When is 'Fall' Free Dining Announced?

[momof2cutegirls]

I know there are no guarantees for 2010, but when was the Sept.-Nov. free dining announced? Historically, how long have they been offering this in the fall? If I book now, and it becomes available, will they make the necessary adjustments if booked through Disney?

 

[tinka-belle]

Typically reserervations open in early April, I think it was at the end of March this year. This was for the period 8/16/09 - 10/03/09. The current Oct/Nov/Dec FD promo is the first time this has been offered to the general public, most likely due to soft booking volume and the economy, and that opened for bookings in late June or early July.

The current bounceback offer for guests there now is for FD for 8/15/10 - 9/30/10. While the public promotion is not always the exact dates of the bounceback, it usually gives you some idea.

Yes, if you have a regular package booked, you can convert it as soon as the promos are released, IF the dates match the promo dates, AND if there is promo availability at your resort and room category. There is only a certain number of rooms allocated to any promo, not all resorts or room categories are open for every date. Now and then I've had a client change a resort or room category to take advantage of the better deals, but most times I can get the promo applied to exactly what they've booked.

 

[marcielm]

I know there are no guarantees for 2010, but when was the Sept.-Nov. free dining announced? ?

From Mousesavers:

• package deal ("free dining") for general public - offered 3/30/09, exp 6/21/09
• package deal ("free dining") for general public - offered 6/10/09, exp 7/26/09

it looks like Disney extended the offer longer than the initial expiration of 6/21.

Historically, how long have they been offering this in the fall?

Again, Mousesavers shows them having offered it during the same time frames for 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009.

If I book now, and it becomes available, will they make the necessary adjustments if booked through Disney?

You will have to call Disney when the offer is announced, and have the special applied to your existing reservation. If there is availability at your resort and for your dates, then they will update it with the discount.

 

[Lynne M]

Moving to the Codes & Rates board...

 

[Seahunt]

when was the Sept.-Nov. free dining announced?

This year the Sept - Dec. (9/27/09-12/17/09) FD came out on 7/24/09 for Disney VISA cardholders first, then opened to general public on 7/27/09. The offer is still going on and will expire for bookings on 9/26/09 unless it is extended.

Compare that to 2008, where the 9/28/08-12/20/08 FD came out only for Disney VISA cardholders on 9/18/08, and never was opened to general public (though I think some DISers received PIN codes). Disney must have needed more bookings this year.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Free Dining started in 2005.