The prices for 2009 should be out sometime in August. As for
free dining, that's anybody's guess year to year
. IF free dining is going to be offered, usually the people there during that time will get a bounceback offer....which means they must book free dining for the following year on or before their check out day. Then, if Disney offers it to the general public, that usually comes out around mid-April. You can book a room only now, as Disney will charge you 2008 peak rate and then adjust your ressie when the 2009 prices are released, at which time you can switch to a package if that's what you want. However, packages can't be booked until the new prices are out
. But if you're holding out for free dining and will only go if free dining is offered, booking a room only now won't do any good as it's not guaranteed your room/resort choice will be included in free dining
. Also, if people book room only and the resorts start filling up, Disney will see no need to offer free dining to entice people to go during the "slow" time. So you would then be better off waiting until free dining is announced (that is IF Disney offers it again in 2009).
