When is Free Dining????

[llori7]

I am not sure if this is the right board or not, but I just got back from my first trip to WDW. It was so much fun. I was wondering when they typically offer free dining. I loved not having to pay for food, and I want to start planning my next trip. I know I can't book it till they have the special out, but I was wondering if it was always the same time(s) of year.

Thanks!!

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

This was our first time with the free DDP too and LOVED it!! We felt like we ate like kings!

From what I've read, Disney generally does it the same time of year. I'd like to know as well to plan our next trip!!!

 

[llori7]

bump

 

[PrincessTiffany]

bump

Disney is already offering it as a bounce back for next September if you are there for free dining now. Didn't you get a flyer in your room? A number of Disers have posted in the last week or so that you could go ahead and book for next year's Free Dining with a $200.00 deposit. I think it is August 29 through September 27. We will be booking it for next fall when we arrive on Friday. Also, the Uk disney site has been booking free dining packages for next fall for about the last month. So I will have to assume that free dining will be offered next fall to the public in April like it always is, but I don't know if the dates will be restrictive or not. Hope this info helps.

 

[LivingDreams]

Typically they have offered free dining promotion anywhere from April to June for the following September. Now with that said, who knows if they will offer it next September or not?? Some of use were unsure if they would even do it this year with the bounce back they did for guest in December of 06. So keep your fingers crossed and hope for more free dining! You can go ahead and make room only resies and upgrade to a package should they offer the free dining next year. Good Luck!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I am not sure if this is the right board or not, but I just got back from my first trip to WDW. It was so much fun. I was wondering when they typically offer free dining. I loved not having to pay for food, and I want to start planning my next trip. I know I can't book it till they have the special out, but I was wondering if it was always the same time(s) of year.

Thanks!!

When you say you JUST got back do you mean from staying ON site? because they currently have the bounce back going on if you are staying at a Disney resort. BUT you could only book it while you were there FROM your hotel room.
There should have been a paper of some kind about it in the room, I hope you read all the stuff in the room.
It is too late now to make it.

 

[llori7]

I JUST got back yesterday, and YES I did read EVERYTHING!! I was not sure if they just did the free dining in August/September or if they did it any other times of the year. Depending on when the free dining is, that will determine when I go back. I cannot book a vacation right now for a a year from now. I simply want to know how many times a year they offer that.

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

When you say you JUST got back do you mean from staying ON site? because they currently have the bounce back going on if you are staying at a Disney resort. BUT you could only book it while you were there FROM your hotel room.
There should have been a paper of some kind about it in the room, I hope you read all the stuff in the room.
It is too late now to make it.

We were there during free dining and didn't receive anything in our room. Trust me, I read everything and for good measure just went through everything again before responding. That's a bummer...think if I called they would do anything for me???

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We were there during free dining and didn't receive anything in our room. Trust me, I read everything and for good measure just went through everything again before responding. That's a bummer...think if I called they would do anything for me???

There was a whole thread about this a couple of days ago and a poster stated that they did not get the promo either and they called CRO to try to get the package and were told it had to be booked while you were currently at a WDW resort. I guess it can't hurt to call, but I don't think they will do it.

 

[Seahunt]

We were there during free dining and didn't receive anything in our room. Trust me, I read everything and for good measure just went through everything again before responding. That's a bummer...think if I called they would do anything for me???

Sorry you didn't know about it before you went There have been quite a few posts by people who didn't find out about it until too late and were told "absolutely not" when they tried to get it later. Here's the info from mousesavers for anyone else who might be going in the near future:

Bounceback Free Dining Promotion
This offer is available ONLY to guests staying at one of the official Walt Disney World resorts between 8/31/07-9/28/07.

Using a special phone number provided on some resort restaurant receipts or on a flyer provided in some resort rooms (added by me, I've read it is : ext 8844 from your resort room), you can book a vacation package for next year, for stays between 8/30/08-9/27/08, at a Walt Disney World resort with theme park tickets and receive the Dining Plan for FREE.

If you don't get the offer on a receipt or a flyer in your room, I recommend asking at the front desk.

There is a 3-night minimum stay requirement. Reservation for 2008 must be made before you check out and no later than September 28 to qualify. A $200 deposit is required at time of reservation.
****
JMHO but I bet they offer it again in April for next summer like they have the past few years, but it would be nice to lock in your dates now and probably would have the choice of resorts compared to waiting....

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I just returned today from a six night stay at the Poly with free dining - what a GREAT value and convience!! I had no idea how wonderful the dining plan was until my family of four were using it, saving us so much $$$$. I saw the flier in the room about the "bounce back" free dining, but like others said, I can't plan that far ahead without knowing the kid's school schedules so I couldn't take avantage of it. But I would LOVE to get free dining again, it really was a great money saver!

 

[Ellasgirls]

I JUST got back yesterday, and YES I did read EVERYTHING!! I was not sure if they just did the free dining in August/September or if they did it any other times of the year. Depending on when the free dining is, that will determine when I go back. I cannot book a vacation right now for a a year from now. I simply want to know how many times a year they offer that.

We got back on Sept 1 from free dining and we never got anything in our room...probably better that way because I would have tried to get it booked and we really have to pay down our debt before we can do more traveling! I was amazed at the number of people I talked to in lines waiting for a ride that paid for their dining package or didn't have a dining package and were staying at the same time we were. It was really sad to see their faces when they realized that we were eating for free! I will always ask when booking a disney vacation if they have any promotions going on at the time and they I even call (if we didn't get a promotion) a couple weeks before we leave because they will help you if they can!

 

[ajcolorado]

Do you get the www.mousesavers.com e-newsletters? They always send a "Hot Deals" announcement if and when free dining is released.

And Build A Better Mouse Trip is offering to send a "Free Dining" announcement, should one come out: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freedining.html

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

Do you get the www.mousesavers.com e-newsletters? They always send a "Hot Deals" announcement if and when free dining is released.

And Build A Better Mouse Trip is offering to send a "Free Dining" announcement, should one come out: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freedining.html

Great info! Thanks!