when did free dining weeks in disney start?

[Disjunky]

Just wondering what year they began offering free dining.

 

[hakepb]

From Mousesavers:
What’s the deal with “Free Dining”?

Since 2005, during select times of year, Disney has offered a free dining plan when you purchase a full-price vacation package that includes hotel room and tickets. Disney has mainly offered this plan in late summer as an incentive to get people to visit Disney World at a time when Southern schools are back in session, which causes the theme parks and hotels to empty out. Additionally, that period is peak hurricane season and extremely hot and humid.

 

[csharpwv]

I don't know where it came from, but I certainly wish it would go back!

It has ruined the dining plan, and in turn, the dining plan has ruined Disney Dining.

If the food service operations around WDW were any more 'streamlined' you would have the option of Steak, Grilled Chicken, Fried Chicken, and Ribs - every where..... PERIOD.

They have gutted all of the unique and truly ethnic foods from menus all over the resort. The quality of food and service has dropped, and most meals are REALLY not memorable.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great restaurants around the property - BUT they are not up to a truly 'world class' dining experience.

So much of the same food - over and over again. It is getting really tough to plan a trip with truly DIFFERENT food at every meal.

We once made the mistake of doing all of these in the same trip:
Flame Tree BBQ
Spirit of Aloha
Whispering Canyon
Cosmic Rays

What were we thinking?!

 

[hakepb]

I don't know where it came from, but I certainly wish it would go back!

It has ruined the dining plan, and in turn, the dining plan has ruined Disney Dining.

If the food service operations around WDW were any more 'streamlined' you would have the option of Steak, Grilled Chicken, Fried Chicken, and Ribs - every where..... PERIOD.

They have gutted all of the unique and truly ethnic foods from menus all over the resort. The quality of food and service has dropped, and most meals are REALLY not memorable.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great restaurants around the property - BUT they are not up to a truly 'world class' dining experience.

So much of the same food - over and over again. It is getting really tough to plan a trip with truly DIFFERENT food at every meal.

We once made the mistake of doing all of these in the same trip:
Flame Tree BBQ
Spirit of Aloha
Whispering Canyon
Cosmic Rays

What were we thinking?!

I think the Dining plan is 100% of the problem.
Free Dining keeps wait staff employed during the slow season. (Much like lunch or weekday specials..times when a restaurant only needs to pay for food)

The Dining Plan ensures restaurants have no incentive to offer quality the rest of the year.

 

[AmyB2006]

I think the Dining plan is 100% of the problem.
Free Dining keeps wait staff employed during the slow season. (Much like lunch or weekday specials..times when a restaurant only needs to pay for food)

The Dining Plan ensures restaurants have no incentive to offer quality the rest of the year.

Agreed. I wish they would do away with the dining plan and free dining.

If the food service operations around WDW were any more 'streamlined' you would have the option of Steak, Grilled Chicken, Fried Chicken, and Ribs - every where..... PERIOD.

They have gutted all of the unique and truly ethnic foods from menus all over the resort. The quality of food and service has dropped, and most meals are REALLY not memorable.

I couldn't have said it better myself. What happened to choices and an actual menu styled after the theme of the restaurant?