Who Else is Glad They're Not Traveling During Free Dining? Now w/Restaurant.com Coup

[DebbieB]

We never make ressies or use any dinning plan EVER. We go to Disney all the time, every diffrent season and I find that when you check in at the resturant and tell them you are not on any dinning plan you get treated better - we seldom wait and always get good service. Do you guys find this?

I don't understand why treatment would vary now that the tip is not included. So poor service could equal poor tip either way (or vice versa).

 

[robinb]

Um ... Isn't Labor Day during Free Dining? You're also going back in late December. In 2009 Free Dining was for check-ins until 12/17 and in 2008 it was until 12/20. I expect Disney to offer Free Dining during your December trip too. So ... I don't see how you can say that you are happy you're not going during Free Dining because you probably are! Twice.

Oh ... and the crowds in the restaurants and parks for Free Dining ain't nothin' compared to the ones around Christmas. Just sayin'.

 

[lilpooh108]

Was there a different one up for Garden Grove, because now it says for dinner ONLY.

I checked the website after seeing your post and I believe it has changed. I edited my last post on this issue to reflect this. As I said, I did call GG directly and was told yes (but maybe they will change the policy after ppl start using these more often? Again, YMMV--double check to be sure.)

To the previous poster on traveling during Christmas---here's to hoping they don't extend free dining through Christmas But out of an abundance of caution, I've planned most of our sit down dinners elsewhere...And to your other point...I don't mind crowds at the parks. I think it adds to the atmosphere. I'm from Southern California so we've been to DL countless times. Rides are not why I go to DLR or WDW. I actually like to buy coffee/baked good or skewer of something and sit and watch the crowds while getting in a few ride/parade/show here and there. We'll be w/baby, granma and granpa so the trip won't be ride intensive anyway.

I do mind crowds at restaurants and not being seated on time for a restaurant...I'm pretty particular about my food/eating experience.

 

[TDC Nala]

Um ... Isn't Labor Day during Free Dining? You're also going back in late December. In 2009 Free Dining was for check-ins until 12/17 and in 2008 it was until 12/20. I expect Disney to offer Free Dining during your December trip too. So ... I don't see how you can say that you are happy you're not going during Free Dining because you probably are! Twice.

Oh ... and the crowds in the restaurants and parks for Free Dining ain't nothin' compared to the ones around Christmas. Just sayin'.

Only 2009 was general public free dining. 2008 was PIN codes and Disney Visa Card holders. That's a lot of people but still narrowed down a lot from the general public.

There's no way to know if there will be a general public free dining offer that includes December for 2010, but they did it in '09 so it's at least a possibility. Based on one year there isn't any way to tell how likely it is, though. I think it's likely there will be PIN codes and/or a Disney Visa offer, but not so sure about the general public.

 

[lilpooh108]

Only 2009 was general public free dining. 2008 was PIN codes and Disney Visa Card holders. That's a lot of people but still narrowed down a lot from the general public.

There's no way to know if there will be a general public free dining offer that includes December for 2010, but they did it in '09 so it's at least a possibility. Based on one year there isn't any way to tell how likely it is, though. I think it's likely there will be PIN codes and/or a Disney Visa offer, but not so sure about the general public.

FWIW, I did receive a 40% off deluxe pin this year and it's only good through 12/15/10 I believe. I'd like to hope that that's indicative of how far they're willing to extend promotions this year, but of course you never know...

 

[DebbieB]

I just read that there's a PIN out for free dining through 12/24.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2457133

Again, I think Christmas is going to be crowded, free dining or not.