The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[mirthmaiden]

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.

You'll have to work the numbers for your own situation, but joining AAA saved me about $450 on my trip after the membership fee.

 

[Hollybh]

If I join AAA and get a discount, can I also use other discounts by Disney or Visa with the AAA disc.?

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Just subscribing.

 

[craig15]

Just subscribing.

Not to be mean...but I see this a lot on the DisBoards. Most of the people in the thread don't really care how many people have subscribed. I understand that posting a message will subscribe you, but you can also subscribe at the top of the page by clicking on Thread Tools, then subscribe. If we could all just do this rather than posting to tell the world that we are subscribing, then everyone would not have to spend as much time reading threads...there would be fewer pages to load and pages would load faster because the computer wouldn't have to download all of the graphics that are in the signatures.
I'm done with my rant now.

I am also awaiting the free dining announcement. I was hoping it would go a week later because I would love to be there for Epcot's 25th on October 1 and for the Food and Wine festival. But if dining is offered, then I will arrange my vacation around those dates. If no dining, then the vaca will start Sept 29th!

 

[iloveeeyore]

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.

It really all depends on the make-up of your family, number of adults, children, what category room, etc. At this point, the ONLY discount rumored (through Disney) is the free dining, so it might be a waste of time to even think about 40% anymore.

I've been calling Disney at my leisure to price out all different packages, at rack rate, then backout the cost of discounts that might come available. I've figured out that for my family, free dining would be a better deal than 40% if I were to stay at val or mod or std. rooms at WL/AKL, because we are 4 adults, so the dining is worth $160 per day. If we go deluxe, 40% is a better deal because the rooms start out more expensive, so we'd take 40% from a bigger number. Anyway, may be a moot point.

AAA discounts tend to run around 15% off the rack rate for a room. If you call Disney and request AAA rate, you must book room only, no package, which means no DDP. You can also book directly through AAA, but I thought the discount is disappointing. It's better than NO discount, and they will book a package for you (but the discount is only on the room portion). AAA is good to have in an emergency, so I recommend getting it anyway. You can save lots of other places besides Disney, too.

HTH

 

[iloveeeyore]

If I join AAA and get a discount, can I also use other discounts by Disney or Visa with the AAA disc.?

One discount per reservation. Generally, you have to pick the one that works best and go with it. Most times, you are able to switch if something better comes available. Before you book a package, make sure you understand the terms for making changes or cancelling.

Good luck!

 

[C_leen]

Hi!

Well I am new to the boards. I've been to WDW as a dependent, but never the trip organizer. I am freaking out as my first time planning a trip as a mother! I picked a Sept. trip as my son is on a year round cycle school and is on fall break. Also my husband dreads crowds, so I figured it was just a good time for us overall.

I've been wrestling with staying on site versus staying off site, but free dining in Sept. is really a powerful motivator. We aren't big eaters, but not having to dock every snack and meal would be refreshing. So I think I might just reserve a room with WDW and make some ADRs this weekend. My question is, if I have to redo or cancel the reservation to add the full magic with dining package, do my ADRs get cancelled or transferred over to my new reservation? I'm only looking to do a few ADRs. I don't want to overplan

Thanks!

 

[REL1203]

Hi!

Well I am new to the boards. I've been to WDW as a dependent, but never the trip organizer. I am freaking out as my first time planning a trip as a mother! I picked a Sept. trip as my son is on a year round cycle school and is on fall break. Also my husband dreads crowds, so I figured it was just a good time for us overall.

I've been wrestling with staying on site versus staying off site, but free dining in Sept. is really a powerful motivator. We aren't big eaters, but not having to dock every snack and meal would be refreshing. So I think I might just reserve a room with WDW and make some ADRs this weekend. My question is, if I have to redo or cancel the reservation to add the full magic with dining package, do my ADRs get cancelled or transferred over to my new reservation? I'm only looking to do a few ADRs. I don't want to overplan

Thanks!

If your DH doesnt like crowds, during free dining time period isnt the best time to go, its gonna be very crowded, and the restaurants are going to VERY crowded as well

 

[DisneyMom5]

Hi!

Well I am new to the boards. I've been to WDW as a dependent, but never the trip organizer. I am freaking out as my first time planning a trip as a mother! I picked a Sept. trip as my son is on a year round cycle school and is on fall break. Also my husband dreads crowds, so I figured it was just a good time for us overall.

I've been wrestling with staying on site versus staying off site, but free dining in Sept. is really a powerful motivator. We aren't big eaters, but not having to dock every snack and meal would be refreshing. So I think I might just reserve a room with WDW and make some ADRs this weekend. My question is, if I have to redo or cancel the reservation to add the full magic with dining package, do my ADRs get cancelled or transferred over to my new reservation? I'm only looking to do a few ADRs. I don't want to overplan

Thanks!

We went in '05 for free dining (end of Aug.) and it was not very crowded.

You will have to rebook your room ressie when and if the dining deal comes out, and being able to get the same type of room/location or the same resort will be subject to availability.
BUT...
I think your ADRs are related to your phone #, as offsite guests can also make ADRs.

You will need to make ADRs for all of your Table service meals if you plan on eating them, as walk ups are VERY hard to come by during the free dining period.
Some people have had some luck, but not something to chance, especially if you have children involved.

It is a pain to work around, but it was so nice to have a time each day when we sat down and relaxed.

ETA: I am hoping for free dining. For us, its a no brainer. We're staying at a value, and we will have 4 adult prices and 4 children prices. That's around $2000 savings for the 10 nights we hope to stay.

If you stay at a value resort during value season, you would have to save $80/day for two adults to make a room discount cheaper. Not gonna happen in a room that cost $92.50/night including tax.

 

[Mariposa]

If your DH doesnt like crowds, during free dining time period isnt the best time to go, its gonna be very crowded, and the restaurants are going to VERY crowded as well

I've been to WDW during just about every crowd level (everything from Easter week to the end of January when no one is there). I went for free dining last year and the ONLY time I've seen it LESS crowded is during the end of January/beginning of February. We never waited more than 10 minutes for ANY ride or attraction, and honestly, I don't ever remember even waiting that long. I can't STAND crowds (I don't even do well at the local mall), but I was fine.

 

[Trip2Disney]

My question is, if I have to redo or cancel the reservation to add the full magic with dining package, do my ADRs get cancelled or transferred over to my new reservation?

From Mousesavers:
"If your plans change, you are responsible for canceling any Advance Dining Reservations that require a credit card guarantee or prepayment. If you do not cancel such reservations, the normal penalty will be charged. Cancelling a Disney resort reservation does not automatically cancel your Advance Dining Reservations!"

So, no, if you change or cancel your resort ressie, your ADRs will not be affected.

Happy planning!

 

[djm99]

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?

The only 'real' Disney Resort - All Stars Movies

 

[disneymom06]

We went in '05 for free dining (end of Aug.) and it was not very crowded.

You will have to rebook your room ressie when and if the dining deal comes out, and being able to get the same type of room/location or the same resort will be subject to availability.
BUT...
I think your ADRs are related to your phone #, as offsite guests can also make ADRs.

You will need to make ADRs for all of your Table service meals if you plan on eating them, as walk ups are VERY hard to come by during the free dining period.
Some people have had some luck, but not something to chance, especially if you have children involved.

It is a pain to work around, but it was so nice to have a time each day when we sat down and relaxed.

ETA: I am hoping for free dining. For us, its a no brainer. We're staying at a value, and we will have 4 adult prices and 4 children prices. That's around $2000 savings for the 10 nights we hope to stay.

If you stay at a value resort during value season, you would have to save $80/day for two adults to make a room discount cheaper. Not gonna happen in a room that cost $92.50/night including tax.

I couldn't agree more! We have done free dining the last two years and IMO it is the best discount that Disney can give to families. We stay at a value resort for price and the free dining more than covers the price of our rooms, (we need two). I too am hoping for free dining.

As for the crowds, we never waited more than 15 minutes and that was rare. Hot, yes! Hurricanes, possibly. But if that is how we will be able to afford to take our children to Disney, I will be there!

 

[kdzgon]

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.

I would think it would be worth it to join AAA - the AAA discount in value season is 20% for values and mods, and the membership fee is less than $100.

 

[REL1203]

I've been to WDW during just about every crowd level (everything from Easter week to the end of January when no one is there). I went for free dining last year and the ONLY time I've seen it LESS crowded is during the end of January/beginning of February. We never waited more than 10 minutes for ANY ride or attraction, and honestly, I don't ever remember even waiting that long. I can't STAND crowds (I don't even do well at the local mall), but I was fine.

What are the crowds at the dining places like???

 

[Maria395712]

waiting to hear

 

[MEK]

What are the crowds at the dining places like???

If you have your ADR's, then dining is easy. The longest I waited to be seated was about 30 minutes at Coral Reef. This was last August and this was the exception. Everywhere else we were seated in 10 minutes. The restaurants were full, but I can't say they felt crowded. I go in late August every year and the crowds in the park are light.

 

[iloveeeyore]

In our experience with free dining (late August '06), we found the crowds in the parks VERY light. The popular restaurants ('Ohana, LeCellier, Chef Mickey's) were packed, but they ALWAYS are. We followed the guidelines and arrived 15 minutes before our ADRs, and were seated very quickly. At 'Ohana we had to wait about 20 minutes, but I was able to tolerate the Lapu Lapu my DH bought me from the Tambu Lounge . We never had to wait more than 5 minutes for our CS meals, either; though we planned to eat lunch early, before the rush (11:30), we often didn't get around to it until 12 or 12:30, and it still wasn't bad.

Our last few days, the parks were the emptiest I have ever seen them...we walked right onto everything. That's because of a threatening hurricane. The hardest thing about that time of year is the weather, not the crowds. Don't be scared of the crowds. Bring ponchos!

 

[cocowum]

We went last year during free dining and as long as you had ADR's you were fine. The only place we waited was Lecellier, about 20 mins. The parks were dead though. This was the slowest I'd ever seen it. I spoke with a few families that hadn't made ADR's prior to arriving and they seem to have no problem getting seated at the less popular resturants. HTH.

Last year, after reading these boards, I thought the resturants were going to be a madhouse but when we got there it was a pleasant surprise.

 

[TLHB70]

I just found this thread. I am waiting and watching for the announcement.
I haven't missed it have I ????????
We went last year for free dining. I hope they offer it again this year!!!!!