What do you think the chances of them releasing the Free Dining again?

[milmore104]

We had a wonderful but eventful trip. We stayed for 2 weeks and just got back Monday. Because we had some family issues that kept us in our room a LOT and on our phones when in the parks. Were hoping to get back for a for a weeks in the fall. What do you think the chances would be that will release the Free Dining again? Our dates are very flexible for the fall. I did get a pin code but it's only until 8/13 and that's not going to happen.
Also what were the dates for the Free Dining did it include Nov and Dec? Thanks.
I'm looking to make this a "cheaper" trip than the last one. Value Resort and Regular Dining. No Deluxe this time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In November 2010 Free Dining was avaialble from the 12th - 18th, then the 27th - 30th.

In December 2010 Free Dining was available from the 1st - 2nd, then the 10th - 21st.

Now as for it being released again for October 2011, November 2011 and December 2011, honestly no one knows if that will be happen. Until last year I don't remember WDW ever releasing their Free Dining dates so far out. If WDW feels they need it to fill their rooms durig those times then they might offer it again. Personally I would rather see for GP room only discounts and Annual Pass discounts instead of Free Dining, because I hate how they keep pushing Free Dining on those who don't think it's a good deal.

 

[soarinup]

My opinion is the odds are good, very good! I have never taken advantage of free dining, but the fall seems to be Disneys favorite time for free dining!Aaaarrr!

 

[dhardawa]

I would say it is highly likely. The fact that they have added it for all summer through the current PIN tells me that their bookings are down. This is their busiest time of the year. Fall is always slow so it only makes sense that they'll be trying to get people into the parks.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I forgot to mention that if WDW wanted to they could have released dates in October, November and December 2011 for Free Dining when it was announced last year, however for whatever reason they did not. So just because those months had it in 2010 doesn't mean it will come back for 2011 and if I had to guess I don't think it's coming back during that time.

 

[Bete]

It's one of the most successful marketing strategies Disney has ever used and it will be used again.

It has been tweaked in past years and still people love this promotion. They had appetizers on the DP plus then they didn't; tips were included and now they are not; they have QS dining now and still people want free dining. Even if Disney has to raise their resort room rates free dining will be offered again. It seems like a deal even if it's not with increased Disney resort rates. With all the tweaking you realize Disney will keep this promo or they wouldn't be tweaking it.

Public free dining codes have been cut back this year, but I feel that's strongly due to the promo they offered for it last year. That was the first so many dates in advance where offered all at once so far ahead of time. Because of that previous offer Disney doesn't want to open it up again the same as before. They already have taken a hit from those who did it early and there is probably a set quota of Disney FD they will allow to go this way and hence we have more pincode offers now for it and they don't come far in advance. I think a 90 day rule may be a good way to judge this promo this year. Based on this, I would say August will be about the time you will see winter offers for free dining and maybe, a little sooner. It may be pin codes only and not a public offer.

This promo is not going away right now. I would say it has a couple more years to go at least to run it's course. Whether there will be as many public offerings for it is the true question.

 

[clanmcculloch]

My prediction is a General Public free dining promotion for mid-August through early October and pin codes beginning when the GP offer ends through mid-December.

 

[milmore104]

Thanks for the help but of course as all us Disney Planners we have changed our plans. Now we're looking for a good room discount so we can stay at BCV or BWV. We are going to go w the DDP instead of DXDDP. Looking at 10/30-11/9 so we can hit MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[zales127]

I dont think they are going to bring out Free Dining for the fall for a little while..my train of thought..from being in the travel industry..is that, they dont want to offer it this far out because right now everyone is getting their tax refunds and making big plans..then as time goes on and they start spending that money..they are going to cancel a vacation that is 6-8 months out because they already used up their refunds elsewhere. At least that is what happens with the rooms we book so far in advance. They came out with the results from this type of booking last year and they said that 40% of people who booked around this time last year, for fall last year, cancelled their reservations within 2 months of their travel date. Thats food for thought.

 

[JLKennedy]

I dont think they are going to bring out Free Dining for the fall for a little while..my train of thought..from being in the travel industry..is that, they dont want to offer it this far out because right now everyone is getting their tax refunds and making big plans..then as time goes on and they start spending that money..they are going to cancel a vacation that is 6-8 months out because they already used up their refunds elsewhere. At least that is what happens with the rooms we book so far in advance. They came out with the results from this type of booking last year and they said that 40% of people who booked around this time last year, for fall last year, cancelled their reservations within 2 months of their travel date. Thats food for thought.

See, I actually disagree completely with your thoughts. More people will likely use their refunds to book a vacation (if not paying down debts), and with the US average income tax return equalling about $2,500 (IRS average, not mine), that's a good chunk of a vacation either paid off or close to it.

Then you just need to budget for spending money and/or airfare/travel $.

We booked last year and canceled to go on a cruise. I have Nov.5 through Nov.13 booked now, without any discount rate and we'll still go, with or without discounts.

 

[zales127]

See, I actually disagree completely with your thoughts. More people will likely use their refunds to book a vacation (if not paying down debts), and with the US average income tax return equalling about $2,500 (IRS average, not mine), that's a good chunk of a vacation either paid off or close to it.

Then you just need to budget for spending money and/or airfare/travel $.

We booked last year and canceled to go on a cruise. I have Nov.5 through Nov.13 booked now, without any discount rate and we'll still go, with or without discounts.

Thats true IF they pay off their vacation when they get their return. But with Disney (and my company) only requiring 200.00 deposit, most people put down the deposit then cancel. Not saying this is true for everyone, but my company just did a whole workshop on this topic. Our sales sky-rocket in February, March and April. We only take a deposit, like Disney, and has to be paid in full 6 weeks before arrival. A HUGE amount of our sales for February, March and April are for places like Anaheim and Orlando..next being Vegas. We have high cancellations at the end of March (people who booked spring break and spent the refund so now cant go) and when they did the numbers for the people who book so far in advance, this time of year for 6-8 months in advance..the cancellations was through the roof. So, if they paid in advance GREAT. However, so many people just put the minimum payment down with the intentions of just paying it off little by little but never do.