She said I would have to do nothing. She said if and when it was released she would automatically transfer my reservation to free dining and email me with the details?

 

[mommyoeo]

I'm booked for 9/13-9/23 with dining plan. I've gone the last two years on free dining. I never booked early before but did this year because we are going regardless and wanted to make my ADR's. Anyway, I emailed my TA as to the possiblity of free dining this year and what I would have to do. She said I would have to do nothing. She said if and when it was released she would automatically transfer my reservation to free dining and email me with the details?

You need a new TA! Disney never applies a discount without being asked too!

 

[Maria395712]

 

[mirthmaiden]

You need a new TA! Disney never applies a discount without being asked too!

I think the OP said her TA would automatically transfer the reservation. I assume that means the TA would take care of requesting it from Disney. My AAA travel agent said the same thing (although it looks like I won't need her to because my dates will not be in the range )

 

[mommyoeo]

I think the OP said her TA would automatically transfer the reservation. I assume that means the TA would take care of requesting it from Disney. My AAA travel agent said the same thing (although it looks like I won't need her to because my dates will not be in the range )

Oh, yes! Sorry I mis-read! I was afraid she had one of the terrible TA's I've read about many times on this board.

 

[sjms71]

Oh, yes! Sorry I mis-read! I was afraid she had one of the terrible TA's I've read about many times on this board.

Thanks for the concern!! She really is a great TA. I just knew if FD was offered she would be going nuts. So, I wanted to know what I should do. She said don't worry she would transfer me over to that discount thru disney. Now I assume that if my reservation doesn't meet any requirements she will contact me.(ie if I need a hotel upgrade).

 

[Joan1]

I'm booked for 9/13-9/23 with dining plan. I've gone the last two years on free dining. I never booked early before but did this year because we are going regardless and wanted to make my ADR's. Anyway, I emailed my TA as to the possiblity of free dining this year and what I would have to do. She said I would have to do nothing. She said if and when it was released she would automatically transfer my reservation to free dining and email me with the details?

You need a new TA! Disney never applies a discount without being asked too!

No she doesn't, her TA said she would handle changing it over to the free dining not that Disney would automatically

 

[Desamona]

I always thought I wouldn't do so well with DDP, as my DD is just 10, and is a picky eater. Worked it out that most likely it would be cheaper to do alone. But.... if they offer FREE DDP, well, who am I to argue?

Bring it on!

Desamona

 

[tbthomps]

Come on Disney, make me an offer I can't refuse....

Yup, we'll go if they offer free dining. Next year if they don't.

I'd love to make a trek to WDW again this year....I'll be able to manage it financially with free dining. Without free dining, I'll have to wait another year.

Pixie dust for all!!

 

[Praise2Him]

I haven't read the whole thread, so I'm sorry if this has been asked a million times already!

Is there a minimum length of stay required to get the free dining package?

 

[fAnnF]

I haven't read the whole thread, so I'm sorry if this has been asked a million times already!

Is there a minimum length of stay required to get the free dining package?

Last year it was 3 nights.

 

[Praise2Him]

Thanks!

I thought there was one, but not sure how many nights. Now to convince DH to stay at least 3 nights!

 

[Hollybh]

We are booked already for August. We are going no matter what they decide about free dining. My question is... are there only so many reservations? Do they only offer to hotels which are down in numbers? How many people have tried to get FD and been told they are out of them?

Also, anyone worried about hurricanes? Is August rainy season anyway?

One more thing... if we purchase the dining plan or get it free for 10 days, but have a friend who is staying only 3-4 days with us, can she get it just for her time?

 

[Hollybh]

Do get the free dining, if it is offered, is there any reason I cant book my air seperately or should I go through Disney? It's the same price but I have to book one ways since we are taking an extra person down and she is not coming back with us. I thought as long as I booked a MYW package I would okay

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

I'm a little confused by some of the comments on here. From my understanding, there isn't a limit to how many free dining offers Disney will have available. I don't think it is limited to a certain resort or type of room. It was my experience two years ago that it is the same as purchasing the dining plan (where they don't limit the number of people who can purchase it or put restrictions like type of room), only you don't get charged for it. They might have changed it since I took advantage of it in 2005, but I don't think it is a "book now or you might not get a free dining plan room" type of situation.