Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1

[DisneyCharacter]

Free dining sounds AMAZING! I so hope I can talk my DH into another trip this year.

[MousekaMaddi]

I booked room only at Beach Club, if free dining comes out can we add it to a room only or should I change it NOW to a package with tkts and dining -hoping it comes out and then I can add it.

so ...question... room only or pkg with tickts and food?

[LegoMom3]

Originally Posted by MousekaMaddi

I booked room only at Beach Club, if free dining comes out can we add it to a room only or should I change it NOW to a package with tkts and dining -hoping it comes out and then I can add it.

so ...question... room only or pkg with tickts and food?

You cannot add FD to a room-only resv., it has to be with a package. Last year I had a package booked and when FD came out my TA actually had to re-book the entire thing (she couldn't just "add" FD to my exisiting package) so you may want to just hang on to what you have until that golden annoucement!


.

[JAHokie46]

First timer here!

I got the PIN for 40% off value resorts today. That's a savings of $32/night on a value of $82 down to $50. Free dining would be a savings of $80/day for the two of us ($39.99 each). I am looking at the last week of August and not sure if I should even hope for free dining then.

1.) If I book a room only, Park Hopper tickets through a Disney reseller that might offer them cheaper than Disney, I am I still able to purchase the dining plan in the first place with or without free dining? In order to get free dining do I already have to have booked dining?

2.) Also, if I use the PIN and book the rooms, and wait until after free dining is announced to buy the tickets, but do NOT get free dining due to the dates, can I cancel without paying anything?

3.) If I use the PIN to book the rooms and CAN get free dining, am I able to switch to regular room rate and get the free dining instead?

4.) What percentage chance would you give that free dining is offered based on the deals that have come out recently due to economy, based on previous free dining dates, etc?

5.) Should I sign up for the Disney VISA? This will only allow me to get the free dining a few days earlier than everyone else, correct?

6.) I'll probably only go through with deal if I am able to get free dining b/c $30/night discount isn't quite enough for me to pull the trigger... but $80/night is. Would you suggest trying for dates mid-September instead?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out....

EDIT: Based on what Lego said above... I would have to to have the full room/tickets/dining already booked in a package to get free dining if it came out, correct? If I do that now, can I cancel and get all my money back if I don't get free dining?

[yenlee]

I'm not excited about free dining this year. I don't think it's been mentioned on this thread, but the 2009 version of free dining for UK residents was unveiled last year, and it's a huge disappointment. (See mousemisers.com, for example.)

In brief, NO free dining for value resorts. QSDP for moderate resorts. Regular dining plan for deluxe. 5-night minimum. Yawn. I wouldn't hold my breath that we'll get anything better than that in the US.

Sure, it's still a nice discount, but it's nowhere near the amazing deal that free dining used to be (and don't forget about the new appetizers/tips policy). The party had to end some time. The old deal was ridiculous. For a total cost under $100 per day (excluding tix), 4 people could spend the night at Pop Century and then each of those 4 people could eat baby back ribs (with beans, corn muffin, dessert, and drink) at Flame Tree for lunch, a milkshake as snack, and dine on seafood salad, filet mignon, and creme brulee (plus drink) at Le Cellier. It was nice while it lasted. To the "original" free dining plan, RIP. To those who never did the old free dining and have only heard the hype, don't be fooled by the new free dining.

Maybe we'll get a better deal in the US if the economy keeps tanking, but then a lot of us will be out of jobs. Even still, I doubt that the free regular dining plan will ever come back for value resorts. The only business sense it ever made was to try to hook value people on Disney restaurants. It worked on me, but there's no payoff for them if they just keep giving it to us for free.

[laceemouse]

Originally Posted by yenlee

I'm not excited about free dining this year. I don't think it's been mentioned on this thread, but the 2009 version of free dining for UK residents was unveiled last year, and it's a huge disappointment. (See mousemisers.com, for example.)

In brief, NO free dining for value resorts. QSDP for moderate resorts. Regular dining plan for deluxe. 5-night minimum. Yawn. I wouldn't hold my breath that we'll get anything better than that in the US.

Sure, it's still a nice discount, but it's nowhere near the amazing deal that free dining used to be (and don't forget about the new appetizers/tips policy). The party had to end some time. The old deal was ridiculous. For a total cost under $100 per day (excluding tix), 4 people could spend the night at Pop Century and then each of those 4 people could eat baby back ribs (with beans, corn muffin, dessert, and drink) at Flame Tree for lunch, a milkshake as snack, and dine on seafood salad, filet mignon, and creme brulee (plus drink) at Le Cellier. It was nice while it lasted. To the "original" free dining plan, RIP. To those who never did the old free dining and have only heard the hype, don't be fooled by the new free dining.

Maybe we'll get a better deal in the US if the economy keeps tanking, but then a lot of us will be out of jobs. Even still, I doubt that the free regular dining plan will ever come back for value resorts. The only business sense it ever made was to try to hook value people on Disney restaurants. It worked on me, but there's no payoff for them if they just keep giving it to us for free.

That's what I am worried about, which level of dining plan will it be now that there are three different levels? I have no desire to eat CS all day long...YUK!

If we booked DVC through Disney does that count as a deluxe resort? If we do go again anytime soon we will bring dd's boyfriend, so there will be 7 of us. He is 19 and would LOVE free dining, he is bottomless

[hematite153]

Originally Posted by laceemouse

If we booked DVC through Disney does that count as a deluxe resort? If we do go again anytime soon we will bring dd's boyfriend, so there will be 7 of us. He is 19 and would LOVE free dining, he is bottomless

Usually.

[LegoMom3]

Do you think the UK offer has changed due to more of those trips being around 2 weeks in length? I just wonder if Disney is curbing the length of FD and how good a "deal" it can actually be? I would be really surprised to see it disappear or very drastically reduced this year; I just can't see the economy picking up that much before September! They seem to be offering "deals" all over the place right now and FD has been a great way to get people to the parks.

I do, however, wonder how this new QS option will play into it. I want to do a 4-day solo trip this year, staying at a value and getting the QS plan. If I can't do that with FD, I'll be much better off getting a discounted room-only and tickets through an independent vendor, and just paying OOP for my food.

If past years hold true, we ought to know in approx. 3 months!


.

[Poohbug]

Originally Posted by JAHokie46

First timer here!

I got the PIN for 40% off value resorts today. That's a savings of $32/night on a value of $82 down to $50. Free dining would be a savings of $80/day for the two of us ($39.99 each). I am looking at the last week of August and not sure if I should even hope for free dining then.

1.) If I book a room only, Park Hopper tickets through a Disney reseller that might offer them cheaper than Disney, I am I still able to purchase the dining plan in the first place with or without free dining? In order to get free dining do I already have to have booked dining?
You must book a package, which is room and tickets to get FD.

2.) Also, if I use the PIN and book the rooms, and wait until after free dining is announced to buy the tickets, but do NOT get free dining due to the dates, can I cancel without paying anything?

Regular cancellation policies apply.

3.) If I use the PIN to book the rooms and CAN get free dining, am I able to switch to regular room rate and get the free dining instead?

[COLOR="rgb(160, 82, 45)"]Probably, if there are rooms available for your date and resort.

4.) What percentage chance would you give that free dining is offered based on the deals that have come out recently due to economy, based on previous free dining dates, etc?

[COLOR="rgb(160, 82, 45)"]They will offer FD. It may be quick service but would not be surprised if it was the regular plan because it was already offered in bounce back.[/COLOR]

5.) Should I sign up for the Disney VISA? This will only allow me to get the free dining a few days earlier than everyone else, correct?

Usually booking dates are open a few days earlier for Disney Visa holders. If you are worried about getting your specific dates, you may want to get it.

6.) I'll probably only go through with deal if I am able to get free dining b/c $30/night discount isn't quite enough for me to pull the trigger... but $80/night is. Would you suggest trying for dates mid-September instead?


Those dates are pretty much the same as far as weather. The biggest difference will be most kids are in school in Sept.

Thanks to anyone who can help me out....

EDIT: Based on what Lego said above... I would have to to have the full room/tickets/dining already booked in a package to get free dining if it came out, correct? If I do that now, can I cancel and get all my money back if I don't get free dining?

You can cancel a package 45 days before your trip with no penalty. After that you can cancel but will pay a fee.

[JAHokie46]

Originally Posted by Poohbug

You can cancel a package 45 days before your trip with no penalty. After that you can cancel but will pay a fee.

Thanks poohbug- sorry for all those questions- I didn't realized how scattered they were until I went back back to read them and your answers!

[gocards2001]

that would be sweet in October since I turn 40 then!

[disneydreamgirl]

Originally Posted by gocards2001

that would be sweet in October since I turn 40 then!

I turn 40 in November! I'm considering moving our planned September trip to November if I get a pin code or some other nifty deal comes out. I'd really like to celebrate the milestone at Disney...that would be the ultimate for me!

[lorelei_smiles]

1.) If I book a room only, Park Hopper tickets through a Disney reseller that might offer them cheaper than Disney, I am I still able to purchase the dining plan in the first place with or without free dining? In order to get free dining do I already have to have booked dining?

You must book a package, which is room and tickets to get FD.

Thanks for that info Poohbug!

[DixieDisneyDiva]

We had free dining in fall, 2006 (family reunion, Disney-style); and at that time, APholders in our group had to buy one-day tickets in order to qualify for the DDP. Is that still the case?

About half of us are FL resident w/APs, but the rest are out-of-staters without. It worked out well last time because we gave our one-day tickets to my mother and didn't have to buy a multi-day pass for her.

I'm hoping we can do the same this time 'round...provided, of course, free dining comes back.

[scotas]

I booked the Free dining bounceback last September. I'll be going Sept 26- Oct. 4. So far it is just Dh and myself. The rest of the people we usually travel with did not book the offer so I am hoping This year offer will still include regular dining, and the dates we have booked. If not a trip for just the 2 of us is good too.