The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[REL1203]

Where - please direct me!!!

"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."

 

[djm99]

"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."

I'll be soooooooo disappointed if this turns out to be true! But as the previous poster wrote - I wasn't thinking that the summer rates could push a few back a couple weeks. That’s if they did research and realize that Value season stated so early this year. It sure pushed my dates back. But then again, in doing research - some might be in inclined to book when its cooler vs early August. I was there last year, and prior to 2005 was consistently there during August, and attendance has really gone done. Since DH and I are both Educators early August is really the only time during the summer we could go. DH usually works summer school which ends late July. Attendance had been done like crazy. I think Disney will offer something early August. Beside I have to be optimistic!

 

[Albertan mom]

Subscribing. Watching, waiting, and hoping!!

 

[Cookie Princess]

I gotta say, while WDW is offering deals here and there to just certain people, Universal is offering great deals and perks to everyone. You can't beat their "front of the line" perk! I hope WDW isn't alienating their most loyal customers like all of us, but it sounds that way. We have decided to stay at Universal for part of our trip if the 8/26 start date is correct.

 

[Alisha's mom Sarah]

My husband doesn't know I own a DVC timeshare! shhhhhhhhhh!

Wow and I thought I was bad hiding a speeding ticket by using the other account to pay..

That is awesome!!

 

[Simbee3]

I gotta say, while WDW is offering deals here and there to just certain people, Universal is offering great deals and perks to everyone. You can't beat their "front of the line" perk! I hope WDW isn't alienating their most loyal customers like all of us, but it sounds that way. We have decided to stay at Universal for part of our trip if the 8/26 start date is correct.

We are planning on doing the same exact thing.

 

[djm99]

You know, it sounds like that 40% off code was a better deal than the FREE Dining. I did the numbers. My travel dates are Aug 6 -12. My 7 day 6 night in a Value preferred room Resort with 7 day hopper passes cost is $1399.05. Those same dates same resort same room with dining and the 40% code cost only $1159.80. - shot, I'd rather have that code for my dates then FREE Dining....... Lets wish this code for early August.

 

[iloveeeyore]

You know, it sounds like that 40% off code was a better deal than the FREE Dining. I did the numbers. My travel dates are Aug 6 -12. My 7 day 6 night in a Value preferred room Resort with 7 day hopper passes cost is $1399.05. Those same dates same resort same room with dining and the 40% code cost only $1159.80. - shot, I'd rather have that code for my dates then FREE Dining....... Lets wish this code for early August.

It depends on the make-up of your family and where you are staying. I have done the math for my family at values, mods and deluxes, and the mods and vals come out cheaper with free dining, while the deluxes come out cheaper with the 40% off. There are 4 "adults" in my family, so the free dining is huge for us, $160/day. That is much more than 40% off a value! I would be happy with ANY discount...so far there haven't been any that apply to us.

 

[Hollybh]

Someone mentioned a deal that Universal has about "front of the line". What is that? I have noticed some great deals on admission though. Does anyone know if my daughter's ages 10 and 6 will like Universal at all? My older one loves coasters, young one does not.

Also is Sea World worth it? How many days do you need at Sea World? We did Discovery Cove recently and were given 7 days free but werent able to use them becaue we were leaving for a cruise. Wish we had.

 

[Hollybh]

djm99, we will be there when you are. It looks like your daughter is the same age as mine. Maybe we will run in to you. Where are you staying?

 

[iloveeeyore]

Someone mentioned a deal that Universal has about "front of the line". What is that? I have noticed some great deals on admission though. Does anyone know if my daughter's ages 10 and 6 will like Universal at all? My older one loves coasters, young one does not.

Also is Sea World worth it? How many days do you need at Sea World? We did Discovery Cove recently and were given 7 days free but werent able to use them becaue we were leaving for a cruise. Wish we had.

FOTL is if you stay at a Universal Hotel, you get a special pass and can go straight to the front of every line-no waiting. It's like a deluxe fast-pass for everything. The FOTL is offered to the public for a really large fee, but you'd get it free for staying there.

I have the same situation w/my kids. The older one loves coasters and the younger one just doesn't. We've decided to put off Universal for a while for that very reason. At disney, there seem to be more things for the entire family.

Sea World is AWESOME! If you can fit in your schedule, do it! I think your kids are the perfect ages to fully appreciate it. I think one full day during off-season would do it; two if it's a more crowded time.

 

[Flametamr]

Okay who has the code for 40 % off ??? I'm staying at Disney the week of Aug 1-7. Not sure where yet. Trying to decide this week if I'm buying a DVC membership. Free dining or 40 % off would help me save money and be able to wait on the DVC thing.

 

[n2mm]

Okay who has the code for 40 % off ??? I'm staying at Disney the week of Aug 1-7. Not sure where yet. Trying to decide this week if I'm buying a DVC membership. Free dining or 40 % off would help me save money and be able to wait on the DVC thing.

The 40% promotion ended on March 15th and it wasn't for your dates. It was for trips starting Aug. 22 to Oct. 3. The free dining has not been announced, but so far it looks to be for vacations starting Aug. 26 to Sep. 22. So you are like us and OOL.

 

[Stacy_C]

You know, it sounds like that 40% off code was a better deal than the FREE Dining. I did the numbers. My travel dates are Aug 6 -12. My 7 day 6 night in a Value preferred room Resort with 7 day hopper passes cost is $1399.05. Those same dates same resort same room with dining and the 40% code cost only $1159.80. - shot, I'd rather have that code for my dates then FREE Dining....... Lets wish this code for early August.

The 40% off was for the room only -- not the entire package.

 

[G&J's Mom]

Someone mentioned a deal that Universal has about "front of the line". What is that? I have noticed some great deals on admission though. Does anyone know if my daughter's ages 10 and 6 will like Universal at all? My older one loves coasters, young one does not.

Also is Sea World worth it? How many days do you need at Sea World? We did Discovery Cove recently and were given 7 days free but werent able to use them becaue we were leaving for a cruise. Wish we had.

Hi!

My kids 5 and 6 LOVE US/IOA. We have AP's. Check out the Universal link on the Dis boards. Lots of information.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Denise

 

[iloveeeyore]

Okay who has the code for 40 % off ??? I'm staying at Disney the week of Aug 1-7. Not sure where yet. Trying to decide this week if I'm buying a DVC membership. Free dining or 40 % off would help me save money and be able to wait on the DVC thing.

Not only what everyone above said, but also, it was only for a targeted audience, so most people did not qualify. Disney sent out personal invitations via mail and e-mail to enjoy 40% resorts during selected dates. We didn't get an invitation.

 

[Flametamr]

Figures they would put promotions only when I was not able to go. Urgggg.

 

[HotMama]

subscribing

 

[suzydisney971]

I'm hoping for any discount at this point. We are staying at a mod (it's only 2 of us) but haven't crunched the numbers to figure out which would be better. I figure I'll worry about it when the time comes. Any discount helps out, if we get a discount on the room it will help pay for the ddp. If ddp is free then I can save money on the food. Either way it's a win win for us. If nothing is offered, I'm really going to have to be creative with my budget. Here's hoping for something.

 

[Hollybh]

Thanks for all the advice about Sea World. We have decided to work it in our trip. IF a code for free dining AND/OR 40% off code becomes available, which is best for moderate and delux resorts. We will be staying at POR and AKL OR ASMU and AKL. Not sure which way to go. Also, would AAA help me at all. We are not members yet but would consider if they offered a large discount.