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

[ammbugg]

Subscribing! Thanks for all the tips and advice!

[stepdisney]

Originally Posted by robills

2009 Bounceback Free Dining

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I took the bounceback dining but I may need to move my dates. Can anyone remember when they dates were?


Bounceback Dates were - Aug 23-Oct 1 & Oct 2-8 (I think)

However, I got the bounceback from last year too and I called today to change my dates (that still fell within the bounceback time frame) and I was told that I can't make any changes to my bounceback reservation because it was a special that was only open for a certain window of time and that time has past. So I am now stuck with those dates or have to wait for the general public free dining to be announced and rebook and hope I can get what I want. DARN!

Call back. They can change it. I changed my resort back to SSR after the closing day. They said, at first that they couldn't but they did.

[Kimmy2Disney]

New to this board, but I've sat here and read all 42 pages of it and figured I ought to join!! Free dining is driving me CRAZY!! WE have done it each August going into Labor day wknd for that past 3 years, and I'm dying for it to come out! I'm absolutely KICKING myself for not booking the bounceback and will never ever make that mistake again! I've tried everything in my arsenal in attemts to get a pin. My fiance has called several times where CM's continue to tell him that they have no clue what he is talking about, as if there has never been such a thing as free dining, AHHH so frustrating... All in trying to plan the perfect Disneymoon!! Last year we upgraded to the DLX and we thought it was very worth it, very filling, but worth it! Has anyone tried the wine and dine??- If so LMK. Thanks!! In the meantime I'll be waiting for that DV or general public announcement!

[meeshkamooshka]

did I read correctly somewhere...I can make my reservation/ vacation package with dining, in hopes they will offer it..then I can call in and they will change ( give me) the free dining if It's within the date range they are offering the promo?

THanks for your comments in advance!

[jhryb]

Originally Posted by meeshkamooshka

did I read correctly somewhere...I can make my reservation/ vacation package with dining, in hopes they will offer it..then I can call in and they will change ( give me) the free dining if It's within the date range they are offering the promo?

THanks for your comments in advance!

Yes you are correct. There is a good chance that if you make your reservations for the last week of Aug or the month of September you will be able to upgrade your ressie to free dining. If you do not plan to go unless you get free dining then there really is no advantage to booking in advance.

[milmore104]

Didn't they extend the free dining offer last year through the month of Oct? Thanks

[faindrops27]

Originally Posted by milmore104

Didn't they extend the free dining offer last year through the month of Oct? Thanks

I know we stayed from the Sept 24-Oct 6th. We did bounceback free dining, last year. Hope this helps.

[KKB]

Originally Posted by milmore104

Didn't they extend the free dining offer last year through the month of Oct? Thanks

According to mousesavers. Free dining to the general public was only thru Sept. 20 (as long as you arrive by 9/20, you can go thru the end of your stay).

That being said, it also says that VISA Disney holders could get free dining those dates thru December...

[TLHB70]

Originally Posted by KKB

According to mousesavers. Free dining to the general public was only thru Sept. 20 (as long as you arrive by 9/20, you can go thru the end of your stay).

That being said, it also says that VISA Disney holders could get free dining those dates thru December...

Well, we were there the week of October 15 and we were not able to get free dining our week. I am a Disney Visa holder and it wasn't available to us. I do remember that it came out for sometime either right after our week or right before our week because I remember calling to see if we could apply it to our week. The date either stretched into the beginning or end of our stay. However, the CM that helped me on the phone said that our entire trip had to fall within the stay, not just part of the trip. I was so disappointed! Plus, our week was Columbus Day week, a busy holiday week. Maybe that had something to do with it.

[KKB]

Originally Posted by TLHB70

Well, we were there the week of October 15 and we were not able to get free dining our week. I am a Disney Visa holder and it wasn't available to us. I do remember that it came out for sometime either right after our week or right before our week because I remember calling to see if we could apply it to our week. The date either stretched into the beginning or end of our stay. However, the CM that helped me on the phone said that our entire trip had to fall within the stay, not just part of the trip. I was so disappointed! Plus, our week was Columbus Day week, a busy holiday week. Maybe that had something to do with it.

Honestly I had not heard anyone w/ Disney VISA mention that extension, so I question the validity of the info on mousesavers on that one.

It does appear that your date was much too late to fall in free dining. But we have heard many stories of those who arrive the last day of free dining and are able to secure it for their entire trip.

[TLHB70]

Originally Posted by KKB

Honestly I had not heard anyone w/ Disney VISA mention that extension, so I question the validity of the info on mousesavers on that one.

It does appear that your date was much too late to fall in free dining. But we have heard many stories of those who arrive the last day of free dining and are able to secure it for their entire trip.

I am not saying that I remember it necessarily being extended (from original free dining dates) into our trip. It may have been that the original dates hit around our trip somehow. I do specifically remember calling to see if our dates would count. October 15 was a Wednesday. We arrived there the Saturday before that. The dates we were there did not hit the appropriate dates, but I do know that I called to see if they would work because we were so close. I would never call and check if it was two weeks off, or even a week off for that matter. I just know that it must have been close enough for me to feel comfortable calling and asking, thinking that it could maybe work out somehow. Sorry to say that I cannot remember the exact details. Maybe I can find the old thread about it.
I was furious that we missed free dining! Our friends were not able to go on any dates but those so we paid for food to be able to go with them.

[Vallie]

we are planning on going august 23-30!
do you think we will qualify?!?!
i'm hoping so!!

we are booking tomorrow im excited!

[LuccaDrake]

Originally Posted by TLHB70

I am not saying that I remember it necessarily being extended (from original free dining dates) into our trip. It may have been that the original dates hit around our trip somehow. I do specifically remember calling to see if our dates would count. October 15 was a Wednesday. We arrived there the Saturday before that. The dates we were there did not hit the appropriate dates, but I do know that I called to see if they would work because we were so close. I would never call and check if it was two weeks off, or even a week off for that matter. I just know that it must have been close enough for me to feel comfortable calling and asking, thinking that it could maybe work out somehow. Sorry to say that I cannot remember the exact details. Maybe I can find the old thread about it.
I was furious that we missed free dining! Our friends were not able to go on any dates but those so we paid for food to be able to go with them.

You're correct in that Free Dining was extended last year. I remember an email with select dates in Nov/Dec (possibly more) available for Disney VISA cardholders.

[TLHB70]

Originally Posted by Vallie

we are planning on going august 23-30!
do you think we will qualify?!?!
i'm hoping so!!

we are booking tomorrow im excited!

Those dates, around those dates, have typically been covered in the past. I would say that your chances are very likely unless something is completely different this year.

[Vallie]

Originally Posted by TLHB70

Those dates, around those dates, have typically been covered in the past. I would say that your chances are very likely unless something is completely different this year.

heres to hoping its the same this year!!!
my TA was saying that its usually started the sunday before september so this year will prob be on the 30th but I looked it up last year and it was from the 24th or something like that!!
So i REALLY REALLY hope we get it!!