What was the fall deal last year re: meal plan?

[momofmikey]

I seem to remember, although we didn't take advantage of it, some sort of package deal where you paid full price for room and tixs, but got meal plan for free? Am I losing my mind, or did this happen? Hoping for some sort of deal like that for this year, that I would take advantage of.

 

[disneyaggie]

I went on this deal in September -- it was awesome. For $425 a person (based on double occupancy), it included a 5 night stay at a WDW resort value hotel, park tickets (we paid an additional $35 a piece to upgrade to Park Hopper, and well worth it), as well as the Dining Plan (5 Table service meals, 5 Counter service meals, and 5 snacks). We (a friend of mine and I) also added the trip insurance for around $35. So the total price to do "the deal" ($425) plus adding the "hopper" part to the tickets ($35) and the trip insurance ($35) ran the entire bill to $495. It was absolutely awesome!

 

[mickeymousemom]

We also took advantage of this deal last year! I'd love to see them do it again this fall, but something tells me we won't see that again for quite awhile! That special did sell me on the DP though, and we'll be paying for it this year!

 

[Cllong75]

We took advantage of this plan in September. It was awesome, we already had our trip booked and paid for when we found it and called to add it to our vacation. The funny part is, it ended up saving us $25 dollars, so to us, we ate for free. We kept our receipts all week and added them up when we got home, the total was about $1800.00 for 6 adults and 2 kids.

 

[bicker]

Wow, that was some great deal! We're not likely to see its like again!

 

[Bete]

This was the best deal I had seen in over 25 years and I've been on quite a few trips. I don't think it will be repeated; unless, something desparate happens to attendance. Everyone in your room received the dining plan for booking a room at rack rate for a length in time and at at least 1 day park tickets. Even those with APs took the deal by foregoing room discounts and buying 1-day tics. You were really lucky if you booked the last week of the promo; because, you caught the beginning of the Food and Wine Festival, too. I loved this deal and I would do it again in a heart beat. Good luck to all and I hope they offer it.

 

[bcsmom]

I got this deal too, & boy was it great! I loved always having the option for dessert! I wish it would come again, I would definitely take advantage of it.

 

[Ishy]

In 03 - the special for that time of year was stay 4 (tickets package) and get 3 free.
In 04 - the special was stay 5 get 2 free (tickets package).
In 05 - Free dining with package - only one day magic my way tickets for each person in your party required.

From what I heard in 2003 they were *still* feeling the effects of 9/11 or so they say and needed to offere something to boast that august/september slow season. In 2004 they offered BEFORE the nasty hurricane season wallopped florida - but that is the reason for the free dining offered in 2005.

I think we will see something. Free dining sold out the resorts like no other past promotion - INSPITE of hurricanes and because 2005 was such a record year - the rumor (from a former cast member) is that the dining plan or very similar offer will be offered in June.

I loved free dining - wasnt able to use it all either, but it kept us on budget like NEVER before so I would risk a hurricane for it again.

 

[haley's mom]

I too enjoyed the free dining last October. We are returning this Oct, hoping for a great deal. Do any of you remember when the free dining promotion was announced?

 

[snowglobe girl]

It was announced around the first or second week in June...

 

[nigel-bigel]

How long was it good for?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It was a heck of a deal. Free meal plan for minimum 3 nights, maximum 10 nights stay plus at least a 1 day's ticket.

I'm waiting for the deals this year. If they come, I go. if they don't I go to Universal Orlando or to Disneyland instead.

I'd love to see the meal deal again.

 

[nigel-bigel]

How long was it good for?

I guess I should have been clearer. I meant, (approx.) what dates was the offer good for?

Thanks!

 

[Ishy]

Was announced the end of May and ran until July 3rd - free dining for packages booked for stays STARTING from August 21(I think - maybe 15th) until October 2. So you could book a ?night package with the first night Oct 2 and get the free dining.

At the end of July sometime, they re-opened the offer. I remember all this because my brother didnt think it was such a great deal until it was over. Then he took my advice and booked it when it was opened the second time - Granted, you can SAVE money by eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and staying off site - but if you stay at a value or mod and enjoy your dining experience (some of the themed dining makes your vacation that much more special!) and the dining is free, its invaluable.

one last thing - I love beach club - but beaches and creams was very unimpressive and a terrible choice for dinner.

 

[disneyaggie]

Yes, one thing to note is that when a friend of mine and I met in Orlando for a "girls weekend with Mickey", this plan was perfect. We ate at some nice Table Service Restaurants, some with characters.

However, I go solo a lot so this plan would not be beneficial for me, especially since I rarely do Table Service meals, but just snack and play all day.

 

[MomofKatie]

We took advantage of the Free Dining deal last fall- it was great! The last day to check in and get the deal was October 4th- the last day of Value season.

We had a trip planned for the end of October/beginning of November, but when the Free Dining became available, we switched to the first week of October. Our total for 2 adults and 1 child for 7 nights at Pop with 7 day tickets with Hopping and Plusses and Free Dining was approx $1175. We saved a bundle- around $725, between the DPP for free and going from Regular to Value season. Wow!

 

[aterriq]

We were going in September anyway, so this special was a great surprise and made our trip the more memorable.

 

[mommykds]

the rumor (from a former cast member) is that the dining plan or very similar offer will be offered in June.

I

Interesting .......Hope the rumor is true..can't wait til June! :mickeybounce