Official Code Watch for August 2007

[girlsx2]

bumping so we can keep an eye out for the discount!!

 

[kutchyone]

I think free dining for the general public will depend on how well the return program does. It sounds like many people are jumping on it. Disney may not need to offer free dining to the rest of us.

 

[DizGeek]

I'm all over this thread! Looking forward to free dining again this August!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I think free dining for the general public will depend on how well the return program does. It sounds like many people are jumping on it. Disney may not need to offer free dining to the rest of us.

I'm thinking the same thing. Between the UK visitors and the return program, they may have a huge turn out and cut the deal to the general US public.

I did notice however, this past Sept. had no crowds at all, even with the free dining plan being offered. I also did hear that alot of people who are now returning didn't even know about the return program. I don't think they advertised it all that much.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for free vittles!

 

[Maliki2]

Yeah I plan on going at the end of August as well. We are going to book at the end of December...I pray they have free dining. But won't change our mind. Our boy will be just over a year old at that point. Can't wait!

 

[willis37862]

Count me in......I want to go in September and I want free food.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

I am all for it too.. my DH is hoping we can get the free dining so it will cut down some on our package cost.

 

[Pennyguy23]

What is this free dining thing I keep hearing about. How do you get it? Thanks

 

[willis37862]

What is this free dining thing I keep hearing about. How do you get it? Thanks

The dining plan which offers you one table service, one counter service and one snack per person per day for the length of your stay. You can purchase the dining plan but last year during the fall ( roughly end of august through september) the dining plan was free with a WDW resort room reservations and theme park tickets purchase. For us it helped us save money and we were able to dine in nice places and not worry about the cost.

 

[kutchyone]

We would only be eligible for 3 nights of free dining because we are renting the other 5 nights at the BCV. I still would sure love to get those 3 nights, (9 free total for the 3 of us) free! If not I will probably still purchase the dining plan because even 10 years ago I budgeted $50.00 each per day. Can you tell we like to eat at the more expensive locations?

 

[WeLoveNemo]

Subscribing

 

[chop456]

We're planning an August trip. I am an on-site newbie and am actually intimidated by the thought of booking this trip! I have always stayed off-site and have booked/purchased everything separately. I have a few questions for you:

I am basing my trip dates on free dining (assuming it will be offered). I have never stayed on-site before and the free dining has made me realize I can do this! Who do you book thru? An agent, Disney directly? Can I make reservations now and add the free dining package once it is offered? how do I do that? If I make a reservation now, and need to change the dates is ti easy to do? If you have to buy a 1-day ticket with the package, can I then take the ticket and apply it towards an annual pass? Does the "package" include just the hotel, park ticket and dining? What is my DH decides to join us after all, can I just call and add him to the package? Free dining is based on rack rate for the room - no exceptions, codes or other room discounts?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be prepared *when* the offer is made available.

I need the step by step guide to booking this. Can someone please hold my hand and help me?

 

[DisneyBound2007]

Just wondering....when was the Free Dining period this past time that they had it....I am praying for it again...and I may be going somewhere in the end of August to the Beginning of September...

 

[kutchyone]

I am basing my trip dates on free dining (assuming it will be offered). I have never stayed on-site before and the free dining has made me realize I can do this! Who do you book thru? An agent, Disney directly?

For many trips I did it myself, I still do check everything out myself but I now hand it over to a TA. If you go with one of the many specialist out there they weill watch for special "codes" to apply to your reservation. Some will even make your dining ADR's for you.

Can I make reservations now and add the free dining package once it is offered? how do I do that?

I think I would make a room only now or just wait. If you do make a room only now you will then wait for free dining to be released then you start calling first thing that morning, or if you have a TA they will call for you. You can NOT apply a package special to a room only reservation.

If I make a reservation now, and need to change the dates is ti easy to do?

On a room only it should be easy, it gets to be more difficult with a package.

If you have to buy a 1-day ticket with the package, can I then take the ticket and apply it towards an annual pass?

Yes you can. But remember we don't know how many ticket days will be required to be purchased to get free dining if offered. If trends hold then because the package offered already to UK residents required a minimum ticket purchase, maybe six days, I can't remember the exact amount, they may require the same for us.

Does the "package" include just the hotel, park ticket and dining?

All Disney transportation on site and Magic Express, transportation from the airport to your resort then back for your return home.

What is my DH decides to join us after all, can I just call and add him to the package?

I would think that would be easy but I'm not sure and would love to hear from an experienced TA on that too. I have a similar issue.

Free dining is based on rack rate for the room - no exceptions, codes or other room discounts?

That is correct but depending on how many are in your party it is a very large savings for most of us.

Hope I did not confuse you more with my replies and I hope if I got anything wrong someone will correct me right away. The deposits and refunds required for a package vs a room only are different too. I will let the more experienced talk you through those.

 

[InnerStrength06]

Subscribing and have fingers (and toes, HA) crossed for Aug 07!

 

[Ziggy]

I've got my fingers crossed too

 

[HelloChum]

For those who went during the free dining last year, how many guests per room were eligible for free dining?

For our June '06 trip, we purchased the Dining Plan for our family of 5...Dh and I and 3 DS (now 12, 11 and 7). Our 2 oldest DSs were considered adults under the dining plan...which was fine...they loved all the food...and it was well worth it. We went for 9 days and tried many new restaurants...it was a lot of fun...and a lot of eating!!

I find it hard to believe that if we had gone during free dining, that 4 "adults" would get free dining....does anyone remember the fine print? Do just parents and children under 9 get free dining? That would still be fine for us...just curious what to get my hopes up for.

Thanks!!

 

[cynjam]

We went last Sept. with FREE dining and it was me, DH, DS6, & DD12. She was considered an Adult and ordered from the adult menu and yes it was still all free. Our food costs for 5 nights totaled over $1000. Even if we would have paid for the DDP we still would have saved almost $400.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Disney's offering the free dining program once again for Fall '07. I picked up a flyer at the Beach Club -- it said that if you're staying in a Disney resort right now, put down a deposit for a stay of 5-days or more at a Disney Value Resort (and ONLY Value Resorts) in Fall '07 and receive the dining plan for free. It looks like you need to purchase tickets for each member of your party for each day of your stay, however.

 

[DVCHopeful]

I think free dining for the general public will depend on how well the return program does. It sounds like many people are jumping on it. Disney may not need to offer free dining to the rest of us.

Now correct me if i am wrong, but
I thought I remebered reading somewhere that the return program only had their booths at a couple resorts (POR sticks out in my memory)
If that is true, then hopefully, it doesnt bring in TOO many people and they stilll offer free dining to us