What year did WDW start with free dining?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just wondering what year did WDW start their free dining promotion?

 

[nbodyhome]

The dictionary states that dinning is "To stun with deafening noise"

So I guess that means whatever year Chef Mickeys opened? Free dinning with every meal...

 

[bavaria]

I thought that it was just my English-as-Second Language skill, and that 'dinning' had become the new norm in American English... Thanks for confirming that I still can spell

There have actually been a number of different dining promotions and packages over the years; the first 'free' promotion was after a very bad year of hurricanes in an effort to lure travellers who were fearful of travelling to Florida in August/September, about 3-5 years ago.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

the first 'free' promotion was after a very bad year of hurricanes in an effort to lure travellers who were fearful of travelling to Florida in August/September, about 3-5 years ago.

The 1st big hurricane I remeber effecting WDW was Charley, because it cut my familes vacation in Clearwater Beach short because it was predicted to hit there. So am I correct to say it was around that time, unless there was a hurricane before?

 

[BethR]

2005!

 

[nbodyhome]

I thought that it was just my English-as-Second Language skill, and that 'dinning' had become the new norm in American English... Thanks for confirming that I still can spell

There have actually been a number of different dining promotions and packages over the years; the first 'free' promotion was after a very bad year of hurricanes in an effort to lure travellers who were fearful of travelling to Florida in August/September, about 3-5 years ago.

I thought you were being sarcastic! "Dining" is still the norm.

This is the 3rd year.

Our one bad hurricane season in my memory was 2004. Disney did the free dine plan in 2005, 2006, 2007. It is a traditionally slow time of year, and remember - that was the first year of the new dining plan as well. Kids are newly back in school, I can't imagine it ever being a busy time.

 

[bavaria]

Sarcastic? never! (isn't that an offense punishable via timeout?)

English truly is my second language!

 

[nbodyhome]

Sarcastic? never! (isn't that an offense punishable via timeout?)

I'll take a timeout at Le Cellier, thank you.

 

[bavaria]

Best of luck getting a reservation! I'll take my timeout at Biergarten

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Don't talk to me about time-outs

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

2005!

Thanks for the info.

 

[nbodyhome]

Best of luck getting a reservation! I'll take my timeout at Biergarten

Oh - I can't do Biergarten, you can have it! - I can't take sauerkraut and sausage. Even when in Germany, I eat Italian. Last trip, I had spagetti every day (just like in France!)

 

[bavaria]

Oh - I can't do Biergarten, you can have it! - I can't take sauerkraut and sausage. Even when in Germany, I eat Italian. Last trip, I had spagetti every day (just like in France!)

um, German VEGGIE here - no sausage OR sauerkraut for me either.

But pretzel bread (which isn't really German) and lots of good salads at Biergarten, plus Rudesheimer Kaffee....

And a lot easier to get a reservation than Le Cellier

 

[aterriq]

Oh - I can't do Biergarten, you can have it! - I can't take sauerkraut and sausage. Even when in Germany, I eat Italian. Last trip, I had spagetti every day (just like in France!)

What I remember most about Germany was the Greek food.

 

[bavaria]

mmmmm Saganaki Pita sandwich at the Hertie foodcourt - I loooooove those! looking forward to having one again soon

 

[nbodyhome]

And a lot easier to get a reservation than Le Cellier

Biergarten is usually a walk-in, I think. You know, for the diners wanting to ruin experience for others.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney traditionally offered attractive packages during hurricane season. Some years it was a room discount of 40-50%. Some years the deal was something like a pay for 4 days and play for 7 days package.

Free dining started in 2005, the same year the current DDP started. Disney is getting more money from guests then they'd get from other promotions.

 

[bavaria]

Since Lewis has brought us back on track , the profit from selling the rooms at 'rack' rates with 'free' dining far outweighs the loss seen due to artificially low food cost for restaurants set through the program