Free Dining Watch 2009 - Dates Released!! Update post 1 - Page 11 - The DIS Discussion Forums

beroh2253 · 01-19-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbramblett

Correct me if I'm wrong. We are taking our first trip in September, so it sounds like it is best to wait until FD is announced then book. We also have Disney Visa so hopefully we will get an announcement before it goes to the general public right? Help please! Been planning over a year and don't want to goof this up.

What Legomom said is correct, that happened to us the year before, at first we had booked POP and when rebooking with FD we had to take ASMu, POP was booked they said, but we called back several time and eventually POP had an opening for FD and we switched. We also have Disney Visa and I think it was 2-3 days earlier that you could book so that may get you the resort you want, if not book the resort they give you and keep trying back to switch to the resort you want.

Tomh · 01-19-2009, 01:03 PM

There is no reason not to book the room / tickets now. You can add the dining promotion when it comes out, and if there aren't any rooms available in your resort, then they will rebook you at which ever resort has room in it.

klacey1 · 01-20-2009, 12:27 PM

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

DISNEYNY · 01-20-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klacey1

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

We usually start hearing rumors toward the end of March. It has been announced the beginning of April for the past few years.

pegryfun · 01-20-2009, 01:18 PM

I am pretty sure it was April 11th last year. I reserved our room with free dining then and I didn't have a Disney Visa. I didn't get my 1st choice of resorts, so have a back-up. This year I booked when I was there in Sept. for free dining through their "Bounce Back" and I now have a Disney Visa. I also transferred the reservation to AAA.

SGMCO · 01-20-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klacey1

If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it?

It's ususally about 1 week after DVisa Holders get the notice.
Just keep checking on Disboards and you will be ready.

hannah_03 · 01-20-2009, 02:56 PM

Subscribing

ilovemytink · 01-20-2009, 03:39 PM

Subscribing! Can't wait to find out when FD is offerred so I can book!!!!

beroh2253 · 01-20-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGMCO

It's ususally about 1 week after DVisa Holders get the notice.
Just keep checking on Disboards and you will be ready.

I think maybe it was only 3 days. 3 years ago we didn't decide to go till mid June and still got in, choice of restaurants wasn't all we wanted but not bad (even got Le Cellier for lunch) and what the heck it was free. But now regret not booking bounce back while ther last Sept. like we had done the previous year. If we go this year it would make it 4 years in a row. First year booking mid June, second year booking I think 3 days earlier with the Disney Visa, third year booking the bounce back while at the resort and this year we didn't learn so maybe back to booking early with the Disney Visa.

girlpenguin · 01-21-2009, 08:54 AM

Does anyone know if Wilderness Lodge Villas are included in free dining? We're not Disney Vacation Club members but want to book this hotel for our September stay. I have the Disney Visa Card. Am debating on if we should go ahead and book our hotel now and then try to add free dining on later, or if I should just wait until free dining comes out.

Also, since there are 5 of us in this room, will all 5 of us get free dining if it's all paid for on one account?

SIMMSMOUSE · 01-21-2009, 08:56 AM

It was April 7 of last year for Dis Visa holders. I got it and it was great.

Tomh · 01-21-2009, 12:32 PM

As long as you are paying rack rate for the room, not using DVC points, you should be alright, assuming that there is availability when you call. The free dining should cover everyone in your party, whether that is one person, or seven, as long as it is one party / one room.

abbadabbadoo · 01-21-2009, 01:55 PM

Last year I found out about the free dining 2 days before the general public because it was announced on the allears.net website. I booked the day it was announced to the general public around 2 p.m. central time, and the preferred rooms were already sold out at the Pop Century for the dates we wanted! However, our travel dates (9/20-27) WERE included for free dining because you had to have traveled by 9/20! It was nice having the free dining, we got to experience some nice table-service restaraunts and a couple of character meals. Keeping my fingers crossed to get free dining again this year for 09/09!

candielips · 01-21-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbramblett

Correct me if I'm wrong. We are taking our first trip in September, so it sounds like it is best to wait until FD is announced then book. We also have Disney Visa so hopefully we will get an announcement before it goes to the general public right? Help please! Been planning over a year and don't want to goof this up.

We have never used FD before but are booked for this Aug/Sept 09. From what I have read on here it is better to book your pkg & then when/if the FD is released you simply call & make the change to your existing reservation, providing there is availability.
But you also get to use your Disney Visa, something that is not available to us Cdns.

mjbradeis · 01-21-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepdisney

Yes, the free DDP has been offered to Disney Visa owners a few days before being offered to the general public. Watch here for the details about when. We usually get the information here on the DIS before hand so you'll know what day to call with your Disney Visa.

I have a card and never received anything from them about free dining, where do they announce it?

Also do you have to use the card to book the package?

01-19-2009, 01:03 PM	#152
Tomh DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1100 miles too far North! Posts: 2,233	There is no reason not to book the room / tickets now. You can add the dining promotion when it comes out, and if there aren't any rooms available in your resort, then they will rebook you at which ever resort has room in it. __________________

01-20-2009, 12:27 PM	#153
klacey1 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Westchester Co, NY Posts: 4,098	If they do offer free dining this year (to a non-Visa holder), when do they typically announce it? __________________ Kylie Zach August 2011 PTR, TR, Dining Report

01-20-2009, 01:18 PM	#155
pegryfun Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kirkville,NY near Syracuse Posts: 253	I am pretty sure it was April 11th last year. I reserved our room with free dining then and I didn't have a Disney Visa. I didn't get my 1st choice of resorts, so have a back-up. This year I booked when I was there in Sept. for free dining through their "Bounce Back" and I now have a Disney Visa. I also transferred the reservation to AAA. __________________ POP Century Oct. 2007 ASMU Sept. 2008 (free dining) ASMU Sept. 2009 (free dining) ]

01-20-2009, 02:56 PM	#157
hannah_03 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 399	Subscribing __________________ ~Jennifer~ mom dad ds(17) dd(7) WDW ~12/1-12/4/2011 Pop Century~ WDW ~2/28-3/7/2009 CBR~ WDW/US ~4/14-4/19/2008 Pop Century~ WDW/SW ~6/30-7/6/2007 off-site~

01-20-2009, 03:39 PM	#158
ilovemytink Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 59	Subscribing! Can't wait to find out when FD is offerred so I can book!!!! __________________ 2012 POP Century!!! 2009 POP Century!!! 2007 Port Orleans Riverside!!! 2005 All Star Sports!!!

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01-21-2009, 08:54 AM	#160
girlpenguin Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 74	Question Does anyone know if Wilderness Lodge Villas are included in free dining? We're not Disney Vacation Club members but want to book this hotel for our September stay. I have the Disney Visa Card. Am debating on if we should go ahead and book our hotel now and then try to add free dining on later, or if I should just wait until free dining comes out. Also, since there are 5 of us in this room, will all 5 of us get free dining if it's all paid for on one account?

01-21-2009, 08:56 AM	#161
SIMMSMOUSE Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: pineville LA Posts: 129	It was April 7 of last year for Dis Visa holders. I got it and it was great.

01-21-2009, 12:32 PM	#162
Tomh DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1100 miles too far North! Posts: 2,233	As long as you are paying rack rate for the room, not using DVC points, you should be alright, assuming that there is availability when you call. The free dining should cover everyone in your party, whether that is one person, or seven, as long as it is one party / one room. __________________

01-21-2009, 01:55 PM	#163
abbadabbadoo Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 331	Last year I found out about the free dining 2 days before the general public because it was announced on the allears.net website. I booked the day it was announced to the general public around 2 p.m. central time, and the preferred rooms were already sold out at the Pop Century for the dates we wanted! However, our travel dates (9/20-27) WERE included for free dining because you had to have traveled by 9/20! It was nice having the free dining, we got to experience some nice table-service restaraunts and a couple of character meals. Keeping my fingers crossed to get free dining again this year for 09/09!

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