What's the scoop on "free dining"?

[Sea-Donkey]

I've seen tons of mentions of "free dining" plan...where and how does this come about? What am I missing?

Also saw someone talking about a free park hopper upgrade...is all this luck of the draw or what? Do you have to book online or call? Do you have to get a package deal?

Any info greatly appreciated, we are trying to decide where and how to book for March...only thing we've booked so far is CRT again for the daughter.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Free dining has been offered as a promotion for August and Sept to get people to travel during hurricane season and fill their otherwise vacant rooms.

so far for 2008 its only been offered as a "bounceback" promotion for people staying in Disney hotels and was offered until Oct 12th.

For the general public last year it was offered starting in April for travel dates in Aug/Sept.

HTH!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Free Dining has been offered for the last two or three years - always during hurricaine season.

Since Easter falls in late March next year, it will coincide with many Spring Breaks. The parks will be pretty full and the resorts booked to capacity. So, I'm guessing that upgrade and freebies will be hard to come by.