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

[carmie3377]

Originally Posted by kahribar

ohhhhh carmie, yay!!!!!! for you!! enjoy!! sure sounds like you deserve one! soooo very happy for you!! thanks for the wishes as well! but at least i have found out that the 4/3 will be extended into august so that will work for us, so not all unhappy!!

Thank you! I just hope I can use the free dining one. With a trip to ND (we're in South Texas so that's a looooooong drive) in June to see DH's grandparents and a 7 nt Disney Cruise planned for Dec, we'll have to see if we can squeeze it in budget wise. I sure hope so as the kids and I really want to go. DS2 talks about "Mickey Mouse's House" all the time.

I'm so glad the 4/3 is being extended. Depending on where you stay, it could work out in your favor. Have a great trip

[falling2infinity319]

I'm very confused about this whole discussion. This board is a bit unforgiving to new members, as everything is abbreviated and some things seem implied, lol.

Okay. My g/f's family is DVC. I've been to Disney World twice already this year going back again in April (not staying in DVC) and in July (We ARE staying in DVC). We're annual passholders, although we don't live in Florida. We are ALL Disney Visa card holders.

Given that information, do we apply for Free Dining at any time? And if so, what kind of meals are included. I spend a TON on food in Disney. It would be nice to save some dough.

Thanks,
Nik

[britney1]

I always go to the hardrock

[carmie3377]

Originally Posted by falling2infinity319

I'm very confused about this whole discussion. This board is a bit unforgiving to new members, as everything is abbreviated and some things seem implied, lol.

Okay. My g/f's family is DVC. I've been to Disney World twice already this year going back again in April (not staying in DVC) and in July (We ARE staying in DVC). We're annual passholders, although we don't live in Florida. We are ALL Disney Visa card holders.

Given that information, do we apply for Free Dining at any time? And if so, what kind of meals are included. I spend a TON on food in Disney. It would be nice to save some dough.

Thanks,
Nik

In the past, free dining has been offered in late August through Sept. There have been other times it has been offered through bounceback (where you must book and pay deposit before leaving WDW) and through PINS (randomly sent emails and postcards). As far as the late August - Sept free dining, they allow Disney Visa Card holders to book first, then about a week later, they open it up to the general public. I don't remember when this is announce, but I think it is in April. You must buy a package (tickets and room) to qualify. Some people who have a season pass have purchased the package with a one day ticket only and then used the season pass as entry into the park and then save their one day ticket obtained with the package to use to upgrade later. If you don't use the ticket at all, it will not expire. For multi day tickets, the expiration countdown does not begin until you use the ticket for the first time. Anyway, the dining plan that comes with the free dining is the regular Disney Dining Plan (1 Table Service, 1 Counter service, and 1 snack per person per night on the package).

So, if you're plans are as above, I doubt they'll have free dining in April as they are offering the buy 4 get 3 night free promotion. In July, since you are staying in DVC, you will not be eligible because you must buy a package (room and ticket together) through Disney. Plus, I have never seen free dining offered in July.

[kahribar]

Originally Posted by carmie3377

Thank you! I just hope I can use the free dining one. With a trip to ND (we're in South Texas so that's a looooooong drive) in June to see DH's grandparents and a 7 nt Disney Cruise planned for Dec, we'll have to see if we can squeeze it in budget wise. I sure hope so as the kids and I really want to go. DS2 talks about "Mickey Mouse's House" all the time.

I'm so glad the 4/3 is being extended. Depending on where you stay, it could work out in your favor. Have a great trip

thanks carmie! now i can't wait until tomorrow to book the trip, it opens up on the 9th for the august and we will be staying at the CBR so it is a deal and will take it. going from august 9th through the 16th. believe it or not, we are in ny and priced the trip to nyc and with the 4/3 is it actually cheaper to go to disney world!! we are going on different cruise the first week of january but hope to do a disney cruise at some point next year! hope you have a great time on yours!

[rosiep]

Originally Posted by carmie3377

In the past, free dining has been offered in late August through Sept. There have been other times it has been offered through bounceback (where you must book and pay deposit before leaving WDW) and through PINS (randomly sent emails and postcards). As far as the late August - Sept free dining, they allow Disney Visa Card holders to book first, then about a week later, they open it up to the general public. I don't remember when this is announce, but I think it is in April. You must buy a package (tickets and room) to qualify. Some people who have a season pass have purchased the package with a one day ticket only and then used the season pass as entry into the park and then save their one day ticket obtained with the package to use to upgrade later. If you don't use the ticket at all, it will not expire. For multi day tickets, the expiration countdown does not begin until you use the ticket for the first time. Anyway, the dining plan that comes with the free dining is the regular Disney Dining Plan (1 Table Service, 1 Counter service, and 1 snack per person per night on the package).

So, if you're plans are as above, I doubt they'll have free dining in April as they are offering the buy 4 get 3 night free promotion. In July, since you are staying in DVC, you will not be eligible because you must buy a package (room and ticket together) through Disney. Plus, I have never seen free dining offered in July.

I received a pin for free dining August and September. The CM I spoke to said it will not be offered to the general public...but someone else told me there is no way to know. I thought that having a pin would be a senseless "perk" if eventually it was offered to everyone.

[rosiep]

Originally Posted by Micki1972

Hello. My daughter received a free dining pin yesterday and we are very excited. I am hoping to get some help from you all understanding a couple of things.
First the code is for 8/26-10/1, We actually would like to arrive on 10/1 and stay until 10/15. Would we be able to use the free dining for the entire stay even though we will be arriviing on the "last" day?
Also, I think I am understanding that this "free" dining is for the CS only plan and I am wondering if 1) Can we upgrade to the next plan for the difference in cost, I think it is $10 more? 2) If we did not upgrade, can we trade some cs meals for ts? Like 2 or 3 cs for 1 ts?
Thank you for any help you may be able give, you are all great!

The pin is for the regular DDP. Not the quick service one...at least not in my case.

[norjackmom]

We are going to Disney the first week in December. Has there ever been Free Dining during that time of year?

[momsworld]

We are planning our trip to WDW for the Halloween Party this year. What are the chances that free dining would be offered then?

[lsutiggergirl]

We go every year on free dining just to go to the Halloween Party! Luckily the party starts early in September (when free dining is offered) so if you're going in September you should be fine.

[DISNEYNY]

Originally Posted by norjackmom

We are going to Disney the first week in December. Has there ever been Free Dining during that time of year?

They offered Free Dining last Dec for 1 week. It was 12/14 - 12/20 for Disney Visa card holders. I received an email with a pin code for it. That is they only time I remember there being FD during Dec, but who knows this year with all the deals that are coming out.

[LJD2143]

Originally Posted by la79al

I know there is no guarantee that free dining will be offered next year. But I am wondering what the traditional dates have been for this. I am trying to decide on taking our trip end of June or early August and if I can get the room cheaper AND get free dining, that will be the clincher.

Originally Posted by toy

Does anyone know what the previous dates have been for free dining? I'm trying to schedule a girls' trip and we are looking at second week in October.

The historical dates for the Free Dining promotion offered to the general public were as follows:

2006 - Announced 4/4/06*; Dates 8/13-9/30
2007 - Announced 4/12/07*; Dates 8/26-9/22
2008 - Announced 4/10/08*; Dates 8/24-9/20

* The promotion was available to Disney Visa cardholders 3 days earlier.

[girlpenguin]

Originally Posted by LJD2143

The historical dates for the Free Dining promotion offered to the general public were as follows:

2006 - Announced 4/4/06*; Dates 8/13-9/30
2007 - Announced 4/12/07*; Dates 8/26-9/22
2008 - Announced 4/10/08*; Dates 8/24-9/20

* The promotion was available to Disney Visa cardholders 3 days earlier.

So help me understand...I'm getting very nervous that everyone in the last couple of days seems to have gotten a free dining pin (everyone but me )
I'm a new Disney Visa card holder. If they do free dining this year similar to last year, can anyone with a Disney Visa Card book free dining before the general public, or is it only open to those who receive a PIN code via e-mail? I've read on here that PIN codes are not transferable, so if you don't get one your out of luck. I'm worried that since I haven't gotten one yet, I won't get one in April either. We've got 5 of us who are planning a stay in a 2-bedroom Wilderness Lodge Villa Sept. 11-18, so free dining would save us a TON of money.

[lsutiggergirl]

Originally Posted by girlpenguin

So help me understand...I'm getting very nervous that everyone in the last couple of days seems to have gotten a free dining pin (everyone but me )
I'm a new Disney Visa card holder. If they do free dining this year similar to last year, can anyone with a Disney Visa Card book free dining before the general public, or is it only open to those who receive a PIN code via e-mail? I've read on here that PIN codes are not transferable, so if you don't get one your out of luck. I'm worried that since I haven't gotten one yet, I won't get one in April either. We've got 5 of us who are planning a stay in a 2-bedroom Wilderness Lodge Villa Sept. 11-18, so free dining would save us a TON of money.

Have you called to see if anyone in your group has a pin code? We have a grand gathering and so I called and checked every single person's name in our group with the Disney system. Half of us had free dining and half got the 40% off code. I would call and ask- it never hurts! Good luck!

[girlpenguin]

Originally Posted by lsutiggergirl

Have you called to see if anyone in your group has a pin code? We have a grand gathering and so I called and checked every single person's name in our group with the Disney system. Half of us had free dining and half got the 40% off code. I would call and ask- it never hurts! Good luck!

Thanks. I did call and it turns out I had a 40% off code, but it had to be used by the end of June. Bummer. No one else in our party had any other codes.