The Official Free Dining Watch 2007 Thread

[mking624]

From reading your postings I'm now wondering if when they offer the free Dining is it only for a limited time? A limited number?? Is your urgency to get the reservations you want??

Maybe I need to be more ready when they announce.

For any Disney discount/promotion, they are only offered for a limited time and only a certain number of rooms are allotted at each resort for the promotion. People try to book right away because they hope to get the room they want. There seems to be more anxiousness because they have people who already received free dining when they were offered a bounceback and there was another promo for 40% off the rooms...so we're unsure of just limited free dining will be if it were to be offered to the general public. Good rule of thumb, though, is that if free dining is once again offered, the sooner you book, the better.

 

[mking624]

everyone has reasons and different incomes I guess, but it seems that some are really going overboard, calling Disney SO much in one day and everyone booking just incase, the more they book, the less likely it will be offered and when and if it offered, a lot less rooms will be available and the people who definately want to go during this time are going to be the ones hurt. yikes that is crazy! Can any of you even imagine what it is going to be like this year? I was fortunate to get free dining the first year, it was REALLY busy, disney couldn't believe the outcome, they said the crowds were 5 times normal for sept! Its run rampid now!!! Everyone makes what they make, fortunately for me, I do well in Pittsburgh as a nurse and my hubby is in the same field and OT is available like water is, and again, fortunately, I work nights and its quiet and I work on a very quiet floor, so OT is easy to do for me, I know some people aren't as lucky!! It's all what you have time for,I guess and what you enjoy, checking this site 5-6 times a day and having multiple family members calling Disney, not my cup of tea and definately not fun, and then we wander why the disney employees are rude when we get there, hee hee.......after all this reading, December might be a better time, less busy! ha. Good luck to all of you, hope you all get free dining.

Disney couldn't believe the outcome and it was five times busier in September? Did you go during Labor Day weekend or something? I was at WDW for free dining in September (10-16) and it wasn't crowded at all. During our entire stay, we waited in a line only once and that was during a moment that Test Track was having some technical difficulties....so no one was able to ride for about 10 minutes. Other than that, everything was walk on. The restaurants were more full, but the parks were WONDERFUL...absolutely no crowds.
Keep in mind that Dis people don't make up the majority of Disney vacationers...we make up a very small percentage. So no, I doubt that Disney will be running rampant with Dis people who were checking the boards like crazy for the promo.

instead of checking this board 5 times a day for 2 more weeks, why don't we all just go work part-time or over-time somewhere for 2 weeks and upgrade all we want with that money we make.........instead of becoming "junkies". I am a nurse, I am just going to work one extra shift and that will pay for a week of free dining and more and I won't have to worry!!! whoo hoo, problem solved!

Well that's excellent for you!! However today is my only day off this week. And if checking the board like crazy is enjoyable to me, I'll check the board like crazy. As far as the rest of the days are concerned, I don't mind coming home from work and immediately checking the board. Hey, if that guarantees us to make sure we get the booking we want, I'm all for it. So is my DH. I'm not about to stress myself out with overtime work just to prevent myself from checking the Dis. We're fine with being Dis junkies.

As you said, to each their own. It may not be your cup of tea, but please remember it's not your cup of tea...the rest of us are fine where we are.

 

[burberryplaid]

I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts...

1) Yes, the people on this board are clammering for info, and I am one of them. I have the money to go to Disney and pay for it including the dining plan, but that doesn't stop me from wanting a little free "magic". There's nothing wrong with wanting a discount. I shouldn't be told to "work more" so I don't have to worry about getting a deal. Believe me, deal or not, I am still going on vacation. Everyone's situation is different though. Some people will need a deal in order to go to Disney this year and not everyone has the opportunity to work more to pay for it. If they don't get a deal, they just won't go. No one should be criticized for that.

2) I'm not too concerned about crowds. By the look of the boards, you would think there are a million people planning to go to Disney if free dining is offered. The truth is, the people on this board are only a small percentage of the population in whole. A vast majority of people won't be able to go to Disney in September/October simply because they have children in school who can't miss, or have other reasons for not going at this time. Chances are, free dining will bring in a lot of people. but I really don't think it's going to be an unbearable amount of people... these are the people who would likely be going at this time regardless because they have the time available to take a vacation. People panicking about crowds just seems unreasonable to me. I have no doubt crowds will be inflated, but i just don't think it will be that bad, and I certainly don't think that telling people that they are going to cause Disney not to make offers for this time because too many people are already booked, is warranted.

3) Now that I got my griping out..I just wanted to tell you all to check out the WDW Radio Show podcast this week (April 1) A big part of it talks about the dining plan and the possability of free dining. It's very informative, especially if you've never used the DDP before (like me)

Good luck and free dining for all!!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Chase deals are now posted here:
http://disneyrewards.disney.go.com/cardbenefits/themeparkbenefits.html
That is why the other site shows zero. The new site even lists the photo at Epcot. I am guessing someone else (disney?) will be updating this now and I would bet there will be more deals.

 

[beroh2253]

Didn't book last year till after they extended the free dining plan offer in think in late June. Last week in Sept. thru Oct. 2 . Very light crowds during the week could walk right on Splash Mt. and Big Thunder Mt. in the morning and very easy to book most ADR we wanted but not all that late in the game. But these Restaurants were turning away walk-up so remember you have to book in advance. Crowdes were heavy on the weekend but that was the start of the Wine and Food Fest. Splash Mt the Sunday of Food and wine Fest. Longer then I have ever seen and to be well over an hour wait.





Dad Mom Bobby Kim

1995 Port Orleans
1996 Dixie Landings
1997 Caribbean Beach
1998 Dixie Landings
1999 Dixie Landings
2000 Dixie Landings
2001 Dixie Landings
2002 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2003 Dixie Landings
2006 All Stars Music
2007 Maybe Pop

 

[LakeAriel]

instead of checking this board 5 times a day for 2 more weeks, why don't we all just go work part-time or over-time somewhere for 2 weeks and upgrade all we want with that money we make.........instead of becoming "junkies". I am a nurse, I am just going to work one extra shift and that will pay for a week of free dining and more and I won't have to worry!!! whoo hoo, problem solved!

 

[goofy613]

I have a disney rewards visa and went to their site. Am I missing something.....I don't see where they have the offers. I just get a page talking about Meet the Robinson's, etc. then it talks about the card and the benefits. HELP! I did go directly to the chase visa site and looked at Disney rewards offers and it said to come back. Did anyone else see this?

 

[mking624]

I have a disney rewards visa and went to their site. Am I missing something.....I don't see where they have the offers. I just get a page talking about Meet the Robinson's, etc. then it talks about the card and the benefits. HELP! I did go directly to the chase visa site and looked at Disney rewards offers and it said to come back. Did anyone else see this?

PiperPizzaz posted this a little bit ago:
http://disneyrewards.disney.go.com/cardbenefits/themeparkbenefits.html

ETA: I think the above link just lists the benefits of the card, not necessarily any "special offers" that will periodically change. I did finally figure out how to access the special offers section since the icon had disappeared...but right now, there aren't any offers listed. Here's how I found it, though....
Once you log in, you'll be taken to the "My Accounts" section. You'll see your account summary and right under the summary is a link that says "See more information." Click that link. That screen will be your account details and on the right hand side is a series of links under the title "I'd like to...". About half way down is a link that says "See current Disney offers." When you click that, it will take you to see any current Disney offers (NOT the same as card benefits). Currently, there aren't any.

 

[mousefever]

subscribing.... with fingers, hands, feet, toes, and eyes crossed!!!!

 

[TheLastPrincess]

I don't know why people are getting anxious about it being "crowded" during September, or when they are offering Free Dining.

Once again, a Disney CM friend of mine told me that during their summer months (June-August), they typically have 80,000 people, whereas in September, they only have 18,000. And I, too, was there last year and it was the so uncrowded, it was SCARY...I had never seen it so light on crowds, and that was when they had Free Dining. The longest wait we had was a half hour for Pirates of the Caribbean, everything else was either a 5-minute wait or walk-on.

And as far as booking your vacation THE MINUTE they release Free Dining, I really don't see how that's necessary, unless there are is a hugely significant number of people now who are waiting to do this. We didn't book our September vacation last year until late June for the POFQ, and we still got Free Dining.

The only thing, once again, is making your reservations at table-service restaurants BEFORE you go, up to the day you book your trip, because the popular restaurants (Cinderella's Royal Table, O'hana, etc) book quickly.

 

[ruthma]

I don't know why people are getting anxious about it being "crowded" during September, or when they are offering Free Dining.

Once again, a Disney CM friend of mine told me that during their summer months (June-August), they typically have 80,000 people, whereas in September, they only have 18,000. And I, too, was there last year and it was the so uncrowded, it was SCARY...I had never seen it so light on crowds, and that was when they had Free Dining. The longest wait we had was a half hour for Pirates of the Caribbean, everything else was either a 5-minute wait or walk-on.

And as far as booking your vacation THE MINUTE they release Free Dining, I really don't see how that's necessary, unless there are is a hugely significant number of people now who are waiting to do this. We didn't book our September vacation last year until late June for the POFQ, and we still got Free Dining.

The only thing, once again, is making your reservations at table-service restaurants BEFORE you go, up to the day you book your trip, because the popular restaurants (Cinderella's Royal Table, O'hana, etc) book quickly.

I also went last year in Sept. with very llittle crowds. I think that this year might be different where they have already given FD to the UK and the bounceback deal. they might be giving out less rooms due to those two deals. I got the 40% off for sep, which in my case in a better deal. Good luck to evryone waiting for it.

 

[mking624]

And as far as booking your vacation THE MINUTE they release Free Dining, I really don't see how that's necessary, unless there are is a hugely significant number of people now who are waiting to do this. We didn't book our September vacation last year until late June for the POFQ, and we still got Free Dining.

The difference between last year and this year is that last year there weren't any bounceback people who already were given free dining and there weren't people booking up rooms with a 40% offer (though that offer extended to more dates throughout the year). So people have been questioning just how limited the free dining (if offered) will be this year. It's possible there won't be a change at all from last year, it's possible there will be. So I think that's why more people are anxious.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I don't know why people are getting anxious about it being "crowded" during September, or when they are offering Free Dining.

Once again, a Disney CM friend of mine told me that during their summer months (June-August), they typically have 80,000 people, whereas in September, they only have 18,000. And I, too, was there last year and it was the so uncrowded, it was SCARY...I had never seen it so light on crowds, and that was when they had Free Dining. The longest wait we had was a half hour for Pirates of the Caribbean, everything else was either a 5-minute wait or walk-on.

And as far as booking your vacation THE MINUTE they release Free Dining, I really don't see how that's necessary, unless there are is a hugely significant number of people now who are waiting to do this. We didn't book our September vacation last year until late June for the POFQ, and we still got Free Dining.

The only thing, once again, is making your reservations at table-service restaurants BEFORE you go, up to the day you book your trip, because the popular restaurants (Cinderella's Royal Table, O'hana, etc) book quickly.

That advice is so true.

 

[cheekpatch]

subscribing (and crossing my fingers)

 

[Pooh Friend]

I know I must appear like a disneyaholic at this point, but I'm okay with that. I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying all this watching, hoping, even checking on the boards multiple times throughout the day. I think its like a primal hunting instinct to see if I can hunt down the much desired free dining! I could calm down, and chill-out, but why when I am really having a blast!

 

[twinspluscade]

From reading your postings I'm now wondering if when they offer the free Dining is it only for a limited time? A limited number?? Is your urgency to get the reservations you want??

Maybe I need to be more ready when they announce.

Well, I can only answer why I plan on calling as soon as I hear about free dining .

We're a family of 5 on a budget currently booked at POR for Sept 8-16. POR is the only value or moderate that allows 5 in a room; for that reason it's somewhat popular. Since it's a limited number of rooms available for free dining, I plan on calling ASAP in the hopes I can get the discount. We've already decided that if there aren't any free dining rooms available at POR, we'll stay there anyway, and just pay for dining plan. I like the values, we've stayed there before but want to try POR this trip.Staying at POR and paying for dining plan will still be cheaper for us than getting free dining at one of the deluxes that sleep 5.

Kelly

 

[twinspluscade]

I don't know why people are getting anxious about it being "crowded" during September, or when they are offering Free Dining.

Once again, a Disney CM friend of mine told me that during their summer months (June-August), they typically have 80,000 people, whereas in September, they only have 18,000. And I, too, was there last year and it was the so uncrowded, it was SCARY...I had never seen it so light on crowds, and that was when they had Free Dining. The longest wait we had was a half hour for Pirates of the Caribbean, everything else was either a 5-minute wait or walk-on.

And as far as booking your vacation THE MINUTE they release Free Dining, I really don't see how that's necessary, unless there are is a hugely significant number of people now who are waiting to do this. We didn't book our September vacation last year until late June for the POFQ, and we still got Free Dining.

The only thing, once again, is making your reservations at table-service restaurants BEFORE you go, up to the day you book your trip, because the popular restaurants (Cinderella's Royal Table, O'hana, etc) book quickly.

We were there last year at that time too! Wasn't it awesome?! Dh refuses to go at any other time now (he's so not a crowd person).

My reason for calling ASAP "the code" is released is that the ONLY resort we want this trip is POR--we're a family of 5 on a budget so choices are somewhat limited for us. We're actually already booked, but hoping to get the discount when/if it comes out. If we don't get free dining, we're planning on staying at POR anyway, and just pay for dining plan.

Kelly

 

[M2DD's]

Hey, I need to be sent to rehab to get free dinning out of my system Anyone eles want to join?
This is how I can get my brain to detox
1.I'm still going to go the first week of september, regardless of free dinning or not.
2.If free dinning is not offered ,less people at the resorts and parks.
3.Will not have to worry about what park to be in for my ADR's.
4.I won't walk around the park stuffed;kicking myself for eating so much.(how many people usally eat a three course meal?)
Hope this helps your brain detox a little.
Laura
Let me know if this helps anyone cuz it hasn't helped me yet
I loved the free dinning plan last year!!!!

 

[lisaanddenny]

don't you have to pay xtra for anyone over 3 people in a room, or is that just adults? I stayed at POFQ, I liked it a lot, very spread out! You walk a lot, and the grounds are very nice. Good luck on free Dining. I sent an email vs calling the reservation people, those people know less than us, I did get an email back and the nice person did say that they plan on offering a promotion for this early fall, AGAIN. I did manage to get the 40% last year for this year, my friend actually booked for us, she was down there and actually had to approach Disney about the bounceback offer, no one approached her, so she and her hubby booked for us, seperately. Its a good deal!!!!

 

[TheLastPrincess]

1.I'm still going to go the first week of september, regardless of free dinning or not.
2.If free dinning is not offered ,less people at the resorts and parks.
3.Will not have to worry about what park to be in for my ADR's.
4.I won't walk around the park stuffed;kicking myself for eating so much.(how many people usally eat a three course meal?)

I CAN'T detox from this!!!!!!!!!!! Free Dining means staying at the Wilderness Lodge for our Disneymoon. No Free Dining means staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter again. I want the Wilderness!!!